Katherine Arden
An American author known for her enchanting middle-grade and young adult fantasy series, The Winternight Trilogy, which blends Russian folklore with historical settings. Arden's lyrical prose and immersive storytelling bring to life magical creatures and compelling characters in a world rich with atmosphere and wonder. Her work is celebrated for its beautiful writing and imaginative integration of mythology.
Katherine Arden’s The Bear and the Nightingale is a rich historical fantasy rooted in Russian folklore. Set in a remote village, it follows Vasya, a girl who can see spirits others cannot. As Christianity spreads and the old ways fade, dark forces stir in the forest. Vasya must embrace her gift to protect her family and her world from ancient evil. With lyrical prose, magical realism, and a fiercely independent heroine, the novel weaves myth and history into a haunting coming-of-age tale about belief, bravery, and the struggle between tradition and change.