Five star review of Uprooted by Naomi Novik

This fantasy showed me why Naomi Novik is so beloved by fans of the genre. Her lush descriptions accompany Agnieszka on her transformation from clumsy village girl to respected spell-weaver. The setting in a land similar to Poland touched something inside me. It’s based in part on the Polish fairytale about Baba Yaga, but it’s an enchanting fairytale in itself. Tension never let up, whether it was between Nieszka and the Dragon, between two armies or between the humans and the Wood. Through it all, the themes of family and friendship shine through. I particularly loved the early scenes where she first learned magical spells, and it was magical when she and the Dragon intertwined their spells.