The Witch and the Tsar

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In this stunning debut novel, the maligned and immortal witch of legend known as Baba Yaga will risk all to save her country and her people from Tsar Ivan the Terrible—and the dangerous gods who seek to drive the twisted hearts of men. Yaga lives deep in the Russian forest, tending to any that call upon her for her healing potions and vast wisdom. Kate’s Rating 6: I liked Yaga as a protagonist and I liked the way Gilmore subverted Russian myth and folklore, but it felt ambling at times, and I think I would have gotten more if I were more familiar with the mythology. How do you know for sure America won the Cold War? When you have a Russian author living in Chicago depict their quintessential witch running through a blizzard with snowflakes the size of fists forgetting that, unless you're Legolas, you'll sink in real fast instead of daintily sprinting across fresh snow.

Olesya Salnikova Gilmore weaves a rich tapestry of mythology and Russian history, reclaiming and reinventing the infamous Baba Yaga, and bringing to life a vibrant and tumultuous Russia, where old gods and new tyrants vie for power. This fierce and compelling novel draws from the timeless lore to create a heroine for the modern day, fighting to save her country and those she loves from oppression while also finding her true purpose as a goddess, a witch, and a woman. And always, the males of whatever species ended up being the baddies. The problem? Not all women are good, not all men are evil and making it so is not only feminist revenge porn, it also makes the characters flat. Not to mention that Baba Yaga was unapologetic. She punished and she teased. She wasn't evil, not exactly, but she also didn't give out freebies. Why should she have?! Wishes or magical remedies ... they cost. As they should. And just because there IS a witch living in "your" woods doesn't mean she HAS to help you.It was not that twilight tasted differently, though on my tongue, the humid spring air had the bitterness of snowfall. It was that, even this deep in the Russian forest, dusk bled into the light with infuriating leisure. The clouds had smothered the last of the sun’s rays in scarlet. Yet day clung on, delaying what mortals intended to find their way to my izbushka. And when Anastasia, wife of Tsar Ivan IV and an old friend of Yaga’s, comes to her for help, Yaga is faced with her reluctance to mingle with mortals again and her desire to protect her friend from an unknown threat that, Yaga fears, is a larger threat than even she knows yet. So Yaga does what she always does: She does not let the small minds of men stop her, those who would prey on the mortality that leaves her susceptible to harm and even death, and instead does what she must to help another in need by going to the royal court in Moscow to care for Anastasia. Olesya Salnikova Gilmore weaves a rich tapestry of mythology and Russian history, reclaiming and reinventing the infamous Baba Yaga, and bringing to life a vibrant and tumultuous Russia, where old gods and new tyrants vie for power. This fierce and compelling novel draws from the timeless lore to create a heroine for the modern day, fighting to save her country and those she loves from oppression while also finding her true purpose as a goddess, a witch, and a woman. Kate’s Thoughts However, Yaga soons find out that the tsarina's enemy is a formidable one, has deep knowledge of the supernatural and it's about more than Yaga's childhood friend.

Beautifully written, gripping…a story of Baba Yaga as you have never met her before—don’t even THINK about missing it!” The Witch and the Tsar is mesmerizing story of Russian history and mythology; as well as reinventing Baba Yaga, who was a fabulous heroine, always fighting to save her country. This is a powerful story, filled with folklore, heartbreak, captivating, and an amazing story from start to finish. THE WITCH AND THE TSAR was a wonderful story, so very well written by Olesya Salnikova Gilmore. If you enjoy history, folklore, with a bit of romance, I suggest you read this book.

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A perfect blend of fantasy and historical fiction, The Witch and the Tsar magnificently paints an old Russia full of vengeful gods, court intrigue and high adventure. In the center of it all is the half-goddess Yaga, isolated and proud, whose compassion for humanity drives her into a war with Ivan the Terrible and the mythical beings who use him for their own ends. Immersive and beautifully written, Yaga’s story reminds us that gods—like humans—can choose their own fates.”