Uprooted

author: Naomi Novik
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.20
book published: 2015
rating: 4
read at: 2015/09/11
date added: 2015/09/11
shelves: sword-and-laser
review:
'Uproooted' by Naomi Novik takes the idea of Eastern European fairytales and weaves a totally new and interesting story while still feeling like something old.

In a small village on the edge of a mysterious and dangerous wood, a dragon (really a man who is a wizard) comes to town and chooses a girl on a regular basis. Everyone thinks he will choose Kasia, even her parents who have groomed her for just such a day. When the dragon chooses unkempt Agnieszka instead, everyone is shocked, even the dragon. In the days that follow, Agnieszka finds her life has changed and she has to adapt to life in a new place with this strange and surly man. There are many mysteries to be uncovered. Why does the dragon choose girls from the village? What causes the woods to enact horrible acts on the nearby villages? Can the queen who was trapped in the woods in earlier years be saved?

I liked the way the story unfolded, but there were times when it felt a little long. Much of what happens to Agnieszka seemed a bit predictable, and I got a bit tired of her always describing the stains on her dress and her unkempt appearance. But, I did like how things unfolded and I loved that old magic books by Baba Yaga feature into the growth of Agnieszka, and that the story is a sort of nod to the story of 'Beauty and the Beast.'

I received a review copy of this ebook from Spectra, Del Rey, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.


via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://ift.tt/1ETJ8mn