A review by paperbackportals
The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden

adventurous dark slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

The Bear and the Nightingale is an intensely dark fairytale retelling with characters that you will pull your heart strings. 

When I first started reading, it took me a bit to get all of the characters straight as they often have different names to different people. However, once I figured that part out, I was pulled into a fantastical Russia with frightening fairytale creatures come to life and a girl who can see them. 

The story definitely was very dark and at times I was reading wide-eyed and scared for the characters.