Uprooted by Naomi Novik Published by Del Ray on May 19, 2015
Genres: Fantasy, Romance
Pages: 438
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Synopsis:“Our Dragon doesn’t eat the girls he takes, no matter what stories they tell outside our valley. We hear them sometimes, from travelers passing through. They talk as though we were doing human sacrifice, and he were a real dragon. Of course that’s not true: he may be a wizard and immortal, but he’s still a man, and our fathers would band together and kill him if he wanted to eat one of us every ten years. He protects us against the Wood, and we’re grateful, but not that grateful.”
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.
5 Rambles about Uprooted by Naomi Novik
- The writing is super active; it was almost cinematic. There is hardly any telling in Uprooted, it’s all actively doing.
- Agnieszka ends up in a situation she never dreamed would happen; she is chosen by the Dragon, the wizard who guards their valley from the Wood, which is constantly trying to swallow the towns in the valley and spreads madness like a plague. She goes to live with the Dragon, who is as sour as can be. She tries to make the most out of her situation, trading sorrow for action. She may have started out as a meek protagonist, but I found her to be quite formidable by the end.
- THE ROMANCE. Be still my heart. I loved the romance in this book so so SO much. Slow burning. Unexpected (ok, maybe not the reader, but to the two involved). I kind of want to read it again just for the romance.
- Magic. The way the magic is described is really cool. Agnieszka can’t do the same type of magic the Dragon can, so she has to stumble into on her own, which is an interesting process to watch. Not to mention the Wood is ridiculously eerie and so cool. And horrifying. And fascinating.
- Kasia and Agnieszka’s friendship is lovely. Kasia is awesome in her way and Agnieszka is awesome in her way. I love that they were very different but both important to the development and success of the plot. Kasia swinging her sword around made it possible for Agnieszka and the Dragon to do their awesome magic. It all worked together beautifully.
I really have nothing else to say except READ THIS BOOK.
Content 16+ for some disturbing images, brief sex (not too graphic).
OH, how I LOVED this book. I just read it recently, too! I agree with your assessment wholeheartedly – READ THIS BOOK!
Rebecca @ The Portsmouth Review
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So good right? I’m thrilled you liked it to! I already want to read it again 🙂
Jessica recently posted…Throwback Review: The Fool by Karen Amanda Hooper
It is a gem, isn’t it? I read it earlier in the year and was blown away by it. Have your read her Temeraire series?
I haven’t! Uprooted was my first of hers, but now I MUST read more of her books!
I loved the Temeraire books, but for some reason I haven’t gotten to reading this one yet. I don’t know why; I love her writing style. Sounds like I really need to pick it up!
LynnS. recently posted…TBR Challenge – Wild Card!
So good to hear you loved Temeraire! I really want to read the series after loving Uprooted! Hope you enjoy it if you get to it!
I’ve heard a lot of great things about this book but I have yet to pick it up. Your review makes it sound so good and entertaining, I think I will finally add this to my TBR list.
I really love a slow-burn romance so I’m glad to hear that’s in there!
Jordon @ Simply Adrift recently posted…Book series’ I have never finished reading
I loved it (obviously lol) so I hope you enjoy it as well if you pick it up!
Jessica recently posted…Throwback Review: The Fool by Karen Amanda Hooper