Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I've read a lot of historical novels, and I love this genre. I also have read a LOT about Russia, and some of its classic literature (mostly Fyodor Dostoyevsky.
So, when I first picked up this book...I was too critical and dismissive, and set it down.
Later, when the Discord Bedtime Bookworm Book Club chose it for the book of the month, I picked it up, again.
This time, I was in a different place...mentally, and it worked for me (for the most part).
It is not a perfect read for me. I enjoyed the historical part of the worldbuilding, though some of the historical accuracy was fudged for reasons of telling a more compelling story (which I was okay with).
At first, I wasn't able to connect with the characters...though the movement of the plot was satisfying me as the reader (though I am usually a character-based reader).
When the characters become more, front and center to the story, then the book became more interesting, but it also became less impactful...for I wasn't totally sold in the division of the characters (those that were Russian Orthodox, and were trying to be faithful to that Faith, and those who kept the old ways, and previous religion that the population of Rus believed in...before 988 AD (at the conversion of Rus to the Orthodox Church...with the conversion of Prince Vladimir from his pagan ways).
Now, I've studing Russia for many years. I don't have any degrees, just a retired woodworker, but I grew up in the Cold War, and was taught to reading a young man (now in my last year of my fifties), from Sun Tzu, a Chinese military general, strategist, and philosopher, once said “Know thy enemy and know yourself; in a hundred battles, you will never be defeated.”
So, I've read a lot of history books, historical fiction, Russian literature books...to "know" the Russian people.
Overall, I think I'm going to like the next two books a little better than I did this book...at least that's what I've heard from the discussion group who have read all three of the books that have been published (at this time) in this series. Which, honestly sounds amazing.
I think a really interesting movie that my wife and I watched a few years ago...called, The Island (or in Russian, Octob...phonetically Ostrov. It is amazing...and we highly recommend it. BTW, it is similar to a Fool for Christ, called Feofil of Kiev. The Island, it seems is a modern adaptation of the same type of things that Feofil the Fool for Christ did while he lived near Kiev.
Overall, I enjoyed the book, though there were points in the story that didn't sit well with me (which is fine, for books are subjective). I am happy to say that most of the people who read the book loved it, with one not liking it much at all, and one person who was meh on it, out of the seven of us.
If anyone would like to talk about this book with me, reach out. We can talk.
So, when I first picked up this book...I was too critical and dismissive, and set it down.
Later, when the Discord Bedtime Bookworm Book Club chose it for the book of the month, I picked it up, again.
This time, I was in a different place...mentally, and it worked for me (for the most part).
It is not a perfect read for me. I enjoyed the historical part of the worldbuilding, though some of the historical accuracy was fudged for reasons of telling a more compelling story (which I was okay with).
At first, I wasn't able to connect with the characters...though the movement of the plot was satisfying me as the reader (though I am usually a character-based reader).
When the characters become more, front and center to the story, then the book became more interesting, but it also became less impactful...for I wasn't totally sold in the division of the characters (those that were Russian Orthodox, and were trying to be faithful to that Faith, and those who kept the old ways, and previous religion that the population of Rus believed in...before 988 AD (at the conversion of Rus to the Orthodox Church...with the conversion of Prince Vladimir from his pagan ways).
Now, I've studing Russia for many years. I don't have any degrees, just a retired woodworker, but I grew up in the Cold War, and was taught to reading a young man (now in my last year of my fifties), from Sun Tzu, a Chinese military general, strategist, and philosopher, once said “Know thy enemy and know yourself; in a hundred battles, you will never be defeated.”
So, I've read a lot of history books, historical fiction, Russian literature books...to "know" the Russian people.
Overall, I think I'm going to like the next two books a little better than I did this book...at least that's what I've heard from the discussion group who have read all three of the books that have been published (at this time) in this series. Which, honestly sounds amazing.
I think a really interesting movie that my wife and I watched a few years ago...called, The Island (or in Russian, Octob...phonetically Ostrov. It is amazing...and we highly recommend it. BTW, it is similar to a Fool for Christ, called Feofil of Kiev. The Island, it seems is a modern adaptation of the same type of things that Feofil the Fool for Christ did while he lived near Kiev.
Overall, I enjoyed the book, though there were points in the story that didn't sit well with me (which is fine, for books are subjective). I am happy to say that most of the people who read the book loved it, with one not liking it much at all, and one person who was meh on it, out of the seven of us.
If anyone would like to talk about this book with me, reach out. We can talk.
Pros: great strong female protagonist. If someone is looking for a dark fairy tale, this would be a fun read for them.
Cons: I didn’t really enjoy reading it, mostly because I got distracted by what I felt was poor writing. It often felt like the author was being too cryptic. It also sometimes felt like she used a thesaurus too much, and I found much of the phrasing clunky. There were a few golden lines, but too much weak writing made it past the editor for my taste. For example:
-someone’s face is described as being “indifferent, cruel and just a little kind.”
-“The rusalka had borne [him] to earth.” I guess this means she had pushed him down?
-“The smell hung like evil rain...” Does rain hang? Is it evil?
-“There was a small leaf-filled silence.” ???
Some lines I did like:
-“Sasha’s lip curled. ‘In Moscow, priests are in love with their own standing. They eat fat meat and preach poverty to the miserable.’”
-“‘He is full of desire. Desire and fear. He does not know what he desires, and he does not admit his fear. But he feels both, strong enough to strangle.’”
-“‘I have never seen Tsargrad, or angels, or heard the voice of God. But I think you should be careful, Batyushka, that God does not speak in the voice of your own wishing.’”
-“‘It is a cruel task to frighten people in God’s name.’”
-“‘You do not know what you are; can you know what I am?’”
Cons: I didn’t really enjoy reading it, mostly because I got distracted by what I felt was poor writing. It often felt like the author was being too cryptic. It also sometimes felt like she used a thesaurus too much, and I found much of the phrasing clunky. There were a few golden lines, but too much weak writing made it past the editor for my taste. For example:
-someone’s face is described as being “indifferent, cruel and just a little kind.”
-“The rusalka had borne [him] to earth.” I guess this means she had pushed him down?
-“The smell hung like evil rain...” Does rain hang? Is it evil?
-“There was a small leaf-filled silence.” ???
Some lines I did like:
-“Sasha’s lip curled. ‘In Moscow, priests are in love with their own standing. They eat fat meat and preach poverty to the miserable.’”
-“‘He is full of desire. Desire and fear. He does not know what he desires, and he does not admit his fear. But he feels both, strong enough to strangle.’”
-“‘I have never seen Tsargrad, or angels, or heard the voice of God. But I think you should be careful, Batyushka, that God does not speak in the voice of your own wishing.’”
-“‘It is a cruel task to frighten people in God’s name.’”
-“‘You do not know what you are; can you know what I am?’”
Finally a good 2017 release! I've been reading a lot of mediocre ones, but this was not one of them. And since this is also a debut, I am so glad I have more to look forward to from Katherine Arden!
The atmosphere of this book is beautiful. It pulled me in from the first page with beautiful prose. It reminded me of a fairytale, both familiar and utterly new. It just felt magical.
I loved the historical aspect to it. It's set in medieval Russia and you could definitely tell the author did her research. It was fun seeing more than just the magic. She included the conflict between Christianity and the old Russian folktales and spirits which was fascinating to explore.
I also loved Vasya. She was such a strong character and we got to follow her from birth. Watching her grow was wonderful and also sad, but that's life. I fell in love with her and her family and their love for each other. Her care for the chyerti was kind too and I loved how she developed relationships with them too. Konstantin though....I was not a fan. I mean I felt bad for him for most of it but still...poor guy.
In case you were wondering how bears and nightingales come into it...the Bear is the bad guy. The Nightingale is a horse, go figure.
Highly recommend this!! Go read it!
The atmosphere of this book is beautiful. It pulled me in from the first page with beautiful prose. It reminded me of a fairytale, both familiar and utterly new. It just felt magical.
I loved the historical aspect to it. It's set in medieval Russia and you could definitely tell the author did her research. It was fun seeing more than just the magic. She included the conflict between Christianity and the old Russian folktales and spirits which was fascinating to explore.
I also loved Vasya. She was such a strong character and we got to follow her from birth. Watching her grow was wonderful and also sad, but that's life. I fell in love with her and her family and their love for each other. Her care for the chyerti was kind too and I loved how she developed relationships with them too. Konstantin though....I was not a fan. I mean I felt bad for him for most of it but still...poor guy.
In case you were wondering how bears and nightingales come into it...the Bear is the bad guy. The Nightingale is a horse, go figure.
Highly recommend this!! Go read it!
Closer to 4.5?
I knew little about Russian folklore before this book, and I found it very interesting. The book also had way more horror vibes than I expected, and starting from about midway right until almost the end I was in a constant state of tension while I read; the sensation of creeping and inevitable dread was very well done.
I enjoyed Vasya's free-spiritedness, and how their family [almost] always had each others backs. The dad's sacrifice at the end almost made me tear up, much more so than when the various Russian household spirits joined in (I almost wish it had just been the dad; they kind of confused the scene a bit for me). The descriptions of the cold, and forest, and Moscow/Russia in general were fantastic, even if the characters were a little thin, and the exploration of how Christianity mixed with the older beliefs. And the book didn't end with a cliffhanger or a romance, which I appreciated!
I knew little about Russian folklore before this book, and I found it very interesting. The book also had way more horror vibes than I expected, and starting from about midway right until almost the end I was in a constant state of tension while I read; the sensation of creeping and inevitable dread was very well done.
I enjoyed Vasya's free-spiritedness, and how their family [almost] always had each others backs. The dad's sacrifice at the end almost made me tear up, much more so than when the various Russian household spirits joined in (I almost wish it had just been the dad; they kind of confused the scene a bit for me). The descriptions of the cold, and forest, and Moscow/Russia in general were fantastic, even if the characters were a little thin, and the exploration of how Christianity mixed with the older beliefs. And the book didn't end with a cliffhanger or a romance, which I appreciated!
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-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
I really enjoyed this book. It does a good job covering a long exposition without being boring, and the third person limited POV switches occasionally mid-scene, but it's still obvious who the POV is focused on. I really enjoyed learning about medieval Russian culture and folklore through this novel. I also enjoyed the overall writing style of the book and the characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Blood
Moderate: Child abuse, Physical abuse, Violence
Minor: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Alcohol
Sexual assault details: Pyotr marries Anna and does his duty by her and she cries. Those are the terms it is described and it is very brief and entirely off page. Later, Vasya's betrothed kisses her when she is unwilling and she feels fear around him. They do not end up getting married and she only has to endure the kiss and mild groping.
Child abuse details: Vasya and her siblings are regularly beaten for punishment, but it is most often treated as justice, not done out of anger. As a teenager, Vasya is slapped and beaten by Anna out of anger. Pyotr tries to reign Anna in but cannot and Vasya spends as much time out of the house as she can and her brother watches her back.
adventurous
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I love stories from folktales and this book does incredible justice to the tales it tells. The writing style is also just beautiful.