Book Review: Uprooted by Naomi Novik

Uprooted is the story of a young woman taken by the local wizard to live in his tower for the next ten years. I feel like say more is to rob the reader of the joy of discovering the story on their own. Naomi Novik has written a lovely kind of fairy tale, and old fashion fantasy, filled with knights on horseback, wizards in their high towers, and lovely maidens be stolen away. It is a fairy tale, but one in which there is nuance, where evil is evil, yes, but something more, too. Where enemies come from multiple directions, and not all from evil, but perhaps with competing priorities. It is, in the end, like all the best fairy tales, a story of hope and redemption.

I loved this book from beginning to end. In fact, it had one of the best beginnings of any book I have read in a long time. For any writers who struggle with beginnings, read this book. This book is a perfect example of how to start a story without worrying about all the back story, of how to get right to the actions that matter, while still having the reader understand why they matter. Really and truly, one of the best beginnings I have read.

And the ending is also great. I often dislike epilogues or epilogue-like last chapters. I read them because I am a completionist, but they often do not add anything to the story for me, and sometimes even make it worse. But this is a case where the final chapter nicely finished out the story in the same way the first chapter began it. We got just enough to know that this story was resolved, but not so much to feel like there were no stories left for these characters or that the resolution turned them into people we did not like. At the same time, I did not finish it thinking – sequel.

And the middle, the middle was really good, too. There were sword fights and magic and parties. There was danger and unseen enemies and uncertain allies. There was love and friendship and jealousy. And always there was hope. Really, what more could you ask for from a story?

So if you like fantasy, if you like fairy tales, if you have ever pondered on Baba Yaga, read this book. You will not be disappointed.