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4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
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:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I did like this. It's an interesting tale about a girl with somewhat mysterious magical abilities, living on a medieval Russian farm. Vasya can talk to horses and see spirits. We know from the beginning of the book that Vasya is "important" somehow, because her mother, who also possessed some magical abilities, foresaw it. It's no surprise that when things start to go wrong in the world, Vasya is the one who sets out to fix it. She's a Strong Female Character literally defying the gender norms of her time and I loved that.
I was interested in the interaction between the Christian religion and the old beliefs in spirits. Christianity definitely feels like the bad guy here. I'm guessing this will continue to come up in future books, I'm interested in how they will find a balance.
I find it frustrating in books when the entire plot would unravel if two characters EVER just honestly TALKED to one another. If Vasya and her stepmother had ever had a single honest conversation wouldn't things have been entirely different? I don't believe a plot to be sturdy enough if it hinges on one simple conversation NOT happening for decades between two people who live together.
I was interested in the interaction between the Christian religion and the old beliefs in spirits. Christianity definitely feels like the bad guy here. I'm guessing this will continue to come up in future books, I'm interested in how they will find a balance.
I find it frustrating in books when the entire plot would unravel if two characters EVER just honestly TALKED to one another. If Vasya and her stepmother had ever had a single honest conversation wouldn't things have been entirely different? I don't believe a plot to be sturdy enough if it hinges on one simple conversation NOT happening for decades between two people who live together.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-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:
Complicated
slow-paced
The integration of Russian folklore in an American novel is quite interesting. I was fascinated but utterly lost having zero Russian folklore background. I wish the author did a better job on the world building in this regard. It also didn't help that the glossary is placed at the end of the book in the digital version, bc this would've been helpful to know going in. I can't tell if it's a result of my confusion or tiredness but every time I picked up this book I immediately got sleepy. Take that piece of info for what it's worth.
The story is slow which surprises me further that the explanation of folklore was lacking. If the exposition is going to take up half the book, then I should be able to understand the world completely.
Around the halfway point, the plot picks up and I started to get into it. And it's pretty good up until the end. The ending was quite anti climactic and once again it started to put me to sleep. Overall there's maybe only 35-40% of the entire story that was actually riveting. Although this is trilogy, the ending tied up very nicely so I don't feel compelled to continue reading on. That's not to say that I'm completely deterred. The second book takes place in a much shorter timespan as opposed to this one where it really goes into the main character's family lineage before she was even born, so perhaps it won't be as slow. Regardless it's important to note that the ending, although anticlimactic, allows me space to end here instead of forcing myself to continue with the trilogy.
The story is slow which surprises me further that the explanation of folklore was lacking. If the exposition is going to take up half the book, then I should be able to understand the world completely.
Around the halfway point, the plot picks up and I started to get into it. And it's pretty good up until the end. The ending was quite anti climactic and once again it started to put me to sleep. Overall there's maybe only 35-40% of the entire story that was actually riveting. Although this is trilogy, the ending tied up very nicely so I don't feel compelled to continue reading on. That's not to say that I'm completely deterred. The second book takes place in a much shorter timespan as opposed to this one where it really goes into the main character's family lineage before she was even born, so perhaps it won't be as slow. Regardless it's important to note that the ending, although anticlimactic, allows me space to end here instead of forcing myself to continue with the trilogy.
4.5 stars! I really enjoyed this story! The only reason I didn’t give it 5 stars is because the last portion of the book felt very rushed and, for me, didn’t answer all my questions. There were things that were introduced earlier in the book that should have been brought back up later but never were and it left me a little unsatisfied. Other than that, I found this fairytale enchanting and entertaining.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
slow-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:
Yes
The Bear and the Nightingale, is an exquisite gem of a tale—steeped in myth, shimmering with enchantment, and radiating the kind of timeless magic that lingers long after the final page. Like a story whispered by firelight through generations, it unfolds with an ancient, unhurried grace, weaving threads of wonder and curiosity that wrap around the soul. The narrative feels both intimately human and otherworldly, as though plucked from a dream where folklore and reality blur. Every chapter brims with quiet marvels, drawing you deeper into its spellbinding undercurrent, each page a whispered secret that reignites the wide-eyed anticipation of childhood storytelling.
Reading this during winter’s hushed, frost-kissed days only heightened the overall ethereal charm of the story. I’ll carry this tale with me like a talisman, a reminder of stories that don’t merely entertain but transform.
Excited to continue the series!
Reading this during winter’s hushed, frost-kissed days only heightened the overall ethereal charm of the story. I’ll carry this tale with me like a talisman, a reminder of stories that don’t merely entertain but transform.
Excited to continue the series!
Satisfying escape on a cold day. I like how this winter king is not too sexy or wicked. He’s just right. Also the witchy gal is not too headstrong nor too weak. There are only a couple of over the top characters, and so I was able to stay focused on the details of the story. So much food in this book. That is always a good sign
Lovely prose but the story is slow and I’m not interested.