The Republic of Birds

8.29 on CAWPILE. This book was everything I wanted it to be and then some! The subtle weaving of folklore into the story of sisterly love was gloriously done. I had expected the birds to play a slightly larger role in the story, however, the way they were presented was really fascinating to me! I'm a......more

Review originally published 2 March 2020 at Falling Letters. I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I wavered a lot on what I wanted to include in this review because I accepted a physical copy for review directly from the publisher. People involved in the creatio......more

A lovely middle grade story about believing in yourself and caring for others, set in a fantastical (Russian?) province- it’s magical, wintry, full of yagas, houses on chicken legs, voyants, palaces, sleds and snow. There’s also a big focus on cartography- protagonist Olga is obsessed with maps and......more

This book has everything: a Gorgeous cover, interesting politics, magical folklore and a snowy expedition. Olga’s father has made a ‘promotion’ for which they have to leave the city… where it is cold, every meal is made of mushrooms, there are yaga’s and (!!) birds. Her father makes it his mission to......more

The Republic of Birds is first and foremost a book about sisters. Olga envies her little sister Mira because of her dancing ability, however when she is taken by birds Olga heads into the unknown to save her. Along the journey Olga discovers she is far more than ordinary - that in fact she is a Yaga......more