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Baba Yaga #4
Wickedly Unraveled
Barbara Yager is used to traveling alone as she tends to her duties as a Baba Yaga. She sometimes brings Babs, the adopted daughter she is training, but her sheriff husband stays behind. This trip, though, she has made an exception. After all, the task seems so simple, and shouldn’t take long to accomplish. When it is done, the three of them can indulge in a long-overdue family vacation. What could it hurt?Quite a lot, as it turns out. What Barbara thought was a minor problem ends in a violent magical confrontation she never expected. The resulting backlash sends them all into a warped timeline where Barbara and Liam never got together, and only Barbara and nine-year-old Babs remember the truth. Liam is still trapped in his grief and all the good they’ve done together in the past few years has come undone. Even worse, her Baba Yaga sisters, Beka and Bella, don’t believe her, and the wicked Brenna is still out there, planning who knows what kind of mischief. The children stolen by the rusalka Maya are trapped in the Otherworld and she is loose in this one and up to no good. It is up to Barbara, Babs, and their faithful dragon-dog companion Chudo-Yudo to knit together the unraveled timeline and make things right again, before it is too late and Barbara loses her one true love forever.
306 pages, Paperback
First published April 7, 2019
About the author
Deborah Blake
96 books1,801 followersDeborah is the author of over a dozen non-fiction books on modern witchcraft and a tarot and oracle decks from Llewellyn. Her fiction includes the Baba Yaga series, The Broken Rider series, and the Veiled Magic series, and her cozy mysteries The Catskill Pet Rescue series (mostly from Berkley) as well as a few stand-alone novels.
Deborah lives in a 130 year old farmhouse in upstate NY with multiple cats. She believes in magic, laughter, chocolate, and wine. The order may change depending on the day.
Deborah lives in a 130 year old farmhouse in upstate NY with multiple cats. She believes in magic, laughter, chocolate, and wine. The order may change depending on the day.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
May 4, 2019
This was a good one and a bad one. Good because there was lots of time with Barbara and Babs. I love these two together. Their relationship is odd at times because it's both mother/daughter and mentor/mentee. I think with the events that happened here they crossed a line, blurring things more in a good way.
The bad was the part with Liam. I hated what Barbara lost, what made it more frustrating was that it was still there, just in a different form. I was so happy when things got straighten out at the end and they all went back to normal.
The bad was the part with Liam. I hated what Barbara lost, what made it more frustrating was that it was still there, just in a different form. I was so happy when things got straighten out at the end and they all went back to normal.
January 28, 2026
Deborah Blake returns to her unique, magical urban fantasy series with a new adventure for the Baba Yaga who began it all. A magical mishap alters time and only Barbara and her apprentice Babs can restore it. Deborah Blake’s light-handed, exciting Wickedly Unraveled was an unexpected series reunion I was not expecting, but appreciated all the same.
Wickedly Unraveled is the fourth installment in the Baba Yaga urban fantasy series. It presumes the reader has already read the previous novels and novellas in the series as well as the spin-off, Broken Riders series. All the previous characters and situations come into play. However, I think, newcomers who don’t mind mentions of previous stories and characters in the original time line, could slip into this one.
Barbara Yaeger, her adopted daughter-mentee Babs, and Barbara’s sheriff husband, Liam decide to take the sentient airstream (aka the house on chicken legs) for a long-awaited vacation. Barbara just needs to pop in and deal with an eensy weensy fae-witch problem – so little that she takes Babs along to help further her Baba Yaga education.
Oh, how wrong she was. The situation goes pear-shaped quickly and after magic goes wrong, Barbara and Babs end up being the only ones to know that they- along with everyone else- are living an alternate time line. Barbara and Liam never found the missing children, she and Liam never got together and he’s still lost in his grief, more profoundly larger issues never happened either including the defeat of a wicked villainess. The Riders, the other Baba Yagas- yeah, they don’t believe her so they can’t offer the usual help in restoring the original time line. It’s just Barbara and Babs on this one.
