Recent bestselling novels by Katherine Arden and Naomi Novik have demonstrated readers have an appetite for Russian/Slavic fantasy, and this latest addition to the sub-genre is a worthy one, up there with books like 'The Bear and the Nightingale' and 'Spinning Silver'. 'The Witch and the Tsar' is set in the 16th century, during the reign of Ivan the Terrible, and takes one of Russia's best known historical figures and combines his story with one of the most famous mythic figures from the region, the witch Baba Yaga.

The novel is mostly narrated by Yaga - who is given a very sympathetic portrayal, not in line with her classic villainous representation. She has lived alone in the forest - and yes, she does dwell in a house that walks on chicken legs - since being driven out by people suspicious of her magic, and uses her powers only for good - healing the sick, delivering babies etc. She is drawn back into the world when the Tsar's wife - whom she knew as a child - comes to her for help. In order to protect the Tsaritsa, she travels to the court in Moscow, where a poisoner is at work. But she soon discovers this is no average political plotter - the old gods are behind the trouble and the lives of thousands of innocent people are ultimately at risk. There follows a classic fantasy good-versus-evil battle where plucky heroes must attempt to prevail against seemingly impossible odds to save the world - or at least their part of it.

It's very easy to read, one of those stories that draws you straight in. The strong, likeable central character of Yaga is at the centre of its success. There are also endearing supporting characters, and ambiguous interesting villains. The historical elements are based in fact - I hadn't known why Ivan earned his 'terrible' epithet but now I do. Gilmore cleverly combines the historical and fantastical elements in a way that enables them to work together. It's a gripping read with a protagonist who will stay with me.

There is plenty of scope for fantasies using Slavic mythology and the wintery settings lend themselves well to the genre as there is always something a bit magical and mysterious about snow. I hope Gilmore has some more ideas as I'll be keen to read more books by her.

I would like to thank netgalley for the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.
A very enjoyable book based on the tale of Baba Yaga.
If you like a novel based around a fairy tale this is right up your street.
I would liken it to Katherine Ardens winternight trilogy if you enjoyed this book and haven't read them yet what are you waiting for.

Most of us know the tale of Baba Yaga, a Slavic folklore story of a deformed woman living in a hut on chicken legs in the middle of the forest, getting up to all manner of dark and ghastly things including eating children and generally being the epitome of evil.
The Witch And The Tsar does an incredible job of retelling this story and humanising Baba Yaga or Baba Jaga as she's often known.
Baba Yaga keeps herself to herself, her interactions with mortals have often ended in heartbreak and betrayal so it's safest for her in the forest along with her familiars Noch and Dyen. That is until her old friend Anastasia, her old friend and now The Tsar's wife seeks her out after she feels mysteriously ill. When Baba Yaga works out she's being poisoned, it's evident that all of the fate of Russia lies in what happens to Anastasia, Russia is in danger and Baba Yaga must come out of isolation to protect the country she loves so much and save its people.
I absolutely adored this book! It provided pure escapism and kept me entertained. I didn't ever want to put this book down and couldn't wait to pick it back up. Olesya's writing style is stunning, so descriptive and lyrical, I loved learning more about Baba Yaga as I love anything to do with myth and folklore. There's a gorgeous slow burn romance, God's and Godesses, plenty of fast paced action and has a gorgeous feminist story where a woman who has been vilified becomes the hero, what more could you possibly want. The fact that this is a debut novel blows my mind and I can't wait to see what this author does next.

I know only that Baba Yaga was a witch so I came to this novel with no preconceived ideas about what she was. Witches usually get short shrift in literature so I figured this might be a different retelling of the myths.

I did study Russian history but long ago and we only covered the Romanovs and revolution so I'd about as much knowledge of Ivan as I had of the mythical Yaga.

Hence I read this book for pure enjoyment.

I have to say I struggled to get into it as we seem to wander from myth to history in a pretty haphazard way at first. In fact it took me till about halfway for the story to really grab me, which was probably around the time that Ivan became really terrible.

The writing is okay. Once you've got your head round all the names of gods and humans it's quite easy to follow and I liked the ending. I actually liked that it had a real ending rather than (as seems to be quite popular these days) leaving you in limbo.

There is a long (ish) section at the end explaining the myths and history behind the period covered but I wasn't interested in that part. I enjoyed the story. It wasn't five star good but it was certainly as good as some of the Greek myth retellings that I've read. Plus its always interesting to see the similarities in mythical creatures and the creation stories that change from culture to culture.

In summary, an interesting read that I would recommend to anyone who enjoys the retelling genre. Yaga certainly comes across as a much more rounded figure.

Well this was a guilty pleasure although not sure what I’m actually guilty of apart from loving this book. Set in 16th century Russia this is a retelling of the story of Baba Yaga, Ivan the Terrible and a host of gods both old and new. History, folklore and pagan gods are mixed wonderfully in this book. You are transported to the palaces and forests of Russia and experience not only the opulence of the wealthy but also the incredible cruelty that was inflicted on Russia’s people. A book of love and hope but also horror and despair but above all a strong woman who puts the needs of her country and people before herself. I loved it and I will be looking for more from this author. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this novel in return for an honest review.

Huge thanks to Harper Collins U.K., Harper Fiction and NetGalley for the arc of The Witch and The Tsar by Olesya Salnikova Gilmore in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Gilmore delivers a beautifully written retelling of the Slavic Folklore character Baba Yaga, delivered from a feminine perspective. This retelling mixes myth, folklore and historical events to deliver a read that is best savoured slowly.

This retelling is set during the 16th Century when we meet our protagonist Yaga living in solitude in her house on chicken legs away from the scorn and derogatory status she has been labelled with by suspicious folk. Nothing new there, as we all know single "wise women,” midwives, herbalists and more have not been treated kindly through history. This view of prejudice is delivered with a truly holistic perspective, which adds depth and feeling to the characters.

However, Tsaritsa Anastasia, the wife of the Tsar Ivan the Terrible, who is a dear and precious friend to her comes asking for aid and Yaga cannot find it in her heart to decline. Thus begins the tale of Yaga and her efforts to restore the health of her dear friend and her beloved country Russia.

The world building that Gilmore develops us packed full of Russian culture, folklore and history that totally immersed the reader. The merging of fantasy with historic events delivers a powerful punch that brings structure and a heart pounding element to the story. She redefines Yaga as an empathetic, independent, humane and courageous character; Leagues away from the evil, ancient, child-devouring hag of folklore.

I can truthfully say that I took my time over this book, stepping away to consider and digest the historical events and their human impact and I truly do not regret doing so. This is a truly captivating debut, and if you love myth, legends, great retellings and a plunge into one of the bloodiest eras in history, you will definitely not regret picking this up.

I knew who I was, a daughter of the Earth Goddess Mokosh, a sister, a vedma, a healer...I was a half Goddess, half mortal. I was Baba Yaga, and she was me."

I am a big fan of fiction based on folklore and legends so when I heard about this book I knew I had to read it. The blurb reminded me of The Bear and the Nightingale, a book I loved, so this also added to the appeal. Whilst The Witch and the Tsar is similar, it is also a wonderful book in its own right.

Prior to reading The Witch and the Tsar I had heard of Baba Yaga frequently and always in a negative light. She was the wicked witch of fairy tales, someone to be feared. What I loved about The Witch and the Tsar is that it challenged these perceptions and painted her as someone who was misunderstood, the subject of viscious rumours. Viscious rumours spread by men.

"Do I look like a baba? I was not a babushka, lying on my stove in the throes of advanced age and infirmity. Nor was I a hag, a demon or an illness. Nothing about me was ill or demonic or old, except for the occasional thread of silver in my wild black hair."

This author has clearly put a lot of effort into researching the political and historical problems at play around this time and her writing is simply beautiful.

