Reviews

The Witch and the Tsar by Olesya Salnikova Gilmore

bookperson_'s review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

avesmaria's review against another edition

1.0

This was so terribly written I could not get past the first chapter. Cliche and vague use of language made it feel like a high schooler’s attempt at a folklore YA novel.

originalbookworm's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

anjalisudarsan's review against another edition

5.0

This book gave me the opportunity to understand the scale of Ivan the terrible's cruelty during his reign of terror. The plot line, from Baba Yaga's point of view, was well written. I felt like I was living through her eyes, witnessing the horrors around as she balances her sense of magic, figuring out who she was and overcoming her own challenges while trying to protect 'Rus (Russia).

I enjoyed Slavic mythology in this book; which unlike Greek or Norse mythology isn't a popular topic. It was great to be introduced to the Gods and Goddesses, and to sort of understand the lifestyle during the 1500's in Russia. What I found interesting was the contrast between the beautiful landscapes described by the author, versus the lives of the common folk in towns like Pskov and Novgorod.

The element of adventure in this book really weaved it together. Yaga truly is a resilient character, at least in this retelling. Definitely a lovely experience!

jaxinthebox01's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

3.5

magnoliasandcrystals's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

ttorisaurus's review against another edition

adventurous tense medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.75

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: War, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and Death

Minor: Abandonment, Blood, Classism, Pregnancy, Murder, Confinement, Death of parent, Grief, and Fire/Fire injury

babyskillet's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

I liked this book but it was really tough for me to get through. I was interested but I felt like I could easily leave the characters and put the book down. I really liked Yaga and her character as well as Marin and Vasily. I would love to hear more about Baba Yaga and where her story came from. I also liked the friendships she made through the book. And her animal companions? Love. It was a good book, but I just struggled to get through it because of who I am as a reader.

frankatzenzungen's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

lemonieh1's review against another edition

adventurous emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Loveable characters? It's complicated

4.0