The Book of Meadow

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Buried Deep and Other Stories by Naomi Novik

Buried Deep and Other Stories by Naomi Novik

I had some mixed feelings about this book which seems to be my MO for short story collections. I loved the story from Spinning Silver, the take on the Minotaur, as well as the Scholomance world. But other stories, I was confused the entire time and never truly understood what was happening so it is difficult to rate the book as a whole. Luckily, the stories I enjoyed made up for the ones I didn't.

Naomi Novik creates such amazingly complex magical worlds and intricate societies that I am amazed by her creativity. However, in short story form it is very difficult to explain such a complex world while also make sure certain things happen in such few words. This wasn't always the case, as half of the stories I was sucked right into and loved (and understood) every moment. But the other half I had to reread certain paragraphs or almost push through because I just could not wrap my head around everything.

I've read each of Novik's books and will continue to do so as I truly enjoy her way of writing fairytales and her creative worlds. I wish I could have received more of some of these stories, and maybe she will extend them some day.

Overall, another enjoyable "book" from Naomi Novik, and I look forward to the new world she is creating!

Thank you NetGalley for my free copy for an honest review.

Synopsis: A thrilling collection of thirteen short stories that span the worlds of the New York Times bestselling author of the Scholomance Trilogy, including a sneak peek at the land where her next novel will be set.

From the dragon-filled Temeraire series and the gothic, magical halls of the Scholomance trilogy to the fairy tale worlds of Spinning Silver and Uprooted, this stunning collection takes us from fairy tale to fantasy, myth to history, and mystery to science fiction as we travel through Naomi Novik’s most beloved stories.

Though the stories are vastly different, there is a unifying theme: the act of finding and seizing one’s destiny, and the lengths one will go to achieve that—be it turning pirate, captaining a fighting dragon, or shifting from marriage to seek your destiny with a sword.

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