I was surprised when I stumbled upon a witch hat near my location during a walk in the park. It was a stunning and authentic-looking hat, with its dark and mysterious color. The hat seemed out of place, as if it had been dropped or forgotten by a magical being. Its presence in such an ordinary setting intrigued me. As I picked up the hat, I noticed the intricate details and craftsmanship that had been put into its creation. The fabric was smooth and it had delicate lace trimmings.
The man stood motionless. His features were weathered and very plain, most covered in coarse black hair, as was the fashion. No outward ailment spelled disaster. His illness, though, could be of the internal or spiritual variety, even of a romantic one.
Expertly drawing from Russian history and mythology, Olesya Salnikova Gilmore transforms Baba Yaga into a complex heroine, whose quest to save her country sparkles with folk magic and supernatural intrigue. But when her old friend Anastasia now the wife of the tsar, and suffering from a mysterious illness arrives in her forest desperate for her protection, Yaga realizes the fate of all of Russia is tied to Anastasia s.
The fabric was smooth and it had delicate lace trimmings. I could almost imagine it being worn by a witch during a mystical ceremony or a Halloween celebration. Curiosity consumed me as I wondered who the owner of this hat could be and why it was left behind.
Book Review: The Witch and the Tsar by Olesya Salnikova Gilmore
The Witch and the Tsar is a reimagining of the infamous Baba Yaga. For those unfamiliar with Baba Yaga, she is a supernatural being found in Slavic folklore. Baba Yaga flies around in a mortar, carries a pestle, and lives deep in the forest in a hut that stands on chicken legs. Our main character in The Witch and the Tsar is Yaga, who is loosely based on Baba Yaga. Yaga is a half-goddess healer who keeps to herself in the forest. But when her long-time friend Anastasia—the wife of the tsar—arrives at Yaga’s door suffering from a mysterious illness, Yaga quickly figures out that the fate of all of Russia is tied to Anastasia’s fate, and Yaga has to protect them both. Yaga witnesses sixteenth century Russia on its way to chaos and Tsar Ivan (based on Ivan the Terrible) is at the centre of all of it.
I really wanted to love this novel, and I enjoyed the historical content, but it ended up falling flat for me. I was looking forward to a strong female lead yet found Yaga to be lacking, missing the power, knowledge, and decision-making that a reader might expect from someone who has lived for centuries; it was disappointing to not see a powerful healer that I was expecting. Ivan the Terrible was very well done and will likely leave readers feeling chilled and spooked. Readers will also notice that there is a lot of telling the reader what is going on rather than showing them, and this can make for an uneventful read.
The pacing for The Witch and the Tsar is extremely slow and the plot is very one-note with few twists and turns along the way. Gilmore still included a number of different themes, including women’s roles and expectations, violence, family both in blood and by choice, manipulation, history, and mental health. Something that I found helpful was the glossary that is found at the end of the novel that covers historical, fairy tale, and mythological key figures as well as places found throughout the story. I thoroughly enjoyed the historical content and felt that it was well researched; it was nice to delve into Slavic history. Anyone who enjoys reimagined folk tales or wants to find out more about Slavic history should take a look at this one.
Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
“A perfect blend of fantasy and historical fiction, The Witch and the Tsar magnificently paints an old Russia full of vengeful gods, court intrigue and high adventure. In the center of it all is the half-goddess Yaga, isolated and proud, whose compassion for humanity drives her into a war with Ivan the Terrible and the mythical beings who use him for their own ends. Immersive and beautifully written, Yaga’s story reminds us that gods—like humans—can choose their own fates.”
—Anika Scott, international bestselling author of The Soviet Sisters
Was it accidental or intentional? Perhaps a playful witch had decided to leave a clue of their presence for a curious person like me to find. I started asking people around if they had seen anyone wearing a witch hat recently, but no one seemed to have any leads. It was as if the hat had appeared out of thin air. I considered taking it home with me, but a part of me felt that it should remain where it was found. It felt like an object charged with enigmatic energy, one that would lose its essence if taken out of its natural habitat. I left the hat where I found it, hoping that its true owner would come back for it. The experience left me with a sense of wonder and awe, reminding me that magic and mystery can be found even in the most unexpected places. The witch hat near my location served as a reminder to embrace curiosity and to always keep an eye out for the enchanting wonders that reside in our everyday lives..
Reviews for "Get the Latest Witch Hat Fashion Trends near You"
1. John - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with "Witch Hat Near My Location". The plot was confusing and hard to follow, and the characters were one-dimensional. The art was also subpar, with lackluster illustrations that didn't bring the story to life. Overall, it felt like a lazy attempt at a fantasy manga and didn't live up to the hype for me.
2. Lisa - 3/5 - I had high hopes for "Witch Hat Near My Location" but ended up feeling underwhelmed by it. While the art style was unique and beautiful, the story itself lacked depth and didn't capture my attention. The pacing felt off, with rushed plot points and too much focus on unnecessary details. I found it hard to connect with the characters, as their development was lacking. Overall, it had potential, but failed to deliver a compelling narrative.
3. David - 2/5 - "Witch Hat Near My Location" was a major letdown for me. The story seemed to drag on with no clear direction, and the characters were forgettable. The art, while detailed, couldn't make up for the lackluster storytelling. I also found the dialogue to be stilted and unengaging. Overall, it felt like a wasted opportunity and I won't be continuing with this series.
4. Emma - 1/5 - I couldn't even finish "Witch Hat Near My Location". The artwork was the only redeeming quality, as the story was confusing and had no clear structure. The characters lacked depth and I had no interest in what happened to them. It felt like a jumbled mess of ideas that never came together. Overall, I would not recommend this manga to anyone looking for a captivating fantasy read.
5. Michael - 2/5 - "Witch Hat Near My Location" had a promising premise, but it fell flat in execution. The story was convoluted and hard to follow, with too many plot holes. The characters were not well-developed, and I didn't feel invested in their journeys. The art style was interesting, but it couldn't make up for the lack of substance in the storytelling. Overall, I was disappointed and wouldn't recommend this manga to others.