A review by a_reader_of_book
The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden

adventurous emotional 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

4.25

I picked up "The Bear and the Nightingale" (TBatN) based on some recommendations after wanting a cozy book for the winter holiday season. I was not disappointed. Katherine Arden builds a fantastical winter fantasy that is shaped by quite of bit of Russian lore. I didn't know much of anything about traditional Russian beliefs, so I greatly appreciated the glossary at the back of this novel. TBatN tells the story of Vasilisa (I also had to look up pronunciations for a lot of Russian names), a headstrong young girl who values the 'old ways' of her people and her own freedom above the spread of Christianity and the typical path for women. Obviously, I would like this main character. Her family members are also very loveable characters. As Vasilisa grows up, she must make the difficult decisions to protect her family and her people, often resulting in her own ostracization. But there is more to this story, and ancient magic, household spirits, vampires (called upyr), and the wintery personification of death himself are there to help, or harm, Vasilisa. This is the first of a trilogy, all of which are published, and I plan on continuing it in the future. TBatN was an emotional and adventurous fantasy that I really enjoyed reading!
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