“Forest born! Ogre child! You’re nothing but a demon wild!”
Vasilisa has always been strong. She’s strong enough to break the arm of the bully that daily taunts her. She won’t because she and her mother are servants at the Orlov manor, and her mother would be punished for her retaliation. Instead Vasilisa bides her time until she is sixteen and can return to the forest.
Only Staver, the … forest.
Only Staver, the master’s son, shows her kindness. His friendship pulls as strong as the forest, but their classes are divided forever by law. She is a forest born, fatherless servant and her future at the manor holds mockery filled drudgery.
War threatens. The forest calls. Will she stay to protect the one who can never be more than a friend, or flee to the peace that the forest offers?
Rich storytelling and seamless weave of Russian folklore and historical fiction that mashes the fantasy and historical genres in a magical way!… The characters are original, complex, and unforgettable.” – Stephanie, Books Less Travelled Reviews
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I was excited to read this, and it only took a few pages before I was completely captivated by the story! I loved this, and enjoyed the rich story telling and seamless weave of Russian folklore and historical fiction that mashes the fantasy and historical genres in a magical way! Readers of either genre can easily enjoy this story, and it’s so unique and well done, that likely even readers who don’t read much fantasy/historical fiction would enjoy it!
The characters are original, complex, and unforgettable, and I loved it! There’s romance and action, struggles both internal and external, Fae and fantastic writing to bring it all together. If you enjoyed this, be sure to check out M. L. Farb’s other books!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
An amazing YA fantasy book, with plenty of action, adventure, romance and rich in russian myths and folklore. I love how the book starts and ends with the bard opening and closing the story and making a promise for another story to come. The whole narrative has an old-fairytale-like quality. It reminded me of when I was a kid and my grandmother told me folk tales just before going to bed. I’m anxiously waiting for the next story. Where will M.L. Farb take us next?
Vasilisa is a lovely story with a truly memorable heroine. It’s got a very sweet love story, political intrigue, and magic unlike any I’ve read about.
These days, when it comes to YA or NA fantasy novels, it’s all about the Fae. And don’t get me wrong, I love those tales…but it was refreshing to read about ogres and fair folk in Ruska (ancient Russia). The culture in this novel is not one I’ve explored before. It’s interesting and fun!
Vasilisa is physically strong but struggles with internal battles. She knows she’s different, but she doesn’t know why. Much of story centers around a conflict between nations, but it is very much a story about a character’s personal growth.
Vasilisa’s love interest is swoon-worthy, but not primarily because he’s handsome. I fell in love with him because of his willingness to sacrifice anything for the woman he loves.
If you like fairy tale retellings, check out Vasilisa. It’ll introduce you to a world you may have never explored before.
4.5 stars
A beautiful fairy tale woven with history and lore of Russia, this is a story that has a Cinderella-like heroine who falls in love with a man of higher class. Their love endures many trials of war and injury, and some surprises neither expected. Who couldn’t fall in love with Staver, who loves Vasilisa with all his heart and fights for her in spite of the fact that he is a musician, not a warrior?
I loved this book! It is an adventure not to be missed!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I couldn’t put this book down! There were a few confusing spots early on, but even so Vasilisa is such an engaging and interesting character that I was swept into her narrative. Stopping to take care of other responsibilities was difficult, and the story would run through my mind the whole time until I could get back to the book.
Vasilisa is a servant in a nobleman’s manor. She and her mother came from the forests after her father was killed. She faces mocking from the other servants for her superior strength and abilities, but the nobleman’s son Staver befriends her. They eventually develop romantic feelings for each other, until an attack from a nearby kingdom threatens their lives and brings to light information that threatens to tear them apart. Vasilisa must find the courage to face her deepest fears and challenge her deepest held beliefs about her past. As she does, she discovers a courage far greater than she could have imagined.
I loved Staver. His devotion to Vasilisa is unfailing, even when he must sacrifice everything. My only complaint is that the book ended. I would love to get a sequel – to find out what happens next with them and how they navigate their new lives.
The author’s prose is beautiful, the imagery spellbinding. I can’t wait until the next book!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Sweet Romance and Russian Folk Lore
I’m not familiar with the original tale of Vasilisa and Staver, but I enjoyed this sweet romantic tale. The folk stories woven into this novel were clever and entertaining and I liked how they brought this story together. I also enjoyed the chess analogy used throughout parts of the book even though I have never learned the game. The strategy of the game and the way Vasilisa was able to use her knowledge of the game to solve her problems was very clever and made me want to take a few chess lessons myself!
If you love clean YA fantasy and folklore, you’ll certainly want to read Vasilisa. As a strong female character, she shines in this tale and learns a great deal about herself in the process. I loved her determination and her strength; I also loved the endearing affections between her and Staver. The cultural elements and food for thought questions at the end of the book were quite a treat, and I enjoyed learning more about the origin of this story.
Brave, Vasilisa, The Black Cauldron, and Cinderella is same Scottish folklore Disney stories made of real Disney twisted princesses inside Fiona’s worst nightmares bring to reality; instead not fantasy anymore?