Daph's Reads 📚✨ | The Bear and the Nightingale: A Nove...

The Bear and the Nightingale: A Novel (Winternight Trilogy)

Katherine Arden

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Katherine Arden’s bestselling debut novel spins an irresistible spell as it announces the arrival of a singular talent with a gorgeous voice.

“A beautiful deep-winter story, full of magic and monsters and the sharp edges of growing up.”—Naomi Novik, bestselling author of Uprooted.

Winter lasts most of the year at the edge of the Russian wilderness, and in the long nights, Vasilisa and her siblings love to gather by the fire to listen to their nurse’s fairy tales. Above all, Vasya loves the story of Frost, the blue-eyed winter demon. Wise Russians fear him, for he claims unwary souls, and they honor the spirits that protect their homes from evil.

Then Vasya’s widowed father brings home a new wife from Moscow. Fiercely devout, Vasya’s stepmother forbids her family from honoring their household spirits, but Vasya fears what this may bring. And indeed, misfortune begins to stalk the village. But Vasya’s stepmother only grows harsher, determined to remake the village to her liking and to groom her rebellious stepdaughter for marriage or a convent. As the village’s defenses weaken and evil from the forest creeps nearer, Vasilisa must call upon dangerous gifts she has long concealed—to protect her family from a threat sprung to life from her nurse’s most frightening tales.

Praise for The Bear and the Nightingale:

“Arden’s debut novel has the cadence of a beautiful fairy tale but is darker and more lyrical.”—The Washington Post.

“Vasya [is] a clever, stalwart girl determined to forge her own path in a time when women had few choices.”—The Christian Science Monitor.

“Stunning . . . will enchant readers from the first page. . . . with an irresistible heroine who wants only to be free of the bonds placed on her gender and claim her own fate.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review).

“Utterly bewitching . . . a lush narrative . . . an immersive, earthy story of folk magic, faith, and hubris, peopled with vivid, dynamic characters, particularly clever, brave Vasya, who outsmarts men and demons alike to save her family.”—Booklist (starred review).

“An extraordinary retelling of a very old tale . . . The Bear and the Nightingale is a wonderfully layered novel of family and the harsh wonders of deep winter magic.”—Robin Hobb.

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Posts about this title from Daph's Reads 📚✨

Daph's Reads 📚✨\ \ Daphne\ \ • Mar 25 2025

wintery fantasy reads

repost because it's a snow day today ❄️

#bookstagram #booktok #bookrecs #bookrecommendations #fantasyboooks #winterbooks #bookhaul

4 books

Posts about this book from across Bindery

The Page Ladies Book Club \ \ The Page Ladies \ \ • Dec 1 2025

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20 Books to Cozy Up With This Holiday Season!\ \ December is the month of magic, mystery, and cozy chaos. Whether you crave a hilarious rom-com that will make you snort hot cocoa or a chilling whodunnit set against a snowy landscape, we've wrapped up 20 books perfect for your reading list.\ \ Get ready to curl up by the fire or the pantomime stage and dive in!\ \ 💖Holiday Chaos & Rom-Com Hijinks\ \ If you believe the best way to win a heart is through public humiliation and town-wide spectacles, these are for you.\ \ 1. Merry Christmas, You Filthy Animal by Meghan Quinn\ \ Atlas "Max" Maxheimer just wants to save his Christmas tree farm, but new-in-town Betty is opening a rival farm next door. What follows is a small-town rivals-to-lovers war involving stolen ornaments, holiday hijinks, and one suspiciously strong soda bottle. It’s chaotic, hilarious, and utterly delicious.\ \ 2. Holiday Ever After by Hannah Gra ce\ \ Clara Davenport, tasked with solving her family company's PR nightmare, clashes immediately with Jack Kelly, the independent toymaker who thinks her company is the problem. It’s a battle of frosty demeanor versus holiday cheer, where the plan to charm the locals leads to an unexpected enemies-to-lovers thaw.\ \ 3. The Christmas Lodge by Fiona Baker\ \ High-powered Lacy Preston inherits a sprawling old house in snowy Snowy Pine Ridge and plans to sell it immediately. But local dog-sledder Derek Morse.who almost runs her over and an abandoned puppy convinces her to stay a little longer. This is a small-town romance filled with charm, mystery, and arresting green eyes.\ \ 4. All in for Christmas by Ginny Baird\ \ Practical Paige Pierce wonders what her life would be like if she hadn't left her college boyfriend, Dean. Thanks to a rare comet and a mysterious holiday vendor, she wakes up in an alternate reality with Dean, two kids, and a dog. This is a delightful holiday fantasy that asks: did she choose the right life?\ \ ✨Witchy Warmth & Enchanted Escapes\ \ For those who like their holiday magic with a sprinkle of spells, sass, and cozy chaos.\ \ 5. Jingle Spells by Emily Grimoire\ \ Delilah, a witch who hates Christmas, is forced back to her magical hometown of Oak Haven, where she runs into Jasper, a human who also hates Christmas. When chaos erupts, they must join forces. This cozy forced-proximity romance is the perfect blend of Gilmore Girls and Charmed.\ \ 6. Walking in a Witchy Wonderland by Juliette Cross\ \ Five sexy short stories featuring the Savoie sisters of New Orleans. Expect mischief and mayhem, from a hexed hottie to a Dirty Santa gift that leads to scorching heat, all set in a world where getting hexy for the holidays is just a normal Tuesday.\ \ 7. Season of the Witch by Sophie H. Morgan\ \ Witch Tia Hightower must fake date her ex, Henry, at a winter house party to secure an investment. The only problem? A potion mishap erased his memory of her. Sharing a room and a bed means the snow-melting heat between them is back, but Henry’s memories could surface at any moment.\ \ 8. Christmas With The Elf King by Lenore Stutznegger\ \ Human baker Noelle is chosen by the cold, handsome Elf King to bake for him in the Undying Lands of Ravensong. Forced to use her new baking magic to cure a curse on the land, she finds her heart thawing toward the brooding king. A perfect cozy Christmas fantasy.\ \ 🏰Gothic & Historical Holiday Haunts\ \ When you need something atmospheric, icy, or steeped in deep secrets and mythology.\ \ 9. The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden\ \ A magical debut that takes you to the edge of the Russian wilderness where winter is eternal. Vasilisa loves the chilling story of Frost, but when her new stepmother forbids honoring the household spirits, evil creeps nearer. Vasilisa must embrace her concealed, dangerous gifts to protect her family.\ \ 10. Holly by Adalyn Grace\ \ Blythe and Aris's peaceful holidays at the mysterious Wisteria Gardens manor are shattered by restless spirits whispering dark secrets. Joined by Signa and Death, they must unravel the past before the holiday of love becomes the greatest threat. Expect dark shadows and mortal danger.\ \ 11. Sweet Silver Bells: A Gothic Holiday Romance by Elle Kaelee\ \ A gothic holiday romance where magic and mourning meet ghosts and the haunted hush of Christmas. In 1914, Olivia is found in the woods by Hunter, a grieving schoolteacher in the present day. Perfect for fans of One Dark Window, this story is about the most powerful gift of all: a heart that still dares to hope.\ \ 12. The Duke Who Ruined Christmas by Scarlett Scott\ \ American heiress Adelia Fox believes the arrogant Duke of Marchingham, Lionel, is a heartless monster. When she gets snowed in with the icy and disapproving duke, she finds herself trapped in a threadbare manor with a man who is maddeningly handsome. A scorching hot historical romance about an irresistible fire melting an icy duke.\ \ 🔪Murder, Mayhem, & Mysteries\ \ For readers who prefer their winter white with a splash of blood and a puzzle to solve.\ \ 13. A Fatal Grace by Louise Penny\ \ Chief Inspector Armand Gamache is called to investigate a shocking murder in the picturesque Quebec village of Three Pines during Christmas. CC de Poitiers was electrocuted on a frozen lake in front of the whole village, and yet no one saw a thing. A brilliant, compassionate mystery that digs beneath the idyllic surface.\ \ 14. The Mistletoe Murder Club by Katie Marsh\ \ Former actress and current struggling detective Clio lands a role in the town’s Christmas pantomime, only for the esteemed director to be murdered on opening night. Clio's best chance of finding the killer? Concealing her friends in a pantomime cow costume. Hilarious, high-stakes amateur sleuthing.\ \ 15. The Last Death of the Year by Sophie Hannah\ \ Hercule Poirot and Inspector Catchpool celebrate New Year’s Eve on a tiny Greek island, where a chilling resolution promises to perform "the last and first death of the year." Hours later, a resident is found dead. A classic holiday mystery from the author of Hercule Poirot’s Silent Night.\ \ 16. At Midnight Comes the Cry by Julia Spencer-Fleming\ \ Reverend Clare Fergusson and her ex-police chief husband Russ find their Christmas disrupted when a holiday parade is crashed by white supremacists. Their investigation pulls them into a parallel world of militias, machinations, and murder in the forbidding High Peaks of the Adirondacks.\ \ 17. The Witching Hour: Haunting Tales for Long Dark Nights by Various Authors\ \ From the creators of The Haunting Season comes a brand new collection of ghostly tales perfect for the darkest time of year. Thirteen bestselling authors explore the time after midnight when darkness reigns and strange things roam the earth. Curl up with a candle, and prepare to be spooked.\ \ 🫂Love, Redemption, and Found Family\ \ Heartwarming stories focused on second chances, emotional healing, and the power of connection.\ \ 18. Good Spirits by B.K. Borison\ \ Nolan Callahan, the Ghost of Christmas Past, is assigned to haunt Harriet York. As they examine her past, they discover threads that bind them together, forcing them to confront what moving on truly means. A magical, spirited connection with cozy holiday charm.\ \ 19. Snowbound at Christmas by Lacy Williams, Wendy Klopfenstein, Wendy Galinetti and Traci Summeril\ \ One Christmas snowstorm creates havoc for three couples in this anthology. Three heartwarming love stories about old feelings being rekindled, new love blooming amid blizzards, and finding a protector beneath a hard exterior. Perfect for a cozy winter's afternoon.\ \ 20. A Scottish Christmas Hideaway by Ellie Henderson\ \ Heartbroken Jessica returns to her Scottish village home to find her brother’s former infuriating best friend, ruggedly handsome architect Reuben Campbell, everywhere she turns. They share frost-bitten walks and gingerbread disasters, but Reuben is hiding secrets. Can two people with every reason to resist give in to a second chance?\ \ ❓️Which holiday book is going straight to the top of your December TBR pile? Let us know in the comments!\ \ \ \ Join for free or login

