Books and Jams Readalong discussion

This book is conveniently divided into 3 parts, so that's how we'll split up the topics.

How did you like this first part? Did you connect right away with the writing or did it take a bit to get into it? Does it seem to be more character or plot driven so far? What do you think of the fairytale aspects of the book? Any other thoughts for this beginning section?

I just finished Part 1. I'm listening via audiobook so that may affect some of my opinions. I'm enjoying the story so far although it is a bit slow. I like the Russian aspect and the magic that is peppered in. I'm finding it hard to follow at times, hopefully Part 2 will really grab me.

I just finished part 1 tonight. I agree, Amanda, it was a lot of set up, but I'm really enjoying it. I like the fairytale feel of it with the hints of magic happening. I also love the Russian setting. I was nervous about all the names, but even though I probably am butchering pronunciation in my mind, I am still keeping everyone straight. I feel like things are really going to pick up in Part 2.

The one thing that is a bit strange for me is the little demon creatures. I picture them as little garden gnome type characters, which is pretty harmless, but the word demon has such negative spiritual connotations to me that it's hard to get into that part of it.

I'm finding the writing to be very readable and even the pacing isn't as slow to me as other books I've read. I'm eager to keep going.

I see the demons almost as Dobby from Harry Potter. I agree though, they seem so harmless to be called demons.

I love the fairy tale aspect of the story. I don't mind the set-up details. I can picture the house with snow up past the windows and the forest with gnarled and twisted trees.
I'm anxious to read on and find out what is in store for Vasya. I haven't been able to read for the past couple nights but hope to get back to it tomorrow.

I am loving this book so far!! I love the Russian fairytale feel. I do not read a lot of fantasy, but this story has really grabbed me. The “demons” reference doesn’t bother me... I have a feeling the real evil will come from the humans in the story. Can’t wait to read more.

I just finished Part 1.
I just loved the writing style, it is like fairy tale yet it is not over flowery. The characters are also very well defined which is a plus before all the magical things start to happen. I really liked Vanya and her dad, and Sasha in this part.
As for the magical elements, I liked how they are integrated in the story, I am especially intrigued about the necklace :)

I'm really enjoying it so far. I expected to hate the stepmother but she's not a bad person just nobody explained her gift to her and she was raised strictly Christian so she has no idea what's really going on. She's still really mean but shes not a bad person. I don't read a lot of things set in Russia or Russian inspired but I'm a big mythology nerd so I'm loving learning a completely new set of myths/beliefs/beings. I like how it's written as if it's all real, what I mean is, these beings exist and/or have power because of belief, as that belief wanes or shifts to another being their existence/power is threatened. Really looking forward to seeing where that aspect goes. The multiple names for each person throws me a little but most of them are close enough that I can keep up.

when I read this I found the section in the back really helped me with all the Russian words and names.

Theresa wrote: "when I read this I found the section in the back really helped me with all the Russian words and names."

Yeah, I was looking up enough words that ended up putting a tab so I could find the glossary quicker! haha.

I’m loving this so far! I heard loads of reviews about how slow it was but it’s just not bothering me so far. I love the uniqueness of each character and how they are each portrayed as very human and not clearly on either the good or bad side of the line. The setting has me 😍😍😍. I adore winter and I’m in the middle of Anna Karenina right now too so I’m feeling very snuggled up in this icy Russian world!

Just finished Part 1 and love this book. My daughter and I have very similar tastes, but she had tried and couldn’t get into it. I definitely feel this part is more setup, but becoming more character driven towards the end.
I agree about imagining the “demons” as Dobby - more like elves than an actual devil. I think the author is saying demons for a variety of reasons: Likely this old fairy tale called them demons or devils; also, to put Frost, the Winter Demon, in a similar category, I guess. Also, in looking at back cover they call them spirits, which isn’t nearly as a disturbing name; however, that brings to mind an entirely looking critter, right? I think ( though I may be wrong) many of us envision the characters as we read. I’d rather picture Dobby,a garden gnome, or even Phil from Disney’s Hercules. Wasn’t he considered a demon?
Anyway, again so enjoying this book. Perfect for our dark, wet winters outside of Portland, Oregon. Sorry writing so much but first time actually posting in your Book and Jams Read-along.

