This book is amazing. The descriptions of winter in Russia are so lush that I was chilly reading it. I loved being able to learn more about various "minor myths" in Russian mythology as well as the extended focus on Morozko, Father Frost. Vasya is a fantastic protagonist and her view of Orthodox Christianity as it swept through Russia is one that I think is often overlooked.
Highly recommend for folks looking for an engrossing fantasy read, those who are interested in the spread of Christianity and its effect on local customs and beliefs, those interested in Russian folk and fairy tales, and folks looking for strong feminist leads in historical fiction.

This was just about the best Russian folklore inspired book I've read. And I have read a LOT. Highly reccomend.

Absolutely loved this series. The imagery is rich, the world building is phenomenal and the characters...complex, interesting and I fell in love with a horse. Cannot wait for her next series.

I can't say enough about this wonderful book. It is a dark fairy tale set in medieval Russia, full of Russian folklore. It's an absolutely perfect winter read. Vasya is a wonderful heroine who has the ability to see and communicate with house spirits and demons. The villagers do not trust her. There is great evil in the forest that threatens her family and the village. This novel is so magical and imaginative and the writing is lyrical. I absolutely loved it and ordered the second in this series immediately upon finishing.

This book will be the start of a beautiful, engaging, fast-paced and fascinating trilogy. A really great, historical, somewhat epic fantasy, inspired by the history and folk and fairy tales of Eastern Europe.

I liked this Russian fairy tale -- it is magical book with a strong female protagonist and other-worldly demons and more. Older students who are strong readers may enjoy it, too. They will need to give it time for the atmosphere to build.

After years of sitting on my to-read list, I finally got around to reading this wonderful story of Russian folklore. It’s filled with magical creatures and a young girl who has special skills. Vasilisa is a rare child who can see and talk to the spirits. She loves to climb trees and run through the forest. Her mother dies young and Vasilisa’s father re-marries a woman who dislikes the enthusiastic child. When the town turns it’s back on the long tradition of paying tribute to the spirits, the evil spirits gain strength. Vasilisa tries to save her family and the town from harm, but as the demon grows more powerful and the good spirits weaken, she may not be able to stop the inevitable.

Arden has written a story filled with the lore of the Russian people. It is a cold world where people must struggle to keep warm, farm the land and simply survive. The good and bad spirits war with each other and put the town in danger. Vasilisa is a breath of fresh air, a quixotic girl who puts the welfare of others before her own. She is the heart of the story and may be the only one who can save the town. In addition to reading the book, I listened to the audio and Kathleen Gati adds flavor to the Russian story with her outstanding narration. It is no surprise that this book has garnered so much praise and I was glad to have finally delved into the magical realm of Russian tales of old.
4.5*
After years of sitting on my to-read list, I finally got around to reading this wonderful story of Russian folklore. It’s filled with magical creatures and a young girl who has special skills. Vasilisa is a rare child who can see and talk to the spirits. She loves to climb trees and run through the forest. Her mother dies young and Vasilisa’s father re-marries a woman who dislikes the enthusiastic child. When the town turns it’s back on the long tradition of paying tribute to the spirits, the evil spirits gain strength. Vasilisa tries to save her family and the town from harm, but as the demon grows more powerful and the good spirits weaken, she may not be able to stop the inevitable.

Arden has written a story filled with the lore of the Russian people. It is a cold world where people must struggle to keep warm, farm the land and simply survive. The good and bad spirits war with each other and put the town in danger. Vasilisa is a breath of fresh air, a quixotic girl who puts the welfare of others before her own. She is the heart of the story and may be the only one who can save the town. In addition to reading the book, I listened to the audio and Kathleen Gati adds flavor to the Russian story with her outstanding narration. It is no surprise that this book has garnered so much praise and I was glad to have finally delved into the magical realm of Russian tales of old.
4.5*

DNF at 10%. I attempted this book twice, but I think the writing style isn't for me. I enjoy fairy tales and fables in general, but I had trouble connecting with the characters and following the plot at the start, so I couldn't get invested. However, even two years later, I still see stellar reviews for this book from trusted friends. I might attempt it again someday and look out for future publications by this author.

This story about a Russian family was rich and atmospheric in its lores. Although the story started off slow, this steeps the reader into the worldbuilding. I felt disquieted despite how the story tried to lull me with mundane events. And I think that is where the magic happens. The mythical creatures are abnormal, and it is exactly how they impose upon the mundane lives of Vasya's family that leads to this sense of extreme trepidation. As Vasya grows and comes into her own as a resilient, adaptable woman, her troubles deepen but also strengthen her resolve. It is ultimately a coming-of-age story where a girl must battle external forces rooted in Russian traditions and culture which quintessentially reflects the battle within herself.

