I have a weakness for well-told fairy tale, particularly stories out of the Western European tradition. And Katherine Arden gives us that in spades with The Bear and the Nightingale (Del Rey, review copy through NetGalley).

Vasilisa (Vasya) Petrovna is a child of the frozen, Russian countryside. A child with an interesting heritage: her mother was the daughter of a mysterious woman who walked out of the Russian countryside and captured the heart of a Russian prince, becoming his second wife. Vasya's mother and grandmother were steeped in Russian magic, a heritage increasingly in conflict with the Orthodox church and its strict version of Christianity. The Bear and the Nightingale is part an exploration of that tension between religion and the world of Russian myth, and part a coming of age story.

Vasya herself grows up learning her folk heritage. In particular, she is fascinated by the stories of Frost, the winter-demon who takes the lives of the unwary, but occasionally rewards with riches brave young women who are offered to him as tribute. She feeds and nurtures the household and wild spirits of her village as she grows up, all unaware that she has already caught the attention of Frost himself. Vasya is thrown into conflict with her father's second wife, a devout Christian who also sees the local spirits but dismisses them as hallucinations sent to tempt her, and a new local priest obsessed with Vasya and determined to convert the local population with his hellfire preaching.

The Bear and the Nightingale is a glorious story of growth and personal self-discovery. Vasya is an unconventional young woman, pushing against the boundaries of the community she lives in, for the sake of that community. Even if it means she is forced into a position of conflict with that community. Arden has a beautifully rich and evocative story-telling style. This is a fantastic and very readable piece of fiction.

Goodreads rating: 4*

Beautiful and believable world building. I am so glad I got to sink my teeth into this one and look forward to more from Katherine Arden, a true teller of tales.

This book is like a Russian fairytale, it's an amazing read and takes you to a far away land where you never want to leave!....really enjoyed the plot and storyline and loved all the different characters, don't want to give too much away but it's a must read!!!

At the edge of the Russian wilderness, where the land is blanketed in snow for most of the year, a young girl named Vasya hears stories of magic and the Winter King – Morozko. Vasya is wild and spirited, and the spirits are not just tales to her, because she can see the spirits that guards her home and her forest. However, when a young priests comes to her village and preaches devotion to God and condemnation of the spirits, Vasya finds that the spirits are getting weaker and a dark magic is growing…

The Bear and the Nightingale is the first time in a while that I’ve read outside of my comfort zone – a richly detailed adult novel, but it was just my type of book.

One thing about The Bear and the Nightingale that I can say without a doubt, is that the writing is beautiful. Her writing is detailed and lush – creating a beautifully atmospheric read, perfect for snuggling up with on a cold winter’s night with a hot drink. The Bear in the Nightingale has the perfect blend of fantasy and history, making it truly feel like a fairytale read. I loved the Russian folklore and history, it made it a really interesting read.

There is no denying that Katherine Arden is a gifted writer, but at times her detailed descriptions and rich writing sometimes detracted from the plot, so at times the story felt very bogged down with very little plot progression. The plot didn’t really start to pick up until the last 30% or so. A strong beginning and an equally strong ending, but a weaker middle.

Vasya was formidable and a truly great female character with an endearing personality. She was wild, witty, intelligent, and a well-rounded character with some really great development. She was certainly a favourite and she was what kept me reading. I also loved her chemistry with The Winter King, Morozko. A great set of supporting characters, each with such a distinct personality.

Overall, The Bear and the Nightingale is an enchanting and atmospheric read filled with Russian folklore and culture. Perfect for fans of Deathless by Catherynne M. Valente.

RATING: ★★★☆☆

This Russian fairytale was unlike anything I'd ever read. I enjoyed it, but also felt a little left wanting and I'm not sure why.

