Reviews tagging 'Child death'

The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden

85 reviews

saskiajva's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious sad slow-paced

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

3.5

It was definitely an interesting book and i am curious about the next one! I do think there are some things the author can hone; i wasn’t a fan of the political or marriage plot lines as it didn’t really capture my interest, and I would love to see some higher stakes. I highly recommend googling the creatures discussed while you read as it adds a lot to the book!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual assault, Blood, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Fire/Fire injury

Minor: Forced institutionalization

taylorwells149's review against another edition

medium-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent

Moderate: Child death and Misogyny

lisa_m's review against another edition

adventurous dark hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.75

This book was a perfect mix of mythology, fantasy and realism. I didn't know anything about this book before starting to read it and I think that was the best way I could have read it.

I really enjoyed the discussion of religion and missionary work, but what really sold me was all the russian folklore! I love mythology and I want to read more retellings / mythology inspired books about different parts of the world.

I have to say that someone told me that this book is an enemies to lovers story and that is just not true? There is no romance, or at least it's not a main focus at all! I actually really liked that about this book. Also I am a big fan of the 'wild girl' trope :)

The ending was bittersweet but I really liked it. I didn't cry though, which made me realise, that I wasn't truly connecting with the characters. That is normally a big dealbreaker but this time I didn't actually mind that much. I guess the book is a 'vibes before plot' kind of book and it's very slow paced as well (but it's also quite short).

I am so excited for the other two books in the trilogy though I'm surprised it is a trilogy at all. This book could have been a standalone as well. I am interested to return to this world though and there are a lot of things I still want to hear more about.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Violence, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Classism

bannedfrombookclub's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

4.25

This was very immersive and Arden has such a strong and engaging voice for this story set in medieval Russia where the fairytales are real. Characters push the edges of their folklore archetypes to become more real and grounded. Themes include the battle between old and new gods, family, the question of sacrificing one for the good of the many, the lot of women at this time, and low-key romantic tension with a winter demon.

I picked this up at total random from a library shelf and getting to the end I was like - hmm some of these character threads and set ups haven't been resolved - but it's a trilogy, a completed trilogy. So we can all relax. 

Also this is great but it is not a cozy fantasy. It's not grimdark fantasy either. I'd say it's norm-core level of fantasy sad/badness. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child death, Death, and Death of parent

Minor: Blood

mengzhenreads's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious slow-paced

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

3.5

Obsessed with the atmosphere and setting of the book, I loved the wintery medieval Russian setting and the pastoral, quaint, and lyrical writing style. It was giving very much folk tale, very much warm and cosy, and I was just fascinated by the world and magic that the author created.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Blood, Religious bigotry, and Death of parent

Moderate: Animal death, Child death, and Sexism

Minor: Rape and Sexual assault

katieluvs2read's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Animal death, Child death, Death, and Death of parent

Minor: Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, and Gaslighting

jelliestars's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional tense medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death and Death

Moderate: Death of parent

Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Child death, Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Xenophobia, Medical content, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, and War

words_and_dreams's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

💞 I absolutely loved this. It had been on my TBR for a while but finally got around to reading it. It was the perfect cosy, dark and whimsical fairytale to read during the frosty cold days. 
It is rich in russian folklore and myth and follows our heroine Vasya. She has the 'sight' and sees and respects the magical creatures that surround them. Her new stepmother also has the sight but believes them to be demons and fears them. She plots to be rid of her stepdaughter to be rid of the creatures. Meanwhile the Bear hunts Vasya and his brother the frost King tries to protect her. 
Cannot wait to read more. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death of parent

Minor: Child death

mmefish's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious slow-paced

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

5.0

It's hard to believe that Katherine Arden is not Russian (or just Slavic) because of how authentic this book feels — it is clear she's very knowledgeable on the subject. Well integrated myths and Russian terms brought back memories from my childhood, while masterfully crafted 14th century Rus' landscapes made me want to read more Slavic-inspired fantasy. 
And to think that it's a debut novel!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Blood, Religious bigotry, and Death of parent

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Child death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Death of parent

Minor: Child abuse, Pedophilia, Rape, and Fire/Fire injury

ktkeps's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious reflective slow-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, and Religious bigotry

Moderate: Animal death, Bullying, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Self harm, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail