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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Give it a go!

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

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

Lush, gorgeous prose with its feet planted firmly in Russian folklore. If you like fairy tale retellings and/or magical realism, you'll love this book. I can hardly wait to read the next in the series!

Grab on and be ready to be scared witless, because you will be. The author has taken this Russian children’s fairytale and turned it into a great work of wonder. It was slow reading for me at times, but the ending is a real hang on to the seat of your pants thrill.
I have never heard of any of these “nightmare” creatures except the Baba Yaga and that only by name.
This is not a Children’s book unless you want them to have nightmares for a long long time. Glad I did not let my 8 year old granddaughter read this. Maybe when she’s about 25 lol.
The heroine of this story is thought by the villagers to be a witch because she was so wild. A motherless child who ran the forest and came and went as she pleased. Her father seemed to dote on her because she was the last child of his beloved wife. But she saw things and heard creatures that no one else could see. I hate to know too much of a storyline before I read, so I will leave the rest for you to discover for yourself. Enjoy, don’t you love to be scared sometimes.?
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this electronic version of this book. The opinions given are my own

This book took me a little while to get into due the the Russian theme. Once I got it figured out, I didn't want to stop reading! So imaginative and creative! I can't wait to read the next two books!

This is not so much a retelling of a folk-tale, as a folk-tale told anew.

It is a slow burn of a story. In fact, what brings us in, is the folk-tale told by Dunya, the woman who has raised Vasya since her mother died shortly after giving birth to her. Dunya is a servant, but more than that.

We hear the tale, that leads us into the world where wood spirits and house spirits work to keep the people safe.

This is not a quick go in, and out story. As I said, it is a slow burn, a slow tale, but the telling is not slow. We know there is evil out there, and watch as it takes people and breaks them, and it is coming for Vasya.

Gripping, amazing, lyrical, beautiful are all words to desribe this tale.

It is the first book in a trilogy, and now I will read the other two books.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.