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Anya and the Dragon
A Sydney Taylor Award Honor Book Sydney Taylor Honor winner Anya and the Dragon , the first in a duology, is a lush tale of magic and dragons, a gem for any adventure-seeking middle grade reader. Anya and the Dragon is the story of fantasy and mayhem in tenth century Eastern Europe, where headstrong eleven-year-old Anya is a daughter of the only Jewish family in her village. When her family’s livelihood is threatened by a bigoted magistrate, Anya is lured in by a friendly family of fools, who promise her money in exchange for helping them capture the last dragon in Kievan Rus. This seems easy enough, until she finds out that the scary old dragon isn’t as old—or as scary—as everyone thought. Now Anya is faced with a save the dragon, or save her family. And don't miss Anya and the Nightingale, the magical conclusion to the Anya and the Dragon duology for middle grade readers!
416 pages, Paperback
First published September 24, 2019
140 people are currently reading
4083 people want to read
About the author
Sofiya Pasternack
3 books176 followersSofiya Pasternack is a mental health professional, the highly-distractible author of Jewish MG and YA fantasy, and prone to oversharing gross medical stories. She enjoys speaking to crowds about writing and mental health. She does not enjoy running but she does it anyway. She is actually a gremlin in a bad wig.
Her upcoming middle grade fantasy, BLACK BIRD, BLUE ROAD, is all about death, demons, and dessert. It will be available 9/20/22!
Sofiya does stuff all over the internet!
Twitter: @sofipasternack
Insta: @sofipasternack
YouTube: youtube.com/c/sofiyapasternack
Her upcoming middle grade fantasy, BLACK BIRD, BLUE ROAD, is all about death, demons, and dessert. It will be available 9/20/22!
Sofiya does stuff all over the internet!
Twitter: @sofipasternack
Insta: @sofipasternack
YouTube: youtube.com/c/sofiyapasternack
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 320 reviews
March 19, 2020
Anya and the Dragon was a lovely middle grade story with enough interesting elements to make it a great pick for kids to read with their parents.
I haven’t had a lot of patience for middle grade novels lately, but considering the premise and the fact that it got recognized at the ALA Media Awards, I decided to accept a review copy…
And I liked it. ^_^
It’s always fun to see different cultures represented in fantasy books, and I thought the author did an especially good job at immersing the reader in the “Tenth century Eastern Europe” lifestyle (insofar as is appropriate for a middle grade book). It also covered a few more serious topics dealing with prejudice and oppression of Jewish families at that time, which was nice to see. Both of these factors are why I think the book has so much hype.
Anya was a great main character. Faced with a moral dilemma, she showcased her ability to make hard decisions, and I appreciate that she was so humble even when she was being most brave. A lot of MG heroes seem to have to put on over-dramatic airs and make a lot of stupid decisions to prove they’re worthy, but Anya’s demeanor was subtle and lovely. The positive takeaway was that actions driven by kindness can be powerful too.
Here’s the caveat: there weren’t a lot of fantasy elements through most of the novel (well, that’s not strictly true – they were there in the background, but never really felt like the focus). The selling point was the relatable main character and the cultural immersion. The dragon doesn’t come into play until much later in the book, and when it does, it’s vastly different than I think most fantasy readers will expect. Mostly because it’s geared to be more accessible to kids. It’s friendlier storytelling, if that makes sense. I didn’t dislike it – it was actually kind of fun to be surprised a bit, but when I became apparent that the fantasy elements were secondary, I felt my enthusiasm and attention waning. That aside, it was still a fun story.
Recommendations: this is a lovely, culturally-infused middle grade book that would be fun to read with a child (or to have them read on their own). I think it may be a tad too accessible for adult fantasy enthusiasts, but it’s entertaining nonetheless if you’re in the mood for something light. It’s definitely better than most middle grade novels I’ve tried lately, so we’ll give it big kudos for that. :)
Via The Obsessive Bookseller at www.NikiHawkes.com
Other books you might like:
I haven’t had a lot of patience for middle grade novels lately, but considering the premise and the fact that it got recognized at the ALA Media Awards, I decided to accept a review copy…
And I liked it. ^_^
It’s always fun to see different cultures represented in fantasy books, and I thought the author did an especially good job at immersing the reader in the “Tenth century Eastern Europe” lifestyle (insofar as is appropriate for a middle grade book). It also covered a few more serious topics dealing with prejudice and oppression of Jewish families at that time, which was nice to see. Both of these factors are why I think the book has so much hype.
Anya was a great main character. Faced with a moral dilemma, she showcased her ability to make hard decisions, and I appreciate that she was so humble even when she was being most brave. A lot of MG heroes seem to have to put on over-dramatic airs and make a lot of stupid decisions to prove they’re worthy, but Anya’s demeanor was subtle and lovely. The positive takeaway was that actions driven by kindness can be powerful too.
Here’s the caveat: there weren’t a lot of fantasy elements through most of the novel (well, that’s not strictly true – they were there in the background, but never really felt like the focus). The selling point was the relatable main character and the cultural immersion. The dragon doesn’t come into play until much later in the book, and when it does, it’s vastly different than I think most fantasy readers will expect. Mostly because it’s geared to be more accessible to kids. It’s friendlier storytelling, if that makes sense. I didn’t dislike it – it was actually kind of fun to be surprised a bit, but when I became apparent that the fantasy elements were secondary, I felt my enthusiasm and attention waning. That aside, it was still a fun story.
Recommendations: this is a lovely, culturally-infused middle grade book that would be fun to read with a child (or to have them read on their own). I think it may be a tad too accessible for adult fantasy enthusiasts, but it’s entertaining nonetheless if you’re in the mood for something light. It’s definitely better than most middle grade novels I’ve tried lately, so we’ll give it big kudos for that. :)
Via The Obsessive Bookseller at www.NikiHawkes.com
Other books you might like:
July 14, 2020
Full of wit, warmth, and adventure, this heartwarming fantasy is a must read!
What I loved 🖤🖤🖤:
1. Anya is only 11, but she’s strong and fearless. She’ll do anything to save her family.
2. Ivan comes from an entire family of Ivan’s (so many charming scenes) and is a smart and loyal friend. His family moves to town to capture the dragon for the Tsar.
3. The family dynamics. Babulya (grandma) with her forbidden magic and Dyedka (grandpa) with his animal magic. Her hardworking mama and her father who is away to fight for the Tsar.
4. The fantasy creatures! From their house spirit, domovoi, to the rusalka, to the scary dragon.
5. Anya is Jewish and I loved learning more about her culture. She’s mistreated in the village because of her religion and I think it’s important for children and adults to read about prejudice (and hopefully be more tolerant).
I can’t wait to read more of Anya’s adventures!
What I loved 🖤🖤🖤:
1. Anya is only 11, but she’s strong and fearless. She’ll do anything to save her family.
2. Ivan comes from an entire family of Ivan’s (so many charming scenes) and is a smart and loyal friend. His family moves to town to capture the dragon for the Tsar.
3. The family dynamics. Babulya (grandma) with her forbidden magic and Dyedka (grandpa) with his animal magic. Her hardworking mama and her father who is away to fight for the Tsar.
4. The fantasy creatures! From their house spirit, domovoi, to the rusalka, to the scary dragon.
5. Anya is Jewish and I loved learning more about her culture. She’s mistreated in the village because of her religion and I think it’s important for children and adults to read about prejudice (and hopefully be more tolerant).
I can’t wait to read more of Anya’s adventures!
September 30, 2019
This book is so much fun! I love the friendship between Anya and Ivan and the first time the dragon spoke I honestly teared up a little. This is such a gorgeous story of friendship and bravery and harnessing your power, and I loved every minute of it!
Want to read
July 4, 2022This sounds pretty awesome and the cover is so beautiful but the mixed reviews make me a little wary... so it could go either way!
(Recommended by Matal Baker)
(Recommended by Matal Baker)
February 27, 2019
Amaaazing. Colorful and funny and full of fantastic details and so much heart. My kids and I read it together and loved every second of it! It has created something of a dragon fever at my house!
July 1, 2019
Rating is 5 stars for the goat and the goat alone.
April 19, 2022
I loved this SO much! Incredible story. Anya is a daughter of the only Jewish family in her village. When her family’s livelihood is threatened by a bigoted magistrate, Anya is lured in by a friendly family of fools, who promise her money in exchange for helping them capture the last dragon in Kievan Rus. This seems easy enough, until she finds out that the scary old dragon isn’t as old—or as scary—as everyone thought. Now Anya is faced with a choice: save the dragon, or save her family. The author weaves a fantasy adventure, Slavic folklore, Jewish faith/life with phenomenal characters, danger, suspense, & important issues like antisemitism. Håkon has my heart. That is the sweetest dragon I’ve ever read lol My heart was so full of love for him. I have a soft spot for Zvezda too lol what a goat. Ivan is such a sweetheart, & I LOVED watching the friendship develop between he & Anya. He is her 1st(human)friend, & it was such a special & beautiful thing to read as she finds her 1st real friend in life. She always tried to go unnoticed since her family is the only Jewish family, & how some people feel about that. Great messages/lessons/themes on antisemitism, oppression, friendship, hate, greed/power hungry, determination, family, & faith. I loved Anya’s family so much. There were some words used that I didn’t understand-the words used for her family members were easy to figure out. The rest I just looked up if it didn’t say what they were. Didn’t bother me or affect the story for me though, I knew what was going on regardless. The 2nd book does have a glossary in the back though I believe. Highly recommend this. I flew through it. Amazing characters, writing, gripping story, danger & suspense, & fantasy mixed with important topics….superb. Reading the 2nd book now! BEAUTIFUL cover by Jeff Langevin as well!💜
July 27, 2021
Solid historical children's book, author really did her research, and it's a fun story. Dark at places, but hey... It's Russia in the 8th Century. What do you expect?!
August 3, 2019
This debut middle grade novel by Sophia Pasternack is one you won’t want to miss and a great additional to school libraries and classroom libraries. It will spark imaginations.
From the start, Pasternack builds a fantasy world that is filled with struggles and challenges. Anya is the main character and war and magic have torn apart her family. The story is set in the 10th century in Eastern Europe, things get even harder for Anya's family when they are forced to pay a debt or leave their home.
Anya sees an opportunity to help her family that could result in a lot of money. All she has to do is help her friend and his family capture a dragon. It seems simple enough, but as Anya embarks on his journey, she begins to see that choices are not always as clear and simple.
Pasternack does a great job of weaving humor into his serious story making this book a fun and exciting reading experience. You have a goat, a dragon, and a spunky, spirited young girl.
My thanks to NetGalley and the author for an advanced reading copy!
From the start, Pasternack builds a fantasy world that is filled with struggles and challenges. Anya is the main character and war and magic have torn apart her family. The story is set in the 10th century in Eastern Europe, things get even harder for Anya's family when they are forced to pay a debt or leave their home.
Anya sees an opportunity to help her family that could result in a lot of money. All she has to do is help her friend and his family capture a dragon. It seems simple enough, but as Anya embarks on his journey, she begins to see that choices are not always as clear and simple.
Pasternack does a great job of weaving humor into his serious story making this book a fun and exciting reading experience. You have a goat, a dragon, and a spunky, spirited young girl.
My thanks to NetGalley and the author for an advanced reading copy!
June 21, 2019
Pasternack's debut middle grade fantasy is about as fresh and charming as they come--a reimagined Eastern European setting enlivened by many kinds of magic, a family of fools all named Ivan, and an adorable talking dragon you'd be happy to call your BFF. And did I say there are bad goats? And an irascible, chicken-sized household god? Malicious, eyeless water spirits yearning to drag people into the river depths? Pasternak has done her research in Slavic folklore and breathed new life into these ancient sprites and creatures, adding great dollops of adventure and plenty of twists and turns. The relationship between 11-year-old Anya and her grandmother as they share Jewish traditions and study the Torah for Anya's upcoming bat mitzvah is particularly touching. This beautifully written story is sure to delight young readers--I honestly don't think I've ever read anything quite like it. Highly recommended. Note: I read an Advance Readers Copy provided by the publisher.
January 17, 2020
oh I loved this. I was curious how we were going to tackle being Jewish and in Russia and to my pleasant surprise...we didn't shy away from the history of anti-Semitism. I loved the community and the characters and the overall message while playing with dragons.
Rep: Russo-Jewish
Rep: Russo-Jewish
June 6, 2019
Anya and the Dragon was totally enjoyable and fun. First off, I loved the blend of both Russian and Jewish folklore and culture. "There were some things more important than dragon hunting, and baking challah was one of them." With her friend Ivan, Anya hunts down a dragon to save her family from the anti-Semitic magistrate, but what she discovers is that the dragon is not the evil monster that she thought. And perhaps this is a metaphor that extends into larger themes of the book. With a cute, lighthearted story and a wonderful message of friendship, courage, diversity, and acceptance, I really recommend this.
The touches of Jewish celebration in the face of adversity and prejudice made it more than just a fun kids' novel, it had depth and dire consequences behind the adventure. And I'm glad this is the route we're moving towards in writing now. I'll check out the sequel when it's coming because this world just felt comforting and endearing but not without its very real dangers and problems.
Lastly, I love the cover. Jeff Langevin has been a favourite artist of mine for a long time and this cover is so stunning. Colourful and enticing, it really sums up the book perfectly. Also, the little chapter illustrations were cute as well! Perfect for the chapter's content and folksy whimsical. A wonderful package altogether.
Keep your eyes out for Anya this September from Versify!
The touches of Jewish celebration in the face of adversity and prejudice made it more than just a fun kids' novel, it had depth and dire consequences behind the adventure. And I'm glad this is the route we're moving towards in writing now. I'll check out the sequel when it's coming because this world just felt comforting and endearing but not without its very real dangers and problems.
Lastly, I love the cover. Jeff Langevin has been a favourite artist of mine for a long time and this cover is so stunning. Colourful and enticing, it really sums up the book perfectly. Also, the little chapter illustrations were cute as well! Perfect for the chapter's content and folksy whimsical. A wonderful package altogether.
Keep your eyes out for Anya this September from Versify!
October 13, 2019
I'm really enjoying the recent trend of explicit Jewish representation in speculative fiction, and this new middle-grade fantasy novel is another fun example. The story is populated with all sorts of creatures from Slavic folklore, but the main conflict facing twelve-year-old Anya isn't a dragon; it's the antisemitic magistrate issuing bogus taxes to force her family off their land (which leads her to team up with a band of dragon-hunters to earn some reward money). The plot could have been tightened up a bit near the end, and the reading level is more simplistic than I generally prefer, but I'm still pretty charmed by the novelty of a heroine baking challah and looking forward to her bat mitzvah in and among all her other adventures. I read this book over the High Holy Days, and it was a lovely way to start the year 5780.
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Find me on Patreon | Goodreads | Blog | Twitter
May 31, 2020
I was so excited when I heard about this book. It sounded like an amazing combination of Jewish culture, Russian/Jewish history, and folktales.
And maybe it is--but the plot doesn't serve it. It sets up and ends like it wants to talk about a lot more things--religious persecution in particular--but the middle is a slog of chase and action scenes that, most of the time, fundamentally don't result in significant change for the story or the plot when they end. Because of that, they feel repetitive and unnecessary.
The villain feels cartoonishly evil, with constant added powers that should raise the stakes--but again, since the battles rarely change something significant, they don't really. I think a more interesting route could have been taken with Ivan's family being people we liked that were ultimately also a bit of an antagonist, but this book sidesteps that in the end. I also may have misunderstood something, but the finale seems to also fake-out a moral dilemma it had been trying to build, and then doesn't get into the ramifications Anya's final decisions have on her. After fighting through the repetitive middle, the ending feels oddly rushed and thematically thin.
I am still mildly interested in the sequel, depending on reviews, because some of the issues could be learned from and improved on. This is a debut. I also think it might have been a little too concerned with being exciting and setting up the cast/world/magic. I think there really could be depth here, if explored properly, and that it might have a better chance in a second book.
And maybe it is--but the plot doesn't serve it. It sets up and ends like it wants to talk about a lot more things--religious persecution in particular--but the middle is a slog of chase and action scenes that, most of the time, fundamentally don't result in significant change for the story or the plot when they end. Because of that, they feel repetitive and unnecessary.
The villain feels cartoonishly evil, with constant added powers that should raise the stakes--but again, since the battles rarely change something significant, they don't really. I think a more interesting route could have been taken with Ivan's family being people we liked that were ultimately also a bit of an antagonist, but this book sidesteps that in the end. I also may have misunderstood something, but the finale seems to also fake-out a moral dilemma it had been trying to build, and then doesn't get into the ramifications Anya's final decisions have on her. After fighting through the repetitive middle, the ending feels oddly rushed and thematically thin.
I am still mildly interested in the sequel, depending on reviews, because some of the issues could be learned from and improved on. This is a debut. I also think it might have been a little too concerned with being exciting and setting up the cast/world/magic. I think there really could be depth here, if explored properly, and that it might have a better chance in a second book.
April 14, 2019
Ahhhhh, I love this book so much! Maybe most of all because it might include one of my favorite dragons ever? But wait, there's more! I absolutely love all the Russian words and phrases and Jewish folklore included. This world has such richness, such flavor. And then of course there are the characters (beyond the dragon). Goats with personality, a loving farm family, an entire set of Ivans (!), some really terrible villains, and of course, Anya herself: brave, quick-thinking, and caring. One of my daughters ripped ANYA out of my hands as soon as I told her I'd finished (I do often let them read books first, but I couldn't wait with this one), and I think it's going to find oodles of young fans. Highly recommend!
May 20, 2019
A fun beautiful story about the power of friendship, the kindness of strangers, the power of faith (Judaism) and how goodness will always triumph over a grab for power. Anya is charming and delightful and I adored how she stood up to the men in the village. Her friendship with Ivan is wonderful and there is not only the best GOAT in this book but also the best dragon. Add to all of that a magic system that is fascinating, never heavy handed, and works so well to support the characters and their journey and you have an absolutely delightful debut from Sofiya Pasternack. Funny and fast paced with an extra doses of love and kindness, this MG is not to be missed!
September 5, 2019
I love a story with a brave female protagonist--and Anya doesn't disappoint! This story is so unique in that it is set in eastern Europe, one of my favorite places in the world. The author does a wonderful job of bringing us there. A wonderful read-aloud for any classroom.
April 23, 2020
4.5 stars
I absolutely adored this story. What a wonderful blend of Jewish culture within a magical world. It felt familiar and mystical at the same time. This is one of those “wish I had books like this when I was younger” books.
I absolutely adored this story. What a wonderful blend of Jewish culture within a magical world. It felt familiar and mystical at the same time. This is one of those “wish I had books like this when I was younger” books.
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October 12, 2023This is a sweet, fun book that I think will delight its target audience. I could totally picture it being read aloud with all the voices and a few goat and chicken noises tossed in, too. It's packed full of Russian Jewish folklore, with interwoven tales of various spirits and domestic traditions. I think it's a great introduction to a culture kids may not be familiar with, braided with magic and folklore.
I love, love, love the cover, but it may mislead readers into thinking this is an epic adventure book akin to Anne McCaffrey's or Christopher Paolini's work, with an intrepid hero setting off on a quest across the world, leading up to a final face off against a scary beast. There's a quest, and there's a face off, but the tone is much lighter, the beast is far from scary, the actual dragon hunting makes up a very small proportion of the book, and the story remains centered around a homestead and small village. There's a funny line other reviews have already quoted about needing to pause the dragon hunting to make challah. That's very much the tone of the book. It's full of prat falls and silly goats and jokes about chores and fools and ironic names. Every scene has a smile in it. It's a world built with great imagination and profound love of the culture within. It's clearly meant for young audiences and I think readers who pick it up with that in mind will enjoy the humor and warmth of the tale. Those looking for an epic adventure story full of journeys and menacing battles can find it in other titles. When you meet this dragon or pick up this book, don't prepare to be frightened or anxious. Be prepared to be charmed.
I love, love, love the cover, but it may mislead readers into thinking this is an epic adventure book akin to Anne McCaffrey's or Christopher Paolini's work, with an intrepid hero setting off on a quest across the world, leading up to a final face off against a scary beast. There's a quest, and there's a face off, but the tone is much lighter, the beast is far from scary, the actual dragon hunting makes up a very small proportion of the book, and the story remains centered around a homestead and small village. There's a funny line other reviews have already quoted about needing to pause the dragon hunting to make challah. That's very much the tone of the book. It's full of prat falls and silly goats and jokes about chores and fools and ironic names. Every scene has a smile in it. It's a world built with great imagination and profound love of the culture within. It's clearly meant for young audiences and I think readers who pick it up with that in mind will enjoy the humor and warmth of the tale. Those looking for an epic adventure story full of journeys and menacing battles can find it in other titles. When you meet this dragon or pick up this book, don't prepare to be frightened or anxious. Be prepared to be charmed.
December 25, 2021
Pasternack’s debut novel, ANYA AND THE DRAGON, is one that both children and adults will get swept away in. If you love fantasy, folktales, and are interested in cultures around the world, then you will definitely find this book fulfilling.
With the flip of every page, you’ll read how Anya (the girl with at least nine lives!) meets a myriad of mythical creatures: domovoi, rusalka, bukavac, and...Baba Yaga? Not quite, but even better-an Ibbur who has a hut filled to the brim with books. As the story unfolds, Anya makes two special friends: a boy named Ivan and a very special dragon.
Throughout Anya’s journey, she is confronted with an important moral dilemma-one that we as humans continue to have to face today: Is it permissible to end another’s life if it means that their death will save others from harm? Even in the face of Antisemitism and fear, Anya (and her family) triumphs.
This middle grade novel will delight students and can be used as a teaching tool by both parents and teachers. This book has the real ability to open up sometimes not-so-easy discussions with young people about racism, differences, and human morality.
Rural children-and all that love the country-will especially appreciate reading this highly-recommended book. After all, Pasternack has included some of my favorite things: farms, goats, onions, and beautifully poetic words with admirable characters.
With the flip of every page, you’ll read how Anya (the girl with at least nine lives!) meets a myriad of mythical creatures: domovoi, rusalka, bukavac, and...Baba Yaga? Not quite, but even better-an Ibbur who has a hut filled to the brim with books. As the story unfolds, Anya makes two special friends: a boy named Ivan and a very special dragon.
Throughout Anya’s journey, she is confronted with an important moral dilemma-one that we as humans continue to have to face today: Is it permissible to end another’s life if it means that their death will save others from harm? Even in the face of Antisemitism and fear, Anya (and her family) triumphs.
This middle grade novel will delight students and can be used as a teaching tool by both parents and teachers. This book has the real ability to open up sometimes not-so-easy discussions with young people about racism, differences, and human morality.
Rural children-and all that love the country-will especially appreciate reading this highly-recommended book. After all, Pasternack has included some of my favorite things: farms, goats, onions, and beautifully poetic words with admirable characters.
July 20, 2019
Anya and the Dragon by Sofiya Pasternack is a middle grade fantasy about a young Jewish girl and the hunt for a dragon.
This story had a strong blend of both Jewish an Russian culture and felt very metaphorical in nature. One thing I think it could have used was a glossary. There are so many Jewish and Russian words that aren't familiar to everyone and couldn't always be figured out through context. I think as a middle grade story especially it would have been a great teaching tool.
I was drawn in by the beautiful cover and the premise, but for me the story was very drawn out. I felt like the whole thing could have been told in half the amount of words as many pages are devoted to the mundane. Overall it does have it's fun and interesting moments, it just drags a bit in places.
I'd recommend this to young ones who love dragons!
This story had a strong blend of both Jewish an Russian culture and felt very metaphorical in nature. One thing I think it could have used was a glossary. There are so many Jewish and Russian words that aren't familiar to everyone and couldn't always be figured out through context. I think as a middle grade story especially it would have been a great teaching tool.
I was drawn in by the beautiful cover and the premise, but for me the story was very drawn out. I felt like the whole thing could have been told in half the amount of words as many pages are devoted to the mundane. Overall it does have it's fun and interesting moments, it just drags a bit in places.
I'd recommend this to young ones who love dragons!
July 2, 2019
“There were some things more important than dragon hunting, and baking challah was one of them.”
There is SO MUCH to love about this brilliantly realized, thoroughly unique story that brims with adventure and memorable characters—including a brave girl, a misunderstood dragon, and a highly entertaining goat. I found this book absolutely charming and know Anya will stay in my heart forever.
There is SO MUCH to love about this brilliantly realized, thoroughly unique story that brims with adventure and memorable characters—including a brave girl, a misunderstood dragon, and a highly entertaining goat. I found this book absolutely charming and know Anya will stay in my heart forever.
July 10, 2019
A fun fantasy debut about family, friendship, magic, and what is means to become a hero. Anya is a character to root for. I was immersed in the worldbuilding, and will never think about dragons or goats in the same way again!
October 20, 2020
Anya and the Dragon is an upbeat fantasy story about friendship, magic, and figuring out how to do the right thing when everyone around you has a different idea of what that is.
I like almost all of this book but my one reservation is pretty major because it's a problematic moment which is unchallenged within the story. First, the things this did well. The MC feels like a kid, especially in the way that kids can feel like they're grown up even when they aren't. She's aware of the prejudices affecting her family, but her solutions to try and make things better really fit her age and character. The characters were great, and I loved the balance between explaining all the different creatures and leaving some less-described (but occasionally shown). It helped reinforce how the MC would be familiar with them and wouldn't randomly extemporize about them.
The plot was great, the twists hit just the right zone between being appropriately foreshadowed and genuinely surprising. I loved the characters and found the villains to be appropriately scary in a very believable way. There were a few places where we learn what the MC knows about something and then find out her knowledge is incomplete or inaccurate, it created the feeling that she's still learning about the world (because she's literally a child) and the reader gets to be part of those moments.
The dynamic between the main kids handled really well, they aren't instantly friends but once they get more comfortable with each other they really have each other's backs. They have a specific reason to be around each other at the start, but it feels like it changes into a genuine friendship by the end of the book, and it was really fun to read.
All right. Now the problem. A character is queer-coded solely through a moment of unchallenged queerphobia . He's ashamed of the magic he has because it's the same as his mom, and he's desperate to have the magic his brothers and father do. We both (1) don't get confirmation of him having a queer identity and (2) learn that his brothers tease him for having a feminine kind of magic and not having what they all do, in what looks like both internalized queerphobia from him and regular queerphobia from his family. The parents don't seem to do anything about the teasing, and while he eventually starts accepting the magic he does have, it still felt off. When compared with how a different kind of bigotry (antisemitism) is handled, it especially stands out as either poorly executed or completely unintentional (which I think would be worse). There are several discussions about the way that antisemitism from the villagers affects the MC and her family, including the actions of one particularly anti-Semitic person in power. That antagonist gets a comeuppance directly as a result of his anti-Semitic actions in a moment that feels triumphant in the story. By contrast, the character teased in a queerphobic manner just... starts using his "feminine" magic at one point. There isn't really a resolution to the queerphobia, just to the way it was holding him back. This means that the implied queerness doesn't resolve in a satisfying way, I don't get to be excited about a queer character but I still had to deal with queerphobia, which is the worst of both worlds.
I loved the ending and I am interested in reading the sequel, I do care about knowing what these characters do next.
CW for slavery (backstory), kidnapping (backstory), queerphobia (unchallenged), antisemitism, violence, death.
I like almost all of this book but my one reservation is pretty major because it's a problematic moment which is unchallenged within the story. First, the things this did well. The MC feels like a kid, especially in the way that kids can feel like they're grown up even when they aren't. She's aware of the prejudices affecting her family, but her solutions to try and make things better really fit her age and character. The characters were great, and I loved the balance between explaining all the different creatures and leaving some less-described (but occasionally shown). It helped reinforce how the MC would be familiar with them and wouldn't randomly extemporize about them.
The plot was great, the twists hit just the right zone between being appropriately foreshadowed and genuinely surprising. I loved the characters and found the villains to be appropriately scary in a very believable way. There were a few places where we learn what the MC knows about something and then find out her knowledge is incomplete or inaccurate, it created the feeling that she's still learning about the world (because she's literally a child) and the reader gets to be part of those moments.
The dynamic between the main kids handled really well, they aren't instantly friends but once they get more comfortable with each other they really have each other's backs. They have a specific reason to be around each other at the start, but it feels like it changes into a genuine friendship by the end of the book, and it was really fun to read.
All right. Now the problem. A character is queer-coded solely through a moment of unchallenged queerphobia . He's ashamed of the magic he has because it's the same as his mom, and he's desperate to have the magic his brothers and father do. We both (1) don't get confirmation of him having a queer identity and (2) learn that his brothers tease him for having a feminine kind of magic and not having what they all do, in what looks like both internalized queerphobia from him and regular queerphobia from his family. The parents don't seem to do anything about the teasing, and while he eventually starts accepting the magic he does have, it still felt off. When compared with how a different kind of bigotry (antisemitism) is handled, it especially stands out as either poorly executed or completely unintentional (which I think would be worse). There are several discussions about the way that antisemitism from the villagers affects the MC and her family, including the actions of one particularly anti-Semitic person in power. That antagonist gets a comeuppance directly as a result of his anti-Semitic actions in a moment that feels triumphant in the story. By contrast, the character teased in a queerphobic manner just... starts using his "feminine" magic at one point. There isn't really a resolution to the queerphobia, just to the way it was holding him back. This means that the implied queerness doesn't resolve in a satisfying way, I don't get to be excited about a queer character but I still had to deal with queerphobia, which is the worst of both worlds.
I loved the ending and I am interested in reading the sequel, I do care about knowing what these characters do next.
CW for slavery (backstory), kidnapping (backstory), queerphobia (unchallenged), antisemitism, violence, death.
November 19, 2020
This was a fun middle grade read. It felt very magical, I mean who doesn't love a book about dragons!
Anya was an adorable main character, she starts out in a town where magic is forbidden. She finds out that because her family is Jewish, they will be losing their house, so when the fools come to town and tell her they will give her money to hunt one of the last dragons, she really just wants to help her family. Once Anya finds the dragon, she's not sure she can do that. Her journey to finding what she thinks is the right answer was so fun.
Most of the other characters added a lot to the story. Anya has a wonderful relationship with her mom and grandmother (her dad has been sent to the front lines of war) and their domovoy (spelling? I listened to the audiobook!) is the funniest character. He was so mischievous but still the protector of the house. Ivan (again, spelling?) was a great secondary/main character. The villain (I'm not even going to try to spell his name) was actually scary. And of course the dragon ended up being so incredibly adorable.
Even though a lot of things I really enjoyed, I didn't love anything. And there were many Russian words that I couldn't follow especially listening to the audiobook and a lot of the names were foreign.
I really can't wait to see what happens next!
Anya was an adorable main character, she starts out in a town where magic is forbidden. She finds out that because her family is Jewish, they will be losing their house, so when the fools come to town and tell her they will give her money to hunt one of the last dragons, she really just wants to help her family. Once Anya finds the dragon, she's not sure she can do that. Her journey to finding what she thinks is the right answer was so fun.
Most of the other characters added a lot to the story. Anya has a wonderful relationship with her mom and grandmother (her dad has been sent to the front lines of war) and their domovoy (spelling? I listened to the audiobook!) is the funniest character. He was so mischievous but still the protector of the house. Ivan (again, spelling?) was a great secondary/main character. The villain (I'm not even going to try to spell his name) was actually scary. And of course the dragon ended up being so incredibly adorable.
Even though a lot of things I really enjoyed, I didn't love anything. And there were many Russian words that I couldn't follow especially listening to the audiobook and a lot of the names were foreign.
I really can't wait to see what happens next!
May 25, 2021
3.75⭐️
Anya and her family have always stood out in their village since they are the only Jewish family in the community. When a family of fools come to town in search of a dragon, she realizes just how different they are. She’s grown up knowing about the magical creatures that live here but what she knows about them is completely different what the fools say they are. When her family is in desperate need of money, Anya decides to help the new comers find the dragon in hopes of saving everything and everyone that she loves.
This took me a while to get into it I ended enjoying the adventure that was Anya’s hunt for the dragon. Learning about the different magical creatures and also many things about the Jewish faith really grabbed my attention since I wasn’t very familiar with either. The incorporation is racism and intergenerational pain was explained extremely well for young readers to really grasp. I also appreciated that the author didn’t shy away from having the characters experience real danger. It helped to make the story so much more believable. Not sure if I’m in a rush to continue but I wouldn’t be opposed to picking up the next one.
Anya and her family have always stood out in their village since they are the only Jewish family in the community. When a family of fools come to town in search of a dragon, she realizes just how different they are. She’s grown up knowing about the magical creatures that live here but what she knows about them is completely different what the fools say they are. When her family is in desperate need of money, Anya decides to help the new comers find the dragon in hopes of saving everything and everyone that she loves.
This took me a while to get into it I ended enjoying the adventure that was Anya’s hunt for the dragon. Learning about the different magical creatures and also many things about the Jewish faith really grabbed my attention since I wasn’t very familiar with either. The incorporation is racism and intergenerational pain was explained extremely well for young readers to really grasp. I also appreciated that the author didn’t shy away from having the characters experience real danger. It helped to make the story so much more believable. Not sure if I’m in a rush to continue but I wouldn’t be opposed to picking up the next one.
June 1, 2021
WHAT an excellent book! From the cover, I was a little afraid it would be hokey and disney-fied, but to my delight it was grounded in actual cultures and heritages on top of being a fun fairy tale feeling story.
November 24, 2020
I am so glad to have this book recommended to me. Great world building, great incorporation of Judaism into a historical fantasy. Characters I want to spend more time with! Excited for the rest of the series.
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