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Nevertell
A snowy adventure, set in the wilds of Siberia, full of magic and wonder.
Born in a Soviet prison camp, Lina has never seen the world outside until the night she escapes with her best friend, Bogdan. As the pair journey across a snowy wilderness, they are pursued by a vengeful sorceress and her pack of shadow wolves. The children will need every ounce of courage – and a whisper of magic – if they are to survive…
Born in a Soviet prison camp, Lina has never seen the world outside until the night she escapes with her best friend, Bogdan. As the pair journey across a snowy wilderness, they are pursued by a vengeful sorceress and her pack of shadow wolves. The children will need every ounce of courage – and a whisper of magic – if they are to survive…
384 pages, Paperback
First published November 7, 2019
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2469 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 189 reviews
May 15, 2020
I knew it won't be easy to rate this book form the moment I opened it and realized it was something different than what I expected. This is a historical fiction middle grade book with polar fantasy elements. It is not, however, a polar fantasy book per se, and actually the fantasy elements were not that great. The story felt a little dull and, even though I loved the characters and the setting, I kept on feeling like something was lacking. I think that this book has a gorgeous cover and one of those "ice queen" retelling feel to it (which I love), but I believe the author wasn't capable of managing the balance between historical fiction elements and fantasy elements. Overall, it was an okay read but I did not miss it when I closed it. I am kinda disappointed, because honestly I expected more from it; it's actually not that bad of a book, just not that entertaining.
February 14, 2020
Reading for the Middle Grade Monthly book club February 2020.
Lina has spent her entire life trapped inside a prison camp in the harsh wastelands of Russia under Stalin’s rule. So when the night comes to escape with some fellow prisoners, including best friend Bogdan, she seizes the opportunity to be free for the first time. But the other prisoners have been hardened by life in the camp, becoming cold and untrusting, leading Lina and Bogdan to flee for their lives. On their journey to safety through the snow they’ll meet wonders they’ve never imagined, including a vengeful sorceress and her pack of hungry ghost wolves, meaning the children will need all their bravery and a little magic if their own to survive.
My favourite section of this was actually the beginning, set within the prison camp. Orton manages to show the harsh realties of living in this kind of environment in an accessible way for younger readers. She goes into detail about the starvation suffered by the people inside, and how desperate they are to survive and the horrible conditions they endure. It was well written, and didn’t shy away from the important details. I also liked seeing Lina’s relationship with her mother during the early parts of the book. They have a strong bond, and it’s obvious that Lina’s mother loves her deeply - regardless, or perhaps because, of her questionable parentage.
The plot is predictable, and I could guess the twists and turns coming, but I’m not the target audience. To a younger reader I think the story is light handed enough to shock and keep the reader engaged, with plenty of action and magic that’s reasonably well explained and explored in a wonderfully snowy setting. I will say that I found the main ‘villain’ of the story, our sorceress Svetlana, a little all over the place personality wise. She flips from calm and collected to cruel to angry at the drop of the hat without much depth beyond this. As a result, it does lessen her supposed character development as we go further into the plot as I found her emotions superficial at best.
That said, I loved the setting for this and found it richly descriptive. It’s a great adventure story with a ‘classic’ feel that for the most part I really enjoyed.
Lina has spent her entire life trapped inside a prison camp in the harsh wastelands of Russia under Stalin’s rule. So when the night comes to escape with some fellow prisoners, including best friend Bogdan, she seizes the opportunity to be free for the first time. But the other prisoners have been hardened by life in the camp, becoming cold and untrusting, leading Lina and Bogdan to flee for their lives. On their journey to safety through the snow they’ll meet wonders they’ve never imagined, including a vengeful sorceress and her pack of hungry ghost wolves, meaning the children will need all their bravery and a little magic if their own to survive.
My favourite section of this was actually the beginning, set within the prison camp. Orton manages to show the harsh realties of living in this kind of environment in an accessible way for younger readers. She goes into detail about the starvation suffered by the people inside, and how desperate they are to survive and the horrible conditions they endure. It was well written, and didn’t shy away from the important details. I also liked seeing Lina’s relationship with her mother during the early parts of the book. They have a strong bond, and it’s obvious that Lina’s mother loves her deeply - regardless, or perhaps because, of her questionable parentage.
The plot is predictable, and I could guess the twists and turns coming, but I’m not the target audience. To a younger reader I think the story is light handed enough to shock and keep the reader engaged, with plenty of action and magic that’s reasonably well explained and explored in a wonderfully snowy setting. I will say that I found the main ‘villain’ of the story, our sorceress Svetlana, a little all over the place personality wise. She flips from calm and collected to cruel to angry at the drop of the hat without much depth beyond this. As a result, it does lessen her supposed character development as we go further into the plot as I found her emotions superficial at best.
That said, I loved the setting for this and found it richly descriptive. It’s a great adventure story with a ‘classic’ feel that for the most part I really enjoyed.
August 12, 2021
(3.5/5)
Nevertell is interesting and not entirely what I expected. It follows Lina, a young girl who was born in a Soviet prison camp, her escape, as well as the magic that she experiences on her journey.
This book was definitely much, much more plot-based than it was character-based. While the main character and the side characters (in particular Natalya and Svetlana) were established and had backstories of their own, the focus was placed mostly on how Lina and Bogdan fared after leaving the camp, and the magical mishaps they encounter.
That being said, the characters are definitely endearing. They're courageous in a way only the protagonists of a middle-grade fantasy novel can be, and are clearly just doing their best to survive.
I absolutely loved the concept that this novel is centered around, mainly that of magic in a historical context that isn't the Elizabethan or Victorian eras. While the true horrors of the Soviet camp were somewhat toned down due to the younger target audience, and the plot felt a bit repetitive at times, it made for a quick but enjoyable reading experience.
The plot twist was excellent and I really should have expected it sooner. The ending, however, was fairly lukewarm, all things considered. I feel that it didn't truly do the book justice, but in a way, it was also realistic.
Overall, this is certainly a middle-grade historical fantasy that I would be willing to recommend to othres. I was definitely judging this book by the cover when I first picked it up at the library, and I don't regret my decision :D
Nevertell is interesting and not entirely what I expected. It follows Lina, a young girl who was born in a Soviet prison camp, her escape, as well as the magic that she experiences on her journey.
This book was definitely much, much more plot-based than it was character-based. While the main character and the side characters (in particular Natalya and Svetlana) were established and had backstories of their own, the focus was placed mostly on how Lina and Bogdan fared after leaving the camp, and the magical mishaps they encounter.
That being said, the characters are definitely endearing. They're courageous in a way only the protagonists of a middle-grade fantasy novel can be, and are clearly just doing their best to survive.
I absolutely loved the concept that this novel is centered around, mainly that of magic in a historical context that isn't the Elizabethan or Victorian eras. While the true horrors of the Soviet camp were somewhat toned down due to the younger target audience, and the plot felt a bit repetitive at times, it made for a quick but enjoyable reading experience.
The plot twist was excellent and I really should have expected it sooner. The ending, however, was fairly lukewarm, all things considered. I feel that it didn't truly do the book justice, but in a way, it was also realistic.
