Katherine Arden’s bestselling debut novel spins an irresistible spell as it announces the arrival of a singular talent with a gorgeous voice. “A beautiful deep-winter story, full of magic and monsters and the sharp edges of growing up.”—Naomi Novik, bestselling author of UprootedWinter lasts most of the year at the edge of the Russian wilderness, and in the long nights, Vasilisa and her … and in the long nights, Vasilisa and her siblings love to gather by the fire to listen to their nurse’s fairy tales. Above all, Vasya loves the story of Frost, the blue-eyed winter demon. Wise Russians fear him, for he claims unwary souls, and they honor the spirits that protect their homes from evil.
Then Vasya’s widowed father brings home a new wife from Moscow. Fiercely devout, Vasya’s stepmother forbids her family from honoring their household spirits, but Vasya fears what this may bring. And indeed, misfortune begins to stalk the village.
But Vasya’s stepmother only grows harsher, determined to remake the village to her liking and to groom her rebellious stepdaughter for marriage or a convent. As the village’s defenses weaken and evil from the forest creeps nearer, Vasilisa must call upon dangerous gifts she has long concealed—to protect her family from a threat sprung to life from her nurse’s most frightening tales.
Praise for The Bear and the Nightingale
“Arden’s debut novel has the cadence of a beautiful fairy tale but is darker and more lyrical.”—The Washington Post
“Vasya [is] a clever, stalwart girl determined to forge her own path in a time when women had few choices.”—The Christian Science Monitor
“Stunning . . . will enchant readers from the first page. . . . with an irresistible heroine who wants only to be free of the bonds placed on her gender and claim her own fate.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“Utterly bewitching . . . a lush narrative . . . an immersive, earthy story of folk magic, faith, and hubris, peopled with vivid, dynamic characters, particularly clever, brave Vasya, who outsmarts men and demons alike to save her family.”—Booklist (starred review)
“An extraordinary retelling of a very old tale . . . The Bear and the Nightingale is a wonderfully layered novel of family and the harsh wonders of deep winter magic.”—Robin Hobb
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My favorite book. First book to have me sobbing at the end because it was so beautiful
Russian fairy tales are not something I usually read. This novel was interesting. It wasn’t the story for me.
I borrowed a copy from my local library. All views expressed are my honest opinion.
Magical, marvelous, I can’t begin to tell you how wonderful this book was. This book taught me in an intimate way how a reader needs to connect with a book in order to truly fall in love with it. This one was like a touchstone to my childhood, a connection to forgotten ancestors and the culture they were part of. Thank you, this book will always hold a special place in my library.
my all time favorite series! i felt sorry for the girl for what she was going through alone, but have never felt more related to someone or to a persona than Vasia the heroine, I loved her and admired her spirit so much !
I will read it again this year, and I am already recommending it to my acquaintances.
One of my favorite fantasy series
Delightful read with a wonderful protagonist.
Best trilogy I’ve read in a good while.
A well told fairy tale. Held my interest through out. I’m looking forward to her second book.
Love the writing, characters and how the write takes a folk story and makes it a treasure! Characters are rich and evolving. Can’t wait to read the next two books!
This is an amazing story set in a time before machinery and with magick. The first of a series it is definitely a must read. 5 stars is not enough for this book.
STrong young female character that grows and changes before your eyes. She needs to believe in herself. This is a fairy tale type book. The bad characters are very scary and you often wonder who will come out on top.
Not my usual type of story. Russian fairytale. Interesting . If that is what you like then it is a well told story.
This reads like a modern classic! I adored the atmosphere, and I completely fell in love with Vasya. It was so interesting to see her growing up and learn what it was about her that was so different.
A Russian fairy tale and truly wonderful
Brilliant blend of medieval Russian history and folklore. Very well written.
This story is an excellent telling of an old fairy tale. The heroine is clever and long suffering but in the end gets her wish with assistance from higher powers.
I want to curl up into my thick blankets, sit by the fire and enjoy this world again. Katherine Arden delves in to the 14th century Russian landscape so well. Making me thankful I don’t live anywhere cold enough like this story! Although I kept picturing scenes from the movie, Dr. Zhivago while reading it. Mountains of snow as high as the roof. I found myself searching out the lifestyles in medieval Russia time periods. Searching where the Volga River is so I can place the story. Now, I want to plan a trip to Russia’s remote mountains, in the summertime!
As for Russian folklore it was on the lighter side of gore. (Depending on your taste)
I found the prideful Konstantin to be what I typically picture of the medieval Christian Church, very prideful and corrupt. I did like how the author showed not all priest were corrupt. Sasha and his band of monks showed compassion for others and labored with their hands. I find the two different types to be very common in religion…the people are not perfect but the gospel of Christ is. I love when Vasya points out to Konstantin that his “task” is self appointed pride, not God asking him to do it! Fear is not God’s way.
My greatest disappointment in this book is the sleeves synopsis. It did not do the book justice! It states the story with Vasya’s point of view and her point of view doesn’t come into play until a third of the way into the book. It’s Konstantin that creates all the havoc, not Anna, She is the idiot worshiper! Great job Editor.
When Vasilisa is born, her mother dies. She is raised by her father and siblings. Any other little girl would be huddled by the stove and learning how to sew and eventually become a good wife. Vasilisa though is more interested in being outside and feeding the demons that protect her home and land. During one of her outings though she finds herself meeting two men one who protects her and one who wishes her harm. Stubborn and used to doing things her way, she finds herself at odds with her new stepmother who wants her out of the house. When a new preacher comes to their land though her life is about to change dramatically and she finds she is the only one still believing in the lore that surrounds their lives.
There is so much more to the story that I think the reader needs to find out while reading. This was fantastic, I loved every moment of this book. Captivated from the beginning, I was unsure where Vasilisa’s story would lead and their were so many characters that weaved in and out of the story. Rich and vibrant story. Can’t wait for the next book.
This is a book I’d rank with all my childhood favorites, the ones that shape your taste in all future books and a little bit of your imagination, too. It was good at first, then slow, then wonderful. Russian folklore is at the heart of this story, and the clash between the old ways and the new. The heroine reminded me of Kahu in the Whale Rider, but this story has a darker core. It’s worth sticking with if you also find it slow in places. This is a book that moved me and, most importantly, has kept me thinking about it many months after finishing it.
Fantastic read