The Bear and the Nightingale

In a far away time, in the land of Russia a very strange girl was born. Vasya was born in the midst of a cold winter where her entire family suffered from the cold and shortage of food. She grew up wilder and stranger than any of her siblings. She has the special ability the old spirits of the house and fields. Vasya doesn't really have a place in her father's house but when her step mother starts alienating and weakening the household spirits that are keeping an ancient evil at bay. Vasya must save the spirits and her family, and possibly all of Russia.

The Bear and the Nightingale is an epic fairytale set in the mysterious and intriguing land of Russia. I found that Vasya doesn't rebel against her role as a woman in this culture but seems to change the perspective of her family so that they will be able to accept Vasya's choices. I found that very refreshing. She makes her own place in the world and still keeps a sense of kindness and love though she has been through some tough times.

I couldn't pout the book down, it was that good! I never really know what to expect from most of the books I review. This one I wasn't sure about at first but it really draws you in and as it is the first book in the series it leaves you wanting more. I wholeheartedly recommend reading The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden