I liked a lot of this book, there was some cool magic and lots of sick courtly burns but it was A LOT. The pacing was a little weird for me, there was a lot of explaining and showing of stuff that didn't seem to really be furthering the plot, just pretty much filler. It got to be a bit boring at times so that really brought me out of the story sometimes.

If you are looking for your next new fantasy title than look no further! The Ranger of Marzanna is an intense, character driven fantasy story that hooks the reader from the very first page and keeps them invested until the very end. I absolutely loved the tension between Sonya and her brother Sebastian. Sonya herself was a wonderful, strong, and intelligent female character who was very much capable of looking after herself, which is a refreshing trait for the genre.

I loved the setting of this book. It felt like 18th century Russia to me. The characters were like able and there was a fair amount of humor surprisingly mixed in to the action. The magic systems are very unique, especially when it comes the Ranger.

I do feel the story was rushed along at times and it book could have benefited from more detail. The first 1/3 of the book was this way and the last 1/3 seemed forced at times.

I am definitely curious to see what the next installment has to offer!

I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book was a very fun ride. It dragged here and there, but made up for it with the interesting lore and actioned scenes. I felt like the magic system needed some work as Sebastian's powers were not very defined, especially when compared to Marzanna and her Riders. There was something there that felt very concrete and had me disappointed and wishy-washiness of elemental magic. However, the idea that using magic ages you is interesting though it was glossed over and not used to its fullest potential.

There was also a lack of direction for the first half of the story. It spent no time solidifying why Sonya and Sebastian had their stances, as they practically had them from the beginning and spent more time engraving them into their roles. The siblings started separate and were slightly more separate by then, making it feel like there were little to no emotional stakes in the book and that the siblings were just doing whatever for some arbitrary notion they had and never questioned it.

What Sebastian lacked in motivation, his sister Sonya did manage to make up. While it still felt like she was there "just because", she also had the most interesting growth as she becomes more and more ranger. I wished there'd been more focus on the rangers as they were by far the most interesting thing in the book. It was clear that a lot of time was spent on their lore and impact in the world and I wish there had been as much time spent on the characters and their motivations, as while Sonya makes a nice ranger, I'm left questioning why she is one in the first place as at times she seems to be the last person I'd expect to be one as her personality seems so contrary to a lot of the legends. This could be why she makes such a good ranger though it didn't come across clearly in the text. She did serve as a sympathetic lens to view the interesting culture of the rangers and their cold-hearted goddess fo death.

Sebastian is an interesting case of someone wanting to do good and becoming a monster in the process. He does seem to lack some conviction however and I found myself inclined to think that he was a bigger fan of the books Galina was reading than Galina herself at times. Galina, on the other hand, was a major surprise as she went from being a background character to the character with the most conviction. Unlike the siblings I can tell you where and why she stands on the side of the split that she does without saying "just because she's there". Her motivations and role in the story were well thought out and executed.

My final thoughts are that despite the character flaws, this book is amazing. It has an interesting fantasy world with distinct cultures and traditions as well as interesting histories and war tactics. The final battle was a pure joy to read and I have nothing against the writing. The book feels a bit like a set-up for something bigger and I'm all ears for something bigger, especially if there will be more involvement from Marzanna. It was really easy to get lost in the lore and I had vivid pictures in my mind as I read, mostly on the bus and surrounded by blizzards, which may have helped a bit. But all that being said I would recommend this to fantasy nerds who love strong mythologies or those who are looking for something similar, and maybe a bit more sinister, to being a huntress of Artemis.

The Ranger of Marzanna is a really fun story that I seriously enjoyed. The pacing felt good, and the story itself was captivating. The characters were believable, and during each POV chapter, it felt like you wanted to side with the thoughts of the characters. I loved the idea of someone dying, meeting the god they serve and coming back to life, coming at a cost.

I would absolutely recommend this to my friends, and I cannot wait for the next installment.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing this book for free in exchange for my honest review.

A found this book to be a little slow-paced and lots of detail but little of much else. I was really excited about the description of the book but found it a little lacking. I did enjoy the story line some about the two siblings on different paths but really could use some more action within it

I enjoyed the book and its rich world building. People had russian names which made me think the author must have done some research to interwine russian/ukrainian culture/history in this book. The character, Sonya was likeable enough but at times, I winced at her brashness and gung ho personality that made her not fear anything, or the repercussions her actions would have on other people which did make sense given her role in this book. Her brother, Sebastian was likeable at first, and he tried his best to be a good person but it was galling that his mother and girlfriend, who think they have his best interest at heart, never communicated with him what they really thought about him. I think their opinion would have weighed heavier than than Vittorio. There were some scenes that blurred by too quickly, like the crossing back across the tundra, which I think could be fleshed out more, or more about the people, the Uain. Overall, I enjoyed the book but think there could be more fleshing out of some characters. (less)

<i>arc kindly provided by the publisher and netgalley in exchange for an honest review</i>

DNFed

Sadly, I just couldn’t connect with the writing style. Something about it just kept pulling me out of the story and I couldn’t continue.

I might try it again at some point but I’m putting it down for now.

Very well done fantasy, I enjoyed it right from the start. The story was very well paced, I liked the characters and particularly the dialogue, it was genuine and stood out for some reason as a very well done. I also enjoyed the mix of world building, adventure and family drama, none were too overdone and all unfolded at a steady pleasant pace.

Really enjoyable fantasy title that I'd recommend if you enjoy books by authors like R A Salvatore. Very suspenseful with family tension that leaves on the edge of your seat as the chapters alternate viewpoints, giving you a look inside the minds of those characters as the storyline progresses.

ARC from NetGalley

3.5 stars

This was an interesting and enjoyable read. I wish that the author had injected a bit more culture into this book. I quite enjoyed that facet but found it lacking. I wanted to see the outfits, smell the food, feel as if I was living it.

The magic system was interesting if limited. I am hoping that it is expanded upon further in the coming books.

I didn't like Sonya. She isn't very likeable. She is meant to be crass and uncultured, but it just comes across as anachronistic, which pulled me out of the story and irritated me. Her fight is shallow. It is all for her country and her goddess, but does her country really suffer so much? Is her goddess even beneficial to the people? She is the goddess of death and winter. She seems to revel in suffering. Why is this a good thing? Just because it has always been, and it was ours so we want it back? There could have been more exposition to justify it all. The story would have benefited from that IMO.

Sebastian is a whiny little bitch prone to bouts of childish rage. I hope he either takes an arrow to the eye or gets his shit together and stops sucking in the next book. At first I was pro Sebastian, but as the story went on he became progressively less likeable and more hateable. I really do hope he gets it together if only for Galina, who is one of the few likeable characters in this book.

Oh and their mom can suck it too. I really wanted to gut punch her a few times.

The ending was not satisfying. It just left me very angry at a few characters and not sufficiently sated in other respects.

All that said, this was a relatively enjoyable read, and I have hope that the next book can make up for the faults of the first.

I enjoy folklore from any culture, but this particular novel was a struggle for me. A very slow-paced, long-winded book with plenty of detail but not a lot of action. With more editing and better flow, it could have been a 4 or 5 star. First in a series but I don’t think I’ll follow it.

I was provided with an ARC of this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed the setting and the plot, based on Russian folklore. I liked the dynamic of siblings on opposite sides of the same war. I like that the brother seems to not really know at that he is being manipulated, that his decision isn't because he's "evil", but because he's told what he's doing is for the good of the people.

Sonya's path is to serve a goddess and along the way, she starts to lose some of her humanity. Where her brother is the most powerful wizard to be seen in some time, Sonya has no magic.

But this book felt really long. It's well written, but it's a fairly slow-paced book, not really any action the way I was expecting. This book was also quite serious, I felt at times there was a lack of personality in some of the characters. There isn't much casual humor used when people talk to each other.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a free arc in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 4.75

I absolutely loved this book. It exceeded my expectations in every way. The Ranger of Marzanna sucked me in for the beginning and never let go. I was kind of apprehensive about starting this story since it was so large. I love to read, but most books 400+ pages seem to drag on after a while. I’m tired of the useless descriptions and politics. I decided to start this on my breaks at work while I read a hard copy of The Bone Houses at home. I flew through this. Day one: 32% done. Day two: 69%. Day three: finished.! All this while finishing another book and working full time, plus having a toddler running around. And the day isn’t over yet. I was shocked by how much I loved this book and how much it sucked me it. I adored the Russian aspects to the story; the Magic was unique. The characters were good, except Irina. She drove me crazy. The sibling rivalry was also unique in its own ways. I have every intention of buying this book once it releases, and I cannot wait for the next to come out.

A sweeping tale of siblings that takes the reader in 2 directions. Sonya, without magic but tied to a goddess and fights for the people and hates the imperial army. The younger brother with immense elemental power that their father tried to hide and keep him from the vagaries of war. While he thinks he will use his power for the good of the people, he finds that the commander that strokes his ego is making him kill people. While well written, it was too long for me. Over abundance of descriptive everything, and philosophically dramatic instead of action oriented. I also like a little comic relief in tomes like this. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book from Netgalley.

With a rich Russian-folktale inspired world and a focus on sibling relationships, The Ranger of Marzanna follows Sebastian and Sonya - a brother and sister set on vastly different paths in life who must nonetheless decide what matters the most to them - family or their destines. With an immersive worldbuilding and unique characters, this book is great for fans of high fantasy like Game of Thrones!

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Two siblings choose different paths, one is a Ranger of Marzanna, the other, serves the empire as a wizard. The death of their father set them each on different courses. Sebastian believed his father underestimated his talents and is easily manipulated the by General, believing he is protecting the people. However, when he begins to kill people in the name of the empire, he loses much of himself. Sebastian believes he is right, yet cannot see the damage that is being done to the one he claims to love. Sonya has to serve the Goddess and each time she receives a boon or dies, Sonya loses a bit more of her humanity. She wants to free her people from the empire and makes a deal with the Uaine, who use an army of undead. Things are never what they seem. Blood is not always thicker than water. The choices both Sonya and Sebastian make will greatly impact their relationship and the future of the empire.