Book Review: Uprooted by Naomi Novik
- San
- Mar 26, 2020
- 4 min read
Updated: May 14, 2021
Hiya everyone!
Today I am going to do a review of the book - Uprooted by Naomi Novik. I had heard a lot of positive things about this book, its characters, its story, world building, et cetera, et cetera, from my friends and other book lovers. So, I decided to give this a try.
In truth, I was a little unsure that I wanted to read this even when the book was in front of me. But then I read the opening line of its blurb and I was like, “Yes, I definitely want to read this.” Uprooted has a classic corker of an opening line. Our Dragon doesn’t eat the girls he takes, no matter what stories they tell outside our valley.
Book Details:
Author: Naomi Novik
Series: Stand-alone
Genres: Fairy tale, Fantasy Fiction, Romantic fantasy
Page count: 448
Publisher: Del Rey Books
Originally published: 21 May 2015
Blurb:
Uprooted tells the story of Agnieszka, a bullheaded and accident-prone 17-year-old girl from Dvernik. Agnieszka loves her valley home, her quiet village, the forests and the bright shining river. But the corrupted Wood stands on the border, full of malevolent power, and its shadow lies over her life.
Her people rely on the cold, driven wizard known only as the Dragon to keep its powers at bay. But he demands a terrible price for his help: one young woman handed over to serve him for ten years, a fate almost as terrible as falling to the Wood.
The next choosing is fast approaching, and Agnieszka is afraid. She knows—everyone knows—that the Dragon will take Kasia: beautiful, graceful, brave Kasia, all the things Agnieszka isn’t, and her dearest friend in the world. And there is no way to save her.
But Agnieszka fears the wrong things. For when the Dragon comes, it is not Kasia he will choose.
My Review:
~~Whoever hasn't read the book, please skip this review as it might contain spoilers.~~
World-building I loved the world building, the different descriptions of magic, and the spell-working. Everything has been intricately described and developed. I had a good time reading those spell workings and trying to imagine myself doing them.
Fairy Tale
The author has spinned an enthralling story based on the classic good-versus-evil plot and has successfully inverted the tropes about fairy tale villains and heroes resulting a bold new dark world rooted in folk stories and legends. The story could suit the tastes of fairy tale lovers everywhere. Baba Jaga obviously refers to Baba Yaga, the deformed looking ferocious woman appearing in Slavic folklore. The name of the rival nation of Polnya, Rosya is probably inspired by Russia.
Characters
The character development was awesome. There was this nuance and layers to almost all of the characters. No one did anything just for the sake of doing something, having convincing reasons to back their actions.
I have to admit that my initial connection with the main character, Agnieszka, was a bit problematic. It wasn't that I disliked her; I just found there was a connection lacking between us but as the novel progressed I found myself connecting even more with her. I felt her every loss, disappointment, joy, every emotion. I really liked her as a protagonist not unique or special but brave and charming.
I always feel that not only the protagonist but the antagonist is also responsible for a story’s success. Give me a story with an annoying protagonist but a strong antagonist and I will, most of the times, give the book a try or two.The Wood in Uprooted is clearly a formidable antagonist, an antagonist worth remembering even more than some of the underdeveloped protagonists of popular fantasy books.
Now off to Sarkan or the Dragon. I was so disappointed that he was not a real dragon or a shape-shifter. Lol! Initially, he came off as a jerk and terribly moody which I have seen has become like a trend among many current book male protagonists (Don't you also think?). To describe him in one word, he seemed 'prickly'.
Relationships
I always enjoy to read a fantasy novel where the romance is an element of the plot rather than the major core of it. In Uprooted, I found just that. However, I felt that the initial relationship of Agnieszka and Dragon was not given much time to develop. This created problems for me when the romance sets in, it certainly made zero sense. It left me thinking that the book was better without the romantic elements. Its just my opinion. I know quiet a few people who would ignore this quibble due to the story.
Kasia and Agnieszka’s friendship is incredibly well developed. In fact, one can say that Agnieszka's feelings about friendship and family are the core of the entire story that hold it together.
Conservation?
I also thought that the writer tried to weave in an underlying message in the tale about conservation. It was not very deeply felt throughout the entire run of the book rather towards the end. The message was so subtle that I am debating whether most people observed/noticed it or not.
The Ending
In spite of it having a great and unique story, the last few chapters left me a bit disappointed. The book has plot material nearly enough for a short series, a trilogy. The sheer quantity of the plot almost threatened to overwhelm everything else. This was felt strongly in last 50 pages or so, for they seemed quite rushed, lacking the finesse of the preceding pages. It feels as if the ending comes far too soon, a bit abrupt. Honestly, the last chapter somehow makes up for it but somehow it’s not enough.
Final Thoughts:
I did like this story but that’s it. I have a very strong feeling the Uprooted could have been amazing or one-of-a-kind. But such is not the case and it settles for just good.
I would not recommend it for every fantasy lover. However, if you have gotten bored by long fantasy novels or fantasy series, then this book can act like a refreshing change for you!
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