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Into the Forest: Tales of the Baba Yaga
A collection of new and exclusive short stories inspired by the Baba Yaga. Featuring Gwendolyn Kiste, Stephanie M. Wytovich, Mercedes M. Yardley, Monique Snyman, Donna Lynch, Lisa Quigley, and R. J. Joseph, with a foreword by Christina Henry.
Deep in the dark forest, in a cottage that spins on birds’ legs behind a fence topped with human skulls, lives the baba yaga. A guardian of the water of life, she lives with her sisters and takes to the skies in a giant mortar and pestle, creating tempests as she goes. Those who come across the baba yaga may find help, or hinderance, or horror. She is wild, she is woman, she is witch—and these are her tales.
Edited by Lindy Ryan, this collection brings together some of today’s leading voices of women-in-horror as they pay tribute to the baba yaga, and go Into the Forest.
Deep in the dark forest, in a cottage that spins on birds’ legs behind a fence topped with human skulls, lives the baba yaga. A guardian of the water of life, she lives with her sisters and takes to the skies in a giant mortar and pestle, creating tempests as she goes. Those who come across the baba yaga may find help, or hinderance, or horror. She is wild, she is woman, she is witch—and these are her tales.
Edited by Lindy Ryan, this collection brings together some of today’s leading voices of women-in-horror as they pay tribute to the baba yaga, and go Into the Forest.
270 pages, Paperback
First published November 8, 2022
About the author
Lindy Ryan
27 books347 followersLINDY RYAN is a Bram Stoker Awards®-nominated and Silver Falchion Award-winning editor, author, short-film director, and professor. Ryan is the current author-in-residence at Rue Morgue, the world’s leading horror culture and entertainment brand, and a columnist at Booktrib. Her guest articles and features include NPR, BBC Culture, Irish Times, Daily Mail, and more. In 2022, she was named one of horror's most masterful anthology curators, alongside Ellen Datlow and Christopher Golden, and has been declared a "champion for women's voices in horror" by Shelf Awareness (2023). Her animated short film, TRICK OR TREAT, ALISTAIR GRAY, based on her children's book of the same name, won the Grand Prix Award at the 2022 ANMTN Awards.
Ryan is currently a full-time professor at Rutgers University in the Masters of Professional Science program, She is also a guest faculty mentor in Western Connecticut State’s MFA program. In 2017, Ryan founded Black Spot Books, an independent press focused on amplifying underrepresented voices in horror, acquired in 2019 as an imprint of Vesuvian Media Group. Ryan served from 2020 to 2022 on the Board of Directors for the Independent Book Publishers Association and was named one of Publishers Weekly‘s 2020 Star Watch Honorees.
Ryan is currently a full-time professor at Rutgers University in the Masters of Professional Science program, She is also a guest faculty mentor in Western Connecticut State’s MFA program. In 2017, Ryan founded Black Spot Books, an independent press focused on amplifying underrepresented voices in horror, acquired in 2019 as an imprint of Vesuvian Media Group. Ryan served from 2020 to 2022 on the Board of Directors for the Independent Book Publishers Association and was named one of Publishers Weekly‘s 2020 Star Watch Honorees.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 187 reviews
May 13, 2022
This is the second anthology of Baba Yaga retellings I've read in my life, and my favourite because of the number of stories, the quality output, and above all the diversity of interpretations of the tale's plot and characterisations of the eponymous witch from Slavic mythology.
The Baba Yaga you'll encounter in this collection, or rather the Baba Yagas, is both traditional and atypical, ancient and modern, Slavic and of other ethnicities, lives both in Russia and outside. Sometimes, she's young and other times she's old as dirt. Sometimes she is pretty and other times has revolting looks. Sometimes she's heroic and subversive, and other times she's villainous and oppressive. Sometimes she's on her own in the world, born of some mysterious magical miasma, and other times she has a family, sisters, and yes, a love, too.
I'm just astounded at the variety and colourfulness of interpretations! Of course, with 23 stories by as many authors, it was to happen. But not a guarantee, because anthologies suffer from inconsistent quality: the diamonds are right there side by side with the pebbles, and sometimes there's more pebbles overall. Not in this anthology, all authors were completely new to me and, I'm guessing, some are newcomers to writing, but whoever was in charge of editorial duties deserves a nod for their efforts. I can't think of a story I didn't like, though naturally there were some I absolutely loved above the rest.
Those stories, the best in my view, were:
OF MOONLIGHT AND MOSS by Sara Tantlinger
5 stars
Very atypical in its choice of heroine, because instead of Vasilisa as is the norm in the original folktales, it's her sister, Daria, who gets to tell it all. The twist at the end was unexpected, but also left me feeling that this story needed to be longer. You can imagine what will come afterwards for Daria and Baba Yaga, but you still wish to read it, especially because of how promising her future looks. Could the author expand this or post a sequel? I hope.
WATER LIKE BROKEN GLASS by Carina Bissett
5 stars
In the other anthology of Baba Yaga stories, there was also a retelling set in WWII just like this story by Bissett, which made me pause and check if it was the same. It isn't. And the plotline is also different, with a different standpoint, and, to me, much more original and intriguing. But also far more tragic and dark. The story isn't narrated by Baba Yaga either, but by a rusalka. And I can't say more without spoiling it big time.
The ending, though! I'm starting to sense a pattern of abrupt endings and endings that beg for a continuation, and honestly this story merits a full novel far more than any others in the collection that also have this potential.
HERALD THE KNIGHT by Mercedes M. Yardley
5 stars
My most favourite and the bestest of 'em all! Why? Baba Yaga falls in love in this one. Enough said. The short story is perfect as is, to me, and I'm pretty happy with it as is.
The rest of the stories also have something to offer, some are very unique, like the story told from the POV of Baba Yaga's house. Yes, the wandering house tells its side of the story, too. And there's also retellings that aren't "pure" Baba Yaga tales but have mixed in other fairy tales, so you'll be noticing drops of "Hänsel and Gretel," for example. There's even a story where the Baba Yaga is a nice old lady that speaks with a Southern US accent. Some authors have chosen fun settings, as I had mentioned, and that's paid off nicely, but you won't be missing traditional Slavic settings because they're here as well. Some did need a few editorial corrections, like when an author doesn't use the feminine version of names in Russian ("Babushka Ivanov"? She should be Ivanova) and other little rough edges to smooth out before release.
I give 4 stars for the entire anthology, and 5 stars to the three stories I singled out. I'd recommend this to all those craving Eastern European retellings, with a heads up that a lot of the stories are in the Horror genre, in case you're not into that.
Thank you to Black Spot Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The Baba Yaga you'll encounter in this collection, or rather the Baba Yagas, is both traditional and atypical, ancient and modern, Slavic and of other ethnicities, lives both in Russia and outside. Sometimes, she's young and other times she's old as dirt. Sometimes she is pretty and other times has revolting looks. Sometimes she's heroic and subversive, and other times she's villainous and oppressive. Sometimes she's on her own in the world, born of some mysterious magical miasma, and other times she has a family, sisters, and yes, a love, too.
I'm just astounded at the variety and colourfulness of interpretations! Of course, with 23 stories by as many authors, it was to happen. But not a guarantee, because anthologies suffer from inconsistent quality: the diamonds are right there side by side with the pebbles, and sometimes there's more pebbles overall. Not in this anthology, all authors were completely new to me and, I'm guessing, some are newcomers to writing, but whoever was in charge of editorial duties deserves a nod for their efforts. I can't think of a story I didn't like, though naturally there were some I absolutely loved above the rest.
Those stories, the best in my view, were:
OF MOONLIGHT AND MOSS by Sara Tantlinger
5 stars
Very atypical in its choice of heroine, because instead of Vasilisa as is the norm in the original folktales, it's her sister, Daria, who gets to tell it all. The twist at the end was unexpected, but also left me feeling that this story needed to be longer. You can imagine what will come afterwards for Daria and Baba Yaga, but you still wish to read it, especially because of how promising her future looks. Could the author expand this or post a sequel? I hope.
WATER LIKE BROKEN GLASS by Carina Bissett
5 stars
In the other anthology of Baba Yaga stories, there was also a retelling set in WWII just like this story by Bissett, which made me pause and check if it was the same. It isn't. And the plotline is also different, with a different standpoint, and, to me, much more original and intriguing. But also far more tragic and dark. The story isn't narrated by Baba Yaga either, but by a rusalka. And I can't say more without spoiling it big time.
The ending, though! I'm starting to sense a pattern of abrupt endings and endings that beg for a continuation, and honestly this story merits a full novel far more than any others in the collection that also have this potential.
HERALD THE KNIGHT by Mercedes M. Yardley
5 stars
My most favourite and the bestest of 'em all! Why? Baba Yaga falls in love in this one. Enough said. The short story is perfect as is, to me, and I'm pretty happy with it as is.
The rest of the stories also have something to offer, some are very unique, like the story told from the POV of Baba Yaga's house. Yes, the wandering house tells its side of the story, too. And there's also retellings that aren't "pure" Baba Yaga tales but have mixed in other fairy tales, so you'll be noticing drops of "Hänsel and Gretel," for example. There's even a story where the Baba Yaga is a nice old lady that speaks with a Southern US accent. Some authors have chosen fun settings, as I had mentioned, and that's paid off nicely, but you won't be missing traditional Slavic settings because they're here as well. Some did need a few editorial corrections, like when an author doesn't use the feminine version of names in Russian ("Babushka Ivanov"? She should be Ivanova) and other little rough edges to smooth out before release.
I give 4 stars for the entire anthology, and 5 stars to the three stories I singled out. I'd recommend this to all those craving Eastern European retellings, with a heads up that a lot of the stories are in the Horror genre, in case you're not into that.
Thank you to Black Spot Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 9, 2023
I have always loved the myths around Baba Yaga. I have enjoyed several depictions and stories about her, so I was excited for this short story collections. A couple of the stories were pretty good, but for the most part nothing really grabbed me. They were all fine, but they didn’t grip me the way I had been hoping for. Don’t get me wrong, the writing was good and there was some diversity in the mythology which was nice. I’m not sad I read the book, but given how impressive Baba Yaga is I was left just wishing for a little bit more.
March 24, 2023
While this is an interesting set of stories about Baba Yaga; it's not really all that great in the end. There are a few diamonds in the rough; but mostly a lot of chicken legs that just don't hold the house up in the end.
I wouldn't necessarily recommend it; unless you are obsessed with Baba Yaga stories; in which case this is a must read. Likely there are better compilations of stories out there that focus on Yaga (although they may not be translated into English...). I'd like to see a lot more of this type of cultural anthology put together; just with better material overall.
The afterword really sums it up. As a culture and people we’ve gotten soft. Baba Yaga is THE icon of feminism horror and yet we’ve downgraded her to a mere witch because it’s nicer or easier to take. Not unlike how Disney changed significant fairy tale plot points to be more amiable and ‘appropriate for children’. I still think we need to be more honest and thoughtful with what we teach and hold onto. The false idea of a Princess carried by a Prince into the sunset is a future mental health disorder waiting to happen (or in progress). As it sets an unreasonable expectation for how great life is. Whereas a witch that can or cannot chose to be wonderful or evil, pretty or ugly, and everything in-between is much more reflective of what humans are really like. Setting this expectation early on in children would probably save many a lot of grief in their teens and adult years. Let's face it no one is just a princess or just an evil witch. We're all the shades of grey in-between; just like Baba Yaga is.
Here are my notes on each of the stories within:
Dinner Plans with Baba Yaga, By Stephanie M. Wytovich
A short but sweet poem.
