Uprooted by Naomi Novik (4.5 stars)

Waited too long to write this review but I think? I really liked it. I think it's technically YA, but in the same way the last Harry Potter books are YA. i.e. it's pretty dark.

The world building is great. The great magic battle was really cool. It feel very fairy-taily, which is a different take on fantasy. There were a few points where I felt the characters' very powerful magical abilities created some logic holes: I remember thinking, they could just solve that problem using magic.

The only really negative piece was the weird and gross 17-yr-old to old-man "relationship" and sex scene. The Dragon spends all the early book being mean and acting like an angry grandpa to Agnieszka. He's constantly condescending and mentally abusive.

When she's first having romantic thoughts during their shared rose spell, he doesn't miss an opportunity to be an asshole:

"Well?" he demanded, hoarse and irritated, and it was him. "We can't do this for long, whatever you are doing. I can't have my attention divided.

When she decides to actually just go to his bedchamber, his reaction is:

"Listen, you impossible creature," he said, "I'm a century and more older than-

After the climatic ending, he doesn't even bother sending her a note, or expressing any form of concern for her mental or physical wellbeing:

Sarkan hadn't come back. I didn't know if he'd ever come back. I heard fourth- or fifth-hand that he was still in the capital, setting things right, but he hadn't written.

This isn't a relationship that starts out antagonistic and gradually grows more loving and respectful. It's abusive and shallow the whole time, with a sex scene in the middle. It feels very Stockholm-syndrome. It would have made for far better reading for Sarkan to make some advances and Agnieszka turn him down like the powerful witch she is, further strengthening her character.

4.5 stars.