🎁Your Ultimate December Reading Guide

20 books

Infinite Realms Book Club \ \ Nozomi \ \ • Nov 23 2025

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Poll:\ \ December voting \ \ Hi everyone! It is time to vote for which thriller and fantasy book we will be reading in December!There will be six books in total to choose from, 3 thriller and 3 fantasy. You are allowed to vote once in each category! Voting will end on the 27th. Make sure to join my discord where we can discuss the book picks!\ \ Join for free or login

December voting!

6 books

Kirstyn's Bookshelf\ \ Kirstyn\ \ • Mar 31 2025

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winter book recommendations that slap ❄️

Hiiii! Glad you're back for another video. We have some amazing winter book recommendations you need to read like yesterday. Plus, I chat through my winter tbr. It's a decent amount of books, but honestly, I can never make a tbr without going overboard. Enjoy!

What books do you want to read this winter?

Thank you for being here:)

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10 books

Daph's Reads 📚✨\ \ Daphne\ \ • Mar 25 2025

wintery fantasy reads

repost because it's a snow day today ❄️

#bookstagram #booktok #bookrecs #bookrecommendations #fantasyboooks #winterbooks #bookhaul

4 books

Fantasy & Frens\ \ Zoranne\ \ • Mar 4 2025

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Bindery Reading Vlog | reading the bear and the nightingale & seeing samantha shannon!

Hi Frens! Join me this reading vlog made just for Bindery members! Enjoy the vlog! 🫶🏼

7 books

Fantasy & Frens\ \ Zoranne\ \ • Feb 4 2025

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Bi-Weekly Update: February 4, 2025

Currently reading, watching, listening, and publishing updates!

4 books

Not So Well Read\ \ Courtney\ \ • Feb 4 2025

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Rating my January Reads

A little preview of my overall thoughts about my January reads. Overall, I read some great books, though one stood out over the rest. I’ll have my full reviews for each on Bindery this week!!

What was your favorite January read??

#readingwrapup #readingwrapped #whatiread #bookrec

7 books

Not So Well Read\ \ Courtney\ \ • Jan 5 2025

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[Hi friends! Two posts from me in one day? What is this madness? Is this truly a new year, new me situation? In order to keep myself accountable for posting, I'm hoping to do these weekly wrap ups where I can chat random topics in the book world, book news, and–of course–talk about what I have been reading.\ \ These will be lowkey and I hope to post them every Sunday. Keep me accountable friends! I'll also be posting prompts in the discord for you all to chime in on in the Discord. Yes, I am reviving the Discord from the grave.\ \ Now enough rambling, let's get to the meat of this thing.\ \ This week in the book world: \ \ There's no way I can write this post without talking about the Fable/Gen AI scandal, because woof. In case you missed it, popular reading/book club app Fable came under some very-deserved fire when multiple users encountered reader racist/bigoted reader summaries. This was first brought to my attention by Tiana's Lit Talk on Threads, but then several other readers began posting other screenshots. Fable initially posted this very lack luster apology where they basically said "we're a small baby and are experimenting with gen-AI, don't be mad at us pls".\ \ This is when I learned that most folks don't actually know that Fable is actually a large Silicon Valley startup owned by a literal billlionaire. I won't go into detail more on that again, but if you want to read my threads write-up, you can do so here. Readers and users continued to push back on Fable, starting in no unclear terms that they do not want AI anywhere near their reading apps and in a, frankly shocking, turn of events Fable posted another apology and announced that they are removing all AI features from the app. Score one for reader? Eh. Maybe not. We shall see.\ \ I personally have decided to wait until after their townhall happening tomorrow evening (1/6) to decide whether or not I will continue to use the app. If they lay out a plan that feels adequate and is endorsed by those directly harmed, then I have no problem continuing to use the platform with the renewed hope that maybe people actually can change?\ \ This week's new releases/publishing news: \ \ We're still in the post-holiday publishing slump, so there really wasn't anything that came out this week, nor were there any particulary exciting deal alerts. Things pick up starting next week with some insanely good weeks coming towards the end of the month.\ \ What I read this week: \ \ The Bear and the Nightingale (Finished)\ \ I finished my first read of the year and, honestly, what a wonderful way to start. This was our first Mostly Fantasy Book Club pick and I loved it. I know this is not a new take, so forgive me for being so late to the party. I will be getting book 2, but I thought the ending of this one was so satisfying that I'll probably let it sit for a bit.\ \ Immortal Dark (70%)\ \ This is my current audiobook pick and, holy shit, this is DARK. I am really, really loving it, because vampires are my favorite, but I was not expecting it to be quite as dark. It's also surprisingly steamy, which makes me curious about the decision to publish it as YA. Please don't come for me about how it's okay for YA books to have sex, because I agree with you, I just think this could have easily been packaged as an adult romantasy with college-aged characters (i.e. Alex Stern series). Because I'm not going to lie, there's been a few moments that have made me blush...\ \ Fagin the Thief (6%)\ \ I have to finish this book tonight, so I can blurb it for Indie Next, because I procrastinated big time. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers.\ \ What I bought/shelved this week: \ \ A Sweet Sting of Salt\ \ I'm sorry, but no one told me this was a sapphic retelling for the Selkie myth!!!\ \ Beyond the Aching Door\ \ This author did an excellent job with the marketing in this thread. Instantly added this one to my TBR.\ \ Other musings: \ \ If you got this far, thanks so much for reading! A few additional reminders:\ \

