From the Bookshelf of Challenge: 50 Books…

The Bear and the Nightingale (The Winternight Trilogy, #1)

Katherine Arden

Start date: February 1, 2018

Finish date: February 28, 2018

Discussion: Group Reads

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Mar 18, 2019 Joanie rated it really liked it

Shelves: book-for-all-seasons, 2019

It took me a little while to get into this one, partially because I was half listening to the audio book while running around doing other things but once I was able to pay attention and keep everyone straight I really liked it.

The Bear and the Nightingale is a essentially a fairy tale based on old Russian folktales. It tells the story of Vasya, a wild, willful girl whose mother died in childbirth. Vasya is raised by her nurse, Dunya and grows up hearing about all the old gods and spirits, some g It took me a little while to get into this one, partially because I was half listening to the audio book while running around doing other things but once I was able to pay attention and keep everyone straight I really liked it.

The Bear and the Nightingale is a essentially a fairy tale based on old Russian folktales. It tells the story of Vasya, a wild, willful girl whose mother died in childbirth. Vasya is raised by her nurse, Dunya and grows up hearing about all the old gods and spirits, some good, some bad. In Vanya's village, everyone makes small offerings to the spirits, believing this will protect the village and keep the evil spirits away but only Vasya can actually see and talk to them. For years, the offerings work to keep the evil spirits of Death and Destruction and Fire and Frost at bay but then Vasya's father remarries.

Vasya's stepmother can also see the household spirits but instead of embracing her gift as Vasya does, she views the spirits as demons and becomes fanatically religious in an attempt to keep them away. When a new priest is assigned to the village he urges the entire village to give up their pagan ways and to stop leaving offerings for the old spirits. As the spirits become weaker and weaker they are no longer able to protect the village from the evil gods. The winters become harsher and longer and people begin to starve. And that's just the beginning of what terrors await.

In addition to all this, Vasya has unknowingly been promised to Morozko, the old god of winter, known also as the Frost Demon or the Winter King. Fearing for her safety, Dunya has kept the betrothal a secret from Vasya, telling Morozko she's not ready and trying to marry her off or send her to a convent before he can come for her. As things get worse in the village it seems like Vasya's only chance of saving everyone is to go to Morozko after all.

Arden's writing is beautiful and evocative. It made me want to cozy up by the fire (or made me wish I had a to which I could cozy up) with a glass of wine (the wine I got covered.) I'm excited to see what comes next in the trilogy. ...more

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Nov 19, 2016 Ryan Mac rated it really liked it

Shelves: netgalley

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I heard that this book was being compared to Uprooted and was pleased to find out that it lives up to my high expectations--well written folklore based story with a strong female lead. The Bear and the Nightingale is based on a Russian fairy tale. I loved the writing with the descriptions of the Russian landscape and the fairy tale creatures. Like Uprooted, it was a fairy tale that adults can enjoy.

The story focuses o ...more

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Jan 23, 2020 Cardi rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2020-read

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Jan 30, 2022 Christine Whittington rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fiction, fantasy, folklore, russia

"The Bear and the Nightingale" has plunged me into the world of Russian and Baltic folklore. Having grown up with a grandmother who had fairies in her house, I am a believer in household spirits. Arden's story takes place at a time when Christianity--for better or worse--is attempting to push out traditional folk spirits who protect (or at times threaten) homes, stables, water, and woods. This first volume of the Winternight Trilogy centers on Vasilia, a young girl from a noble family who has lo ...more

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Apr 16, 2021 Mystique rated it it was ok

I enjoyed the tale and the storytelling. However, I feel I could have received the same magic with half the words. The story was a bit of a slog. And frankly, I get tired of the "everybody loves her" trope.
But the landscapes and scenes are beautifully crafted. The relationships are warm and familial. The lore is wonderful (if a little difficult to follow.)
I just found myself putting it down a few times, wondering if I really wanted to finish it, or if I'd already squeezed most of the juice out ...more

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Dec 22, 2024 Elizabeth rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, 2024

People told me I’d like this book and those people were a hundred percent right. Unknown powers lurking in snow covered forests is the definition of my bag. But the execution!! The execution was just so good - beautiful writing, well plotted, swords and blood sacrifice and magic ass horses!!!! Obsessed.

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Feb 01, 2020 Michelle rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2020, favorites

I saved this book to read during winter and I'm glad I did. It was the perfect January reading. I loved how beautifully written the book is and how it is overlaid with Russian folk tales. Well worth reading and I look forward to reading the other books in the trilogy. ...more

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