My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I don't even know how to write this review. How can I possibly explain the depth of the story line?
The Bear and Nightingale is a story for the most dedicated of fantasy readers, I think. No, it's not like GoT or anything like that, but the world building is so complex, despite it taking place solely in a small town on the outskirts of Russian wilderness.
Arden weaves heavy Russian folklore tightly with a story of religion and fear. Vasilisa, Vasya is the youngest child of the Petrovna children born to her later mother Marina who died during childbirth. Vasya has always been odd. She sees things others don't. It makes her wild and untamed.
Her father brings home a new young wife, Ana. All Ana has wanted in her life is to join a convent. For she too, can see what others cannot see. Don't be fooled though, Ana and Vasya are more different than you can imagine. While Vasya explores and gets to know what she sees, Ana spends her time screaming in fear, having hysterics episodes, and becomes more unhinged by the day.
Soon, Father Constantine comes to town. He believes he has been sent by God himself to this remote village, to spread the word of God. The people of the town grow fearful of this God who can supposedly only save their souls if they repent and condemn evil. Vasya believes none of it. For she has talked to the creatures of lore, like the Domovoi, who protect her hearth and home in exchange for scraps of bread and milk.
It becomes clear when Ana tries to banish the good creatures who protect the town and homes, that there is something wicked and evil in the forests surrounding the town.
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There is no specific plot twist, I'd say. The lore is essentially told at the beginning of book, in real time, only to take place- a retelling- once again in the future. It's genius, really.
The reason that it gets 4 instead of 5 stars is because the story gets way too bogged down with inane details and descriptions. I don't need to here about every tree, how murky the lake is, How much Ana screams every fricking time she sees a creature from lore. I just, I don't care. The story is just a tad too long and I feel like Vasya's childhood could have been shortened a bit.
I don't even really understand why Irina, her younger step-sister, is in the story. She's cute but serves zero purpose, really.
If you're wondering about the romance, there isn't any. But you know from the lore, it's there...kinda. If there is romance between who I believe it'll be between, then it is going to be a
Will I read the next one? Hec yea! Despite my disgruntled feelings about the romance and over-sharing, It was a good story. I don't know why. The way in which the story is told is reminiscent of Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss, at least in my opinion.
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