I was given a free copy of this book by Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
This gorgeous novel is inspired by Russian fairytales and set in medieval Russia. As a child, our motherless young heroine, Vasya, is singled out by a mysterious man to be the recipient of a powerful jewelled pendant, a fact that her father and nanny keep from her in their bid to protect her. Upon the arrival of a zealous monk, religion and folklore clash in a place where they have always lived in harmony before. Fear invades the land and the winters become harsher. Vasya finds herself under suspicion of witchcraft as she has kept up the offerings of food to the household spirits despite instructions from the monk. Her strong bond with, and protection of, the household spirits condemn her but her people do not understand that she may be the only person who can save them from the approaching darkness.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Bear and the Nightingale. It is part coming-of-age story, part fairytale. Vasya's vivacity and wildness are hugely compelling. She is an independent, headstrong young woman in a time when a woman's only choices were marriage or convent. The story cleverly mirrors Vasya's position with that of her stepmother, Anna - both can see the spirits but Vasya honours them, recognising them as a part of everyday life, creatures living harmoniously with the villagers and helping them with their work provided the offerings are maintained, while Anna sees them as demons sent to steal souls, feeding into her hysteria and paranoia. Vasya respects religion and folklore, Anna respects only religion, convinced all else is evil. The miasma of fear and suspicion that arises is as chilling as the bitter cold that is so beautifully described. This book is a delight to read. I was truly sorry when I had finished it.

Written as a fairy tale, we follow Vasya as she navigates a life under the watching eye of her fellow villagers in a time where politics, religion and feminist ideals are up in the air. What I love about this character and the book overall is the way Arden portrays Vasya. Even in the trickiest of situations, she never stoops to making Vasya feel like a victim of her surroundings; she stands tall amongst the masses.

If you are looking to read a great debut with very few flaws, stunning characters and vivid world building, look no further. Recommend to everyone!

Loved this! Magical clever and compelling, and just so beautiful. Really glad I'd managed to pick this up.

There has been a bit of a fad in the last few years for YA books to take from Russian fairytales, and in this example, I think Arden does a really good job. She clearly knows her subject matter and has researched this folklore in detail to create a fantastical story.
Vasya is a "wild" girl, different to everyone else in town, and dangerously for her, becomes labelled a witch. She sees sprites, guardians and elves in her every day and is trying to balance her life between what a young girl should be and what she is.
The majority of the book is really about "day-day" life in this small frozen Russian town, but it doesn't feel boring. In fact, by the time the action started, I was not really prepared for it! Knowing that this book is the first part of a series actually increased the star rating for me because I think this is a great foundation for what is sure to be a fascinating series.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book took me a little out of my comfort zone; set in another time and place, with a strong undercurrent of fantasy. It left me in a strange situation, where I didn’t really get along with the story – but I can’t quite put my finger on why. The writing was beautiful, the author weaves elements of religion, mythology and fantasy amongst a story of a very likeable young girl. And yet it wasn’t quite for me.

Set in the historic wilderness of Russia where winter stretches most of the year and the country is ruled by Grand Princes, this story follows a family in a small village as they forage for food and share fairytales together around the fire to keep warm at night. The protagonist is Vasya, a headstrong young girl who has a touch of magic in her genes. Vasya is almost at one with the Russian wilderness; she understands every nook and cranny of the forest from a young age, and she can see things which others can’t.

This story starts off strong; Vasya is instantly charming and likeable. She’s feisty and rebellious, and it’s instantly obvious that she’s different from the rest of her family; she’s able to see and speak to the spirits of the forest and her home. For a while, her wild nature is accepted amongst her family but when she comes of age and her a father brings home a new stepmother, suddenly things have to change.

It’s at this point – the middle part of the novel – that it started to drag for me. The story moves quite slowly, and some cruel, unpleasant characters are introduced. There’s Anna, Vasya’s stepmother, who refuses to recognise the creatures of the forest and insists that Vasya’s father arranges a marriage for her quickly. Worse, Konstantin, a priest who arrives at the village aiming to enlighten the residents. He is a truly dislikable character whose motivations I couldn’t understand one iota – one who uses his strong religious beliefs to run a witch hunt of sorts, disrupting the equilibrium of the entire village and turning the residents against each other.

