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The Bear and the Nightingale: A Novel (Winternight Trilogy)
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
If I could sum up this book in one word, it would be whimsical. There are very few books that I've read where I felt enchanted, where everything described felt like an old-time fairytale. That's exactly what I found in this book. There is a lot of dedication made to setting up the story, which gives light to the folklore that the story is based on. It was just a magical journey that I was more than excited to go on with our main character Vasilisa. I loved her relationship with her family, and how her father really did care for her despite the circumstances of her birth. I honestly hadn't known this was part of a series, but now that I do, I can't wait to pick up the rest!
I really enjoyed this book! Because I was listening to it, I missed some parts, but I'd love to get my hands on a hardcopy.
Magic, lore, family, such an amazing read
Magic, lore, family, such an amazing read
This book was a surprise win for me. It did take a few chapters for it to really sink its hooks in me, but once they caught, I was immersed. For those of you who might now be used to all of the nicknames and forms of address Russians use, it might be a bit confusing keeping the characters straight, so audiobook might not be the way to go unless you pair it with reading along physically.
I love the world building - I kept checking to see if I could see the cold rolling off the pages! Arden was a master at fleshing out this world for me, as well as its many different types of characters. I actually look forward to making this series an annual winter read. Looking forward to the next one!
I love the world building - I kept checking to see if I could see the cold rolling off the pages! Arden was a master at fleshing out this world for me, as well as its many different types of characters. I actually look forward to making this series an annual winter read. Looking forward to the next one!
I think “atmospheric” is the best description for this lyrical tale. Though I expected there to be more of a plot, this did not put much of a damper on the reading experience as the writing is lovely and I thoroughly enjoyed the Russian fairytales and folklore woven throughout!
I really enjoyed this book. It was very much like reading a fairytale. All the different aspects of the world came together to build an exciting story. And I love our girl Vasya, wirh her strength of heart for the spirits of her house. I liked how her stepmother could also see the spirits - but from her perspective they were demons and devils. I liked the play of witchcraft and religion in this book - the torment and turmoil it put its characters through.
Also, Konstantin gave me such Judge Claud Frolo vibes.
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