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

adventurous dark emotional inspiring mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Absolutely beautiful. Like a Grimm's fairy tale, set in the olden times of Russia, full of spirits and hard choices. All the important characters, even those in more villainous roles, had a very tragic and human element to them. I found something in everyone to sympathize with.

Anna especially lived an awful life, completely outside her control. Her torment and fate was absolutely undeserved.

  Gorgeously and vividly written, with wonderful prose and dialogue. I'm in awe that this was the author's debut novel.

I flew through this book in no time at all and 100% loved it. Getting my hands on the sequels asap.