It’s definitely been too soon since watching Monster: the Dahmer Story on Netflix. I can’t handle eating children references right now; metaphors or not.
I am going to have to remind myself that the power of Baba Yaga is partially in her ability to strike fear in children; the fear of being eaten by her.
Last Tour into the Hungering Moonlight by Gwendolyn Kiste
Where might one find Baba Yaga amongst the suburbs, math homework, and Amazon deliveries. Kiste brings us the answer.
The Story of a House by Yi Izzy YuMM
This is a cute story about how a little chick is chosen to be the legs/bottom half of Baba Yaga’s famous house. It’s both a bit brutal and also a bit comforting. Our baby chick has to prove he’s the right one for the house and I love the open ending. Maybe one day I’ll find the house (not likely in Canada however, lol).
Of Moonlight and Moss by Sara Tantlinger
Best ending ever!!
I can't say anything else for fear of spoiling it all.
Wormwood by Lindz McLeodM
Crimes require punishment. To take something requires that you give something back in equal measure.
Very good and easy to understand portrays of Baba Yaga here. Really like this one.
Mama Yaga by Christina Sng
Love the use of Hansel and Gretel here. Many may not realize that the witch in it was traditionally a version of Baba Yaga.
Flood Zone by Donna Lynch
Love getting more into the (controversial) mythos that Baba Yaga eats children. Really well written and great plot movement.
Can you tell some time passed since I started this anthology? (lol) For now, I've doing better with the whole eating issue... for now. Cannibals are just one of my realistic fears that haunt me sometimes and I just don't think I will ever get past it.
The Peddler’s Promise by Catherine McCarthy
Oh young boys and their greed. I do appreciate, in a dark sort of way, that none of the girls in the village of fall prey to Baba Yaga’s tricks and false promises.
The Space Between the Trees by Jo Kaplan
The world is cruel. We must all snatch whatever opportunities we have, however unpleasant they may seem. Harsh outlook; but for a witches daughter probably a smart one.
This is one of my favourites so far. It's got a great moral or understanding to it and feels like a genuine portrayal of what Baba Yaga was once meant to stand for... that women will always fight harder to the top; and so sometimes you have to use what you have to your advantage. If the playing field were level and equal then this would not be necessary. I don't see that ideal coming into fruition in my lifetime.
Birds of a Feather by Monique Snyman
A slightly longer story than most of the short snippets in this anthology so far. I loved the use of the typical horror movie set-up and how those iconic events then lead to finding Baba Yaga, and (of course) vengeance.
Water Like Broken Glass by Carina Bissett
Decent queer representation which I'm pleasantly surprised by as the area of the world in which Baba Yaga originated remains (largely) intolerant even today. Sad but true that there are still some places that us queer folk cannot be open and safe from persecution by the law and government (never mind the people around us).
Not sure this one felt quite like a Yaga story to me; but it wasn’t bad by any means.
Herald the Knight by Mercedes M. Yardley
Baba Yaga has a lover. Sort of… well put together tale but also a bit weird. Didn't really feel like a Baba Yaga story in the sense of most of the others.
All Bitterness Burned Away by Jill Baguchinaky
Really like that Baba Yaga didn’t know the truth here but had to trust the children to tell her. Very clever.
A Trail of Feathers, A Trail of BloodM
While I am a (born as) woman who adores itty bitty babies. Yet the idea of having one is absolutely horrifying to me. The whole process is just icky… which I suppose makes me lucky as I’m infertile. Although it has been suggested to me that my revulsion for pregnancy and birthing in general could be my brains defensive mechanism to protect me from being upset about being infertile.
Regardless of the reason, because of my immediate dislike of birthing, it’s unfair for me to rate this story as it's primary topic, and outcome, is birthing a baby.
Baba Yaga Learns to Shave, Gets her Period, and Comes into Her Own by Jess Hageman
Seriously this title is longer than the story! It’s really more of a prose poem (if you will). In its essence it’s about how it's okay to be a woman. Not super impressed with this quick one.
Fair Trade by Jacqueline West
One of my fave stories so far!! It’s got all kinds of weirdness, some creepiness factors, and in general makes you think. I don’t want to give too much away as the genius is in the not knowing. Definitely an author I will need to look into more as this was such a well written story.
Stork Bites by EV Knight
Umm… just no. Sorry but I'm a NO to making abortion seem like a nightmare. I'm a NO to deals involving babies. Just a NO overall on this one.
Where the Horizon Meets the Sky by RJ Joseph
A wonderful reminder to be careful what you wish for. Just like with the Western Rumpelstiltskin, as with Baba Yaga, you must be very specific of what you want; erstwhile you get what you want in a way you hadn’t conceived of.
Baba Gaga in Repose by Heather Miller
This is one of those stories you might right for a grade school English class. From the first person ‘you’ perspective that is supposed to make the reader feel like they are the participant making decisions. Ultimately it ends up being overly descriptive and boring. Yes you might get an A on the assignment but you haven’t written much anyone really wants to read. I'm sad that the second last story is one of the weakest of the lot.
Shadow and Branch, Ghost Fruit Among the Lillabies by Saba Syed Razvi
Another very artsy prose that tells no story at all. It attempts to evoke a mood and feeling towards Baba Yaga but lacks substance. Not really not all that interesting. It's one pro is that it as super short.
Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.
I wouldn't necessarily recommend it; unless you are obsessed with Baba Yaga stories; in which case this is a must read. Likely there are better compilations of stories out there that focus on Yaga (although they may not be translated into English...). I'd like to see a lot more of this type of cultural anthology put together; just with better material overall.
The afterword really sums it up. As a culture and people we’ve gotten soft. Baba Yaga is THE icon of feminism horror and yet we’ve downgraded her to a mere witch because it’s nicer or easier to take. Not unlike how Disney changed significant fairy tale plot points to be more amiable and ‘appropriate for children’. I still think we need to be more honest and thoughtful with what we teach and hold onto. The false idea of a Princess carried by a Prince into the sunset is a future mental health disorder waiting to happen (or in progress). As it sets an unreasonable expectation for how great life is. Whereas a witch that can or cannot chose to be wonderful or evil, pretty or ugly, and everything in-between is much more reflective of what humans are really like. Setting this expectation early on in children would probably save many a lot of grief in their teens and adult years. Let's face it no one is just a princess or just an evil witch. We're all the shades of grey in-between; just like Baba Yaga is.
Here are my notes on each of the stories within:
Dinner Plans with Baba Yaga, By Stephanie M. Wytovich
A short but sweet poem.
It’s definitely been too soon since watching Monster: the Dahmer Story on Netflix. I can’t handle eating children references right now; metaphors or not.
I am going to have to remind myself that the power of Baba Yaga is partially in her ability to strike fear in children; the fear of being eaten by her.
Last Tour into the Hungering Moonlight by Gwendolyn Kiste
Where might one find Baba Yaga amongst the suburbs, math homework, and Amazon deliveries. Kiste brings us the answer.
The Story of a House by Yi Izzy YuMM
This is a cute story about how a little chick is chosen to be the legs/bottom half of Baba Yaga’s famous house. It’s both a bit brutal and also a bit comforting. Our baby chick has to prove he’s the right one for the house and I love the open ending. Maybe one day I’ll find the house (not likely in Canada however, lol).
Of Moonlight and Moss by Sara Tantlinger
Best ending ever!!
I can't say anything else for fear of spoiling it all.
Wormwood by Lindz McLeodM
Crimes require punishment. To take something requires that you give something back in equal measure.
Very good and easy to understand portrays of Baba Yaga here. Really like this one.
Mama Yaga by Christina Sng
Love the use of Hansel and Gretel here. Many may not realize that the witch in it was traditionally a version of Baba Yaga.
Flood Zone by Donna Lynch
Love getting more into the (controversial) mythos that Baba Yaga eats children. Really well written and great plot movement.
Can you tell some time passed since I started this anthology? (lol) For now, I've doing better with the whole eating issue... for now. Cannibals are just one of my realistic fears that haunt me sometimes and I just don't think I will ever get past it.
The Peddler’s Promise by Catherine McCarthy
Oh young boys and their greed. I do appreciate, in a dark sort of way, that none of the girls in the village of fall prey to Baba Yaga’s tricks and false promises.
The Space Between the Trees by Jo Kaplan
The world is cruel. We must all snatch whatever opportunities we have, however unpleasant they may seem. Harsh outlook; but for a witches daughter probably a smart one.
This is one of my favourites so far. It's got a great moral or understanding to it and feels like a genuine portrayal of what Baba Yaga was once meant to stand for... that women will always fight harder to the top; and so sometimes you have to use what you have to your advantage. If the playing field were level and equal then this would not be necessary. I don't see that ideal coming into fruition in my lifetime.
Birds of a Feather by Monique Snyman
A slightly longer story than most of the short snippets in this anthology so far. I loved the use of the typical horror movie set-up and how those iconic events then lead to finding Baba Yaga, and (of course) vengeance.
Water Like Broken Glass by Carina Bissett
Decent queer representation which I'm pleasantly surprised by as the area of the world in which Baba Yaga originated remains (largely) intolerant even today. Sad but true that there are still some places that us queer folk cannot be open and safe from persecution by the law and government (never mind the people around us).
Not sure this one felt quite like a Yaga story to me; but it wasn’t bad by any means.
Herald the Knight by Mercedes M. Yardley
Baba Yaga has a lover. Sort of… well put together tale but also a bit weird. Didn't really feel like a Baba Yaga story in the sense of most of the others.
All Bitterness Burned Away by Jill Baguchinaky
Really like that Baba Yaga didn’t know the truth here but had to trust the children to tell her. Very clever.
A Trail of Feathers, A Trail of BloodM
While I am a (born as) woman who adores itty bitty babies. Yet the idea of having one is absolutely horrifying to me. The whole process is just icky… which I suppose makes me lucky as I’m infertile. Although it has been suggested to me that my revulsion for pregnancy and birthing in general could be my brains defensive mechanism to protect me from being upset about being infertile.
Regardless of the reason, because of my immediate dislike of birthing, it’s unfair for me to rate this story as it's primary topic, and outcome, is birthing a baby.
Baba Yaga Learns to Shave, Gets her Period, and Comes into Her Own by Jess Hageman
Seriously this title is longer than the story! It’s really more of a prose poem (if you will). In its essence it’s about how it's okay to be a woman. Not super impressed with this quick one.
Fair Trade by Jacqueline West
One of my fave stories so far!! It’s got all kinds of weirdness, some creepiness factors, and in general makes you think. I don’t want to give too much away as the genius is in the not knowing. Definitely an author I will need to look into more as this was such a well written story.
Stork Bites by EV Knight
Umm… just no. Sorry but I'm a NO to making abortion seem like a nightmare. I'm a NO to deals involving babies. Just a NO overall on this one.
Where the Horizon Meets the Sky by RJ Joseph
A wonderful reminder to be careful what you wish for. Just like with the Western Rumpelstiltskin, as with Baba Yaga, you must be very specific of what you want; erstwhile you get what you want in a way you hadn’t conceived of.
Baba Gaga in Repose by Heather Miller
This is one of those stories you might right for a grade school English class. From the first person ‘you’ perspective that is supposed to make the reader feel like they are the participant making decisions. Ultimately it ends up being overly descriptive and boring. Yes you might get an A on the assignment but you haven’t written much anyone really wants to read. I'm sad that the second last story is one of the weakest of the lot.
Shadow and Branch, Ghost Fruit Among the Lillabies by Saba Syed Razvi
Another very artsy prose that tells no story at all. It attempts to evoke a mood and feeling towards Baba Yaga but lacks substance. Not really not all that interesting. It's one pro is that it as super short.
Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.
January 10, 2023
I sometimes struggle with anthologies because I *need* them to be in a theme that I love or else I'll start losing focus halfway through. When the editor asked if I'd be interested in checking out this antho with stories & poems focusing on Baba Yaga, I literally couldn't say yes fast enough - I can think of very few topics I'd want an entire anthology to cover!
This didn't disappoint at all. Lots of themes of reclaiming / owning your power, mother/daughter relationships, morally grey women, and more! A few of my favorites (although I didn't give anything in this under 4 stars!!):
Dinner Plans with Baba Yaga by Stephanie M. Wytovich
Last Tour Into the Hungering Moonlight by Gwendolyn Kiste
The Story of a House by Yi Izzy Yu
Of Moonlight and Moss by Sara Tantlinger
Mama Yaga by Christina Sng
The Space Between the Trees by Jo Kaplan
Sugar and Spice and the Old Witch's Price by Lisa Quigley
Fair Trade by Jacqueline West
Stork Bites by EV Knight
Where the Horizon Meets the Sky by R.J. Joseph
Overall, absolutely loved it. I'll be highly recommending it up to and beyond its release date this November -- whimsically horrifying, it's the perfect tribute to Baba Yaga, and a must-have on every witchy horror lover's shelf.
This didn't disappoint at all. Lots of themes of reclaiming / owning your power, mother/daughter relationships, morally grey women, and more! A few of my favorites (although I didn't give anything in this under 4 stars!!):
Dinner Plans with Baba Yaga by Stephanie M. Wytovich
Last Tour Into the Hungering Moonlight by Gwendolyn Kiste
The Story of a House by Yi Izzy Yu
Of Moonlight and Moss by Sara Tantlinger
Mama Yaga by Christina Sng
The Space Between the Trees by Jo Kaplan
Sugar and Spice and the Old Witch's Price by Lisa Quigley
Fair Trade by Jacqueline West
Stork Bites by EV Knight
Where the Horizon Meets the Sky by R.J. Joseph
Overall, absolutely loved it. I'll be highly recommending it up to and beyond its release date this November -- whimsically horrifying, it's the perfect tribute to Baba Yaga, and a must-have on every witchy horror lover's shelf.
November 30, 2022
As with any collection of stories there were ones I enjoyed and ones I didn't enjoy. This collection of stories about the Baba Yaga was a typical mixture of both.
December 7, 2022
TW: Cheating, gaslighting, toxic parent relationship, gaslighting, language, racism, smoking, drugs, child abandonment, animal death, cancer
*****SPOILERS*****
About the book:Deep in the dark forest, in a cottage that spins on birds’ legs behind a fence topped with human skulls, lives the baba yaga. A guardian of the water of life, she lives with her sisters and takes to the skies in a giant mortar and pestle, creating tempests as she goes. Those who come across the baba yaga may find help, or hinderance, or horror. She is wild, she is woman, she is witch—and these are her tales.
Release Date: November 8th, 2022
Genre: Sci-Fi Folklore
Pages: 300
Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️
What I Liked:
1. It's Baba Yaga
What I Didn't Like:
1. All the stories blend together
Overall Thoughts: As soon as I saw this short story collection existed I HAD to have it. Baba Yaga is such a great story with deep Russian roots. We have our own version from my Czechoslovakia heritage called Ježibaba.
Oh and the Baba Yaga in John Wick is wrong. He is Babai.
One of the things that I didn't like about the book is that the stories all blend together and get a little boring as you keep reading. I think you need to read a few stories and then come back to the book.
Dinner Plans - Stephanie M. Wytovich:
Cute fun poem about Baba Yaga. Loved the line "Eat their names under the light of the moon"⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Last Tour Into the Hungering Moonlight - Gwendolyn Kiste:
Story about how women are slaves to men & children. A lot of feelings and truths to this one that hit home. It was beautiful seriously wonderful. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Final Thoughts: I really tried to love this book. I mean like I said I adore Baba Yaga but there was just too many stories that after the 10th one it feels so similar to the last three you feel as though you’ve already read it. I dnfed this book. I’ve been struggling to finish it for 6 months.
IG | Blog
Thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for this advanced readers copy. All thoughts are my own.
*****SPOILERS*****
About the book:Deep in the dark forest, in a cottage that spins on birds’ legs behind a fence topped with human skulls, lives the baba yaga. A guardian of the water of life, she lives with her sisters and takes to the skies in a giant mortar and pestle, creating tempests as she goes. Those who come across the baba yaga may find help, or hinderance, or horror. She is wild, she is woman, she is witch—and these are her tales.
Release Date: November 8th, 2022
Genre: Sci-Fi Folklore
Pages: 300
Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️
What I Liked:
1. It's Baba Yaga
What I Didn't Like:
1. All the stories blend together
Overall Thoughts: As soon as I saw this short story collection existed I HAD to have it. Baba Yaga is such a great story with deep Russian roots. We have our own version from my Czechoslovakia heritage called Ježibaba.
Oh and the Baba Yaga in John Wick is wrong. He is Babai.
One of the things that I didn't like about the book is that the stories all blend together and get a little boring as you keep reading. I think you need to read a few stories and then come back to the book.
Dinner Plans - Stephanie M. Wytovich:
Cute fun poem about Baba Yaga. Loved the line "Eat their names under the light of the moon"⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Last Tour Into the Hungering Moonlight - Gwendolyn Kiste:
Story about how women are slaves to men & children. A lot of feelings and truths to this one that hit home. It was beautiful seriously wonderful. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Final Thoughts: I really tried to love this book. I mean like I said I adore Baba Yaga but there was just too many stories that after the 10th one it feels so similar to the last three you feel as though you’ve already read it. I dnfed this book. I’ve been struggling to finish it for 6 months.
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Thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for this advanced readers copy. All thoughts are my own.
September 30, 2022
Baba Yaga is a figure who wears as many faces in folklore as she does in stories. The old woman of the woods in Russian and Slavic mythology, Baba Yaga can be helpful or malevolent. Kind or cruel. She can assist someone in return for their kindness, test them to ensure their worthiness, or lead them to ruin for their foolishness. Old witches are a dime a dozen in fairy tales, but the Baba Yaga has an identity that can be molded to suit almost any tale.
And these women absolutely mold her to suit their own.
You can read Zach's full review at Horror DNA by clicking here.
And these women absolutely mold her to suit their own.
You can read Zach's full review at Horror DNA by clicking here.
May 9, 2022
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishing company for this wonderful ARC!
Firstly, I love the concept of this book, it being a collection of works by amazing fantasy-horror female writers on the all-magical folk-tale of Baba Yaga! Every story was unique and portrayed Baba Yaga in a different way and touching off various topics from life to murder, romance and family, deceipt and torture and so on. This is a brilliant fantasy-horror anthology filled with magic!
I enjoyed every story and the writing was faultless. The stories were descriptive, exciting and magical and every story had me hooked! I love how Baba Yaga is portrayed differently throughout the book. We get different insights on her character, sometimes she's a vicious murderer, or a person capable of love, sometimes she's lead by her moral compass and other times she's ruthless.
I was sucked into every story I read, and I'd gladly read this book again!😊
Firstly, I love the concept of this book, it being a collection of works by amazing fantasy-horror female writers on the all-magical folk-tale of Baba Yaga! Every story was unique and portrayed Baba Yaga in a different way and touching off various topics from life to murder, romance and family, deceipt and torture and so on. This is a brilliant fantasy-horror anthology filled with magic!
I enjoyed every story and the writing was faultless. The stories were descriptive, exciting and magical and every story had me hooked! I love how Baba Yaga is portrayed differently throughout the book. We get different insights on her character, sometimes she's a vicious murderer, or a person capable of love, sometimes she's lead by her moral compass and other times she's ruthless.
I was sucked into every story I read, and I'd gladly read this book again!😊
October 25, 2022
If I see a book has anything remotely to do with Baba Yaga I want to read it. Why? Because she is amazing. Granted I wouldn't want to come across her chicken leg home in the middle of the woods but I would happily admire from afar.
This anthology managed to perfectly encapsulate the energy of Baba Yaga. Her fierceness, her strength, her otherworldly yet earthy essence and her deep connection to the natural world.
It's rare that I will enjoy all stories in an anthology but this is one of those rare cases where I did.
You may think it would get boring reading a collection of stories which all centre around one character but this anthology proves that it is possible to do this in an interesting way. All authors contributed their own diversity to the story of Baba Yaga, yet they blended together perfectly.
Highly recommend.
This anthology managed to perfectly encapsulate the energy of Baba Yaga. Her fierceness, her strength, her otherworldly yet earthy essence and her deep connection to the natural world.
It's rare that I will enjoy all stories in an anthology but this is one of those rare cases where I did.
You may think it would get boring reading a collection of stories which all centre around one character but this anthology proves that it is possible to do this in an interesting way. All authors contributed their own diversity to the story of Baba Yaga, yet they blended together perfectly.
Highly recommend.
November 8, 2022
“If Baba taught her anything, it was that when push came to shove, she was a woman made of teeth.“*—excerpt from “A Trail of Feathers, a Trail of Blood” by Stephanie M. Wytovich
This anthology is infused with feminine power. Here the crone rules, as does the mother and the maiden. In some stories Baba Yaga is a baby-eating villain, and in others, she is the heroine, and in one, she is the object of desire.
While I enjoyed each author’s take on the theme, my favorites are as follows:
“Last Tour Into the Hungering Moonlight” by Gwendolyn Kiste: In this beautifully rendered first person plural tale, Baba Yaga becomes a refuge against patriarchal horrors.
“The Story of a House” by Yi Izzy Yu: Tragedy brings about transformation and power in this fairytale rendering of the construction of Baba Yara’s unusual house.
“Of Moonlight and Moss” by Sara Tantlinger: A princess must choose to either save herself or her cruel father and her golden child sister.
“Wormwood” by Lindz McLeod: Wormwood, the true scent of grief, becomes a tool to deliver a dose of justice.
“Mama Yaga” by Christina Sng: A delicious take on the story of Hansel and Gretel.
“Water Like Broken Glass” by Carina Bissett: Love, murder, and magic bind two women.
“Herald the Knight” by Mercedes M. Yardley: A Baba Yaga love story that is unexpected and wonderfully weird.
“A Trail of Feathers, a Trail of Blood” by Stephanie M. Wytovich: An apprentice of Baba Yaga is forced to make a sacrifice in exchange for a second chance.
“Baba Yaga Learns to Shave, Gets Her Period, Then Grows Into Her Own” by Jess Hagemann: Unshared life lessons that become Baba Yaga’s alternate origin story.
“Fair Trade” by Jacqueline West: In order to escape death, a girl seeks Baba Yaga’s help, but the solution becomes its own curse.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thanks to Black Spot Books for providing an Advance Reader Copy via NetGalley.
*Please note that my review is based on uncorrected text.
This anthology is infused with feminine power. Here the crone rules, as does the mother and the maiden. In some stories Baba Yaga is a baby-eating villain, and in others, she is the heroine, and in one, she is the object of desire.
While I enjoyed each author’s take on the theme, my favorites are as follows:
“Last Tour Into the Hungering Moonlight” by Gwendolyn Kiste: In this beautifully rendered first person plural tale, Baba Yaga becomes a refuge against patriarchal horrors.
“The Story of a House” by Yi Izzy Yu: Tragedy brings about transformation and power in this fairytale rendering of the construction of Baba Yara’s unusual house.
“Of Moonlight and Moss” by Sara Tantlinger: A princess must choose to either save herself or her cruel father and her golden child sister.
