Uprooted

This pulled me straight in. The writing is full of imagery, demanding to be read slowly, and when done it provides an incredible picture. Usually when I read fantasy novels like SJM I speed read because the writing is so easy ( I sometimes skim paragraphs/ chapters too because of unnecessary simple babbling), but this one to speed read would do it a disservice. This is so unlike any other fantasy, or story, I have ever read and I can truly say, I loved it. So many moving parts to this beautiful tale but they all worked together up until the end. This fantasy has mystery, romance, war, redemptions, thrilling adventures and is such an original wonderful tale! I’m more than satisfied with the ending and I feel it is all wrapped in a little bow, no need for a second book even though I don’t really want to leave the Wood. Good thing is the Wood is still there anytime I want it.

I thought the novel was well done and the writing was fluid and enjoyable, but could have used a little more polish. The author's approach to magic was enjoyable and believable, almost scientific. The villain was a worthy adversary, and the conflict and reasons for it were definitely interesting. *Spoilers below* With that said, there were a few moments that I felt could have been improved, such as Agniezska's time in the capital, and the prince's character overall. The time in the capital seemed both drawn out and rushed, and maybe a bit too relaxed. There were interesting characters there, but none of them were ever really developed. Meanwhile, the Dragon just sort of disappeared from the story.. I would have hoped there would still be an air of his existence. Nieshka's natural approach to magic versus the other's more formulaic approach could have been expanded on. I think there was enough there for a good novel, but it could have been great. Lastly, I felt that there could have been more hinting at what was causing the conflict with the wood. After finishing the story, I realized there wasn't much of any back story given during the course of the book that would have hinted at what was happening. The backstory of the conflict is just kind of laid out for you near the end. I will say that after reading some of the lower star ratings, I'm a bit surprised. This book contains a sex scene. *Gasp* Yes, it is detailed. No, it wasn't perverse. I'd have thought once people got to the part of the book where it detailed men literally being ripped apart, maybe people wouldn't still be naive as to think the book was for children. I don't see any "Young Adult" classification on this book. Yes, I understand some people are prude enough to be disgusted by the very thought of sex, but reading an actual sex scene must have them running to the confession box. Just to be clear, fantasy novels, are not, by default, G rated. Ironically, I don't believe all of these reviewers are young adults! If you're an adult, and you flipped out over sex scene because you think this is a YA novel, I don't know what to tell ya.... Sorry people, it's 2018, get over it. If anything I'd consider this a fantasy romance novel. Maybe the sellers should make that more clear to scare the prudes away?

Wow! Don’t Want to Give Anything Away I love Naomi Novik’s young adult fantasy novel Uprooted. I don’t want to give too much away because I want you to read it; so, I’ll be as brief as I can. Uprooted won the Nebula Award for best novel, is a finalist for a Hugo Award, and on NPR’s Best Books of the Year List. “Uprooted” is rooted in Slavic folk tales, which are often dark and complex. The story is set in Polnya (Poland). The local wizard is named Dragon, and Baba Yaga, a famous character in Slavic tales, is mentioned several times in the story. What I Love about this Book -The writing is lovely, detailed, full of imagery, and magic. I love books that have strong bonds between female characters. This story is a keeper. -The details of the magic and the world building are vivid, complete, and subtle. -The forest was scary to the point of being terrifying. Definitely someplace I’d never want to go. I felt as if I were caught up in a fairy tale, transported to another time and place. There is something horrific about fairy tales, and this book captures that essence. -The book is action packed and keeps rolling along with enough twists and turns to fill a number of novels. Just when I thought things couldn’t get worse, they do. -There are plenty of wrong headed characters, who do things that make me cringe, knowing the outcome is going to be terrible. Sometimes it’s Agnieszka who blunders into a mess. I completely enjoyed this story. There is a love story. The kind I like between two difficult people who don’t quite know how to communicate. I saw a few reviews that didn’t think Dragon’s character was fully developed and that he didn’t change. I didn’t feel this way for three reasons: He’s a few hundred years old, and I assume change would be slow in coming, if ever; I’m always leery of story in which a man or woman changes radically because they are in love; it doesn’t ring true with my experience–that kind of change is superficial and will fade when the “newness and euphoria” of falling in love fades into a steady love; It’s a fairytale. Do we believe the Beast is less beastly because Beauty fell in love? I think not, she didn’t transform him into a handsome man, she fell in love with the beast and now sees him as handsome, and, perhaps, she helps to socializes him. What I Wasn’t Crazy About Yes, even in books I love, the critic in me comes out. -Although I found the writing lovely, there were a few times I wanted to get on with the story and cut to the chase. In those places, I found myself skimming. -Several times, especially when Agniezka first goes to the tower, I found myself frustrated by the characters’ lack of communication, and specifically Agnieszka’s quiet acceptance of people’s behavior. A few simple question would have cleared up a lot of misconceptions and moved the story along a little faster. If she’s going to be quiescent, I need a strong reason for an otherwise bold character to keep quiet. Especially with Dragon, I would have liked to see her demand some basic answers. -Sometimes, I found myself longing for some dialogue. The book is dense with lovely prose and short on dialogue. Last thoughts The book is wonderful. If you like fantasy, fairy tales, magic, and plenty of action, this might be a good read for you. Get it. Read it. Have fun.

Inhalt Agnieszka liebt ihr Zuhause im Tal, ihr ruhiges Dorf, den Forst und den leuchtenden Fluss. Doch am Rand steht der verdorbene Wald, voll heimtückischer Macht, sein Schatten liegt über ihrem Leben. Ihre Leute sind auf einen nur als der Drache bekannten kalten, ehrgeizigen Zauberer angewiesen, um die Macht des Waldes fernzuhalten. Doch er verlangt einen furchtbaren Preis für seine Hilfe: Eine junge Frau muss ihn überreicht werden um ihn für zehn Jahre zu dienen, ein Schicksal beinahe so furchtbar wie verloren an den Wald zu sein. Die nächste Auswahl nähert sich rasch und Agnieszka fürchtet sie. Sie weiß ' jeder weiß es ' dass der Drache Kasia nehmen wird: Die schöne, anmutige, tapfere Kasia ' all die Dinge, die Agnieszka nicht ist ' und ihr liebster Freund in der Welt. Nichts und niemand kann sie davor schützen. Aber niemand kann vorhersagen wie oder warum der Drache ein Mädchen wählt. Und wenn er kommt, wird er nicht Kasia mit sich nehmen. Meinung Dieses Buch hat mich in jeder Hinsicht verzaubert. Ich liebe das wundervolle Cover, dass ich endlos anstarren könnte. Insbesondere deshalb, weil es im Laufe der Handlung mit Bedeutung angefüllt wird und dadurch für mich noch schöner wurde. Außerdem der Erzählstil, so wunderbar märchenhaft. Die hinreißende Magie, voller Wunder. Und dann ist da Agnieszka: Tollpatschig und ungeschickt. Und beherzt, wenn es darauf ankommt. Ich mag an dieser Geschichte, dass hier eine Heldin ist, die sich traut ihren eigenen Weg zu gehen. Die dabei auch einige Male auf die Nase fliegt. Auch wenn sie mich nicht groß gestört haben, hat die Geschichte auch Schwächen: Nachdem es zu Beginn ziemlich schnell mit den Entwicklungen geht, fließt ' ja fast schon mäandert ' die Handlung gemächlich über weite Strecken vor sich hin. Doch empfand ich es als angenehm, dass sich nicht jede Entwicklung vorhersagen lässt und genoss es einfach den Weg von Agnieszka zu folgen. Manche mögen zu recht anmerken, dass die Liebesgeschichte in diesem Buch nur sehr schwach entwickelt ist: Es gibt nur zwei Szenen, wo sich die Figuren wirklich näher kommen. Dennoch gefiel mir die Romanze, sie war stimmig und die beiden Szenen mehr als großartig. Sie bleiben im Gedächtnis haften. Was mich vor allem davon abhält die vollen fünf Sterne zu vergeben, ist das Ende, wo ich noch ein paar Erklärungen vermisst habe. Außerdem sind die Charaktere dann doch recht eindimensional und schwarz-weiß gezeichnet, wobei ich dies als relativ märchentypisch empfinde. Doch trotz dieser Kritik ein absolutes Lieblingsbuch! Fazit Eine märchenhafte Geschichte voller Magie, die verzaubert! 4,5 Sterne

The storyline, world building and the characters were wonderfully and beautifully built! It made me think and made me laugh! I love it!

