Author: Naomi Novik
Series: N/A
Every ten years the Dragon takes a girl from the valley to live in his tower in exchange for keeping the people safe from the Wood and its creatures. Agnieszka and the rest of of those under the Dragon’s protection are convinced that the lovely and dauntless Kasia will be chosen, but the powerful wizard surprises them all when he takes Agnieszka instead. Taken from her home and forced to serve the malcontent Dragon, Agnieszka discovers a power inside her she never knew existed. But the Wood the Dragon has work so hard to keep at bay is devising a plan to devour the land and the people with it and Agnieszka will have to use everything she’s learned to help stop it.
“It felt like someone had hit me with a stick across my shoulders: the Wood had felt my working. I was sure of it. The Wood was looking for me now. It was looking, and soon it would find me.”
Naomi Novik’s Uprooted is a rich fantasy novel full of breath-taking magic and a cunning foe that will send chills down your spine. Agnieszka’s character development throughout the novel is by far the most rewarding aspect of this story. Agnieszka has grown up believing that one day she’ll have to give up her dear friend Kasia and though she loves her, there’s this small part of her that recognizes her own shortcomings compare to her friend. For all the bravery that Agnieszka admires in Kasia, she herself has it in droves and she learns to appreciate those unusual things about herself that she once saw as flaws. Agnieszka and Kasia’s relationship is based on a selfless devotion to one another and though both have moments where they have envied the other, their love and faithfulness to each other never wavers.
The Dragon is a powerful wizard who is unwelcoming and impatient with Agnieszka, especially when he begins to teach her magic and he realizes she is more prone to failure than success. As an immortal being, the years have stripped away parts of his humanity and the isolation he endures living in his tower sometimes makes him insensitive to the woes of ordinary mortals. It isn’t that he doesn’t care, but that he has seen how temporary human life is and this can sometimes be misconstrued as indifference. Agnieszka is untried and inexperienced, and her talent for performing magic in an unconventional way has his rigid self rattled. Only when he sees her loyalty to Kasia, does his view of her alter, reminding him of his own humanity.
Uprooted is equal parts beautiful and terrifying. The magic woven throughout the novel is spellbinding and I found myself devouring the second half much quicker than the first as the battle against the Wood gained momentum. The Wood breeds evil creatures from massive wolves to spindly walkers known to steal away villagers. But the Wood itself is also alive, a corrupt and crafty entity capable of taking hold and never letting go of those who come too close. Its malevolent workings is reminiscent of demonic possession, as it speaks through its host and feeds on the weaknesses of others.
Rating: 4/5
★★★★
This sounds absolutely wonderful! I haven’t read much in this genre but I’ve been wanting too and this sounds like a good place to start.
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I’m glad to hear it. Careful, once you get started with fantasy, it’s sometimes impossible to let go.
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I keep seeing this book everywhere! I love the cover and your review made me decide to check it out.
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It’s been highly praised these last couple of months and I’m glad I enjoyed it. I hope you enjoy it as well!
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I really liked the magic in this book! It read a lot like a fairytale which I appreciated. I thought it was an interesting take on the Beauty and the Beast canon too.
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I think the magic was one of my favorite things about the book too. I really loved the magical showdowns.
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*spoilers for people who haven’t read it* Me too! I think my favorite one was the one where she tries and gets the “Wood” out of her best friend. It was pretty creepy but gave me more insight into their friendship.
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Right?! The Wood was so creepy, I thought I was reading a horror book instead of a fantasy one at times.
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I have this one! I need to pull it out to read soon – I think it sounds like something I’ll enjoy.
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I’m going to have to buy myself a copy soon. I hope you enjoy it when you get a chance to pick it up. Happy reading!
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I loooved this book. You’re so right – it’s magical and terrifying for sure. My favorite parts are when Agnieszka and the Dragon are doing magic together and constructing things together. It’s so beautiful and deeply intimate in such a subtle way.
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The magical elements throughout the novel were phenomenal. I often find when magic is written, I can’t quite picture it in my head, but Novik does a fantastic job of bringing the magic in her world to life.
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Ooo I loved this one as well, great characters, a well formed magic system, and The Woods was so creepy! I really liked that it wasn’t weighed down by its love story as well.
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Yes, I also think that because there wasn’t too much focus on the love story, it made way for Agnieszka to shine as well as Novik’s world.
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I am almost to this book on the library wait list and am really looking forward to it. I am glad that you liked it.
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I had to wait a while for my library hold to come in too, why must they take so long sometimes? I hope you enjoy and I look forward to hearing what you thought of it.
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