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4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
slow-paced
Honestly very confused most of the time - read for book club
I loved this!
What a vividly drawn fantasy from an extremely talented debut author. A cast of fascinating characters against a harsh Russian background help to bolster this unique story.
While I was slow to get into it, I appreciated the slow build story that lead to a truly tense finale. I cannot wait for the sequel!
I recommend this to any and everyone.
What a vividly drawn fantasy from an extremely talented debut author. A cast of fascinating characters against a harsh Russian background help to bolster this unique story.
While I was slow to get into it, I appreciated the slow build story that lead to a truly tense finale. I cannot wait for the sequel!
I recommend this to any and everyone.
Everytime I decided to sit down in my reading chair, (with a blanket covering my legs, my cat on my lap, and hours before me whispering of promised adventures) I'd calmly open this book and feel the soft, bitter touch of winter on my brow.
This book was so....is so... beautiful.
I'd like to nestle into it and never return to this mortal earth.
This book was so....is so... beautiful.
I'd like to nestle into it and never return to this mortal earth.
I've been in a bit of a reading slump lately--I've read several enjoyable books, but nothing that really grabbed me and kept me reading late into the night.
This book was everything I could have ever wanted: a unique, kick-ass heroine (a "chosen one" at first glance, but this story is far more about the choices SHE makes), dazzling setting and prose, compelling relationships of all types. I cannot wait for the next in this trilogy!
This book was everything I could have ever wanted: a unique, kick-ass heroine (a "chosen one" at first glance, but this story is far more about the choices SHE makes), dazzling setting and prose, compelling relationships of all types. I cannot wait for the next in this trilogy!
Reread December 2023: Yep, I still think this book is amazing. If I had to give it a more specific genre than just "fantasy" or "historical fantasy", I'd dub it Folk Fantasy
Heading straight into the next book now!
First read (december 2021): This is the type of fairy tale-esque stories that I LOVE.
I loved how magical and atmospheric the setting was, how dark the story got at times. I was so immersed, and could actually feel the cold and snow around me.
Themes of religion (christianity in particular) and superstition were so well explored within this tale.
I also loved the influence of Russian folklore and mythology and its creatures!
The Bear and the Nightingale had a very open ending, so I can't wait to read the other books in the series.
Heading straight into the next book now!
First read (december 2021): This is the type of fairy tale-esque stories that I LOVE.
I loved how magical and atmospheric the setting was, how dark the story got at times. I was so immersed, and could actually feel the cold and snow around me.
Themes of religion (christianity in particular) and superstition were so well explored within this tale.
I also loved the influence of Russian folklore and mythology and its creatures!
The Bear and the Nightingale had a very open ending, so I can't wait to read the other books in the series.
Baby slept a lot today, so I actually finished a book relatively quickly! It was also really enjoyable so that may have contributed to the quick read time. Despite the anti-Christian elements, I really enjoyed the story and the folklore. I was reading the mists of Avalon and am on the verge of giving up due to the constant belittling of Christianity. While this book did have some of that, it felt less obnoxious and judgy, so I could look past it. The truth is I know some people have terrible experiences with Christianity and don't want to discredit their experiences. As long as it doesn't become a tirade against all things Christian I can deal. Overall, it was a lovely story with magic, family dynamics, a little bit of horror, and mystery. All things I love in a good book, so it was a lot of fun and really engaging. I hope to read more by this author and am grateful for a fun read to fall into while my little man was zonked out all day napping!
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
After a bit slow start I just couldn't let this novel out of my hands!
It's a historical fantasy novel set in medieval Russia, and the times when the Christian religion was clashing with the old mythologies and folk religions. I quickly fell in love with the dark and mystical atmosphere of the novel. Vasilisa is a great main character and following her journey and her developing relationship with the mysterious winter king is an enjoyable experience.
The ending of the novel felt a bit hasty (this seems to be a common issue in fantasy/speculative fiction novels lately). But it's only the 1st part of the trilogy, so the questions left unaswered will probably get more light later in the series...
It's a historical fantasy novel set in medieval Russia, and the times when the Christian religion was clashing with the old mythologies and folk religions. I quickly fell in love with the dark and mystical atmosphere of the novel. Vasilisa is a great main character and following her journey and her developing relationship with the mysterious winter king is an enjoyable experience.
The ending of the novel felt a bit hasty (this seems to be a common issue in fantasy/speculative fiction novels lately). But it's only the 1st part of the trilogy, so the questions left unaswered will probably get more light later in the series...
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Took me a long time to get into it and understand the plot. Listening to it was great, but it might have been easier to read and keep people straight
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated