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mahovina's review
5.0
what a wonderfull book!!!
immensely grateful to my Darja for recommending this one to me ❤️
immensely grateful to my Darja for recommending this one to me ❤️
dowryofbooks's review against another edition
4.0
4/5 stars
5/6/21 Update: Dropping my rating from a 5 star to a 4 star because I just finished reading the second book, and it is on a whole other level. I still absolutely adore this first book though.
Reading this simultaneously felt like traveling back in time to a harsh wintery Russian climate and like someone reading me old fairytales for the first time.
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Vasya grew up on many fairytales, including the one of Morozko (the frost demon, who is feared among the village). Vasya is gifted. She can see and communicate with the different creatures who live in their village and in the forest. Honoring the spirits with offerings is said to keep the village safe and prospering.
A priest comes to the village, influencing people to stop leaving offerings for the spirits, because they are demons. Without offerings, the spirits are no longer able to keep the village safe and a harsh winter descends on the village. The people believe that Vasya's witchcraft is at play, but there is really something much darker.
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Everyone describes this as being a slow read, so I went into it thinking I'd be reading it for a while. I got so wrapped up in the story I finished it in less than 24 hours. I'm finding it hard to put into words how much I enjoyed every page of this- just know that I did.
Vasya is one of my new all time favorite female characters. Defying gender roles in a time where women were only raised to be married off and produce more children. I'm a sucker for strong sibling relationships so of course I loved the scenes with Vasya and Alyosha. I feel like the two of them were closer with each other than their other siblings.
I mean this book has a little bit of everything: demons, spirits, strong characters, an evil stepmom, mythology, dark religious themes, witchcraft, kings, gods, magical horses, lots of snow, a dark forest. I just love love love it all.
I'm glad I waited for the winter months to start this trilogy, because it's definitely well suited for it. Hopefully there is more Morozko in the next one, I enjoyed him a lot. I'm excited to see where Vasya's story goes.
5/6/21 Update: Dropping my rating from a 5 star to a 4 star because I just finished reading the second book, and it is on a whole other level. I still absolutely adore this first book though.
“Now hear me. Before the end, you will pluck snowdrops at midwinter, die by your own choosing, and weep for a nightingale.”
Reading this simultaneously felt like traveling back in time to a harsh wintery Russian climate and like someone reading me old fairytales for the first time.
-
Vasya grew up on many fairytales, including the one of Morozko (the frost demon, who is feared among the village). Vasya is gifted. She can see and communicate with the different creatures who live in their village and in the forest. Honoring the spirits with offerings is said to keep the village safe and prospering.
A priest comes to the village, influencing people to stop leaving offerings for the spirits, because they are demons. Without offerings, the spirits are no longer able to keep the village safe and a harsh winter descends on the village. The people believe that Vasya's witchcraft is at play, but there is really something much darker.
-
Everyone describes this as being a slow read, so I went into it thinking I'd be reading it for a while. I got so wrapped up in the story I finished it in less than 24 hours. I'm finding it hard to put into words how much I enjoyed every page of this- just know that I did.
Vasya is one of my new all time favorite female characters. Defying gender roles in a time where women were only raised to be married off and produce more children. I'm a sucker for strong sibling relationships so of course I loved the scenes with Vasya and Alyosha. I feel like the two of them were closer with each other than their other siblings.
I mean this book has a little bit of everything: demons, spirits, strong characters, an evil stepmom, mythology, dark religious themes, witchcraft, kings, gods, magical horses, lots of snow, a dark forest. I just love love love it all.
I'm glad I waited for the winter months to start this trilogy, because it's definitely well suited for it. Hopefully there is more Morozko in the next one, I enjoyed him a lot. I'm excited to see where Vasya's story goes.
ahaddad24's review against another edition
Too slow, FMC too juvenile— felt very YA
jackie_fitzgetald's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jaqylantern's review against another edition
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
thepaperbackplanner's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
It’s always a treat to read a wintery book in the heat of summer, and “The Bear and the Nightingale” didn’t disappoint. A co-worker recommended this a few months ago and I’m so glad she did, because I thoroughly enjoyed it! This series follows Vasilisa (or Vasya), a girl growing up in medieval Russia who slowly realizes she has “the sight,” which allows her to see and communicate with members of the spirit world, called “chyerti.” Many of the first spirits she encounters are protectors of various parts of her world — the hearth, the stables, the river, the forest. These kinds of mythologies are so interesting to me (like, leaving little bits of bread out for the spirit that guards your hearth and protects your house? hell yeah), so I was instantly hooked. But, of course, telling people she sees forest and river and house spirits does not go super well for Vasya, as it’s not something fit for a proper young girl to discuss, and trouble ensues. Fortunately, she gets help from the one and only winter-king, and folks, you KNOW I love that shit!! Mysterious Tom-Hiddleston-as-peak-Loki-looking guy who’s literally and figuratively cold but maybe has a warm heart in there somewhere? Sign me the hell up. ALSO, and MOST importantly, horses play a central role in this book. It’s truly a “this hole was made for me” situation. If it sounds like it might be your jam, I’d recommend getting your hands on a copy ASAP.
cinnamontwisty's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This reads like an old folk or fairy tale, and it's amazing! The writing feels magical, and I fell in love with Vasya, the main character. This is definitely a new favorite, I can't recommend it enough!
the_readingpa's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5