Beautifully atmospheric novel with all the elements of magic, folk stories, and things that live deep in the forest. In this Cinderella-esque story, Vasilisa's mother dies and her father goes to Moscow, coming home with a new wife who is the polar opposite of Vasila's mother. When her new mother forbids anyone from honoring the spirits of the household, things start to go terribly wrong. It is up to Vasilisa to make things right and it means facing a terrible danger that could spell the end for her and many in her village.
A bit overly long for all but the most dedicated YA reader - it starts off somewhat slowly so some reading stamina will be necessary BUT the payoff is great for those that stick with it. An engaging and interesting story!

Lovely and deep, drawing readers into a new realm. I needed a pillow and fluffy blanket and to read by the fire.

Mash together Slavic fantasy, magic, and a twist of Russian history, and you have "The Bear and the Nightingale." What's good: The writing is without question poetic and the imagery spectacularly vivid. What's iffier: Because the book is in working in an unfamiliar set of tropes, the reader must be ready to deal with the slight discomfort of mentally living in a foreign world. That's not a huge issue, but if you're looking for a book just to veg out, this might be an issue.

DNF. I thought I would love this but there was something about it that just didn't hold my interest. Maybe it was the book, maybe it was me, But I lost interest and never finished reading it.

This is one of those books where I constantly wonder why it took me so dang long to read it. The Bear and the Nightingale is beautifully written. It starts off a little slowly, but I absolutely love the old-style fairy tale tone that dominates this book. It's the kind of long book that you just sink into without wanting it to end--which is why I was excited to see that it was a series after I finished this one!

This is one of those stories I absolutely recommend to the fairy tale retelling fan who feels like they're read everything out there (aka someone like me, hello let's be best friends). This is new, exciting, and gives you that delightful retelling feeling without absolutely knowing where the plot is going or what will happen with all of the characters. There's no room for the mundane, only magic.

I highly recommend this book and can't wait to reread it (and get my hands on the next one)!

If I’ve said it once I’ve said it a thousand times: I’m a sucker for fairy tales. This novel by Katherine Arden truly reads like folklore that has been passed down for generations. Though I’m usually reading it on my phone on a packed subway car, this book makes me feel as though I’m by a crackling fire listening to a storyteller. Set in Russia during the 14th century, The Bear and the Nightingale centers on a girl named Vasya and her role in keeping the ancient spirits of her world alive when a priest comes to exorcise them. If seeing it on our Winter SFF Preview wasn’t enough to sway you, then I’m telling you now: Folklore lovers, read this book.

AHHHHHH! Everyone loves this book. I mean it really seems like everyone raves about it. I on the other hand didn't get it. I disliked all of the characters and couldn't care less what happened to them.

Amazing book, glad I was given the opportunity to read it. There were parts that really surprised me, and I'd highly recommend anyone check it out, so that I don't give too much away.

Give it a go!

Promise, but not deliver...
The start of the novel seems promising as we are transported into a medieval Russian land, in a clash between the old and new god(s).
We learn a whole bunch of Russian tales of demons and fairies. However, at one point, the novel stops developing and we just sit and wait for something to happen, which actually never happens.
We don't know why a demon would take the main character under his wing. We don't know how the final battle is this easy. We don't know what happens next (and, honestly, we don't care).

Fantastic read. I couldn't put this book down. I loved the main character and I loved her interactions with the god of death. Set in a time when fairy tales and the old gods were being set aside for God and Christianity, I think Arden did a fantastic jobs of creating a tension of beliefs. I will say that pretty much the entire book from the moment her father is given the necklace, I was just so FRUSTRATED that it wasnt given to her. . . the entire time its just like. . OMG Give her the necklace. . . .I like that at the very end, she goes to death.

My only grievance for this book is a rather small one. Her stepmother. . .I feel like there should have been some sort of redemption or clarity for her. She is by far the saddest character in the book. She is always living in fear of something that. . well she shouldnt be afraid of and then she gets betrayed by the one person she trusts and is killed by that which she fears. . . with no clarity or understanding of what it is she is actually seeing. Its a small complaint, I just wish that there was some sort of redemption.

Overall, Fantastic book!

The only advantage to having waited this long to read this book is that now the other two books in the series have been released. I could not put this down. Katherine Arden writes in a way that feels like a lucid dream. You start to wonder if somewhere deep in the winter woods, the folklore and magic could be real. I look forward to reading more from her and I will be recommending this.