The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden | Book Review

 Katherine Arden where were you all this time? How I didn't know about this amazing author? She has created this masterpiece at her first attempt! 'The Bear and the Nightingale' is fairytale of new era with amazing storyline inspired by Russian folklore and brave heroine. 

Genre :  Historical Fantasy

Type: Series

Age limit : 14+

Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐½

My Thoughts :

Vasilina Petronova, is the youngest daughter of Russian Lord Pyotr Vladimirovich. She grew up in harsh weather of rural Northern Russia where are winters are bone chilling. As youngest of five children and motherless Vasya has been wild, tiny and ugly child who love to listen Russian folklore from her old nurse. As child she doesn't just enjoy them but actually believe them.

She also love wondering in forest that surrounded her home and playing with friends that no one seems to see. The friends that appear in stories of Old Dunya. As growing up, her siblings started to live their own life and forget about their childhood stories but Vasya never able to forget them.

Everything changed one day, when a beautiful golden hair monk, Konstantin Nikonovich come to their town. He spread the good word of God in his beautiful angelic voice of his. He made fears in locals who followed old non-christian ways.

People started discarding their old ways, they stopped giving offering to house spirits. They followed the teaching of young monk. People's wuthering faith starts to affect house spirits who protected their households and the jungle spirits who kept the ancient danger at bay

Vasya feared that people's changing faith has not only bring the storm in their doorstep but awakens the unknown ancient spirit that wants to harm every living creature. She has to find a way soon to save her people and also protect herself from same people who accuse her of witchcraft.

I have never read a book before that is based on Russia before. Author has cleverly entangled the the religious revolution and old Russian myths in this amazing book. I really liked the detailed description of their culture. This book was big with a very detailed description of  Vasya's childhood. We read her whole life and transition to beautiful stubborn woman. She was born into time where a women who raise her voice considered as witches. They were expected to follow male dominant society. But Vasya is not weak, she will find a way to stop danger even that cost her own life.

This story filled with many characters and their side story. It has many layers of different story all of them was centered to Vasya. It was great read. If you want try something new and never read a book based on Russia. You should give this book try!