Enchantment

A graduate student specializing in Old Church Slavonic returns to Ukraine and discovers a sleeping woman in the woods - the same one he saw as a child. Upon waking her with a kiss, he learns she is Princess Katerina from the ancient kingdom of Taina. The story moves between modern times and 10th century Eastern Europe as Ivan and Katerina navigate two worlds separated by a millennium. They face threats from both eras, including the witch Baba Yaga who pursues them across time with dark magic and political schemes. The narrative combines elements of Slavic folklore, including the Sleeping Beauty tale, with contemporary settings and characters. Gods walk among mortals, ancient magic persists into the modern day, and characters must reconcile their roles in both past and present. Through its time-traveling structure and folklore foundations, the book explores themes of cultural identity, the persistence of the past, and the tension between tradition and progress. Family relationships and the nature of power emerge as central concerns.

Readers describe Enchantment as a clever blend of Russian folklore and time travel, though many note it takes several chapters to build momentum. Readers appreciated: - The detailed research into Slavic mythology and customs - The complex relationship dynamics between characters - The balance of modern and historical settings - Card's incorporation of Jewish traditions and culture Common criticisms: - Slow pacing in the first third - Overuse of internal monologues - Abrupt ending that leaves questions unanswered - Some found the romance elements unconvincing One reader noted: "The folklore feels authentic rather than Disney-fied." Another said: "Too much time spent on character thoughts rather than action." Ratings: Goodreads: 3.96/5 (21,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (400+ ratings) LibraryThing: 3.9/5 (2,000+ ratings) The book tends to score higher with readers who enjoy mythology retellings and don't mind slower-paced character development.

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🔸 The character of Baba Yaga in Slavic mythology lives in a hut that stands on chicken legs and can rotate to face approaching visitors - a detail faithfully incorporated into Card's novel. 🔸 Prior to writing "Enchantment," Card spent time in Russia researching Slavic folklore and studying the historical context of 10th-century Kievan Rus, the medieval state that would later become Ukraine. 🔸 The novel's protagonist's expertise in Old Church Slavonic reflects real historical significance - it was the first Slavic literary language, developed in the 9th century by missionaries Cyril and Methodius. 🔸 Card wrote this book partly inspired by his own Mormon faith's emphasis on family connections across generations, weaving this theme into the time-travel narrative. 🔸 The novel's portrayal of 10th-century Ruthenia coincides with a pivotal moment in Eastern European history - the reign of Vladimir the Great and the Christianization of Kievan Rus.