Scan barcode
A review by anna4
The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
The story felt very heavy, and slow, throughout most of the book.
Vasya as a character was interesting in her own way. I was almost more interested in the relationship between her and her siblings and family in general, because I felt like this was somewhere between liking each other and co existing. Especially between Vasya and Irina, who loved her older sister but was also loyal to her mother.
I think one of the rather interesting ones was Father Konstantin. He was very suspicious from the moment he appeared and I couldn't really tell his alternative motives, which I still think exist without every being revealed, besides being very devoted to god.
Though somewhat predictable, it was a nice touch the way the story from the beginning tied up with the story of the book itself.
The setting was really nice, though I have to admit I map or a layout of their house would have been really nice, because my brain just blanked whenever they were sleeping around the oven.
Regarding the language and use of russian words, I found myself having similar issues as in After the Forest. I don't really know if there's a necessary reason to use "dvor" instead of "yard" or "kasha" instead of "porridge". Maybe someone who isn't a native speaker would feel otherwise.
But I do appreciate the glossary at the end of the book!
Vasya as a character was interesting in her own way. I was almost more interested in the relationship between her and her siblings and family in general, because I felt like this was somewhere between liking each other and co existing. Especially between Vasya and Irina, who loved her older sister but was also loyal to her mother.
I think one of the rather interesting ones was Father Konstantin. He was very suspicious from the moment he appeared and I couldn't really tell his alternative motives, which I still think exist without every being revealed, besides being very devoted to god.
Though somewhat predictable, it was a nice touch the way the story from the beginning tied up with the story of the book itself.
The setting was really nice, though I have to admit I map or a layout of their house would have been really nice, because my brain just blanked whenever they were sleeping around the oven.
Regarding the language and use of russian words, I found myself having similar issues as in After the Forest. I don't really know if there's a necessary reason to use "dvor" instead of "yard" or "kasha" instead of "porridge". Maybe someone who isn't a native speaker would feel otherwise.
But I do appreciate the glossary at the end of the book!