10 Fantasy Books With Slavic Folklore
Deep in the misty forests of Slavic folklore, magic pulses through the roots of ancient trees, and spirits whisper in the wind. Vengeful rusalka lurk in dark waters, cunning domovoi guard their hearths, and Baba Yaga rides her mortar through the skies. These are tales of both wonder and terror, where the line between the mortal and supernatural worlds is perilously thin.
For those who crave fantasy woven with the eerie beauty of Slavic myths, here are 10 books that bring this rich folklore to life.
1. The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden
❄ A Frost-Demon, a Fierce Girl, and a Battle Between Old Gods and New
In a snowbound Russian village where the old spirits are fading, young Vasya alone still sees them. When a priest arrives to spread Christian teachings, the protective household spirits grow weak, and an ancient evil stirs. With breathtaking prose and an atmosphere as cold and sharp as ice, Arden’s novel reads like a dark fairy tale whispered by candlelight.
2. Uprooted by Naomi Novik
🌿 A Corrupt Forest, a Reluctant Witch, and Slavic Magic at its Darkest
Agnieszka’s quiet village lives in fear of the encroaching, cursed Wood. Every ten years, a powerful wizard known as the Dragon takes a girl to serve in his tower. When Agnieszka is chosen, she discovers a magic older and wilder than anyone imagined. Inspired by Polish folklore, Uprooted is a spellbinding tale of nature’s wrath, ancient power, and an unlikely heroine.
3. Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik
💰 A Rumpelstiltskin Retelling with a Chilling Slavic Twist
Miryem, the daughter of a failing moneylender, has learned to spin silver into gold—literally. But when her talent catches the attention of the Staryk, a cold-hearted fae king who rules the endless winter, she must outwit him or become his prisoner. Weaving elements of Jewish and Slavic folklore, Spinning Silver is an intricately layered story of frost, fire, and fierce women who forge their own destinies.
4. The Witch and the Tsar by Olesya Salnikova Gilmore
🧙♀️ Baba Yaga as You’ve Never Seen Her Before
In most stories, Baba Yaga is the terrifying crone of the woods, but here, she is Yaga, a healer with divine blood. As Ivan the Terrible descends into paranoia, Yaga finds herself at odds with the tsar, the church, and the dark forces twisting Russia’s fate. A mesmerizing mix of history, fantasy, and mythology, this novel reclaims one of folklore’s most infamous witches.
5. Deathless by Catherynne M. Valente
💀 A Dark, Lyrical Retelling of Koschei the Deathless
In Soviet Russia, fairy tales don’t just fade—they evolve. When young Marya Morevna catches a glimpse of the magical world beneath the surface of her own, she is swept into a war-torn love story with Koschei the Deathless, the undying sorcerer of Russian legend. Blending folklore with history, Deathless is a haunting, poetic novel that reads like a dream turned nightmare.
6. The Girl in the Tower by Katherine Arden
🏰 A Warrior, a Princess, and the Spirits of the Wild
The sequel to The Bear and the Nightingale follows Vasya as she defies tradition and disguises herself as a boy to travel Russia’s frost-covered lands. With bandits, political intrigue, and the ever-present threat of supernatural forces, this novel deepens the Slavic magic of the first book while raising the stakes for its courageous heroine.
7. Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
⚡ A Russian-Inspired Fantasy Empire and a Shadow-Wielding Villain
In the Grishaverse, magic and war intertwine in a world heavily influenced by Tsarist Russia. When Alina Starkov discovers a dormant power that could change the fate of Ravka, she is thrust into the court of the enigmatic Darkling. While not a direct adaptation of Slavic folklore, Bardugo’s world brims with the essence of Russian mythology, from its eerie shadow-folded landscapes to its whispering legends of power.
8. Marya Khan and the Spectacular Fall Festival by Saadia Faruqi
🎃 A Playful, Modern Take on Slavic Folklore
Perfect for younger readers, this charming novel brings Baba Yaga into a contemporary setting. When Marya accidentally awakens the legendary witch, she must navigate magic, mayhem, and mischievous spirits to set things right. With humor and heart, this book introduces Slavic mythology to a new generation.
9. Raven Son by Nicholas Kotar
🦅 A Russian Fairy Tale Reborn as an Epic Fantasy
Prince Ivan’s kingdom is crumbling, and only he can journey into the enchanted woods to seek salvation. But as he ventures deeper, he finds himself tangled in an ancient battle between light and darkness. Kotar draws heavily from Russian folktales, crafting a high fantasy that feels like an age-old legend whispered by firelight.
The Enchantment of Slavic Lore Lives On
Slavic folklore is a realm where magic is neither good nor evil—it simply is. These books channel that mystique, whether through the bone-chilling forests of old Russia, the sinister bargains of ancient beings, or the echoes of myths reshaped for new generations.
Which of these stories calls to you? Or do you have a favorite Slavic-inspired fantasy that deserves a place on this list? Let me know! 🌙✨
