The Bear and the Nightingale

I would walk into the jaws of hell itself, if it were a path of my own choosing. I would rather die tomorrow in the forest than live a hundred years of the life appointed me.

Wild birds die in cages.

What a brilliant novel!

Welcome to the life of a small village in Northern Russia where the bitter winters and short summers are dictated by the nature spirits and demons. Vasilisa learns at a young age of her unique ability to interact with the creatures and spends her childhood exploring the nature of this magic. When her village becomes threatened by unexplainable misfortune and horror, Vasilisa undertakes the challenge of protecting her family and village from the great unknown evil.

Let's jump into my magic of threes!

1. Beautiful

You will cherish this book. You will love this book. You will want to continue reading this book forever...

Wholeheartedly, I promise you that this book is worth reading.The Bear and the Nightingale captures the reader and introduces an exciting and memorable adventure in Vasilisa's little village. From the novel's eye-capturing and beautiful cover to the well-rounded and well-written characters, this novel contains a beautiful and engaging story. Arden's writing brings Vasilisa's story to life with rich vocabulary and description allowing a beautiful and exciting magical universe to unfold.

2. Intriguing

Arden does not reveal all her and her characters' secrets at once. Rather, Arden builds momentum and gradually allows each character to unravel their motives and hidden personalities. I enjoyed the build-up of the story, during which the reader is introduced to entertaining backstories and evoked to sympathise with Vasilisa. Each character in the novel portrays an unique and dynamic persona to the story and aids the plot forward. Personally, I adored the gradual madness and conflicts of the Priest, which explores an intriguing and entertaining twist to the story. I found each character as a necessary addition and entertaining drive to the simple plot.

3. Inspiring

From Vasilisa's bold and lively character to her Sasha's determination, I found the characters of this novel inspiring. Vasilisa's character development is well-written and she is an enjoyable character to follow. Reading about her struggles and conflicts with the other villagers allows the reader to feel inspired as Vasilisa refuses to cower against their condemning and insults. Furthermore, Arden's ability to bring magic to life is wonderful and inspiring. I recommend this novel to everyone and cannot wait to continue the series!