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reddeddy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Confinement, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Death of parent, Violence, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, Physical abuse, Classism, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Misogyny
Moderate: Abandonment, Grief, Mental illness, Sexual content, Child abuse, Gore, Child death, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Blood, and Animal death
Minor: Body horror, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Medical content, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Vomit, Pedophilia, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Body shaming
spiritedfaraway's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
“Are you going to save us, then?”
“If God gives me strength, I will save you.”
“I am only a country girl,” said Vasya. “I have never seen Tsargrad, or angels, or heard the voice of God. But I think you should be careful, Batyushka, that Gad does not speak in the voice of your own wishing. We have never needed saving before.”
This book flows really well even with all the different point of views and it just keeps you reading until you look up and realize that the sun has come back up and that the book is, unfortunately, finished.
The Bear and the Nightingale takes place in a fantasy version of historical Russia and tells the story of Vasya and her family. It reads like a fairytale and is absolutely beautifully written. Vasya is a wild child with a touch of magic and a willingness to be brave. The different relationships she has with her family are wonderful and feel very real. And her friendships with the spirits are lovingly written.
The few problems I had mostly had to do with the fact that there wasn't a lot that actually happened until almost the very end of the book. This is definitely a character driven story and if you love plot more then this might not be the book for you. I enjoyed reading this immensely though.
4.5 stars rounded up to 5.
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Misogyny, Sexual assault, and Rape
Moderate: Miscarriage and Mental illness
Minor: Animal cruelty
maryellen's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Loved it even more the second time.
Graphic: Grief, Blood, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Pregnancy, Death of parent, Animal death, and Child death
Moderate: Confinement and Fire/Fire injury