"When my owl landed on my shoulder, I knew heartbreak was not far behind."

When we meet Yanka she is living in her isolated home, far from mortals and the wounds they inflict on her. Her only companions are her owl 'Noch', her wolf 'Dyen' and her hut 'Little Hen.' Yaga only wants to help the ill and infirm but she has been betrayed too many times to trust that she can live among mortals. Men do not like unmarried, reclusive women with a modicum of independence, she must be a hag.

Yaga is part mortal, part God. Her mother taught her the potions and remedies she now uses. Yaga is immortal, as are her sole companions, Dyen and Noch.

One night the Tsarista of Russia, a one time friend of Yaga's, turns up at her door. She is suffering from a mysterious ailment and feels she may die. She is being poisoned. Yaga feels that strange forces are at play in Russia and she knows she must do something to help her friend and in doing so she must leave her santuary and venture out into the world of mortals, a world where fear and suspicion rule.

"I was not fool enough to believe I had no need of mortals, but when I had tried to co-exist with them, they turned on me. To them, I would always be a witch, the cursed Baba Yaga hag."

The Tsar and the Witch has so much contained within its pages. It is not just a feminist portrayal of a well-known figure, not just a historical fiction. It is the perfect cosy read for the coming winter weather.

I found "The Witch and the Tsar" by Olesya Salnikova Gilmore quite a dry read. I kept thinking back to The Winternight Trilogy by Katherine Arden (Bear & The Nightingale etc) which again is based on Russian folklore, that was so magical and I was hoping for the same with this book. Sadly it didn't do it for me.

This was so-so. Written well enough but the depiction of complex and often sinister Russian folklore was a little uninspiring. Also it’s worth noting that while the MC may be based on Baba Yaga, she is not actually Baba Yaga. Admittedly, the folkloric figure would be quite difficult to make likeable but she would certainly be more interesting. I suppose what kind of bugged me about this one was that it’s billed as being feminist but it seems to be feminist in the style of complaining and saying ‘it’s all (white) men’s fault’ which is pretty tired, not to mention inaccurate. So I found this to be a bit of a mixed bag, but if you can just read it on the storytelling level and you’re not too bothered about Russian folklore, you might really enjoy this.

I have read a few books recently about Baba Yaga and this holds up with the best of them. The witch is depicted as a much more human character, strong ,loyal and loving. There is a rich background of myth and Russian history making this a lush rich book. Loved it.

Olesya Salnikova Gilmore's debut plunges the reader into a tragic and brutally violent period of Russian history, blended with the traditions, culture, myth, legend, magic and folklore of the country and painting a markedly different picture of the notoriously dangerous Baba Yaga from her terrifying reputation. Here, she is a healer, using her magic and potions to help others, a more vulnerable and beautiful woman, a half goddess living in isolation in the woods in a hut that stands on chicken legs, with Dyen, a wolf, and Noch, her owl. When old friend, Anastasia, the wife of Tsar Ivan, arrives seeking her help, Yaga overcomes her fears, reluctance and the dangers and threats she faces in order to do all that she can to protect her dear friend.

She makes her way to the royal court of Ivan to ensure Anastasia's safety, through time the country falls prey to the increasing insanity, tyranny, violence and paranoia of Ivan the Terrible. However, the courageous Yaga sees that there is far more at play than the acts of men as she battles obstacle after obstacle to try and save Russia. She is a woman coming to terms with all that it is possible for her to be, she even finds a unexpected love crossing her path. This is an atmospheric, engaging and character driven read, of the horrors of Russian history and its myth and folklore, but there are pacing issues and I struggled at times to accept the author's characterisation of Yaga, it didn't feel entirely authentic to me. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.

