I was born in the middle of a snowstorm, so in some ways, the protagonist of The Bear and the Nightingale, Vasilisa, is a kindred spirit. She is also a youngest child with a healthy streak of contrariness – something I can relate to, for better or worse.

But that’s where the similarities end. Vasilisa – or Vasya for short – is a child of the wilderness, the fourth child of a lord in the frigid Russian hinterland. She’s impish, crafty, and gets herself into all kinds of scrapes like a typical kid. But she can also see and communicate with the spirits of the home and natural world, an ability that is both a blessing and a curse. When her stepmother and an attractive young priest campaign to cleanse the village of its demons, Vasya is thrust into the critical role of protecting and restoring the balance.

When I started reading The Bear and Nightingale, I initially thought it would be yet another book retelling a fairy tale in a new light. But Katherine Arden’s debut novel is so much more than a clever rehashing. Rather, she does a masterful job of crafting a fresh tale that is haunting and complex, making this one of my most anticipated reads for this year.

The book begins with the telling of a story around the family hearth, of the folk character Morozko, sort of a Russian equivalent of Jack Frost. It seems simple and provincial. But from there, the story spirals into one of family love and loss, magic and consequences, of best intentions gone wrong. There is an intriguing overlay of religion, which becomes more a commentary on fear and what it can do to a community.

There are many things to love about this book, but one that set it apart from some of my other recent reads is the author’s ability to truly transport the reader into another world. From the first few pages, you hear the crackling of the fire, feel the cold inching in through the cracks of the izba. I found myself getting creeped out by the shadows on my walls. That’s the magic of a masterful storyteller and wordsmith.

Arden also does a splendid job with creating characters you care about, in relationships that resonated. From the get go, the fierce love in Vasya’s relationship with her old nurse, Dunya, and her brother, Alyosha, was – in the most uncheesy of ways – heartwarming. The stepmother, Anna Ivanovna, and the priest, Konstantin, are both reviled and sympathetic in their fervor. I found myself particularly captivated by their development, appreciating their depth beyond their seemingly black and white views.

The novel holds twists and turns that are worth experiencing for yourself. Curl up next to a roaring fire and get ready to be transported.

The Bear and The Nightingale by Katherine Arden

Star rating: ★★★★ ☆ 4/5 stars

Format: ebook galley

Summary: Vasya is the last child of her mother, who died in childbirth– intent on having her even though she knew she wasn’t strong enough to have her. She grows up into a wild girl who can see the household-spirits, chyerty, who protect the house and help with household chores. When her father takes a new wife named Anna she puts in motion to stop leaving offerings for the chyerty upsetting the balance of good and evil in their village.

Review: I received a free galley copy of this book from Random House via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this book a lot. I’m fascinated by Russian folklore (I’ll fight anyone who says Baba Yaga isn’t the coolest) so when I first heard about this book I was immediately interested. The writing is really good, it feels like you’re reading a fairytale that was written a long time ago.

I liked most of the characters but I had a hard time with Father Konstantin and Anna. At first I felt bad for Anna, all she wanted was the peace of a convent but her father decided that she would be married off to Pyotr. Obviously she was miserable but the way she turned all her bitterness to Vasya and how increasingly cruel she became towards her stepdaughter. She could never resist an opportunity to bring her down, usually by calling her ugly. I was shocked at how sweet her daughter Irina turned out to be.

The problem I had with Konstantin was his gross obsession with Vasya. For one she is a child, and for another he’s supposed to be celibate right? I mean, there’s nothing exactly wrong with not being celibate but when you’re in that sort of position it’s a bit of a break of trust, especially for these women. I’m not sure that makes sense but… Ugh he was gross.

I was confused at the ending of the book. I wasn’t sure what exactly was happening and why Vasya wasn’t with her sister Olga like she said she would be. Is she in love with Morozko? I just wish these things had been more defined in the end. I’m not exactly sure what their relationship is. I feel there is potential for a romance between them but I didn’t think at the end of the book it had really developed there yet. I did read that there are supposed to be two more books so hopefully this is addressed.

Overall though this book was really great. I loved the tone and all the supernatural beings in this book. I liked how close Vasya and all her siblings were. I thought it was a little slow in some places but I think there was enough with the characters to still keep me interested.

Recommendation: Whether you are interested in Russian folklore or not I think this is a great fantasy novel.

