February 14, 2017 by oldvictorianquill
Book Review ~ 'The Bear and the Nightingale' by Katherine Arden.
The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden.
(The Bear and the Nightingale #1)
Genres: Historical, Fantasy, Fairy Tales.
Release Date: 12th January 2017
A young woman's family is threatened by forces both real and fantastical in this debut novel inspired by Russian fairy tales.
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, a stranger with piercing blue eyes presents a new father with a gift – a precious jewel on a delicate chain,intended for his young daughter. Uncertain of its meaning, the father hides the gift away and his daughter, Vasya, grows up a wild, willfull girl, to the chagrin of her family. But when mysterious forces threaten the happiness of their village, Vasya discovers that, armed only with the necklace, she may be the only one who can keep the darkness at bay.
Atmospheric and enchanting, with an engrossing adventure at its core, The Bear and the Nightingale is perfect for readers of Naomi Novik's Uprooted, Erin Morgenstern's The Night Circus, and Neil Gaiman.
Book Review ~ 'The Bear and the Nightingale' by Katherine Arden ~ 5 Stars!
Lyrical, Fantastical, and Awe inspiring, The Bear and the Nightingale is up there with Naomi Novik's Uprooted, and has me still thinking about it.
A beautiful historical tale of family, fairytales, and the dangers of mass-hysteria, Katherine Arden has created a story with tones of Joanne Harris' Chocolat and Russian fairytales that have been passed down through generations. We follow Vasya's story, a young girl who grows up without her mother, and is in a world that is hovering between modern religion and practice, and the rituals, beliefs and superstitions of old; Spirits are to be given offerings in exchange for their protection, the signs of nature listened to and heeded, slowly being feared and shunned in favour of a christian way of life.
Vasya has a gift to speak with the spirits and demons that surround her village, but with this gift, as paranoia grows in the village, and her stepmother's hatred for her grows more and more, Vasya is in danger of forces both real and supernatural as she tries to keep those she loves safe.
A magical tale that will take you to the freezing winters of a small Russian village, and will creep into your heart like the tiniest of icicles, making you shudder and gasp as you follow Vasya's fantastical story.
5+ Stars!
*Review copy was kindly provided by the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
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This entry was posted in Uncategorized, ~ New Releases ~, ~Book Reviews~, ~Recommended Books~ and tagged 5 stars, fairytales, fantasy, favourites, historical, january 2017, new release, ~Book Reviews~, ~Book Reviews~ recommended.