Once upon a time, in a distant land, there existed a powerful witch and a wise tzar. The witch was known for her dark magic and ability to manipulate the elements, while the tzar was admired for his wisdom and leadership skills. These two individuals held immense power and were revered by the people of their kingdom. Although the witch and the tzar possessed contrasting traits and abilities, they developed a peculiar relationship. The tzar recognized the tremendous power the witch possessed and desired to use it for the betterment of their kingdom. He believed that her abilities could protect the land and its inhabitants from threats and disasters.
The man stood motionless. His features were weathered and very plain, most covered in coarse black hair, as was the fashion. No outward ailment spelled disaster. His illness, though, could be of the internal or spiritual variety, even of a romantic one.
Expertly drawing from Russian history and mythology, Olesya Salnikova Gilmore transforms Baba Yaga into a complex heroine, whose quest to save her country sparkles with folk magic and supernatural intrigue. But when her old friend Anastasia now the wife of the tsar, and suffering from a mysterious illness arrives in her forest desperate for her protection, Yaga realizes the fate of all of Russia is tied to Anastasia s.
He believed that her abilities could protect the land and its inhabitants from threats and disasters. The witch, on the other hand, saw potential in the tzar's vision and leadership. She recognized his determination to create a prosperous and harmonious kingdom and understood that her magic could aid in achieving this goal.
Book Review: The Witch and the Tsar by Olesya Salnikova Gilmore
The Witch and the Tsar is a reimagining of the infamous Baba Yaga. For those unfamiliar with Baba Yaga, she is a supernatural being found in Slavic folklore. Baba Yaga flies around in a mortar, carries a pestle, and lives deep in the forest in a hut that stands on chicken legs. Our main character in The Witch and the Tsar is Yaga, who is loosely based on Baba Yaga. Yaga is a half-goddess healer who keeps to herself in the forest. But when her long-time friend Anastasia—the wife of the tsar—arrives at Yaga’s door suffering from a mysterious illness, Yaga quickly figures out that the fate of all of Russia is tied to Anastasia’s fate, and Yaga has to protect them both. Yaga witnesses sixteenth century Russia on its way to chaos and Tsar Ivan (based on Ivan the Terrible) is at the centre of all of it.
I really wanted to love this novel, and I enjoyed the historical content, but it ended up falling flat for me. I was looking forward to a strong female lead yet found Yaga to be lacking, missing the power, knowledge, and decision-making that a reader might expect from someone who has lived for centuries; it was disappointing to not see a powerful healer that I was expecting. Ivan the Terrible was very well done and will likely leave readers feeling chilled and spooked. Readers will also notice that there is a lot of telling the reader what is going on rather than showing them, and this can make for an uneventful read.
The pacing for The Witch and the Tsar is extremely slow and the plot is very one-note with few twists and turns along the way. Gilmore still included a number of different themes, including women’s roles and expectations, violence, family both in blood and by choice, manipulation, history, and mental health. Something that I found helpful was the glossary that is found at the end of the novel that covers historical, fairy tale, and mythological key figures as well as places found throughout the story. I thoroughly enjoyed the historical content and felt that it was well researched; it was nice to delve into Slavic history. Anyone who enjoys reimagined folk tales or wants to find out more about Slavic history should take a look at this one.
Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
“A perfect blend of fantasy and historical fiction, The Witch and the Tsar magnificently paints an old Russia full of vengeful gods, court intrigue and high adventure. In the center of it all is the half-goddess Yaga, isolated and proud, whose compassion for humanity drives her into a war with Ivan the Terrible and the mythical beings who use him for their own ends. Immersive and beautifully written, Yaga’s story reminds us that gods—like humans—can choose their own fates.”
—Anika Scott, international bestselling author of The Soviet Sisters
The witch, however, had always been mistrusted and feared by the people due to her dark powers. The tzar's acceptance and willingness to work with her changed her perspective and fueled her desire to prove herself to the kingdom. As the witch and the tzar began working together, they faced numerous challenges. The witch's dark magic attracted enemies who sought to test her powers and overthrow the tzar. The tzar, on the other hand, faced opposition from his advisers and subjects who were skeptical of the alliance between him and the witch. Through their trials and tribulations, the witch and the tzar discovered a mutual respect and understanding. They realized that despite their differences, they shared a common desire to protect and improve their kingdom. The witch's magic became a valuable asset in defending the land from external threats, while the tzar's wisdom and leadership skills helped in uniting the people and instilling trust in the witch. Over time, the witch and the tzar became inseparable, relying on each other for guidance and strength. Their alliance served as an example of how differences can be overcome for the greater good. Together, they were able to overcome their adversaries and establish a kingdom that thrived under their leadership. In the end, the witch and the tzar's collaboration and friendship became legendary. Their story was passed down through generations, inspiring future leaders to embrace diversity and find strength in unity. The witch and the tzar's legacy forever remained a testament to the power of collaboration and the potential for greatness that lies within individuals when they work together..
Reviews for "From Enchantment to Extermination: The Witch's Fall from Grace in the Tsar's Reign"
1. John - 2 stars - The Witch and the Tzar was a disappointing read for me. I found the story to be slow-paced and lacking in excitement. The characters were also quite uninteresting and lacked depth. Additionally, I was expecting more suspense and intrigue, but unfortunately, the plot fell flat. Overall, I was not impressed with this book and wouldn't recommend it to others.
2. Sarah - 1 star - I really struggled to finish The Witch and the Tzar. The writing style was confusing and hard to follow, making it difficult to fully immerse myself in the story. The plot felt disjointed and lacked coherence, leaving me feeling disconnected from the characters and their struggles. I was hoping for a captivating fantasy tale, but this book failed to deliver. I regret picking it up and would not recommend it to anyone.
3. Mike - 2 stars - The Witch and the Tzar had an intriguing premise, but the execution was disappointing. The pacing was extremely slow, and I found myself losing interest in the story multiple times. The characters were underdeveloped and lacked depth, making it hard to form any emotional connection with them. The world-building was also lacking, leaving many questions unanswered. Overall, I found this book to be a letdown, and I wouldn't recommend it to fellow readers.
4. Emily - 2 stars - The Witch and the Tzar was a forgettable read for me. The plot felt predictable and lacked any unique elements or surprises. The writing style was average, failing to capture my attention or keep me engaged. I also found it difficult to relate to or care about the characters, as they lacked distinct personalities. This book simply didn't stand out among the many other fantasy novels out there, and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for a captivating read.