Join the Discord! I know it's not super active right now, but I may be transitioning book club to there in the future.\
Become a paid subscriber! Friends, I love chatting books on the internet, but this does take a lot of work. So, if you are in a financial state where you can spare a few $$ a month, you can help me continue to produce content and also afford to buy a coffee made by a barista.](https://notsowellread.binderybooks.com/item/XGj5n8G8vTI6ticlA928/)

Weekly Wrap Up – 12.30.24-01.05.24

5 books

Not So Well Read\ \ Courtney\ \ • Dec 15 2024

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The Bear and the Nightingale

3 chapters into this book and already questioning all of my life choices. Why did I wait so long to read this? What was I even thinking?

If you’re thinking of picking this one up, there’s still plenty of time to join us on @fable!! We just kicked off this week and would love to have you!

Join via link in bio ✨

1 book

Not So Well Read\ \ Courtney\ \ • Dec 8 2024

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My Fable Book Club is here!!

I am so excited to be starting my @fable book club today! This has been something I have been working on in the background for a few months and today is finally the day.

This club will be mostly fantasy, but we may sprinkle in a few other genres here and there, because ✨she contains multitudes✨

To start, we will be buddy reading a book that has been on my TBR for literal years–The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden! It’s the perfect winter mood read. I’m counting on you all to be my accountability buddies.

To Join:

- Create a free Fable account - Search for “Mostly Fantasy Book Club” - Join and introduce yourself in the chat! - Then make your way to your local library, bookstore to grab a copy of the book or download an audiobook or ebook, because reading starts NEXT WEEK

I can’t wait!!

PS: Watch to the end to see a clip of my 18 year old dog

#fablebookclub #onlinebookclub #fantasybookclub #fantasybook #winterbooks

1 book

Cozy Quill\ \ Meg\ \ • May 21 2024

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\ \ Upgrade for $12 or login](https://cozyquill.binderybooks.com/item/Mc1y8FibVk0MGYyOb7dA/)

Cozy Cooking Class w/ Niah

Join me and @NovelNiah for an hour of fantasy book recs, pasta making, and cozy chats! This one is PACKED with personalized recommendations and I'm so grateful to Niah for joining us, as well as everyone who popped in.

18 books

Boneyard Picnic\ \ Natalie Meagan\ \ • Jan 8 2024

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My 2024 TBR (maybe)

I don't like sticking to lists, I am a mood reader with an aversion to being told what to do - even if I am the one doing the telling. BUT if I did stick to a list this year, this would be the list!

Books Mentioned: Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russel We Spread by Iain Reid Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier Book Lovers, Happy Place and Funny Story by Emily Henry The Warm Hands of Ghosts, The Bear and the Nightingale and Small Spaces by Katherine Arden Cackle and Black Sheep by Rachel Harrison The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna The Butterfly Garden by Dot Hutchison Beautiful World, Where Are You? And Normal People by Sally Rooney The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky Spark of the Everflame by Penn Cole

ALL THE LINKS YOU COULD EVER WANT

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14 books

Fantasy & Frens\ \ Zoranne\ \ • Mar 10 2023

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this game was so much fun!! how did i do? the filter was made by @johneepixels7 and can be found on his tik tok! 😊\ \ #fantasybookrecs #bookcoverdesign #fantasybooks #bookishreels

this game was so much fun!! how did i do? the filter was made by @johneepixels7 and can be found on his tik tok! 😊

#fantasybookrecs #bookcoverdesign #fantasybooks #bookishreels