You see, Vasya? This is why you should let the Rusalka do whatever she wants. If she wants to eat an annoying priest for dinner, don’t try and stop her!

HOW GOOD WAS IT?

7.5/10

WHAT IS IT ABOUT?

This story takes place in a small village in medieval Russia, where ruthless snow dominates most of the time. Vasya, our female protagonist, has the ability to see and communicate with the mythological creatures who protect their village and accept offerings from the villagers who believe in their existence.

Vasya believes herself to be mad for a while but then finds a way to embrace this special ability of hers. However, things take a turn when Vasya finds herself under the watch of Anna — her stepmother who also has the Sight but doesn’t exactly appreciate it — and a priest who is hellbent on getting punched in the face making God the sole belief in this village.

Somewhere amidst the snow, a Winter Spirit might play a bigger role in Vasya’s life than she could imagine.

I would like to make clear that this book is NOT about Christianity vs. folklore, it is rather about the journey of Vasya to discover herself, maintain her beliefs, and protect her family. And basically, it is just an atmospheric — winter-y fantasy adventure that is also an excellent representation of Russian fairy tales and cultures.

Content warning: vampires (or the Russian equivalence), some brief gore.

IS IT GOOD?

You bet.

Reading this book is like getting an education on Russian folklore. Have your post-its and pencils at hand and be prepared to keep a list of these creatures, terms of endearment, and characters’ names. There are at least three different ways each character’s name can be referred to.

The Bear and the Nightingale is not a fast-paced, action-packed story that keeps you up all night reading. Its charm lies rather in the little details, the careful weaving of magical elements into these characters’ daily life, and the realism of their struggles. Along the way, the book raises questions about the role of faith and how it can easily become fear.

Katherine Arden’s lyrical prose takes you deep into this medieval, fairy-tale setting, and spins the adventure of a unique female protagonist who is feisty, witty, and rebellious, but still every bit a woman of her time.

Women-empowerment? Yes, but subtle. Not in an I-will-smash-the-patriarchy way.

OTHER THOUGHTS

*Spoilers ahead

Anna, Vasya’s stepmother who can also see the magical creatures — What can I say? She gets what she deserves in the end (at least I hope that’s the end of her). But I admit she also deserves (a little) sympathy since not everyone can be expected to keep their cool when they keep seeing little trolls and elves following them around the house. Having Dobby gawking at you when you wake up from sleep is already enough to give you a heart attack, let alone trolls who spy on you from the corner of your bathroom.

Konstantin Nikonovich — If there’s any character in this book who can invoke both hate and sympathy, it’s this one. A young priest who paints and charms and judges. A giant mess of self-contradictory, loneliness, and ambition.

A bit about the end — I will say that the final battle doesn’t quite live up to expectation, mostly because it is too short and isn’t detailed enough. I’d hoped to see more actions from the magical creatures; and Pyotr’s sacrifice probably deserves more elaboration.

Also, apparently, the Frost Demon Morozko has a thing for Vasya. Not that I didn’t expect him to play a big part in her story, but kissing the girl right in the middle of the battle against Big Bad?? Wait… does he? *flips pages*

“Unexpectedly he reached out and drew her close and kissed her, quick and fierce.”

Yes, he definitely does.

OK, fine, nothing wrong with that, either. But you’ve spent — how much time with Vasya? A week? Don’t you think you’re moving a little too fast here, Morozko!

Lastly, please don’t let anything bad happen to Solovey.