The Bear and the Nightingale is a powerful, evocative tale written in the style of old Russian fairy tales with an active narrator, and an oddly close and personal omniscient point of view. The voice carries with it a storyteller’s cadence, mixing telling with experiencing such that the reader is drawn in instead of pushed away until I could feel the sharp bite of cold and the burn of heat. Proof of the book’s success in that is how I accidentally started this novel out of order so had to stop, but when I picked it up again almost three months later, I started right where I’d stopped and what I already knew rose up to inform what I read next.

This is the story of a girl with an unusual bloodline who can see and talk to the old folk when most continue the tributes out of tradition and habit more than true belief. She’s a wild thing, truly unsuited for a female role, who spends her free time running in the forest, returning with all manner of berries and herbs to appease the nurse who raised her when her mother died in childbirth.

At the same time, this is about the clash of old beliefs with new, and the costs of rejecting old truths. When the family priest is replaced by an Orthodox fanatic, he considers the old ways a path to the devil, simultaneously saying God created all things while rejecting those beings created of magic, faith, and tributes to keep the village safe. His rejection is so complete, and his voice so compelling, he convinces everyone to deny what he does not understand and betray truths as a devil’s lie.

You see their world through the eyes of many characters, rife with the little details that make their lives solid and concrete, like using ice blocks for windows in the winter so the light comes in but the cold does not. At the same time, you meet the old creatures from the start, and a reader would have to work hard to believe them nothing more than childhood imagination.

The narrative offers a fascinating look into both how people can be sheep when driven by a hypnotic orator and how blind people can be to the clear line between this rejection and their sufferings. As in most fairy tales, rejection of tradition, of the balance between the fey world and our own, has serious consequences, and the suffering falls on those who were swayed by an evocative voice most of all.

In case it isn’t clear by now, I loved this story with its powerful and complex nature. It contains a bevy of fascinating characters, many not human, and an exploration of the lines between good and evil as well as the slippery slope between saintly and corrupted. There are none so blind as refuse to see, and the priest is blinded by his sins of pride and arrogance, too full of himself to recognize what he’s doing and punishing others for his own weaknesses.

If you like fairy tales but want a full and complete story, this book is for you. The style is traditional rather than modern, but there’s something about the cadence that will throw you into the darkened woods and make you feel the struggle between a new world and the old one.

P.S. I received this novel from the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review.

It isn't often when I feel the urge to read a fairytale. They, generally speaking, aren't my thing. However, after seeing this available on Netgalley and reading the synopsis, I was intrigued. This book is flat out fabulous. It kept me up most of the night and I devoured it in less than 24hrs. The premise is unique, the characters complex and the storyline compelling. I enjoyed every minute of this book. It engaged me from the first line. I strongly encourage you to read this!! You'll love it! ❤

My rating is the same as The Thirteenth Tale because it evoked all the right images and was well-written (5 stars) but didn't give me anyone I could like (1 star).
I found it hard to care for any of the characters until Morozko ('cause who doesn't love a brooding frost demon?) came in more at the end. Vasya is too headstrong and kinda stupid, her siblings all blurred together and everyone else (except Morozko) had glaring problems and garnered no sympathy from me.
The story dragged in many places and only picked up at the end, which resolved itself too easily and then came to a sudden stop. The events of the story for the first three quarters couldn't be defined as an actual plot since it just showed the everyday lives of this family. That being said, I found their lives intriguing as I don't frequently read books with so little happening.
With regards for the title, I'm confused. Does the Nightingale refer to Alyosha for being called one, Irina and Vasya being called little birds, or the horse's name meaning it? Or all of the above? And the prophecy the bannik gave her at around 50% didn't come true so I'll assume that's coming later. She didn't pluck snowdrops, weep for a nightingale or die. Or be born three times: once of illusions, flesh and spirit. I'm guessing her horse and/or brother will die in a later book. I'll stick around to see where that goes.
Overall I'll remember it for the uniqueness and Russian folksiness but not for anything else. It's kind of like a dream: you recall the emotions you had if not their reasons.

This book is like stepping into a Fairy Tale, wrapped in Folklore, steeped in legend, while listening to some history. So brilliantly told. This will be one of the favorite books of the year!

A charming blend of fantasy and wintry Russian folktales make this a perfect read to cuddle up with someplace warm. A young girl brought up with the tales of her old nurse. She was raised in the traditions of her county-side home, Vasilisa learns to honor the spirits of the forest. Unfortunately her mother dies and her father brings his new wife from the city to live with them. She refuses to allow traditions, scoffs at their stories. Soon to bad things begin to happen. A beautiful coming of age story filled with monsters and magic and strength of character.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I thought the writing was beautiful and I was very interested to learn about Russian mythology and fairy tales as that is an area that I know literally nothing about. I’ve always been a fan of mythology and fairy tales in general, so it was just fun to hear some new stories. I thought the author did a great job of incorporating Russian culture and language into the overall story without ruining the flow. I did find myself wondering, however, whether this was supposed to be a complete alternate Russia/Russia-derivative (kind of like Leigh Bardugo’s Grisha-verse) or if it was simply a fantastical historical Russia. The author’s note at the end of the book cleared that question up, but it wasn’t really clear throughout the story and I found myself distracted in some parts.

I thought Vasya was a really compelling character. I loved how the author starts the book with Vasya’s birth and we get to follow her into her teenage years. It really allows the reader to watch the character develop and helps us to understand who she is and what her motivations are. I also thought Vasya stayed really true to who she was supposed to be as a character throughout. Sometimes I’ve found that characters do things that don’t really make sense with who they are supposed to be, but I thought Vasya was a great example of somebody who just made sense as a character. She was so complex and conflicted throughout the book. As a reader, I felt that I could really empathize with what she was going through. Vasya tries to be the good Russian girl that she’s supposed to be, but at the same time her heart is leading her in a completely separate direction. Just…a really good character. I also loved the cast of secondary characters that Arden gives us. The familial relationships that exist between Vasya and her brothers and her younger step-sister felt so genuine.

The plot itself was a little slow-moving. It required a lot of setup, but I didn’t really find that I minded. The world that the author paints for us is so beautiful and filled with an ordinary (but at the same time not ordinary) magic. That being said, nothing much really happens until the last 25% of the book and then I felt that the ending was a bit abrupt.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes well-developed characters or who is interested in a historical picture of Russia. Just from a quick scan of Goodreads, it looks like this book is the author’s debut novel. I anticipate that we’ll be hearing a lot more from her in the future.

Overall: 4
Language: None
Violence: Moderate
Smoking/Drinking: Moderate
Sexual Content: Mild

Note: I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a charming, engaging story inspired by fairy tales of the Russian wilderness.

Vasya is the daughter of a Russian lord, and the granddaughter of a suspected witch. Growing up in the vast forests in the north, fireside tales of friendly spirits and dangerous imps dominate her childhood. Vasya knows to leave offerings for the guardian spirits of her home and stables, to placate the water demons and to pay obeisance to the guardians of the forest. When her father marries a high born woman from Moscow, the folk traditions of Vasya’s youth are branded as heresy and witchcraft, and the orthodox church forbids any practice of the old ways.

But something evil is stirring in the deep woods, something ancient and hungering. As the strength of the old ways wanes, it seems that Vasya may be the only one who can stop what is coming.

Fairy tale retellings are in vogue nowadays, but it is rare that an author takes the material and makes it their own. The usual fare simply regurgitates the story while incorporating an excess of teen angst. Arden manages to take the tropes of the fairy tale and make them into a story with familiar elements, but which is her own. It reminds me of the Sevenwaters books by Juliet Marillier, a compelling series based on English myth and fairy tale.

I suspect this book may be shelved in the young adult category, but it will appeal to older readers nonetheless. Fans of fantasy and magic will find a lot to like in this story. In all, this is a very strong debut novel and I look forward to Katherine Arden’s future work.

An advance ebook was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The Bear and the Nightingale will be available for purchase on January 10th, 2017. (less)

Great Potential
This story had some amazing potential what with utilizing Russian folklore and fairy tales. It could have been a fantastic story. In fact, many of the details were fantastic. However, the actual application and follow through were not up to par. I was hoping for more folklore. It was a main plot point, but this isn’t made apparent until well on in the book, which is disappointing. The folklore is the best part.

Disconnected
There were quite a few pieces of this book that felt disconnected. One of the biggest pieces for me was who the story followed. It starts out following some characters and then as the story progresses it follows others, but doesn’t stick to them. Even the main character, Vasya, isn’t consistently followed. And while following other characters definitely adds insight to the world, I was a little put off by it. I would have like more consistency or perhaps just a select few who were followed.

Another piece of disconnect had to do with the story timeline. The story is about Vasya, but instead of picking a select point in her life, perhaps a few months to a few years, it follows her from birth to teenager. There was so many gaps in the timeline that I found myself feeling slowed down while reading and losing connection with the characters. I would have preferred the story focus on a smaller chunk of time to allow more connection with Vasya herself.

4.5 stars. In the northern lands of medieval Rus’, a daughter is born to Pyotr Vladimirovich, a boyar, lord over many lands, and his wife Marina, who dies in childbirth. But Marina, daughter of the Grand Prince of Moscow and a mysterious, swan-like beggar girl, has bequeathed her daughter Vasilisa a mystical heritage. Vasilisa, or Vasya, grows up to be a spirited and rather rebellious young girl who, like an untamed colt, freely roams the fields and forest, and is able to see and communicate with the domovoi (a guardian of the home), rusalka (a dangerous water nymph), and other natural spirits of the home and land. Her beloved nurse Dunya tells Vasya and her siblings stories of Ivan and the Gray Wolf, the Firebird, and the frost-king, Morozko.

But Vasya’s carefree life ends when her father finally decides to remarry. He brings home a new wife from Moscow, Anna, the daughter of the prince of Moscow, who is also able to see the spirits of the land, but considers them devils and demons, clinging to her cross and her belief in the church. Pyotr also brings home a mysterious gift for Vasya, a necklace with a brilliant silver-blue jewel, given to him by Morozko, whom he met in Moscow. But Pyotr and the old nurse Dunya hold the necklace back from Vasya, fearing to give it to her.

Vasya’s life with Anna as her stepmother becomes strained: the strictly devout Anna is always at odds with the child of nature, who loves the magical creatures that terrify Anna. Life becomes even more difficult when a new priest arrives from Moscow, Father Konstantin, a handsome and charismatic man who preaches fiery sermons against the spirits of the land. As the people cease honoring (and leaving food for) these spirits, they weaken … but evil is waiting to step in as their protective influence wanes. Vasya finds herself at odds with her family and the villagers as she strives to protect them against unimaginable dangers that they thought existed only in fairy tales.

The Bear and the Nightingale weaves a richly colored tapestry, combining elements from various Russian fairy tales, a realistic description of life in medieval times, when Russia was not yet a unified country, and an independent an appealing heroine. The frost-king Morozko and his destructive brother, the Bear, play the primary fairy tale roles, but there are additional and sometimes delightfully unexpected Russian folklore elements like the stepmother sending her stepdaughter into the forest to find snowdrops in midwinter (from the story “Twelve Months”), Morozko (also known as Father Frost) sending lost girls home with a dowry of gold and jewels, the Sea-King’s daughter, and Vasilisa the Beautiful. (I’m sure I missed a few more!)

The atmosphere is well-developed, immersing you in life in medieval Rus’, a place where fairy tales may be true … which is not necessarily a comfortable thing. Enchantments can be good or evil, and the rusalka, vazila (a spirit that guards the stable and livestock) and other nature spirits are dangerous as well as helpful. Arden deftly illustrates their nature, so alien to humankind, as well as the need for mutual understanding and cooperative co-existence, which breaks down so badly in this tale.

A major theme ― in fact, it propels the entire plot ― is the conflict between old beliefs, respecting and caring for the nature spirits, and the newer religion, Christianity, which is generally, and emphatically, in the wrong in this book. Father Konstantin and Anna, and the rest of the villagers that flock to follow the priest, are poor examples of religious believers. At times it seems that the novel sets up believers as being generally weak and dangerously misguided, though those characters are offset, to some extent at least, by Vasya’s brother Sasha, who has a sincere heart and desire for a religious vocation, and the monk he follows, Sergei Radonezhsky. In any case, The Bear and the Nightingale certainly effectively illustrates the power of fear, as well as the danger of using that fear, rather than love, to prompt religious devotion.

Another prominent theme is Vasya’s desire to live life freely, on her own terms, in a time when an arranged marriage or life in a convent were generally the only options for a properly raised female. Though it’s a modern them, Arden integrates it well into the overall plot, and Vasya doesn’t come off as unduly anachronistic … though I did get a little tired of seeing her compared to an unbroken filly.

The cruelty of winter and the terrors of the deep, untamed forest, where wolves ― and worse things ― rove, are tangible. At the same time, The Bear and the Nightingale also incorporates references to actual historic figures, like Genghis Khan (at this time the Rus’ people were required to pay tributes to the conquering Horde), Sergei Radonezhsky, and princes of Moscow from the fourteenth century, although they are fictionalized.

The Bear and the Nightingale is a well-written and thoroughly thought-out fantasy, suspenseful and delightful. While it reads well as a stand-alone novel, Arden has indicated that two sequels are in process. I can’t wait to be transported to medieval Russia again!

Ahoy there me mateys! I received this fantasy eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. So here be me honest musings . . .

the bear and the nightingale (Katherine Arden)

Title: the bear and the nightingale

Author: Katherine Arden

Publisher: Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine Del Ray

Publication Date: TODAY!!! (hardcover/e-book)

ISBN: 978-1101885932

Source: NetGalley

So me crew had been adding this novel left and right to their ports for plunder lists . . . know as tbr to ye landlubbers. So I read the blurb. It is a Russian fairy tale retelling set in the middle ages which appealed to me. Plus it had a beautiful cover:

This book was savoury and a delight. I was instantly entranced by the scene of the household of Pyotr Vladimirovich gathered around the hearth listening to a story. This story within a story set up the novel perfectly. It only got better from there.

I fell in love with the main character, Vasya. She is strong, brave, loving, and unique. Her relationships with her family members were absolutely wonderful to read about. I particularly liked her relationship with her brother Alyosha. It felt so refreshing to read about families that cared and loved one another especially when life’s conditions were so very hard.

The juxtaposition of Christianity and pagan beliefs in this book were fascinating. I loved that people could practice both because Christianity was for the afterlife and pagan beliefs were to survive the harsh realities of day-to-day living. The Rus’ vazila and the use of horses in the story especially tickled me fancy.

The author’s writing was rich and beautiful, making me want to delve into and discover the story. I was transported into another space and time where the blending of myth and village life seemed real, possible, and achingly beautiful in its own way.

Words fail me really, so check out me other crew members reviews where they describe the feel of this novel better than I ever could:

Erin @ Proud Book Hoarder

Emily May @ The Book Geek

Side note: This was the author’s debut novel and apparently is the first in a trilogy? It ended as though a standalone so I am interested to see where the next book will go.

So lastly . . .

Thank you Random House!

Goodreads has this to say about the novel:

A magical debut novel for readers of Naomi Novik’s Uprooted, Erin Morgenstern’s The Night Circus, and Neil Gaiman’s myth-rich fantasies, The Bear and the Nightingale spins an irresistible spell as it announces the arrival of a singular talent with a gorgeous voice.

At the edge of the Russian wilderness, winter lasts most of the year and the snowdrifts grow taller than houses. But Vasilisa doesn’t mind—she spends the winter nights huddled around the embers of a fire with her beloved siblings, listening to her nurse’s fairy tales. Above all, she loves the chilling story of Frost, the blue-eyed winter demon, who appears in the frigid night to claim unwary souls. Wise Russians fear him, her nurse says, and honor the spirits of house and yard and forest that protect their homes from evil.

After Vasilisa’s mother dies, her father goes to Moscow and brings home a new wife. Fiercely devout, city-bred, Vasilisa’s new stepmother forbids her family from honoring the household spirits. The family acquiesces, but Vasilisa is frightened, sensing that more hinges upon their rituals than anyone knows.

And indeed, crops begin to fail, evil creatures of the forest creep nearer, and misfortune stalks the village. All the while, Vasilisa’s stepmother grows ever harsher in her determination to groom her rebellious stepdaughter for either marriage or confinement in a convent.

As danger circles, Vasilisa must defy even the people she loves and call on dangerous gifts she has long concealed—this, in order to protect her family from a threat that seems to have stepped from her nurse’s most frightening tales.

To visit the author’s website go to:

Katherine Arden – Author

To buy the novel please visit:

the bear and the nightingale – Book

To add to Goodreads go to:

Yer Ports for Plunder List

Going to kick this review off with a: wow, what a debut. I will certainly read whatever Katherine Arden publishes next. She completely won me over with her beautiful, spellbinding writing, intriguing storytelling and outstanding heroine; even if I don’t think this a flawless story and have a few complaints, but more on that later.

The Bear and the Nightingale is based on Slavic mythology, and it tells the story of a young girl, Vasilia, as she grows up in a small village in Russia during that time of transition from the old pagan beliefs to Christianity, when people believed in all kinds of gods and spirits embodying things, animals and natural phenomena.
Like her mother and her mother’s mother before her, Vasilia can see and speak to these deities, which makes her somewhat of an outcast in the community, but she has a strong, determined, independent personality and doesn’t really care about what people think or even call her. That was my favorite thing about this story, Vasilia’s personality, her carefree way, how nothing or no one ever breaks her spirit–she is one tough cookie.

So, long story short, one of these “creatures” is about to wake up, but he’s evil and dangerous, which means Vasilia, along with her family and Morozko, the Winter King, will have to deal with it.

As I said before, I loved Vasya, but I loved her family too, even if sometimes the father and the older brother could have been way more supportive. Plus I liked how we get to go with them on a journey, even if Vasya, the main character, was not with them. Those chapters of the father and the older sons at court had me completely mesmerized. Stunning storytelling.

The writing is absolutely gorgeous and enthralling, I felt like I was listening to a master storyteller from the old days instead of reading it on my phone with my own two eyes.

Now, the minor complaints (this will seem like a lot but it’s not really ALSO SOME SPOILERS AHEAD):

-What was the necklace for anyway? This item is such an important thing in the story from almost the start, Morozko gives it to Vasya’s father and tells him he has to give it to her and that she must wear it always, but he never explains its purpose. Was it for protection? For him to track her down at all times? Was it a symbol that she was to be his bride? All these options crossed my mind but the evil guy still gets to her when she’s wearing it, and Morozko seemed to be able to find her alright when she wasn’t wearing the necklace yet, and I don’t want to spoil anyone but I don’t think the bride hypothesis is correct also. So, what?

-Meh romance. There’s not too much of it to begin with and honestly I wish there had been none because, man, there’s absolutely no romantic chemistry between Vasilia and Morozko. Plus, it’s weird, with Vasya being just a young lady and Morozko not even being human and god knows how old.

-Morozko waking Vasilia up with a slap across the face. Excuse me, but this guy is a paranormal being with extraordinary powers, the freaking Winter King himself, so a slap across the face to wake up a sleeping girl shouldn’t even be an option. Couldn’t he, I don’t know, freeze her toes for a minute? Speaking from personal experience nothing wakes me up more during those cold winter nights than my icy feet, even if the rest of my body feels almost feverish with all the blankets on top of me; or even better, couldn’t he have conjured a bit of water and let it splash on her face? Really, it had to be a slap? It was such a turn off for me, seriously.

-That ending. Didn’t get it, felt a little cheated.

Rant and flaws aside, The Bear and the Nightingale was one of my favorite reads of 2016, after all, I am fantasy fan through and through, plus a fairytale/folktale-retelling nut, so of course a marvelous tale with such a strong and remarkable heroine was bound to tick all my boxes. Recommended!

(I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. Thank you so much!)

This is the perfect book to read during winter. So much of the story resolves around the setting, far northern reaches of Russia, where Christianity and the old ways still mingle side by side, and the winters are so cold they kill.

Because it's a folkstory retelling, there are some things that you just can't escape, a young woman whose mother dies in childbirth who just so happens to be magical and very captivating, a stepmother who deeply believes she is right, but for some slightly twisted reasons. I was glad to see how kindly Vasya's father is portrayed, and how obviously he cares for his children, even when forces beyond his control seem to intervene (both political and otherworldly).

The beginning of this story takes a long time to ramp up, and there's a fair bit of political goings-on in Moscow that are important to the the overarching story, and to history, but are left somewhat unresolved at the end of the book, which was frustrating.

I certainly liked the last two thirds of the book better, where Vasya is a young woman who's exploring her abilities and learning about herself and not afraid of being an outcast.

Because of the timing of this book, I think it's going to get a lot of comparisons to Uprooted, but I'm not sure it really deserves many of them. There are surface similarities, and some below the surface as well, with the Eastern European folklore and the young woman protagonist, but the impact of Uprooted was much greater. I actually finished this book and felt it had a closer similarity to The Hero and the Crown.

I felt the characters could have been developed more strongly, but it's a short book, so I can't quibble with that too much, and some aspects of the plot feel like they were included and then forgotten about. I did come away with a stronger interest in Russian history after finishing, which is always a good thing when reading fiction. It's a solid four star book for me.

Vasilisa is the eldest daughter of Russian Nobles who live in the frozen north. The land is so cold that it's said the winter lasts 8 months there. Vasya's mother died giving birth to her so she grows up with her family and her nurse until her father decides to remarry. The real trouble starts afterward.

The Bear and the Nightingale is a story that centers around a Russian Family and the time period is long ago. The storytelling is clear yet slow. Quite often I found myself hoping things would pick up or that something more interesting would happen. I struggled to care about what was happening with the family and I didn't particularly take to any character.

The Bear and the Nightingale is a solid story for those who love folklore tales.

2.5 out of 5 stars

I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Bear and the Nightingale is a very well written and well researched story of the change from paganism to Christianity in historic Russia. In fact, I had a hard time discerning if this was more historical, magical realism, or urban fantasy since the story stays grounded yet magic peeks continually around the edges. Arden doesn't go for over-idealized characters and each certainly has a personality of their own. And yet, admittedly, I had a hard time plowing through most of the book. I found I didn't connect with the characters, didn't want to read about Christianity ruthlessly obliterating the magical world, and felt the book was missing charm and playfulness in its over-earnest storytelling.

Story: Out in the more deserted reaches of Russia, a nobleman raises his family quietly yet efficiently. His wife's family had a mysterious background with connections to the Russian Czar. And now his youngest daughter, Vasilisa, is exhibiting the same fae traits of her mother and grandmother. While his sons and daughters move in the political world and make advantageous marriages that take them far from home, Vasilisa is left with her new stepmother - a woman afraid of the old world magic and very much invested in Christianity for protection. When a minister with a 'golden tongue' is sent to the family to keep him from over-influencing the Czar's court with his entrancing Christian sermons, Vasila and her old world magic will become embattled with her unhinged stepmother and the zealous priest. Meanwhile, the fortunes of her family continue to morph as the political landscape shifts constantly.

The original wording of the book makes this sound like a fairy tale but I feel this is far too serious and grounded for that categorization (unless one harkens back to the grim original versions of most fairy tales). And in the beginning, I felt this was a bit more of a magical realism, with otherworldly creatures occasionally appearing in the every day life of a mansion buried deep in a far off forest. But then the middle part of the book took a different direction with the introduction of the Christian priest and zealot stepmother, each determined to punish Vasilisa into foregoing her paganism and embracing their faith. I found this whole middle part to be tedious, especially since the blurb on the book had promised a 'Jack Frost' type of character but by 3/4 he had only appeared in one or two short scenes.

I also found I didn't like many of the characters. Arden took pains to make them grounded and real - with all the foibles and contrariness that can be expected. Vasilisa was a main character but the book follows the viewpoints of several people, including her brothers, sister, stepmother, the priest, the Czar, etc. In that way, it felt a bit overwritten as so many first novels can be; the author feeling the need to explain the big picture through all the POVs instead of letting the story organically unfold and trusting the reader to understand why things were happening as they did.

Because the book is somewhat of a mixed bag, I admittedly also have very mixed reactions to it. Once it veered toward the battle of religions, it completely lost me and I had a hard time wanting to pick it up again. But at the same time, I also was very impressed with the writing depth and the assimilating mood that Arden so effectively created.

Would I recommend this? Absolutely. But at the same time, I have to admit that for me personally, I did not enjoy the Bear and the Nightingale as much as I would have hoped. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.

Russian fairy tale about a woman who vows to save her family from evil spirits. After Christianity is introduced into their home, and they are no longer allowed to worship their household spirits, a young woman vows to save her family from evil and misfortune. Who will triumph?

This book is a difficult one for me to review. When I first heard about this book, I was so excited about the premise, but while reading it, I found myself rushing to finish it because I was mostly bored. I am unversed in Russian fairy tales, myths and legends, so I found myself wondering if that was why I wasn't engaged in the story. I do, however, applaud the character of Vasya, a very strong female, and give kudos to the writer for her portrayal. The writing was lyrical and slow, and I had a difficult time getting used to the character's names, especially since there are many different names (terms of endearment) for each character. I do, however, understand that the author was trying to maintain the Russian flavor and authenticity of the story.

I found the introduction of Father Konstantin to be an interesting element in the story since he provided an antagonist to the mythical characters in the book. What happens when you try to rule people with fear? The story finally picked up the pace around 65-75%, but the abrupt ending left me wanting something more finite.

Thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for a free ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

A fairy tale, lore, fantasy, what ever you wish to call it, this is a story worthy of five stars.
Love the writing style and the care taken by the author, that is reflected on each word that comprise this book.
Looking forward to the next installment.

Everyone thinks that Vasilisa Petrovna is a strange girl. She always had been. Her mother, Marina knew even before she was born that she would be extraordinary. And when bringing such a life into the world proves too much for her fragile body, her father never truly forgets that it was Vasya that stole his love away.

As Vasya grows, she explores the vast enchanted forest surrounding her father’s house and to her, it’s not so unusual to see what others cannot. But when her new stepmother arrives, she brings along with her condemnation and judgement. Now the only thing that stands between the certain demise of the entire village is Vasya and magic that she alone can comprehend.

“Vasilisa Petrovna,” he tried again, cursing his clumsiness. Always he knew what to say. But this girl turned her clear gaze on him, and all his certainty grew vague and foolish. “You must leave your barbaric ways. You must return to God in fear and true repentance. You are the daughter of a good Christian lord. Your mother will run mad if we do not exorcise the demons from her hearth, Vasilisa Pertrovna, turn. Repent.”
“I go to church, Father,” she replied. “Anna Ivanova is not my mother, nor is her madness my business. Just as my soul is not yours. And it seems to me we did very well before you came; for if we prayed less, we also wept less.”
She had walked swiftly. Through the tree-trunks he could see the palisade of the village.
“Mark me, Batyushka,” she said. “Pray for the dead, comfort the sick, and comfort my stepmother. But leave me alone, or the next time one of them comes for you, I shall not lift a finger to stop it.” She did not wait for a reply, but thrust his cross back into his hand and strode off toward the village.
It was warm from her hand, and his fingers curled reluctantly around it.

The Bear and the Nightingale is a fairy tale in every sense of the word. With her lush descriptions, Katherine Arden creates a uniquely singular heroine that is as quick-witted as she is strong. Vasilisa’s story is one of isolation, wonder and self-discovery and it leaves you with feeling that other worlds are right in front of you – if you would only open up your eyes…

This is a story about family, love, friendship and choice. It was a story full of fantasy, mystery, heartbreak but also hope, forgiveness and faith.

The Bear and The Nightingale was an entertaining read and came with plenty of twists and turns. Vasya was a likable heroine, she was brave and she proved her worth against all odds. She won me over with her acceptance and her willingness to stand up for what she believed in. The supporting characters really bring this story to life. I was entranced by mysterious Morozko, charmed by the brave Solovey, and intrigued by the domovoi. Special mention to Aloysha, wish there had been more of him, especially since a lot of page time is used for both Sasha and Olga, only to have them fade slowly out of the picture. Even the villain is left at a loose end, what ever happened to Konstantin?

The story takes place in the wilds of Russia, and I loved the scenery and imagery that the author gives us. The time, the place and people were detailed just enough to paint a vivid picture but not so detailed that the story got lost under unnecessary detail. I admit the beginning of the story did leave me feeling overwhelmed with all the names and faces but eventually the characters started to distinguish themselves and the story fell into a smoother pattern.

For the most part I loved this story (and I absolutely loved this cover! So pretty). It was intense with it's old world feel and fantastical hidden meanings. But there were also things I didn't really like. Of course the evil stepmother thing drove me up the wall. It was a bit cliche, Pytrov's claim of loving Marina felt weak when he so easily is manipulated by his new young wife. The family dynamic changed and I hated that he was so easily absolved of his past mistakes like that. Vasya's relationship with Dunya, her nanny, and Aloysha, her brother, made up for it but still not enough to completely change my original opinion of Pytrov. I mentioned already the fact that we are basically left hanging when it comes to Olga and Sasha, Vasya's other sister and brother. It felt like they would reappear or play a bigger role in the grand scheme of things and then poof, they went away and their story arch was never explored further.

And then there is the ending, normally I like a solid end the story with concrete ideas of what happens to the characters. The Bear and The Nightingale surprised me with it's ending. Even more because I was okay with the chance to self interpret Vasya's fate. It allowed me to imagine my own version of events and that's a first for me. Definitely give credit where its due here, the author proved her skills at story telling and I'll be keeping my eye out for more of this author.

Favorite Line:
"Blood is one thing. The sight is another. But courage - that is rarest of all."