The final part of the book does pick up again; characters such as Konstantin and Anna are pushed to the background, Vasya comes to the forefront, there’s an action-packed battle and the fantasy element really is unleashed. There’s no doubt this story is intriguing and beautifully written in this final section.

I really struggled with the dark religious connotations in this book, the slow middle and the unanswered questions I was left with around Vasya. But, I have heard that this is the beginning of a trilogy, so perhaps those questions will be answered. I also can’t deny that this book is beautifully written, incredibly atmospheric and a wonderful book to read during winter time. It didn’t completely work for me, but I’m sure plenty of people will love it.

Really enjoyed this book. Perfect for fairytale lovers all around.

A lyrical and magical tale set in the depths of a Russian forest, this is a beautiful book. The fairy tale like story of Vasya and her desperate attempts to save her family and her village from a dark force is so beautifully told that it captivates the reader and holds them effortlessly until the very last page.
The character of Vasya, starts out as a somewhat wild and willful young girl, who struggles with the knowledge that her beloved mother died giving birth to her, but loves the wilderness of the forest surrounding her village, and the mysterious creatures it contains, some of which only she can see. However the forest soon reveals a darker side, and one which will threaten Vasya as she grows up and into her powers.
There is an interesting power struggle between religion, represented by Konstantin, the village priest and traditional superstitions such as leaving out food for the house fairies who help with household work, and as he begins to end these traditions, he sees in Vasya a danger to his reforming ways.
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this take on a traditional fairy tale and can recommend it to any fans of the genre, but be warned, prepare to feel the cold and hunger of a Russian winter, such is the descriptive quality of the writing.
This review is of a review copy provided by NetGalley .

VERY good novel, Rich in details a compelling mix with a fascinating main MC. One of the strongest novels I have read in ages.

I was drawn to this book first by the cover – and then by the mention of Russian fairytales and folklore. It seemed a little bit different from the usual books I read and I hoped it would prove to be an enchanting, magical read, perfect for the winter months.

The story is set in the 14th century in Lesnaya Zemlya, a village in northern Rus’. The village is home to Pyotr Vladimirovich who, since losing his beloved wife in childbirth several years earlier, has lived alone with his five children and their elderly nurse, Dunya. The youngest child, Vasilisa (or Vasya, as she is known), is becoming wild and rebellious and it is partly because of the need to provide a mother figure for her that Pyotr decides to marry again. Unfortunately, though, his new wife – Anna – turns out to be a wicked stepmother who dislikes and distrusts Vasya and believes she can see demons hiding all over the house.

Vasya, who has inherited special abilities from her mother, can also see Anna’s ‘demons’, but she knows that they are not evil spirits – they are household guardians watching over the people of Lesnaya Zemlya. When Father Konstantin arrives in the village, believing he is on a mission from God to stamp out the old traditions and beliefs, the powers of the household spirits begin to fade. Harvests start to fail, winters seem colder and harder than ever before and the evil forces that lurk in the forest grow stronger. Can Vasya find a way to protect her family and restore happiness and prosperity to the village?

The Bear and the Nightingale is a story steeped in Russian myth, legend and fairytale. Although I loved fairytales as a child, I seem to have missed out on most of the Russian ones, but that wasn’t a problem at all – and I was surprised to discover how much I was actually familiar with. I particularly enjoyed being reminded of the story of Frost which Dunya is telling the children as the novel opens.

Frost, or Morozko to give him his Russian name, is an important presence throughout the whole novel, although he only appears to the characters on a few occasions and we are made to wait until near the end of the book before his true significance becomes clear. Other aspects of the story are slow to unfold too – such as the role of the Bear and Nightingale of the title – which is why I’m not going to say any more about the plot or the characters, even though I would love to! I would prefer to leave some of the novel’s secrets and surprises for you to discover for yourself.

What I will mention is the setting, which I loved. Most of the action takes place in and around Vasya’s village, with lots of vivid descriptions of the harsh living conditions and the bleak, relentless winter weather, but there are also a few sections set in Moscow at the court of the Grand Prince Ivan II. I have very little knowledge of 14th century Russia (or Rus’, as the region was known at that time) so I wasn’t sure how much of this was based on fact, but as this is historical fantasy I tried not to worry too much about that. I was more interested in the portrayal of the conflict between the old ways and the new, the changing beliefs of the people and the loss of old traditions.

