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mybooksarenovel's review against another edition
5.0
I might have to reevaluate my whole rating system after this one.
This was everything I ever wanted to read:
-Perfect writing and engaging storytelling
-Fairytales set in medieval history
-The juxtaposition of Christianity and paganism
-Low romance
I this is destined to become a forever classic. Absolutely perfect. I hope I'm not in a reading slump after I finish this series.
This was everything I ever wanted to read:
-Perfect writing and engaging storytelling
-Fairytales set in medieval history
-The juxtaposition of Christianity and paganism
-Low romance
I this is destined to become a forever classic. Absolutely perfect. I hope I'm not in a reading slump after I finish this series.
phoebeneedsalife's review against another edition
3.0
a solid winter book, for when you want to curl up indoors as the weather rages on outside. sadly, because it feels too much like a prologue, the book feels as though it can drag at times.
kristinlovallo's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
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? No
3.5
jenpaul13's review against another edition
4.0
In a small Russian village, the figures of fairy tales play a much more prominent role in life than many would expect. The actions one young girl takes dictates how the rest of her village fares in The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden.
To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website: http://makinggoodstories.wordpress.com/.
A young, willful girl, Vasya is the strange one in her family who prefers to explore the woods and sees the household creatures, chyeri, that help them, yet her mother died so she could be born and grow to have abilities like her grandmother. Once Vasya's father Pyotr needs more help in raising his children, but particularly his youngest daughter Vasya, he leaves for Moscow to find a new wife and begin arranging for his eldest daughter's marriage. While in Moscow, a striking stranger gives a delicate and beautiful necklace to Pytor for his youngest daughter. Newly married and back with his family, Pytor doesn't give the oddly gifted necklace to Vasya until the village struggles to survive a harsh winter. Armed with the necklace and her ability to see creatures others cannot, and are starting to not believe in due to the introduction to God, Vasya fights to save her village.
The novel is well-written and incorporates quite a bit of both the real, with various societal changes taking place in Russia, and the fantastic, with the numerous chyeri rooted in tradition, that shape the lives of those in this small Russian village, making for a captivating and quick read. The characters and creatures were well-developed as they compose the majority of the narrative versus plot, making it easy to become invested in their lives and root for their survival against the dark forces acting against them; however, I did think that Vasya was often described as more of a tool or a thing rather than a person, which was frustrating, but I concede that it was speaking to how the rest of the village, particularly men, viewed her.
To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website: http://makinggoodstories.wordpress.com/.
A young, willful girl, Vasya is the strange one in her family who prefers to explore the woods and sees the household creatures, chyeri, that help them, yet her mother died so she could be born and grow to have abilities like her grandmother. Once Vasya's father Pyotr needs more help in raising his children, but particularly his youngest daughter Vasya, he leaves for Moscow to find a new wife and begin arranging for his eldest daughter's marriage. While in Moscow, a striking stranger gives a delicate and beautiful necklace to Pytor for his youngest daughter. Newly married and back with his family, Pytor doesn't give the oddly gifted necklace to Vasya until the village struggles to survive a harsh winter. Armed with the necklace and her ability to see creatures others cannot, and are starting to not believe in due to the introduction to God, Vasya fights to save her village.
The novel is well-written and incorporates quite a bit of both the real, with various societal changes taking place in Russia, and the fantastic, with the numerous chyeri rooted in tradition, that shape the lives of those in this small Russian village, making for a captivating and quick read. The characters and creatures were well-developed as they compose the majority of the narrative versus plot, making it easy to become invested in their lives and root for their survival against the dark forces acting against them; however, I did think that Vasya was often described as more of a tool or a thing rather than a person, which was frustrating, but I concede that it was speaking to how the rest of the village, particularly men, viewed her.
chelsea17's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Not only are we working with Russian folklore, but this takes place in the 14th century, so it’s a super cool blend of fantasy and historical fiction. The author managed to make the protagonist the magical chosen one and a woman rejecting her time in a way that we root for without ever cringing. It feels so based in the narrative and refreshing. It can be slow at times as we move through their lives, but never boring. Cannot emphasize enough how cool the chyerti are. Everything connects beautifully at the end, though the final battle was a bit rushed for me. The antagonists were genuinely scary. Can’t wait to continue the adventures!
arinreads's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
yeah okay i see what all the hype is about
squigglyavo's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
informative
mysterious
tense
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? It's complicated
4.0