My thanks to Star Creek Press for a review copy via NetGalley of ‘Vasilisa’ by Julie Mathison.

This is a wonderful tale, written as the author states for ‘children of all ages’. It is set in 1919, just after the end of the Great War. In Edenfall, Pennsylvania, just about to turn fourteen-year-old Vasilisa is convinced that her Papa, listed as missing presumed dead, will still return home. Meanwhile, her Mama is being courted by an odious man, an absolute ogre.

Only the Old Tales, the Russian fables that Vasilisa was raised on, offer her any comfort or counsel. Yet could there be more to them than children’s tales? She then meets a young man named Ivan and together they realise that Old Rus is calling to them across time and space. A magical journey takes place and together they face a number of challenges.

This was a delightful reading experience that I read in a single sitting. It is the first in a planned series titled ‘Old Rus’, though ‘Vasilisa’ is complete in itself.

The story features both Koschei the Deathless and Baba Yaga, the witch whose chicken-legged house is depicted on the striking cover designed by Robin Vuchnich. Julie Mathison does use a number of Russian words that I was unfamiliar with and I feel that a glossary would have been useful. I also learned after reading it that Vasilisa herself is a Russian folk heroine.

I found this a fast-paced novel full of adventure and magic and very enjoyable. I look forward to reading more of Julie Mathison’s work in the near future.

4.5 stars rounded up to 5.

Vasilisa is an imaginative, magical, and unique tale. It's grounded in Russian folklore but overlaid with a creative story of its own.

The story was fast-paced and absorbing. I devoured this in one sitting. It's whimsical despite dealing with Vasilisa's very real problems. The build up of the story was well done. The world building is amazing. It was thoughtful and detailed. The writing was beautiful and vivid that I can visualize it perfectly. Although I had diffuculty understanding some Russian words, I wish there would be a glossary to help the readers.

I absolutely adore the characters and their development! The characters were well fleshed out. Vasilisa, with her kindness and bravery, Ivan whose hellbent on revenge, and Evelyn, she's such a complex and interesting character. Although, Vasilisa and Ivan seem older than their age. I liked that there’s very little romance in the story, just a few hints of it.

Also, I'm surpise to see this shelved as middle grade and YA on Netgalley but it leans more on YA imo. The atmosphere of the novel was more adult than I was expecting from a middle grade book.

Overall, the story was beautiful, lyrical, magical and atmospheric. I enjoyed every single page of it and I'm definitely looking forward for the sequel and the author's work in the future!

Thank you Julie Mathison, Starr Creek Press, and Netgalley for the opportunity to read Vasilisa.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

That was a wonderful Slavic Folktale inspired story. Imagine the tales that your grandmother used to tell you as a kid becoming true and in order to save your family you must face all the fantatic creatures and characters good or evil that until now they were only part of an imaginary world.

I love everything related to the old Rus as it is said in the book, Baba Yaga is one of the most famous and enigmatic characters of the Russian tales that has always fascinated me with her hut standing on chicken legs. I have read a number of Russian Fairy Tales and this book was such a delight to discover and read with Vasilisa's adventures in the Old Rus.

This book is a world in a world kind of story, the main characters live in our reality but then they have to go to another mysterious odd world in order to defeat the villains and where the main adventures with all the tests and dangers that they must go through are waiting for them. The safety of their true reality depends on their success in this other world. Here, It's 1919, we have Vasilisa a 14 years old girls who lives in Edenfall, Pennsylvania, with her mother and grandmother of Russian origines, her father is a soldier on the fields of Flanders and is presumed to be dead, but strangely the loved grandma is suddenly sick when an ogre disguised as a gentleman starts to visit their house and to court her mother. Vasilisa with the help of her new friend Ivan decide to go to the Old Rus in order to save everyone.

I loved this story so much and reading it during the winter season was the best. I found it pretty amazing how the author wrote the dialogues with the riddles, also, the ending was so wonderful. There are so many things to discuss about this story and everything that inspired the author in writing it which made me enjoy it so much.
I haven't read any of Julie Mathison's other books but if they are as amazing as Vasilisa, I want to read everything she wrote. I was happy to hear that Vasilisa is the number one of 4 other books in The Old Rus series.

I let my 12 year old cousin read this first since she's a massive fan of “The house with the Chicken legs” and i knew once she saw the cover my kindle wouldn't be in my possession for a second longer. Few hours later she’s running back to me telling me how much she loves Vasilisa and Ivan while trying her hardest not to spoil what happens (Definitely getting a physical copy to add to her collection).I completely understand her excitement,only takes a few sentences to get you immediately immerse in the story. Full review to come but this already feels like a potential 4-5 stars.

