Review: Uprooted

This is a spectacular work of fantasy. I don't really need to tell you that at this point since this just won Best Novel at the Nebula awards against some very stiff competition in a year of excellent work from all of SF/F. Uprooted could perhaps be best described as neo-classical fantasy. 

It's a story that not only pulls its mythology and magic from old world myths like Baba Yaga and her walking house, but it's structure and wording seems like it's from an older age of fantasy writing. All the while it is constantly surprising you.

This is one of those books that I just couldn't put down. I was reading it everywhere. Sneaking glances onto the kindle app of my phone during meetings. Buying the audio book version so i could continue while driving (thanks whispersynch). For about a week this book consumed me.

I think nearly every character started off in a place that made it hard to love them. They are combative and stubborn in confounding ways, but the writing of the book constantly led me further in, so that when the story really begins to take off I am so so in. The settings are dynamic and shifting at just the right intervals to keep the story from languishing too long in any one place. The story is never satisfied with its current position and the dynamic pace makes for a fast read.

With a conclusion that is so entirely satisfying, especially because this is a great stand alone novel, Uprooted deserves all of its accolades. Uprooted receives a five out of five.