Vassa in the Night by Sarah Porter

[MerryLove]

I really enjoyed this book, but I definitely have to agree that it is very odd. The story is loosely based on the folktale Baba Yaga. (If you want to read the original tale, you can read it here: myths.e2bn.org/mythsandlegends/textonly ... -fair.html)


In this realistic world where magic is integrated, there's a convenience store that dances around on chicken legs. Also, if the owner catches you “stealing”, she will chop off your head and stick it on a pike. To top it off, they are the only store open after midnight, and the nights are mysteriously longer than usual. Any trip to the store is suicide. Vassa, the main character, is sent there by her rather spiteful sister to pick up lightbulbs. From there, a rather interesting turn of events takes place.

This book is so different from start to finish, and so different from other YA fantasies, that I think the best way to describe my reaction to it through a list of pros and cons.

Pros:

1. This book is so beautifully written. The author really has a way with words and uses unique imagery. I would immediately jump at the chance to read future novels she may write. It flowed smoothly and was pleasant to read.
2. The main character is unique. She's not a Celaena, or a Katniss. She's a mostly normal girl without any extraordinary abilities or a superhero mentality. She has problems, she's kind of ordinary, and she solves her problems in a way you might expect a teenage girl in her position would. She felt fresh and different as a main character, and I really enjoyed reading about her.
3. The ending amazed me. What was a pleasant read and a pretty good story became so much greater in the last few chapters of the book. Everything ties together in a way I never would have expected, and the message is a good one. I absolutely loved the ending, and was so glad that I read the book and got to experience it.

Cons:
1. The book is both weird and a bit dark. It definitely takes a bit to get used to. The owner really does cut people up. There are some rather detailed descriptions of her doing so and enjoying it, in fact. It's definitely not going to be everyone's cup of tea. This will really only be a con for those people that don't like darker novels. For me, it was more of a neutral point, but I could see it being a con for many.
2. The pace was not exactly page turning. There weren't any spots where it dragged, but I didn't devour it either. The book spends most of its time painting a picturing and experiencing its world, and the purpose of the book and the true action doesn't come into play until almost the very end of the book. For some, the pace will be too slow to make it all the way through. If you can though, I definitely thought the ending was worth it!
3. I personally didn't feel like it had a lot of reread value. I think it was worth the read to experience the author's writing style and for the great ending, but I know I won't find myself wishing to read it a second time. It was too different and off the beaten path from “my thing” to enjoy it more than once. I think that many others will find this to also be true. It's kind of a niche book.



Rating

Overall, I would give the book a 3.5 out of 4. It was beautifully written and definitely worth the first read if you can get into it, but it's definitely a bit odd and won't be for everyone.