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A review by timeywriter
The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden
5.0
Along the edge of the forest a Russian village is filled with house spirits and demons lurk in the woods. Only a few can see these beings and Vasilisa is one of them.
When Vasilisa's mother dies and her father remarries a very devout woman, an entire household is turned around. Having been raised to feed the house spirits and fear Frost, the winter demon in the deep forest, Vasilisa is forced to forget about these entities under the rule of her step-mother. However, Vasilisa cannot just forget these beings, not as she finds it is her destiny to be a part of them and even conquer one who seeks to bring fear into the hearts of all for the sake of his own hunger. Fairy tales and folk lore come to reality in this novel as Vasilisa battles the encroaching Christian faith that threatens to oust the old ways and the reality that the death of the old ways means death to the crops that keep them alive. Vasilisa is not a perfect heroine; she is not pretty, she is outspoken, and she knows that marriage (in the 14th century mind you!) is not for her. Her family is extensive and manages to both support her and hinder her throughout as she stumbles her way through the fairy tales of her childhood coming to life. It was fascinating to read about the old Russian and Slavic folk tales, to learn of new creatures and stories that wrap into these character's lives. The blending of myth and history was beautiful and eloquent, for this was a new form of fairy tale in itself. Vasilisa's interactions were engaging and entertaining, pulling one from rural life in Russia to an enchanted realm filled with fairies and monsters. The balance between her life with her family and her life with those creatures she could see was delightful. This novel was absolutely everything I would want in a story that incorporates mythology into history.
It was simple magic that has the potential to be so much more, which is why I am delighted this is just the first in a trilogy. It was a wonderful foundation book, the start of the hero's journey, and I look forward to reading onward.
When Vasilisa's mother dies and her father remarries a very devout woman, an entire household is turned around. Having been raised to feed the house spirits and fear Frost, the winter demon in the deep forest, Vasilisa is forced to forget about these entities under the rule of her step-mother. However, Vasilisa cannot just forget these beings, not as she finds it is her destiny to be a part of them and even conquer one who seeks to bring fear into the hearts of all for the sake of his own hunger. Fairy tales and folk lore come to reality in this novel as Vasilisa battles the encroaching Christian faith that threatens to oust the old ways and the reality that the death of the old ways means death to the crops that keep them alive. Vasilisa is not a perfect heroine; she is not pretty, she is outspoken, and she knows that marriage (in the 14th century mind you!) is not for her. Her family is extensive and manages to both support her and hinder her throughout as she stumbles her way through the fairy tales of her childhood coming to life. It was fascinating to read about the old Russian and Slavic folk tales, to learn of new creatures and stories that wrap into these character's lives. The blending of myth and history was beautiful and eloquent, for this was a new form of fairy tale in itself. Vasilisa's interactions were engaging and entertaining, pulling one from rural life in Russia to an enchanted realm filled with fairies and monsters. The balance between her life with her family and her life with those creatures she could see was delightful. This novel was absolutely everything I would want in a story that incorporates mythology into history.
It was simple magic that has the potential to be so much more, which is why I am delighted this is just the first in a trilogy. It was a wonderful foundation book, the start of the hero's journey, and I look forward to reading onward.