“Wormwood” by Lindz McLeod: Wormwood, the true scent of grief, becomes a tool to deliver a dose of justice.
“Mama Yaga” by Christina Sng: A delicious take on the story of Hansel and Gretel.
“Water Like Broken Glass” by Carina Bissett: Love, murder, and magic bind two women.
“Herald the Knight” by Mercedes M. Yardley: A Baba Yaga love story that is unexpected and wonderfully weird.
“A Trail of Feathers, a Trail of Blood” by Stephanie M. Wytovich: An apprentice of Baba Yaga is forced to make a sacrifice in exchange for a second chance.
“Baba Yaga Learns to Shave, Gets Her Period, Then Grows Into Her Own” by Jess Hagemann: Unshared life lessons that become Baba Yaga’s alternate origin story.
“Fair Trade” by Jacqueline West: In order to escape death, a girl seeks Baba Yaga’s help, but the solution becomes its own curse.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thanks to Black Spot Books for providing an Advance Reader Copy via NetGalley.
*Please note that my review is based on uncorrected text.
September 22, 2023
Sugar and Spice and the Old Witches Price by Lisa Quigley ★★★★★
"One last, deep breath, and the vines overtake my heart. I am finally home."
Housewifing was not as fun as it looked on 50s TV shows. But it’s never too late to go back to that soothing cabin in the forest.
Birds of a Feather by Monique Snyman ★★★★½
A hunted woman is saved by Baba Yaga who teaches her the ways of the forest and retribution.
Of Moonlight and Moss by Sara Tantlinger ★★★★½
“Would they do the same for you?” The words strike me like a slap to the face.
A classic fairytale style story of the abused unwanted sister. I was worried she would choose the tragic hero trope. Nope, my girl liked her vengeance served on an obsidian plate!
Mama Yaga by Christina Sng ★★★★½
“…many curious children still wander the woods, looking for my cottage. I always welcome them in with a smile and a basketful of candy.”
Ooh. Here’s we go with the dark happy cannibalism. This short remembrance of Baba Yaga through the ages was violent, grotesque, and funny. My favorite part was the modern Yaga who wrote a bestseller and keeps her door open. Whahaha!
Maw Maw Yaga and the Hunter by Alexandrea Weis ★★★★☆
“Retribution’s a painful process. But necessary.”
This Baba is a forest protector and she does not take kindly to hunters poaching on her lands.
Wormwood by by Lindz McLeod ★★★★☆
“To take something requires that you give something back in equal measure. A hand for a spell. A life for a life.”
Baba Yaga brings justice for a murdered woman. Less magic than old school psychological manipulation, but I liked it all the same.
Flood Zone by Donna Lynch ★★★★☆
Baba Yaga and The Beach House of Greedy Horror followed by Revenge of the Snake.
The Peddler’s Promise by Catherine McCarthy ★★★★☆
“Have any of you wondered why not one of our daughters has been able to open her box?”
Because the things girls want are to big and important to ever fit in a box. But their brothers greedy hearts filled Baba Yaga’s belly.
Water Like Broken Glass by Carina Bissett ★★★★☆
“There are many ways to be a witch in this world.”
Said the aspiring dark Yaga to the rusalka. Set during WW2 in the forests of Russia, two women find their power amongst great violence.
Herald the Knight by Mercedes M. Yardley ★★★★☆
Baba Yaga falls in love with Ghost Rider. What awesome kiddos they could have had.
All Bitterness Burned Away by Jill Baguchinsky ★★★★☆
“I told myself the wrong story, then. There is no fairy tale, and there is no wicked stepmother. But I can still end it the right way.”
Baba Yaga saves the day! Not your usual hero, but the hero that little family deserved.
Baba Yaga Learns to Shave, Gets Her Period, Then Grows into Her Own by Jess Hagemann ★★★★☆
“But her body was never a tool: always a weapon.”
A short happy story of a girl who, though taught to be a proper modern lady, rebels into a Baba Yaga.
Fair Trade by Jacqueline West ★★★★☆
“And the hole left by a dead girl was all the space I’d ever have.
A witch helps a girl who covers her twin sister’s life. Not a happy ending.
Stork Bites by EV Knight ★★★★☆
“…in this day and age, it’s best to have a plan B in your pocket.”
When abortion rights falter the Baba Yaga’s don’t need to hunt for food.
Last Tour Into The Hungering Moonlight by Gwendolyn Kiste ★★★½☆
“For so long, we were told we needed to be perfect. But all we ever really needed was to be wild.”
This reminded me of The Mere Wife, fierce suburban feminine rage and mythology.
A Trail if Feathers, A Trail of Blood by Stephanie M. Wytovich ★★★½☆
A harsh little story. When Baba Yaga says you can’t go home again, you should listen. In this case, the Yaga was merciful. Yaga took back the bleeding beaten woman - for a price.
The Space Between the Trees by Jo Kaplan ★★★½☆
Baba Yaga’s daughter doesn’t like how she is viewed from the victims side, but decides it’s better than actually being a victim.
Where the Horizon Meets the Sky by by R. J. Joseph ★★★☆☆
“I don’t know what I want. I wanted my husband. I thought I needed him.”
It’s dangerous to ask for wishes from Baba Yaga when you don’t even know what you really want.
Shadow and Branch, Ghost Fruit Among the Lullabies by Saba Syed Razvi ★★★☆☆
A short treatise on Baba Yaga.
Baba Yaga in Repose by Heather Miller ★★½☆☆
The Baba fades as the world stops believing in her.
The Story of a House by Yi Izzy Yu ★★☆☆☆
Sad and muddled with metaphors.
Chicken Foot by Octavia Cade DNF
I finished 21/22 stories averaging 3.88 stars happily rounded up.
"One last, deep breath, and the vines overtake my heart. I am finally home."
Housewifing was not as fun as it looked on 50s TV shows. But it’s never too late to go back to that soothing cabin in the forest.
Birds of a Feather by Monique Snyman ★★★★½
A hunted woman is saved by Baba Yaga who teaches her the ways of the forest and retribution.
Of Moonlight and Moss by Sara Tantlinger ★★★★½
“Would they do the same for you?” The words strike me like a slap to the face.
A classic fairytale style story of the abused unwanted sister. I was worried she would choose the tragic hero trope. Nope, my girl liked her vengeance served on an obsidian plate!
Mama Yaga by Christina Sng ★★★★½
“…many curious children still wander the woods, looking for my cottage. I always welcome them in with a smile and a basketful of candy.”
Ooh. Here’s we go with the dark happy cannibalism. This short remembrance of Baba Yaga through the ages was violent, grotesque, and funny. My favorite part was the modern Yaga who wrote a bestseller and keeps her door open. Whahaha!
Maw Maw Yaga and the Hunter by Alexandrea Weis ★★★★☆
“Retribution’s a painful process. But necessary.”
This Baba is a forest protector and she does not take kindly to hunters poaching on her lands.
Wormwood by by Lindz McLeod ★★★★☆
“To take something requires that you give something back in equal measure. A hand for a spell. A life for a life.”
Baba Yaga brings justice for a murdered woman. Less magic than old school psychological manipulation, but I liked it all the same.
Flood Zone by Donna Lynch ★★★★☆
Baba Yaga and The Beach House of Greedy Horror followed by Revenge of the Snake.
The Peddler’s Promise by Catherine McCarthy ★★★★☆
“Have any of you wondered why not one of our daughters has been able to open her box?”
Because the things girls want are to big and important to ever fit in a box. But their brothers greedy hearts filled Baba Yaga’s belly.
Water Like Broken Glass by Carina Bissett ★★★★☆
“There are many ways to be a witch in this world.”
Said the aspiring dark Yaga to the rusalka. Set during WW2 in the forests of Russia, two women find their power amongst great violence.
Herald the Knight by Mercedes M. Yardley ★★★★☆
Baba Yaga falls in love with Ghost Rider. What awesome kiddos they could have had.
All Bitterness Burned Away by Jill Baguchinsky ★★★★☆
“I told myself the wrong story, then. There is no fairy tale, and there is no wicked stepmother. But I can still end it the right way.”
Baba Yaga saves the day! Not your usual hero, but the hero that little family deserved.
Baba Yaga Learns to Shave, Gets Her Period, Then Grows into Her Own by Jess Hagemann ★★★★☆
“But her body was never a tool: always a weapon.”
A short happy story of a girl who, though taught to be a proper modern lady, rebels into a Baba Yaga.
Fair Trade by Jacqueline West ★★★★☆
“And the hole left by a dead girl was all the space I’d ever have.
A witch helps a girl who covers her twin sister’s life. Not a happy ending.
Stork Bites by EV Knight ★★★★☆
“…in this day and age, it’s best to have a plan B in your pocket.”
When abortion rights falter the Baba Yaga’s don’t need to hunt for food.
Last Tour Into The Hungering Moonlight by Gwendolyn Kiste ★★★½☆
“For so long, we were told we needed to be perfect. But all we ever really needed was to be wild.”
This reminded me of The Mere Wife, fierce suburban feminine rage and mythology.
A Trail if Feathers, A Trail of Blood by Stephanie M. Wytovich ★★★½☆
A harsh little story. When Baba Yaga says you can’t go home again, you should listen. In this case, the Yaga was merciful. Yaga took back the bleeding beaten woman - for a price.
The Space Between the Trees by Jo Kaplan ★★★½☆
Baba Yaga’s daughter doesn’t like how she is viewed from the victims side, but decides it’s better than actually being a victim.
Where the Horizon Meets the Sky by by R. J. Joseph ★★★☆☆
“I don’t know what I want. I wanted my husband. I thought I needed him.”
It’s dangerous to ask for wishes from Baba Yaga when you don’t even know what you really want.
Shadow and Branch, Ghost Fruit Among the Lullabies by Saba Syed Razvi ★★★☆☆
A short treatise on Baba Yaga.
Baba Yaga in Repose by Heather Miller ★★½☆☆
The Baba fades as the world stops believing in her.
The Story of a House by Yi Izzy Yu ★★☆☆☆
Sad and muddled with metaphors.
Chicken Foot by Octavia Cade DNF
I finished 21/22 stories averaging 3.88 stars happily rounded up.
August 30, 2022
Into the Forest: Tales of the Baba Yaga.
This is a book of 22 short stories and one poem all about Baba Yaga. All of the stories are written by women. Each story is a rendition of who the author thinks Baba Yaga is and tells her story.
Many of the stories are dark and elegant. They depict Baba Yaga as evil with good intentions or a woman scorned by humanity. There is sadness and happiness in these short stories.
I have no favorites of these. They all touched my heart in one way or another. I will be getting a copy of this book to have in my personal library once it is released. I also think this would make a great gift for any of our witchy friends and family. Especially if they love the story of Baba Yaga.
This is a book of 22 short stories and one poem all about Baba Yaga. All of the stories are written by women. Each story is a rendition of who the author thinks Baba Yaga is and tells her story.
Many of the stories are dark and elegant. They depict Baba Yaga as evil with good intentions or a woman scorned by humanity. There is sadness and happiness in these short stories.
I have no favorites of these. They all touched my heart in one way or another. I will be getting a copy of this book to have in my personal library once it is released. I also think this would make a great gift for any of our witchy friends and family. Especially if they love the story of Baba Yaga.
Read
November 10, 2022As a contributor I won't rate, but I loved each and every story.
November 9, 2022
For an anthology based on the lore of Baba Yaga and featuring stories by women, I had high hopes for this book…and every single hope was exceeded. I’m not going to dance around it, the stories are amazing. Every single one is fresh, wild and brutal.
