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The Raven and the Reindeer
Group Reads Discussions 2019
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"The Raven and the Reindeer" First Impressions - No Spoilers
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First impression was a bit simplistic, but very cute. Then, oh another fairy-tale with snow. It must be the season!
Very first of the first impression: I adore the cover!(And I really love it that both threads are already up on the first of the month. For Swiss-cheese-memory readers like me who need to instantly talk about the book or forget half of it, this is precious)
I agree, I love the cover art. I was drawn into the story quickly by the tone and the character dynamics. This also feels like a very suitable read for the start of (northern hemisphere) winter.
Meredith wrote: "I agree, I love the cover art. I was drawn into the story quickly by the tone and the character dynamics. This also feels like a very suitable read for the start of (northern hemisphere) winter."Yes, same here! I only read a few pages so far, but I'm loving the dialogues, the tongue-in-cheek narrator and the winter feeling.
I'm really enjoying this one. It manages to be spare and rich at the same time.
It's hilarious and wise so far - looking forward to the rest.
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Oh thank you all for these hints of what's to come. I bought this from Smashwords as none of my libraries had ebook or dtb so I'm glad that, based on your reactions, I'm looking forward to it.
Thanks for reminding me about Smashwords, Cheryl! With all the comments I was thinking maybe I should break my embargo for this one.
Your Amazon embargo? I avoid shopping them, but gosh it's difficult sometimes.
No, my buying new books embargo. I still buy from Amazon, mostly because it’s just easier, but if it’s cheaper or the same price somewhere else, I’ll get it there. Unfortunately, the book costs less on Amazon. Still haven’t decided.
When I looked, Amazon and Smashwords were the same. But yes, I just shopped a Friends of the Library annual sale and my shelves *and floor* are groaning. Argh.
It’s cheaper on Amazon here in the UK (£2.75). Based on the exchange rate it is £3.09 on Smashwords. That’s not a huge difference though.
I just started it, three chapters so far and it is an interesting interpretation of a classical fairytale that thus far is close to the canon.
Starting this this morning, and I'm about 50 pages through. Very quick read.Don't think I'm familiar with the original story, so it's pretty new for me. Enjoying it so far.
Christopher wrote: "I'm about 25 pages in and am curious what overlap if any this will have with Spinning Silver"So far (i'm like 1/3 thru) not much, because while Silver is based of Brothers Grimm's tale it is mostly in a fantasy equivalent of medieval Lithuania with east Slavic folklore
Just waxed a few chapters in - I think I’ll enjoy the .. ‘feel’ of it if that’s a thing.
Also : glad to FINALLY get this off my TBR list!!!!
Rachel wrote: "Just waxed a few chapters in - I think I’ll enjoy the .. ‘feel’ of it if that’s a thing."I had the same reaction to the story so I get what you mean.
I have just started to read this, so I haven't dared reading your comments yet - in fear of getting influenced, hah. But. I already know I'm going to love this. My background might influence how I like it, btw - I’m Norwegian and have grown up reading H. C. Andersen’s “Snowqueen," many, many times. I know that “Snowqueen” was inspired by “East of the Sun, West of the Moon,” an old Norwegian folktale. And also another, called “White King Bear Valemon,” a variation of the same tale. These tales had in turns roots in “Beauty and the Beast,” and similar stories, and originally the story about Eros and Psyche. These were pretty grim and depressing in many ways. Then, H.C Andersen subverted the grim original folktale into something more optimistic, in a way, and painted it in the spirit of his time, and in Christian values. Now I’m curious about T. Kingfisher’s retelling.
“Snowqueen” was one of my favourite stories as a kid. It was beautiful, and sad, and I remember that I that that Kay was an idiot, like most folktale and fairytale princes were, really, and that I wanted Greta to act a bit more like the badass rogue girl (“røverprinsessen”/ “røverjenten”, I’m not sure what she’s called in English). Apart from that, the beauty of the story captivated me, again and again. I can already tell that this retelling has a lot of that same captivating beauty and magical feel. The narrator's voice has some similarities, too, and I ache for Gerda on her journey.
By the way, now I really want to re-read "Snowqueen," and I hope I still like it. Sometimes, reading childhood faves can be really disappointing (I still regret reading the Narnia series again as an adult).
The Snow Queen is also my favorite fairy tale from my childhood (I'm Finnish), and this is the best retelling I've ever encountered! I hope you enjoy it, Camilla :)
That's promising! I'm glad to hear that, and I hope to find time to read a lot tonight.
I can't think of anything in English to gracefully translate “røverprinsessen”/ “røverjenten” ... I think that we need more of these characters in order to know the need to develop a fitting word. 'Brave girl' or 'strong female character' or 'spunky girl' are commonly used ... but I don't like any of them. Norwegian for the win, on this concept!
I think that particular character is called a bandit girl in this story.
Because she is literally a member of a gang of bandits.
Christopher wrote: "I'm about 25 pages in and am curious what overlap if any this will have with Spinning Silver"Gerta looking out the window, the winter storm, the Snow Queen - definitely made me think of Spinning Silver (Miryem and the Staryk King). Also the White Witch in her sledge from The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
Reading this as a follow-up to Nettle & Bone, the current BOTM.
Four chapters in. So far like the icy imagery.
I didn't know this was coming out on audio, but it popped up last week!I've eye-read this so many times that it's really hard to judge the audio. It's not bad though, I just can't really say if it's good or not, because it's obviously not the same as the one I'm used to. (You know, the voices in my head, lol.)
Anyway, I started it today, on a whim, and it's been a while since I last reread it and oh my goodness, I still love this so much! I'm not sure anymore what my favorite T. Kingfisher is, but RavenDeer has always been in the running, and absolutely still is.
This is the perfect wintery read! Now is the time, do it!
SciFi and Fantasy Book Club
Books mentioned in this topic
Spinning Silver (other topics)The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (other topics)
Nettle & Bone (other topics)
Spinning Silver (other topics)
Spinning Silver (other topics)
What are your first thoughts? Please leave all conclusions, and discussion of anything spoiler-ish like plot points, character growth/decisions, etc. for the full discussion thread.
As an added treat, the spoiler thread is already up! We'll see how this works ;-)