The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden

“He is full of desire. Desire and fear. He does not know what he desires, and he does not admit his fear. But he feels both, strong enough to strangle."

I am beyond ecstatic that I happened across this book from a blogger and from their review decided to give it a try. The lyrical prose adds to this beautifully written story that enchanted and mesmerized me.

This story mostly follows a young girl, Vasilisa or Vasya, as she grows into her own. Vasya has been told fairy tales all her life by her nurse about the spirits who protect the house, the forest, the land and many other areas. What Vasya soon realizes is she is special, as she can see all of these spirits, or creatures, when no one else can. As the world around her is modernizing and churches are steering the people away from their beliefs in the old tales, Vasya continues to assist these creatures in order to protect her town from the darkness that will befall on them with the spirits' protection. With the arrival of a stepmother who is devout in the new religions, and a new charismatic young priest arriving, Vasya must fight against her parents and the town in order to protect them with this odd gift.

I loved Vasya. She is quick-witted and strong, determined and brave. She is also feisty and stubborn and often lands herself into trouble or adventures that females should not be experiencing. But she continues to fight against society's norms as she knows she is meant for more.

"She looked like a wild thing new-caught and just barely groomed into submission."

I haven't read many Russian folklore tales, but I truly enjoyed the magical and whimsical tales Katherine Arden weaves into her storytelling. I was hooked from the very beginning and could feel the atmosphere Arden creates. It is chilling and haunting, but at times there is humor and moving moments that really made this book one of a kind. And even with the magic woven into the plot, this book also is grounded in the reality that makes a more enticing read. It shows us that anger and fear can make people search the wrong type of assistance, thus creating darkness and pain in the lives of others and ourselves.

I cannot recommend this book (and the entire series) enough.

Synopsis: At the edge of the Russian wilderness, winter lasts most of the year and the snowdrifts grow taller than houses. But Vasilisa doesn’t mind, she spends the winter nights huddled around the fire with her beloved siblings, listening to her nurse’s fairy tales. After Vasilisa’s mother dies, her father goes to Moscow and brings home a new wife. Fiercely devout, city-bred, Vasya’s new stepmother forbids her family honoring the household spirits. As danger encircles, Vasya must defy even the people she loves and call on dangerous gifts she has long concealed, in order to protect her family and village from a threat that seems to have stepped from her nurse’s most frightening tales.

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