Books and Jams Readalong discussion

We've made it more than 1/2 way through. How are you liking it at this point? What has stood out to you? Any surprises in the characters? Any predictions for your rating?

I love how each part ends on almost a cliff-hangar. Definitely clues are dropped for what's coming up. And finishing Part 2 I'm realizing how much story is left with such a small section still to go. I'm glad there's more than just this book. I'm pretty invested in Vasya's story.

Krista wrote: "I love how each part ends on almost a cliff-hangar. Definitely clues are dropped for what's coming up. And finishing Part 2 I'm realizing how much story is left with such a small section still to g..."


I am so glad your liking it! I would recommend this to someone and they would tell me it wasn't for them and I would get so disappointed that I couldn't talk to anyone about it.
I love this series and the weird thing is is that it is not like anything I have read before. I can't wait till you get done with the second book. Maybe we could all do the third together? I got the first two as arc's and I had to wait on the third so maybe I 'll have it by Easter.

Just finished Part II. I'm enjoying the story but it's getting pretty dark compared to what I usually read. I'm listening to the Audiobook and the narrator voice is so lyrical it fits perfectly with the story. I definitely understand why the house spirits are called demons now!

I am loving this. It's reminding me of fae and Baba Yaga, the latter at least on purpose I'd think. I'm glad Aloysha is listening to Vasya and helping her but I think Anna has finally gone properly mad and Konstantin is the evil I was initially expecting from Anna. Can't wait to see what happens in the rest of the book and the other books as well!

Just finished Part II and STILL loving this story, though I do get confused still with all the different names for people and the demons. I forget to look at the glossary to find out which is which. It’s amazing Irina loves her sister so, especially since her mother has so many issues. I really pity the stepmom more than anything...I don’t know who of us would be so welcoming upon seeing all these different spirits or what have you. And Father Constantin is in for a rude awakening when he realizes who he’s been praying to the last months. I’m going to have to pick u book 2...such cliffhangers!

Well, part II got dark quickly. I'm not liking the demon aspect of the story but I realize there would not be a story if they were not part of it. I do like the story as a whole, especially Vasya's fierceness and passion for all she loves and believes in. I'm just torn as to who I'm supposed to be rooting for. I don't believe that one should be dependent on superstition and "demons" to bring good fortune but I also think there is something very "off" about Father Konstantin. I'll have to think about this one. And hope that there are at least SOME answers at the end of the book and not just a huge cliffhanger.

I just finished Part 2.
I am more impressed with author's writing style than anything else in the book, it is not simple in any way but it is both beautiful and easy to follow which is something rare.
The description of the characters and the town, the cold, the house are also very good.
I like the plot but not as much as the writing style and the characters. Demons/angels are my least favorite fantasy element. I found them to be bit confusing whenever I read them. I cannot say they confuse me in this book and still interested in what would happen to Vasya because I really like her.
It looks like it would be a four star book and I am really wondering how I would like Catherine's Arden writing in a different (more lighter mood) plot.

I just finished Part Two & absolutely love her writing & love Vasya. Oh how I feel for her when the evil she is fighting even uses her beloved Dunya against her. How heartbreaking! I also love the “what appears to be good is evil & what appears to be evil is good” theme. I’m read for the finish in this one.

I guess I can be the negative nancy here, but I am not liking this much at all. The one redeeming quality I find here is Katherine Arden's writing is quite nice.I think she is a fine author. I just really do not care for this story. Aloysha is really the only character I like. Vasya is fine, but I don't see her as this super strong willed character that is mostly implied but not shown all that well (in my opinion). I find the other characters lack any real depth. The step-mom, however cruel, is fairly generic as far as bad step moms go. The "bad" priest is kinda over done and certainly represents this ongoing theme in recent literature that clergy and other people in "power" positions are really the true evil of the story. The dad is rather weak and doesn't know how to deal with his people (his wife, his daughter, the priest) when he's supposed to be this kinda high up Lord of the area in which they live. The older brothers pop in and out (was there a point to talk about Sasha being this rogue monk who is popular but he carries a sword??). Random other characters show up to further the plot, like Agafya (not sure I spelled that right) and kinda Timofe (spelling again?!?). Even Dunya's death could have been a really great scene to connect to the love these characters had for each other and how scared they were to lose her but it just kinda ended. Clearly, I am having a mini rant session but I had such HIGH hopes for this story and it's just a major let down. I don't mind the demon/folklore part of the story and would have rather just had a story exploring that part. It's really hard to keep them all straight though. Eh, I'm obviously going to finish the book but unless something miraculous happens in the last section I won't continue with the series. Right now I would rate this a 2 star but depending on the ending I may give it a 3.

I do agree with you Leslie on all the random side characters showing up. My only thought is that they are influential further in the series?

Leslie wrote: The older brothers pop in and out (was there a point to talk about Sasha being this rogue monk who is popular but he carries a sword??)" - Totally agree on that.

For me the second part kind of getting better, I read it really fast and there were no constant fast forwarded chapters. Actually, the 2nd part is the most exiting. The development of the danger and a description of how fear grew in the people.
Aloysha is the best character in the book. Vasya is still flimsy and greatly reminds those "chosen" characters from YA book.

I am enjoying the book so far. My favorite characters are Vasya and Alyosha. I am liking the parts about all the guardian spirits. I don't know much about Russian folklore so I am enjoying learning more about them.

I was surprised by the introduction of vampires into the story. And I am not enjoying that part of the story, probably because I didn't expect it at all. I especially didn't like the death of Dunya. It really bothered me that she died scared. Not the kind of death you want for a character you have good feelings toward.

I am interested to see how the story ends, but I am not sure I will want to continue the series. I enjoy the story, but I am not feeling like I want to read more. Maybe I will feel differently by the end.

I also am wondering about Sasha. He seems like he should be a more important character than he is. Maybe he has a bigger role in the later books?

I just finished the second section. I am enjoying the book but I feel like there was a lot in this book so far that was unnecessary. I understand Vasya’s back story, but why all the details about her older sister, the trip to Moscow, etc. I know why they went to Moscow and that it was needed to bring Anna into the story, but I feel like there was too much spent on it. I wanted to meat to the story and I feel like we are just not getting to it. Maybe some of these things will come back around and will connect later. Now we are finally getting to some action and I like that.

Jennifer wrote: "I just finished the second section. I am enjoying the book but I feel like there was a lot in this book so far that was unnecessary. I understand Vasya’s back story, but why all the details about h..."

Don't forget there are two more books to come.

I am reading The Bear and the Nightingale later than everyone else has finished it.

Yes, there are a lot of characters and names. I am very confused as to Aleksei Petrovich was. On page 160 Vasya introduces Kyril to her brother....."This is my brother, Aleksei Petrocich". I thought her brother's name was Lyoshka/Alyosha?

This is a hard book for me to read but I will press on to the end.

Debbi, in Russian there are a lot of nicknames based on the original name. Aleksei is Alyosha/Lyoshka.

I finished this one this month as well so you are not alone. ;)

Tasha wrote: "Debbi, in Russian there are a lot of nicknames based on the original name. Aleksei is Alyosha/Lyoshka.

I finished this one this month as well so you are not alone. ;)"

Thanks, I think earlier in the book there was another Aleksei who was , the Metropolitan of Moscow. That is why I was confused.

I am struggling to finish this book. I don't think I will be reading the next one.