I want to thank #netgalley for allowing me to read this! I adored this book, there is just something about Baba Yaga that I love. I enjoyed traveling with Vasilisa and seeing her grow. I would highly recommend this book. It reminded me of The Winternight Trilogy. There is just something about old Russian folklore that always draws me in and this book was no different. I was saddened when I didn't get to finish it in one night and fell asleep wandering what would happen next for Vasilisa, Ivan, Babka and so many others. I look forward to reading the next book as well!

Unlike the other book "Believe", Vasilisa was not an instant favourite but it wasn't a let down either. This book was a folklore retelling of sorts surrounding the story of Baba Yaga, who lived in a house with chicken legs. This is a Russian fairy tale, which I knew nothing about until I read this book. It took me a while to get into this book; the writing style was a bit different. But by the time you reach five chapters or so, the book is extremely fast-paced as the story follows the young and brave Vasilisa as she dives headfirst into a world of magic, mystery and witches.
The scenes are very picturesque and were a delight to read. And the characters! Each and every one of them was memorable and so very well expressed! Vasilisa, for one, is the perfect protagonist for a middle-grade book. I think children are going to love her! She reminded me of older Luna (from The Girl who drank the Moon) and even the amount of realism and whimsy in this book reminded me of Kelly Barnhill's novels.
This book conveys quite a few important messages like the true meaning of courage, the consequences and situations due to poverty, the aftermath of a war, cherishing your family (biological or chosen), and the one I loved the most - not to be afraid or hesitant to express your emotions because of your age or gender.
This book was definitely worth reading. The book is very unusual - with its writing style and concept. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves reading whimsical stuff, fairy tales, and mostly historical fiction!

*Thank you to NetGalley and the Author for providing me with an ARC in exchange of an honest review.

As a result of my various committee appointments and commitments I am unable to disclose my personal thoughts on this title at this time. Please see my star rating for a general overview of how I felt about this title. Additionally, you may check my GoodReads for additional information on what thoughts I’m able to share publicly. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read this and any other titles you are in charge of.

I absolutely loved this one and cannot wait for the sequel. Anyone who adores folklore and historical fiction melded with a little fantasy will thoroughly enjoy it! The details in the description of the setting puts the reader completely in the mindset of the character and can experience this exciting adventure with them!

Magical and lyrical, complex and unique, Vasalisa is a richly imagined tale that doesn't shy away from dark themes and adult problems. The tone of the novel was more adult than I was expecting with language that was a little more difficult for my nine-year-old to grasp as we read the book aloud together, but I think older middle school readers and young adults would appreciate the Russian folklore, the historical setting, and the magical elements.

Disclaimer the book was provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Also, I'm not Russian so I can not speak on that representation.
I loved all the bits of Russian folklore included. The book isn't that long and held my attention well so I flew through it. the main charters Vasilisa and Ivan are 14 which made the book feel more Ya as opposed to middle grade. On Netgalley it's listed as both young adult and middle grade so I'm not sure which one it is. overall I loved how the book was whimsical and also dealt with some real problems. I'll definitely pick up more books by this author in the future.

I would love to have 2 copies of this book. As a substitute teacher I would love a copy to have for myself and one to read to my students. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

Vasilisa, the main character, was a lively friend from the beginning of the book until the end. Her emotions, while youthful, were so strong you felt them for her as you read. Her life is not perfect, but whose is?

My only complaint...it read too quickly. I finished in around 5 hours. (Mainly on my lunches at school, while talking to other teachers.)

I am going to buy this book, and I look forward to finding more from this author in the future.

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and the author for a great read. To the author specifically, please never stop writing you have an amazing talent.

4/5 Stars
Really enjoyed the whimsical nature of the story and the character growth of Vasilisa.
Review found here:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56419188-vasilisa?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=dnik2aMfZc&rank=3

I love a good Vasalisa/Baba Yaga story and this one was no exception. The whole book was a pleasure to read.

Vasilisa by Julie Mathison

Release date 23rd February 2021

Rating 4 star 8.00 on Cawpile
Synopsis

Three witches, two children, one ogre—and nowhere to run.

It’s 1919, but in Edenfall, Pennsylvania, the Great War is not over—not for Vasilisa, at least. Papa is presumed dead on the fields of Flanders, Mama is being courted by an absolute ogre, and now Babka, her beloved grandma, has had a bad spell. Or has she fallen under one? Only the Old Tales, the Russian fables Vasilisa was raised on, offer any comfort or counsel.

