Scan barcode
A review by bklassen
The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I slept on this book for way too long – it’s a wonderful fairy tale-esque story that feels warm and cozy during this cold winter months, like a thick quilt woven with Russian mythology and magic.
I absolutely loved the language, with free flowing prose, and truly a story that did not go where I expected. I texted a friend theories and almost none of them came true, unless we’re giving half points (or in my case, eight points because my theories were quite off).
At the heart of this book is the push and pull between “modern day” Christianity and the old ways of honoring the spirits and magical creatures of old Russia. One is full of fear and distrust, while the other is fading and requires a fair amount of belief, as well as some cunning.
I never expected the main villain in this series to beFather Konstantin, but it totally makes sense. He is driven not actually by a love for God, but by his own need for praise and victory and being a beloved figure to the masses. He is hungry and ambitious, but in denial about it, and uses his charisma, good looks, and soothing voice to put the fear into the village and make it easier for Medved to succeed. Not only that, but he is tormented by his attraction toward Vasya, much like Frollo from Hunchback of Notre Dame. In classic religious figure, he never takes the time to introspect and look inward about what this says about himself, but only lets this unwanted desire drive him to violence and hatred, as well as, you guessed it, further denial and projection.
There is also a strong feminist bent in the story, one that only grows stronger in later books, as Vasya is looked down upon for being herself and not acting like other girls or women.
But most of all, I loved the characterization and the growth, or lack thereof in some cases, of everyone. No one was perfect and everyone made decisions based on their personal beliefs and motivations. Absolutely stellar.
Vasya as a character is compelling; how can you not root for the young girl with magical abilities, who is kind to the small creatures only she can see? She is wild, yes, but it’s like she has the forest in her blood and is not suited to an ordinary life as either a wife & mother or a nun, for those are the only two options women had in most of history, especially in past Russia. Not only that, but her magical blood has set her apart from others, and thus her future and prophecy is inherently tied to larger and more mystical forces in Russia.
I tore through this book and then proceeded to read the other two in rapid succession. It’s just a fantastic book to be enveloped in with its moral ambiguity, mystery, and magic.
I absolutely loved the language, with free flowing prose, and truly a story that did not go where I expected. I texted a friend theories and almost none of them came true, unless we’re giving half points (or in my case, eight points because my theories were quite off).
At the heart of this book is the push and pull between “modern day” Christianity and the old ways of honoring the spirits and magical creatures of old Russia. One is full of fear and distrust, while the other is fading and requires a fair amount of belief, as well as some cunning.
I never expected the main villain in this series to be
There is also a strong feminist bent in the story, one that only grows stronger in later books, as Vasya is looked down upon for being herself and not acting like other girls or women.
But most of all, I loved the characterization and the growth, or lack thereof in some cases, of everyone. No one was perfect and everyone made decisions based on their personal beliefs and motivations. Absolutely stellar.
Vasya as a character is compelling; how can you not root for the young girl with magical abilities, who is kind to the small creatures only she can see? She is wild, yes, but it’s like she has the forest in her blood and is not suited to an ordinary life as either a wife & mother or a nun, for those are the only two options women had in most of history, especially in past Russia. Not only that, but her magical blood has set her apart from others, and thus her future and prophecy is inherently tied to larger and more mystical forces in Russia.
I tore through this book and then proceeded to read the other two in rapid succession. It’s just a fantastic book to be enveloped in with its moral ambiguity, mystery, and magic.