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thelibraryofklee's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
teatonic's review against another edition
3.0
The atmosphere is good, but the action is slow to come and thinly spread. Therefore it was difficult for me to stay focused. I guess in short you could say it wasn't a compelling read.
I did enjoy the introduction to creatures and gods of Russian mythology, but I think in order to keep things mystical and ambiguous the author didn't flesh them out enough for my taste.
I guess in this era of wokeness I also expect all the human characters to have a proper backstory, whereas the author prefered to portray different characters as either inherently weak or strong.
I did enjoy the introduction to creatures and gods of Russian mythology, but I think in order to keep things mystical and ambiguous the author didn't flesh them out enough for my taste.
I guess in this era of wokeness I also expect all the human characters to have a proper backstory, whereas the author prefered to portray different characters as either inherently weak or strong.
ajeanette's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.5
cmitchell2781's review against another edition
5.0
Wonderful fairy tale
While it took me a while to get into this story, it was absolutely fantastic.
I had some trouble keeping track of all the characters and their names, which made the story a little difficult to follow at first. As I read on though, the story straightened itself out and was so, so fascinating.
I love the winter-demon, and Vasya. I love their interactions and I'm dying to know more, to find out more of Vasya's secrets, as well as why she's so important to the winter king. She's such a headstrong character, determined not to be hedged into the classics rolls of a woman in old russia, and I just love those types of characters.
I definitely recommend this if you're looking for a fresh, new fairytale to spend a winter night with.
While it took me a while to get into this story, it was absolutely fantastic.
I had some trouble keeping track of all the characters and their names, which made the story a little difficult to follow at first. As I read on though, the story straightened itself out and was so, so fascinating.
I love the winter-demon, and Vasya. I love their interactions and I'm dying to know more, to find out more of Vasya's secrets, as well as why she's so important to the winter king. She's such a headstrong character, determined not to be hedged into the classics rolls of a woman in old russia, and I just love those types of characters.
I definitely recommend this if you're looking for a fresh, new fairytale to spend a winter night with.
lbarsk's review against another edition
5.0
ALL ABOUT THIS! Like, really really really ALL ABOUT IT. A magical witch young woman taking charge of her own destiny? Yes please! Folklore and fantasy and practical magic? I'm here! A flipping on its head of the "Death and the Maiden trope"? Sign me up! Making the "wicked stepmother" figure a 3-D character with motivations that aren't just "she's mean for no reason"? Great great great! I want sequels to this book so that I can see what Vasya's up to, it's that good. If this is Arden's DEBUT NOVEL I can't wait to read whatever she writes next.
doriantagonist's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
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? No
4.0
Russian folklore is so neat. I originally marked the sequel as want to read but I loved the ending of this so much I think that's where I want to let the characters stay.
bojanus's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
A thoughtful, atmospheric, nuanced story with fantastical elements. I loved the descriptions of the winter and all the details of the building, clothing, tools etc. Definitely felt like I was in a cold Russian winter trying to survive.
I loved all the characters. Vasya of course is the star with a wild personality that a modern reader can't help but cheer for as she does her best to escape the cultural misogyny she is entrenched in which demands she become a wife/mother or nun. The human antagonists were also a highlight. Although I detested what they did and the damage they caused, both Anna and Konstantin are characterized so well in the narrative that I completely understood each of their choices. I love a story that can make me understand WHY every character is the way they are and where all of their decisions make sense to them.
The vibes are somewhat heavy and plodding, like walking through several feet of snow, but it's beautiful. Definitely recommend this for someone curious about Russian folklore/mythology, or someone who enjoys an underdog protagonist, or who like complex/nuanced characters and families, with a little magic as well.
I loved all the characters. Vasya of course is the star with a wild personality that a modern reader can't help but cheer for as she does her best to escape the cultural misogyny she is entrenched in which demands she become a wife/mother or nun. The human antagonists were also a highlight. Although I detested what they did and the damage they caused, both Anna and Konstantin are characterized so well in the narrative that I completely understood each of their choices. I love a story that can make me understand WHY every character is the way they are and where all of their decisions make sense to them.
The vibes are somewhat heavy and plodding, like walking through several feet of snow, but it's beautiful. Definitely recommend this for someone curious about Russian folklore/mythology, or someone who enjoys an underdog protagonist, or who like complex/nuanced characters and families, with a little magic as well.
ibisette's review against another edition
2.0
Het boek begon ontzettend goed, wauw. Ik was helemaal mee en dan hoofdstuk na hoofdstuk begon het verhaal en de personages me te vervelen...
erinrosalee's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
4.0
amethystarchild's review against another edition
4.0
The Bear and the Nightingale
I just love the feeling I get when I read a story based on Russian folklore. There's an ancient and powerful magic to those stories, that’s unique to only them.
The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden takes place in an interesting time period. Russia during the Middle Ages, a time period when Christianity and Paganism struggled to co-exist and the roles of men and women were strict upon what their lot in life should be. Vasya, the protagonist, is an unusual girl who comes face to face with these historical challenges. She has a second-sight that allows her to see the unseen magical creatures that populate and guard her village from evil, wards that are now threatened by the fear created by the fanatical young priest Konstantin. With the help of the Frost King Morozko, Vasya must protect her family from the dark shadows that now roam the dark winter nights.
This was an enjoyable read, lovely prose, with many parts reminiscent of fairytale structure and language. I enjoyed exploring the era and traditions of the setting and how the characters functioned and grew. Vasya’s family is full of complex and interesting characters, her stepmother Anna, and the priest Konstantin are antagonists, but also quite sympathetic. The book has a very slow build because it follows Vasya as she’s growing up, and maturing into a hero, which is fine but I did feel a bit gypped that we didn’t get to see more of her once she’s reached that maturity. The Frost King Morozko was very intriguing, but he didn’t get much page time. Give me more of the death god, please! Haha. Overall, it was an intriguing read, and it had me searching for a copy of the second book in the series so I could find out where the story will take Vasya next!
If you like dark fantasy settings, complex characters, and one-eyed bears, I recommend this book. <3 <3 <3 <3
I just love the feeling I get when I read a story based on Russian folklore. There's an ancient and powerful magic to those stories, that’s unique to only them.
The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden takes place in an interesting time period. Russia during the Middle Ages, a time period when Christianity and Paganism struggled to co-exist and the roles of men and women were strict upon what their lot in life should be. Vasya, the protagonist, is an unusual girl who comes face to face with these historical challenges. She has a second-sight that allows her to see the unseen magical creatures that populate and guard her village from evil, wards that are now threatened by the fear created by the fanatical young priest Konstantin. With the help of the Frost King Morozko, Vasya must protect her family from the dark shadows that now roam the dark winter nights.
This was an enjoyable read, lovely prose, with many parts reminiscent of fairytale structure and language. I enjoyed exploring the era and traditions of the setting and how the characters functioned and grew. Vasya’s family is full of complex and interesting characters, her stepmother Anna, and the priest Konstantin are antagonists, but also quite sympathetic. The book has a very slow build because it follows Vasya as she’s growing up, and maturing into a hero, which is fine but I did feel a bit gypped that we didn’t get to see more of her once she’s reached that maturity. The Frost King Morozko was very intriguing, but he didn’t get much page time. Give me more of the death god, please! Haha. Overall, it was an intriguing read, and it had me searching for a copy of the second book in the series so I could find out where the story will take Vasya next!
If you like dark fantasy settings, complex characters, and one-eyed bears, I recommend this book. <3 <3 <3 <3