But what if they are more than child's tales?

Enter Ivan, who jumps a train for Edenfall at midnight and finds Vasilisa in a real fix. He’s on his own quest, but Old Rus is calling from across time and both worlds, and if they heed the call, they might both get what they want. But it won’t be easy. Three witches, two children, one ogre – they’re outnumbered and outclassed. Baba Yaga and Old Koschei are after the same thing—and each other—and the children are caught in the cross-hairs. Vasilisa has a secret weapon, in the humblest of guises, but will the meek truly inherit the earth? Or will the mighty prevail? One thing is certain: it’s a fairy tale of their own making, a tale whose happy ending is ever in doubt.

Thank you to netgalley and independent book publishers for allowing me to read this. I was drawn to this book mainly because of the cover I saw the house with chicken legs and it was an auto ask to read. This book was dipped in Russian folklore that if you have read any Russian folklore you will know. I adore Russian folklore many thanks to some wonderful middle grade I have read. I loved this book, the characters were so good and the sprinkling of the folklore was interwoven so well that it drew you in from page one.

I sat and read this book in one setting and devoured every moment and cannot wait to read the rest of the series because I have a feeling that this is going to be a series that will go strength to strength and this will make a great series to read to anyone who wants to dip their feet into folklore but is unsure where to start.

I now eagerly await the next one because this will be a great edition to any bookshelf especially people who like Middlegrade .

What a lovely story, it really feels like a fairy tale.
Vasilisa is a girl living in Pennsylvania, but she grew up hearing stories about Russia, and she soon finds out that they are real.
When her father is missing in action and an ogre starts courting her mother she knows she needs to do something, find her father and bring him home.
And she will not do it alone, she will have the help of Ivan, he also knows Russian myths and legends and together they will go the adventure.
They are transported to Old Rus, a magical realm, there they need to find Baba Yaga and ask her for help.

I adore both characters and their development, Vasilisa is intelligent and brave, she seeks to solve her problems through talking and kindness. Instead, Ivan must leave resentment behind and not blame himself for things that are not in his hands.

I loved the tasks they solved them with witty and wisdom.

This was a beautiful adventure, very magical and fun to read

This book was really good and well written. It was quite nice to immerse myself back into the world of fairytales and folklore after not having been exposed to them in years, but in a lot more mature way through the eyes of a teenager. This story not only contains fairytales and lore but also subtle romance and good characterization. I would definitely recommend this book.

For me, this book felt like coming home from a long winter day. It is cozying up by the fire with your favorite blanket while your cat purrs fairytales in her sleep. This book felt like magic.

It follows the story of 13 year old Vasilisa, as she meets young Ivan, and they venture together in the world of Old Russia in order to find answers to defeat an ancient fairytale villain, as well as finding out the truth about the whereabouts of her father.

This book had e everything: great mythology, a dream world, an unexpected romance between two 14 years old that actually work, and a fairytale ending that makes you belive in miracles once again.

Truly a wonder for every fan of the Bear and the nightingale trilogy, as well as everyone that simply loves winter or fairytales.

**I received an ARC from the publisher on Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

This book wasn't exactly what I was expecting but it turned out to be pretty good. I enjoyed the Russian fables being in the book. That's what made it enjoyable for me.

I had high hopes for this book.

The summary was great, the cover is beautiful (if you ignore the girl on it) and it's a different type retelling in a world where most retellings have the same essence/ origin. The story, though linear and kind of predictable, was good. The characters were your typical Middle Grade/ YA fantasy characters, which I really don't mind.

This had everything to be a good book, so I was surprised when I found myself thinking it was just average. The pacing seemed too fast, the world building wasn't done in a gradual manner and the writing was, in my honest opinion, a little too wordy.

That being said, I do believe that it's an okay book, with great potential of being a favourite for the right reader. I, unfortunately, am not that reader.

The things you will do for the love of your family. Vasilisa comes from a long line of Vasilisa's, all of which were powerful, courageous, and strong. Only, this Vasilia's strength comes in a much different package. We watch as she champions curses, bears, wolves, witches, ogres, and even the tarnished revengeful heart of her travel companion Ivan. She journey's to Old Rus to save the family she loves, knowing it might mean she never gets to see them again.

I loved this story with its mix of familiar lore and the unpredictableness of teenage day to day struggles.

CAWPILE Rating: 9.29