Overall, this is certainly a middle-grade historical fantasy that I would be willing to recommend to othres. I was definitely judging this book by the cover when I first picked it up at the library, and I don't regret my decision :D
Want to read
November 4, 2019this sounds like Narnia meets X-Men and I'm definitely absolutely here for it
December 24, 2019
Book Reviewed on www.whisperingstories.com
Eleven-year-old Lina was born inside a Soviet prison camp where she lives with all the other inmates and her mother Katya. One night she is approached by a trio of older male inmates who tell her that her mother said she could help them.
They have a plan to escape the prison but the camp is situated in the Siberian wilderness about three weeks from civilisation. They need food to survive the journey and that is where Lina comes in. She works in the greenhouses growing food. If she can get the food, they will make sure that she escapes with them and her mother, who is set to cause a distraction so they can leave, will join them later in their journey.
The plan is to cross the wilderness without being caught and then Lina will find her Grandmother who will reward the men for her safekeeping. As they set to escape Lina’s best friend Bogdan joins them, determined not to let Lina go alone.
Siberia isn’t just frozen and cold, the group has to deal with hunger due to what little supply they have and the shadow wolves and the sorceress who doesn’t understand why her pack of wolves want to stay away from Lina. And what is the strange necklace that Lina is wearing that changes temperature depending on the situation?
Nevertell is a magical tale of one girl’s fight for survival. Lina hasn’t had the best start to life, growing up behind the fence of the Soviet prison after her mum, uncle and grandfather were arrest before she was born. Her grandfather and uncle have both since died leaving just her and her mum to survive the harsh prison regime.
Crossing Siberia is dangerous, not only due to the snow, wind, frozen ground, the guards looking for them but also because of all the folk-tales about the ghostly activity that goes on and the men she is travelling with are not to be trusted.
The book is so beautiful and different. You can sense how harsh the weather in Siberia is and what the group has to walk through to make it to safety. The book is exceptionally atmospheric and I flew through the pages.
There are some magical aspects to the book too that will entice readers to keep on reading. The book is more than just cold and magic though it is about friendship and the lengths that Lina and Bogden will go to help one another as well as a journey of self-discovery for Lina.
Eleven-year-old Lina was born inside a Soviet prison camp where she lives with all the other inmates and her mother Katya. One night she is approached by a trio of older male inmates who tell her that her mother said she could help them.
They have a plan to escape the prison but the camp is situated in the Siberian wilderness about three weeks from civilisation. They need food to survive the journey and that is where Lina comes in. She works in the greenhouses growing food. If she can get the food, they will make sure that she escapes with them and her mother, who is set to cause a distraction so they can leave, will join them later in their journey.
The plan is to cross the wilderness without being caught and then Lina will find her Grandmother who will reward the men for her safekeeping. As they set to escape Lina’s best friend Bogdan joins them, determined not to let Lina go alone.
Siberia isn’t just frozen and cold, the group has to deal with hunger due to what little supply they have and the shadow wolves and the sorceress who doesn’t understand why her pack of wolves want to stay away from Lina. And what is the strange necklace that Lina is wearing that changes temperature depending on the situation?
Nevertell is a magical tale of one girl’s fight for survival. Lina hasn’t had the best start to life, growing up behind the fence of the Soviet prison after her mum, uncle and grandfather were arrest before she was born. Her grandfather and uncle have both since died leaving just her and her mum to survive the harsh prison regime.
Crossing Siberia is dangerous, not only due to the snow, wind, frozen ground, the guards looking for them but also because of all the folk-tales about the ghostly activity that goes on and the men she is travelling with are not to be trusted.
The book is so beautiful and different. You can sense how harsh the weather in Siberia is and what the group has to walk through to make it to safety. The book is exceptionally atmospheric and I flew through the pages.
There are some magical aspects to the book too that will entice readers to keep on reading. The book is more than just cold and magic though it is about friendship and the lengths that Lina and Bogden will go to help one another as well as a journey of self-discovery for Lina.
Want to read
June 30, 2020"set in the wilds of Siberia"
Me: Say no more
Me: Say no more
August 7, 2019
“Bodgan had pitched their hopes on a gamble. An extreme one, at that. But what was it her mother always said? Life is a gamble. Lina couldn’t tell the truth now without getting him into serious trouble. It was all or nothing.” – Nevertell, Katherine Orton.
When I first freed this novel and overset to the first folio, the very first sentence of the novel had already captivated me to read on as the writing style was so beautifully crafted and the prose used was on point. It was spontaneously explicit to me that the string of sentences was crafted punctiliously as the sentences were woven and strung together as seamless as silk. Although this novel is a middle-grade novel, Ms Orton did not fail to impress me with the omnium gatherum of words used and I very much appreciated that. Side note: there are illustrations emboss on every chapter headers and they are as beautiful as the writing style of this novel.
In this novel, we follow Lina’s perspective in a third-person point of view and through her eyes, there is a cast of characters christened Bodgan, Tuyaara, Vadim, The Vengeful Sorcerer, Alexei, The Commandant, Katya and more. Do notice that I coloured some of the names, by ‘some’ I mean 4 of them as I would love to proffer them notable attention. Bodgan and The Vengeful Sorcerer have more magnanimous character developments in the novel as they are prominent in almost every scene, The Commandant and Katya are the driving force of the novel and the rest of the casts are pretty much one-dimensional as they do not actually have any characteristics that are outside of the one-dimensional realm except for specific impulse which I could comprehend flawlessly. However, Lina – the protagonist of the novel – is the best. She is ingenious, expeditious and also, she adapts swiftly to a brand new environment. I cannot help but root for her throughout the novel as she had been through so much and yet, she had not uttered a single complaint. Lina. Is. Freaking. Amazing.
“Humans kill what they think is most terrifying and what is most precious. You cannot deny it.” – Nevertell, Katherine Orton.
One of the idiosyncrasies enmeshed in this novel that I savoured immensely was the pacing. It was fast-paced and I found myself flipping page after page to uncover the journey of the characters as each chapter in this novel ended with a cliff-hanger so fervent that I had to recapitulate. Ms Orton did not waste a single sentence on monotonous functions, she exhorts you on with the meticulously crafted plot and plays with your sense of dread as something nefarious is going to befall the characters. If you are in a reading slump, I think this novel will be a perfect fit for what you are going through as it will help you to get back into reading.
“I come from a separate climate, far from here, and I haven’t been back in many years. So my warm magic has suffered. And besides, it takes a certain positivity of spirit to grow more than a few peaches, which I am not so inclined to any more.” – Nevertell, Katherine Orton.
The magic system that was installed reverentially in the novel was interesting and unique but unfortunately, it was not explored and scrutinised in the novel. For example, the author would exude an idea for the magic system and explained it for a few paragraphs and never touched upon it again. It occurred several times in the novel which was frustrating as I would love to learn the nonpareil magic system. In addition, I do not understand how The Vengeful Sorcerer arrived in our world and how she tied both worlds together. Moreover, her origin was unexplained and I kept wondering whether or not there were more like her… However, there was some magic used here that was explained in length and used which I totally savoured.
