Reviews

The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden

alexayres47's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

A bit too much book and not quite enough plot 

the_pink_pharmacist's review against another edition

emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective relaxing slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

I struggled a little bit with the pace as I do with most historical fiction and my ADHD, but I loved the idea of Vasya having another sense and is a strong female character.

I loved her connection with horses and I look forward to her next adventures.

kiwi152's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

• 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

4.25

moonmarylin's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

ehogan9's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No

4.25

plbeyer70's review against another edition

4.0

Great book, I don't know anything about Russian folklore, but now I want to learn more. I'll be reading the rest in the series.

kapatin's review against another edition

4.0

“All my life,” she said, “I have been told to ‘go’ and ‘come.' I am told how I will live, and I am told how I must die. I must be a man's servant and a mare for his pleasure, or I must hide myself behind walls and surrender my flesh to a cold, silent god. I would walk into the jaws of hell itself, if it were a path of my own choosing. I would rather die tomorrow in the forest than live a hundred years of the life appointed me.”

georgw's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

A slow start and exhilarating finish, averaging out to a solid book with an interesting mythos and fine characters. I’m intrigued enough to read the next book in the trilogy, but I’m not enraptured by it. 

sandra4444's review against another edition

5.0

*Real rating: 4.5 stars*

A magical read and an amazing debut novel! This was the first book in a triology and I am eager to get my hands on the next one! Arden deserves whatever rewards that may come her way.

"The Bear and the Nightingale" offered a cold, magical world and a protagonist that will enchant you, while being beautifully written. Definately recommend this book and a cup of hot chocolate to go with it☕

cjbrimmer's review against another edition

Recently read & deeply enjoyed The Warm Hands of Ghosts by the same author. This one didn't capture my attention as quickly, and I struggled to relate to the characters. The premise seems interesting, so I may give this another shot one day.