I was drawn to this book first by the cover – and then by the mention of Russian fairy tales and folklore. It seemed a little bit different from the usual books I read and I hoped it would prove to be an enchanting, magical read, perfect for the winter months.
The story is set in the 14th century in Lesnaya Zemlya, a village in northern Rus’. The village is home to Pyotr Vladimirovich who, since losing his beloved wife in childbirth several years earlier, has lived alone with his five children and their elderly nurse, Dunya. The youngest child, Vasilisa (or Vasya, as she is known), is becoming wild and rebellious and it is partly because of the need to provide a mother figure for her that Pyotr decides to marry again. Unfortunately, though, his new wife – Anna – turns out to be a wicked stepmother who dislikes and distrusts Vasya and believes she can see demons hiding all over the house.
Vasya, who has inherited special abilities from her mother, can also see Anna’s ‘demons’, but she knows that they are not evil spirits – they are household guardians watching over the people of Lesnaya Zemlya. When Father Konstantin arrives in the village, believing he is on a mission from God to stamp out the old traditions and beliefs, the powers of the household spirits begin to fade. Harvests start to fail, winters seem colder and harder than ever before and the evil forces that lurk in the forest grow stronger. Can Vasya find a way to protect her family and restore happiness and prosperity to the village?
The Bear and the Nightingale is a story steeped in Russian myth, legend and fairy tale. Although I loved fairy tales as a child, I seem to have missed out on most of the Russian ones, but that wasn’t a problem at all – and I was surprised to discover how much I was actually familiar with. I particularly enjoyed being reminded of the story of Frost which Dunya is telling the children as the novel opens:
“But what did he look like?” Olga demanded.
Dunya shrugged. “As to that, no two tellers agree. Some say he is naught but a cold, crackling breeze whispering among the firs. Others say he is an old man in a sledge, with bright eyes and cold hands. Others say he is like a warrior in his prime, but robed all in white, with weapons of ice. No one knows.”
Frost, or Morozko to give him his Russian name, is an important presence throughout the whole novel, although he only appears to the characters on a few occasions and we are made to wait until near the end of the book before his true significance becomes clear. Other aspects of the story are slow to unfold too – such as the role of the Bear and Nightingale of the title – which is why I’m not going to say any more about the plot or the characters, even though I would love to! I would prefer to leave some of the novel’s secrets and surprises for you to discover for yourself.
What I will mention is the setting, which I loved. Most of the action takes place in and around Vasya’s village, with lots of vivid descriptions of the harsh living conditions and the bleak, relentless winter weather, but there are also a few sections set in Moscow at the court of the Grand Prince Ivan II. I have very little knowledge of 14th century Russia (or Rus’, as the region was known at that time) so I wasn’t sure how much of this was based on fact, but as this is historical fantasy I tried not to worry too much about that. I was more interested in the portrayal of the conflict between the old ways and the new, the changing beliefs of the people and the loss of old traditions.
The Bear and the Nightingale is apparently the first in a trilogy – I hadn’t been aware of this when I first started to read, but on reaching the end of the book I was happy to discover that there will be another two and that the next one will take us away from the forests of Rus’ and into medieval Moscow. I hope we won’t have to wait too long for it as I’m looking forward to it already!
Thanks to the publisher Del Rey for providing a copy of this book via NetGalley for review.
She Reads Novels 
I’ve seen positive reviews of this on other blogs too, and as I was already disposed towards it from the cover blurb it sounds a must. Thanks!
Yes, most reviews seem to have been very positive. I definitely think it’s worth reading if you have any interest in Russian myth and folklore.
I planned on reading this soon, but now that I know it’s part of a trilogy I’d rather wait. Awesome review 🙂
Thanks. This book does work as a standalone, but I can understand why you might want to wait until the other ones are available.
I have this waiting on Netgalley too and can’t wait to read it. The cover and description are enticing me. Lovely review Helen.
Thank you – I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
I liked it too! Glad you did as well.
Yes, I remember reading your review a few weeks ago. I’m glad you liked it too!
I’ve been eyeing this one on Netgalley. I love all things Russian, but I’m not sure whether I would like the fairy tale basis.
I liked the fairy tale element – I don’t often read books based on fairy tales but when I do I usually enjoy them.
Sometimes I do, sometimes I don’t. That’s what makes me unsure.
This sounds really good! And I agree – the cover is beautiful 🙂
It’s great – and yes, the cover is very striking!
This sounds utterly wonderful and exactly my cup of tea 🙂 Although I do prefer the dark blue, atmospheric cover you can get.
Yes, I think this might be your sort of book. I like the dark blue cover as well. They’re both very eye-catching, I think.
Oh yes they are both very eye-catching – I just think the other one has more atmosphere and magic to it.
I’m very fond of the original fairy tale and have been looking at this wondering if it’s worth the price or not. Sounds very promising. Some reviews have complained about lots of loose ends but if it’s the first of a set that isn’t a deal breaker. The publisher should have been more clear about sequels, though.
It could be one to look out for in the library rather than buying, if you’re not sure. I think enough of the plot is resolved for this book to work on its own, but there are certainly some loose ends and things that are never fully explained, which made sense when I discovered that there were more books to come. I agree that publishers should make it clear when a book is part of a trilogy.
Plenty to love here! I would have picked for the cover alone, but I also love any book set in Russia of any period and any story that deals with old beliefs conflicting with new.
Yes, there was a lot to enjoy! I love reading about Russia too (I’m halfway through A Gentleman in Moscow at the moment) and I also liked the fairy tale element of this book.
Thanks for this review, Helen. I’d come across this title before and like you, I’m drawn in by the cover alone – the subject matter and your excellent review convince me that I will love this book. On my list for next winter I think!
This is a perfect winter read – definitely worth adding to your list for next year. And yes, the cover really catches the eye, doesn’t it?