Here are just a few of my favorites:
Of Moonlight and Moss- Sara Tantlinger:
I quite loved this story. I would enjoy a longer version of it. Could you give up your own life to satisfy the wants of others? An adventurous take on the trials of sacrifice.
Sugar and Spice and the Old Witch’s Price- Lisa Quigley:
This story was a favorite of mine. To see the hardships of parenthood, what it means to give up your life to the needs of others and the cost of taking your life back.
Stork Bites- Ev Knight:
This short story resonates with me the most. Relating the lore of Baba Yaga to unwanted pregnancies is creative and it lit a spark in me. I will warn readers that this story is particularly brutal, so be aware of that going in.
This collection of short stories is thrilling, inspiring and terrifying all in one. If you weren’t already aware of the folklore surrounding Baba Yaga, I would recommend reading up on her. Even so, these stories will have you peering, looking for signs of Baba Yaga, in the edge of every forest you pass.
Thank you to NetGalley and the creators for my copy of the book.
October 1, 2023
This is a collection of 23 (mostly) horror stories featuring Baba Yaga - the witch of Slavic mythology. Each of the stories is different, some are better than others, but at the end of the anthology, I felt that most of the stories were too similar and finishing the book became a slog. I also felt, that at the end of the day, most of the stories did not capture the unique essence of Baba Yaga. All of the stories had a character called "Baby Yaga", some of them mentioned the house on chicken feet and/or the mortar & pestle and/or the house surrounded by a bone fence. But, you could have taken the Baba Yaga character out of the stories and replaced it with any generic witch or bogey man and they would have worked just as well. So if you want a horror anthology, involving the supernatural and victimized women, this book may appeal to you. If you are expecting Baba Yaga stories - maybe? Unmemorable.
November 8, 2022
What a feat!!! I enjoyed EVERY SINGLE STORY in this book. There wasn't a single one that was lacking
I loved the different angles, time lines and constructs. I can't get over how good this was. I'll definitely be buying a physical copy for my library.
Do yourself a favor and read it, buy it, borrow it from your library. Just get your hands on this collection of short stories.
Thank you Netgalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
I loved the different angles, time lines and constructs. I can't get over how good this was. I'll definitely be buying a physical copy for my library.
Do yourself a favor and read it, buy it, borrow it from your library. Just get your hands on this collection of short stories.
Thank you Netgalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
May 8, 2022
This was a fun one! I knew I wanted it as soon as I saw it was about Baba Yaga, Thistlefoot has me obsessing over her tales right now. Even though I'm not an anthology person, I'm glad I gave this one a chance
The genius part about this was the amount of different views it gave us. We got Baba Yaga as a savior, as a villain, as a woman looking out for herself only, as a woman in love. We got to see so many different takes on her legend, and it was amazing.
So, even though there were some stories I wasn't such a huge fan of, I still really enjoyed this. It was a fun read, and one if definitely recommend.
Thanks to Netgalley for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review!
The genius part about this was the amount of different views it gave us. We got Baba Yaga as a savior, as a villain, as a woman looking out for herself only, as a woman in love. We got to see so many different takes on her legend, and it was amazing.
So, even though there were some stories I wasn't such a huge fan of, I still really enjoyed this. It was a fun read, and one if definitely recommend.
Thanks to Netgalley for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review!
November 17, 2022
I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This was a fun one. Anytime I see anything about Baba Yaga I immediately want to read it. Why? Because she is fascinating in every light. Would I want to come across her chicken legged home in the woods? Absolutely not! This anthropology captures Baba Yaga energy completely and provides a taste of all sides of her. In some stories she is a baby eating villain, and in others she is the heroine.
While I enjoyed this anthropology as a whole, I did have favorites: The Story of House by Yi Izzy Yu, Of Moonlight and Moss by Sara Tantlinger, Mama Yaga by Christina Sng, Herald the Knight by Mercedes Yardley, and Water Like Broken Glass by Carina Bissett.
This was a fun one. Anytime I see anything about Baba Yaga I immediately want to read it. Why? Because she is fascinating in every light. Would I want to come across her chicken legged home in the woods? Absolutely not! This anthropology captures Baba Yaga energy completely and provides a taste of all sides of her. In some stories she is a baby eating villain, and in others she is the heroine.
While I enjoyed this anthropology as a whole, I did have favorites: The Story of House by Yi Izzy Yu, Of Moonlight and Moss by Sara Tantlinger, Mama Yaga by Christina Sng, Herald the Knight by Mercedes Yardley, and Water Like Broken Glass by Carina Bissett.
June 16, 2023
ARC was given by NetGalley & Black Spot Books.
Release date: (November 8th, 2022)
Holy cow this was a doozy of anthology! 24 short stories about the one and only… Baba Yaga! It’s exciting, isn’t it?! This was truly a wild ride and definitely an anthology that won’t so easily leave my memory. Some of these stories are fantastic, others may chill your bones, but for me friends, I think I wanted this to be a little more than what I got. And let me tell you, there were moments where I got a whole lot that I didn’t even want. So buckle up, this might just be a wild ride for you too!
➸ Foreword by Christina Henry ⭐⭐⭐
Content/Trigger Warnings: Scene of animal death
This wasn’t anything too spectacular or anything. This basically just an introduction to Baba Yaga, if you never heard of Baba Yaga till now. It kind of sets the tone for the rest of anthology, that melting pot of the good, the bad, and the unsettling.
➸ Dinner Plans with Baba Yaga by Stephanie M. Wytovich ⭐⭐⭐
Content/Trigger Warnings: Implications of cannibalism and dead children
This was just an okay read for me. This felt like it clung tightly to the blueprint of the traditional tale of Baba Yaga, which is fine. I think I was just hoping for more branching away from the typical folklore about it and just wanting a little more. It’s still a good story though!
➸ Last Tour Into The Hungering Moonlight by Gwendolyn Kiste ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This was an eerie short story. I don’t even know how to properly describe it, but this one made my skin crawl. You’re in the perspective of someone moving/looking to move and you’re visiting this neighborhood, all the while Baba Yaga is whispering about. It’s a very eerie, chilling setting. Almost walking into a neighborhood where everyone is always smiling and happy. Yeah, that’s the creepy vibe it gives off. Very spooky and I definitely recommend a warm beverage for this one!
➸ The Story of a House by Yi Izzy Yu ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Content/Trigger Warnings: Death of animals, depictions of blood, gore, grief, scene of decapitation
This story messed me up in so many ways, both good and bad. I had never read a short story about Baba Yaga’s house and that was one of the things that always intrigued me about her folklore. I always wanted to know more about her house and how it came to be. This was a great interpretation of that and it was so good to read. Not a fan of all the animal horror, but still a good read.
➸ Of Moonlight And Moss by Sara Tantlinger ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Content/Trigger Warnings: Loss of a parent (in the past), abusive/toxic relationships, depictions of torture recounted
I adored this story! This was one of my favorite stories of the whole collection. It gave a lot of renaissance era vibes for me. Not quite Camelot, but definitely in that time period. This was so good and I love the thought of Baba Yaga being someone who open their home to the broken and the unwanted/unloved.
➸ Wormwood by Lindz McLeod ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Content/Trigger Warnings: Death, murder, emesis, scene of hanging
This is a great story of the potential good side to Baba Yaga. When it comes to tales of Baba Yaga, I hear more terrible stories than I do good and this was nice breath of fresh air. I loved that she helped a grieving woman after a horrible crime has been committed and I love how mirrors have symbolism in this short story. It was an all around great read for me that intrigued the senses.
➸ Mama Yaga by Christina SNG ⭐⭐⭐
Content/Trigger Warnings: Cannibalism, mentions of famine, loss of loved ones
Eh, this was an okay read for me. I enjoyed it, but again this circles back to what I mentions earlier, about a story sticking to an already made blue print. It just feels like an easy way of getting out of writing something that could have been much more. I would have liked a different twist or something. I don’t know, this was just an okay read for me in the department of Hansel & Gretel/Baba Yaga.
➸ Flood Zone by Donna Lynch ⭐⭐⭐
Content/Trigger Warnings: Cannibalism, mass murder
Another okay read for me. I wish this had more to it, potentially some combat or someone finding out about the plot, but this just didn’t hit the mark at all. All this story really did was just remind me of how horrible and cruel people can be, with an unrealistic outcome that’s far too simple. I liked that Baba Yaga had a child or apprentice of her own, but I just wanted more from this story.
➸ The Peddler’s Promise by Catherine McCarthy ⭐⭐⭐
Content/Trigger Warnings: Mentions loss of a loved one, death of children, cannibalism
I think this was a unique way to write Baba’s tale of luring children from the safety of their homes. However, I think my biggest issue was the lack on conflict or confrontation with Baba. Honestly, the way this story goes just leaves you with a heavy feeling and I think if we had some conflict it would have made the story a little lighter. It just wasn’t a fun time. I went in intrigued and emerged feeling kind of heavy and sad.
➸ The Space Between the Trees by Jo Kaplan ⭐⭐⭐
Content/Trigger Warnings: Mentions of grief, mentions loss of loved ones, mentions of murder, cannibalism
This is another take on Baba Yaga actually having a daughter, which I love this concept. This was really well written and it was interesting to see the parallels in approaching things between Baba and the daughter. I almost wish there was a different outcome for the ending, but that may be asking for too much.
➸ Sugar and Spice and the Old Witch’s Price by Lisa Quigley ⭐⭐
Content/Trigger Warnings: Homicide
I’m going to be honest, I debated my rating on this one. This was just not it for me, at all. This is basically a short story of a woman who slowly descends into the calling of the forest and murders her whole family. Yeah, not what I wanted to read and definitely not what I was expecting. It didn’t so much see this as a Baba Yaga retelling or even anything related to Baba Yaga, if I’m being honest. It literally felt like the start of a mystery thriller book and was it’s own thing. This just wasn’t it and one of my least favorite stories in the anthology as a whole.
➸ Birds of a Feather by Monique Snyman ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Content/Trigger Warnings: Gun violence, bullying, gore, murder, death, violence, depictions of blood
This was fantastic! I was hooked the minute I started this! Who does love starting a short story running through the woods while people are shouting at you, hunting you down?! Delicious. A great way to capture the reader, hands down. I loved that the author also went with the balance and order approach for this story too. It really worked well with the flow and pacing, and just set the atmosphere up for the end game of the story. It was just a really great read!
➸ Water Like Broken Glass by Carina Bissett ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Content/Trigger Warnings: Drownings, scene of assault, war themes, death, murder
This was another fantastic read, as well! Plus, who doesn’t love some lesbian representation? It was delicious! This is a very unique story of how Baba Yaga exists and how one can become Baba Yaga, but it’s also about love and the extent of what one will do for love. It’s also a story about forgiveness especially when one is a river rusalka and has been doing the same things for so long. It was really well written and captivating. Hands down one of my favorite reads of this collection.
➸ Herald the Knight by Mercedes M. Yardley ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Content/Trigger Warnings: Blood depictions, death of an animal, mentions loss of a child/miscarriage, death, scene of assault, gore
Yes, yes YEEEESSSSS ! We get a short story with a black knight and I’m thriving! I love stories with black knights. I eat that goodness for breakfast! Can you tell that this is my favorite story out of all the short stories of the whole book? I love that we get a romance between a black knight, who hides his face because of his scars, and we have Baba Yaga, who’s young and doesn’t need anyone yet wants this black knight like a fire consumes charcoal. It was just so good and I enjoyed how well the two felt right for each other. It was spectacular, for me!
➸ All Bitterness Burned Away by Jill Baguchinsky ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Content/Trigger Warnings: Indications of an abusive relationship, implied starvation, murder
Now THIS is why the Hensel & Gretel retelling meets Baba Yaga works! First, Baba Yaga’s house being a cat/acting like a cat was so delightful. Yes please, I would like more Baba Yaga retellings where her house is a cat house, please and thank you! I love this concept more than I do the bird house concept. Secondly, this book ties in the element of Baba Yaga being good, but also adopting children as her own and removing them from an abusive situation. I thought this was handled really well and it was done in a way that was satisfying to read. This was just everything I wanted and I got a big boost of serotonin from reading this story.
➸ A Trail of Feathers, A Trail of Blood by Stephanie M. Wytovich ⭐⭐
Content/Trigger Warnings: Grief, brief mention of a dead animal, implied child sacrifice
This left an unsettling chill in my spine and not the good kind of chill. I want to express that this story many be triggering for readers whether you’re a parent or not. This story kind of smacked me out of left field and the way the ending plays out is not a good one. It’s a cruel, messed up ending and honestly, if I had known the the content warnings in advance, I would have skipped this one to spare my sanity.
➸ Baba Yaga Learns to Shave, Gets Her Period, Then Grows Into Her Own by Jess Hagemann ⭐⭐
Horrendously repetitive! Holy cow this one chipped away at my sanity relentlessly. My biggest pet peeve is repetitiveness in books and ‘like this‘ is repeated so much in this short story. I had a hard time focusing on other details because it just came off as a mother talking down to a teenager and it was just so annoying. The story as a whole was incredibly annoying and for the most part, that’s what this story is, a mother talking down to her child, giving her the same verbal cue. We only see something in relation to Baba Yaga till the end of the story, literally the very end of the story. It just wasn’t a fun time for me.
➸ Fair Trade by Jacqueline West ⭐⭐⭐
Content/Trigger Warnings: Underage drinking, death, grief
I liked the concept of this at first and then it just felt like a Baba Yaga version of Freaky Friday. While that’s not a bad thing, it just didn’t really work for me, personally. I came to read a Baba Yaga retelling, not a short story that only has two scenes of Baba Yaga in it and focuses on someone I didn’t really feel any connection to. The story is really well written, but that’s about the only thing that really stood out for me.
➸ Stork Bites by Ev Knight ⭐
Content/Trigger Warnings: Mention of current events (Roe v Wade), talk of postpartum depression, emesis, drugging, graphic scene of abortion, brief implications of rape, cannibalism
HELL to the NO! This was not it, at all. If I wanted a graphic scene of abortion, whether there were fantasy elements or not, I would go read/listen to those who actually went through that because at least then I’d know what to expect or I could prepare myself mentally and make sure I’m in a good headspace. I don’t like things come out of left field and chipping away at my sanity especially when no one can be bothered to give content/trigger warnings in advance. This is the last thing that I wanted in a retelling. It was disturbing to the point of that scene inducing nausea. No thank you, next!
➸ Chicken Foot by Octavia Cade ⭐⭐⭐
Content/Trigger Warnings: Dead animals, animal experimentation
I think the part that’s going to haunt me the most is the canary legs making screaming sounds as the wind blows through them… ANYWAY, this was another interesting take on Baba Yaga’s house and how it becomes what it becomes… a bird house. It was a really interesting approach to take a more scientific route with the story, but it was good. I’m just not a fan of animal experimentation.
➸ Where the Horizon Meets the Sky by R. J. Joseph ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Content/Trigger Warnings: Sex, death of a loved one
This story has a very modern day feel to it, but add a little kick of zombie near the end. It was interesting to see things play in a way where Baba Yaga was word focused. Every thing Baba did in this story was done in a way of how the person spoke about what they wanted. It was a really interesting take and I think this could have been it’s own novella.
➸ Maw Maw Yaga and the Hunter by Alexandrea Weis ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Content/Trigger Warnings: Gore, scene of dismemberment, death
This is my first time hearing a Cajun retelling of Baba Yaga! I really enjoyed this and was so captivated of how things would play out. There was a moment where I thought things would turn out differently, but it didn’t. All I can really say is I would have love a full novella of this short story. It was really good and I think it could stand on it’s own.
➸ Baba Yaga in Reprose by Heather Miller ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is very detail heavy and it takes a hot minute to get to Baba Yaga, but it feels very much like Sleeping Beauty. It’s a really interesting was to set the whole story up, but I love the concept of these beings from folklore and fairytales to go into a slumber as the world moves on into modern day. I think this was such an interesting way of capturing that and I enjoyed it a lot.
➸ Shadow and Branch, Ghost Fruit Among the Lullabies by Saba Razvi ⭐⭐⭐
This was a nice way to close out the collection. However, my issue is that it gets repetitive really quickly and as I’ve mentioned before, repetitiveness and I don’t get along. It’s very well written and it can be captivating for the right reader, it just wasn’t me. Still a lovely, spooky way to close everything out.
The quotes above were taken from an ARC and are subject to change upon publication.
All thoughts, feelings, experiences, and opinions are honest and my own.
Instagram|Ko-fi|Throne
Release date: (November 8th, 2022)
Holy cow this was a doozy of anthology! 24 short stories about the one and only… Baba Yaga! It’s exciting, isn’t it?! This was truly a wild ride and definitely an anthology that won’t so easily leave my memory. Some of these stories are fantastic, others may chill your bones, but for me friends, I think I wanted this to be a little more than what I got. And let me tell you, there were moments where I got a whole lot that I didn’t even want. So buckle up, this might just be a wild ride for you too!
➸ Foreword by Christina Henry ⭐⭐⭐
Content/Trigger Warnings: Scene of animal death
This wasn’t anything too spectacular or anything. This basically just an introduction to Baba Yaga, if you never heard of Baba Yaga till now. It kind of sets the tone for the rest of anthology, that melting pot of the good, the bad, and the unsettling.
“She is a wild thing tied to the earth. She can be a friendly hand to a passerby or a monstrous one – a snake that can choose to strike or turn its fanged head away in mercy or indifference.”
➸ Dinner Plans with Baba Yaga by Stephanie M. Wytovich ⭐⭐⭐
Content/Trigger Warnings: Implications of cannibalism and dead children
This was just an okay read for me. This felt like it clung tightly to the blueprint of the traditional tale of Baba Yaga, which is fine. I think I was just hoping for more branching away from the typical folklore about it and just wanting a little more. It’s still a good story though!
➸ Last Tour Into The Hungering Moonlight by Gwendolyn Kiste ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This was an eerie short story. I don’t even know how to properly describe it, but this one made my skin crawl. You’re in the perspective of someone moving/looking to move and you’re visiting this neighborhood, all the while Baba Yaga is whispering about. It’s a very eerie, chilling setting. Almost walking into a neighborhood where everyone is always smiling and happy. Yeah, that’s the creepy vibe it gives off. Very spooky and I definitely recommend a warm beverage for this one!
➸ The Story of a House by Yi Izzy Yu ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Content/Trigger Warnings: Death of animals, depictions of blood, gore, grief, scene of decapitation
This story messed me up in so many ways, both good and bad. I had never read a short story about Baba Yaga’s house and that was one of the things that always intrigued me about her folklore. I always wanted to know more about her house and how it came to be. This was a great interpretation of that and it was so good to read. Not a fan of all the animal horror, but still a good read.
“There, House remains to this day, half-asleep but with an open door.”
➸ Of Moonlight And Moss by Sara Tantlinger ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Content/Trigger Warnings: Loss of a parent (in the past), abusive/toxic relationships, depictions of torture recounted
I adored this story! This was one of my favorite stories of the whole collection. It gave a lot of renaissance era vibes for me. Not quite Camelot, but definitely in that time period. This was so good and I love the thought of Baba Yaga being someone who open their home to the broken and the unwanted/unloved.
“If you survive the bog, you may not survive the witch. If you do, beware of how sweet lies may taste. Beware the fate you accept.”
➸ Wormwood by Lindz McLeod ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Content/Trigger Warnings: Death, murder, emesis, scene of hanging
This is a great story of the potential good side to Baba Yaga. When it comes to tales of Baba Yaga, I hear more terrible stories than I do good and this was nice breath of fresh air. I loved that she helped a grieving woman after a horrible crime has been committed and I love how mirrors have symbolism in this short story. It was an all around great read for me that intrigued the senses.
“They call her a witch. They call her a goddess. They call her a cannibal. But mirrors tell the wrong stories. And so do people.”
➸ Mama Yaga by Christina SNG ⭐⭐⭐
Content/Trigger Warnings: Cannibalism, mentions of famine, loss of loved ones
Eh, this was an okay read for me. I enjoyed it, but again this circles back to what I mentions earlier, about a story sticking to an already made blue print. It just feels like an easy way of getting out of writing something that could have been much more. I would have liked a different twist or something. I don’t know, this was just an okay read for me in the department of Hansel & Gretel/Baba Yaga.
➸ Flood Zone by Donna Lynch ⭐⭐⭐
Content/Trigger Warnings: Cannibalism, mass murder
Another okay read for me. I wish this had more to it, potentially some combat or someone finding out about the plot, but this just didn’t hit the mark at all. All this story really did was just remind me of how horrible and cruel people can be, with an unrealistic outcome that’s far too simple. I liked that Baba Yaga had a child or apprentice of her own, but I just wanted more from this story.
➸ The Peddler’s Promise by Catherine McCarthy ⭐⭐⭐
Content/Trigger Warnings: Mentions loss of a loved one, death of children, cannibalism
I think this was a unique way to write Baba’s tale of luring children from the safety of their homes. However, I think my biggest issue was the lack on conflict or confrontation with Baba. Honestly, the way this story goes just leaves you with a heavy feeling and I think if we had some conflict it would have made the story a little lighter. It just wasn’t a fun time. I went in intrigued and emerged feeling kind of heavy and sad.
➸ The Space Between the Trees by Jo Kaplan ⭐⭐⭐
Content/Trigger Warnings: Mentions of grief, mentions loss of loved ones, mentions of murder, cannibalism
This is another take on Baba Yaga actually having a daughter, which I love this concept. This was really well written and it was interesting to see the parallels in approaching things between Baba and the daughter. I almost wish there was a different outcome for the ending, but that may be asking for too much.
➸ Sugar and Spice and the Old Witch’s Price by Lisa Quigley ⭐⭐
Content/Trigger Warnings: Homicide
I’m going to be honest, I debated my rating on this one. This was just not it for me, at all. This is basically a short story of a woman who slowly descends into the calling of the forest and murders her whole family. Yeah, not what I wanted to read and definitely not what I was expecting. It didn’t so much see this as a Baba Yaga retelling or even anything related to Baba Yaga, if I’m being honest. It literally felt like the start of a mystery thriller book and was it’s own thing. This just wasn’t it and one of my least favorite stories in the anthology as a whole.
➸ Birds of a Feather by Monique Snyman ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Content/Trigger Warnings: Gun violence, bullying, gore, murder, death, violence, depictions of blood
This was fantastic! I was hooked the minute I started this! Who does love starting a short story running through the woods while people are shouting at you, hunting you down?! Delicious. A great way to capture the reader, hands down. I loved that the author also went with the balance and order approach for this story too. It really worked well with the flow and pacing, and just set the atmosphere up for the end game of the story. It was just a really great read!
➸ Water Like Broken Glass by Carina Bissett ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Content/Trigger Warnings: Drownings, scene of assault, war themes, death, murder
This was another fantastic read, as well! Plus, who doesn’t love some lesbian representation? It was delicious! This is a very unique story of how Baba Yaga exists and how one can become Baba Yaga, but it’s also about love and the extent of what one will do for love. It’s also a story about forgiveness especially when one is a river rusalka and has been doing the same things for so long. It was really well written and captivating. Hands down one of my favorite reads of this collection.
“She is Death incarnate. A creature that thrives on war, and her hunger is as bright as the full moon, as sharp as glass.”
➸ Herald the Knight by Mercedes M. Yardley ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Content/Trigger Warnings: Blood depictions, death of an animal, mentions loss of a child/miscarriage, death, scene of assault, gore
Yes, yes YEEEESSSSS ! We get a short story with a black knight and I’m thriving! I love stories with black knights. I eat that goodness for breakfast! Can you tell that this is my favorite story out of all the short stories of the whole book? I love that we get a romance between a black knight, who hides his face because of his scars, and we have Baba Yaga, who’s young and doesn’t need anyone yet wants this black knight like a fire consumes charcoal. It was just so good and I enjoyed how well the two felt right for each other. It was spectacular, for me!
“The black knight watched her, instinctively knowing she ran toward something, not away from him, and it was no surprise when the forest closed itself behind her.”
➸ All Bitterness Burned Away by Jill Baguchinsky ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Content/Trigger Warnings: Indications of an abusive relationship, implied starvation, murder
Now THIS is why the Hensel & Gretel retelling meets Baba Yaga works! First, Baba Yaga’s house being a cat/acting like a cat was so delightful. Yes please, I would like more Baba Yaga retellings where her house is a cat house, please and thank you! I love this concept more than I do the bird house concept. Secondly, this book ties in the element of Baba Yaga being good, but also adopting children as her own and removing them from an abusive situation. I thought this was handled really well and it was done in a way that was satisfying to read. This was just everything I wanted and I got a big boost of serotonin from reading this story.
➸ A Trail of Feathers, A Trail of Blood by Stephanie M. Wytovich ⭐⭐
Content/Trigger Warnings: Grief, brief mention of a dead animal, implied child sacrifice
This left an unsettling chill in my spine and not the good kind of chill. I want to express that this story many be triggering for readers whether you’re a parent or not. This story kind of smacked me out of left field and the way the ending plays out is not a good one. It’s a cruel, messed up ending and honestly, if I had known the the content warnings in advance, I would have skipped this one to spare my sanity.
➸ Baba Yaga Learns to Shave, Gets Her Period, Then Grows Into Her Own by Jess Hagemann ⭐⭐
Horrendously repetitive! Holy cow this one chipped away at my sanity relentlessly. My biggest pet peeve is repetitiveness in books and ‘like this‘ is repeated so much in this short story. I had a hard time focusing on other details because it just came off as a mother talking down to a teenager and it was just so annoying. The story as a whole was incredibly annoying and for the most part, that’s what this story is, a mother talking down to her child, giving her the same verbal cue. We only see something in relation to Baba Yaga till the end of the story, literally the very end of the story. It just wasn’t a fun time for me.
➸ Fair Trade by Jacqueline West ⭐⭐⭐
Content/Trigger Warnings: Underage drinking, death, grief
I liked the concept of this at first and then it just felt like a Baba Yaga version of Freaky Friday. While that’s not a bad thing, it just didn’t really work for me, personally. I came to read a Baba Yaga retelling, not a short story that only has two scenes of Baba Yaga in it and focuses on someone I didn’t really feel any connection to. The story is really well written, but that’s about the only thing that really stood out for me.
➸ Stork Bites by Ev Knight ⭐
Content/Trigger Warnings: Mention of current events (Roe v Wade), talk of postpartum depression, emesis, drugging, graphic scene of abortion, brief implications of rape, cannibalism
HELL to the NO! This was not it, at all. If I wanted a graphic scene of abortion, whether there were fantasy elements or not, I would go read/listen to those who actually went through that because at least then I’d know what to expect or I could prepare myself mentally and make sure I’m in a good headspace. I don’t like things come out of left field and chipping away at my sanity especially when no one can be bothered to give content/trigger warnings in advance. This is the last thing that I wanted in a retelling. It was disturbing to the point of that scene inducing nausea. No thank you, next!
➸ Chicken Foot by Octavia Cade ⭐⭐⭐
Content/Trigger Warnings: Dead animals, animal experimentation
I think the part that’s going to haunt me the most is the canary legs making screaming sounds as the wind blows through them… ANYWAY, this was another interesting take on Baba Yaga’s house and how it becomes what it becomes… a bird house. It was a really interesting approach to take a more scientific route with the story, but it was good. I’m just not a fan of animal experimentation.
➸ Where the Horizon Meets the Sky by R. J. Joseph ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Content/Trigger Warnings: Sex, death of a loved one
This story has a very modern day feel to it, but add a little kick of zombie near the end. It was interesting to see things play in a way where Baba Yaga was word focused. Every thing Baba did in this story was done in a way of how the person spoke about what they wanted. It was a really interesting take and I think this could have been it’s own novella.
➸ Maw Maw Yaga and the Hunter by Alexandrea Weis ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Content/Trigger Warnings: Gore, scene of dismemberment, death
This is my first time hearing a Cajun retelling of Baba Yaga! I really enjoyed this and was so captivated of how things would play out. There was a moment where I thought things would turn out differently, but it didn’t. All I can really say is I would have love a full novella of this short story. It was really good and I think it could stand on it’s own.
➸ Baba Yaga in Reprose by Heather Miller ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is very detail heavy and it takes a hot minute to get to Baba Yaga, but it feels very much like Sleeping Beauty. It’s a really interesting was to set the whole story up, but I love the concept of these beings from folklore and fairytales to go into a slumber as the world moves on into modern day. I think this was such an interesting way of capturing that and I enjoyed it a lot.
➸ Shadow and Branch, Ghost Fruit Among the Lullabies by Saba Razvi ⭐⭐⭐
This was a nice way to close out the collection. However, my issue is that it gets repetitive really quickly and as I’ve mentioned before, repetitiveness and I don’t get along. It’s very well written and it can be captivating for the right reader, it just wasn’t me. Still a lovely, spooky way to close everything out.
The quotes above were taken from an ARC and are subject to change upon publication.
All thoughts, feelings, experiences, and opinions are honest and my own.
Instagram|Ko-fi|Throne
January 24, 2024
Solid collection
A Trail of Feathers, A Trail of Blood -Stephanie M. Wytovich
Baba Yaga in Repose -Heather Miller
Shadow and Branch, Ghost Fruit Among the Lullabies -Saba Syed Razvi
Herald The Knight -Mercedes M. Yardley
Of Moonlight and Moss -Sara Tantlinger
Blair cursed as her body became a portal, a doorway, the inferno between her legs raging and subsiding as the babe's first cry ran against the wind.
-A Trail of Feathers, A Trail of Blood by Stephanie M. Wytovich
There is an air of magic about the place, of unseen things that linger just beyond mortal sight, a whisper of wonder, a prickling of power along the spine. This forest speaks, its voice a long, low hum that reverberates through the ground and vibrates the very air
-Baba Yaga in Repose by Heather Miller
A Trail of Feathers, A Trail of Blood -Stephanie M. Wytovich
Baba Yaga in Repose -Heather Miller
Shadow and Branch, Ghost Fruit Among the Lullabies -Saba Syed Razvi
Herald The Knight -Mercedes M. Yardley
Of Moonlight and Moss -Sara Tantlinger
Blair cursed as her body became a portal, a doorway, the inferno between her legs raging and subsiding as the babe's first cry ran against the wind.
-A Trail of Feathers, A Trail of Blood by Stephanie M. Wytovich
There is an air of magic about the place, of unseen things that linger just beyond mortal sight, a whisper of wonder, a prickling of power along the spine. This forest speaks, its voice a long, low hum that reverberates through the ground and vibrates the very air
-Baba Yaga in Repose by Heather Miller
Shelved as 'dnf'
February 14, 2024This is included with my Kindle Unlimited subscription so I downloaded it as there’s an author whose work I adore within this collection. It came as no surprise that I absolutely loved that piece of writing and gave it 5/5 stars!
The other stories just didn’t do it for me so I gave up after reading five or six more. I won’t rate overall as I didn’t read enough of the stories to make a fair judgement.
The other stories just didn’t do it for me so I gave up after reading five or six more. I won’t rate overall as I didn’t read enough of the stories to make a fair judgement.
November 22, 2022
So I wasn’t quite sure what this was going to be about. What I knew about Baba Yaga was from horror movies I believe, so I expected a bunch of scary stories. The beginning gives us a little look at what Baba Yaga has been described as in the past. Therefore many of the stories were more fairy tale or myth types, and a few had some aspects I didn’t really want to read about in my stories, political/not political, hot topics kind of. But some stories were more like what I expected or went beyond what I expected. A couple stories were kind of a Hansel and Gretel reimagining that I really liked!
While I didn’t get all the way through it before I posted this review, I got far enough that I felt I could go ahead and get my review up prior to the pub date this week. As with any anthology, I honestly will say there were stories I liked a lot, stories I didn’t like, and stories that were just so-so. But I did enjoy it and am definitely thinking a lot of other people would like the different takes on Baba Yaga.
The stories I would say I liked best were Mama Yaga by Christina Sng, The Peddler’s Promise by Catherine McCarthy, Birds of a Feather by Monique Snyman, Herald the Knight by Mercedes M. Yardley, and All the Bitterness Burned Away by Jill Baguchinsky.
Mama Yaga and All the Bitterness Burned Away were the ones that were kind of Hansel and Gretel retellings. I like the dark romance aspect of Herald the Knight. And the others had some scary aspects to them that matched what I was thinking the stories would be like when I first got it.
So if you’re into retellings of fairy tales, Baba Yaga stories, etc., some scary, others cautionary tales or with kind of statements like feminism, etc., there is something for you in this anthology!
Review first posted on Lisa Loves Literature.
While I didn’t get all the way through it before I posted this review, I got far enough that I felt I could go ahead and get my review up prior to the pub date this week. As with any anthology, I honestly will say there were stories I liked a lot, stories I didn’t like, and stories that were just so-so. But I did enjoy it and am definitely thinking a lot of other people would like the different takes on Baba Yaga.
The stories I would say I liked best were Mama Yaga by Christina Sng, The Peddler’s Promise by Catherine McCarthy, Birds of a Feather by Monique Snyman, Herald the Knight by Mercedes M. Yardley, and All the Bitterness Burned Away by Jill Baguchinsky.
Mama Yaga and All the Bitterness Burned Away were the ones that were kind of Hansel and Gretel retellings. I like the dark romance aspect of Herald the Knight. And the others had some scary aspects to them that matched what I was thinking the stories would be like when I first got it.
So if you’re into retellings of fairy tales, Baba Yaga stories, etc., some scary, others cautionary tales or with kind of statements like feminism, etc., there is something for you in this anthology!
Review first posted on Lisa Loves Literature.
June 11, 2022
Thank you to Netgally and the publisher for the ARC..
I'm a real sucker for tales of Baba Yaga, so this collection really scratched every itch.
The collection has both retellings of the original lore, some poems and completely new takes on the Baba Yaga tales. Some better than others.
It's intereseting to see the different takes the authors have on the witch in the house with the chicken legs. She could be young and a healer in one, and a old crone that eats children in the next, but it feels like they captured the essence wonderfully.
I'm a real sucker for tales of Baba Yaga, so this collection really scratched every itch.
The collection has both retellings of the original lore, some poems and completely new takes on the Baba Yaga tales. Some better than others.
