"In a village at the edge of the wilderness of northern Russia, where the winds blow cold and the snow falls many months of the year, an elderly servant tells stories of sorcery, folklore and the Winter King to the children of the family, tales of old magic frowned upon by the church.
But for the young, wild Vasya these are far more than just stories. She alone can see the house spirits that guard her home, and sense the growing forces of dark magic in the woods..."
I absolutely adored this book. It is the perfect mix of atmosphere, mythology, folklore, feisty protagonists and religious obsession. All things I go mad for!
Atmosphere in the Bear and the Nightingale is brilliant. It captures that feeling of uncertainty and superstition. The characters are somewhere between the old and the new; believing in modern religion but still deeply tied to the stories of old - the creatures that hide in the dark, the demons lurking in corners, the spirits living in the woods.
The protagonist is Vasya, a feisty, stubborn girl who always manages to find her way into adventure and, often, trouble. Quick-witted and rebellious, it's hard not to fall in love with her instantly. There's a sense throughout that she is at one with nature, belonging to the very setting of the novel - the wild, rugged landscape of her youth. She is most at home when running and playing in the woods. Vasya has always possessed the second sight, which made for some wonderful conversations with the various creatures living in and around her home, such as the domovoi.
Her father remarries and while the new woman has the second sight, she interprets the gentle protective spirits as "demons" and hates and fears Vasya's more understanding approch, beliveing her to be consorting with Satan. In an effort to "protect" the now-teenage Vasya, her father (egged on and persuaded by her step mother) is trying to marry her off which doesn't go to well with the hard headed, free spirited Vasya showing her suitors up.
To top it all, a priest moves into their house and is hell-bent (ha) on saving Vasya's soul but all he succeeds in doing is a lot of fear-mongering and weakening of the protective spirits. He quickly becomes obsessed, both romantically and religiously, with Vasya and her impertinence.
With the protective spirits dwindling because of the religious fear being stirred up by the Pastor, Vasya must face the ever increasing danger of the old gods - alone and armed with nothing by her sheer force of will.
I am interested to see how the connection/relationship between Morozko, the frost demon, and Vasya progresses in the next book. I am unsure whether it was meant to be romantic and if so how that would look between an immortal elemental being and a human girl. We shall see.
Over all I loved it!! Definitely a favourite.
Age Restriction 13+. Nothing untoward, a few Unpyrs (vampires) and an abusive step mother.
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