Uprooted by Naomi Novik
Format/Source: Paperback/Own
Published: May 2015
Publisher: Del Rey
Length: 435 pages
Genre: Fantasy
★★★★★
Three years ago (three?!), I participated in a Reread Challenge hosted by Hannah @ So Obsessed With. Since then, I have reread few books beyond my annual rereads of The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and White is for Witching. This year, I set a goal to reread 6 novels (not including the aforementioned titles). I’m using the review template I used for that challenge. You can read my original review of Uprooted here.
WHEN I First Read – Over three days at the start of January 2016.
WHAT I Remember – I enjoyed the magic system and the Poland analogue setting; overall, I loved the particular fantasy atmosphere that the writing invoked. I also remember finding the middle part of the book a bit dry, and being perplexed by the conclusion, having not really understood the queen’s role in the story because I rushed through the later part of the book.
WHY I Wanted to Re-Read – I was in the mood for this kind of fantasy. I feel like this could be one of my favourite books, but I need to read it a few more times before I can say that definitively. I also wanted to focus more on the plot so I could fully understand the story.
HOW I Felt After Re-Reading – Okay, I understand the plot now! 😅 I was very much focused on the characters on my first read, and didn’t pay enough attention to explanations about the Queen and the nature of the Wood. I still fangirled over Agniezska and Sarkan. I rarely find myself invested in romances in novels, but I dig this one. I disliked the conclusion more on this read than I did on my first read. I mean, I don’t remember finding it frustrating or unsatisfying the first read through, which I did find it this time. Perhaps that’s because I now know there isn’t going to be a sequel featuring Agniezska.
WOULD I Re-Read Again – Yes! Especially if Spinning Silver (Uprooted‘s spiritual successor) doesn’t enchant me as much – I will have to return to this book to enjoy this variety of fantasy.
Have you read Uprooted? What’s a favourite fantasy you would like to reread?
