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Ora and the Old God
Life in the fae realm is no fairytale.
Wild and stubborn, Ora Widogast is determined to join her brother for the annual Tabas hunt. After a terrible mistake, her brother is turned into a pig, and Ora is taken captive in the fae realm.
Alone in a strange world, she is faced with the overwhelming task of finding a way home, but no one wants to help a human. Especially one who has been placed under the watchful eye of a cruel and powerful war mage, Tyg Marigen.
Of course, Tyg has more important matters to see to. As her political ambitions and twisted past lead her down a darker and darker path, her human charge becomes nothing more than a nuisance.
But events take a turn for both women when a magical ritual goes horribly wrong...
Ora and the Old God is the first book in a spellbinding fae fantasy series that weaves together powerful women and complex magic.
Wild and stubborn, Ora Widogast is determined to join her brother for the annual Tabas hunt. After a terrible mistake, her brother is turned into a pig, and Ora is taken captive in the fae realm.
Alone in a strange world, she is faced with the overwhelming task of finding a way home, but no one wants to help a human. Especially one who has been placed under the watchful eye of a cruel and powerful war mage, Tyg Marigen.
Of course, Tyg has more important matters to see to. As her political ambitions and twisted past lead her down a darker and darker path, her human charge becomes nothing more than a nuisance.
But events take a turn for both women when a magical ritual goes horribly wrong...
Ora and the Old God is the first book in a spellbinding fae fantasy series that weaves together powerful women and complex magic.
298 pages, Paperback
First published October 25, 2020
2 people are currently reading
302 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Day
1 book19 followersSarah Day is a native Arkansawyer and professional writer. She grew up in the Ozarks and has been carrying around piles of books for as long as she can remember. In 2014, she graduated from the University of Arkansas with a creative writing degree. Ora and the Old God is her first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
December 22, 2020
I wish the fantastical world and the characters were represented better and in a new light even if it's supposed to represent their darkest sides and the politics of the fae/dren world they got involved in.
I wanted more plot in-depth and more character development.
The storyline is good but somehow the writing seems to lack progress and the characters didn't do much except big talk and lots of sneering and cursing.
I wish the characters were more interesting and focused.
I wish the ending had a surprise element.
Even though the book is short, I had to struggle a bit to actually complete it.
Overall, a new perspective of the dark fae world and their magic system, their wars and their weaknesses and strengths. Glad that more female character representation is there as the premise promised.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.
I wanted more plot in-depth and more character development.
The storyline is good but somehow the writing seems to lack progress and the characters didn't do much except big talk and lots of sneering and cursing.
I wish the characters were more interesting and focused.
I wish the ending had a surprise element.
Even though the book is short, I had to struggle a bit to actually complete it.
Overall, a new perspective of the dark fae world and their magic system, their wars and their weaknesses and strengths. Glad that more female character representation is there as the premise promised.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.
September 9, 2020
Wow, this was truly amazing!
"Ora and the Old God" is Sarah Day’s debut novel and her writing style wonderful! Her descriptive prose shines through each passage of this beautifully written novel.
The story is well developed and it flowed with ease. Day managed to paint a complex fae world and introduce an amazing cast of characters you simply love regardless of whether they are good or bad. For some of them, I still can’t decide, and I love them all the same, which only speaks more on the brilliance of Day’s writing.
I’m sure we can expect great works from her in the future, and I’m honored I had the chance to read her first novel before it was published. I can’t wait for the sequel!
Also, considering that the main protagonist, Ora, is a 17-year-old girl, the complete absence of romance was delightfully refreshing. Although I must admit, I did imagine Ora to be a bit younger than 17, but that did not change the feeling I had while reading in the least bit.
This review would not be complete without mentioning the main antagonist Tyg. Hats of to Day for managing to write this cold and ruthless villain's POV so good that her hatred and anger were almost palpable.
I loved it!
I would like to thank the publisher for providing me the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
"Ora and the Old God" is Sarah Day’s debut novel and her writing style wonderful! Her descriptive prose shines through each passage of this beautifully written novel.
The story is well developed and it flowed with ease. Day managed to paint a complex fae world and introduce an amazing cast of characters you simply love regardless of whether they are good or bad. For some of them, I still can’t decide, and I love them all the same, which only speaks more on the brilliance of Day’s writing.
I’m sure we can expect great works from her in the future, and I’m honored I had the chance to read her first novel before it was published. I can’t wait for the sequel!
Also, considering that the main protagonist, Ora, is a 17-year-old girl, the complete absence of romance was delightfully refreshing. Although I must admit, I did imagine Ora to be a bit younger than 17, but that did not change the feeling I had while reading in the least bit.
This review would not be complete without mentioning the main antagonist Tyg. Hats of to Day for managing to write this cold and ruthless villain's POV so good that her hatred and anger were almost palpable.
I loved it!
I would like to thank the publisher for providing me the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 5, 2021
Ora and the Old God has such a magical atmosphere that it had me longing to be able to cast spells. It is darker than I imagined it would be, which delighted me actually, the fae can be sometimes wicked and cruel beings and I thought that the author represented that very well with Tyg Marigen.
Ora just turned seventeen, and she wishes more than ever to venture into the Hy Borea forest. There are legends and myths of fae who linger in the forest, one must use silver to protect themselves and most importantly to avoid at all costs: don't give them your name . If the fae catch but a whisper of your name you are eternally bound to their every wish and whim.
The unexpected occurs, Ora is taken captivate by the fae into Mysanhal, while her brother is transformed into a bush pig and left behind in the human realm. Unfortunately to Ora, she is not only taken against her will but she is also to serve the most feared and ruthless Yewolyn warrior of the fae: Magus Tyg Marigen. The story is captivating and entirely magical, with unique fae creatures at every corner and enchanting incantations. The author writes in such a beautiful manner, her descriptions were so lucid that I could visualize everything perfectly.
What I loved the most about the novel was Ora's character. She is fearless, with quick and fiery remarks that had everyone in Mysanhal in shock. She takes any chance she has to gain her freedom and save her brother from becoming some hunters dinner. Even at the chance of severe punishment by Tyg she will stop at nothing, after all: they don't really have her real name yet do they? Another element that was very intriguing is all the mystery behind Ora's mother and her birth, she is much more unique than she seems.
Thank you so much to the author for gifting me a copy for review!
Ora just turned seventeen, and she wishes more than ever to venture into the Hy Borea forest. There are legends and myths of fae who linger in the forest, one must use silver to protect themselves and most importantly to avoid at all costs: don't give them your name . If the fae catch but a whisper of your name you are eternally bound to their every wish and whim.
The unexpected occurs, Ora is taken captivate by the fae into Mysanhal, while her brother is transformed into a bush pig and left behind in the human realm. Unfortunately to Ora, she is not only taken against her will but she is also to serve the most feared and ruthless Yewolyn warrior of the fae: Magus Tyg Marigen. The story is captivating and entirely magical, with unique fae creatures at every corner and enchanting incantations. The author writes in such a beautiful manner, her descriptions were so lucid that I could visualize everything perfectly.
What I loved the most about the novel was Ora's character. She is fearless, with quick and fiery remarks that had everyone in Mysanhal in shock. She takes any chance she has to gain her freedom and save her brother from becoming some hunters dinner. Even at the chance of severe punishment by Tyg she will stop at nothing, after all: they don't really have her real name yet do they? Another element that was very intriguing is all the mystery behind Ora's mother and her birth, she is much more unique than she seems.
