Amity
Although Nadya was born with only one arm, she never found herself lacking in any way. However, when she is adopted by American parents and taken away from her homeland of Russia, they deem it necessary to fit her with a prosthetic. Nadya has smiled politely and been obedient throughout all of the major changes that have happened to her, but the uncomfortable prosthetic is too far and leads her to wandering by a turtle pond, which is the only place she ever truly feels at peace. After trying to help a turtle with a strange message carved into its shell - Be Sure - Nadya finds herself in Belyyreka, a land of giant frogs, talking turtles, and water as far as the eye can see.
This was as well-written as the others in the series, and once again the world-building is incredible. It's such a short book, but it's so richly described and well thought out. I think this prequel could work as an entry point to the series, albeit a sad one, but I found it more rewarding having read the other books. Though I want to know what happened when Nadya returned to Belyyreka! How much time had passed? Was her husband still alive? More importantly what about her giant turtle??
Overall, not the strongest entry in the series, but still solid. 3.5 varying weights of water out of 5.
Although Nadya was born with only one arm, she never found herself lacking in any way. However, when she is adopted by American parents and taken away from her homeland of Russia, they deem it necessary to fit her with a prosthetic. Nadya has smiled politely and been obedient throughout all of the major changes that have happened to her, but the uncomfortable prosthetic is too far and leads her to wandering by a turtle pond, which is the only place she ever truly feels at peace. After trying to help a turtle with a strange message carved into its shell - Be Sure - Nadya finds herself in Belyyreka, a land of giant frogs, talking turtles, and water as far as the eye can see.
This was as well-written as the others in the series, and once again the world-building is incredible. It's such a short book, but it's so richly described and well thought out. I think this prequel could work as an entry point to the series, albeit a sad one, but I found it more rewarding having read the other books. Though I want to know what happened when Nadya returned to Belyyreka! How much time had passed? Was her husband still alive? More importantly what about her giant turtle??
Overall, not the strongest entry in the series, but still solid. 3.5 varying weights of water out of 5.