It's intereseting to see the different takes the authors have on the witch in the house with the chicken legs. She could be young and a healer in one, and a old crone that eats children in the next, but it feels like they captured the essence wonderfully.
September 20, 2022
Note - In Slavic folklore, Baba Yaga, also spelled Baba Jaga, is a supernatural being who appears as a deformed and/or ferocious-looking woman. In fairy tales Baba Yaga flies around in a mortar, wields a pestle, and dwells deep in the forest in a hut usually described as standing on chicken legs.
I’m a huge fan of short story anthologies, especially the creepy atmospheric kind like the ones in this book. This is a book you can dip in and out of, you don’t have to read each story in order because they are all very much individual, the only connection they have is the main star being the lovable (some may disagree with that) and mysterious Baba Yaga!
Throughout my childhood I heard stories of Baba Yaga but those tales were nothing like any of these, Baba is a trickster more than a villain in most of these stories, the stories are written well and come from a great mix of female authors.
The Baba Yaga myth is expertly explored here, the tales are perfect for around the campfire and will be great to tell around Halloween time! I can see myself sharing these stories time and time again!
Highly recommended especially to all you creepy cats out there!
I was gifted a review copy of this book by @Blackcrow_PR, views and opinions expressed here are my own and have not been influenced by anyone.
I’m a huge fan of short story anthologies, especially the creepy atmospheric kind like the ones in this book. This is a book you can dip in and out of, you don’t have to read each story in order because they are all very much individual, the only connection they have is the main star being the lovable (some may disagree with that) and mysterious Baba Yaga!
Throughout my childhood I heard stories of Baba Yaga but those tales were nothing like any of these, Baba is a trickster more than a villain in most of these stories, the stories are written well and come from a great mix of female authors.
The Baba Yaga myth is expertly explored here, the tales are perfect for around the campfire and will be great to tell around Halloween time! I can see myself sharing these stories time and time again!
Highly recommended especially to all you creepy cats out there!
I was gifted a review copy of this book by @Blackcrow_PR, views and opinions expressed here are my own and have not been influenced by anyone.
February 22, 2023
This anthology has a really good selection of stories featuring Baba Yaga. I think my only complaint is that a few stories took a few too many liberties with her mythos. Overall though it is a really solid read especially for horror fans who are interested in folk horror.
My rating 4.5/5
(Note: I did receive this as an ARC but that did not impact my review)
My rating 4.5/5
(Note: I did receive this as an ARC but that did not impact my review)
June 15, 2023
This was really good. Reminded me I like reading short story collections.
September 2, 2022
(for review consideration from netgalley)
Follow up on the women and women-identifying Under Her Skin poetry anthology, 'Into the Forest' is a set of tales inspired by the mythology of Baba Yaga. Great stories include Gwendolyn Kiste’s, Sara Tantlinger, Christina Sng, and Donna Lynch, which includes exploring why Baba Yaga’s house appears attached to high chicken legs. One of the best tales is from award winning-author Stephanie M. Wytovich -- pregnancy horror territory. The stand-out is the story from Rhonda Jackson Joseph, who puts a completely new spin on the fairy tale’s structure with the inclusion of a Black perspective in a traditionally white space. Perfect for readers who can’t get enough of folklore and fairy tales.
Follow up on the women and women-identifying Under Her Skin poetry anthology, 'Into the Forest' is a set of tales inspired by the mythology of Baba Yaga. Great stories include Gwendolyn Kiste’s, Sara Tantlinger, Christina Sng, and Donna Lynch, which includes exploring why Baba Yaga’s house appears attached to high chicken legs. One of the best tales is from award winning-author Stephanie M. Wytovich -- pregnancy horror territory. The stand-out is the story from Rhonda Jackson Joseph, who puts a completely new spin on the fairy tale’s structure with the inclusion of a Black perspective in a traditionally white space. Perfect for readers who can’t get enough of folklore and fairy tales.
July 5, 2022
I went into this book with a minimal understanding of Baba Yaga and the stories/myths around her. As having said that as I was reading this anthology that lack of knowledge was not hindering in any way, this collection of works is inclusive towards new visitors.
I loved that this collection was a huge fall into the Baba Yaga’s character and it was thought provoking. Baba Yaga certainly has planted her hut in my head to stay, she is a character that is memorable and enigmatic. I know that when this is finally released this year I will be rushing to the store to buy it.
I had wanted to pace myself, read bit by bit, but wow- I devoured this book. Each short story was captivating and enchanting. The way each writer brought Baba Yaga to life is an experience in of itself.
Now the question remains, will you enter the forest to find the hut on chicken feet?
I loved that this collection was a huge fall into the Baba Yaga’s character and it was thought provoking. Baba Yaga certainly has planted her hut in my head to stay, she is a character that is memorable and enigmatic. I know that when this is finally released this year I will be rushing to the store to buy it.
I had wanted to pace myself, read bit by bit, but wow- I devoured this book. Each short story was captivating and enchanting. The way each writer brought Baba Yaga to life is an experience in of itself.
Now the question remains, will you enter the forest to find the hut on chicken feet?
November 9, 2022
"For so long, we were told we needed to be perfect. But all we ever really needed was to be wild."
-Last tour into the Hungering Moonlight, Gwendolyn Kiste
Deep in the dark forest, in a cottage that spins on birds’ legs behind a fence topped with human skulls, lives the baba yaga. A guardian of the water of life, she lives with her sisters and takes to the skies in a giant mortar and pestle, creating tempests as she goes. Those who come across the baba yaga may find help, or hinderance, or horror. She is wild, she is woman, she is witch—and these are her tales.
I love reading witchy folk horror books, and this book gives me all the witchy and folk horror vibes I need at this time of year. This is a collection of short stories written by amazing female authors, infusing each story with feminine magic and horror. If you like beautifully written folk horror stories about strong female characters, touching on topics like love and romance, revenge, family, murder and magic, then this is the book for you. I will definitely buy a physical copy of this book.
"Not every woman becomes a witch. Some of us are born into it. Others struggle for a while. A few of us- the drowned girls, the birch brides, the unquiet spirits-do both."
-Water Like Broken Glass by Carina Bissett
My favorite stories in this book are Last Tour into the Hungering Moonlight by Gwendolyn Kiste. I think this is one of the best stories in the whole book. In this story Baba Yaga is a form of refuge for women escaping from the patriarchal society and the horrors of men.
Moonlight and Moss by Sara Tantlinger. In this, we meet an outcast princess set on an impossible quest in the woods, until she meets the Baba Yaga. Will she choose to save herself, or her cruel unloving father and her sister?
Water like broken glass, by Carina Bissett. The writing in this story is just so beautiful. In this story, two women are intertwined by love, murder and magic.
Mama Yaga by Christina Sng. This is a re-imagining of the classic tale of Hansel and Gretel, told from the perspective of the witch.
Herald the Knight by Mercedes M. Yardley. I loved loved loved this story! It was a nice twist to the Baba Yaga, because this story tells the tale of when she fell in love.
"I think I love you. The words had mass, and she took her time to taste them, to test them, They didn't hold the onerous weight she had expected. They din't wrap around her ankles, wrists, and throat. She wasn't shackled to anything. Instead, they felt more like pearls she could choose to loop around her neck, or bubbles that rose joyously through the water."
All bitterness burned away by Jill Baguchinsky. This writing is like a dream, so ethereal and I just love it.
Baba Yaga learns to shave, gets her period, then grows into her own by Jess Hagemann. My second favorite story in the whole book. This is the Baba Yaga origin story I always wanted.
Stork Bites by Eve Knight. I think this story scarred me for life.
Thank you to the publisher, the authors and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book!
-Last tour into the Hungering Moonlight, Gwendolyn Kiste
Deep in the dark forest, in a cottage that spins on birds’ legs behind a fence topped with human skulls, lives the baba yaga. A guardian of the water of life, she lives with her sisters and takes to the skies in a giant mortar and pestle, creating tempests as she goes. Those who come across the baba yaga may find help, or hinderance, or horror. She is wild, she is woman, she is witch—and these are her tales.
I love reading witchy folk horror books, and this book gives me all the witchy and folk horror vibes I need at this time of year. This is a collection of short stories written by amazing female authors, infusing each story with feminine magic and horror. If you like beautifully written folk horror stories about strong female characters, touching on topics like love and romance, revenge, family, murder and magic, then this is the book for you. I will definitely buy a physical copy of this book.
"Not every woman becomes a witch. Some of us are born into it. Others struggle for a while. A few of us- the drowned girls, the birch brides, the unquiet spirits-do both."
-Water Like Broken Glass by Carina Bissett
My favorite stories in this book are Last Tour into the Hungering Moonlight by Gwendolyn Kiste. I think this is one of the best stories in the whole book. In this story Baba Yaga is a form of refuge for women escaping from the patriarchal society and the horrors of men.
Moonlight and Moss by Sara Tantlinger. In this, we meet an outcast princess set on an impossible quest in the woods, until she meets the Baba Yaga. Will she choose to save herself, or her cruel unloving father and her sister?
Water like broken glass, by Carina Bissett. The writing in this story is just so beautiful. In this story, two women are intertwined by love, murder and magic.
Mama Yaga by Christina Sng. This is a re-imagining of the classic tale of Hansel and Gretel, told from the perspective of the witch.
Herald the Knight by Mercedes M. Yardley. I loved loved loved this story! It was a nice twist to the Baba Yaga, because this story tells the tale of when she fell in love.
"I think I love you. The words had mass, and she took her time to taste them, to test them, They didn't hold the onerous weight she had expected. They din't wrap around her ankles, wrists, and throat. She wasn't shackled to anything. Instead, they felt more like pearls she could choose to loop around her neck, or bubbles that rose joyously through the water."
All bitterness burned away by Jill Baguchinsky. This writing is like a dream, so ethereal and I just love it.
Baba Yaga learns to shave, gets her period, then grows into her own by Jess Hagemann. My second favorite story in the whole book. This is the Baba Yaga origin story I always wanted.
Stork Bites by Eve Knight. I think this story scarred me for life.
Thank you to the publisher, the authors and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book!
May 24, 2022
Into the Forest edited by Linda Ryan is an interesting collection of authors and stories centering around the legend of Baba Yaga. For those unfamiliar with Baba Yaga " in Slavic folklore, an ogress who steals, cooks, and eats her victims, usually children. A guardian of the fountains of the water of life, she lives with two or three sisters (all known as Baba Yaga) in a forest hut that spins continually on birds’ legs. Her fence is topped with human skulls. Baba Yaga can ride through the air—in an iron kettle or in a mortar that she drives with a pestle—creating tempests as she goes. She often accompanies Death on his travels, devouring newly released souls." from Brittanica.com.
This collection explores the many different aspects and faces of Baba Yaga--personally, I found the stories that were more period pieces to work a little better but overall the stories and style were strong and I had a lot of fun reading it.
Contributors in this volume include Gwendolyn Kiste, Stephanie M. Wytovich, Mercedes M. Yardley, Monique Snyman, Donna Lynch, Lisa Quigley, and R. J. Joseph.
Thanks to #NetGalley, # BlackSpotBooks, and the editors and authors for the ARC copy of #IntotheForest.
This collection explores the many different aspects and faces of Baba Yaga--personally, I found the stories that were more period pieces to work a little better but overall the stories and style were strong and I had a lot of fun reading it.
Contributors in this volume include Gwendolyn Kiste, Stephanie M. Wytovich, Mercedes M. Yardley, Monique Snyman, Donna Lynch, Lisa Quigley, and R. J. Joseph.
Thanks to #NetGalley, # BlackSpotBooks, and the editors and authors for the ARC copy of #IntotheForest.
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