The Bear and the Nightingale is apparently the first in a trilogy – I hadn’t been aware of this when I first started to read, but on reaching the end of the book I was happy to discover that there will be another two and that the next one will take us away from the forests of Rus’ and into medieval Moscow. I hope we won’t have to wait too long for it as I’m looking forward to it already!

You are quickly drawn into a grown up fairy tale set in Russia. With lyrical, magical prose you lose yourself in a completely different world. Vasya is a feisty character and the general atmosphere is dark and haunting. The village is set in the woods with mythical creatures all around. This book was totally different to anything else I’ve read this year and it was enjoyable to be immersed in a fantasy world for a while.
With many thanks to Net Galley for the chance to read this one.

I was given this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. A family grows in rural Russia. Their lives are in constant struggle with the natural world which is beyond their control. They find comfort in a mixture of old ‘pagan’ beliefs and the newer beliefs of the Christian church. A young woman fights outside pressures to find a path in an ever-changing world. This world is made up of Vasilisa and her family. Vasilisa is a young girl who loves folk tales and lives one. Her empathy with the natural and spiritual world makes her the apex of the conflict between old and new beliefs. This book shares the Fairy-tale feel of Catherynne M. Valente’s Deathless and the Brothers Karamazov’s (by Dostoyevsky) questioning of spirituality, magic, and religion. I highly recommend this book.

An entrancing, bewildering debut. First in a trilogy, ‘The Bear and the Nightingale’ by Katherine Arden is heavily-influenced by Russian fairytales and steeped in winter. Snow, ice and frost are the everyday reality for the Vladimirovich family in medieval northern Russia where winter lasts many months of the year. It is a land of legend, folklore and fairytales where the people pay homage to the gods of the forest.
This is the story of Vasya, a wild child who sees the gods of the forests and the spirits of the house. Then one day a priest arrives from the city to challenge the superstitions and traditions of the country folk. It is a story of winter/summer, girl/boy, countryside/city but most of all, old magic versus the church. Is Vasya a free spirit, or is she a witch? Is her behaviour refreshing and engaging, or wicked? She alone can talk to the horses which teach her to ride like a Steppe boy, exhilarating and dashing but inappropriate for a young girl.
The only other person who can see the demons is Anna, Vasya’s stepmother, but whereas Vasya understands the demons, Anna fears them. She begs the priest, Father Konstantin, for prayers to banish them. But Konstantin becomes distracted as God starts speaking to him directly. Various attempts are made to tame Vasya. Her father wonders if a man will ever want to marry a girl who spends her time in the woods rather than sewing and cooking, her stepmother plots to get rid of her, her brothers protect her. Then a winter arrives which threatens to be the worst of all, many will die, and Pyotr Vladimirovich’s family will never be the same again.
In this book you will scarcely know where the fairy tales end and real life begins, indeed the book begins with the telling of a fairy tale. Arden has packed her novel with sumptuous description, colourful characters and layers on layers of myth, so many names and stories that you will struggle to keep track of them. It is a moody read, atmospheric, with beautiful description. But it is not a quick read, so relax into it and immerse yourself in Vasya’s life. You will be drawn into this unfamiliar world so you feel the hardships of the family, their fears, their dreams and dilemmas.
‘The Bear and the Nightingale’ is not an easy read, but it is rewarding. The Russian diminutives added to my confusion in the first few chapters when so many characters are introduced. Also the line between fairy tale and the story of Pyotr Vladimirovich’s family is often blurred. But stick with it, this book rewards perseverance.
Read more of my book reviews at http://www.sandradanby.com/book-reviews-a-z/

I had a really good feeling about this book and couldn't wait to read it when it was approved on Netgalley for me to read. In fact, it was one of my most anticipated releases for 2017 so I'm super pleased that I picked it as my first for the year! Fairy tales are my favourite kind of stories and this is a sort of re-imagining of a few of them, drawing from Russian folklore and stories to create a gorgeous, magical world!

I fell in love with all the characters in this novel, and it was good that Arden gave so many POVs a turn in giving us some deeper character development. They each felt complex and had a good backstory despite the fact that they fell into clear fairy tale archetypes too. I love reading stories that actually feel like a story of old, as well giving a feeling of something new and fresh. My other favourite hing about this book were the constant references to Russian culture and mythology because I learnt SO much. I only had a very limited knowledge of their stories: I knew of Baba Yaga and what a Rusalka was. But this book really opened my eyes and it's given me a strong urge to research more deeply! That paired with Arden's beautiful writing, knack for storytelling and ability to build a rich world and this book was a clear winner.

I did feel that towards the end, the 'climax' of the book became a little rushed. Arden set the story over a number of years and then suddenly began to speed up the pace, making it feel like a little too much was happening at once during certain parts. That being said, this was really only a minor quibble and it was still a deeply satisfying, and enchanting story. I am SO glad to hear that it is actually a series (though could easily be a standalone) as I want to hear what happens next and to other members of Vasya's family. A couple of unresolved plot-lines remained: talk of war for one, as well as Vasya's older sister. I'm happier knowing they'll have a chance to be addressed in book two!

I received this in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. Thank you to the author, Katherine Arden, and the publisher, Ebury, for this opportunity.

Based on Russian folk lore and fairy tale, this follows Vasya as she traverses her tricky world of court politics and religion. Born of a prophecy and markedly different from other young girls, speculation over how she will affect the future of her village has plagued her young life.

Wild and more suited to the outdoor sphere, she represents a more modern figure, unsuited to the historical period this was set in. Her feminist attitudes, her independent nature and her combative personality set her apart from the other females of her times, and we see the beginnings of historical change in the attitudes towards women develop in the reaction to her character.

The forward-thinking young protagonist is offset with binary characters that further mark her as different from the expected. And that is before the fantastical elements of this tale begin...

The Vladimirovich family have been fasting for 6 weeks in late winter and are gathered around the fire with Dunya to hear the story of Morozko (Father Frost). Life in Northern Rus is harsh and feeble mother Marina is pregnant. She knows she will be a girl child and be like her own ancestor (who could tame animals, dream the future and summon rain). Vasya is born in November to the accompaniment of howling winds and as soon as she can walk, disappears into the forest. Vasya fascinated me! She's a contradiction of earthiness and yet she's ethereal (very different to her siblings who all dote on her and try to keep her safe). There are some harrowing and dark scenes but I didn't lose faith in her. She's a character that we see grow from a 6 year old to a young adult, and we've only experienced the very beginning of her power. I'm eager to see how this will develop in the next book.

When egotistic and charismatic priest Father Konstantin Nikonovich comes to the village he causes so many problems. Brainwashing the community into fearing their own pagan beliefs (I couldn't help but picture Dobby!) and shaking the foundations of their world. There is a depth of emotion running through this conflict, tangling Vasya and her step-mother Anna into this darkness. You can't help but feel raw to witness (and be a part of) this shadow side of life.

The settings are so easy to visualise from the contrast of barren and isolated life in Northern Rus to the teeming and opulent Moscow; from village to city. I could feel that bone freezing cold, experienced the heat working in the fields and feared the forest. I stood in the main hall waiting for the Grand Prince to notice me and stood in the market place waiting to travel home.

I have a few questions I'm hoping will be answered and a character who I think has a vital part to play moving forward (but I can't figure out what). I'm looking forward to finding out where the story will take us in the next book.

The Bear and the Nightingale is a story of myth, magic and adventure. It's a coming of age story with a kickass heroine who dances to her own beat yet considers everyone and everything. There's plenty of conflict, sacrifice and a fledgling romance. It will take you to the depths of emotions while you walk the shadow side with the characters but give you hope that life can be saved.

A recommended read from me.