What's to say? It's the perfect balance of real life struggles and magic. The narrator did a fantastic job bringing the main character to life. It was just wonderful.

I agree with others who found the narrator's wooden and stilted rendition distracting. It's a good story for all the reasons mentioned by many. It's fortunate I was listening while multitasking because if I'd been driving as I often am while listening I would have had to stop and just get the print book to finish after getting the pronunciation of the names.

The songs are never what they seem— this is a theme that appears throughout the entire book. Naomi Novik weaves this theme throughout the story, through magic and politics, from growing up in a small town/village to leaving home for the first time, to entering life in a big city, and what it means to come back home into nature. It explores unseen motives, their big and small effects, and puts a new spin on the old adage, “there’s no place like home,” and the internal pull that has within all of us— but with a twist.

I liked it quite a bit. It's long and a seems to get a little off track sometimes, but it all ties together in the end. I was very happy when it wasn't just a slow burn romance in a tower, and it wasn't quite what I expected.

I’ve read this book a few times already by the time I decided to listen to the audiobook while I multitask. At first, I couldn’t stand the narrator. They felt so wooden and robotic at first to the point I tried and didn’t make it past the few minute a few times. However, after awhile, the narrator grew on me. The first few minutes are rough but their voice clearly settles into a groove after maybe the first 30 minutes. It comes back every once awhile in a few lines, but overall, I feel like it suited the voice and tone of the book. I urge you listen to maybe the first 30 minutes before discounting the narration because it does become much more natural sounding.

Beautiful and satisfying

I love this book and this author. Her work is so creative and well written that you fall into the time and setting. I have listened and read all the material she has written and have yet to be disappointed.

Great story. I feel I could've followed allot easier if the narrator hadn't been so robotic with the reading of it. It was torture to listen to but the story was so intriguing I had to finish. The other similar book by Naomi Novik is read by a WONDERFUL narrator. Highly recommend. I forget the title though.

Love the book but for those like me who feel the accent takes away from the story you should listen to the UK version narrated by Katy Sobey. That audiobook is AMAZING!

Once again, Novak has delivered an elegantly grand tale that weaves Slavick folklore with real-world concerns. Love this story, but this reader takes away from the magic. Better to read than listen to this one

Really enjoyed it I hope the writer has other books

Wonderful story.

Loved it!!!! It was one of the best books I have ever listened to! Full of joy with lots of stories to tempt you to move forward

Excellent enemy. No silly monsters or instantaneous magic. The personalities and use of spells made for an ambiance of reality even while the setting was fantasy. Yes, the narrator’s accent might have gotten in the way sometimes but I felt it was right for the story and environment. .

Loved it!!! I like the friendship that firms and the protagonist is such a joy to follow.

Loved the book, but the narrator's voice/accent is sometimes grating. Still, made for a great read.

Book would have been great with another narrator, I stopped four hours in because I could not bare the accent any longer.

Definitely loved! Creative and new. Satisfied the craving for fantasy, romance, and adventure.