Uprooted Book Review: A Spellbinding Fantasy Tale

Title: Uprooted
Author: Naomi Novik
Published: 2015 (May 19)
Publisher: Del Rey Books
Pages: 438
Format: Hardcover / Paperback / eBook / Audiobook
Genres: Fantasy, Magic, Adventure, Fairy Tale, Romance

About Author

When I first discovered Naomi Novik, I was struck by how seamlessly she blends history, folklore, and fantasy into deeply emotional stories. An American author of speculative fiction, she began her literary journey long before Uprooted (2015). Born in New York, US, and raised in Roslyn Heights, Long Island, to a family of Lithuanian Jews and Polish Catholics, she grew up reading The Lord of the Rings and Jane Austen, two influences that clearly shaped her elegant yet grounded storytelling style. After earning her BA in English literature from Brown University and an MS in computer science from Columbia University, she briefly worked as a computer programmer and helped design Neverwinter Nights: Shadows of Undrentide before realizing that writing was her true passion.

Her career soared with the Temeraire series (2006–2016)—an alternate history of the Napoleonic Wars where dragons fight in aerial combat—which won multiple awards, including the Compton Crook Award (2007) and the Locus Award for Best First Novel. Later, she enchanted readers again with the Scholomance fantasy series (2020–2022) and standalone novels like Spinning Silver (2018), inspired by Polish and Rumpelstiltskin fairy tales. Her storytelling earned her the Nebula, Locus, Mythopoeic, Audie, British Fantasy, and Alex Awards, establishing her as a powerhouse in modern fantasy. Married to Charles Ardai and living in Manhattan with her daughter Evidence Novik Ardai, Novik’s world is as magical as the ones she creates—each story filled with depth, empathy, and a touch of the Kingdom of Poland’s enchanted charm.

Book summary

“Uprooted” by Naomi Novik is a standalone fantasy novel inspired by Polish folklore and the Rumpelstiltskin fairy tale. The story follows Agnieszka, a young girl from a quiet village in a valley overshadowed by the dark, corrupted Wood, a forest filled with dangerous, magical creatures. Every ten years, a powerful wizard known as the Dragon chooses one girl to serve him in his tower in exchange for keeping the Wood’s evil contained. Everyone expects her beautiful friend Kasia to be chosen, but to everyone’s shock, the Dragon picks Agnieszka instead. As she learns magic under his strict and mysterious guidance, she discovers her own wild and natural power—one that may be the key to saving her people. The novel blends adventure, romance, and dark fairy-tale magic into a rich, emotional tale of friendship, courage, and self-discovery.

Plot

When I first began reading Uprooted by Naomi Novik, I was drawn in by its amazing first line — “Our Dragon doesn’t eat the girls he takes, no matter what stories they tell outside our valley.” That sentence alone made me pause; it promised a world both familiar and strange, a bewitching story that bridges fairy tale and dark fantasy. The book, Published in 2015 by Del Rey, an imprint of Random House, runs about 435 Pages and comes in Paperback and other formats. It’s a standalone fantasy novel, but it feels like a world big enough for a whole series. Categorized under Fiction, Fantasy, High fantasy, Young adult, and even Fantasy romance, this book is the kind that leaves you thinking long after you close it.

In The Basics, we meet Agnieszka, a messy, lovable Dragon-born girl who lives in a small valley overshadowed by the Wood—a vast, evil forest full of monsters and corruption. Every ten years, a local wizard known as the Dragon selects a 17-year-old girl to come live with him in his tower for a decade. The valley residents believe he’s the only person able to keep the evil Wood from expanding, so though they hate the tradition, they never deny his request. Everyone expects him to choose Kasia, Agnieszka’s beautiful and accomplished friend, but in a shocking twist, he picks Agnieszka instead. That single moment changes everything.

As Agnieszka moves into the Dragon’s tower, her life becomes one of learning, confusion, and unexpected magic. The renowned, powerful wizard is cold, irritable, and very strict—nothing like the heroes of other romance tales. Yet his interactions with Agnieszka slowly shift from annoyance to reluctant admiration. Over the course of the book, she grows from a clumsy, uncertain girl into a force to be reckoned with, someone who charts her own destiny and bucks tradition. Watching that transformation felt natural, emotional, and rewarding.

The plot of Uprooted is highly imaginative and engrossing. From the first line, it reels you in and retains your interest through the entirety of its journey. What makes it stand out is how Novik’s writing creates an immersive reading experience. Her descriptions strike a balance between poetic and precise, making the magic, monsters, and evil forest feel almost tangible. It’s an engaging, easy to understand story that lets you imagine yourself in Agnieszka’s shoes, experiencing everything firsthand—the fear, the wonder, and the deep love she has for her valley.

As the story unfolds, Agnieszka discovers that her magic doesn’t work like anyone else’s. The Dragon’s spells are strict, formulaic, and logical. Hers flow like water, instinctive and emotional—a reflection of her connection to nature. I loved how Novik used Polish folklore and fairy tale roots to create a magic system that feels ancient and alive. The Wood, as the central villain, is not just a place rather than a person, but an entity—a focal point of evil, an original concept that represents terror incarnate. It grows, breathes, and corrupts, swallowing small villages, castles, and even capital cities in its shadow.

This entity, called the Wood, becomes one of the most amazing villains I’ve encountered in fantasy literature. Its characterization—a living forest that fights back against human arrogance—turns it into something far beyond a mere setting. Through Novik’s blend of ecology and fantasy, we see nature not as background, but as a character itself. When Agnieszka and Kasia battle against its corruption, their friendship becomes the emotional anchor of the story.

Their bond is the backbone of the book, stronger and more meaningful than any love story I’ve read lately. While there’s a touch of romance between Agnieszka and the Dragon, it’s the friendship with Kasia that gives the novel its heart. Together, they show courage, loyalty, and resilience in a world that demands sacrifice.

One of my favorite parts of Uprooted is The Story World. The setting starts in a small town called Dvernik, but as the story expands, we travel through villages, towers, and castles, even glimpsing the capital city. Despite being under 500 pages, the world-building feels fairly expansive. The places are vivid and alive, the writing masterful, and the pacing exciting once you pass the slower early chapters.

What struck me most is the complexity of the characters. The secondary characters—like Kasia, Prince Marek, and the Dragon—are well developed, each with their own personalities, wills, and conflicts. The Dragon, for instance, is not an actual dragon but a human wizard, centuries old, elegant and noble yet deeply flawed. His subtle development—from cold detachment to quiet vulnerability—felt genuine. When he leaves the valley at the end and later returns, it’s a satisfying, understated closure.

Some readers found the flashback scenes confusing, as the narrative shifted between present day and recollection of the past without clear signals. I noticed this too, and a reread helped me catch those moments. Yet, despite small issues, the writing remains immersive and emotionally rich.

There are moments in the story that made me stay up too late reading, fall asleep, and wake up the next morning with that delicious feeling of being emptied out and filled all at once. I began reading on a Sunday afternoon and finished by Monday night—not because it was a fast read, but because it was difficult to put down.

When I reached the final page, I had that doofy smile of satisfaction, the kind that only happens when a story gives each character a proper ending. Though not perfect, it’s a delightful, enchanting read that I’d recommend to anyone who loves fantasy, and even those who don’t usually gravitate toward the genre.

As a reviewer, I include this small disclaimer—some affiliate links are included, which may earn me a small commission at no extra cost to you if you purchase through them. But honestly, if you stop reading this review and go get a copy, I wouldn’t blame you.

Because Naomi Novik’s Uprooted isn’t just another fantasy romance. It’s an exciting, imaginative novel that captures what it means to grow, love, and protect what’s sacred. It’s the story of a young woman, her valley, her magic, and her unshakable bond with both the land and her friends.

Overall Conclusion

Reading Uprooted by Naomi Novik felt like stepping into a living fairy tale—dark, lyrical, and full of heart. It’s a standalone fantasy novel that manages to feel vast and intimate all at once, blending magic, romance, and Polish folklore into something beautifully unique. The story’s strength lies in its characters, especially Agnieszka, who evolves from a clumsy village girl into a powerful woman who defines her own destiny. The writing is rich yet accessible, filled with vivid imagery, emotional depth, and a rhythm that keeps you turning the pages long after midnight.

While not without flaws—such as its pacing and occasional confusing flashbacks—the novel’s emotional resonance, world-building, and themes of friendship, courage, and connection to nature make it unforgettable. When I closed the final page, I felt that familiar ache of book mourning—that hollow yet full feeling when a story has taken root inside you. Whether you’re a lifelong fantasy lover or someone new to the genre, Uprooted is an enchanting read that will leave you both emptied out and filled all at once.