Into the bargain, I would love to talk about the atmosphere and the world-building mixed into the cauldron of this novel. The atmosphere embedded in the clefts of this novel was suspenseful and chilling but ultimately, it was optimistic and dreamy. The protagonist went through several instances that were remarkably frightening and many times, those instances were near-death experiences. Thus, the suspenseful and chilling atmosphere became apparent in these commotions. The optimistic and dreamy atmospheres were solely due to the writing style. The prose used was extraordinary and in turn, it made the characters more vibrant than sombre. In addition, the world-building of this novel was crafted impeccably as the exchange between the real world and the mantillas asunder for the world of The Vengeful Witch were formulated without any circumvention. Thus, I had taken pleasure in experiencing both the atmosphere and the world-building that the author had established in this book.
In conclusion, I will furnish this book with an 80% (A) rating as I had fun reading the novel and watching the plot unwound. Although it had its flaws, the experience that I had with this novel was all-around positive. Thus, the rating.
⇛ This book will be available at all good bookstores when it is released. Do give it a try!
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March 3, 2020
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It is always amazing to see a fast paced middle grade read that is not only entertaining but brilliantly written. Growing up there wasn’t a wide variety of middle grade books to read, or even YA for that matter, so you pretty much dived into adult fantasy from such books as the Deltora Quest series.
Nevertell is based in Russia, in a magic based wilderness were two escaped children work out who to trust in the unknown world. Lina and Bogdan have left the area of the of hostage camp and learn to trust in one another for their own survival.
Lina who is 11, is a little hard for you to like, though she does grow on you by the end of the book. She is headstrong, naïve and a majority of the time is unrealistic. While Bogdan is a little more reserved and willing to help Lina in any way he can.
Another aspect of the book that was enjoyable was the magic system that seems tied to weather. Most of the time magic is simply there in books and you can never question its origins and how it is used but you can tell Orton put a lot of thought into how the magic is tied to the weather and how the characters can use it to their advantage and assist them on their journey.
I would also like to point out that there is a demand for books to be written in Russia (I think we can blame Bardugo for that) and this completes that need. The snowy landscape is beautifully described and really helps draw you into the story.
Overall this was a vibrant and entertaining read that I enjoyed. It would be goot to see what else Orton comes up with next!!
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It is always amazing to see a fast paced middle grade read that is not only entertaining but brilliantly written. Growing up there wasn’t a wide variety of middle grade books to read, or even YA for that matter, so you pretty much dived into adult fantasy from such books as the Deltora Quest series.
Nevertell is based in Russia, in a magic based wilderness were two escaped children work out who to trust in the unknown world. Lina and Bogdan have left the area of the of hostage camp and learn to trust in one another for their own survival.
Lina who is 11, is a little hard for you to like, though she does grow on you by the end of the book. She is headstrong, naïve and a majority of the time is unrealistic. While Bogdan is a little more reserved and willing to help Lina in any way he can.
Another aspect of the book that was enjoyable was the magic system that seems tied to weather. Most of the time magic is simply there in books and you can never question its origins and how it is used but you can tell Orton put a lot of thought into how the magic is tied to the weather and how the characters can use it to their advantage and assist them on their journey.
I would also like to point out that there is a demand for books to be written in Russia (I think we can blame Bardugo for that) and this completes that need. The snowy landscape is beautifully described and really helps draw you into the story.
Overall this was a vibrant and entertaining read that I enjoyed. It would be goot to see what else Orton comes up with next!!
February 14, 2020
This just didn’t cut it for me. I didn’t feel the sense of atmosphere that I really wanted, nor did I really feel the danger for the characters. I just wasn’t invested in them enough by the time of their escape to really understand or feel the bad for them. However, the idea of a novel set against the backdrop of Stalinist purges and prison camps is extremely interesting, I just wish it had been executed better.
May 1, 2020
Nevertell was a perfect read for my mood this week. With fantastical wolf-beasts, a vengeful sorceress and themes of friendship and love this story kept me happily entertained! Orton’s writing is fast-paced and full of energy. I was expecting a wild, adventurous ride and Nevertell certainly delivered on that.
Lina and Bogdan were easy-to-like characters that had a level of strength I hadn’t been expecting, considering their age. Forced to grow up fast in the Soviet Camp, these children faced battles head-on with a maturity well beyond their young teen years. While this would usually be considered to be a lack of effort to accurately portray a younger character, in this case it seemed appropriate. These children had suffered so much. Anything extra in the fight for freedom just seemed like the norm to them.
That said, the characters’ complete and unwavering strength made it hard to connect with them and story overall. I was expecting there to be a lot of emotional impact in this book due to the Soviet Camp and their fight for freedom but it didn’t really come across that way. Instead Lina and Bogdan took me on a fantastical, adventurous ride but I wasn’t overly invested in their plight. I hoped for a happy ending but would have been okay without one. That made me reduce my rating to 3.5 stars, as opposed to 4.
3.5 Stars
*ARC provided via Walker Books Ltd via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
Lina and Bogdan were easy-to-like characters that had a level of strength I hadn’t been expecting, considering their age. Forced to grow up fast in the Soviet Camp, these children faced battles head-on with a maturity well beyond their young teen years. While this would usually be considered to be a lack of effort to accurately portray a younger character, in this case it seemed appropriate. These children had suffered so much. Anything extra in the fight for freedom just seemed like the norm to them.
That said, the characters’ complete and unwavering strength made it hard to connect with them and story overall. I was expecting there to be a lot of emotional impact in this book due to the Soviet Camp and their fight for freedom but it didn’t really come across that way. Instead Lina and Bogdan took me on a fantastical, adventurous ride but I wasn’t overly invested in their plight. I hoped for a happy ending but would have been okay without one. That made me reduce my rating to 3.5 stars, as opposed to 4.
3.5 Stars
*ARC provided via Walker Books Ltd via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
May 26, 2020
This book..man did I adore it. This book was AMAZING!! It made me realize how much I apparently love Russian fantasy stories! This author did an amazing job! I really felt like I was there with these characters. I could see everything so vividly in my mind. The story was just so captivating too! Highly recommend!
May 13, 2021
Read- March 2020 for Femme Fan Tale (Stand Alone and Non-Human Protagonist), Backlist Readathon, Animal Crossing Readathon (Recent Purchase) and Middle Grade Monthly Book Club
- This was the Middle Grade Monthly Book Pick for February but I've only just got around to finishing it but I am glad that I finally got around to it.
- This was the Middle Grade Monthly Book Pick for February but I've only just got around to finishing it but I am glad that I finally got around to it.
April 13, 2020
I received an advance galley of this book via NetGalley.
A prison camp in Soviet Russia is the starting setting for this fantastical middle grade book from Katharine Orton. Lina is a young girl born and raised in that terrible camp. Life is bleak, but she finds joy in working with greenhouse plants--that strangely seem encouraged by her touch--and the company of her dear friend Bogey. Lina's mother pushes her to go along with several prisoners as they make a bold escape into the wilderness--and Bogey tags along. As if the bitter cold wasn't enough of an enemy, the escapees find themselves fleeing ghostly wolves.... and soon encounter an ethereal woman colder than Siberia.
Oddly enough, the element that stretched my belief the most wasn't the growing role of magic in the book, but a girl Lina'a age escaping with grown men with criminal pasts without there ever being a hint of possible assault. Beyond that, though, the book was fantastic, a quick, breezy read with a focus on friendship, cleverness, and finding your own personal strength. The book presents information about the Soviet era and the horrors of the camps in a way that is dark, honest, and completely appropriate for kids.
A prison camp in Soviet Russia is the starting setting for this fantastical middle grade book from Katharine Orton. Lina is a young girl born and raised in that terrible camp. Life is bleak, but she finds joy in working with greenhouse plants--that strangely seem encouraged by her touch--and the company of her dear friend Bogey. Lina's mother pushes her to go along with several prisoners as they make a bold escape into the wilderness--and Bogey tags along. As if the bitter cold wasn't enough of an enemy, the escapees find themselves fleeing ghostly wolves.... and soon encounter an ethereal woman colder than Siberia.
Oddly enough, the element that stretched my belief the most wasn't the growing role of magic in the book, but a girl Lina'a age escaping with grown men with criminal pasts without there ever being a hint of possible assault. Beyond that, though, the book was fantastic, a quick, breezy read with a focus on friendship, cleverness, and finding your own personal strength. The book presents information about the Soviet era and the horrors of the camps in a way that is dark, honest, and completely appropriate for kids.
February 9, 2020
Absolutely loved this story, I thought it was a bit quick to begin with and too much happened within the first 50 pages; this soon levelled out though and things changed and more of a plot began to grow and grow.
Loved how this story turned out with the revelations that came out and it was very heartfelt and in some ways heartbreaking for one of the characters.
At times during the story things happened very quick and slowed, this was repeated quite a bit through the story when in certain parts you wished it didn’t all happen so fast and that you had more to grasp and you could appreciate it more and more for the situation that was going at the time.
The way that the book finished was absolutely great and I couldn’t have predicted an ending like this. It really was cracking. Big thanks to Jade at Jadeyraereads and to Gav from How to train your Gavin; these guys run the Middle Grade Monthly club to which this was the monthly read. Bloody loved it, more books like this or more adventurous and less snow would be superb
Loved how this story turned out with the revelations that came out and it was very heartfelt and in some ways heartbreaking for one of the characters.
At times during the story things happened very quick and slowed, this was repeated quite a bit through the story when in certain parts you wished it didn’t all happen so fast and that you had more to grasp and you could appreciate it more and more for the situation that was going at the time.
The way that the book finished was absolutely great and I couldn’t have predicted an ending like this. It really was cracking. Big thanks to Jade at Jadeyraereads and to Gav from How to train your Gavin; these guys run the Middle Grade Monthly club to which this was the monthly read. Bloody loved it, more books like this or more adventurous and less snow would be superb
May 5, 2019
Full disclosure, work for the publisher.
Didn’t know anything about the book and really enjoyed it. A snowy, magical and mystical middle grade perfect for fans of Katherine Arden, Abi Elphinstone and the like.
Didn’t know anything about the book and really enjoyed it. A snowy, magical and mystical middle grade perfect for fans of Katherine Arden, Abi Elphinstone and the like.
January 4, 2021
After escaping a Soviet prison camp, Lina is pursued by a powerful witch and her shadow wolves in a riveting debut that imbues frozen wilderness with fairy-tale magic.
All that twelve-year-old Lina knows of the world is the Stalinist labor camp where she was born, a place of hunger, cruelty, and deprivation. After a daring escape into the frigid Siberian wilds with her best friend, Bogdan, Lina vows to reach Moscow and find her long-lost grandmother, whom she hopes will help her return to the camp to rescue her mother. But out in the dark forests and haunted tundras, Lina and Bogdan catch the eye of a vengeful witch, a refugee of oppressive new laws about magic, who commands an army of shadow wolves. She seems drawn to some mysterious power within Lina herself. Pursued by the witch and in fear of recapture, Lina will need every ounce of courage she has — and a whisper of her own magic — if she and Bogdan are to survive the journey and bring hope to a dark place. An enthralling debut that weaves Russian fairy tales through fast-paced adventure.
Out April 2020
336 Pages
MY THOUGHTS:
I received this book in exchange for my honest review.
I can’t say enough about this book. If you are looking for political overtures because of a Soviet prison camp element in the story, then you will have to find another book. This book is about friendship and love and a tremendous will to survive. There’s hidden mysteries about Lina’s powers, a sorceress who commands an army of ghost wolves, and magic.
I love the world-building and strong characters. The magic is beautifully written about and enjoyable because it is unique and not often used. The whole story has a Narnia vibe with the Snow Queen, ice, snow and cold. It’s a well-written middle-grade story that adults can enjoy too.
Lots of adventure, action and fast-paced plotting. Great character development and strong messages about friendship and personal growth. It’s a book I’ll be highly recommending.
All that twelve-year-old Lina knows of the world is the Stalinist labor camp where she was born, a place of hunger, cruelty, and deprivation. After a daring escape into the frigid Siberian wilds with her best friend, Bogdan, Lina vows to reach Moscow and find her long-lost grandmother, whom she hopes will help her return to the camp to rescue her mother. But out in the dark forests and haunted tundras, Lina and Bogdan catch the eye of a vengeful witch, a refugee of oppressive new laws about magic, who commands an army of shadow wolves. She seems drawn to some mysterious power within Lina herself. Pursued by the witch and in fear of recapture, Lina will need every ounce of courage she has — and a whisper of her own magic — if she and Bogdan are to survive the journey and bring hope to a dark place. An enthralling debut that weaves Russian fairy tales through fast-paced adventure.
Out April 2020
336 Pages
MY THOUGHTS:
I received this book in exchange for my honest review.
I can’t say enough about this book. If you are looking for political overtures because of a Soviet prison camp element in the story, then you will have to find another book. This book is about friendship and love and a tremendous will to survive. There’s hidden mysteries about Lina’s powers, a sorceress who commands an army of ghost wolves, and magic.
I love the world-building and strong characters. The magic is beautifully written about and enjoyable because it is unique and not often used. The whole story has a Narnia vibe with the Snow Queen, ice, snow and cold. It’s a well-written middle-grade story that adults can enjoy too.
Lots of adventure, action and fast-paced plotting. Great character development and strong messages about friendship and personal growth. It’s a book I’ll be highly recommending.
November 28, 2019
An extremely well written winter read about eleven year old Lina and her trek across the treacherous Russian wilderness to find her grandma.
The story starts off within a prison camp; the opening chapters were so compelling and so beautifully imagined that I felt as though I was Lina trying to escape with vegetables shoved under my coat. This extends to the description of the wilderness, where Lina’s bravery was about the only thing that forced me to keep reading as a terrifying sorceress with her pack of wolves were hot on her tail. For a children’s book, this has genuinely emotive potential - it felt far more developed and intricate in detail than I expected it to and Lina’s fear is often tangible.
The plot wasn’t really to my taste - as an adult reader that’s possibly to be expected - and is a little cheesy in parts, but I know I would have absolutely adored this book as a child and I’m really impressed by just how real this world felt to me.
A super atmospheric, fast paced and engaging read for younger readers.
ARC provided free from the publishers in exchange for an honest review.
The story starts off within a prison camp; the opening chapters were so compelling and so beautifully imagined that I felt as though I was Lina trying to escape with vegetables shoved under my coat. This extends to the description of the wilderness, where Lina’s bravery was about the only thing that forced me to keep reading as a terrifying sorceress with her pack of wolves were hot on her tail. For a children’s book, this has genuinely emotive potential - it felt far more developed and intricate in detail than I expected it to and Lina’s fear is often tangible.
The plot wasn’t really to my taste - as an adult reader that’s possibly to be expected - and is a little cheesy in parts, but I know I would have absolutely adored this book as a child and I’m really impressed by just how real this world felt to me.
A super atmospheric, fast paced and engaging read for younger readers.
ARC provided free from the publishers in exchange for an honest review.
February 21, 2023
3.75✪'s
March 5, 2020
I need more books like this in my life
January 9, 2020
Wow, I’m not sure how I feel after reading this book, it’s such an interesting story with a lovely and slightly dark magical feel to it but at the same time I’m not sure about some part of the ending….Lina has grown up inside a Soviet camp in Siberia. She has never known the outside world and spends most of her days tending to the greenhouse plants for the camp’s Commandant. But one day Lina overhears plans of a break out, and those who are escaping need to take Lina with them. For the first time in her life Lina will get a chance to be free, but will she and the others survive in the cold harsh wilderness of Siberia, or is there something more dangerous than just the cold lurking in the shadows?
This is a really interesting story which I got into right away. Set during the times of Stalin, the camp and the setting in Siberia is a harsh one. We get a sense from the start of how cruel and dangerous the camp and those in charge (as well as some other prisoners) are, and the descriptions of just how cold and snowy it is made me feel all shivery as I settled in to read this. As Lina and some others manage to break out, you follow their journey as they try to escape through the scary wilderness of Siberia in an attempt to make it to the city of Moscow. The descriptions of the conditions really make you feel for the characters and you get a vivid sense of just how cold and terrible it is for them. I really enjoyed this first part of the book and I felt such tension at some point when the night came. Things happen and the magical magical element of the story really begins which felt so exciting and made me compelled to read on, especially after anothe character shows up!
The story really takes on a more magical feel the further it goes on and at some point even incorporates some interesting Slavic fairy tale legends. I do like the story and everything that happens, the magical element is what I do love most as well as the harsh snowy setting, which was so vivid I felt like I was really there and constantly wanted to turn my heathing up! I like the way that Lina slowly grows throughout the story, learning more and more about herself and what happens is very interesting although I did manage to work out a certain plot twist a few chapters before it was officially revealed. The rest of the story was good and interesting, I did like what generally happened with all the characters although I was a bit disappointed with parts of the ending.
The overall ending is a nice one and is a satisfying one which wraps up events well and it is one I did hope for, but after reading this I did feel a bit sad after finishing the whole book. Although there is a good epilogue at the end and I liked what happens with Svetlana and Lina in the last chapters, especially with Svetlana and how she grows as a character at the end too, it also had a hint of sadness to it. The last fifty or so pages are all about things happening after the main conclusion to the story as a whole and while it was nice to read what happens to the characters, I couldn’t help but feel that this went on a bit long and gave the whole story a slightly sadder tone. It might have been some of the dark reality of the Soviet Union that was shown in the last chapters but I think it’s mainly what happens to the character of Natalya. I was hoping for a different ending there and it made me feel a bit sad when I finished the whole story as I thought that part would be more positive or magical and to be honest I’m a bit confused as to why that part ended the way it did, it just felt both happy and sad at the same time. I also feel these last chapters lingered on a bit too long and couldn’t have been shortened as not much happened.
There are some really lovely illustrations inside at the start of every chapter. These hint at what the chapter will be about and I love how these also add to the feeling of the cold and mist. I also can’t help but love the look of the cover which has some lovely shiny bronze lettering on the front!
This story is really lovely and on the whole it is a lovely magical story which I did enjoy and it has a good ending. The realities of things like the Soviet camps and the overall way the country was at the time are shown well and won’t really scare children to read them as there’s nothing too dark in the tale as a whole. And on the whole it is a good story, but the last chapter does go on too long and what happens does feel like it slightly dulls the happy ending for all the characters. Although I did enjoy the historical aspect of the book and the overall setting I just would have liked a slightly happier feeling to stay with me at the end, but it didn’t.
-Thanks to Walker Books for a free copy for review.
This is a really interesting story which I got into right away. Set during the times of Stalin, the camp and the setting in Siberia is a harsh one. We get a sense from the start of how cruel and dangerous the camp and those in charge (as well as some other prisoners) are, and the descriptions of just how cold and snowy it is made me feel all shivery as I settled in to read this. As Lina and some others manage to break out, you follow their journey as they try to escape through the scary wilderness of Siberia in an attempt to make it to the city of Moscow. The descriptions of the conditions really make you feel for the characters and you get a vivid sense of just how cold and terrible it is for them. I really enjoyed this first part of the book and I felt such tension at some point when the night came. Things happen and the magical magical element of the story really begins which felt so exciting and made me compelled to read on, especially after anothe character shows up!
The story really takes on a more magical feel the further it goes on and at some point even incorporates some interesting Slavic fairy tale legends. I do like the story and everything that happens, the magical element is what I do love most as well as the harsh snowy setting, which was so vivid I felt like I was really there and constantly wanted to turn my heathing up! I like the way that Lina slowly grows throughout the story, learning more and more about herself and what happens is very interesting although I did manage to work out a certain plot twist a few chapters before it was officially revealed. The rest of the story was good and interesting, I did like what generally happened with all the characters although I was a bit disappointed with parts of the ending.
The overall ending is a nice one and is a satisfying one which wraps up events well and it is one I did hope for, but after reading this I did feel a bit sad after finishing the whole book. Although there is a good epilogue at the end and I liked what happens with Svetlana and Lina in the last chapters, especially with Svetlana and how she grows as a character at the end too, it also had a hint of sadness to it. The last fifty or so pages are all about things happening after the main conclusion to the story as a whole and while it was nice to read what happens to the characters, I couldn’t help but feel that this went on a bit long and gave the whole story a slightly sadder tone. It might have been some of the dark reality of the Soviet Union that was shown in the last chapters but I think it’s mainly what happens to the character of Natalya. I was hoping for a different ending there and it made me feel a bit sad when I finished the whole story as I thought that part would be more positive or magical and to be honest I’m a bit confused as to why that part ended the way it did, it just felt both happy and sad at the same time. I also feel these last chapters lingered on a bit too long and couldn’t have been shortened as not much happened.
There are some really lovely illustrations inside at the start of every chapter. These hint at what the chapter will be about and I love how these also add to the feeling of the cold and mist. I also can’t help but love the look of the cover which has some lovely shiny bronze lettering on the front!
This story is really lovely and on the whole it is a lovely magical story which I did enjoy and it has a good ending. The realities of things like the Soviet camps and the overall way the country was at the time are shown well and won’t really scare children to read them as there’s nothing too dark in the tale as a whole. And on the whole it is a good story, but the last chapter does go on too long and what happens does feel like it slightly dulls the happy ending for all the characters. Although I did enjoy the historical aspect of the book and the overall setting I just would have liked a slightly happier feeling to stay with me at the end, but it didn’t.
-Thanks to Walker Books for a free copy for review.
December 31, 2021
This was a very nice story and I liked it a lot!
Some parts were foreseeable for the reader but I liked that nontheless. It is a solid first novel from Orton, she did a very good job. She has a very nice writing style and i really liked how she sprinkled the magical elements into the story and into the characters.
Some parts were foreseeable for the reader but I liked that nontheless. It is a solid first novel from Orton, she did a very good job. She has a very nice writing style and i really liked how she sprinkled the magical elements into the story and into the characters.
February 16, 2024
Really enjoyed this one! Was a bit different, and I loved the historical setting.
February 9, 2020
This books tells us about Lina, who grew up in a Soviet labour camp with her mother. She escapes with her best friend Bogdan, and together they try to get to Moscow and find Lina's grandmother. Along the way they are however hindered by the sourceres Svetlana and her pack of shadow wolves...
The atmosphere in this book was superb. You could really feel the cold of the Siberian wilderness (and reading it during a storm whilst curled up with a blanket was lovely). Also, the magic is just wonderful and so interesting. It is the friendships that will keep you reading though. Lina is a feisty girl, whilst also being kind and gentle. She and the clever and loyal Bogdan were just a joy to read about, as was their cute tag along spirit.
The writing in this is lovely, as were the illustrations, making it an overall beautiful read. Also, can we take a moment to appreciate that cover? Why do middle grade books get all the nice covers?
However, this wasn't a perfect read for sure. It was quite cheese at parts, and there were some things that didn't make all that much sense to me. Also, I was told this would be an emotional read but I can't say I felt that at any point. Sure, it wasn't the happiest of endings, but I still didn't feel all that much.
Overall, this was an enjoyable, fast paced, wintery read I highly recommend if middle grade is your thing.
The atmosphere in this book was superb. You could really feel the cold of the Siberian wilderness (and reading it during a storm whilst curled up with a blanket was lovely). Also, the magic is just wonderful and so interesting. It is the friendships that will keep you reading though. Lina is a feisty girl, whilst also being kind and gentle. She and the clever and loyal Bogdan were just a joy to read about, as was their cute tag along spirit.
The writing in this is lovely, as were the illustrations, making it an overall beautiful read. Also, can we take a moment to appreciate that cover? Why do middle grade books get all the nice covers?
However, this wasn't a perfect read for sure. It was quite cheese at parts, and there were some things that didn't make all that much sense to me. Also, I was told this would be an emotional read but I can't say I felt that at any point. Sure, it wasn't the happiest of endings, but I still didn't feel all that much.
Overall, this was an enjoyable, fast paced, wintery read I highly recommend if middle grade is your thing.
August 14, 2025
The author’s creative decision to combine history with fantasy was original and engaging. The magical denizens of Siberia were believable and unique and the characters were developed enough to be relatable. While there were a few spaces that dragged, ultimately this would be an exciting middle-grade read for tweens bridging the crevasse to adult novels.
November 25, 2019
A magical story set in Stalin’s Russia in a bleak, Siberian labour camp. Loved every page - a fantastic story!
August 28, 2020
Overall, this got a 7.71, which is a 4 star!
Characters (8) - The characters in this were generally well rounded, and I enjoyed the arcs they underwent. Lina was a sweet and firey 11 year old, with a heart full of love and determination. The love she has for Bogdan and her general quick witted-ness was completely endearing! Similarly, Bogdan, although a little more mysterious, stuck me as a very honourable character. After reaching rock bottom when he ended up in Prison Camp 9, it seems that all that was left for him to do was the very best he could.
Svetlana's arc was simple, but very well rounded. I appreciated that it explained her reasoning and mindset so clearly, and it justified such a quick change in attitude. She was the embodiment of the manifestation of emotional trauma and I enjoyed reading her from start to finish.
Other minor characters, like Zima and Katya, were less well rounded, despite playing an important roll in Lina's own story, and the overall plot. Zima's behaviour is loosely 'excused' towards the end with a simple 'power can go to your head' line, and I was a tad disappointed by this. While the lack of development for Katya and Zima didn't necessarily take away from the book, it was definitely a missed opportunity to make Lina's emotional drive stronger.
Atmosphere (7) Overall the atmosphere was very well captured. Up in the wintry wastes of Siberia was Prison Camp 9, suitably dreary and cold. In parts, I almost found myself shivering along with Lina, and curling my toes into a blanket at the mention of her almost frost-bitten feet. The presents of ghost wolves was also suitably eerie, and the whole experience was very easily visualised. There were some bits that were a little jumpy, and I struggled with immersion. For example, the magical cloak travelling was too skimmed over the first time, and I had to flick back and reread because I thought I had missed something.. But there definitely was a strong whimsical, cold and magical atmosphere overall.
Writing (7) The writing style was enjoyable. Orton's descriptions made her world very vivid and true, and I enjoyed the exploration of heritage and emotions throughout this book. One thing I will say is that I very much enjoyed the magic sub-plot that takes place. The first time it was mentioned, I expected it to be a very in-your-face identity crisis that is such a common trope in fantasy books. However, it was delicately woven into the beginning, and slowly came to be more prevalent as the book went on.
Plot (8) The plot was very enjoyable. Not only was it a story about breaking out of a high security Siberian prison, it was a story about family and origin, and finding where you belong. It was a different story for everyone involved and it was beautifully connected. For Lina, it was a story about finding her Grandmother and rescuing her Mama. for Bogdan, it was a story about an exciting prison break with his best friend. For Svetlana, it was a story about emotional trauma and grief. The way these plot lines came together was so sweet and beautifully done.
Intrigue (8) The desire to keep reading this was so strong, almost entirely the whole way through. With such a gripping atmosphere and likeable characters, the short chapters made the 'just one more chapter' trap all the more dangerous. It took a great deal of will power to set the book down and go about the tasks in my day.
Logic (7) I am always in awe at the prospect of eleven year olds surviving so many ordeals, but in general, these were well done. It took a while for certain bits to make sense, such as the cloak travelling which was very skimmed over the first time, but all in all the story flowed quite well. I also felt the 'power goes to your head' justification for Zima was a bit of a cop out, but other than those two things, it was a well written, well rounded story.
Enjoyment (9) I adored reading this book! From the little illustrations at the beginning of the chapters, to the deep emotional pain of grief that was a big theme of this book... The whole experience was beautiful, with historical and whimsical vibes that made cuddling under a blanket, listening to the rain, and reading the PERFECT way to spend my evening.
Characters (8) - The characters in this were generally well rounded, and I enjoyed the arcs they underwent. Lina was a sweet and firey 11 year old, with a heart full of love and determination. The love she has for Bogdan and her general quick witted-ness was completely endearing! Similarly, Bogdan, although a little more mysterious, stuck me as a very honourable character. After reaching rock bottom when he ended up in Prison Camp 9, it seems that all that was left for him to do was the very best he could.
Svetlana's arc was simple, but very well rounded. I appreciated that it explained her reasoning and mindset so clearly, and it justified such a quick change in attitude. She was the embodiment of the manifestation of emotional trauma and I enjoyed reading her from start to finish.
Other minor characters, like Zima and Katya, were less well rounded, despite playing an important roll in Lina's own story, and the overall plot. Zima's behaviour is loosely 'excused' towards the end with a simple 'power can go to your head' line, and I was a tad disappointed by this. While the lack of development for Katya and Zima didn't necessarily take away from the book, it was definitely a missed opportunity to make Lina's emotional drive stronger.
Atmosphere (7) Overall the atmosphere was very well captured. Up in the wintry wastes of Siberia was Prison Camp 9, suitably dreary and cold. In parts, I almost found myself shivering along with Lina, and curling my toes into a blanket at the mention of her almost frost-bitten feet. The presents of ghost wolves was also suitably eerie, and the whole experience was very easily visualised. There were some bits that were a little jumpy, and I struggled with immersion. For example, the magical cloak travelling was too skimmed over the first time, and I had to flick back and reread because I thought I had missed something.. But there definitely was a strong whimsical, cold and magical atmosphere overall.
Writing (7) The writing style was enjoyable. Orton's descriptions made her world very vivid and true, and I enjoyed the exploration of heritage and emotions throughout this book. One thing I will say is that I very much enjoyed the magic sub-plot that takes place. The first time it was mentioned, I expected it to be a very in-your-face identity crisis that is such a common trope in fantasy books. However, it was delicately woven into the beginning, and slowly came to be more prevalent as the book went on.
Plot (8) The plot was very enjoyable. Not only was it a story about breaking out of a high security Siberian prison, it was a story about family and origin, and finding where you belong. It was a different story for everyone involved and it was beautifully connected. For Lina, it was a story about finding her Grandmother and rescuing her Mama. for Bogdan, it was a story about an exciting prison break with his best friend. For Svetlana, it was a story about emotional trauma and grief. The way these plot lines came together was so sweet and beautifully done.
Intrigue (8) The desire to keep reading this was so strong, almost entirely the whole way through. With such a gripping atmosphere and likeable characters, the short chapters made the 'just one more chapter' trap all the more dangerous. It took a great deal of will power to set the book down and go about the tasks in my day.
Logic (7) I am always in awe at the prospect of eleven year olds surviving so many ordeals, but in general, these were well done. It took a while for certain bits to make sense, such as the cloak travelling which was very skimmed over the first time, but all in all the story flowed quite well. I also felt the 'power goes to your head' justification for Zima was a bit of a cop out, but other than those two things, it was a well written, well rounded story.
Enjoyment (9) I adored reading this book! From the little illustrations at the beginning of the chapters, to the deep emotional pain of grief that was a big theme of this book... The whole experience was beautiful, with historical and whimsical vibes that made cuddling under a blanket, listening to the rain, and reading the PERFECT way to spend my evening.
December 18, 2019
"A whisper hung in the air. It felt as if it hd grown there, like a piece of fruit, rather thn having been spoken." p146
Nevertell is a fast paced gem. It is a middle grade work, so for someone a little older, it does read quite simply. I am filled with Hansel and Gretel vibes as I read this book. Two escaped children, working out who and what to trust, all in the magical scenery of the Russian wilderness.
I am curious about the internment camp that we started the book in. It reads like a World War Two type camp, but that is where the similarities stop.
I am also interested in how magic works in this book. So far we know magic is tied to weather, in one way or another. If you are from a place which is in perpetual warmth, you have warming powers, the same for if you are from somewhere with perpetual coldness. It is an original magic design and is quite fun and unique.
Lina is quite hard to like. She seems naive, too trusting and at times quite unrealistic. I have to keep reminding myself that she is eleven, but still, I have struggled with liking her since page one. That being said, I still want her to find her grandmother, to be reunited with her mother and to survive the magical forests and snow fields.
At the 290 page mark, this book really takes off, plot twists paired with tremendous courage and action sequences! I did feel as though the journey to Moscow was taking longer than necessary, but this book has made me appreciate the getting there, just as much as the destination.
Lina is such a strong character, even with my inability to connect with her, it is easy to see that she is brave and strong and fights for what she believes in. She started out as someone who doubted herself and loved to grow plants. And turned into a bright, courageous and magical girl. I do find her personality a little bland, but her traits are admirable.
This tale wraps up in such a gentle and warming way. I love how we see Svetlana grow into someone who puts aside her hatered and changes to help the people she so despised. How an internment camp that is filled with such horror can be changed into a utopia.
NeverTell is well written and set in a dreamy landscape of Russia's snowy wilderness. It draws you in to a childhood dream of magic and wolves and ghosts. Friendship and family are the main takeaway from this book as well as the importance of humanity. There are lessons to be learnt and reminders that we are all just people, trying to get by.
Fast paced and exciting, this book will be loved by the readers it is aimed towards. As someone who is not Midde Grade, I love the simplicity of reading MG fiction and the messages that come from it. The innocence of it.
Thank you so much to Walker Books Aus for supplying me with a review copy. I truly appreciate it.
Nevertell is a fast paced gem. It is a middle grade work, so for someone a little older, it does read quite simply. I am filled with Hansel and Gretel vibes as I read this book. Two escaped children, working out who and what to trust, all in the magical scenery of the Russian wilderness.
I am curious about the internment camp that we started the book in. It reads like a World War Two type camp, but that is where the similarities stop.
I am also interested in how magic works in this book. So far we know magic is tied to weather, in one way or another. If you are from a place which is in perpetual warmth, you have warming powers, the same for if you are from somewhere with perpetual coldness. It is an original magic design and is quite fun and unique.
Lina is quite hard to like. She seems naive, too trusting and at times quite unrealistic. I have to keep reminding myself that she is eleven, but still, I have struggled with liking her since page one. That being said, I still want her to find her grandmother, to be reunited with her mother and to survive the magical forests and snow fields.
At the 290 page mark, this book really takes off, plot twists paired with tremendous courage and action sequences! I did feel as though the journey to Moscow was taking longer than necessary, but this book has made me appreciate the getting there, just as much as the destination.
Lina is such a strong character, even with my inability to connect with her, it is easy to see that she is brave and strong and fights for what she believes in. She started out as someone who doubted herself and loved to grow plants. And turned into a bright, courageous and magical girl. I do find her personality a little bland, but her traits are admirable.
This tale wraps up in such a gentle and warming way. I love how we see Svetlana grow into someone who puts aside her hatered and changes to help the people she so despised. How an internment camp that is filled with such horror can be changed into a utopia.
NeverTell is well written and set in a dreamy landscape of Russia's snowy wilderness. It draws you in to a childhood dream of magic and wolves and ghosts. Friendship and family are the main takeaway from this book as well as the importance of humanity. There are lessons to be learnt and reminders that we are all just people, trying to get by.
Fast paced and exciting, this book will be loved by the readers it is aimed towards. As someone who is not Midde Grade, I love the simplicity of reading MG fiction and the messages that come from it. The innocence of it.
Thank you so much to Walker Books Aus for supplying me with a review copy. I truly appreciate it.
February 1, 2021
The vapid part of me was so into the beautiful cover that Nevertell by Katharine Orton has. This is the first book by this author that I’ve read and I wasn’t disappointed. Russian literature is high on my list of favorite world literatures and the nods to Russian folklore in this was intriguing. I am a big fan of icy and polar fantasy books so I dove into this with high expectations. For the most part it delivered and I’m giving this a high 3-star rating: 3.6.
The book centers a girl named Lina who was born and raised in a Siberian labor camp. She works in the greenhouse and the book immediately picks up when three guys approach her on behalf of her fiercely protective mother to get her to escape. This is during the late Stalin-era Soviet Union where political prisoners are sent away for being a bit different. Lina, along with her friend Bogdan escape the camp so that she can find her grandmother to help set the rest of her friends free. While they make their way through the Siberian wilderness, they come across a sorceress and her shadow wolves who seem to have a bone to pick with Lina. Along the way she meets friends of a colorful sort and learns secrets about her family and herself.
For the most part this is an enjoyable read. The writing is good and the world building is a lot of fun. This reads like a fairytale in a sense that it is atmospheric, mysterious, and has a lot of nice morals. Lina goes from eleven to twelve in this book and comes of age through the use of magic and her endless love for her family and friends. Lina is fiercely protective and a protagonist that I was able to root for. Certain plot developments were easy to figure out as far as who Svetlana is to Lina but I don’t mind that much.
The ending is satisfying and heartwarming in a way that will make me think back on this book for a while. However, I just wanted a bit more. There are some elements that feel unfinished and there are some things that aren’t explained with background characters. For example, the best friend Bogey just kind of existed as support, there was no development for him at all. Lina just sort of accepted things without thinking much about it later. I guess that’s the point of the innocence in this book though.
I’ll probably change my rating another time to something higher. This is a good book for those who enjoy this sort of polar fantasy genre as well as those into Russian or Slavic folklore.
Reading Challenge: Polarathon 2021: Team Arctic Fox
Challenge Prompt: Polar Fantasy
The book centers a girl named Lina who was born and raised in a Siberian labor camp. She works in the greenhouse and the book immediately picks up when three guys approach her on behalf of her fiercely protective mother to get her to escape. This is during the late Stalin-era Soviet Union where political prisoners are sent away for being a bit different. Lina, along with her friend Bogdan escape the camp so that she can find her grandmother to help set the rest of her friends free. While they make their way through the Siberian wilderness, they come across a sorceress and her shadow wolves who seem to have a bone to pick with Lina. Along the way she meets friends of a colorful sort and learns secrets about her family and herself.
For the most part this is an enjoyable read. The writing is good and the world building is a lot of fun. This reads like a fairytale in a sense that it is atmospheric, mysterious, and has a lot of nice morals. Lina goes from eleven to twelve in this book and comes of age through the use of magic and her endless love for her family and friends. Lina is fiercely protective and a protagonist that I was able to root for. Certain plot developments were easy to figure out as far as who Svetlana is to Lina but I don’t mind that much.
The ending is satisfying and heartwarming in a way that will make me think back on this book for a while. However, I just wanted a bit more. There are some elements that feel unfinished and there are some things that aren’t explained with background characters. For example, the best friend Bogey just kind of existed as support, there was no development for him at all. Lina just sort of accepted things without thinking much about it later. I guess that’s the point of the innocence in this book though.
I’ll probably change my rating another time to something higher. This is a good book for those who enjoy this sort of polar fantasy genre as well as those into Russian or Slavic folklore.
Reading Challenge: Polarathon 2021: Team Arctic Fox
Challenge Prompt: Polar Fantasy
May 23, 2020
With dark tones, hope, a little history and even more magic, this is a read which surprises in many ways.
Lina and her friend, Bogdan, are held captive in a Siberia labor camp. When they have the chance to escape, things run amok. To save themselves, they venture off on their own and happen across a witch, who turns evil men into wolves to form her own shadow army. The witch harbors tons of hate, and when she senses the magic in Lina, she wants to use her for her own evil purposes. Lina not only has to escape the witch but avoid being recaptured. And on top of all of this, she hopes to reunite with her mom.
While first chapters in books often drag, the ones in this story not only grab but are probably my favorite part of the tale. The author allows Lina's life in the labor camp to hit full force with all of its darkness and problems. This part is raw and harsh, but isn't more than most middle grade readers can handle.
The details draw in and give a vivid image to this more historical setting before Lina escapes and the fantasy part settles in. Here, it reminds a bit of Narnia. The evil witch is a little hard to grasp at times, but creates a lovely villain. The added mystery of Lina's own magic and the wonderful creatures she meets, make this a novel which invites to dreams and dives into the imagination. The match between the realistic side and the fantasy could have been a bit better woven, but it was still fun to read and get lost in Lina's world.
As to Lina, she is a character to life and cheer for until the last page. She carries a nice balance of spunk and determination, but at the same time, harbors uncertainty, mildness and kindness. Her actions are understandable and she definitely reels in the sympathy.
Young fans of fantasy worlds with forests, creatures and witches are sure to enjoy this delightful tale.
I won a complimentary copy through Library Thing and enjoyed being swept away in this wonderful tale.
Lina and her friend, Bogdan, are held captive in a Siberia labor camp. When they have the chance to escape, things run amok. To save themselves, they venture off on their own and happen across a witch, who turns evil men into wolves to form her own shadow army. The witch harbors tons of hate, and when she senses the magic in Lina, she wants to use her for her own evil purposes. Lina not only has to escape the witch but avoid being recaptured. And on top of all of this, she hopes to reunite with her mom.
While first chapters in books often drag, the ones in this story not only grab but are probably my favorite part of the tale. The author allows Lina's life in the labor camp to hit full force with all of its darkness and problems. This part is raw and harsh, but isn't more than most middle grade readers can handle.
The details draw in and give a vivid image to this more historical setting before Lina escapes and the fantasy part settles in. Here, it reminds a bit of Narnia. The evil witch is a little hard to grasp at times, but creates a lovely villain. The added mystery of Lina's own magic and the wonderful creatures she meets, make this a novel which invites to dreams and dives into the imagination. The match between the realistic side and the fantasy could have been a bit better woven, but it was still fun to read and get lost in Lina's world.
As to Lina, she is a character to life and cheer for until the last page. She carries a nice balance of spunk and determination, but at the same time, harbors uncertainty, mildness and kindness. Her actions are understandable and she definitely reels in the sympathy.
Young fans of fantasy worlds with forests, creatures and witches are sure to enjoy this delightful tale.
I won a complimentary copy through Library Thing and enjoyed being swept away in this wonderful tale.
July 17, 2020
This was an exciting middle grade adventure through the snowy wastelands of Siberia that will resonate with fans of A Wish in the Dark and Brightstorm!
We follow Lina as she races away from the only life she has ever known- a Soviet prison camp in Siberia's wildlands. Accompanied by her best friend Bogdan, she must fight her way through the sleet and snow to a better life, and possibly even a reunion with her Grandmother. But when there's trouble escaping the camp, Lina must work to find both her only known family member and also a safe haven.
I really enjoyed the polar fantasy elements as we were almost allowed to discover the magic slowly, along with Lina and Bogdan. I thought that Lina and Bogdan's relationship was very sweet, and that Lina's relationship with her mom was both interesting and heartfelt.
Orton does an expert job of creating a setting that chills you to the bone, while providing a journey with intense repercussions and I can't wait to read more from her!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the copy of this book!
We follow Lina as she races away from the only life she has ever known- a Soviet prison camp in Siberia's wildlands. Accompanied by her best friend Bogdan, she must fight her way through the sleet and snow to a better life, and possibly even a reunion with her Grandmother. But when there's trouble escaping the camp, Lina must work to find both her only known family member and also a safe haven.
I really enjoyed the polar fantasy elements as we were almost allowed to discover the magic slowly, along with Lina and Bogdan. I thought that Lina and Bogdan's relationship was very sweet, and that Lina's relationship with her mom was both interesting and heartfelt.
Orton does an expert job of creating a setting that chills you to the bone, while providing a journey with intense repercussions and I can't wait to read more from her!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the copy of this book!
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