A review by grapie_deltaco
The Bear and the Nightingale, by Katherine Arden
5.0
4.5⭐️
In a beautiful and mystical Russian fairytale-esque story of magic, strength, and family, we follow a young witch in a small village.
Vasya wants nothing more than to keep her family safe and happy. She wants nothing more than to be given the freedom to choose her own life. She wants nothing more than to speak to the magical creatures that protect the home that only she can see.
Vasya's village has very recently encountered a priest and the Christian influence and we see the tension between the community and witchcraft grow in strength.
There are multiple villains in this story with the stepmother acting in true fairytale fashion, a priest that's very reminiscent of the one in The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and the god called The Bear who feeds on the fear of man.
The story took a while to pick up as the first 2/3 of the story are slow in their build up of conflict and detailed character building but the final third of the story is what hooks you into committing to this trilogy (in my opinion).
Also the relationship between Vasya and Morozko is such a fascinating one that begins with courage and curiosity, follows all throughout with gentleness, and grows to become friendship and mentorship. It's a dynamic I'm very eager to see more of in future books.
CW: religious persecution, forced marriage, death, grief
In a beautiful and mystical Russian fairytale-esque story of magic, strength, and family, we follow a young witch in a small village.
Vasya wants nothing more than to keep her family safe and happy. She wants nothing more than to be given the freedom to choose her own life. She wants nothing more than to speak to the magical creatures that protect the home that only she can see.
Vasya's village has very recently encountered a priest and the Christian influence and we see the tension between the community and witchcraft grow in strength.
There are multiple villains in this story with the stepmother acting in true fairytale fashion, a priest that's very reminiscent of the one in The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and the god called The Bear who feeds on the fear of man.
The story took a while to pick up as the first 2/3 of the story are slow in their build up of conflict and detailed character building but the final third of the story is what hooks you into committing to this trilogy (in my opinion).
Also the relationship between Vasya and Morozko is such a fascinating one that begins with courage and curiosity, follows all throughout with gentleness, and grows to become friendship and mentorship. It's a dynamic I'm very eager to see more of in future books.
CW: religious persecution, forced marriage, death, grief