The Witch and the Tsar

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And always, the males of whatever species ended up being the baddies. The problem? Not all women are good, not all men are evil and making it so is not only feminist revenge porn, it also makes the characters flat. Not to mention that Baba Yaga was unapologetic. She punished and she teased. She wasn't evil, not exactly, but she also didn't give out freebies. Why should she have?! Wishes or magical remedies ... they cost. As they should. And just because there IS a witch living in "your" woods doesn't mean she HAS to help you. They are here, Ya. Her voice, in the language she spoke, reverberated through my mind, becoming words I could understand. Let’s talk about magic for a moment. It’s an important ingredient in any fantasy novel, but is usually more ethereal in myths. How have you approached magic in The Witch and the Tsar ?

I received an ARE of The Witch and the Tsar from Ace of Berkley of Penguin Random House in return for a fair review. Thanks, folks, and thanks to NetGalley for facilitating. Over the next several decades, the reader accompanies Yaga as, all around her, Russia falls victim to Tsar Ivan, Her peaceful life ends when Anastasia , wife of Tsar Ivan The Terrible, an old friend of hers visits her to request urgent help. Your portrayal of Tsar Ivan as he becomes increasingly volatile on his path to becoming Ivan the Terrible – how important was it to you to hold up a mirror to current events through a historical figure?Can you tell us a little something about your current work(s) in progress? Have you any upcoming projects which you can share? If you were a witch who possessed magic, what would your affinity be? What kinds of spells would you cast? Begrudgingly, Yaga goes with her to the palace, meets the tsar, the courtiers - and the tsar's adviser who is none other than Koshei the Deathless. At this part, we witness the political atmosphere and true historical aspects of Russian history where it has been ruled by blood thirsty, paranoid, threatening leader Ivan IV. And we also enjoy the wild, epic journey of Yaga who really cares more about Russian people than the ruler of the empire, bold enough to fight against the enemy to shed blood and finding a man who sees her and accepts her as she is. A rich and vivid tapestry of old Russia in an age when Tsar Ivan the Terrible grappled not only with political foes but with the legendary witch Baba Yaga and her command of magic and pagan gods. An evocative journey into old Russian myth and history, and a poignant exploration of what it means to be both human and immortal.”

Beautifully written, gripping…a story of Baba Yaga as you have never met her before—don’t even THINK about missing it!”

Case in point: one of Yaga’s companions, Dyen, is an immortal wolf who can speak to her telepathically. When Yaga goes to Moscow, Dyen accompanies her. Yaga then wonders why people are staring at her when she’s done her best to fit in – despite the massive wolf walking next to her. A wolf which is allowed into the royal palace without protest. A wolf which, once Yaga’s audience with the king is over, runs off into the palace alone and everyone is fine with that. It is important for readers to open themselves up to the possibility that not all is as it seems. And that truth may be more layered, more hidden, and more beautiful than we ever imagined.

The characterization was a mixed bag. Yaga didn’t seem to have the power, knowledge, and decision-making capability she should have had after living for centuries. Tsar Ivan the Terrible was well-done and brought chills to this reader. That’s when I knew I had to write a feminist tale about a powerful yet vulnerable woman reduced to a witch by the men of her time. And I would call her simply Yaga." A perfect blend of fantasy and historical fiction … Immersive and beautifully written, Yaga’s story reminds us that gods–like humans–can choose their own fates.”–Anika Scott, international bestselling author of The Soviet SistersBut there is more. You see, it was around this time that a "new" religion had come to dominate Rus(sia): Christianity. Leaving out food for old house spirits was suddenly devil worship and if you didn't subject ... Here, Baba Yaga is a woman, half-goddess, who’s been burned by gods and mortals alike, so she’s retreated and is simply doing what she does well in the dark of the forest. Soon though, she must answer the call for help from a dear friend, and she spends the rest of the novel trying to fulfill the ultimate goal of this particular quest, as Russia comes more and more under the grip of the increasingly mad Ivan the Terrible. No, she’s not the supposed hag, which familiar tale we’ve accepted from the mouths of men for far, too long. And she’s not embraced her power, hasn’t even had the chance to learn to do so, due to events beyond her control. But this story is where her powerlessness ends, and the crux of the novel finds its way into our hearts. Hold still, Little Hen,” I said and swept on. But I kept a close eye on the wood beyond the skulls.