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Vasilisa: Old Rus Tales, Book 1
Vasilisa has listened to tales of Old Rus all her life, a fantastical forest realm ruled over by the witch Baba Yaga, home to the mischievous Leshy, the deadly rusalka, and Old Koschei, butcher of hearts. But never would she have dreamed it to be real -- nor imagined that she would go searching for it, accompanied only by Ivan, a mysterious orphan searching for revenge. When her grandmother falls ill and the visions begin, Vasilisa embarks on a journey to the thrice-tenth kingdom, where the secret to Babka's cure and Ivan's revenge lies hidden in the mists. The old witch will help them, if she doesn't eat them first. But as Vasilisa and Ivan face each trial together, they soon find that the greatest test of all may be the growing love between them.
Audible Audio
Published May 19, 2025
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About the author
Julie Mathison
5 books87 followersWelcome! I write novels that seek to transport and enrich readers while entertaining them. I founded my imprint, Starr Creek Press, on the principle of "books, not boxes," and the idea that a good book should transcend its genre and be satisfying to readers of any age. My novels have won awards and contests from Writer's Digest, Publisher's Weekly's BookLife, the Eric Hoffer Book Award and others, but it's hearing from readers that really makes my day. So, if you like what you've read, reach out.
I do review books I'm reading now, but I've borrowed Katherine Arden's policy which is to give everything I like 5 stars, and if a book didn't grab me, I don't review it. It takes a lot to write a novel, so if you've done that much, full marks -- we're all on the path.
Happy reading, and stay in touch!
https://www.instagram.com/starrcreekp...
https://www.facebook.com/Julie-Mathis...
I do review books I'm reading now, but I've borrowed Katherine Arden's policy which is to give everything I like 5 stars, and if a book didn't grab me, I don't review it. It takes a lot to write a novel, so if you've done that much, full marks -- we're all on the path.
Happy reading, and stay in touch!
https://www.instagram.com/starrcreekp...
https://www.facebook.com/Julie-Mathis...
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
July 6, 2025
Firstly, thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocialAudio for chance to review the audiobook of Vasilisa.
I want to start by saying that I adore fairytales, and have many books of Russian tales from my father's travels when I was a child. Baba Yaga, Vasilisa the Beautiful, Ivan Tsarevitch and the Little Humpbacked Horse. All with beautiful illustrations I might add. So, I was really excited to dive into a retelling of the world. And Julie Mathison does a lovely job building the world, beautifully detailed, painting the scenes with lovely language.
However, the audiobook is SLOW. Plodding, even. The audiobook narrator has a lovely voice, and captures the spirit of the young girl who is the narrator, but she speaks so slowly, and there are such breaks between words, sentences, chapters, that if I were listening to it otherwise I'd be tempted to speed up the playback in order to keep up with my attention. I listened to an episode of Fated Mates the other day featuring Julie Whelan, who said that she, too, has had to speed up her own narration to match the interests of the times. It seems to me that, beautiful as the narrator's voice is, she lacked the speed, and thus the urgency in some of the more urgent and stressful scenes.
Still, the story itself was cute, reminiscent of the tales, and well written, if, like the narrator's voice, a bit slow. I think it would be better as physical book, or read aloud to children. I'd give the audiobook itself a 2, as I almost didn't finish it, but the story and world building a very solid 3.
I want to start by saying that I adore fairytales, and have many books of Russian tales from my father's travels when I was a child. Baba Yaga, Vasilisa the Beautiful, Ivan Tsarevitch and the Little Humpbacked Horse. All with beautiful illustrations I might add. So, I was really excited to dive into a retelling of the world. And Julie Mathison does a lovely job building the world, beautifully detailed, painting the scenes with lovely language.
However, the audiobook is SLOW. Plodding, even. The audiobook narrator has a lovely voice, and captures the spirit of the young girl who is the narrator, but she speaks so slowly, and there are such breaks between words, sentences, chapters, that if I were listening to it otherwise I'd be tempted to speed up the playback in order to keep up with my attention. I listened to an episode of Fated Mates the other day featuring Julie Whelan, who said that she, too, has had to speed up her own narration to match the interests of the times. It seems to me that, beautiful as the narrator's voice is, she lacked the speed, and thus the urgency in some of the more urgent and stressful scenes.
Still, the story itself was cute, reminiscent of the tales, and well written, if, like the narrator's voice, a bit slow. I think it would be better as physical book, or read aloud to children. I'd give the audiobook itself a 2, as I almost didn't finish it, but the story and world building a very solid 3.
June 13, 2025
I enjoyed this young adult historical fantasy novel. Mathison does a great job incorporating characters from Slavic mythology into this story of young teens in an early 20th century Pennsylvania steel town.
Kind and compassionate Vasilisa was easy to root for. I enjoyed seeing her relationships with her family and friends evolve, and I loved reading a fantasy where problems are solved with kindness and care rather than violence. There is a bit of chaste romance, but the emphasis is on the adventure.
The audiobook production was excellent, and I enjoyed the narration by Kimberly Gifford Olbrich. She was pleasant to listen to, with good pacing, clear pronunciation, distinctive voices to suit each character, and the ability to convey mood and emotion effectively. The story works very well as an audiobook.
I recommend this book for fans of portal fantasies, fairy tale retellings, and Slavic folklore. It’s intended for a young adult audience, but I still found it enjoyable as an adult, and I suspect that many middle grade readers might also enjoy it. It would be a lovely story to listen to together as a family and discuss.
I received a free advanced review copy of the audiobook through NetGalley. I volunteered to provide an honest review.
Kind and compassionate Vasilisa was easy to root for. I enjoyed seeing her relationships with her family and friends evolve, and I loved reading a fantasy where problems are solved with kindness and care rather than violence. There is a bit of chaste romance, but the emphasis is on the adventure.
The audiobook production was excellent, and I enjoyed the narration by Kimberly Gifford Olbrich. She was pleasant to listen to, with good pacing, clear pronunciation, distinctive voices to suit each character, and the ability to convey mood and emotion effectively. The story works very well as an audiobook.
I recommend this book for fans of portal fantasies, fairy tale retellings, and Slavic folklore. It’s intended for a young adult audience, but I still found it enjoyable as an adult, and I suspect that many middle grade readers might also enjoy it. It would be a lovely story to listen to together as a family and discuss.
I received a free advanced review copy of the audiobook through NetGalley. I volunteered to provide an honest review.
June 20, 2025
This so much fun. I went in not knowing much about Russian folklore and the author did a great job setting up and explaining what you needed to know without it feeling forced.
Vasilisa did give me Pan's Labyrinth vibes, fantasy and reality blending together. The drama of more than one generation of Vasilisas and Ivans loving each other and *literally* fighting for their lives against the mystical beings of their childhood stories, riveting.
I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. Enthralled, both by hearing tales of another cultures "monsters" and Boris. I'd kill and die for Boris.
The narrator also did a good job pacing and giving each character their own voice. I love an interactive read, and this was definitely that!
Overall amazing. I'll definitely read book 2!
Vasilisa did give me Pan's Labyrinth vibes, fantasy and reality blending together. The drama of more than one generation of Vasilisas and Ivans loving each other and *literally* fighting for their lives against the mystical beings of their childhood stories, riveting.
I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. Enthralled, both by hearing tales of another cultures "monsters" and Boris. I'd kill and die for Boris.
The narrator also did a good job pacing and giving each character their own voice. I love an interactive read, and this was definitely that!
Overall amazing. I'll definitely read book 2!
June 24, 2025
I received this audiobook, courtesy of #netgalley.
A retelling of the Russian tale, Vasilisa: Old Rus Tales crams a lot of Russian folklore into this first novel.
I've read a few different renditions of Vasilisa in the past, but this one is notably geared towards the YA crowd as the main protagonist, Vasilisa, is 13 to 14 years old. Folklore is often gruesome or have twisted narratives, told to scare children in the times they were created. This one is no exception, drawing from various mythological creatures that are present in historical Russian tales.
The prose is poetic, but often I felt we, the reader, were told a lot of things more than shown.
The narrator was the perfect choice, as she effortlessly switched between characters and accents. Russian dialects were spot on, as were the American ones.
I give this audiobook a 3.5 / 5 stars.
A retelling of the Russian tale, Vasilisa: Old Rus Tales crams a lot of Russian folklore into this first novel.
I've read a few different renditions of Vasilisa in the past, but this one is notably geared towards the YA crowd as the main protagonist, Vasilisa, is 13 to 14 years old. Folklore is often gruesome or have twisted narratives, told to scare children in the times they were created. This one is no exception, drawing from various mythological creatures that are present in historical Russian tales.
The prose is poetic, but often I felt we, the reader, were told a lot of things more than shown.
The narrator was the perfect choice, as she effortlessly switched between characters and accents. Russian dialects were spot on, as were the American ones.
I give this audiobook a 3.5 / 5 stars.
August 4, 2025
I don't know a lot or really anything about Russian folk tales, but what I do know is that I enjoyed this story and I can't wait to read the second book, Elena the Brave when it is released..
Vasilisa and Ivan go on an epic adventure to save Babka and we learn about many different creatures from Russian tales. I loved the ending and the epilogue, it was perfect for these characters.
Kimberly Gillford Olbrich did a great job narrating this story. I loved the voices used for the monsters.
Vasilisa and Ivan go on an epic adventure to save Babka and we learn about many different creatures from Russian tales. I loved the ending and the epilogue, it was perfect for these characters.
Kimberly Gillford Olbrich did a great job narrating this story. I loved the voices used for the monsters.
June 30, 2025
A great tale of Vasalisa, Baba Yaga, and Ivan. I listened to the audio version narrated by Kimberly Gifford Olbrich. The narration was perfect for this tale. The story was well written and drew me into Old Russ like I was there, too.
June 22, 2025
"Vasilisa" was such a fun and enchanting read! It's a clever and accessible take on the classic Russian tales of Vasilisa and Baba Yaga, but you don't need any background in the folklore to enjoy it. The story blends magic, mystery, and a sense of adventure that pulls you in right from the start.
Julie Mathison's writing is vivid and atmospheric, bringing the forest, the eerie hut on chicken legs, and Vasi's journey to life in a way that feels both whimsical and grounded. The characters were compelling, especially Vasilisa herself, who's smart, brave, and easy to root for.
Overall, it's a beautiful imagines tale that feels timeless but fresh. I'd recommend it to readers who love fairytales, coming-of-age stories, or a dash of folklore magic.
Julie Mathison's writing is vivid and atmospheric, bringing the forest, the eerie hut on chicken legs, and Vasi's journey to life in a way that feels both whimsical and grounded. The characters were compelling, especially Vasilisa herself, who's smart, brave, and easy to root for.
Overall, it's a beautiful imagines tale that feels timeless but fresh. I'd recommend it to readers who love fairytales, coming-of-age stories, or a dash of folklore magic.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews