‘Frost-demons have no interest in mortal girls wed to mortal men. In the stories, they only come for the wild maiden.’
In a village at the edge of the wilderness of northern Russia, where the winds blow cold and the snow falls many months of the year, an elderly servant tells stories of sorcery, folklore and the Winter King to the children of the family, tales of old magic frowned upon by the church.
But for the young, wild Vasya these are far more than just stories. She alone can see the house spirits that guard her home, and sense the growing forces of dark magic in the woods…
Source | Format | Pages | Publisher | Genre | Publication Date |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Amazon | ebook | 338 | Ebury Digital | Folklore / Fairy Tale | January 12th, 2017 |
My review can hardly add anything of worth to the mix for this greatly loved book- it has won over so many hearts. One can hardly blame them… The elements of Russian folklore and culture are rich and in this case, put to a really good use.
But… I have to admit, I am a bit less blown away. Perhaps because the folklore and atmosphere is not as ‘exotic’ for me. The stories of demons and the birch-branches in the sauna, they would have been part of my normal life in Estonia 🙂 Russia is, after all, just behind the border…
Having said that, the effect of The Bear and the Nightingale was one of bittersweet joy. It made me homesick on so many levels. Don’t get me wrong, Estonia is not Russia, but our folklore has overlap and the winters… above all, I miss a good snowy, freezing-my-ass-off kind of winter. Arden did a tremendously good job at painting the picture of scenery and even though I felt the start of the story was like a newborn calf trying to find its legs, it grew quickly and solidly in confidence, voice and purpose.
During long hours of his vigil, God had given him the answer. He knew what evil lay upon this land. It was in the sun-symbols on the nurse’s apron, in that stupid woman’s terror, in the fey, feral eyes of Pyotr’s elder daughter. The place was infested with demons: the chyerti of the old religion.
Overall, every piece, character and event fit into the story. The mixing of the old pagan ways with the Christian religion is always a bit of a favourite scenario for me. It opens up so many angles and directions for characters and offers many a conflict to aid the story to power on along. I am not even sorry to say this but Konstantin and Anna sit nicely on my hatelist. Konstantin, with all of his holy messages, forgot to keep his ego in check, and Anna- just… sigh…
Vasya is a character every reader, opening a new book, wants to find in between the pages. She’s the character, a personality, that begs to be admired. True to herself, kind to man and beast, she is the woman that defines the connection in between nature and mankind. She is the free and wild beauty that a human soul was meant for. If I was a domovoi or a rusalka, or any other kind of spirit, I would want Vasilisa to see me. My heart was often in my throat on behalf of her but needlessly… She is a force and the outcome of the story for her was perfect.
If you, for whatever reason, have not yet read the book, then don’t expect a deep character study but rather an alluring tale about the consequences when man turns their back on ‘down to earth, back to roots’ kind of nature. What you get is a marvellous glimpse into many characters, their characteristics delivered through their actions rather than thoughts. But the atmosphere… it will pull you in and charm you, and it will keep you. It truly is mesmerizing. Some of my favourite scenes involved the Morozko, in the house that isn’t a house… The moments of kindness were fleeting but came off the pages so strong, I felt nearly breathless.
As far as fairy tales go, this is one not to miss. Comes with a 100% guarantee of an evil stepmother, a kind father, moral of the story, mythical creatures, cruelty and small victories.
The Bear and the Nightingale on Goodreads ¦ Amazon UK ¦ USA
Fab review!
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Thank you Nicki! 🙂
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I’m glad that this book was able to evoke a sense of nostalgia for you. It’s great that countries such as Russia and Estonia still share folklore tales with their children. That’s something that’s sadly lacking in countries like the UK and it’s such a shame because stories such as these are fuel for the imagination which is what makes childhood so enjoyable.
This sounds like an awesome read! I adore fairytales, especially ones derived from other countries 😀 Great review! ❤
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Thank you, Jazz! Yes, I think some of the fondest childhood memories would be my mother telling ym those fairy tales of reading these books… and they truly are so good for the imagination but also to start learning life’s lessons.. or well, at least trying to 🙂 It’s all brain fuel!
I hope you get a chance to read this book 🙂 ❤
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That’s a fair point. It’s crazy how many life lessons can be found in fairy tales and fables! I think a lot of the time those kinds of stories, if traced back far enough, have a grain of truth in them and became tales parents would tell their children as a way of warning them against certain actions…like Little Red Riding Hood. Perhaps don’t stray from the path when walking through the woods for example 😛
Next time I go to the book store, I’ll see if I can find it! ❤
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Nice ❤ ❤ ❤
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hehe you know, I read this recently and I wondered quite a lot about how this book would be received by Russians and Eastern Europe, and I guess now I know! 🙂 I get why this would feel less original to someone more familiar with this kind of mythology, but I did adore the wintery descriptions too and I’m glad it reminded you of Estonia 😀 Ahh I so agree about Anna and Konstantin! And I loved the blending of paganism and Christianity. And the atmosphere and mc were totally gorgeous!! Awesome review!! 😀
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And somehow I had a feeling, if anyone was going to wonder about it, it would have been you… To be honest, when I think about what Arden added to the story in terms of folklore, culture then she gt it pretty bang on 🙂
Thank you! 🙂
Have you read book 2 yet or planning to?
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hehehe thanks 😉 Oh that’s brilliant to know 😀 I am hoping to read it but don’t know if I’ll get approved for the ARC since my record on Netgalley is so bad 😉 I’ll read it the second it comes out though 😉 Have you read it?
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Haven’t yet, but I requested it off NG, been pending for a few weeks now.. hmm… alongside other books! the horror, it’s like limbo! 😂
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hahaha I totally relate 😂 I’m in the same limbo boat 😉
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Great review. 🙂 I’m glad you enjoyed it!
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Cheers, Stark! 🙂
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This is one fairy-tale’ish story that sounds truly marvelous. I do love how it was a bittersweet joy for you thought. Coming from someone who indeed shares some culture with Russia, this does inspire great confidence in me that the story is one that was well-written and brilliantly delivered. I do love the sound of this book and would totally be down to try it out some day if I ever get my hands on a copy. Great review, Liz! 😀
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Thank you, Lashaan! 🙂 Indeed, the folklore and cultural detail was pretty nicely done and even though the history in between Estonia and Russia is rather dark, I cannot but admire the richness of the folklore and culture… It matters more than politics… 🙂 I hope you do get a chance to read this someday, I think you’ll really enjoy it 🙂
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I also wasn’t blown away by it but for different reasons, mostly because I wasn’t hooked on the story. It was well-written though and I agree Arden does a great job of describing the winter and cold, snowy scenes.
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Aye, I think for me the story started t get really good about 60-70% through… but in the end the overall experience I was happy with… 🙂 Will you be reading book 2? or have you already? 🙂
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Nope, haven’t yet read it but I plan to.
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Fantastic review Stan ❤ I think you captured the essence of Vasya prefectly to be quiet honest. I admit I am a rapidly growing fan of Russian folklore but overall this was all about the atmosphere and a simple, splendid message. Your review serves up those points splendidly here. I found this one to be completely immersive and am currently finding the same to hold true of the sequel.
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Thank you Dani! 🙂 ❤ I definitely do not regret reading this book and I'm super excited to hear that book 2 is continuing on the the delivery front… I look forward to your review 🙂
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I will have it up right before release I think if my eyes hold out 😉
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woohoo, can’t wait to read your thoughts!
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Such a great book and loved your review! 💗👍😉
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Thank you! 🙂
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I always had my eyes on this book so Im super excited when I see that you reviewed it 🤗 I think it would me more impressive to me since Im not that familiar with Russian folklore !
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Trang, I think you’re going to enjoy this book a lot 🙂 It truly is worth your time and the settings and atmosphere are really well written… Enjoy Vasya’s adventures! 😉 Can’t wait to hear your thoughts on it 🙂
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Cool review (as always) the book sounds like an interesting read, don’t really remember reading anything negative about it in any reviews and the folklore sounds cool. 🙂
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Cheers, Drew! 🙂 Yeah, it’s quite a solid use of folklore and staying true to the culture and building an interesting story around it… Kinda makes one jealous of author’s imagination! 🙂
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fantastic review , I myself have to review this book , but I’m just too busy in doing things not related to book reading or blogging . I really liked this book , sad to hear it was a bit underwhelming to you but I guess your familiarity and my unfamiliarity with the folk lore are the reasons for our differing levels of ‘whelmed’ .
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Thank you, Rash! 🙂
Oh man, are you still totally rushed off your feet (figuratively speaking)?
I am glad you enjoyed the book yourself… I think you’re right about why our levels of ‘whelmed’ differ, and yet truly I could find no fault with the book. Honestly? I am a bit jealous of readers who are not in the know with Russian folklore, it must have been such a great experience to read 🙂 I look forwrad to your review and… most importantly- take care and remember to take a break for yourself! 🙂
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Yes , still very much living a life filled with coffees , studying and work , lots of it . I have however been approved for a holiday for the month of January , so really counting the days now (47 days more to go ) . I have about 4 books to review , but I must post a review for Hidden face first and before 25th of this month so working on that during my break
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Woohoo, January can’t come quick enoigh. Gosh, that will be a well deserved break for you! 🙂 I hope you enjoy 🙂
Hidden Face- I just started reading it- will keep an eye out for your review! 🙂
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I don’t know anything about Russian folklore, sounds like I’d be in for a treat! Vasya sounds like a brilliant character.. I don’t know how you do it, I’m normally not attracted to these kind of stories but you always make them sound so good, so that I actually want to read them. One day I might become a true fantasy reader and it’ll be down to you! Great review!
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Now that is a compliment to a book blogger! Thank you Inge! 💖
I think you actually would enjoy this book/series what with the vivid settings, etc but if you do decide to try out fantasy someday then I would be most interested in how you found it to be ☺ it would be some leap from crime/thrillers to fantasy! 😉
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I’d certainly let you know.. I don’t know when but I’m not saying no to trying it out as adamantly as before.. and if I have to choose one, this might be a good choice I think :-). I’m a bit hesitant to spend money on a book (a genre) I’m not sure about but I might have to take a plunge some time 🙂
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Well, if you ever decide to take the plunge, give me a shout, I would be more than happy to be your supplier 🙂
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Love love love your review, especially coming from an Estonian pov with such similar culture to Russia. I’ve had this on my radar for a while but it’s not made it into the mountainous TBR yet.
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Thank you! 🙂
Aye, the TBR piles are tricky beasts… but when you do get to it at some stage I do hope you enjoy and I can’t wait to hear what you thought of it 🙂
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What an absolutely beautiful review. I adored this book and am looking forward to reading the sequel. Yer post evoked the memories of reading the book. As someone who hates the cold and snow, I found the emotions and descriptions around the cold to be compelling and lyrical. It almost made me feel like I was cold. It’s in me top ten books of the year so far.
x The Captain
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Thank you so much Captain! 🙂
So glad you enjoyed the book as wlel and some of those scenes were just so beautiful! 🙂
I hope we get to read the sequel soon and enjoy it as much! 🙂
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I have no knowledge of Russian or Estonian folklore so I’d love to read this!
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🙂 Kewl!
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I haven’t read it, but it sounds wonderful and I definitely want to read it. You have written about it so interestingly. But about missing “a good snowy, freezing-my-ass-off kind of winter” (I love this description), then I also miss them. And I still live in Estonia. Lately our winters are mix of dampness, grayness and mud. :S 😀
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Yes, I hear Estonia hasn’t had a proper winter in years… I think in 2011 I visited in febraury and there was no snow at all! 😀
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You have made me even more antsy pants to get to this book! I know I said I don’t do Christmas atmosphere reading, but this sounds perfect for a cold snowy night with the lights on our Yule branch twinkling. Thank you for another well thought out review. I enjoyed reading it. 💜
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Thank you, La La! 🙂 I think you’ll enjoy this one, I really do… strangely, even though I liked this one, I am not in a hurry to pick up book #2… but I will one day… I think what made me stall was the fact that book #2 seemed t have the same central plot idea so I thought- hmm, kind of the same thing? But I have seen reviews that praise it highly…
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