Book Review – Uprooted by Naomi Novik

A dark enchantment blights the land

Agnieszka loves her village, set in a peaceful valley. But the nearby enchanted forest casts a shadow over her home. Many have been lost to the Wood and none return unchanged. The villagers depend on an ageless wizard, the Dragon, to protect them from the forest’s dark magic. However, his help comes at a terrible price. A young woman must serve him for ten years, leaving all she values behind.

Agnieszka fears her dearest friend Kasia will be picked at the next choosing, for she is everything Agnieszka is not – beautiful, graceful and brave. Yet when the Dragon comes, it is not Kasia he takes.

My rating:

I really enjoyed the whole story, and the concept behind it. I loved the way the magic worked, and the wood and the dragon!

I didn’t really connect with Agnieszka though, which is the only reason it’s not a 5 star read. I loved her love for Kasia, and the way she cared about her valley, but that’s about it. Though I did also like that her magic was different to the other wizards.

It’s quiet story in some ways, for all that it contains quite a lot of action. I feel that’s like the wood – creeping up on you unawares.

The wood as a concept and the “bad guy” was definitely my favourite thing. It’s super creepy and really well executed.

A really lovely read.

Buy Uprooted from Amazon UK.