A deep, dark dive into the fairytale-ish world of Russia. The story could have been a little quicker, the romance between the frost king and our protagonist a little... hotter, but it's a beautifully written, vivid tale for lovers of fantasy and history.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC! Free stuff doesn't color my opinion, honest.

This. Book. Is. Amazing.

The setting of this book is far different than any other book I have read. I don't know why I hadn't read any books based on Russian folklore before, but I am so glad that this was my first one. The setting felt like it could be real. It was beautifully written and the characters were great as well.

I had a little bit of a hard time with this book as I didn't know how to pronounce any of the characters names, and I've heard the AudioBook is great, I listened to a sample of it, and I think that I might get the audio of this book. Because that sample was great, and it pronounces everything the way it's supposed to be.

I am also having difficulty really describing this book. I don't want to spoil anything, and I want to gush about this book. But it's hard without giving things away or repeating myself saying how great this book is. As I mentioned, I didn't really have the time I wanted to, to read this book. But whenever I did have the time I completely fell into the story.

Most of the "meat" of the story takes place during winter, so maybe reading it during that time will help get into the story. This is a must read book. This book has inspired me to seek out other Russian folktales, and their retellings.

The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden is an enchanting book with its roots in Russian folklore and fairy tales.

Vasilisa Petrovna, with the nickname Vasya, is our heroine. The tale starts out while she is very young and listening to tales at the hearth from her nurse. One of her favorites to hear stories about is Morozko, the Frost.

After a time, as she grows, someone convinces her father it would be a good thing if she had a mother figure in the home other than her nurse. Her father marries a woman from Moscovy who frankly would rather have been a nun.

Her stepmother is adamant that the old guardians of the hearth and other house spirits should no longer be honored and all faith given to the Christian God. Her father, Pyotr, goes along with the stepmother. Vasya feels that this is wrong and that there will be far reaching consequences for their denial. Secretly she continues to honor the house spirits and asks for their protection for the people. As the story progresses, Vasya's stepmother decides that Vasya must either be married off or sent to a convent.

As the winter worsens, Vasya finds herself in a place where she will have to make a choice. She will have to defy the people she loves if she is to save them from something out of one of her nurse's most frightening tales.

The Bear and the Nightingale is well written. If you love fairy tales and folktales, you will love this book. It captures the early days of Christianity in Russia where the people continued to honor the house spirits side by side with the new God, giving each his due. An interview with the author on Unbound Worlds indicates that she drew on both the history and the folklore of old Russia in her writing.

I loved the way I felt pulled into the setting and among the characters. I especially became fond of Vasilisa and her family. The stepmother, not so much, although I did feel kind of sorry for her. Morozko is an interesting character and, according to Katherine Arden, will appear in future books in what is planned to be a trilogy at the moment.

The Bear and the Nightingale was released January 10, 2017 from Del Rey. I gave it 5 stars. It's a great debut by the author. It reads like a fairy tale or folktale. And it's quite entertaining. I really enjoyed it. I can't wait to read the next book.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is a fantasy, a fairy tale, a sumptuous story. Vasya is a heroine, yet flawed and real and completely compelling. It unfolds beautifully and is told masterfully. It reads like a Russian Hans Christian Anderson story, and begs to be read by a roaring fire on a cold wintery night.

I will not spoil the story, it is an enjoyable read and I look forward to other books by the author.

I loved this and would read it a million times. It wasnt quite what I was expecting - and I loved the slightly less traditional folklore

This fascinating story based on Russian folklore is the story of Vasya, who can see and speak with the demons who guard the homes and crops. As the Christian religion takes over, and offerings to the guardians are stopped, there is danger that only Vasya, a wild child who has inherited her ability to communicate with the guardians from her mother's family, can stop - or can she? The story is intriguing and a fun read!

Really enjoyed the worldbuilding in this book, but the pacing was off. Most of the explanation of the magic came too close to the final scenes, so the ending felt rushed.

I would definitely seek out more by this author in the future, though-- the book was good, but the writing makes me think future books may be great.

Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the opportunity to read and review The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden. Marina dies after giving birth to Vasya, who is supposed to be special and mysterious in the same way Marina's mother was. Years later, when Vasya is a young girl, she wanders into the forest and gets lost. She meets two strangers. The first one is told to sleep by the second man. Vasya bolts and is found by her brother, Sasha. Vasya's father decides to find a new wife so Vasya can have a mother to raise her. Pyotr returns from Moscow with his new wife, Anna. Anna sees strangers just as Vasya does, but she treats Vasya cruelly even though they have this in common. Vasya's nurse, Dunya, loves Vasya unconditionally. When Dunya dies, Vasya asks for the help of her brother Alyosha. Alyosha truly believes Vasya and helps her to rid the village of evil. After Vasya was threatened with being sent to a convent, Anna bargains with her. If Vasya will venture into the frozen woods and gather snowdrop flowers for Anna's daughter, Irina, then Anna will let Vasya stay home. While Vasya is in the woods, she's saved and taken by the stranger, Morozko the Frost Demon, on the white horse. Set in the Russian wilderness and based on Russian history and folklore, this debut novel is beautifully written and imagined. I give it 5 stars because this is the perfect book to read in the middle of a snowy winter.

I thoroughly enjoyed this Russian folklore fantasy retelling. It was rich in magic that was unique and wondrous. And Vasya was such a wonderfully flawed heroine. This story was a breath of fresh air. Very original and the perfect wintry tale.

Here's link to my review on goodreads (and within that is a link to a longer review on my wordpress blog): https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1855484831?book_show_action=false

I wanted to love this book, it sounded so interesting! I read many reviews raving about how wonderful this book was so I was expecting to love it. Sadly, after multiple attempts to read it, I found I just didn't like it and couldn't get into the story. I thought after so many chapters it would improve but it never did. I found the book to be dull and boring and the storyline for me wasn't easy to follow.

This is just the book I needed in these troubling times. An engrossing read that transported me to a fantastical time and place. I was swept up in the fairytale from the first page.

Katherine Arden has woven this tale masterfully. I highly recommend the read! The Bear and the Nightingale is a beautiful story set in Russia. Vasilisa Petrovna, known to her family and friends as Vasya, was specially gifted from conception and can converse with the spirits that fill her rural village on the edge of the forest and consequently with the animals. From birth she was set apart, though she was unaware of her destiny. The book follows the story of her family, including her nurse Dunya, and the lives of these nobles: a brother, Sasha, devoted to the church and eventually adviser to the Grand Prince; a sister, Irina, who becomes a princess; Pyotr Vladimirovich, noble relation of the Grand Prince, ruler, and father. In her village, Vasya is caught in a battle between the old gods and the new, and gifted with the powers possessed by her maternal grandmother, battles together with Morozko, a powerful force, for the future of the village. In my opinion, this well-crafted tale will not disappoint. Enjoy!!

The Bear and the Nightingale
By Katherine Arden

Rating: 5

Honestly, it was the cover that first attracted me to this book and then I read the inside jacket…a retelling of a Russian fairytale. That was all it took and I was breathlessly captivated. I love fairy tales and retellings of all kinds; but this one steps out from all of the rest I have read probably because of my own unfamiliarity of Russian folklore. The story takes place during the early 14th century somewhere in northern Rus’ where the winters are long, bitter and brutal. It is also a time of many changes socially, politically and within the religious realm which do become epic in the course of this tale.

The story begins with the children sitting around the massive hearth for warmth as Dunya, the nurse maid begins the tale of the frost demon, the winter king, for he was abroad that night and was angry at the beginnings of thaw. This little bedtime story ends and the story of The Bear and the Nightingale begins, Vasilisa’s story. This is a fairytale within a fairytale! I’m captivated now. There is no closing the book as I’m being carried away to the cold far reaches of Rus’…

The characters are many as Vasilisa has a large family and everyone has nicknames and names of endearment. All of the characters develop slowly, especially Vasya, her older brothers and her sister, becoming more layered as the tale unfolds and the times and circumstance change. It spans from before Vasya was born until she is a teenager. Vasya is the youngest and she grows up wild and free, roaming the woods and countryside doing pretty much as she wants. She has become independent, fiery, determined and a caring person who will do anything to protect her family, home and village. Soon she will be put to that very test. There is a strong and close relationship between all of the family members and this, too, will be tested. Yes, there is a stepmother. There always has to be an evil stepmother…

The telling of this tale is what makes this book sooo special. You are brought into the story…I felt the cold winters, the bitter and biting wind. I saw the piles and drifts of snow and felt the endless winters. I did get myself a blanket and poured a small glass of whiskey because I was cold. I was in the story. I could see what Vasya could see…the domovoi, the magical household creatures,and the dvorovoi, the magical yard and woodland creatures. I was able to see her world through her eyes. I was able to see and feel the effects of conflict between the old pagan religion and the new Christianity. A people trying to hang on to what they have always known and lived to embrace something strange and cold. I felt the constraints that women had endured during this time…the need to do what was expected for the family and not what you may have wanted for yourself. When an author can take you inside the story and keep you there till you turn the last page, read the last sentence over and over before finally closing the book…it is indeed, magical! One more thought. It is obvious who the Bear is; but what of the Nightingale? I guess, we will have to wait and see.

Four and a half stars: A beautiful, lyrical, haunting tale perfect for winter.

Vasilisa has always known she was different. Her large, green eyes see everything, including the hidden creatures that protect the hearth and home, the ones that guard the stables, the bath house and the spirits that are present in the woods. Vasilisa is wild like the woods and unafraid. Things begin to change when her father brings home her new stepmother. Vasilisa's stepmother can see these creatures too, but she is afraid of them, and shuns them as demons. When a new priest comes to town, fear mounts as he calls them to cast out their beliefs and shun the spirits that have always protected them. Once the household spirits are abandoned, danger creeps in, and death isn't far behind. Vasilisa is the only one who is fit to save them, but how can she protect those she loves if she is danger of being labeled a witch?
What I Liked:
*The Bear and the Nightingale is a gorgeous and unique story that will sweep you away. This is a book that requires time and patience as it's story is vast and detailed, but once you let it sink it's teeth into you, the hours will slip away. This is a beautifully written book, perfect for the long winter months.
The writing is amazing. I loved the descriptions, the depth of the detail, and the author's imaginative story telling. This one blends the old Russian ways with a bit of folklore and supernatural. This is Ms. Arden's debut book, and I am impressed. I will be watching this author, she is superbly talented.
*What makes this story shine is the setting. The tale relies heavily on the atmospheric setting, and the author does a tremendous job in transporting you back in time to the cold winters in Russia. I could almost feel the bite of winter nipping at the doors as the family huddled for warmth atop the giant oven. I loved immersing myself in the old tales and customs of the Russian folk.
*This book is heavy on Russian folklore and fairy tales as well as the old ways before Christianity took hold and crushed the pagan beliefs. I loved exploring the beliefs and customs of the people and learning more about the Russian culture.
*Vasilisa is one of the most formidable and interesting female characters I have run across in a long while. I liked that the author didn't make her a gorgeous maiden, instead she was rather homely, and yet there was something enigmatic about her. I loved her fierce spirit and her determination, and her loyalty to those she loved. Loved her! Then there is Morozko, a character that stole my imagination. He was fascinating. I want to tell you more, but I can't reveal his secrets. You must learn them for yourself.
*This is a complex and winding story that requires time and patience, but it is well worth the time and effort. It has been a long time since I completely got lost in a story. I highly urge you to grab this one and cuddle up with it during the long winter months.
And The Not So Much:
*As I mentioned this is a complicated story, and I was a bit frustrated that things didn't always fit into to the story and make sense. I wondered after finishing if certain things had been edited out. For instance, there is a big focus on Sasha, Vasilisa's older brother and her sister, Olga, early on in the story, and the two move to Moscow and are almost forgotten. Then there was a strange insertion way later in the book when Sasha sends a messenger to his father begging help in a war, and then that story line is completely abandoned. Why were Sasha and Olga forgotten? I thought they were going to play important roles. There were other things that didn't quite fit, and sometimes the flow of the tale was choppy.
*I loved learning about the many different spirits that protected the people, but I also found that I needed more information. I would have loved for more depth and detail on these spirits. I wished the author had included more of the folklore and stories around them. There is a glossary at the end, but it would have been nice to have more of that detail in the story. I also wished for more of the old nurse's tales, they were fascinating.
*The pace at time wanders and meanders along, and the reader is almost half way through the story before the conflict begins to reveal itself. You really have to be patient with this one.
*I have to admit, I was disappointed that there wasn't a romance. I kept expecting to be swept away by a torrid love affair, but sadly it doesn't happen.
*The ending is a bit perplexing and open, it is up to the reader to decide.
*Finally, reader be warned there is a heavy emphasis on religion. The story is about Christianity and overzealous religious fantastic trying to instill fear in order to get the villagers to give up their pagan ways. I hated this part of the story.

The Bear and the Nightingale is ambitious and vast tale that explores the legend and folklore of Russia in a bygone era. This is a gorgeous book with a haunting story and unforgettable characters. I loved this one, and found myself completely lost in the story. However, this is a book that requires time and patience as it takes its time to slowly build and unfurl its secrets. You must have patience and ambition for this one, and if you do take the time to immerse into the story, you will be rewarded. This will undoubtedly end up on my favorites list.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.

Originally reviewed on Forever Young Adult on 2017 January 18

Ever since childhood, I have been a mythology and folklore nut. Alongside Western fairy tales, I devoured Greek myths, African and Native American folklore, Japanese ghost stories and child-friendly versions of Indian, Celtic and Norse epics. Even as an adult, I love to stumble on fantasies based on the mythology of underrepresented cultures. Stories set in faux Medieval Europe are a dime a dozen, but the genre gets an instant refresher when you take it somewhere else.

Modern authors are finding that Russia lends itself very well to fantasy, with its deep, dark snowy winters and its primeval forests, as well as the menagerie of mythical creatures, from the homely domovoi that watch over the house to the wild demons of the forest that hunger for human flesh.

Katherine Arden is a scholar of Russian culture and history and she does a good job of creating a fictional Russia where the old spirits coexist with the new religion and politics rules the city while old traditions rule the far reaches. It's the clash of modern politics and the old ways that sets the story in motion here. The strength of the book is the way that every detail of the characters' lives rings true, from the daily life of a border lord's family to the political wranglings of the city folk.

The story centers on Vasya, who has inherited a second sight and certain powers from her maternal bloodline. When Vasya's father visits Moscow, the prince takes the opportunity to send a troublesome, half-mad Princess and a charismatic, ambitious priest back home with him to get them out of the way. They couldn't come at a worse time -- the two newcomers disrupt the old traditions and weaken the land's spirits at a time when an old evil is close to escaping its prison. Vasya must draw on her abilities to protect her people, but at what cost?

This is a beautifully written, well-paced fantasy that lingers on the details, but not at the expense of the action. Arden manages to bring her tale to a solid conclusion, while leaving an opening for the story to continue and show us other settings in this alternate Russia.

The Brothers Grimm appropriated many of their classic fairytales from tales handed down all over the world. Stories told to entertain, scare children into good behavior, and make us believe in magic. Just maybe, with a little help from our fairy godmother, things might turn out alright.

My favorite Russian fairytale growing up was the Twelve Dancing Princesses. (It’s deceptive and a little morbid in retrospect, but there’s no accounting for logic or taste in a seven year old who wanted to stay up all night and dance.) Maybe it was the extremely long and extremely harsh winters, but Russian fairytales are made up of extremes in color, fantasy, violence, and a pantheon of characters which have so much personality, in and of themselves, that they seem to wander in and out of each other’s stories. The Bear and The Nightingale is an amalgamation of multiple tales and characters into one, cohesive story. Author Katherine Arden has clearly done a great deal of research to craft an original story which stays true to the Russian roots of each character.

I read The Bear and The Nightingale next to the fire over a couple of cold, snowy days. Even if I had read it in the heat of August, I still would have felt the bitter winds and deep snow drifts that fueled the story’s action and motivated its characters. Arden’s writing is expressive and languid. That slow pace and focus on multiple characters at once will not appeal to every reader. My largest criticism was the seemingly random use of multiple Russian words, including nicknaming and renaming of core characters. There is a glossary in the back, but if you stop and flip back and forth to look words up, it breaks the flow of the story. Most of the time I just took them contextually.

You can’t have winter without Jack Frost and he is right at that beginning of the book as part of a story within a story. The Russian version of Jack Frost “Morozko” is sadly no boyish, Chris Pine from Rise of the Guardians, but not as old as Robert Pine either—more like Michael Shanks. (Sorry, I’ve been binge watching Saving Hope.) He’s written here as a mature character, but appealing. We get the sense that because he’s timeless, he could appear as any age. Even though we don’t see him again until near the end, his presence is felt all the way through.

Vasilisa, our heroine, is a wonderfully unpretentious character. She’s just not ruffled by anything, however odd it may be. Talking to house spirits and horses is as natural to her as talking to her family members. She pushes back against limits, but in her heart always wants to do the right thing. Truly, she is her mother’s daughter and at home in her wild surroundings of northern Russia.

The Bear and the Nightingale is not a romance. Marriage is largely a pragmatic thing in this harsh world, consolidating power and keeping secrets. The difference between lust and love is contrasted through the lives of this ensemble of characters and manifest in many ways. The symbolism was beautifully done and not pushed in the reader’s face, letting them take what they will from the consequences of each character’s choices.

There’s a rumor floating around that this will be the first in a trilogy. While the story does have a solid conclusion, there are many unanswered questions that I look forward to seeing Arden address. While we’re waiting, there is a prologue on Arden’s website that you shouldn’t read until after you’ve read the book.

My Rating: A, Loved It

With my exposure to Russian literature limited only to Anton Chekhov and Leo Tolstoy, reading “The Bear and the Nightingale” by Katherine Arden is like finding a gem. Its rich texture of Russian folklore titillates my imagination. Katherine Arden brought to me a world that was just hinted to me by Russian fashion designers when I review their collections.

Huh? Where did fashion come from in this review? I am a fashion editor by day and on my spare time, a book reviewer, something I do simply because I love to read. And that is also the reason why “The Bear and the Nightingale” turned out to be a true treasure find for me. Seldom do I find a book that just feel so new though the topic is actually old.

I am not going to write a synopsis because the Description below does it very well. If I add some more, I might accidentally mention spoilers without meaning to. Suffice to say, “The Bear and the Nightingale” is a very easy read with a beautiful rhythm that makes you feel you are listening to a song while reading it. Arden’s voice is beautiful and sweet, yet very clear and powerful without being loud. It is hard to put down once you started. And quite frankly, you get so engrossed in the book that you find yourself in the middle of it without realizing it.

A must-read of sci-fi/fantasy fans and a great addition to your library. “The Bear and the Nightingale” is Rated to T for Teens.

If you are not too old for fairy tales, allow yourself to be transported to the Land of Rus' in the middle ages. A northern woodland where winter consumes village inhabitants and the telling of tales around the oven helps to while away the time and sustain the household. Young Vasilisa, whose mother died in childbed, reveres the tales of her nurse and the memory of her mother who was descended of a line with a "second sight". The second sight allows Vasya not only to believe the stories of old, but to pay tribute to the history of her family and their lands which are rapidly being Christianized and caught up in the events of the age. Thus armed with the her regard for the creatures of the forest, Vasya goes forth in battle to save her family and her people and the memory of the tales one should be wary of outgrowing.