I read this book sporadically, that usually happens when I start work and dedicating time to read becomes difficult. There were days when I didn’t read a single word and others where I finished several chapters. I don’t enjoy reading like this as it breaks the flow and this usually doesn’t bode well for the book in question (unless I’m extremely invested) I fell in love with The Bear and the Nightingale. It was spellbinding and read like a dark fairy tale.
The book is based in Russia and in the past. One of the things I loved most about the book was the setting and way it was described. Arden really put the reader in the same place as the characters and her description was so good that the setting often felt like another character. The prose was straightforward but not lacking in beauty. And while the pace was slow in certain parts, it didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the book. This is the kind of book that once you start reading, you don’t want to stop.
I loved the sheer variety of characters in this book. From the different kinds of domovoi to Vasya’s family, all of them were fully realised fleshed out characters. They were three dimensional and layered. There were no outright villains or heroes.
In terms of the characters, I loved Vasya. I loved that she was this wild spirit that would not be tamed by anyone. She loved fiercely and completely and did not let the opinion of those around her deter her from doing what she believed was right.
I loved that while her family did not always understand her, it in no way affected their love for her. The decisions of the adults often drove me up the wall, especially Anna and then later Pyotr. I loved Dunya and Alyosha, the only two people who perhaps really understood Vasya and did not try to change her.
The character I liked least was Konstantin. He made me so mad that there were numerous moments where I wanted to kill him. He was a weak man and a hypocrite and I cannot believe that he did not die a most painful death. If there was a vile character in this book, it was him.
As for Frost and the Bear, I wish we had seen more of both of them. They didn’t feature as much as I hoped and that felt a little lacking. I hope we see more of them in the future instalments.
I really liked the way Arden didn’t give us a traditional villain. There was a villain but he wasn’t the moustache-twirling variety. The real evil was more along the lines of our own inner demons and weaknesses; hungering for the forbidden, coveting what isn’t yours and fearing what you cannot control or understand to name a few. Arden also brings to light a problematic aspect of organised religion, the need to eradicate existing beliefs to that only faith can survive. And doing that through fear, making people give up their long-held traditions and customs for fear of being damned. But perhaps that is a conversation for another time.
The Bear and the Nightingale took me by surprise. I fell in love with this cold and unforgiving world with its flawed and complicated characters and I look forward to returning to it. Masterful character development coupled with beautiful world-building make this an extremely rewarding read.
Ravings of a Manic Reader 