Thistlefoot by GennaRose Nethercott

Book Description

The Yaga siblings—Bellatine, a young woodworker, and Isaac, a wayfaring street performer and con artist—have been estranged since childhood, separated both by resentment and by wide miles of American highway. But when they learn that they are to receive an inheritance, the siblings agree to meet—only to discover that their bequest isn’t land or money, but something far stranger: a sentient house on chicken legs. 

Thistlefoot, as the house is called, has arrived from the Yagas’ ancestral home outside Kyiv—but not alone. A sinister figure known only as the Longshadow Man has tracked it to American shores, bearing with him violent secrets from the past: fiery memories that have hidden in Isaac and Bellatine’s blood for generations. As the Yaga siblings embark with Thistlefoot on a final cross-country tour of their family’s traveling theater show, the Longshadow Man follows in relentless pursuit, seeding destruction in his wake. Ultimately, time, magic, and legacy must collide—erupting in a powerful conflagration to determine who gets to remember the past and craft a new future.

Review

It’s easy to see why Thistlefoot by GennaRose Nethercott has captivated so many readers. The novel offers an enchanting mix of folklore, family saga, and the historical persecution of Russian Jews. The story follows the Yaga siblings, Isaac and Bellatine, who inherit a house from their ancestor, the legendary Baba Yaga.

This house isn’t just any old inheritance; it’s alive. The sentient house stands on chicken legs and will walk (or run!) when asked.

At its heart, Thistlefoot is a character-focused novel. The plot centers on the Yaga siblings’ journey and the mysterious threats they face. Their dynamic isn’t easy. Like many sibling relationships, it’s further complicated by how each character sees themselves.

For me, Bellatine was more relatable than Issac. Her journey is interesting, especially as she wrestles with what she sees as her personal flaws. I couldn’t help but feel protective of her as she struggled against her brother’s manipulation.

I absolutely loved how Nethercott portrays Thistlefoot (the house) as a character in its own right. Not only does it influence and interact with the siblings, it reflects their inner conflicts and growth. It also narrates part of the story, providing a historical context that neither sibling is aware of. The audio narration by January LaVoy is wonderful. She brings the characters to life, especially Thistlefoot.

Fair warning, Thistlefoot is not a light, cozy read. The story dives deep into heavy topics like inherited trauma and the power of storytelling. It reminded me of how the past defines us, even when we’re unaware of pieces of it. However hard I found the portrayed hate hard to read, I thought Nethercott handled these themes with sensitivity. They don’t come across as heavy-handed even as Nethercott explores the resilience needed to carry the weight of history.

Thistlefoot is a powerful, magical read​​​ with gorgeous prose. The blend of fantasy and reality, along with the novel’s poignant reflections on memory and survival, made this a story that will stay with me.

Content Warning

Antisemitism, Death, Drug Use, Fire, Genocide, Gore, Grief, Hate, Homophobia, Infant Death, Mental Illness, Murder, Panic Attacks, Self harm, Suicide, War, Xenophobia

The header photo is a composite image. Base image by Pablo Hermoso on Unsplash