In Vassa’s neighborhood, where she lives with her stepmother and bickering stepsisters, one might stumble onto magic, but stumbling out again could become an issue. Babs Yagg, the owner of the local convenience store, has a policy of beheading shoplifters—and sometimes innocent shoppers as well. So when Vassa’s stepsister sends her out for light bulbs in the middle of night, she knows it could easily become a suicide mission.
But Vassa has a bit of luck hidden in her pocket, a gift from her dead mother. Erg is a tough-talking wooden doll with sticky fingers, a bottomless stomach, and a ferocious cunning. With Erg’s help, Vassa just might be able to break the witch’s curse and free her Brooklyn neighborhood. But Babs won’t be playing fair. . . .
Inspired by the Russian folktale Vassilissa the Beautiful and Sarah Porter’s years of experience teaching creative writing to New York City students.
Sarah Porter is a writer, artist, and freelance teacher who lives in Brooklyn with her husband and two cats. She is the author of the Lost Voices Trilogy (Lost Voices, Waking Storms, The Twice Lost) in addition to Vassa in the Night―all for the teen audience. She has an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from City College.
This one is BEYOND creepy! The start and middle were amazing but the last 100 pages or so kinda lost me. It slowed down just a tad and well I kinda got bored with it. That being said its a solid 4 stars. I do think I will revisit this story again sometime. I loved the creepy factor of the story as well as the magical realism. I do wish that we would have been able to learn more about their world. As this story focuses mainly on the story on two dancing chicken feet. (yes the story dances).
We don't really learn much about the world that Sarah Porter has created so that was kind of a let down. As for the characters we really only get a few. We have Night which of course is trapped, we have Vassa a kick butt girl who doesnt take peoples crap! She will do what she needs to, to survive and protect those she cares about. Erg the doll that belongs to Vassa who is alive and very snarky! I really loved her! Babs and her two hand minions. There are some side characters like Vassa's sisters, a boy, and a few others that show up. But for the most part this book focuses on just those few people.
The story was pretty good as I said before the start and middle draws you in and your reading faster and faster, flipping the pages trying to figure everything out. Why was Vassa lead there, why did her mom leave her this doll, etc. And the mystery is slowly revealed. But, somewhere around the last 100 pages I found myself slowing down. This is just one of those books that I really wished was a series and had an over all goal. I really would have loved to see more of this world.
All in all it was a strange little book that will keep you on your toes. At least for the first and middle sections.
On a side note. I know this is based off another fairly tale which I haven't read. But it reminded me of a blend of Cinderella, Rumplestiltskin (so can't spell that), and well now I don't remember the other one.
Book in a Pinch
Magical Realism meets CREEPY!
Go Into This One Knowing
No love triangles, No cliffhanger, No romance
"All opinions are 100% honest and my own."
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