Uprooted

Em

I enjoyed this so much

"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. ["

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November 6, 2025 Verified Purchase

upL8N8

Adult take on a fairy tale

"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? ["

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September 14, 2018 Verified Purchase

Cora L. Foerstner

Naomi Novik's "Uprooted": Friendship, Magic, and Adventure!

"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. ["

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August 5, 2016 Verified Purchase

SparkleFyre

I loved this book!! 5/5

"This was the first great book I've read for a long time! I'd been looking for a story like this one for months when I came across Uprooted by accident. I was almost put off by the negative reviews but my interest in the story won out and I'm so glad it did. One reviewer mentioned that Agnieshka was a Mary Sue, but I have to disagree. This story was beautifully told and the battles were hard-won and well-written. Yes, Agnieshka became powerful relatively quickly, but she still struggled to learn magic. She wasn't good at everything, she had limits, but she was always strong and she stayed true to herself despite the ridicule she received for not doing things the traditional way. Also, she and Sarkan complemented eachother well. By using the methods that worked best for them separately, they made themselves stronger together. IMHO, her power was sufficiently explained. The romance in this story was better than anything I've read in quite awhile. It was real and true and not *sappy* or contrived, and the characters' growth was well done. There was no drama for the sake of drama, and the issues the characters faced were relatable. I loved the friendship between Agnieshka and Kasia. Neither tried to be better than the other, they just accepted and supported eachother, comfortable with the truth of occasional jealousy or resentment due to circumstance but both wise enough to do the right thing for eachother instead of sowing toxicity. This is not a fairytale about a maiden taken by a dragon as much as it is a story about good vs evil, and the power of our choices. I can honestly say that I loved this book. I had planned to work my way through the 400+ pages over the next week, but I couldn't stop myself from reading it in only 3 days. I highly recommend Uprooted and I plan on adding a physical copy to my shelves soon. This book is one that I'll definitely read again, probably several times - it is that good! ["

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December 4, 2020 Verified Purchase

Nick

*spoiler free review* - A surprisingly wonderful book, truly worth it for fantasy fans.

"I have to say I'm stunned after reading this book. It was one of those books purchased on a whim and wasn't entirely sure what I was getting into. As I slowly crawled through the first 80 pages or so, being lulled into believing the story would be unfolding a certain way and then blowing up into a spectacle of magic, action and really chilling adversaries. I personally went from the mindset of chipping away at this book over a month, to having to finish it in a day. I'm completely happy with how the book stuck the landing, and the fact it actually stuck a landing. It's a rare thing to see a fantasy epic have a real beginning, middle and end all wrapped up with a bow and done so well. The book had a slow buildup, but after a certain event occurs the pacing is absolutely spot on. Taking time to explain and characterize as needed, allowing development of characters and events when needed, but never spinning its wheels or getting caught up minutia many authors fall into the trap of writing. After reading very, very large epics from authors like Sanderson and Rothfuss, I was even a little jarred with the comparative low amounts of dialogue, but it wasn't long before I truly appreciated the author's style of writing and how wonderful the story came together. Agnieszka as a heroine is wonderfully done. The story didn't muddy the waters with character morality, or story halting inner conflict. She was just a hero who was compassionate and pleasant to be around. She is earthly, full of common sense and always wanting to do the right thing in every scenario. Even when you find out more the mysteries of why she was selected later in the book, those truths reveal her to be something truly unique and even more fun to explore. The villain here is fully fleshed out and absolutely terrifying. The Wood will go down for me as one of the most disturbing places I've yet read in a fantasy. It's like the evil forests you've probably read in other stories (like LOTR), but crank it up and add a dash of hopelessness. What The Wood is actually capable of is one of the most interest aspects of the book, and one I don't want to spoil with descriptions. Lets just say you will be stunned by how The Wood dismantles its enemies and does it in such a variety of ways, some of it truly disturbing. Stick it through and enjoy just how unsettling this book reveals itself to be in the latter half. The book is chock full of brutal violence, peppered with some sex. I guess this is considered a Young Adult read, but I think I don't want want to grow up if I have to read the grown up version of the violence this book has. But my hunch it has to do with the easier vocabulary and writing style the author has that makes it an easier read for younger audiences. I just believe the content is much more disturbing than something like a Harry Potter in my opinion. That sums it up for me. It's a little bit of a slow start, but wonderfully told and incredibly well paced once everything ramps up. If I didn't read The Goblin Emperor before this I would claim it was easily my favorite book read this year, but now I can't decide which one I liked better. Reading them both! ["

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April 22, 2016 Verified Purchase