This was such a fun middle grade! It had all the elements for a fun and gripping story. I can’t wait to read more by Katharine Orrin. Highly recommend!

This book was unlike many I have read. It took some time to figure out what was happening but the author took the time to build the world and flesh out the characters. I felt the pain that the prisoners felt, the extreme cold that was everywhere. The big twist was done well, I had an inkling of what would happen but could not put a finger on it. When it was revealed I was surprised but in a relieved at the same time.

This is this author’s debut book but I will be watching for more in the future!

Candlewick/Walker Book has done it again. Katherine Orton's Nevertell is a lovely book and one I'd highly recommend for its lush prose and superb historical setting.

Twelve-year-old Lina was born in a Soviet prison camp and the cruelty and coldness of it is all she's ever known. After she escapes with a trio of fellow prisoners and her best friend, Bogdan, her plan is simple: get to Moscow to find her grandmother, and return to the camp to rescue her mother, Katya. But that plan is put at risk when she runs into a powerful sorceress and her army of shadow wolves. Now Lina, who discovers she may have magical powers too, and Bogdan will need all of their strength if they are to survive not only the Siberian cold and the long journey ahead, but the clutches of this seemingly evil witch as well.

I can't think of anything that detracted from this book. It's simply wonderful. The historical setting is spot on and there is just the right amount of magic to still make this feel grounded in our world. And Orton's world building is a bit magical itself: you are fully immersed in the cold Siberian forest as Lina and Bogdan make their escape.

This is as perfectly paced as any middle grade (or any age category, for that matter) I've read, and I loved the subtle addition of Russian fairy tales. This adventure will be perfect for so many readers.

A special thank you to NetGalley and Candlewick Press for providing this copy for review.

This books tells us about Lina, who grew up in a Soviet labour camp with her mother. She escapes with her best friend Bogdan, and together they try to get to Moscow and find Lina’s grandmother. Along the way they are however hindered by the sourceres Svetlana and her pack of shadow wolves…

The atmosphere in this book was superb. You could really feel the cold of the Siberian wilderness (and reading it during a storm whilst curled up with a blanket was lovely). Also, the magic is just wonderful and so interesting. It is the friendships that will keep you reading though. Lina is a feisty girl, whilst also being kind and gentle. She and the clever and loyal Bogdan were just a joy to read about, as was their cute tag along spirit.

The writing in this is lovely, as were the illustrations, making it an overall beautiful read. Also, can we take a moment to appreciate that cover? Why do middle grade books get all the nice covers?

However, this wasn’t a perfect read for sure. It was quite cheese at parts, and there were some things that didn’t make all that much sense to me. Also, I was told this would be an emotional read but I can’t say I felt that at any point. Sure, it wasn’t the happiest of endings, but I still didn’t feel all that much.

Overall, this was an enjoyable, fast paced, wintery read I highly recommend if middle grade is your thing.

I think magical realism was the perfect approach for this book - it felt like a blend of historical fiction and realistic fiction that had me interested in learning more about this period of Russian history. I also loved the elements of folklore that were pulled into the book.

Lina grows up in a Russian prison with her prisoner mother who helps her escape without her, joining a nefarious group of men along with her best friend. Lina's mother gives Lina a seemingly magical stone necklace which helps when malicious, invisible wolves attack. Lina meets a mysterious evil goddess-type woman who entraps her victims as wolves without souls. Soon, she'll learn who this woman really is and how she connects to Lina's background.

I liked the magical realism elements as well as the brush with Russian folklore.