The Bear and the Nightingale: A Novel (Winternight Trilogy Book 1)
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 Uprooted
Winter lasts most of the year at the edge of the Russian wilderness, 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
“A beautiful deep-winter story, full of magic and monsters and the sharp edges of growing up.”—Naomi Novik, bestselling author of Uprooted
Winter lasts most of the year at the edge of the Russian wilderness, 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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Community Reviews
I found this one slow to get into, and figure out what was going on, but once I did I couldn't put it down. Loved Vasya as a heroine!
“I would walk into the jaws of hell itself, if it were a path of my own choosing.”
I absolutely love this book! It unfolds like a delicate poem, a whimsical fairytale, a captivating fantasy, a heartfelt song, and a gentle dance beneath the winter moon. Many great fantasy novels tend to shine in one or two areas—maybe they offer an engaging story, well-rounded characters, rich world-building, a magical ambiance, or beautifully crafted prose. But this book manages to weave together all these elements and then some.
As I read, I’ve felt the biting chill of mid-winter, delighted in the comforting warmth of porridge and honey, experienced the shocking cold of an unfrozen river, and found solace in the soft breath of a mare on my face. I’ve grappled with the kindness of Death, felt anger towards a proud priest, pity for a misguided woman, and compassion for a restrained father, deep sorrow for a nurturing mother. It’s a journey that evokes love for the unseen and unheard creatures. This book is a rare gem that explores every aspect deeply, and I can't wait to read the next two books in the series.
P.S. I was truly touched when I received this book as a birthday gift from my partner and best friend. He shared that he chose it because Vasya’s character made him think of me, and after reading it, I couldn't help but feel how meaningful that was. It’s one of the kindest things anyone has ever said to me, and it really made my day special.
I received this free digital ARC from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
Great Potential
This story had some amazing potential what with utilizing Russian folklore and fairy tales. It could have been a fantastic story. In fact, many of the details were fantastic. However, the actual application and follow through were not up to par. I was hoping for more folklore. It was a main plot point, but this isn’t made apparent until well on in the book, which is disappointing. The folklore is the best part.
Disconnected
There were quite a few pieces of this book that felt disconnected. One of the biggest pieces for me was who the story followed. It starts out following some characters and then as the story progresses it follows others, but doesn’t stick to them. Even the main character, Vasya, isn’t consistently followed. And while following other characters definitely adds insight to the world, I was a little put off by it. I would have like more consistency or perhaps just a select few who were followed.
Another piece of disconnect had to do with the story timeline. The story is about Vasya, but instead of picking a select point in her life, perhaps a few months to a few years, it follows her from birth to teenager. There was so many gaps in the timeline that I found myself feeling slowed down while reading and losing connection with the characters. I would have preferred the story focus on a smaller chunk of time to allow more connection with Vasya herself.
Great Potential
This story had some amazing potential what with utilizing Russian folklore and fairy tales. It could have been a fantastic story. In fact, many of the details were fantastic. However, the actual application and follow through were not up to par. I was hoping for more folklore. It was a main plot point, but this isn’t made apparent until well on in the book, which is disappointing. The folklore is the best part.
Disconnected
There were quite a few pieces of this book that felt disconnected. One of the biggest pieces for me was who the story followed. It starts out following some characters and then as the story progresses it follows others, but doesn’t stick to them. Even the main character, Vasya, isn’t consistently followed. And while following other characters definitely adds insight to the world, I was a little put off by it. I would have like more consistency or perhaps just a select few who were followed.
Another piece of disconnect had to do with the story timeline. The story is about Vasya, but instead of picking a select point in her life, perhaps a few months to a few years, it follows her from birth to teenager. There was so many gaps in the timeline that I found myself feeling slowed down while reading and losing connection with the characters. I would have preferred the story focus on a smaller chunk of time to allow more connection with Vasya herself.
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