Thank you so much to the author for gifting me a copy for review!
October 30, 2020
A coming-of-age fantasy on finding adventure, inner-strength and making your own destiny - even when the world says you can’t.
I really appreciate a story about a teenage girl subverting gender norms, especially to follow her dreams. And I love fantasy, so Ora and the Old God was the perfect combination. Sixteen-year-old Ora doesn’t want to marry and settle down like the villagers of Fel expect. She dreams of adventure and exciting tales of her own.
But the adventure that finds her isn’t the adventure she expected. Her brother is turned into a pig and she is captured and name-bound by the fae that transformed him. Her quest to save them both will take bravery, self-belief and - for the first time in her life - allies. A powerful story featuring strong women, and a girl turning into one.
Thank you to the author for a review copy via Story Origin
Buy this book on: Book Depository (free shipping!)
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I really appreciate a story about a teenage girl subverting gender norms, especially to follow her dreams. And I love fantasy, so Ora and the Old God was the perfect combination. Sixteen-year-old Ora doesn’t want to marry and settle down like the villagers of Fel expect. She dreams of adventure and exciting tales of her own.
But the adventure that finds her isn’t the adventure she expected. Her brother is turned into a pig and she is captured and name-bound by the fae that transformed him. Her quest to save them both will take bravery, self-belief and - for the first time in her life - allies. A powerful story featuring strong women, and a girl turning into one.
Thank you to the author for a review copy via Story Origin
Buy this book on: Book Depository (free shipping!)
Read more reviews on Velvet Opus
Find us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn
September 22, 2020
This was such a fun story. It took off pretty quickly and I enjoyed the fae world the author created. It's the first book in a new series so we're introduced to the main characters and have world building, but it doesn't weigh down the plot and does a great job of showing instead of just telling.
Ora is brave and a bit reckless, she's so eager to prove herself as a hunter like her brother that she ignores her mother's warnings and ends up a slave to fae. After, she's humbled a bit but keeps plotting her escape and makes some allies along the way. I enjoyed seeing her learn magic and realize that she may be more than human. I also liked her friendship with Renna, the head of the kitchen. It was nice that there wasn't any romance and we just focused on the main plot. Maybe in future books we'll see Ora crush on someone, but it wasn't necessary for this one.
The pacing is great and this flew by. I liked that we bounced between Ora and Tyg, it showed us what was happening in the fae lands and the political intrigue. Tyg is merciless and will do anything to rule and even though she's the villain, it was cool being in her head.
I'm so glad I was given a copy of this and excited for the sequel!
I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Ora is brave and a bit reckless, she's so eager to prove herself as a hunter like her brother that she ignores her mother's warnings and ends up a slave to fae. After, she's humbled a bit but keeps plotting her escape and makes some allies along the way. I enjoyed seeing her learn magic and realize that she may be more than human. I also liked her friendship with Renna, the head of the kitchen. It was nice that there wasn't any romance and we just focused on the main plot. Maybe in future books we'll see Ora crush on someone, but it wasn't necessary for this one.
The pacing is great and this flew by. I liked that we bounced between Ora and Tyg, it showed us what was happening in the fae lands and the political intrigue. Tyg is merciless and will do anything to rule and even though she's the villain, it was cool being in her head.
I'm so glad I was given a copy of this and excited for the sequel!
I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
September 26, 2020
I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Ora and the Old God was such a fun book to dive into. It was a pretty short book that was quickly devoured by my eyes. Each page and chapter just gave me so much to think about. I honestly still have questions about certain things and I'm hoping book 2 will give me some answers.
In it, you will meet Ora. She sort of gets kidnapped and is bound by name to serve the Tyg and her husband in the fae realm. It also doesn't help that her brother is now a pig either. Now the whole name bound seemed kind of interesting. Mostly because names can be powerful and they do hold power as well.
Along the way, we get some serious twists and turns. I was completely shocked on like two of them. I didn't expect half of what went down to actually happen in this book. I'm just hoping that the sequel will be able to hold a candle to this one and not get hit by the second book syndrome.
In the end, I'm happy with how this book ended. I look forward to the next book and I hope I get some answers.
Ora and the Old God was such a fun book to dive into. It was a pretty short book that was quickly devoured by my eyes. Each page and chapter just gave me so much to think about. I honestly still have questions about certain things and I'm hoping book 2 will give me some answers.
In it, you will meet Ora. She sort of gets kidnapped and is bound by name to serve the Tyg and her husband in the fae realm. It also doesn't help that her brother is now a pig either. Now the whole name bound seemed kind of interesting. Mostly because names can be powerful and they do hold power as well.
Along the way, we get some serious twists and turns. I was completely shocked on like two of them. I didn't expect half of what went down to actually happen in this book. I'm just hoping that the sequel will be able to hold a candle to this one and not get hit by the second book syndrome.
In the end, I'm happy with how this book ended. I look forward to the next book and I hope I get some answers.
August 22, 2020
✨3.5
Ora and the Old God is a story of a young girl overly sheltered by her mother. On the day of her 17th birthday, her brother takes her on the Tabas Hunt. However, during the hunt, they run into trouble. Ora is taken to Tirnan by the menacing Tyg and her husband Callum. As Ora's held in Tirnan against her will, she refuses to conform in the hopes of finding her brother.
During her captivity, Ora learns about the differences in magic within the fae realm. It is during this that Ora gets swept into the magic and her ability to wield it.
This book was delightful, especially with the world-building. The fae world introduced has vastly different magical creatures. Each of these creatures has a hierarchy. The first of these hierarchies to be presented is within the royal city of Mysanhal. It is confusing with all of these different creatures, and I hope there will be more explanation in the second book.
The main protagonist, Ora, is not that complex of a character. Whereas the antagonist, Tyg is villainous and downright delusional in her actions to defend her people. Ora’s motivation and goal are pretty simplistic in this book: returning home and finding her brother. But with Tyg, there seems to be a more complex storyline that hopefully will be fleshed out in the second book.
Overall, the book is fascinating, and I can not wait for the second book. There are so many questions regarding Ora and her lineage and Tyg and her desire to destroy the sylv and “lesser” creatures. These questions will likely be answered during the second book, or perhaps small tidbits of information will be given, leaving the reader eager for more.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a free e-copy of this ARC.
September 26, 2020
Ora and the Old God was an interesting read. I love that it took me not much time to read this story about a reckless girl being trapped by Fae as their slave. Even though her mother warned her and asked her not to go hunting with her brother, Ora didn't listen and left anyway. Unfortunately, they meet a Fae that ends up cursing her brother to turn into a pig and when he heard him spoke her name, he took her prisoner instead, thinking she would be bind to them now.
It turns out Ora isn't bound and she's not just human. She will try to learn magic to find a way out of this world in order to find and help her brother. We also had Tyg's perspective and I liked learning about the politics happening in this world and meeting the different characters.
This cover screams Middle Grade so the entire time, I was picturing Ora as younger than her actual age. I think she's seventeen so it might be more of a YA story but I'm still unsure how to categorize it.
(Thank you for letting me read and review an ARC via Netgalley)
It turns out Ora isn't bound and she's not just human. She will try to learn magic to find a way out of this world in order to find and help her brother. We also had Tyg's perspective and I liked learning about the politics happening in this world and meeting the different characters.
This cover screams Middle Grade so the entire time, I was picturing Ora as younger than her actual age. I think she's seventeen so it might be more of a YA story but I'm still unsure how to categorize it.
(Thank you for letting me read and review an ARC via Netgalley)
August 18, 2020
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a free e-copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
2.5 stars rounded up to 3. This novel isn't bad. It's just... okay.
First of all, I'm not sure what category this is supposed to be for. Ora, the protagonist, is seventeen, but she acts a lot younger. The novel is also written more like a Middle Grade than a YA, so take heed. There isn't any romance either.
I really did enjoy the worldbuilding, and Day's writing style is lovely. Very atmospheric and magical. But the characters seemed flat and one-dimensional. The plot was predictable to the very end. Nothing about this novel was new.
Our protagonist Ora and her brother go out into the forbidden woods. Her brother accidentally kills a fae creature and is transformed into a pig as punishment. Now Ora is whisked away to the fae realm to serve as a human servant girl to an evil, human-hating lady mage named Tyg. As Ora is desperate to escape, she learns that she has magical powers, and there is a war brewing on the fae borders...
Does that summary sound familiar? Yes. You've read it a hundred times before.
I think this is my fault for expecting more out of that summary. Hot take: I think this novel would be greatly improved if Ora and our villain Tyg fell in love. Yes, you heard me. It had potential. Besides, doesn't their situation sort of remind you of The Cruel Prince? Just me?
I don't know. I think that would have been the ONE thing that this novel could have built up to so it could separate itself from the rest of the genre. Tyg pretty much hates Ora for no reason (other than that she's humaaan and she's disrespectful to her captor blah blah). And we got Tyg POV chapters so, hey, genre conventions...
If you've read as much YA fantasy as I have, then you should probably skip this.
2.5 stars rounded up to 3. This novel isn't bad. It's just... okay.
First of all, I'm not sure what category this is supposed to be for. Ora, the protagonist, is seventeen, but she acts a lot younger. The novel is also written more like a Middle Grade than a YA, so take heed. There isn't any romance either.
I really did enjoy the worldbuilding, and Day's writing style is lovely. Very atmospheric and magical. But the characters seemed flat and one-dimensional. The plot was predictable to the very end. Nothing about this novel was new.
Our protagonist Ora and her brother go out into the forbidden woods. Her brother accidentally kills a fae creature and is transformed into a pig as punishment. Now Ora is whisked away to the fae realm to serve as a human servant girl to an evil, human-hating lady mage named Tyg. As Ora is desperate to escape, she learns that she has magical powers, and there is a war brewing on the fae borders...
Does that summary sound familiar? Yes. You've read it a hundred times before.
I think this is my fault for expecting more out of that summary. Hot take: I think this novel would be greatly improved if Ora and our villain Tyg fell in love. Yes, you heard me. It had potential. Besides, doesn't their situation sort of remind you of The Cruel Prince? Just me?
I don't know. I think that would have been the ONE thing that this novel could have built up to so it could separate itself from the rest of the genre. Tyg pretty much hates Ora for no reason (other than that she's humaaan and she's disrespectful to her captor blah blah). And we got Tyg POV chapters so, hey, genre conventions...
If you've read as much YA fantasy as I have, then you should probably skip this.
April 12, 2021
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a review copy. The below opinions are my own.
Ora and the Old God is the first book in the Of Ether and Silver series. The cover is really pretty and the book is pretty short. So, I was able to read it quickly. This is about Ora who gets captured into slavery after her brother kills a fae creature unknowingly on a hunt. He gets turned into a pig as punishment.
This novel was okay. The plot wasn't anything new and it is too predictable at times. However, the writing style of the author is commendable. The word building is very atmospheric but the characters felt one dimensional to me.
There is potential here for future improvements. If you read a lot of YA fantasy, then this book might feel juvenile and not for you. Otherwise, it is an okay book which can be improved upon by the forthcoming sequels.
Ora and the Old God is the first book in the Of Ether and Silver series. The cover is really pretty and the book is pretty short. So, I was able to read it quickly. This is about Ora who gets captured into slavery after her brother kills a fae creature unknowingly on a hunt. He gets turned into a pig as punishment.
This novel was okay. The plot wasn't anything new and it is too predictable at times. However, the writing style of the author is commendable. The word building is very atmospheric but the characters felt one dimensional to me.
There is potential here for future improvements. If you read a lot of YA fantasy, then this book might feel juvenile and not for you. Otherwise, it is an okay book which can be improved upon by the forthcoming sequels.
August 18, 2020
One doesn’t like to throw around the phrase instant classic lightly or much at all if they are being serious, but I can see "Ora and The Old God" taking its place alongside some of the biggest young adult series out there. I was thoroughly suprised to discover that his was Sarah Days first novel. Also, Sarahs book is a good example of why so many adult readers are turning to young-adult literature for the pleasures and consolations they used to get from conventional literary fiction. She escapes many of the classic tropes authors like to use in stories by never truly making things black and white or good and bad, the characters simply have their own individual motivations and qualities that at any one time can leave you cheering them on!
One of the best aspects of this book to me is the lack of filler. I never felt like I was reading something that did enrich the story in some way. Where many authors may drone on and on about descriptions or will try to pad out their books with useless paragraphs, Ora and The Old God gets right to the main course of it, leaving you full and happy rather than stuffed.
I highly recomend this book to any looking for something fresh and new in the Fantasy reading world and I highly await part 2.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
One of the best aspects of this book to me is the lack of filler. I never felt like I was reading something that did enrich the story in some way. Where many authors may drone on and on about descriptions or will try to pad out their books with useless paragraphs, Ora and The Old God gets right to the main course of it, leaving you full and happy rather than stuffed.
I highly recomend this book to any looking for something fresh and new in the Fantasy reading world and I highly await part 2.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 20, 2020
Ora and the Old God plays with familiar tropes but takes unexpected turns in a delightful way. I loved that Ora didn’t get distracted with some nonsensical relationship drama. Instead, we get a female protagonist who is driven by believable motives. Same with Tyg. As an antagonist, yeah she’s still a villain, but you get to see her perspective. I feel like this first book is just a taste of what’s to come, and I have SO many questions. Excited for the next one!
November 5, 2020
This ARC was provided for review, but in no way affects the following impartial and unbiased review:
•
4*
You will be immersed in an enchanting world of the Little People, which I loved since usually elves and beautiful fae steal all the glory. You can learn more about different species here, and read Ora's, a spunky and brave girl finding about magic for the first time. The narrative is compelling, the true nature of the Little People is respected, and the world itself is riveting. However, the lead is very one-dimensional and the story lacks a bit of action and adrenaline.
•
4*
You will be immersed in an enchanting world of the Little People, which I loved since usually elves and beautiful fae steal all the glory. You can learn more about different species here, and read Ora's, a spunky and brave girl finding about magic for the first time. The narrative is compelling, the true nature of the Little People is respected, and the world itself is riveting. However, the lead is very one-dimensional and the story lacks a bit of action and adrenaline.
September 19, 2020
Ora and the Old God is a very enchanting story about a pair of siblings who go into the forest for an annual hunt. The boy gets turned into a pig, the girl captured by the fae (who think they have her real name bound).
In a completely new realm, Ora, while plotting to escape and free her brother of his pig prison, discovers she can use magic which no human should be able to do. But will it be enough to help her get away?
The book is short but the pace is fast so it's easy to read in one sitting (which I will definitely do in the future when I re-read it). The world building is something extra, I'd say. It's not "typical" and I think the author managed to bring something fresh into the mix.
It's not the first time we see fae but the way Day wrote them they might as well be new creatures all together. I like that there's different fae types and ranks and that some fae are genuinely unconcerned with anything other than gossip.
Tyg was annoyingly terrifying and I hated her. Callum was interesting and I wanted more scenes with him and Ora. As for Ora herself, I had trouble seeing her as a seventeen year old girl. I kept imagining her a lot younger. But she was a good main character.
Berengar and Eiko were my favourites, I hope we get more of them in the next book. And more fae language, please.
It was a very very VERY enjoyable read and I'm excited to learn what happens next.
*Thank you to BookSirens and the author for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review*
In a completely new realm, Ora, while plotting to escape and free her brother of his pig prison, discovers she can use magic which no human should be able to do. But will it be enough to help her get away?
The book is short but the pace is fast so it's easy to read in one sitting (which I will definitely do in the future when I re-read it). The world building is something extra, I'd say. It's not "typical" and I think the author managed to bring something fresh into the mix.
It's not the first time we see fae but the way Day wrote them they might as well be new creatures all together. I like that there's different fae types and ranks and that some fae are genuinely unconcerned with anything other than gossip.
Tyg was annoyingly terrifying and I hated her. Callum was interesting and I wanted more scenes with him and Ora. As for Ora herself, I had trouble seeing her as a seventeen year old girl. I kept imagining her a lot younger. But she was a good main character.
Berengar and Eiko were my favourites, I hope we get more of them in the next book. And more fae language, please.
It was a very very VERY enjoyable read and I'm excited to learn what happens next.
*Thank you to BookSirens and the author for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review*
August 28, 2020
I usually give a book a few pages to a couple of chapters to hook me, but Ora and the Old God drew me in from page one. The writing is simple and elegant, with lovely, vivid imagery and a varied cast of characters. The extensive world-building and fae lore are delivered smoothly, without info-dumps.
Ora is a witty, spirited teen who is at times a bit too quick to speak her mind, which lands her into trouble and then into deeper trouble. It makes for a captivating read filled with twists and turns.
I appreciate that this isn’t a simple good vs evil story. All the characters are nuanced and driven by their respective desires and personal vision of right and wrong.
Because of the protagonists’ age (17), some graphic violence (not overly gory), and the lack of romance/sexuality, the book seems appropriate for an upper MG/younger YA audience and up. For me (adult and YA at heart) this was a quick read and a real treat. It came to a satisfying conclusion plus some loose ends that leave me eager for the next book in the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Ora is a witty, spirited teen who is at times a bit too quick to speak her mind, which lands her into trouble and then into deeper trouble. It makes for a captivating read filled with twists and turns.
I appreciate that this isn’t a simple good vs evil story. All the characters are nuanced and driven by their respective desires and personal vision of right and wrong.
Because of the protagonists’ age (17), some graphic violence (not overly gory), and the lack of romance/sexuality, the book seems appropriate for an upper MG/younger YA audience and up. For me (adult and YA at heart) this was a quick read and a real treat. It came to a satisfying conclusion plus some loose ends that leave me eager for the next book in the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 19, 2020
A very different but intriguing Romp through a new magical land. It's not often that I get to say that that antagonist was my favorite character! It really does a good job of setting up a much bigger world that I think will be fully and completely fleshed out with lore in the books to come.
I read it in two sittings and thoroughly enjoy it!
I read it in two sittings and thoroughly enjoy it!
August 30, 2020
Ora and the Old God is book one in the Of Ether and Silver series, and writer Sarah Day’s debut novel. In it, we follow Ora Widogast into the fae realm on her quest to save her brother, Hademar, who has been turned into a pig. Ora is taken captive and given into the care of Tyg Marigen and her husband Callum, both powerful fae warriors and mages. To escape, she must learn more about the fae realm, its politics, and her own new and surprising power.
Ora and the Old God is beautifully written, even poetic at times; Day shines in her descriptive prose. Her world is complex and vividly painted, with a range of magical creatures and distinct political and social structures, and the promise of these being explored more fully in further work. Ora is a willful, stubborn, and strong protagonist - my favourite kind - and it is easy to empathise with her struggle to free herself and her brother from the dangerous fae. I loved Ora’s relationship with her uncle, Lupin, who stands as a teacher and guide, and who never curtails Ora’s wildness. Tyg is a cold and intriguing villain, and I’m curious to see the lengths that Day will push her to in the next novel.
Though Ora is seventeen in the novel, I would place Ora and the Old God in the younger bracket of YA. There’s some violence, but there’s no overt romance; the complexity of the prose would suit sophisticated younger readers who are outgrowing Middle Grade. I enjoyed the fact that Ora’s voice was that of an actual seventeen-year-old, and not an adult; though determined, she still has moments of self-doubt, and she realistically struggles with that uncomfortable ‘in-between’ time, where members of her family still think her a child, and she wishes to prove them otherwise. This is a beautiful debut novel, with all the promise of being a complex and intriguing series.
Ora and the Old God is beautifully written, even poetic at times; Day shines in her descriptive prose. Her world is complex and vividly painted, with a range of magical creatures and distinct political and social structures, and the promise of these being explored more fully in further work. Ora is a willful, stubborn, and strong protagonist - my favourite kind - and it is easy to empathise with her struggle to free herself and her brother from the dangerous fae. I loved Ora’s relationship with her uncle, Lupin, who stands as a teacher and guide, and who never curtails Ora’s wildness. Tyg is a cold and intriguing villain, and I’m curious to see the lengths that Day will push her to in the next novel.
Though Ora is seventeen in the novel, I would place Ora and the Old God in the younger bracket of YA. There’s some violence, but there’s no overt romance; the complexity of the prose would suit sophisticated younger readers who are outgrowing Middle Grade. I enjoyed the fact that Ora’s voice was that of an actual seventeen-year-old, and not an adult; though determined, she still has moments of self-doubt, and she realistically struggles with that uncomfortable ‘in-between’ time, where members of her family still think her a child, and she wishes to prove them otherwise. This is a beautiful debut novel, with all the promise of being a complex and intriguing series.
October 25, 2020
As this was a gift from the lovely author, I thought that it would be fun if I put all my thoughts and notes that I had while reading in my review, which I don't often do because I write them in a physical notebook and not in notes on my phone or laptop.
• A very lovely gift from the author herself since I wasn’t feeling capable of meeting my original ARC deadline with BookSirens
• Beautiful cover art and dedication
• She has an ‘Uncle Werewolf’ and I hope that makes a point somewhere in this. You can’t name someone ‘Lupin’ and not make him a werewolf.
• Her brother shot a dren – oh no
• They really begged her to not go, not let her name be known by any fae and then when something bad happens her brother just screams her name.
• I love that, even if it’s unintentional, I can pull a few things from anime.
o ‘Spirited Away’
o ‘The Ancient Magus’ Bride’
• Maybe Ora is the Old God?
• I think Tyg here is trying to become the next Queen.
• Very strong start to a series for a debut author.
• “Uncle Werewolf is the only one who will be suspecting the fae!”
• Her real name not being Ora is such a power move on her mother’s part.
• Tyg should kill her husband, do not like Callum.
• The Queen is on Ora’s side, which means that she could want Ora to be the next Queen
• Maybe Renna is Ora’s love interest – or he just wants Ora to be free?
• Not sure if Callum is dumb or just oblivious to the fact that Ora isn’t name bound.
• Maol is really just out here having a grand time, living his life as a merchant and going where he wants with no one knowing who he is.
• Really hoping that Cyn dies as well.
• Okay, well I guess we aren’t trusting anyone in this damn book, I thought the Queen would be on Ora’s side but no she’s as bad as Tyg is.
• Ora is now down a finger, thanks Tyg!! Pretty sure that she’s going to kill Renna as well for trying to help Ora.
• Callum is less of a dick than Tyg but I still don’t like him and wouldn’t be upset if someone killed him.
• Cat, what are you doing??
o Okay, well I wasn’t expecting that but it’s an interesting development all the same.
• Queen dead? We sure hope so.
• Ora really has to spend the rest of her life with Eiko now, huh
• Tyg has gone crazy, and Ora is free; heck yeah baby!!!
o Oh she really did kill her husband I knew it was coming!!
• Tyg is Queen, Maol is trying to act as her right hand because he clearly wants something from her and Ora is bound to Eiko but he’s a bit lax and just wanted to be free from the cat form so he isn’t really going to make her a slave.
As a new book, by a debut independent author I think this was a fantastic book. The lore is great, the story is compelling, and you feel for Ora and all she goes through and the people she meets. I didn’t want to put this book down when I picked it up because whenever I got into this book, I really got into it. I was actually worried about some, like Renna, who I thought would die but fled when Ora did, and the Elder who gave Ora the enchantment to speak the fae language. Miss. Day has created a lovely book for the world to enjoy and while I was expecting a love interest to show up at any moment it never happened; which was refreshing and enjoyable for me!
In my opinion, the only bad thing about this is that I got this early, and finished it the day before that it officially came out so I have to wait even longer to get the second book because I know that this is going to be a great series. I can buy a second copy in the meantime, and gift it to someone, and recommend it to anyone who asks for a good independent author to read!!
• A very lovely gift from the author herself since I wasn’t feeling capable of meeting my original ARC deadline with BookSirens
• Beautiful cover art and dedication
• She has an ‘Uncle Werewolf’ and I hope that makes a point somewhere in this. You can’t name someone ‘Lupin’ and not make him a werewolf.
• Her brother shot a dren – oh no
• They really begged her to not go, not let her name be known by any fae and then when something bad happens her brother just screams her name.
• I love that, even if it’s unintentional, I can pull a few things from anime.
o ‘Spirited Away’
o ‘The Ancient Magus’ Bride’
• Maybe Ora is the Old God?
• I think Tyg here is trying to become the next Queen.
• Very strong start to a series for a debut author.
• “Uncle Werewolf is the only one who will be suspecting the fae!”
• Her real name not being Ora is such a power move on her mother’s part.
• Tyg should kill her husband, do not like Callum.
• The Queen is on Ora’s side, which means that she could want Ora to be the next Queen
• Maybe Renna is Ora’s love interest – or he just wants Ora to be free?
• Not sure if Callum is dumb or just oblivious to the fact that Ora isn’t name bound.
• Maol is really just out here having a grand time, living his life as a merchant and going where he wants with no one knowing who he is.
• Really hoping that Cyn dies as well.
• Okay, well I guess we aren’t trusting anyone in this damn book, I thought the Queen would be on Ora’s side but no she’s as bad as Tyg is.
• Ora is now down a finger, thanks Tyg!! Pretty sure that she’s going to kill Renna as well for trying to help Ora.
• Callum is less of a dick than Tyg but I still don’t like him and wouldn’t be upset if someone killed him.
• Cat, what are you doing??
o Okay, well I wasn’t expecting that but it’s an interesting development all the same.
• Queen dead? We sure hope so.
• Ora really has to spend the rest of her life with Eiko now, huh
• Tyg has gone crazy, and Ora is free; heck yeah baby!!!
o Oh she really did kill her husband I knew it was coming!!
• Tyg is Queen, Maol is trying to act as her right hand because he clearly wants something from her and Ora is bound to Eiko but he’s a bit lax and just wanted to be free from the cat form so he isn’t really going to make her a slave.
As a new book, by a debut independent author I think this was a fantastic book. The lore is great, the story is compelling, and you feel for Ora and all she goes through and the people she meets. I didn’t want to put this book down when I picked it up because whenever I got into this book, I really got into it. I was actually worried about some, like Renna, who I thought would die but fled when Ora did, and the Elder who gave Ora the enchantment to speak the fae language. Miss. Day has created a lovely book for the world to enjoy and while I was expecting a love interest to show up at any moment it never happened; which was refreshing and enjoyable for me!
In my opinion, the only bad thing about this is that I got this early, and finished it the day before that it officially came out so I have to wait even longer to get the second book because I know that this is going to be a great series. I can buy a second copy in the meantime, and gift it to someone, and recommend it to anyone who asks for a good independent author to read!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 21, 2020
I received an ARC from NetGalley for review.
For fans of ACOTAR, An Enchantment of Ravens, and The Folk of the Air.
Ora takes readers on a journey to a fae world that exists adjacent to the human realm, separated by crossing portals. Kidnapped during a hunt on her seventeenth birthday after a run-in with a fae species called dren, Ora desperately works to find a way to return to the human realm to save her brother, who was transformed into a forest pig when the fae stole her away. Various encounters with the fae reveal there may be more to Ora than she had been lead to believe by her family.
The author really shines in the concept of this story. The lore surrounding the fae has been well developed and their world is clearly rich and vast, even if we don't get the opportunity to learn too much about it. While at times the action could be slow, the plot made sense and flowed in an easy-to-follow manner. There were also scenes where the author's writing style really shined, where the reader can tell the author was excited to share the next plot point. The author also doesn't fall into the trap of most fantasy books of info-dumping on readers. The dissemination of information about the world was appropriately timed and doesn't overwhelm the reader.
Unfortunately, the details of the books weren't developed enough for me really enjoy the reading experience. The concept is definitely here, but the execution is a bit missed.
I found the characters to be one-dimensional, paper dolls instead of fleshed out beings with motivations, hopes, and fears. Half the characters have no apparent motivations for their actions, and the ones that do are unrelatable. Little time is spent actually giving readers a sense of who these characters are, so I found myself completely apathetic towards what happened to them. At the very least, I expect to have a sense of who the protagonist is and what motivates them, but really all we know about Ora is that she's a 17 year old girl who is annoyed by her mother's over-protectiveness and likes listening to stories from her uncle. That doesn't really give us a sense of who she is. From there, the rest of the characters get progressively less interesting.
Additionally, the pacing of this book is quite awkward. It feels a bit like the reader is in stop-and-go traffic, jerking rapidly between plot points with not much to bridge between them. There were many instances throughout the book where the author would set up a scene and then spend one paragraph giving a summary of what happened next, often covering a timeline of hours in a few sentences. I almost couldn't get through the first chapter. The pacing does improve significantly after the first chapter, but there is definitely still entire portions of the book throughout that feel really awkward to read.
This is the authors's first book and I'm excited to see where their writing career takes them. The potential for greatness is here, in my opinion. They are definitely one to watch.
For fans of ACOTAR, An Enchantment of Ravens, and The Folk of the Air.
Ora takes readers on a journey to a fae world that exists adjacent to the human realm, separated by crossing portals. Kidnapped during a hunt on her seventeenth birthday after a run-in with a fae species called dren, Ora desperately works to find a way to return to the human realm to save her brother, who was transformed into a forest pig when the fae stole her away. Various encounters with the fae reveal there may be more to Ora than she had been lead to believe by her family.
The author really shines in the concept of this story. The lore surrounding the fae has been well developed and their world is clearly rich and vast, even if we don't get the opportunity to learn too much about it. While at times the action could be slow, the plot made sense and flowed in an easy-to-follow manner. There were also scenes where the author's writing style really shined, where the reader can tell the author was excited to share the next plot point. The author also doesn't fall into the trap of most fantasy books of info-dumping on readers. The dissemination of information about the world was appropriately timed and doesn't overwhelm the reader.
Unfortunately, the details of the books weren't developed enough for me really enjoy the reading experience. The concept is definitely here, but the execution is a bit missed.
I found the characters to be one-dimensional, paper dolls instead of fleshed out beings with motivations, hopes, and fears. Half the characters have no apparent motivations for their actions, and the ones that do are unrelatable. Little time is spent actually giving readers a sense of who these characters are, so I found myself completely apathetic towards what happened to them. At the very least, I expect to have a sense of who the protagonist is and what motivates them, but really all we know about Ora is that she's a 17 year old girl who is annoyed by her mother's over-protectiveness and likes listening to stories from her uncle. That doesn't really give us a sense of who she is. From there, the rest of the characters get progressively less interesting.
Additionally, the pacing of this book is quite awkward. It feels a bit like the reader is in stop-and-go traffic, jerking rapidly between plot points with not much to bridge between them. There were many instances throughout the book where the author would set up a scene and then spend one paragraph giving a summary of what happened next, often covering a timeline of hours in a few sentences. I almost couldn't get through the first chapter. The pacing does improve significantly after the first chapter, but there is definitely still entire portions of the book throughout that feel really awkward to read.
This is the authors's first book and I'm excited to see where their writing career takes them. The potential for greatness is here, in my opinion. They are definitely one to watch.
October 17, 2020
An engaging and serviceable fantasy about a girl stolen away by the fae.
'Ora and the Old God" covers familiar ground for people who enjoy stories about the fair folk spiriting people away and using their names as a form of power. The world-building and high stakes are the book's most laudable elements. I loved the details that emerged about the faerie court and the political machinations at play. The narration alternates between Ora's point of view as a prisoner and Tyg the fae magus' perspective as a ruthless political player.
Ora's storyline did strike me as predictable at times, and (without giving anything away) waiting for the inevitable reveal of Ora's true nature and powers became a source of frustration for the first half of the novel. I also agree with some other reviewers that the middle-grade style of writing created some tonal dissonance with the more life-and-death aspects of the plot, including some unexpectedly vivid description of violence.
The ending leaves room for a sequel, and I appreciate the author's ability to tease further adventures without sacrificing her moving and satisfying conclusion.
Recommended to anyone who appreciates intricate magic systems, adventures in other worlds, and political shenanigans with deadly stakes.
I received an eARC of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
'Ora and the Old God" covers familiar ground for people who enjoy stories about the fair folk spiriting people away and using their names as a form of power. The world-building and high stakes are the book's most laudable elements. I loved the details that emerged about the faerie court and the political machinations at play. The narration alternates between Ora's point of view as a prisoner and Tyg the fae magus' perspective as a ruthless political player.
Ora's storyline did strike me as predictable at times, and (without giving anything away) waiting for the inevitable reveal of Ora's true nature and powers became a source of frustration for the first half of the novel. I also agree with some other reviewers that the middle-grade style of writing created some tonal dissonance with the more life-and-death aspects of the plot, including some unexpectedly vivid description of violence.
The ending leaves room for a sequel, and I appreciate the author's ability to tease further adventures without sacrificing her moving and satisfying conclusion.
Recommended to anyone who appreciates intricate magic systems, adventures in other worlds, and political shenanigans with deadly stakes.
I received an eARC of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
September 26, 2020
I loved the beginning of this book; perhaps it's because I live in the Pacific Northwest that descriptions of woods and trees resonate with me so strongly, but I could almost smell the forest and was immediately hooked.
Fast forward to the Fae kingdom, and I lost a bit of that resonance, but along with Ora the reader is thrown into a rich new world and has to figure out how to survive. With deftly drawn characters that have a depth of personality despite brief exposure, it was refreshing to have the plot center on the female protagonist, and also have a strong female antagonist whose personality was at turns sympathetic and understandable despite the structure of the plot establishing her in opposition to Ora. Although I did picture Ora as younger in age than her vaunted 17 years, she still demonstrates resilience and determination that is nice to read.
My main disappointment in reading was that the ending was far more abrupt than I anticipated - I was left with a "wait, that's it?!" reaction and will eagerly await the sequel.
Fast forward to the Fae kingdom, and I lost a bit of that resonance, but along with Ora the reader is thrown into a rich new world and has to figure out how to survive. With deftly drawn characters that have a depth of personality despite brief exposure, it was refreshing to have the plot center on the female protagonist, and also have a strong female antagonist whose personality was at turns sympathetic and understandable despite the structure of the plot establishing her in opposition to Ora. Although I did picture Ora as younger in age than her vaunted 17 years, she still demonstrates resilience and determination that is nice to read.
My main disappointment in reading was that the ending was far more abrupt than I anticipated - I was left with a "wait, that's it?!" reaction and will eagerly await the sequel.
September 7, 2020
Thanks to the publisher for providing an eARC of Ora and the Old God in exchange for an honest review.
Ora and the Old Gods is pretty much a by the books middle grade fantasy. Sheltered girl goes into the woods with friend/loved one. Something happens to friend/loved one. Sheltered girl gets wrapped up in the world of the fae and discovers that she's actually super special. It's well written and similar enough to other books to be a fast, comfy but story distinct enough to not make it feel like a waste of time to read.
My biggest issue is honestly just the protagonists age. Ora is 17, putting this book in the YA target demographic but Ora acts a lot more like a young teenager or even a pre-teen and like I said, this book is very similar to others in the middle grade genre. Aging Ora down a bit and changing this from YA to middle grade would have made this a significantly better read.
Ora and the Old Gods is pretty much a by the books middle grade fantasy. Sheltered girl goes into the woods with friend/loved one. Something happens to friend/loved one. Sheltered girl gets wrapped up in the world of the fae and discovers that she's actually super special. It's well written and similar enough to other books to be a fast, comfy but story distinct enough to not make it feel like a waste of time to read.
My biggest issue is honestly just the protagonists age. Ora is 17, putting this book in the YA target demographic but Ora acts a lot more like a young teenager or even a pre-teen and like I said, this book is very similar to others in the middle grade genre. Aging Ora down a bit and changing this from YA to middle grade would have made this a significantly better read.
August 21, 2020
I received a copy though NetGalley for review.
So overall I actually enjoyed this one.
The writing hovers somewhere between middle grade and YA.
If you have been looking for something romance free- here it is. There so far is absolutely no romance for the MC. Which feels refreshing. That's right a 17 year old girl who isn't looking for a husband! Feels like a miracle.
Ora is hurled into the world of Fae- the majority ruler is of a sect call the Dren.
From what I can gather in this world, different fae have different magical abilities. Some have power within, others are elemental, some alchemical. And there are some things that are very, very old, and seem to like to meddle with their own.
The Queen knows Ora is not what she seems, and hands Ora to the household of leaders of her guard .
Tyg Marigen known as the Magis (the most power combat mage) and her husband the leader known as Valor of the Yewolyns.
Tyg is power hungry and vicious. Threatening anyone who challenges her, and will kill and maim without hesitation.
Ora does her best to blend in, while she looks for a way to escape. Her only thoughts are how to get away and transform her brother back into a human. Before he can be hunted as a brush pig.
She makes some interesting allies along the way. And the discovery of her powers, she has a lot of potential if she can harness it properly.
This book felt somewhere between a novella and a prequel. And I'm looking forward to see where this heads next. As the ending was somewhat surprising. There's a big clash coming up!
It was a fun read.
So overall I actually enjoyed this one.
The writing hovers somewhere between middle grade and YA.
If you have been looking for something romance free- here it is. There so far is absolutely no romance for the MC. Which feels refreshing. That's right a 17 year old girl who isn't looking for a husband! Feels like a miracle.
Ora is hurled into the world of Fae- the majority ruler is of a sect call the Dren.
From what I can gather in this world, different fae have different magical abilities. Some have power within, others are elemental, some alchemical. And there are some things that are very, very old, and seem to like to meddle with their own.
The Queen knows Ora is not what she seems, and hands Ora to the household of leaders of her guard .
Tyg Marigen known as the Magis (the most power combat mage) and her husband the leader known as Valor of the Yewolyns.
Tyg is power hungry and vicious. Threatening anyone who challenges her, and will kill and maim without hesitation.
Ora does her best to blend in, while she looks for a way to escape. Her only thoughts are how to get away and transform her brother back into a human. Before he can be hunted as a brush pig.
She makes some interesting allies along the way. And the discovery of her powers, she has a lot of potential if she can harness it properly.
This book felt somewhere between a novella and a prequel. And I'm looking forward to see where this heads next. As the ending was somewhat surprising. There's a big clash coming up!
It was a fun read.
August 24, 2020
This was just an okay book, the story and plot line are kinda weirdly paced, in places that should go faster it lags and the other way around. I enjoyed the book but is not memorable, nor the characters. They felt flat and underdeveloped. Is a valiant effort but I probably wouldnt compare it to other fae books like Holly Blacks or SJM
September 11, 2020
A wonderful middle grade fantasy read with potential to become a successful fantasy series! 3.5🌟/ 5
In the small town of Fel Ora lives a quiet life with her family awaiting her birthday and the opportunity to join a ritualistic hunt with her brother Hademar. On the night of the hunt however, Ora discovers that the myths of Fae and magic are more than just stories. Trapped in the Fae lands of Hy Borea and seeing her brother enchanted into a brush pig, Ora needs to find a way back to Himil, the human realm, while navigating her way through the schemes of Fae politics and secrets about herself that threaten to change her view of the world.
'Ora and the Old God' is an imaginative fantasy novel that strays away from the romanticized version of Fae and magic in a manner more digestible for younger readers. Nevertheless, the magic system and world building of the novel is quite advanced and descriptive allowing for an immersive read that can be enjoyed by all ages.
In the small town of Fel Ora lives a quiet life with her family awaiting her birthday and the opportunity to join a ritualistic hunt with her brother Hademar. On the night of the hunt however, Ora discovers that the myths of Fae and magic are more than just stories. Trapped in the Fae lands of Hy Borea and seeing her brother enchanted into a brush pig, Ora needs to find a way back to Himil, the human realm, while navigating her way through the schemes of Fae politics and secrets about herself that threaten to change her view of the world.
'Ora and the Old God' is an imaginative fantasy novel that strays away from the romanticized version of Fae and magic in a manner more digestible for younger readers. Nevertheless, the magic system and world building of the novel is quite advanced and descriptive allowing for an immersive read that can be enjoyed by all ages.
August 30, 2020
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I found this story very captivating and I was eager to follow Ora throughout her adventure! This book was easy to read and I definitely hope to get to read more about Ora and what is to happen next for her.
I found this story very captivating and I was eager to follow Ora throughout her adventure! This book was easy to read and I definitely hope to get to read more about Ora and what is to happen next for her.
September 1, 2020
I really liked this book with its amazing world building and the character development. Overall amazing and would definitely recommend
October 25, 2020
I’m a high school teacher, and while I often love reading books recommended by my students, I’ve found myself getting burned out on the plot lines that YA fantasy books seem to share: girl with mysterious and/or underprivileged background meets nobility (or two) and falls in love, suddenly develops wildly powerful magic, rescues the kingdom with shiny new magic, and that’s that. The End.
Ora isn’t that girl. She’s young and brash, and is dragged onto a journey by her own mistakes. She is 17 at the beginning of the story, but her sheltered upbringing leaves her feeling younger to the reader. However, Ora is a resourceful and pragmatic character in a way many heroines aren’t. She remains focused on saving her brother, who was cruelly turned into a pig by a tyrannical fae warrior-mage.
Ora’s story is motivated by love, but it’s one for her family rather than a romantic love. That was one of the most refreshing aspects of this story. Rather than have a romantic interest driving the story, the book is both centered on and moved forward by the antagonistic relationship developed between Ora and her fae captor, Tyg. Again, I found it refreshing that the author didn’t push Ora into a romance with her villain, instead letting Tyg’s actions establish herself as a woman who has fought to gain her status and will continue to do what it takes to see her goals achieved.
There is room for author Sarah Day to grow. At times the pacing of the book felt rushed, especially as events pick up towards the end. With the pace of the events also came a rushed sense of character development. I feel like I knew the antagonist slightly better than the main character in sections of the book. I think that the author knows her characters well, and is growing in translating that knowledge over to her readers.
However, Ora and the Old God is the first in a new series, and is Day’s first book. She has laid the foundation for a rich story universe, and her sensory details are incredible. Readers will feel as though they are walking beside Ora, seeing and experiencing the world has Ora does. Day has also introduced and woven together several intriguing plots against the backdrop of a fresh take on fae powers and magic. They’re tantalizing hints that emerge more distinctly throughout the novel, and by the time I finished the last page, I was already craving Book 2.
Overall, as someone well-versed in current YA fantasy, Ora and the Old God was a refreshing read. Day’s work stands out in a time when authors like Sarah Mass and Holly Black have seemingly cornered the market on fae-inspired stories. Ora stands on its own, comfortable in the world, magic, and characters that set it apart from other books I’ve read. I’m excited to see where Day takes Ora’s story in the future, and I’m glad I picked the book up!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Ora isn’t that girl. She’s young and brash, and is dragged onto a journey by her own mistakes. She is 17 at the beginning of the story, but her sheltered upbringing leaves her feeling younger to the reader. However, Ora is a resourceful and pragmatic character in a way many heroines aren’t. She remains focused on saving her brother, who was cruelly turned into a pig by a tyrannical fae warrior-mage.
Ora’s story is motivated by love, but it’s one for her family rather than a romantic love. That was one of the most refreshing aspects of this story. Rather than have a romantic interest driving the story, the book is both centered on and moved forward by the antagonistic relationship developed between Ora and her fae captor, Tyg. Again, I found it refreshing that the author didn’t push Ora into a romance with her villain, instead letting Tyg’s actions establish herself as a woman who has fought to gain her status and will continue to do what it takes to see her goals achieved.
There is room for author Sarah Day to grow. At times the pacing of the book felt rushed, especially as events pick up towards the end. With the pace of the events also came a rushed sense of character development. I feel like I knew the antagonist slightly better than the main character in sections of the book. I think that the author knows her characters well, and is growing in translating that knowledge over to her readers.
However, Ora and the Old God is the first in a new series, and is Day’s first book. She has laid the foundation for a rich story universe, and her sensory details are incredible. Readers will feel as though they are walking beside Ora, seeing and experiencing the world has Ora does. Day has also introduced and woven together several intriguing plots against the backdrop of a fresh take on fae powers and magic. They’re tantalizing hints that emerge more distinctly throughout the novel, and by the time I finished the last page, I was already craving Book 2.
Overall, as someone well-versed in current YA fantasy, Ora and the Old God was a refreshing read. Day’s work stands out in a time when authors like Sarah Mass and Holly Black have seemingly cornered the market on fae-inspired stories. Ora stands on its own, comfortable in the world, magic, and characters that set it apart from other books I’ve read. I’m excited to see where Day takes Ora’s story in the future, and I’m glad I picked the book up!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 30, 2020
Ora and the Old God is a cautionary fairy tale where the forest is as dangerous as it seems. Its constant introduction of new characters and concepts results in a fun plot to follow but also means the characters and world aren't given much time to be fleshed out. YA readers who enjoy an interesting plot but don't necessarily need deep characterization or world building will enjoy this book. (And yeah, I do fall into that category)
Ora is certainly stubborn and, while her plans aren't always the most strategic, it's easy to root for her as she tries to escape her fae captors. Where she missteps, she faces consequences. Unlike many books of magical kidnapping, Ora and the Gold Forest does drive home its real stakes.
The other characters do their job but didn't get enough screen time to be properly developed. They're an interesting enough start but none of them have had time develop an impression beyond the archetype they embody. The light characterization wasn't an issue for me but it might be a problem for character-driven readers.
This book has a lot going on. New plot threads are being introduced throughout the story and by the end only a handful are resolved. Ora isn't entirely without resolution but it's not one of those first entries in a series that can be practically read as a standalone. This approach towards the plot left the book feeling less cohesive but also more entertaining. Ora and the Old God wasn't predictable and the novelty was definitely a positive!
The world itself has the same caveats the characters do; there's a lot of disparate information but a lot isn't particularly fleshed out. Take the fae society for example, there's a clearly defined social hierarchy but many of the supposedly big players here seem to be casually approachable. It could be that this fae nation is small or it could be that the social hierarchy permits more causal interactions but that information isn't given. As an outsider I'd expect Ora to make observations that helps illuminate the differences between fae society and her own but there wasn't a lot of that. Mostly it pertained to technological and magical differences.
Overall, Ora and the Old God is an entertaining read with interesting plot design. It's willing to go in a braver plot direction than many of its genre contemporaries and that pays off. It isn't without its side effects though. I would have liked to see some more fleshed out world building and most characters never escaped their archetypes.
I received an advance review copy of this book. All opinions in this review are entirely my own.
Ora is certainly stubborn and, while her plans aren't always the most strategic, it's easy to root for her as she tries to escape her fae captors. Where she missteps, she faces consequences. Unlike many books of magical kidnapping, Ora and the Gold Forest does drive home its real stakes.
The other characters do their job but didn't get enough screen time to be properly developed. They're an interesting enough start but none of them have had time develop an impression beyond the archetype they embody. The light characterization wasn't an issue for me but it might be a problem for character-driven readers.
This book has a lot going on. New plot threads are being introduced throughout the story and by the end only a handful are resolved. Ora isn't entirely without resolution but it's not one of those first entries in a series that can be practically read as a standalone. This approach towards the plot left the book feeling less cohesive but also more entertaining. Ora and the Old God wasn't predictable and the novelty was definitely a positive!
The world itself has the same caveats the characters do; there's a lot of disparate information but a lot isn't particularly fleshed out. Take the fae society for example, there's a clearly defined social hierarchy but many of the supposedly big players here seem to be casually approachable. It could be that this fae nation is small or it could be that the social hierarchy permits more causal interactions but that information isn't given. As an outsider I'd expect Ora to make observations that helps illuminate the differences between fae society and her own but there wasn't a lot of that. Mostly it pertained to technological and magical differences.
Overall, Ora and the Old God is an entertaining read with interesting plot design. It's willing to go in a braver plot direction than many of its genre contemporaries and that pays off. It isn't without its side effects though. I would have liked to see some more fleshed out world building and most characters never escaped their archetypes.
I received an advance review copy of this book. All opinions in this review are entirely my own.
September 13, 2020
Thank you so much, Sarah Day and Netgalley, for providing a free copy of Ora and the Old God in return for an honest review!
Ora and the Old God is a Spirited Away-esque story about a girl whose brother is turned into a pig before she’s whisked away to the world of the fey, where she’s at the mercy of the ruthless fey magus, Tyg.
Let’s get this out of the way first: I really liked this book. It has so much going for it. The main problem is the category. This was first listed as YA, but was then changed the category to MG/YA and I have problems with putting this in the Middle Grade category. This is mainly a problem due to the pacing: while this book is certainly intriguing, it’s also quite slow in many places, with a lot of political intrigue that I believe few in the MG age group would properly enjoy. The second is that this is also a bit too intense for MG. There’s a point in the book where a body part is cut off, and it doesn’t skimp on the detail.
It works great as a YA novel, though. The main character, Ora, is a fun character to get to know. She’s stubborn, playful, wild, and curious. Seeing through her eyes is always a great experience, even when she’s suffering through the more unpleasant scenes of the book, simply because she feels so real. There are other POV chapters from Tyg, and those are equally stunning but further cement my opinion that this is not an MG novel.
Day’s worldbuilding is faultless. The plot of someone in a new world isn’t used often enough, in my humble opinion. Not just because stories about change make the most intriguing plots, but because worldbuilding is so much more beautiful and natural when done through the eyes of someone unfamiliar to it. We fit into Ora’s shoes well because neither of us know the world at all, so we get to know the fey at the same pace as her. The fey themselves are the old, traditional kind. They work in bargains and true names. Logic means nothing, and words craft unbreakable bindings. Day uses a combination of old lore and details crafted from her own mind.
The ending it leads to is quiet, but something wilder is promised on the horizon as human and fey worlds threaten to clash.
Ora and the Old God is a Spirited Away-esque story about a girl whose brother is turned into a pig before she’s whisked away to the world of the fey, where she’s at the mercy of the ruthless fey magus, Tyg.
Let’s get this out of the way first: I really liked this book. It has so much going for it. The main problem is the category. This was first listed as YA, but was then changed the category to MG/YA and I have problems with putting this in the Middle Grade category. This is mainly a problem due to the pacing: while this book is certainly intriguing, it’s also quite slow in many places, with a lot of political intrigue that I believe few in the MG age group would properly enjoy. The second is that this is also a bit too intense for MG. There’s a point in the book where a body part is cut off, and it doesn’t skimp on the detail.
It works great as a YA novel, though. The main character, Ora, is a fun character to get to know. She’s stubborn, playful, wild, and curious. Seeing through her eyes is always a great experience, even when she’s suffering through the more unpleasant scenes of the book, simply because she feels so real. There are other POV chapters from Tyg, and those are equally stunning but further cement my opinion that this is not an MG novel.
Day’s worldbuilding is faultless. The plot of someone in a new world isn’t used often enough, in my humble opinion. Not just because stories about change make the most intriguing plots, but because worldbuilding is so much more beautiful and natural when done through the eyes of someone unfamiliar to it. We fit into Ora’s shoes well because neither of us know the world at all, so we get to know the fey at the same pace as her. The fey themselves are the old, traditional kind. They work in bargains and true names. Logic means nothing, and words craft unbreakable bindings. Day uses a combination of old lore and details crafted from her own mind.
The ending it leads to is quiet, but something wilder is promised on the horizon as human and fey worlds threaten to clash.
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