The Bear and the Nightingale

Full review on my blog: https://vicsense.wordpress.com/2018/01/17/the-bear-and-the-nightingale-winternight-1/

Vasya, short for Vasilisa, borrows her name from the famous fairy tale “Vasilisa the Beautiful” but, has a very different adventure than her namesake. Unlike the original, Vasya isn't a gorgeous maiden who finds herself in Baba Yaga's hut. This Vasya is a little girl, shunned by her village and stepmother for being a ‘witch', a ‘devil's child'. Vasya inherited her grandmother's gift and can see the spirits of the old world. Being the only one in her village who cares about the creatures, she uses all of her strength to maintain them, even though the priest does everything in his power to control and ‘tame' her. Vasya learns from the spirits how to swim like a fish, talk to horses and run like the wind. Her inhuman abilities scare the villagers even more, especially because she is a girl, and girls shouldn't be able to ride horses like a war lord does.

Vasya is a modern woman, stuck in medieval Russia. She doesn't want to marry, she doesn't want to go to a convent, and she certainly doesn't obey the men in her life. She is strong and independent, traits not often found in that era. When Vasya forms an alliance of sorts with the Frost King, Morozko, it is one of balance and respect. He doesn't force her to obey him, and she doesn't try to control him.

Vasya was a wonderful heroine and I was rooting for her throughout. The setting of the book was magical and I felt as though I was in medieval Russia as well.

Overall, “The Bear and the Nightingale” is a perfect read for anyone who enjoys fairy tales and old world magic.