3.5 stars rounded up.
I was definitely missing Vasya for a bit in the beginning but there was a lot in this book to love. And while so much of what happens, and how she was treated, frustrates me, I know it’s accurate for the culture and time period. Speaking of accuracy, I really respect the author’s research and care with Russian culture and folklore. You’d be surprised how many very popular authors (cough cough looking at you Leigh Bardugo) don’t do the same. Even things you'd think were simple, like using the correct patronymic for males vs females.
SPOILERS AHEAD:
* The men in this book are trash. And because I knew that, I didn’t trust Kasyan from the beginning. Dude was hella sus. Only the frost king is ok. Even Alexander sucks sometimes, though he does seem to have a good heart. And UGH THE PRIEST. Gah I wish he’d just die. Him blaming Vasya for him wanting her is so gross. Not to mention, dude makes deals with devils and has the audacity to say Vasya is an unholy witch who should be burned? Like sir you led an old lady into the woods to die, and then traded a young girl to fulfill your wishes, how do you not see you are the problem? I still don’t know if he died at the end of this but I really hope we’ve seen the end of him.
* Vasya didn’t have a right to make the decision she did in regards to Olga. It was Olga’s choice, and she shouldn’t have taken it from her.
* Also can people stop mentioning how Vasya isn’t pretty? Like I get it. Plus, girl has got dark hair, green eyes, and can outcompete most men. She sounds exactly my type, so chill.
* I adore Solovey. Easily the best character in the whole series. I want my own Solovey to sneak cakes to and brush. (This book is turning me into a horse girl with all this horse content)
* Best part of the book was when Vasya saved the girls. We love a badass who will risk her own life for innocents.
* The Vasya/ Morozco moments were so good. I am so here for the tension. Though they may have admitted to loving each other in the least romantic way possible lol. Also at the beginning, when he said to Vasya, “what do you intend to do? Live with me in the woods?” I was like ummm yes please 😂
I was definitely missing Vasya for a bit in the beginning but there was a lot in this book to love. And while so much of what happens, and how she was treated, frustrates me, I know it’s accurate for the culture and time period. Speaking of accuracy, I really respect the author’s research and care with Russian culture and folklore. You’d be surprised how many very popular authors (cough cough looking at you Leigh Bardugo) don’t do the same. Even things you'd think were simple, like using the correct patronymic for males vs females.
SPOILERS AHEAD:
* The men in this book are trash. And because I knew that, I didn’t trust Kasyan from the beginning. Dude was hella sus. Only the frost king is ok. Even Alexander sucks sometimes, though he does seem to have a good heart. And UGH THE PRIEST. Gah I wish he’d just die. Him blaming Vasya for him wanting her is so gross. Not to mention, dude makes deals with devils and has the audacity to say Vasya is an unholy witch who should be burned? Like sir you led an old lady into the woods to die, and then traded a young girl to fulfill your wishes, how do you not see you are the problem? I still don’t know if he died at the end of this but I really hope we’ve seen the end of him.
* Vasya didn’t have a right to make the decision she did in regards to Olga. It was Olga’s choice, and she shouldn’t have taken it from her.
* Also can people stop mentioning how Vasya isn’t pretty? Like I get it. Plus, girl has got dark hair, green eyes, and can outcompete most men. She sounds exactly my type, so chill.
* I adore Solovey. Easily the best character in the whole series. I want my own Solovey to sneak cakes to and brush. (This book is turning me into a horse girl with all this horse content)
* Best part of the book was when Vasya saved the girls. We love a badass who will risk her own life for innocents.
* The Vasya/ Morozco moments were so good. I am so here for the tension. Though they may have admitted to loving each other in the least romantic way possible lol. Also at the beginning, when he said to Vasya, “what do you intend to do? Live with me in the woods?” I was like ummm yes please 😂