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Book Review

Publisher's Note:

The Girl Who Drank the Moon meets Pax in this fantastical tale of a wolf who forms an unlikely alliance with Baba Yaga to save the forest from a wicked tsar. Since she was a pup, Zima has been taught to fear humans--especially witches--but when her family is threatened, she has no choice but to seek help from the witch Baba Yaga. Baba Yaga never does magic for free, but it just so happens that she needs a wolf's keen nose for a secret plan she's brewing . . . Before Zima knows what's happening, the witch has cast a switching spell and run off into the woods, while Zima is left behind in Baba Yaga's hut--and Baba Yaga's body! Meanwhile, a young village girl named Nadya is also seeking the witch's help, and when she meets Zima (in Baba Yaga's form), they discover that they face a common enemy. With danger closing in, Zima must unite the wolves, the witches and the villagers against an evil that threatens them all.…

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A Wolf for a Spell

by Karah Sutton

Reviewer: Cindy M
Genre: Fantasy
Recommended Age: 9+

Overall Book Review:

A Wolf for a Spell is everything a folk-tale inspired fantasy should be.  This novel is a wonderful addition to a recent spate of books drawing on Russian folklore for inspiration.  Atmospheric and fast-paced with complimentary illustrations, this story will have the reader on the edge of their seat as characters try, misstep, and then try again in a race against the full moon.  It is part of the charm and appeal that all the characters are imperfect and at times make things worse.  As all good fairy tales should, this one ends on a hopeful note, which is oh, so satisfying.

This book will appeal to both fairy tale fans and animal lovers.  Utterly charming!

Review of a Digital Advance Reading Copy

This book was sent to Compass Book Ratings for review by Knopf Books for Young Readers


Content Analysis:

Profanity/Language:  None

Violence/Gore:  Wolf contemplates killing a human child; report that parents were killed by illness; report of deaths of wolves in fire; arrows shot at wolves and they are pursued; hunter and wolve fight with life-threatening injuries to the wolf by knife, mention of blood; person plans a murder/assassination and later it is known that the assassination was successful; plans to execute someone; character slips and hits head resulting in life-threatening injury; character is punched; characters imprisoned; fight with a boar; magic used to transform characters; army comes to village with intent to destroy, burn, etc. and threatens; extended fight scene with a knife and sword, injuries incurred, and magic used to transform a character; plans to fight.

Sex/Nudity:  None

Mature Subject Matter:

Orphans, tyranny, assassination.

Alcohol / Drug Use:

None

Overall Book Rating
Profanity/Language
Rating:
0
10
Violence/Gore
Rating:
2
10
Sex/Nudity
Rating:
0
10

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About the Reviewer

Cindy M
An accountant and CPA by profession, I found myself a book reviewer for Squeaky Clean Reads by happenstance. When the opportunity came to transform that website into Compass Book Ratings, I was excited to seize it and meld my business background with my love of books. As the mother of three teenage sons, I have read a large number of children and young adult books and I believe that there is great value in a content review service. As much as we would love to read everything our children read, there just isn’t enough time. I also appreciate being able to select books for myself that are really worth my precious and limited reading time. I believe there is a book out there for everyone–they just have to find it!

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