Wickedly Unraveled was a book I approached with mixed feelings. I was excited for a new entry in a series I thought was long-finished, but I was wary of a plot that would have Barbara and Liam’s happily ever after non-existent. Yes, that definitely was an ‘oof’ to the gut to have them apart for most of the book and there was definite angst and tension with no one else getting the problem, but Deborah Blake had the wise-cracking Baba Yaga wit and humor going for this one, too.
I found that there was an upside to this drastic change in the story. Barbara and Babs got to experience more of a mother-daughter relationship than before. In the past, Barbara was both mom and witch-mentor which was a tough balance for her especially the way she was brought up with her own Baba Yaga mentor. But, with Liam out of the picture, she had to step that side of things up.
I also loved, no matter how it came about, the reunion with the other Baba Yagas and the Riders. It was good to have the gang all together once again.
Romy Nordlinger is not a new to me narrator and I recently listened to her narrate the Baba Yaga Novella Collection so I was eager to plug in my ear buds and hear her bring the Baba Yaga world and Barbara to life once again.
All in all, this was a great reunion with the series- dare I hope there might be more at a future date? Urban Fantasy fans are definitely the prime target audience and particularly those who like witch magic heroines, fae involvement, and exciting adventure.
I rec'd an audio file from Tantor Audio to listen to in exchange for an honest review.
My full review will post at Books of My Heart on 4.1.26.
Wickedly Unraveled is the fourth installment in the Baba Yaga urban fantasy series. It presumes the reader has already read the previous novels and novellas in the series as well as the spin-off, Broken Riders series. All the previous characters and situations come into play. However, I think, newcomers who don’t mind mentions of previous stories and characters in the original time line, could slip into this one.
Barbara Yaeger, her adopted daughter-mentee Babs, and Barbara’s sheriff husband, Liam decide to take the sentient airstream (aka the house on chicken legs) for a long-awaited vacation. Barbara just needs to pop in and deal with an eensy weensy fae-witch problem – so little that she takes Babs along to help further her Baba Yaga education.
Oh, how wrong she was. The situation goes pear-shaped quickly and after magic goes wrong, Barbara and Babs end up being the only ones to know that they- along with everyone else- are living an alternate time line. Barbara and Liam never found the missing children, she and Liam never got together and he’s still lost in his grief, more profoundly larger issues never happened either including the defeat of a wicked villainess. The Riders, the other Baba Yagas- yeah, they don’t believe her so they can’t offer the usual help in restoring the original time line. It’s just Barbara and Babs on this one.
Wickedly Unraveled was a book I approached with mixed feelings. I was excited for a new entry in a series I thought was long-finished, but I was wary of a plot that would have Barbara and Liam’s happily ever after non-existent. Yes, that definitely was an ‘oof’ to the gut to have them apart for most of the book and there was definite angst and tension with no one else getting the problem, but Deborah Blake had the wise-cracking Baba Yaga wit and humor going for this one, too.
I found that there was an upside to this drastic change in the story. Barbara and Babs got to experience more of a mother-daughter relationship than before. In the past, Barbara was both mom and witch-mentor which was a tough balance for her especially the way she was brought up with her own Baba Yaga mentor. But, with Liam out of the picture, she had to step that side of things up.
I also loved, no matter how it came about, the reunion with the other Baba Yagas and the Riders. It was good to have the gang all together once again.
Romy Nordlinger is not a new to me narrator and I recently listened to her narrate the Baba Yaga Novella Collection so I was eager to plug in my ear buds and hear her bring the Baba Yaga world and Barbara to life once again.
All in all, this was a great reunion with the series- dare I hope there might be more at a future date? Urban Fantasy fans are definitely the prime target audience and particularly those who like witch magic heroines, fae involvement, and exciting adventure.
I rec'd an audio file from Tantor Audio to listen to in exchange for an honest review.
My full review will post at Books of My Heart on 4.1.26.
