I don't normally talk about a cover, but let's face it ... this cover art is beautiful. What it suggests is a lyrical fairy tale, and that's precisely what we get with the story inside.

Author Katherine Arden (whose very name conjures up fairy tale princesses) has written a Russian fairy tale, drawing on her own interest and education in Russian literature and language. But the story doesn't require the reader to know Russian or even the history of Russian literature. The story requires only that you be willing to sit back and be willing to be mesmerized by the poetry of the writing and the descriptions of the countryside.

Vasilisa lives in the Russian countryside. It's a harsh living, where it is winter most of the year, but Vasilisa is accustomed to the life and very satisfied. When her mother dies, her father travels to Moscow and brings back a new wife. This step-mother is a religious women and she forbids the family to worship in their pagan ways. But the way of life in the Russian wilderness is uniquely tied to the land and spirits who inhabit the land and those spirits won't be dismissed without a fight. Vasilisa, who has the unique ability to peer into the spirit world is caught in the crossroads between the old, familiar way of life and the new regime.

Arden gives the reader an allegorical tale of the conflict of Christianity and paganism wrapped in a veil of fairy tale. it is an entrancing tale, but I will admit that I wanted the story to develop a bit faster than it did. The action of the tale really doesn't start until two-thirds of the way into the book. It is all set-up before that, and then the action begins quite suddenly and a little more blending of the two would have made for a smoother story.

I enjoyed my reading of this book and if I were to have a copy of the next book in the (planned) trilogy I would read it as well. But ... at the same time, I'm not in a rush to get the next book. I am not so totally enthralled that I can't wait and if I don't read the next installment, I likely won't miss it.

Looking for a good book? The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden is a lyrical fairy tale set in the romantic past in the Russian countryside and is engrossing in the language but not quite as much so in the story itself. It is recommended.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

Lovely read! Fantasy well written, with characters that are easy to like!

I really enjoyed this book set in medieval Russian villages and forests. I don't read a lot of fantasy and prefer books of the genre that are based in reality and believable, and this story hit the mark for me. The only reason I'm giving it four rather than five stars is some of the elements weren't explained, for example (using single words to avoid any potential spoilers) the necklace and the nightingale, and the ending seemed a bit rushed and characters' actions were somewhat unclear. However, I understand that there are two more books in the works, so perhaps things will make more sense in retrospect. Overall, I thought Arden did a good job of including Russian/Slavic mythology and little nods to history and culture throughout the book.

I love Russian fairytales and Vasilisa is one of my favorites! I really love to find fairytales reworked into something new and this one is beautiful! This story won;t disappoint fairytale lovers!

Date Posted: July 17, 2017.
Blog: The Life & Times of a Book Addict.

REVIEW:

I loved how the book began with the story of Morozko (The Lord of Winter) being told to the children in their home. I felt like it set the tone for the rest of the book.

Six years after the death of her mother, Vasilisa’s (Vasya) father brings home a new wife (Anna). Anna is very devout and strict. Her personality clashes greatly with Vasya, who is a bit of a rebel. At least for her time period. She doesn’t like to follow a lot of rules/orders. She gives food and talks to the spirits/creatures that live in the forest and in her home. Much to the dismay of her stepmother.

All of that comes to an end when Father Konstantin, a priest comes to their village. He forbids the worshiping of the spirits. Soon after that, the crops aren’t coming in as plentiful, the food sources start dwindling. But Father Konstantin just urges everyone to pray harder and be strong in their faith.

Vasya knows it is because the spirits/creatures are being neglected. And she even attempts to secretly appease them by herself. But it is not enough. And pretty soon an evil creature threatens to awaken and harm everyone.

Vasya knows it is because the spirits/creatures are being neglected. And she even attempts to secretly appease them by herself. But it is not enough. And pretty soon an evil creature threatens to awaken and harm everyone.

The Bear and the Nightingale is a wonderfully imaginative and atmospheric tale that I enjoyed from start to finish. Gorgeous cover? Check. Historical Fiction? Check. Story involving a strong heroine and inspired by Russian folklore? Double check.

There is so much I could say about this book. I feel like my review doesn’t really do it justice. So I am going to tell you to check it out for yourself. The book started off a little slow, but it had a really interesting start and I fell in love with the writing style. The descriptions were vivid, the characters were complex and interesting. Each character added another layer to the story. I loved Vasya. She was a very strong character. It was interesting to see that in an “old tale” there was a “modern” girl. So far ahead of her time I thought. I was even more excited to discover that I would get to find out more about her when book 2 releases, The Girl in the Tower on December 5, 2017!

RATING: 5 out of 5

This book starts out as historical fiction set in medieval Russia with a touch of magic realism, keeps getting more fantastical, and by the end is pretty much a straight up fairy tale. Hard to rate, as the last third or so was pretty great, but for me the rest of the book up to then was, while interesting and different, just incredibly slow. Going to average it out to 3.5 stars.

I didn't realize this was not a standalone, but I'm glad it isn't--mostly because things were not exactly wrapping up towards the end. I love Vasilisa for her strength and her "otherness". She is someone who embraces the strange instead of being terrified of it like her stepmother. The storytelling was delightfully lyrical. I can't wait to see how the rivalry that has boiled over and Vasilisa's adventures develop!

While The Bear and the Nightingale takes readers on a slow journey, each detail and description helps the story come to life as we follow the growth and adventure of Vasilisa Petrovna, or Vasya. Raised in the woods of Russia, called Lesnaya Zemlya, Vasya lives with her four other siblings, widowed father, and nursemaid, Dunya, who starts the book off telling a story. Stories and fairy tales play a large role in the book, as Vasya discovers how intermingled her world is with these seemingly inconsequential stories and how much of an impact they will have on her family and village. The Bear and the Nightingale is very character-focused on Vasya, her impudence and wildness, and the lengths she would take to save the people she love, even as they doubt her.

When I say this book is slow, I mean that readers really have to be patient because throughout the book, the pace remains a sedate stroll. The mysteries surrounding the woods is very slowly revealed as Vasya explores and grows through time. The story starts before her birth and follows until she reaches young adulthood, developing into a not-pretty but certainly magnetic individual who is as charming as she is drawn to the wilderness – a wood sprite rather than a girl. Vasya enjoys foraging in the woods, making friends with creatures that no one else can see such as the rusalka, who feasts on the fear of men and domovoi, who protects their house. Her father, Pyotr, hopes to dispel her “wild ways” by marrying another woman. This stepmother from the city, Anna, can also see the creatures but instead of embracing them and understanding them like Vasya, she fears them. With the arrival of a devout preacher who believes that it is his life mission to teach the fear of god to the villagers who leave offerings to these fairy tale myths, Vasya’s village is turned upside-down with paralysis, fear, and wariness.

“‘Fairy tales are sweet on winter nights, nothing more.’”

I really enjoyed the incorporation of fairy-tales into the story, with both new and familiar characters. One thing I would have liked is a clearer revelation of some of these stories. So you hear of characters such as the firebird, or the nightingale, or the sea-king, but it’s not exactly fully explained. However, I didn’t really mind that and thought that the lack of explanation suited the flow of the story. The only fairy-tale readers really hone in on is the frostking, who has a large role in the conflict going on. While Vasya struggles to protect her family and village from the Bear that threatens to consume them, she also discovers more revelations about the creatures she’s seen all her life, and how she can perhaps save them.

“‘Blood is one thing. The sight is another. But courage – that is rarest of all, Vasilisa Petrovna.’”

The small tidbits of family, history, and imagery surrounding the setting the book was really quite lovely. The author paints a very immersive world as we closely follow the timeline of Russian history, while they were thinking of rebelling against the Khans. Vasya’s family was so endearing to see, from the sweet Olga to the talented and exceptional Sasha (both of whom are her siblings). While her father loves her, he also fears for her future. In The Bear and the Nightingale, Vasya is a character who seizes control of her future, instead of the destiny laid out for her by history. In a time where a woman’s future was to either marry or join a convent – both gilded cages for someone seeking freedom – Vasya escapes from those roles to find a way to save the village. I really enjoyed her fierce, independent spirit and her directness. The interactions of the story is actually written with a direct and blunt feel, making sure that no dialogue is gone to waste. However slow the pace is, I can’t deny that the author does a good job in making sure every word goes to use – whether it’s in developing the plot, creating emotional turmoil in and between characters, or in describing the vivid images of the world.

All the characters in this book struggle with things, whether it’s the lust or fear of Father Konstantin, immense close-mindedness of Anna, or limited options for a girl like Vasya. I enjoyed looking briefly into their minds through the third person writing, and each were very multi-dimensional, even when doing the wrong things. There is not quite a romance that happens, but this aspect is perhaps… hinted at? That’s the best way I can describe it, as like I said, the character interactions are very blunt and they kind of have better things to do than jump around feelings. It’s not something that forms through the book, though, so don’t head into it ready for a romance (I mean, I didn’t, but I figure it was worth mentioning). Vasya’s emotional and physical journey and development was enough to keep me entranced with the story.

With magical elements and characters such as Baba Yaga like in Uprooted by Naomi Novik and an adventure across the Russian woods like Hunted by Meagan Spooner, The Bear and the Nightingale is another fairy tale-like story that will immerse readers in its story. I’m actually really satisfied with how the book ended, although I do know that there is a sequel coming out (with an equally lovely cover!). I really hope that the sequel lives up to this one, because this beautiful story came as a surprise and ended pretty nicely. I did notice that the author left a bit of things untied, so I’m sure she’ll be honing in on those details in the next book. Overall, The Bear and the Nightingale features an independent heroine who’s note afraid to fight for her loved ones, and blends in an interesting exploration of history, religion, and folklore into this Russian-inspired fantasy that is as captivating as it is dark.

The Bear and the Nightingale was my first reading of a Russian fairy tale and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Arden did an excellent job of bringing me into the world being presented. I could easily see the forest, their home, the village, and the darkness that seemed to surround the entire setting. For the majority of the story there was a chilling sense of foreboding that makes for an entertainingly dark fairy tale.

Vasya's development as a young woman with special abilities was interesting. The obstacles and pressures that she faced after gaining a new step mother, who was supposed to be for her benefit, were all well done. The tension between Christianity and ancient magics are great plot drivers that Arden used well.

If you are looking to read a fairy tale retelling with a darker bent, I would recommend picking up The Bear and the Nightingale. It makes a perfect winter read. I will be continuing this series as they are released.

A cute fun introduction into Russian myth. I found it hard to get into at first, but once the plot began moving the story was able to grab me more. It definitely starts out slow, but the characters get much more interesting as events move along.

Wanted a folk tale type story and this was it. Though it seemed drastically heavier than I'd origanally been going for I made it through and conquered this beast. It was enjoyable and worth a read though I don't know if I'd go back to it again.

I really wanted to like this book as I really liked the plot and theme of the book, however The Bear and the Nightingale was a bit too difficult for me to get in to. It didn't immediately draw me in, which is normally okay -- I give a book at least 5 or so chapters to get me hooked, and this simply didn't do it for me.

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.



* * * * *



Oh my goodness. This book is incredible! It's based on a Russian fairytale and Ms. Arden did a wonderful job of bringing it to life.



It's rare when I run across a book nowadays that totally sweeps me away. There were even times when I was even shivering from the cold of the winter in Rus and the temps here have been in the 70s. There were other times when the tale brought me to tears.


Ms. Arden has a deft touch with her characters. They all were so detailed and three dimensional that they became real to me. I fell in love with Vasilisa and her strength. She had a touch of the Sight and refused to be put in the box that women typically resided in. The only thing that really reined her in was her love for her family and her people.


I enjoy fairy tales but this is the first time that I have had the chance to read one that absolutely took me away from my every day life. I highly recommend it to any of my readers who enjoy fantasy or fairy tales. You won't be disappointed.


*** I received this book at no charge from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions expressed within are my own.

The Bear and the Nightingale was heavily plugged to me on more than one front. So, I decided to give it a try. It took me a while to be interested (and that was more a proximity thing and not genuine interest) but once I started reading, I didn't want to put it back down.

I'm familiar with a lot of fairy tales but precious few of those are Russian so I am not at all familiar with the origins of this story. That said, The Bear and the Nightingale was a really good book as it is. I really liked Vasya and her family. I sympathized them, empathized with them, and I felt drawn into the family as if I were a neighbor of theirs. Arden did a great job of drawing the reader in emotionally.

The story itself is told in the lush verbiage of fairy tales or, if one prefers, tales of old. It feels a bit like the Thousand Nights and a Night with word choices that make the sentences flow. There is no question that this is a Russian tale as the imagery is clearly steeped in old cultural terms and ideas. I loved how it felt and sounded as much as I loved the story itself.

Vasya's ancestry is part supernatural and as a result, she is part wild and can see the supernatural beings who inhabit the world. Her sight and belief as well as her offerings and interactions help to keep that world alive and protect against the growing power of the Bear. Her courage, love, and selflessness are staples of fairy tales the world 'round. She is not made for a cage and this poses a problem for many in her family and those surrounding her family would put her in one - even if only metaphorically. There were some elements of Vasya that intrigued me, especially her wildness. Though it is true that she comes from a warrior family, she seemed to be temperamentally more in line with her father and brothers than her sisters. I don't think that was just because of her heritage either.

I really enjoyed the imagery: the Bear as devourer, the Winter King as Frost, the snowdrops, the horses (especially Solovey). The cheryty of Russian folklore were fascinating and I enjoyed the tidbits about them that make this world even more lush and rich.

I really liked The Bear and the Nightingale and would recommend it to anyone who is curious about Russian folk and fairy tales and an entry point. It has certainly inspired me to go and search out more definitive collections to see what other fantastical and interesting stories there are. I know I will be eagerly awaiting the next book in this series.

I was super excited to see this fairy tale for adults. I couldn’t wait to read it, but life happened and I only just got to it. The Bear and the Nightingale was incredibly well-written, but the language flowed in such a way that I found myself distracted. A ton of action would happen, and I would have to go back and re-read to see what I missed. Additionally, I think this writing style contributed to characters that seemed thin. I think they could have been developed more. Also, the story started before the main character was a baby. I think I would have enjoyed the book more had the beginning of Vasilisa’s life been summarized, as opposed to being told in detail. I think that the book lost some of its magic because of that. Once The Bear and the Nightingale actually got to the fairy tale part of the story, I loved it! It just took too long to get there.

When I added Arden’s book to my Goodreads list, I saw that there is going to be a sequel. I don’t think it needs a sequel! The whole point of a fairy tale is that the characters live happily ever after and that’s all you need to know. I was really thinking this would be a standalone going into it, but I might give the sequel a try, out of curiosity.

*I received this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

This is a book you will want to read in front of a crackling fire and under a soft blanket.

I had a very difficult time reading this book. It is written very well and definitely reads like a fairy tale, but I was so bored and then... confused. I will say most of the action happens in the last 20-30% of the book. Before that feels like build up and character development -- Which, yes books do build up to the climax, but the book <i> felt</i> like it was building up.

For all that I was bored, I cannot deny that this was written well with magic woven between the words. I definitely think other people will enjoy the history, the different fairy tales, and will be pulled into this book. All of this makes me frustrated because I could feel the pull to be dragged in and I was curious about the tale, but it just did not work on me.

As a side note, I have no idea who the Nightingale in the tile is referring to.... brother or horse... or I missed something.

Anyhow, I totally recommend this book to people who like fairy tale retellings, don't require much action, and are interested in Russian folklore. This book is worth the read.

I did hesitate when I choose this book to read. It is a very different genre than my usual choices. Even half way through it, I was deciding whether to continue or not. Then a strange thing happened, I was so caught up in Vasilisa's story, I couldn't put it down. I am so glad I continued to read. The story centers around a Rus' family, the young girl,Vasilisa and Rus' folk tales. What a wonderful way of describing the "old" ways by putting the reader in the middle of one. This is Katherine Arden's first book as far as I know. She is a talented writer who is able to grab your attention and not let go until the end.

4.25ish stars.

I was ready to write this off pretty early. The first 25% or so gave me nightmare flashbacks to reading Uprooted (don't judge) and I was about to toss this on my "not for me" shelf and be done with it. Gladly the remaining 75% did a great job of changing my mind.

While I tend not to be a fan of the impersonal, sparse (although often lovely) narration used to tell fairy tales and mythology, I found that Arden used it to great effect here. Vasya, in critical danger of reaching special snowflake status (cough Agnieszka), ended up actually being a really cool protagonist and Morozko, in critical danger of falling into awful, douchey Dragon territory, ended up being a legitimately interesting anti-hero/(view spoiler)

The fairy tale influence was really interesting and informative. It's always cool to learn the folklore native to different parts of the world. I especially love the idea of different spirits inhabiting different buildings and creatures and nature. I initially got a decidedly anti-religion vibe with the disparity between the Old Beliefs and Christianity. One significant character in particular embodies the (historically accurate) evil of using fear and death to force Christianity upon the people at the expense of their cherished beliefs instead of allowing them to co-exist as they had been (not cool, bro). Honestly, I find the religious nut plot device frustrating and contrived but whatever. However, I feel like it wasn't so much the author making a critique on religion in general as it was demonstrating the peril of using fear and constraint to prompt faith (Crusades anyone?). We're led to believe that Vasya's beloved brother, Sasha, although not heavily featured, provides the foil of a peaceful, respectful and sincere seeker of faith through religion.

Even before I began I wasn't expecting to enjoy this- some books you have to read just because everyone else is- but I'll count it as a wonderfully pleasant surprise.

I can appreciate how much effort and research went into this book to set it in Northern Russia and populate it with creatures from legend and folklore. The beginning is quite interesting and puts you into the setting right away with small details like cutting think ice and bracing it against the windows in the winter for insulation. But it can get quite complex dealing with a large cast of characters who all have conflicting motivations.. I couldn't finish it myself, but it does have a power to it that will likely entice many readers with it's unique world building.