Uprooted

This book seemed to be all anyone was talking about last Spring. I heard fairy tales. I heard Beauty and the Beast. I heard Baba Yaga. That was enough to convince to me to stop listening until I could get my hands on the book.

This book has elements of both of those stories, and other fairy tales besides, but it is very much it's own thing. Any resemblance to Beauty and the Beast or Baba Yaga is nothing more than an homage, an acknowledgment of the classics. And Uprooted is well positioned to become one of those classics.

The story follows Agnieszka as she becomes apprenticed to the local wizard lord. The relationship is contentious, and their magical styles are completely different. Watching them bristle and snipe and eventually grow to a grudging respect, and then something more, was a lot of fun.

But the heart of the book is Agnieszka's relationship with her lifelong friend Kasia. Their bond is strong and beautiful. The two take turns saving each other and growing closer as they grow up. Their bond is a catalyst for all of the action and is easily the most important thing about this story.

Uprooted is really just a lovely, modern fairy tale for grown-ups. The magic is organic and intuitive, the dangers truly dark and terrifying, and the stakes suitable high. I'll definitely be revisiting this book and pushing everyone else to read it, too.

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