April 24, 2019
Barbara Yager, one of the three Baba Yagas in the United States, has agreed to their first ever family vacation, a trip to Niagara Falls in their Airstream. But first, she has to answer a brief call from a sprite to resolve a minor magical issue from a resident witch. When they reach the spot, she leaves Liam and Chudo-Yudo at the Airstream. and proceeds to the witch's home, bringing Babs along as part of her Baba Yaga training. What she anticipated to be an easy and non-dangerous assignment, turns out disastrously, magically turning back time and undoing everything accomplished in the past several years. Apparently, she never married Liam, never found the missing children, and all the things that happened to the other Baba Yagas and Riders also never occurred, for better and worse. As if that wasn't bad enough, she and Babs are the only ones who remember this alternate timeline, and getting anyone to believe them, least of all help to restore it, is proving to be almost impossible. This is the latest edition to the Baba Yaga novels, bringing the reader back to the Barbara Yager, where the series first started. While you don't necessarily need to have read the previous Wickedly stories (and the Riders stories), it does help to better appreciate this new timeline. I have to admit that Barbara is my favorite of the three Baba Yagas, and this story helped broaden her character, as she learns to interact with Babs in a new "mother" role, now that Liam is no longer part of the picture. I hope that there are more Baba Yaga stories in the future.
May 11, 2023
I have loved all the books in this series and after all 3 of the Baba Yaga books, then the three Rider books I thought it was finished, so this new book was a lovely surprise. It did not disappoint at all!!
Deborah Blake has created a wonderful and engaging world here, combining paranormal aspects with the Russian pantheon of the Baba Yage in a modern-day, updated way. It is so well-conceived and written and I love everything about it.
This book was a very creative plot, to bring back the characters from the earlier novels without forcing it (as some authors do). The story was believable and clever in how it reflected the world and the events of the prior books but without being just a rehash of previous plots. This was a new, individual and very entertaining plot that worked for readers who have loved this world.
I'm delighted the author found a way to bring back these characters (whom I love) in a new story that kept me reading past my bedtime more than once.
Deborah Blake has created a wonderful and engaging world here, combining paranormal aspects with the Russian pantheon of the Baba Yage in a modern-day, updated way. It is so well-conceived and written and I love everything about it.
This book was a very creative plot, to bring back the characters from the earlier novels without forcing it (as some authors do). The story was believable and clever in how it reflected the world and the events of the prior books but without being just a rehash of previous plots. This was a new, individual and very entertaining plot that worked for readers who have loved this world.
I'm delighted the author found a way to bring back these characters (whom I love) in a new story that kept me reading past my bedtime more than once.
January 12, 2020
This was a lot of fun! I love this Baba Yaga series.
Back to Barbara Yager, the first Baba Yaga of the three in the series. Something magical goes awry, and there is no certainty that things will ever be the same. Barbara hopes to pick up the unraveling threads and weave the whole again, which is a difficult task by itself made more difficult by no one believing that time is amiss. Quite a fun tale, and almost nostalgic with numerous characters coming back in this one.
Back to Barbara Yager, the first Baba Yaga of the three in the series. Something magical goes awry, and there is no certainty that things will ever be the same. Barbara hopes to pick up the unraveling threads and weave the whole again, which is a difficult task by itself made more difficult by no one believing that time is amiss. Quite a fun tale, and almost nostalgic with numerous characters coming back in this one.
May 8, 2019
I love this series!
Another great entry in Ms. Blake's Baba Yaga series. Even the Riders are along for the ride , so to speak. I highly recommend this book. You don't necessarily have to have read the prior books in the series, but your reading enjoyment will certainly be enhanced.
Another great entry in Ms. Blake's Baba Yaga series. Even the Riders are along for the ride , so to speak. I highly recommend this book. You don't necessarily have to have read the prior books in the series, but your reading enjoyment will certainly be enhanced.
June 29, 2019
Not my thing
The whole memory loss didn’t work for me. It felt too much like all the growth in the other stories had to be done on speed dial. The grief it caused characters seemed unnecessary. I just didn’t find the premise interesting enough for the cliche plot device. I love this series but skip this novella.
The whole memory loss didn’t work for me. It felt too much like all the growth in the other stories had to be done on speed dial. The grief it caused characters seemed unnecessary. I just didn’t find the premise interesting enough for the cliche plot device. I love this series but skip this novella.
October 20, 2019
Great addition to the series!
****Spoiler Alert ****
I thought this series had rapped up. I was surprised to get a notice that there was a new book. But leave it to one of the Baba Yaga's to end up in an alternative time line that needs to be fixed. I also hope Babs ends up with Pegos in any timeline she ever lives in.
****Spoiler Alert ****
I thought this series had rapped up. I was surprised to get a notice that there was a new book. But leave it to one of the Baba Yaga's to end up in an alternative time line that needs to be fixed. I also hope Babs ends up with Pegos in any timeline she ever lives in.
April 19, 2019
An outstanding Baba Yaga ztory
This is a truly well written and we'll thought out story. It kept me engrossed from beginning to end. I had no idea how Barbara would solve this one but loved it.
This is a truly well written and we'll thought out story. It kept me engrossed from beginning to end. I had no idea how Barbara would solve this one but loved it.
May 30, 2019
Love it
Another resounding hit. The characters, the storyline, everything about this book keeps me wanting more.
Heartache, perseverance, heartfelt love and friendship, all stirred together to create an amazing story
Another resounding hit. The characters, the storyline, everything about this book keeps me wanting more.
Heartache, perseverance, heartfelt love and friendship, all stirred together to create an amazing story
June 3, 2019
Another fabulous magical romp.
How good is the series? I don't just read them from the library, I Buy Them. Auto-Buy.
These are fun, magical, giggling, sly, silly and a guaranteed HEA ending. Perfect after a day in 2019.
How good is the series? I don't just read them from the library, I Buy Them. Auto-Buy.
These are fun, magical, giggling, sly, silly and a guaranteed HEA ending. Perfect after a day in 2019.
January 11, 2020
Yay!
It took me a while to read this one as I wasn't sure I liked the premise. Totally worth it! Evil witches, spells gone wrong, timeline changes, adventure, and some of our fave characters reunited.
It took me a while to read this one as I wasn't sure I liked the premise. Totally worth it! Evil witches, spells gone wrong, timeline changes, adventure, and some of our fave characters reunited.
October 27, 2021
Barbara's life is turned around when a fight with a witch changes time. That's an old trope that's usually dull, and this is no exception. Still, it's a well paced story that's well written, even with the dumb plot.
February 6, 2022
Definitely a different telling of a Baba Yaga story. Ok, chicken house on legs is now an Airstream and Barbara Yaga is now a hot babe with a human husband. Fun and good tension in the world of the fae.
July 15, 2024
A fun ending to the Baba Yaga series. Barbara and Babs were great and I love seeing Brnna and Maya get their comupence all over again. Would have loved more time with Liam (in either timeline) but needs must.
July 13, 2019
Great story love Baba Yaga stories
September 19, 2019
Yeah, this book was a fantastic read! Really enjoyed the plot and spending more time with these characters! So great!
November 27, 2019
Fun read
Enjoyed the story. Loved revisiting old favourite characters. The story was a bit predictable but well written. Fun light hearted read.
Enjoyed the story. Loved revisiting old favourite characters. The story was a bit predictable but well written. Fun light hearted read.
March 29, 2020
You know how sometimes you read or watch a new installment of a book/movie series, and just think "why was this even neccessary"?
Yeah.
Yeah.
September 9, 2020
I love all the Baba Yagas and am always ready to read more about them.
paranormal
November 13, 20216
October 21, 2023
Less romance than usual, the magic didn’t feel new. Not as successful as the rest of the books, but still a decent read
October 15, 2020
Love lost & found again
Really enjoyed reading this series. It has lots of turns and how love is found after a lot of hard work. I would recommend to all
Really enjoyed reading this series. It has lots of turns and how love is found after a lot of hard work. I would recommend to all
August 3, 2019
Since Barbara is my favorite Baba Yaga, this was an awesome extra story. Sort of a Ghost of Christmas Past feel to it. I'm glad Babe was there for it as well. Seeing the things that changed, and also knowing that the Riders would be okay with it, knowing what happened in the original timeline made this a great chapter in Barbara's history.
Definitely would recommend
Definitely would recommend
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews