for when you're finished

[Betty]

So, what did we all think of the book?

I personally really, really loved it. I gave it 5 stars. It was an absolutely perfect book for me, with elements of fantasy and drama and romance all interwoven in such a beautiful, eloquent story.

I thought Agnieszka was a really good, well-rounded character! I enjoyed seeing her evolution from frightened girl into confident young witch, secure in her abilities and really coming into her own as someone with incredible power.

I was discussing this book a little with Kinsey a few days ago, and we both agree that the book is mildly reminiscent of Howl's Moving Castle - even the characters and their interactions move along the same sort of route (good thing I love dynamics like that!).

I also found it quite interesting the way Novik subtly showed Agnieszka gaining her confidence, especially in regards to the Dragon, and the way she showed it simply by how Agnieszka referred to him. At first it was the Dragon, and only the Dragon - this strange, aloof man who treats her as though she's a dim-witted servant. She learns his name right at the point where she starts to gain his respect, though, and for a while there she switches between referring to him as the Dragon and referring to him as Sarkan; finally, when she is most confident, Sarkan is the only name she uses for him. I thought this was really interesting and it grabbed my attention while I was reading.

I was absolutely enamoured by the way Novik describes Sarkan and Agnieszka's magic - the differences between the two of them (one very straightforward and to the letter and one more slapdash/"whatever feels right"). It offered a really interesting dynamic, and when they finally used their magic together, the result was described so beautifully that I had to read it and reread it a few times because I thought it was so well done!

So yes, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I'm on the lookout for some of Novik's other novels and I hope she brings out more books like this in the future!

What caught your attention? What did you love about the book?

[[deleted user]]

What a delightful story, I'm grinning so much as I've just finished it. This is something I would want to read many times in the future, it feels like a grownup version of Ella Enchanted + Howl's Moving Castle, like Betty said. The detail in the magic was absolutely astounding, it was unlike any description of magic I've seen in any other book. Also, I adored Kasia, I wish we could have had more exploration of her character. But yeah, overall I loved this book. I need to find more books by Novik (who co-founded AO3??? amazing)