This book is perfect and wonderful in every way a fairytale-fantasy novel should be. It snatched me up as easily as corruption from the Wood. Whenever I was forced to put it aside, it called me back like the water of the Spindle. I couldn't stop thinking about the characters and story, charging headlong into greater triumphs and horrors, even when I was going about other things.

Like a good fairytale, this story is both new and endless, telling tales we all know but shining light upon places we didn't think to wonder about. What is evil of the wood? Why does a Dragon take young maidens? What is the story beneath the story? I feel blessed to have read a book which brings such strength and truth to fairytales long grown comfortable, weaving a story full of horror and excitement into them. I cannot say exactly what happens without spoiling the experience, so I must simply impress upon you: If you thirst for a truly great book, pick up Uprooted.

If you have not read Naomi Novik's Temeraire series, they are delightful books as well, but in their own way. They share nothing with this book but the same brilliant writing and beautiful worldbuilding, opening like a flower as the story surges forward.

Naomi Novik is an incredible artist and I eagerly await her next creation.