A really nice blend of folklore and fantasy….

A while back I ended up with a review copy of one of Julie Mathison’s mysteries and really liked it, even though I hadn’t realized until I was part way along that it was “officially” a YA mystery. After all, who says adults can’t enjoy YA books from time to time – and I did.

So when I ended up in a bit of an email discussion with the author, and then found out that she also had a relatively recent YA book that was a mix of folklore and fantasy, I grabbed a review copy of that one too. And Elena the Brave turned out to be just as enjoyable as the mystery (The Starlet Letter), even though the two are totally different.

To start with, much of Elena is set in a rather relevant part of the world right now – in “Old Rus”, whose territories, depending on what century you look at, overlap with Ukraine, and whose history is quite wrapped up with that of Kyiv. And having just finished Yale historian Timothy Snyder’s online course on Ukraine, which spent quite a while on Kyivan (Old) Rus, and also having encountered quite a bit of Russian folklore in some of Ilona Andrews’ books, I felt both fascinated by and at home with much of the setting.

But luckily, you don’t have to have viewed Snyder’s course or read Andrews’ books to enjoy Elena the Brave - it stands just fine on its own! Mathison does a wonderful job of weaving Elena’s coming-of-age tale seamlessly with the Old Rus myths and legends that Elena had heard from her babka, providing a captivating background, while not slowing things down at all. Throughout the book, Elena grows and matures, along with Mitya, the boy in the story. And finally, at the end, like many coming-of-age stories, there’s a bit of bittersweetness, but it’s appropriate bittersweetness. So although I shed a tear or two, they were good tears, and I was left with a sense of rightness - that things were as things should be. And I hope that Mathison writes a third Old Rus book sometime soon - I'd like to visit that world again!

Oh yeah, and if you do manage to get a bit lost, there’s a wonderful Glossary in the back. And finally, my thanks to NetGalley and Starr Creek Press for the review copy.

This was an enjoyable read! I hope my kids read it. It’s a great world to be part of. This is a good fantasy romance and I’m excited for the next one!

This was such a fun book to read. I really enjoyed the adventure and all the references to folklore that are woven throughout the story. I think certainly anyone who enjoyed the first book in the series will love and enjoy this book, but you don't have to read Vasilisa in order to read this one-- it's more of a companion novel than a sequel, I think.

This book is such a treat to read and weaves seamlessly between the 1940ies and Old Rus this mystical mythical place where the heroes ride and dragons fly.

The world building is amazing and the character building and development Julie Mathison does with all the characters in her book is so to the point and incredibly enjoyable to read.

A fascinating Russian mythology, fantasy, and time travel novel, Mathison brings us into the second Old Rus novel with high stakes, vibrant characters, and fascinating settings. Elena is doing her best to manage her life in 1942 at the height of World War II, but something about her pet rock calls to her and sends her strange visions of the Old Rus from her babka’s stories. Elena then embarks on a fascinating adventure in Old Rus with individuals she knows from stories, changing her life for good. Mathison’s characters are fascinating, vibrant, lifelike, and lively, with Elena’s bravery and daring giving her courage and strength, while her relationships with her family and the people of Old Rus that she meets on her journey are heartwarming, dynamic, and realistic. The world that Elena lives in, 1942 Pennsylvania, and the one she travels to, Old Rus, are populated with fascinating characters, beautiful and treacherous locations, and gentle or dangerous creatures and animals. Mathison’s world-building skills and character development are incredible -- detailed, complex, entertaining, and immersive -- while she manages to maintain a delicate balance between characters and setting, with neither overwhelming the other and both furthering the story along.

When I requested this book I hadn't realised it was the second in a series and sadly I think I may have missed something great and now need to find book one and start again.

I love a good fantasy and enjoyed the characters but felt I was missing something by not reading the first book. So I will now find the first book, read it with much joy I am sure and then read this second book properly in order to give an appropriate and proper rating.

But what I did read in this book I liked and felt I was taken on a journey, taken to another world. I enjoyed the characters and thought they were well developed and would now love to know where and how it all started.

Thank you NetGalley and Starr Creek Press for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

Where Vasilisa hooked me in, Elena the Brave kept me going.
Growing up in her mother's (Vasilisa) shadow, Elena has always been impetuous, curious and drawn to tales of Old Rus. When she finds her mother's rock, Elena begins to question how much she really knows of her parents and their past.

Set against the backdrop of World War 2, Mathison has a knack for blending cultures, reality and fantasy. As Elena finds herself in Old Rus, living among characters and mythical beasts she has grown up hearing, she realizes that her life will never be the same.

Elena the Brave by Julie Mathison takes readers on a journey to Old Rus, a land of magic, myth, and Russian folklore, while intertwining it with the backdrop of World War II. With its unique setting and incorporation of Russian mythology, this fantasy book offers a refreshing change from the typical Western European settings often found in the genre.

One of the highlights of the story is the rich and vivid Russian mythology and folklore that permeate the narrative. Mathison brings to life a land of witches, ogres, and dragons, creating a captivating world that adds depth and intrigue to the story. Elena, the young protagonist, approaches problems with creative and out-of-the-box ideas, making her a resourceful and engaging character.

The book's setting in Old Rus provides a refreshing departure from the usual fantasy settings, immersing readers in a different cultural context. The incorporation of Russian words and phrases adds authenticity to the narrative, although the random use of italics for these words can be distracting.

While the story takes some time to fully engage readers, once it picks up pace, it offers an enjoyable reading experience. The inclusion of side characters adds depth to the story, providing a well-rounded cast that contributes to the overall narrative.

However, some aspects of the book may feel familiar and predictable, such as the trope of a character coming between a couple. Additionally, Elena, presented as brave and determined, doesn't experience significant growth or development throughout the story, which may leave some readers wanting more character progression.

Overall, Elena the Brave is a book that shines with its exploration of Russian mythology and folklore, offering a fresh perspective in the fantasy genre. While the pacing may be slow at times and character development could have been further explored, the unique setting and imaginative storytelling make it an enjoyable read for those seeking a different kind of fantasy adventure.
3.8 rounded up to 4/5.

This historical fantasy YA book is an absolute stunner! I love this story so much!! I could not get enough, it pulls you in and you completely lose track of time and space!
I just reviewed Elena the Brave by Julie Mathison. #ElenatheBrave #NetGalley
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From the beginning of Elena the Brave, I found myself easily identifying with Elena's feelings and struggles growing up. And it is one of the first things that drew me into the story. As the story unfolds and we find that Elena is of Russian descent and lives in a Pennsylvania steel town during World War II with her parents and Babka, her great grandmother who sings her the tales of Old Rus, we realize that Elena is a rather remarkable girl. When she gazes on her black and smooth pet rock, she has visions of the steppes, villages and people of Old Rus, especially a handsome lad named Mitya. This world calls to Elena, and she finds the determination and courage to leave her own world. It is then that we settle in for a story of myth, magic and growing up. And the writer does not disappoint. I encourage you to join Elena on her remarkable journey. It is a wonderful experience.

This was just okay. The beginning had me confused and while I liked our characters, they all felt a bit flat. The story was interesting but there was just so much lacking in depth and detail.

While I enjoyed the book I must admit to confusion at the beginning. I think Ms. Mathison should have had a small synopsis at the beginning of the book to connect to Old Rus #1.. I'm wondering how their will be an Old Rus 3 and also if Elena really finds living in the past is that great for a modern girl. I was also confused by her age in the book as I thought she was nearer 12 and then suddenly she's 16. But,still enjoyed.

In a Nutshell: I might have liked this better had I not kept comparing it with the first book in the series. Both the books are very different in style and focus and because I loved the first one so much, this one ended up falling short of my expectations.

Story:
1942, Edenfall, Pennsylvania. Fifteen year old Elena is a strong-willed girl who feels her parents, especially her mother, doesn’t quite get her. Only her beloved great-grandma Babka and her godmother Evelyn understand her feelings. While she sees visions of Old Rus, she has no idea of their relevance, until one day, she figures out how to go there with her magical pet rock.
Mitya, the son of the bogatyr (knight) Dobrynya, knows Old Run is in danger, a dragon has made an appearance, and he can’t trust most people around him. When he finds a strange maiden in his stables, he isn’t sure what to think.
How will the appearance of Elena in Old Rus change Mitya’s plans? Will he be able to make his father proud of him? Will Elena succeed in having a better connection with her mother after her adventure?

Vasilisa, the first book of this series, was one of my favourite reads of this year. It was also YA in its approach but it had a steady pace throughout, plenty of fantastical elements, and lots of action on almost every page. In contrast, ‘Elena the Brave’ takes a long while to get things going. There’s hardly much happening until the 20% mark and even after that, the adventurous parts are sporadic. A lot of the content has just general interactions between the characters and their internal thoughts/uncertainties. This book is also quite tame in comparison when it comes to fantasy. Most of the book is like a journey in which nothing much happens. This left me greatly disappointed and even a bit bored at times.

Several key characters have a minor role to play in this story. But the main narrative focusses on Elena, Mitya and other characters in Old Rus. Elena’s character is quite unlike that of typical heroines. She is your goody-goody type of girl who nods along politely to everything her parents say. As the story progresses, Elena also grows in maturity. I enjoyed the layers to her character but she wasn’t as complicated or interesting as Vasilisa was. Also, the sparks (as in personal connection, not steaminess) between Elena and Mitya weren’t as strong as that between Vasilisa and Ivan in the first story.

The writing style is also very different from that of the first book, though both are well-written. The first book also had a complex storyline but the Russian mythical elements flowed naturally from the story. In contrast, Elena the Brave seems forced and cluttered with too many Russian terms. There is a glossary at the end, but in a Kindle copy where there is no hyperlink between the word and its meaning, the glossary was tough to use. The magical elements and creatures/people of Russian lore are there to a much smaller extent.

Having read the first book will provide you a better background of Vasilisa’s and Ivan’s decision to keep Elena sheltered but otherwise, won’t make a difference to your understanding of this story. This is more like a companion book than a strict sequel and I think it can be read as a standalone. But the way you learn about Old Rus and its wonders from the first book doesn’t happen this time.

As you can see, my disappointment stems from comparison. I might have enjoyed this better had I not read ‘Vasilisa. I guess my expectations were unrealistically high and also I had assumed both books to have a similar approach towards fantasy. But Elena seemed quite ordinary (as in, non-fantastical) in comparison. I wanted more of pace and fantasy and less of romance and casual conversation.

All in all, you might enjoy this book if you are looking for a YA Romance with shades of fantasy. But as a YA fantasy, this didn’t quite hit the mark at least for me. I will still look forward to the third and final book of this series but will reduce my expectations to more realistic levels.

3 stars.

My thanks to Starr Creek Press and NetGalley for the DRC of “Elena the Brave”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

Thank you netgalley and the publisher for my copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Not a fan of this one like I thought I'd be.

I really enjoyed this book. I have not read the first book, but I did not feel lost or like I didn't understand the plot at all. I do think if I had read the first book, that I would have had a deeper understanding of some of the characters that were in the first book. I loved that it had a Russian setting, I thought that was unique. Most fantasy books seem to be set in western Europe (England, France, etc.) so this was a nice change of pace. I liked Elena as a character, she was fun, and impulsive as a child should be. I think her maturity was easy to see progress across the story. I loved how by the time the story ended, you could see how she had grown. I really enjoyed that she wasn't a super girly-girl and broke some gender stereotypes. That's another element that you don't always see in fantasy novels. I think it is especially important in ones geared for the YA audience to have that representation. I also loved Mitya, and the relationship that he developed with Elena. I was rooting for them throughout the whole story. There were definitely a few twists and turns that kept the story exciting and interesting, and were ones that I wasn't expecting. I absolutely loved Josef and Sasha, they were fantastic secondary characters. I also adored the Pecheng that was Elena's friend. I loved how you could see their relationship even though they couldn't speak the same language because it was conveyed in the writing. I did think that the story started off a bit slow, It took a bit for me to really get into it in a way that made it hard for me to put it down. I also thought that using Kveta as a wedge between Mitya and Elena was a bit expected, and to me it's kind of a tired trope. However, those two things are really the only ones that I did not like about the book. I will absolutely be going back to read the first book in the series, and I'm hoping there will be more!

Never read the first book. This is wonderful coming of age story. I really enjoyed the adventure and all the references to folklore that are woven throughout the story.  I truly enjoyed the the characters. Look forward to reading book one.

Unfortunately I dnf'd Elena the Brave. I liked Vasilisa, the first book, well enough but I don't think I actually liked it enough to read Elena. I read 10-15% and just could not get interested, and for a middle grade/YA that was a problem for me. Also, this should be minor, but as a Russian speaker, how Russian words were italicized or not italicized or spelled was really distracting and pulled me out of the story. And a lot of stuff felt weirdly anachronistic or just odd. Ultimately I got too distracted by details in this book to get drawn in.

I think the toughest thing about this book, for me, was reading it in the middle of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Mitya lives in Kiev, and the city is part of Old Rus. So I felt like, for me right now, every time I read about Kiev (spelling from the book), I found myself thinking of Ukraine and the conflict happening there from Russia’s invasion. I’ve listed a couple of charities below for anyone interested in contributing aid.

ELENA THE BRAVE brings the same strong characters and rich landscape of folklore that VASILISA (Old Rus #1) delivered. I really enjoyed the connection between Mitya and his dad and exploring that complex relationship and the things he learned about himself through that journey.

I also loved Elena’s impulsivity and sense of humor. She often approached a conflict with an out-of-the-box idea which was just what the team needed. There were a couple of moments where I wondered if the book would wind up being more Mitya’s story, but Elena is every bit the heroine that having her name in the title implies she should be.

All in all, I feel like there’s a lot to love about this book and the series. I think fans of reimagined fairy tales or stories based on folklore will love ELENA THE BRAVE. Fans of TRAITOR’S MASQUE (another fairytale favorite of mine) definitely need to check out this series. Also, I would call this book more of a companion story than a straight up sequel. You don’t need to read VASILISA before reading ELENA THE BRAVE. (But they’re both really good.)

For those who love tales of magic and myth, this book weaves a most fascinating tale. I got totally engrossed while reading this one. Wonderful story plot. May not be the read for all but give it a try. Use your imagination and enter the world that author Julie Mathison has given. I enjoyed it!! Thanks #netgalley and #StarrCreekPress for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are mine.

I apologize to all who could follow the storyline. I was really trying to get into this book. Chapter three was very heavy in the fantastical words and names. I made it through chapter 7, but could not get past all of the fantastical words. This just was not for me.