One of the best books of the decade! Katherine Arden's take on a little-known Russian fairy tale is fresh and exciting. Fantastic characterization in a world that is fully realized. I couldn't stop reading it and was genuinely sad when it was over!

I was super excited to read this book. Arden draws on Russian fairy tales and history to tell this enchanting tale. The story will keep readers guess/entertained. I would recommend it to friends and library patrons.

I was enthralled. The author draws you in with the fairy tales and beautiful descriptions of Rus through the different seasons. As the story progresses, you learn more about the main characters; their thoughts, beliefs, and motives. I will be interested in what the author creates next.

I would like to thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for my advanced copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

I am giving this 3.5 stars despite the fact that the descriptions were magical and the heroine is one of my favorite heroines in a while.

This is a vivid and imaginative rendering of multiple Russian folklores and fairytales. Katherine Arden obviously spent a considerate amount of time researching and studying Russian tales, Russian classic literature, and other Slavic cultures. This story centers around bravery, mystical creatures, family love, and daily hardship. The book starts out with a family sitting around the kitchen stove in the deepest winter and an old maid spins stories filled with old tales and pagan beliefs drawing the reader into a magical world of wood creatures, water trolls, and evil spirits. The reader gets to know each family member. their quirks, their beliefs, and their love for each other. The main characters are interesting and relatable. The heroine, Vasya, is powerful, independent to the point of stubborn, unconventional, and warm. She grows into a warrior and really made the book feel hopeful.

A big problem, in my opinion, is that Arden didn't stop with the stories of the main figures. She describes various other characters cascading into a slew of subplots and side stories, just as we remember from classic authors like Dostoyevsky or Tolstoy. But herein lies the main problem. The many characters and their stories were not really necessary for the main plot to be understandable and sensical. In fact, I wager to say the plot would've stood out more hadn't there been so many side stories. And while I understand that this is just the first book in a series, it did make it difficult for me to get into the book, and thus could prevent me from wanting to read the series. I feel that if these characters will become more important later in the story, their stories could've been introduced later as well. It just seems like the author was trying too hard taking away from the actual beauty this novel could've been.

Nevertheless, I see great potential in this series and will read book 2 in hopes to see more of the beloved heroine and less of random side characters.

The beautiful cover of this book is what originally attracted me to it. Another reason for wanting to read the book was that I loved fairy tales and folklore as a child.

The Bear and the Nightingale is set in medieval Russia. It is based on Russian fairy tales and folk lore, all are rather dark. However, it's a beautifully written book. The descriptive words and writing from the author bring winter in Russia to life! I could feel the dark snowy days.

There were a few times that I felt like I couldn't get into the story. Then something would grab me right back into the tale. Maybe I've outgrown my fairy tale years but it was an enjoyable story.

* I received an ARC from the publisher and NetGalley. I voluntarily reviewed this book.

The Bear and the Nightingale was really good. Several of my staff have read it and enjoyed it.

Vasilisa, the youngest of 5 siblings, grows up in the Russian hinterlands with a special connection to the wild. She loves her nurse's stories of the different spirits of house and forest, but most of all she loves tales of Morozko, the fearful king of winter. When her father remarries to a devout citywoman, who comes with a new priest, it triggers a change in Vasilisa's comfortable existence. And, as she soon comes to realize, a change in the natural balance. As the new priest's influence grows, the local spirits and land weaken. As scary as tales of Morozko are, they are nothing compared to the thing he guards against. Threatened with marriage or a convent by her stepmother, Vasilisa must find a way to keep her land and people safe before time runs out.

One of my favorite books growing up was a book of Russian fairytales. In many ways, The Bear and the Nightingale was like revisiting my childhood. Except the fairytale grew up with me and got equivalently darker as a result. I'm not mad about it. This was an engrossing, atmospheric read. From the domestic spirits to the encroachment of Christianity to the mythos surrounding Morozko, this fictional slice of old Russia felt rich and authentic. It is not a Disney-fied fairytale. There is blood and death and violence, and a monster or five. It does nicely capture that feeling familiar from folk tales, where reality slips sideways just a bit and suddenly things like magic just are.

Vasilisa as the main character is both traditional and not. Traditional because that's a recurring name/character from Russian folklore, but not because generally it's Vasilisa the Beautiful where she is a fair maiden. This story's Vasilisa is not ugly, but not beautiful either. Rather, she is smart, and brave, and compelling. I like this modern twist on a heroine. The supporting characters were mostly well-done and sympathetic- even the traditionally vile stepmother. The author did well to add nuance to the normal archetypes.

I would've liked a little more backstory on Vasilisa's mother and the magic of her line (where it came from, what exactly that meant). And some parts of the story moved a little slowly for me. But overall, I still really enjoyed this book.

If you like new twists on old stories, or have a penchant for Russian folklore, give this a try.

This review originally appeared on Brightly:
Some authors create a world so vivid, so immersive, so unlike your own that you can’t help but remain there long after you finish reading. Katherine Arden has created such a world in her debut novel, The Bear and the Nightingale. Set in the far north of Rus’ (what would later become Russia) during the 14th century, the small village where Vasya Petronova lives spends most of its year in winter. The village honors the sprites and fears the demons that live all around them. Vasya has a special ability to see the sprites and demons, and her life becomes more exciting as she communicates with them and learns from them.

Vasya is a bit of a wild child, especially compared to the norms of the time. While her father, a minor nobleman and widower, seems to enjoy his daughter’s spirit, he’s unsure how to tame her as she ages. When he marries Anna, a young woman who grew up in the city of Moscow and is very devout to the new Christian religion, Vasya’s freedom is challenged. Then, when a priest settles in the village, Vasya finds herself not only fighting for her own freedom, but for the village’s ancient beliefs, which are starting to give way to the priest’s beliefs.

Arden’s book brilliantly melds fantasy, history, magic, religion, politics, and folklore into an enchanting tale. I was completely captured by the story, so vividly imagined and yet so firmly rooted in reality. It went beyond simply imagining the book; it was almost a sensory experience — the chill of the air, the smell of the food cooking in the hearth, the richness of the sights, the fears and triumphs.

A quick word on the reading: If you are unfamiliar with reading books rooted in Russia, it can take a bit of time and effort to familiarize yourself with the characters, as each typically has multiple names and nicknames. Arden does also use some Russian vocabulary and naming conventions. Luckily, there’s a glossary in the back that serves as a great resource as you start the novel.

The Bear in the Nightingale is the first book in a planned trilogy. While this installment has a satisfying conclusion, I’m very excited to read more of Vasya’s story. And, even more so, I look forward to reading more of Arden’s amazing writing.

Couldn't get into it. Not into reworked fairy tales, sorry.

There aren't words to describe my love for this bokk

This was an original and enchanting tale that takes place long ago and is based on old Russian fairytales. I feel in love with the story soon after I started. The main focus of the story is the young Vasya who has a touch of magic in her. She can see demons and house-hold spirits. When her village and home is threatened, Vasya discovers that she may be the only one with the power to stop the evil. I enjoyed reading every part of this story. It was a fantastic tale of mystery, magic and it the writing was gorgeous. I can't wait to read the next book.
I received a complimentary ebook in exchange for a review.

DNF @ 12%

*eARC kindly provided by Random House Publishing Group (Ballantine) via NetGalley*

I tried. But I just don't have any interest in returning to the book at this point. I think it definitely has strong writing and characters, but I am SO. BORED. And I'm not a big fan of books that span multiple years. I will give it a second chance at a later time, because I think I could really enjoy it if I get further into the story. So this is kind of a we-are-on-a-break moment for us instead. :D

A richly detailed story that is quite intriguing. Vasilisa is unlike any heroine you will come across. While this moves at a slow pace, it takes you on a journey as we watch a free-spirited girl grow up to become a brave young woman. It's hard to believe that this is the author's first book. Clearly, a lot of research went into this about Russian folklore. The only reason I'm giving this 4 stars instead of five is because it took me quite a while to get through the slow parts and pick the book up again.

My rating reflects my personal tastes. I don't like myths, legends or fairy tales, so this book was a difficult one for me to finish.
It seemed much longer than necessary and became tedious reading.

In this highly anticipated debut, Katherine Arden spins a story that blends Russian fairy tales and folklore with history.

Vaslisa is a girl with old magic in her blood, and she must save her village by honoring the old traditions. I really loved the feel of this story. It has a mysterious quality to it that reminded me a little of The Snow Child. I also loved how the tale is wrapped in the world of Medieval Russia. The fairy tale aspects and the historical are woven together so well.

The plot does seem to wander at points, but I think the overall atmosphere made up for any pacing problems.

The Bear and the Nightingale is the perfect winter read, so curl up with a cozy blanket and a warm drink and crack this one open.

Featured in "Reading on a Theme: A Russian Setting" on Intellectual Recreation.

A serene beginning! In THE BEAR AND THE NIGHTINGALE by Katherine Arden, we find an old lady sitting on a wooden bench next to a huge oven in the dead of winter telling a story. Then suddenly things become deeply involved. Darkness appears with creepy shadows that no one else could see but Vasya. Why? Was it because she had that special gift and had to be the only one seeing the horror in order to help figure out the situation? Why couldn't the priest see what was going on? He heard the voice, but he could not see the shadows creeping upon him.
Then Vasya's wedding day was coming. But, will something or someone interfere with the preparations? It was like reading a Grim fairy tale, but with a slight twist of fate to it. I just kept wondering when the bear and the nightingale were going to appear. Then the plot thickened, and there was that touch of magic in the air that makes a true fantasy. It was a clear, cold Winter day, and all around things were so still you could hear a branch breaking off in the distance. As the snow falls down the branch, as in slow motion, tumbles to the ground. What was about to transpire next? Will Vasya have her happy ending? Will things get better or worse? Interesting read!

Such a cool story, I'd never heard of this fairy tale. I was completely sucked in, it was so well-written.

Four and a half stars, but I'll round up. I don't know a ton of Russian folklore, and my Russian history is rusty. Katherine Arden, on the other hand, knows her Russian history expertly and still manages to to make that knowledge uninstrusive. She uses it to paint a picture of a harsh, medieval world, where kings and princes don't last long if they aren't suspicious and cynical. Her focus isn't the Russian court, though, but is instead upon a small holding off in the feral forests. Her characters gather around the house stove and sleep on top of it to keep warm. They negotiate loyalties between a distant prince, an orthodox Church, and old beliefs which include house and forest spirits.

The book is the beginning of a retelling of Vasalisa the Beautiful, a tale I don't really know. It's a bit slow to get off the ground, since it looks like it's going to be a trilogy, but I didn't mind the time spent setting the stage because the author did such a good job of drawing me into her world. Vasya is a wonderful character: strong, brave, caring. She's a great heroine. Her entire family is fascinating too, from her mysterious mother, her brusque but loving father, her three older brothers and sister, none of whom are touched by the supernatural in quite the way that Vasya is.

It almost always freezing in this book- you'll want a fire and some tea or hot chocolate- and the supernatural is not safe in the slightest, although it's beautiful and seductive. The writing itself could probably stand some technical improvement, but I'm willing to bet that will come with time. I'll grab the sequel as soon as I can.

This book was amazing.

It’s a Russian fairytale. Set in medieval Rus’ with Boyars and princes, old gods and new religion, all surrounding a beautiful harsh landscape. Vasya is the youngest of five siblings and blessed with her maternal grandmother’s strangeness. As she grows up Vasya becomes aware that she is unlike everyone else and sees things differently from her siblings.

All the fairy tale elements are in this book. The dead mother, the antagonistic stepmother, the three brothers, the beautiful stepsister, but the author takes the time to give each a distinctive personality and motivations of their own. I adored Pytor, Vasya’s father. Sometimes the parents just slip into the background but he was an integral part of the story and I loved that he was so visible.

I found the book beautifully descriptive, with imagery filled with details alive enough to make you smell the smoke and feel the cold. This world is haunting, vivid, and I could sense that. The author evokes the harsh northern seasons, and how life adapted, while weaving in the magical folk figures who seem to be dying off as the people's faith turns to Christianity. The push pull between the old ways and the Christianity the new religion, ended being a plot point. Vasya tries her best to find the old peaceful balance between old ways and new. I will admit that I was more interested in the old ways than the new.

My favorite part was the fairytales. The frost-king Morozko and his destructive brother, the Bear, play the primary fairy tale roles, but there are additional Russian folklore elements like the stepmother sending her stepdaughter into the forest to find snowdrops in midwinter from the story “Twelve Months”, Morozko sending lost girls home with a dowry of gold and jewels, the Sea-King’s daughter, and Vasilisa the Beautiful. I did adore that the tales were told so that the reader didn’t have to go look them up.

I had two minor issues with the book. The first was the ending. It was so abrupt and I was left reeling a little. I mean it ends it but it’s just full stop, the end. My other quibble was that there were lots of half answered questions and confusing bits and characters (coughSashacough) that I got attached too that disappeared and never came back. Thankfully both my problems are answered by the fact that this is not a standalone and there are two more books coming.

This book reminded me so much of Uprooted and I was thrilled to read it. I am looking forward to next book.

The Bear and the Nightingale is incredibly slow-paced and relies very heavily on it's atmosphere and the odious characters. It isn't a book that you can read in one sitting but it's a perfect winter read if you want to immerse yourself in something fantastical and atmospheric. On the whole this was a good read despite some things I didn't love.