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

5.0

ALL ABOUT THIS! Like, really really really ALL ABOUT IT. A magical witch young woman taking charge of her own destiny? Yes please! Folklore and fantasy and practical magic? I'm here! A flipping on its head of the "Death and the Maiden trope"? Sign me up! Making the "wicked stepmother" figure a 3-D character with motivations that aren't just "she's mean for no reason"? Great great great! I want sequels to this book so that I can see what Vasya's up to, it's that good. If this is Arden's DEBUT NOVEL I can't wait to read whatever she writes next.