I had previously read a wonderful middle grade book featuring Baba Yaga (Sophie Anderson - The House With Chicken Legs) which I had absolutely adored, so I was very excited to read this advance copy featuring another imagining of Baba Yaga. It did not disappoint! Olesya has imagined a glorious Yaga: a strong, independent woman, who in spite of her immortality and magic, possessed a fierce human side too. I enjoyed watching her develop throughout the book, both her magical skills and her self, opening her heart to the human cause of Russia and its people. Her house with chicken legs, Little Hen, brought a huge smile for me as this character had featured so strongly in the previous book I’d read. The story is seeped in Russian folklore and pagan gods, many of whom I didn’t know. There’s a great glossary at the end of the book, which explains all about them, along with the author’s explanation of where she stayed true to facts etc and where she strayed for her reimagined story. I only discovered this at the end, however in a real book in would be brilliant and help keep up with the many characters. I thought the world building was wonderful, from the palaces to the snowy forests to the other worlds. For me, this book was a glorious indulgence into the realms of magic and fantasy and folklore, which I thoroughly enjoyed!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and Olesya for this advanced e-arc in exchange for a review.

I love the cover art of this book! I'm reading it in October and its defo got the right atmosphere! For the story itself, I'm not sure how i feel. I loved the Russian folklore and how it was weaved into the story but the book was equal parts engaging and slow. The characters felt rather 2 dimensional and at times i did not care for them, not in terms of i disliked them but i had no feelings. That being said i think this book would be exceptional if Guillermo del Toro got his hands on it, imagine the art work that could be produced by the author and director.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I can read myths from any culture. With #thewitchandthetsar, I was transported to 1500’s Russia enveloped in Slavic myths. History and Mythology together. Yes, It was bloody and disturbing at times (it was a difficult time in Russian history with Ivan the terrible as its Tsar) but I am glad I read it. Histories can be hard to read on their own but wrapped in fanciful stories is a great way to consume them, even if the facts are somewhat subverted.

I felt transported to the snow-covered lands with the new God and the old ones. The mythical tales were so interesting to read and very easy to follow. Loved the blend of fairytale characters.

Especially the imagined, fearless, feminist version of Baba Yaga. Living in her house on chicken legs, she is not a bitter old crone, but a healer and a kind person. She fights against Gods and Tsars to protect her motherland.

It also felt relevant to the world situation today. While it is easier and comforting to blame Gods for straying the human mind to war, it serves as a reminder that no one else is responsible for human greed and bloodlust.

“Once war is on men’s minds, it festers within, claiming them”

The only thing that didn't work for me is too many characters. So many great characters but they just fizzled out in the background.

Other than that, it was a great read. If you liked reading, “The Bear and the Nightingale”, you’ll get the same feels from this one.

My Review will be posted on 30/10/22 on Goodreads (Catherine tempany) and Instagram (@kindle_and_crossstitch and @cat_temps).

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read this book!

Review:
A captivating blend of historical fiction and mythology, doing for Baba Yaga what ‘Wicked’ did for the Wicked Witch of the West.

Baba Yaga is a key figure in Slavic folklore. A grotesque witch, who loves to eat children and rides around Russia in her magical hut (with its giant chicken legs), to hunt kids and generally cause chaos.

But what if that was just what the men in charge wanted you to think?

Within this remagining, the anthropomorphic hut is still there, but the character of Yaga is very different. Whilst Ivan the Terrible storms around in a brutal campaign of terror, half-mortal Yaga has a Herculean style challenge to put everything right, taking on a rogue goddess who might just be responsible for Ivan’s actions.

There is a vast cast of characters, some factually authentic and some mythological. All are well researched and co-exist in the story perfectly. The women in particular stand out as the strong and resilient characters, stopping at nothing to get what they want.

The Witch and the Tsar is released in the UK on 8th December 2022.

The Witch and the Tsar is a reimagining of the Russian folk tale of Baba Yaga and follows Yaga as she navigates the ever changing landscape that is the creation of new Russia. Olesya Salnikova Gilmore weaves a rich and lush landscape for us to travel through and has brought to life this famous myth in a historical context.

The book is a slow read with no significant plot twists or revelatory moments but for me that was not what this book was about.
Despite the appearance of multiple deities and the main character being an immortal half goddess this was a distinctly human story.
Found family in the face of adversity.
A man ravaged by his grief.
A woman feeling powerless in a world of men.
It is about accepting yourself and letting yourself be accepted by others, how hope and love come hand in hand with heartache and despair but in the end it is worth it. It is about how family is something you choose and can come in many different forms and how you shouldn't judge people for being different.

I really enjoyed this book and would recommend to folktale and mythology fans who also enjoy books by Katherine Arden and Naomi Novik.

The Witch and The Tsar by Olesya Salnikova Gilmore

3 STARS

Whilst there's no doubting the author knows her Russian folklore, something was missing for me. The story itself has interesting premise but the plot appears disjointed at times and the character of Yagga seems far removed from the one we know of. A good read but not quite for me.

Yaga is immortal. Her mother is (or rather, was) the Earth Goddess Mokosh. Her father: an unknown mortal man. Her closest friends: an owl named Noch, a wolf named Dyen, and her house with chicken legs which is named Little Hen. Her one calling in life: to heal and help the people of Russia. Unfortunately men are cruel and they do not like things or people who are different. And so the people of Russia know her as Baba Yaga, the evil witch, and now she hides away in the forest and waits for those in need to seek her out. One such seeker is Anastasia, Empress of Russia, and what she asks for will change the course of Yaga’s life forever.

This is a book I was really excited about and it definitely didn’t disappoint. Yaga is a complex character with strengths and weaknesses, dreams and fears, a past and a future. She is a powerful being who is determined to use the gifts given to her for the benefit of others. Yet she is also human and she makes mistakes. However, it is the depths of her emotions and her loyalty that make her into such a lovable character. This trait of loyalty is also something she looks for in those that she surrounds herself with, making for a strong cast of characters with deep bonds.

The plot is straight-forward and easy to follow yet also engaging in its stakes and in the emotive way that the characters engage with it. There are clear heroes and clear villains and clear routes to victory or defeat. Yet there are also extenuating circumstance that allow us to sympathise with the villains and Yaga’s motives slowly change from noble to personal. Initially Yaga wants to save Russia because she can and because it is the right thing to do, but she has no personal stakes beyond preserving her own fragile mortal body. Then she slowly begins making emotional connections and by the end of the book she is saving Russia so that the people she loves can live happily within it: with or without her if necessary.

This is an interesting view point on a well told story. The story takes you on a journey that almost has a feel of Studio Ghibli in the presentation. It is a tad on the long side but defiantly worth a read if you love fairy tales, Russian Anastatia and ancient gods then grab it. It covers women's representation in history, the role of religion, friendship and love.

Thank you to Net Galley for this ARC.

This review contains some spoilers.

This is a retelling of an old Slavic folk tale. I hadn't heard of the original but love this kind of thing so was intrigued to give it a read.

I enjoyed the descriptive language used in the book. It breathed life into the magic and the different worlds portrayed in the story. I also enjoyed that Yaga was a complex character often conflicted, much like her opposite Koshey, who I would've liked to have seen more of. Selica was a bit of a hollow villain, who never felt like a true threat. I liked the slow burn romance between Yaga and Vashily - although I wasn't a huge fan of her fretting about her 'barren womb' and then immediately and conveniently falling pregnant a few pages later.

The plot was disjointed and the constant time skips became tiring. The first part of the book delving into Yaga's past particularly with Koshey and the poisoning plotline was interesting and had me hooked. However, all of a sudden that was over and we had pages of Yaga out in the middle of nowhere doing rituals which was a huge change of pace. Similarly, there was a huge build up to this battle with the Tsar and Selica only for it to be little more than a whimper followed by pages of domestic bliss. I found this to be quite jarring and made everything much less tense and atmospheric than it could have been.

All in all, I thought the book had the potential to be great but the jumpy plot meant it didn't quite hit the mark for me.