Goodreads reviews for Vasilisa

“A stellar YA novel full of adventure, history, fantasy and a careful observation and deep sympathy with the personal and social challenges girls face in early adolescence. Here is to be found finely crafted prose of a grace and precision not often found in young adult novels. And, as appropriate in any hero’s quest, there are mysteries to solve, questions to be answered and tasks to be accomplished, all in a universe where the real and fantastical merge effortlessly.”

–The BookLife Prize

“In this series opener, Mathison offers two intriguing settings from history and myth, both with their own spooky mysteries, hardships, helpers, and villains… A story that richly integrates a fairy tale, history, and a coming-of-age quest.”

–Kirkus Reviews

“These pages weave history and twists of folklore carefully together to create a rich and engaging read. Those who like getting lost in a slightly magical world with a girl, who needs to battle impossible odds to save herself and her family, aren’t going to want to put this one down.”

–Bookworm for Kids

“This was an amazing fairytale fantasy, perfect for taking you away to a wilder world than our own… you’ll be submerged in it till the very last word. It was very good. If you like books like The Bear and the Nightengale, you will love this… The world the author crafted in this story was amazing and did not disappoint!”

— Avalinah’sBooks, top GoodReads reviewer

“Folklore is so often touched upon but so rarely done right. The author takes Baba Yaga and turns her on her head, and what she came out with was a tale of love, loss, bravery, and friendship... I loved every second of this book. I’d compare it to The Girl who Drank the Moon in its world-building and writing style, with the deep magic of The Bear and the Nightingale with a touch of The Story That Cannot Be Told.“

—CeliaMcMahonReads, top bookstagrammer