Im not really sure what to say about this book. It was weird, but cute at times I guess. And really it was very very strange. Im not exactly sure how many stars to give it either. I mean it was just to unratable. I don’t know if I mean that in a good way or a bad way. Its so hard to tell with this book. But I gave it three stars for its ability to make me smile at times. I like the swans the best, they were cute and pretty. But otherwise, most of the time I had no idea what was going on. Or what the basic plot line was for that matter. So ... I don’t know. Read it if you want I guess. I just ... you might feel a bit more strongly to one side than I do. You know, go read someone else’s review, this probably isn’t going to help you decide.

2.5 stars. This was by far the weirdest book I’ve ever read. Dancing convenience stores, living wooden dolls who eat regular food, severed hands working as employees in the dancing store, and a girl trying to figure out a whole lot of weird stuff. The descriptive style saved the book for me.

HELL NO!! SO WEIRD 😬

That’s really the only thing I can say about this book.

Firstly, I'd like to say that I hope my rating or review wouldn't turn anyone away from reading this book. I feel like it is a beautiful story but I just didn't grasp it enough.

I liked Vassa. I loved her wit! And her connection with Erg. And the deep meaning behind their connection and Erg's origins.

This truly is a dark, magical story but unfortunately for me, I only understood little bits of it and the majority just had me confused.

This is quite cool. Urban fantasy that ties into Russian folklore. Baba Yaga runs a convenience store and disembodied hands help her frame people for theft so she can cut off their heads. Oh, and she has captured little snips from Night.

Creative, intriguing, and strange in all the best ways.

Honestly, this was a weird book. I wanted to like this book, but I'm honestly surprised I even finished it - it was just a hard read for me.

Overall rating: 2.5/5 stars.

Also on my blog, Snug Shelf.

Vassa in the Night is set in an alternate-reality Brooklyn in which magic is present, but ignored by most human residents. One alarming show of otherworldly presence in the "real" world is BY's, a convenience store that dances on chicken legs and beheads shoplifters, displaying their heads on spikes outside the store. When Vassa and her talking wooden doll, Erg, make a seemingly innocent trip to BY's, Vassa becomes ensnared in a magical world that seems to know more about her and Erg than she is expecting.

Vassa in the Night is a retelling of the Russian folk story Vasilisa the Beautiful. While reading the tale isn't necessary for enjoying the retelling, I would highly recommend it so you can catch some of the parallels and differences. The novel definitely has that dark fairy tale feel - more Brothers Grimm than Disney. The atmosphere of the novel was one of my favorite parts - mysterious and dangerous, but with moments of levity from the wooden doll, Erg or Vassa's sense of humor and snark. The task-oriented plotline at the beginning of the novel definitely stirred up more of that fairy tale/folk tale feeling as well, reminiscent of a quest or three-part adventure.

I loved the characters dominating the novel. I liked that Vassa wasn't constantly an optimistic and determined heroine; she really, really, really wanted to give up at times, but with the help of Erg and other side characters, continues on. Her sidekick Erg was hilarious and heart-warmingly loyal, but Vassa and Erg's relationship wasn't shallow, instead showing moments of doubt and ups and downs. The love between the doll and Vassa was definitely part of why they're my favorite relationship in the novel. There is a bit of romantic love action in Vassa as well, but it's hardly at center stage, and appropriately so. One of the elements of the book that I didn't enjoy or understand at first was the unlikely romance between Vassa and another character. There seemed to be little to no basis for it, which Vassa admits several times, but I just didn't buy it. However, after getting further into the book, it makes a little more sense. Without that background up front though, I still didn't much like that relationship.

The plotline definitely kept me interested, and twists and turns were surprising and, at times, shocking. This is one of those novels where at some points you can't tell what is real and what is just happening in Vassa's head. I would normally be a little frustrated by that, but it just added to the hazy and daydream-like feel of the entire novel, so I can't complain. I do wish some plotlines had been tied up a bit more, like things involving Vassa's father, but the foremost plot lines were finished off nicely.


My only caveat in recommending this book would be to readers who are squeamish - there is a good amount of decapitation and blood, and no description is spared. In sum, Vassa in the Night is a dazzling novel that made me cry, gasp, and feel my heart grow two sizes. I would recommend to anyone who likes dark fantasy, dancing convenience stores, or vivacious wooden dolls.


4.5/5


I received this book through OwlCrate, a monthly book subscription box. The review above is my honest opinion and I am not receiving any compensation for said review.