I got swept away by the fable style of the book, the main character's wisdom despite her young age and the beautiful metaphors woven into this story. A wonderful, wonderful book that'll stay dear to my heart.

4.5 of 5 stars http://lynns-books.com/2015/12/20/uprooted-by-naomi-novik/ Uprooted was my first book by Naomi Novik but it certainly won’t be my last. This book is a delicious combination of fairytale, fantasy and beautiful storytelling. It took me by surprise and I loved it. The story is based in, well, your basic fairytale setting! A small village nestled up against a foreboding wood, the mountains looming in the distance. The villagers are all scared of the wood and pay it a certain sort of respect in that they never under estimate what could happen! In a tower on the outskirts of the village lives a powerful sorcerer. At 150 years of age he still appears as a young man and his magic keeps the wood from encroaching further and swallowing the village and it’s people entirely. Every ten years, the sorcerer chooses a girl from the village. Of course the villagers don’t rebel against this because the sorcerer is their only source of protection. In fact, over the years the villagers, recognising the girls that will be chosen, prepare them for this eventuality. Nobody knows why the sorcerer needs the girls. Whether he has lewd plans or uses them for something even more nefarious! We start the story with Agnieszka and what a wonderful narrator she is. She totally captivated me from page one. Her lifelong friend, Kasia, is the village beauty and, as such, has been long acknowledged as the sorcerer’s (or Dragon’s) next choice. Of course the villagers know the year that a new girl will be chosen which makes it easy to narrow down the possibilities. However, when the time comes things are turned on their head slightly and totally out of character the Dragon chooses Agnieszka. A choice which is about to turn both their worlds upside down. So, characters. Well, I liked Agnieszka. I liked her honesty in the face of certain revelations that occur during the story. I liked her narrative voice and her loyalty to her friend. She’s not perfect. Sometimes you could shake her. Sometimes you could almost shout into the pages to her but overall I really liked her. Sarkan. Well, he’s 150 years old and frankly he’s a grumpy and curmudgeonly so and so. He’s been far removed from polite society for too long and he just doesn’t know how to treat people any longer. He’s thoroughly rude to Agnieszka on occasion and he certainly has no intention of making her transition easy, in fact it wouldn’t even occur to him to do so. However, Agnieszka seems to surprise him out of his comfort zone on a fairly regular basis, she’s got magic of her own and she seems much more adept than he would have ever considered. Mysteriously, the girls from the village are needed for a certain reason and he’s not really trying to form lasting friendships here. All the girls, upon leaving, usually seek new starts elsewhere. The village just doesn’t seem to hold the same appeal to them any longer. Recall the song, ‘if you go down to the woods today, you’re sure of a big surprise’ well, the wood in this story is the surprise character. Wonderfully sinister and with a history of it’s own it seems to ooze malevolence and is full of magic and mystery. This wood has it’s own tale to tell. Now, a few things here. Firstly, and I won’t elaborate, but the dragon (or Sarkan) has his own reasons for the choices he makes. The Villagers also have their own reasons for staying put and seemingly giving up a girl every ten years and likewise the girls have their own reasons for leaving after their time at the tower concludes. That all sounds very teasing but I’m afraid I can’t say more. The world is a wonderful fantasy and fairytale place combined. The magic is creative and unusual. The characters are alternately grumpy and stubborn, there’s some wonderful sizzling going on between the main pair, although this is not a story focused on romance. The plot is a lovely combination of fairytales with echoes of Baba Yaga and Beauty and the Beast. I really enjoyed this and can’t wait to read more from this author.

Un hermoso libro que te atrapa de principio a fin. El uso de la magia y la escencia de la misma me parecieron sumamente originales además de que logras sentir la magia gracias a la narración. Y me pareció un gran desenlace. Me hubiera gustado tardar más en terminarlo.