I just finished this section and i'm loving it so far but I first listened on audio and had to go back and actually read the pysical copy for comprehension purposes. The audio is lovely and so helpful with the Russian words but there's so much introduced in this first part that I felt I had missed too much by just listening. This story is intricate and layered and I can't wait for the rest. I will probably continue to do both audio and written as they work so well together. Clearly, whatever the little creatures are, only Anna & Vasya can see them and they have extremely different responses and opinions of them. We shall see.... :)

Just finished the first part. I’m liking it so far and I agree with an earlier poster that I don’t dislike the stepmother as much as other people have. I think she is cruel but fear can absolutely warp a person. I’m hoping the story does pick up a little. I love that this is a Russian-set story but I am not completely sucked into it yet. I definitely want to keep reading but I don’t feel compelled to come back to it as much as some other books I’ve read. Also, anyone else wondering when the Bear and the Nightingale will show up? :)

I'm about halfway through Part 2 but was away and couldn't post until just now. I won't spoil anything and will just say quickly that I'm enjoying this as well. I'm happy bc I've heard mixed reviews on this one.

I love the Russian/wintry setting. I've read a bunch of books set in Russia and this one is just as wonderful as far as scene setting goes. I am loving Vasya as well. I'm not a big fantasy reader but fantasy works for me when most of the setting and situations are 'normal' with a little fantasy sprinkled in which is how this one is feeling so I'm ok with the little creatures, lol.

I finished this first part last night. I see why people say it’s slow, but I’m enjoying that. I have no experience with Russian folklore so it’s given me the time to really pay attention to the writing and get the whole set up.
I’m reading on my kindle and didn’t even know there was a section in the back. I’m going to have to look for it. I’ve been googling a lot. Lol
I imagined the demons as more like the goblins in Harry Potter, harmless if you leave them alone.
I’m really enjoying this so far. I’m not a big fantasy person, but I’m loving the fairytale aspect of this story. I’m eager to see where it goes from here.

I am really enjoying this book so far! The first chapter really intrigued me with the fairy tale the maid tells. I'm guessing that this book is going to be retelling that classic story. The writing took me a bit to get into, but I'm really enjoying it now. With that said, I think this story is both plot and character driven. I'm loving the fairy tale vibes to this book as well. I saw somebody else talk about this, but I am curious why the book is called The Bear and the Nightingale. Are a bear and a nightingale going to show up? I agree with everyone saying that the demons seem like lawn gnomes and Dobby. To me, they just seem like household spirits. However, them being called demons makes me wonder if they may be more sinister than we expect.

It seems I am the last one to finish this part. It took me really long to get into writing. I am not quite ok with with the pace: first it describes a couple of chapters one day or evening and then it fast forward weeks and years.
Thank you guys for saying there is a glossary at the back, I checked it and amazed at how good it explained.
The story does not do anything for me yet, but I am looking forward to see how Arden will use the historical events the story is set in. It is actually the great chapter of Russian history, and I guess it is not known for the majority of readers, so I am quite excited that more people will know about it. Little spoiler: we should expect great things from prince Dimitrii))), but at this point I do not know where the author will take us in this journey.
Another thing with the writing is the choice of words: Krista mentioned "Demons", which are more like spirits or even keepers of certain areas of live like home, stables, fields and they possess limited powers if any, so calling them demons is a bit exaggerating.
Another thing is with the word "beast", I stumble over it every time. One example:

The keen dawn reddened their faces; their beasts stamped and snored clouds of steam p.40

Why name cattle and horses beasts, as if they are part of wild nature. Even at that time horses and cows were horses and cows. Every time I am reading as: ohh, there is danger! a beast is approaching! and then it turned out that she is talking about a horse.
I am hoping to see some heavy stuff magic later on, otherwise it might be disappointing for me as some domovoi without real actual magic do not excite me at all.

I am enjoying this book so far and am looking forward to finding out more of the story. The Russian names slowed me down a little in the beginning, but I am into the story enough now that I am reading faster.

I am intrigued by Anna and Vasya's differing reactions to seeing the household spirits. Anna has obviously been led to believe that seeing them means that she is insane so she sees them as demons. Vasya, maybe because of the stories her nurse tells, sees them as helpers and as a normal part of life. I am interested to see if one or both of them changes their point of view on the spirits because of the influence of the other.

I know very little of Russian folklore so I am enjoying learning some about that as well.