Member Review

The Witch and the Tsar by Olesya Salnikova Gilmore 

Thank you Netgallery for a copy for an unbiased review.

This is a debut novel. It is also a reimagining of Baba Yaga. If you are a fan of Madeline Miller for example, then this book is a great addition into that genre.

Baba Yaga, or Yaga as they are known here, is a woman who is also half-goddess. Due to being abused by gods and mortals alike, she’s retreated to hide away and is simply doing what she does best, hidden in the depths of the forest. Here she feels safe and in control. All this changes however from the moment the story opens, as her owl arrives to share that someone was arriving. Yaga instinctively knew heartbreak would follow. And follow it did when Anastasia arrives needing her help.

What I loved most about this book was it blended the fantasy side to the historical side brilliantly. To where it was often impossible to pry the two apart; they joined that seamlessly. Not a feat always managed in this genre.
It is not a quick read, but perfectly shows humanity and inhumanity, choices that are solid, choices that are flawed. It has vivid prose throughout and yet it isn't bogged down with too many details to overwhelm.

I did consider 5 stars and it was close, but it did just slow down a few times for me, and that was why I'm just taking a star off.

For a debut novel, this is one that deserves to be up amongst other notable writers and books in the genre. Historical fantasy mythical fiction at it best. I'd recommend and gift this with ease.

4/5 stars 🌟