The Girl in The Tower: (Winternight Trilogy)

I enjoyed this first volume of this trilogy, but I loved the second volume, The author continues the tale using Russian folk lore as a background. Vasilisa is an interesting and independent young woman. That independent streak is a strength, but it also leads her into difficult situations. In this story she meets up with her beloved older sister in Moscow after she comes to the attention of the Prince of that city. She is in a society far different from the rural existence she has known.The decisions she makes impact others in ways she did not anticipate. Vasilisa shows courage, along with the ability to learn from mistakes. She also begins to know her young niece, a child who may take after her aunt in many ways. I am very much looking forward to the final volume of this intricate and well-told tale.

*Note: Borrowed from library.

OVERALL AVERAGE RATING: 4.6

World-building: 4/5
I loved how the immersive and beautifully nuanced world of this book drew inspiration both Slavic folklore and Russian history. Arden really made Vasya's world come to life through her rich details about the landscapes, the people, and their experiences. Arden also perfectly captured the overall tone and mood of the times, especially concerning the role of women. It made Vasya's story that much more meaningful and significant.

Characters: 5/5
Arden has a very special way of portraying a single character through the eyes of other characters, giving them more depth and complexity. I love how multifaceted the cast of characters are in this book. There was a very real humanity to them that drew my empathy as a reader, even for the characters I wanted to hate. I especially loved that we got to know more of Sasha and Olga's backstories since they were not really focused on in BEAR.

Plot: 4/5
As in BEAR, this book started off a little slow. But I like to think that the slow pacing in the beginning was not necessarily a bad thing as it gave time for adequate world-building. I also appreciated how Arden developed subplots and wove them into the main story arc, while maintaining a good balance of action, romance, and intrigue.

Writing style: 5/5
Arden's writing style was clear, succinct, and very descriptive. I thought the narrative style as a whole was quite fitting for a story based on folklore and fairy tales.

Entertainment: 5/5
I couldn't have asked for a more perfect sequel to BEAR. The story overall was emotionally evocative and thought-provoking. It even sparked in me a new interest in Slavic folklore and mythology.

Oh how I love this series. Once you get past the onslaught of people with what seems like five different names and Russian vocab, you’re golden. The first book, The Bear and the Nightingale, was the same and I suspect book three will be too. It’s just Arden’s style and it takes some getting used to. But once you do? You’re hooked.

I think one of the reasons I love The Winternight Trilogy as much as I do is because our heroine, Vasya, is not motivated by romance or love, as heroines often are. She’s driven by an inherent sense of good and of what’s right. All she wants is her freedom, to “see Russia,” to do what she wants to do and not to be bound to a house and children, cooking and tending to her brood all day. A reasonable desire these days, not so much in long-ago-Russia.

Essentially, Vasya is a badass. She disguises herself as a boy in order to help the townsfolk in a village that has been ravaged by mysterious marauders who leave no trace. And while Vasya clearly doesn’t need a man, a man is unfortunately her downfall, just not in the way you’d think.

Magic, myth and Russian folktales come together in The Girl in the Tower to create a bitterly freezing but enchanted world worth Vasya risking it all to save it.

I loved The Bear and The Night but so often the second book in a trilogy is just filler. That was very much not the case with The Girl in the Tower. This book is just as wonderful, if not better, than its predecessor.

Vasya has left her small village home behind and finds that the world is both larger and more dangerous than she had imagined. The difficulty is finding her place within it. Vasya has grown so much since we first met her but her options have not grown with her.

I love how rich these books are. They are perfect winter reads filled with chilly scenes and dark corners. The mix of adventure and fairy tale and just a hint of romance make for the perfect book to curl up with a lazy weekend.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I thought I loved the Bear and the Nightingale, but the Girl in the Tower was even better. In this second book in the series, we follow Vasya's journey again as she struggles with the way a woman should act and being the hero when no one else will.

I loved how Vasya didn't wait for someone to act when she knew people were in trouble. Instead, she took matters into her own hands no matter what the consequences were. She is so strong and empowering. The story goes from action to creepy very well and the writing is excellent. I can't wait to pick up the third book.

I don't give out five stars very often, but when I can't put down a book because its that enthralling, it deserves the highest rating.

Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.

Vasya's adventures from The Bear and the Nightingale continue in this, the second book in the Winternight Trilogy. The book is very well-written. The character of Vasya grows as she experiences adventures and conflicts. The book is done in 3 parts, 4 if you count the prelude. The first part focuses more on Olga and Sasha, Vasya's siblings. The second part focuses mostly on Vasya herself. The third part is a blend.

Overall I gave this book 5 stars. It is very well-written. I liked the character development of Vasya. I liked the structure of the book. And it was very well-paced. I would recommend this as a good book if you enjoy historical fantasy.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

“Every time you take one path, you must live with the memory of the other: of a life left unchosen. Decide as seems best, one course or the other; each way will have its bitter with its sweet.”

This sequel to The Bear and the Nightingale was completely enchanting. I would love to have Vasya as a friend, but I feel that she would be too busy for me. Between saving her sister and children, Moscow, and being friends with a frost demon, she doesn't have time for anything else.

This book has the perfect blend of magic, history and fantasy. The Russian historical fiction is mesmerizing. From the beginning to the end you will be caught up in Vasya's story, feeling her anger and crying when she cries. Go read it.

The Girl in the Tower is the highly-anticipated sequel to The Bear and the Nightingale in Katherine Arden’s The Winternight Trilogy. It continues the story of Vasilisa Petrovna – Vasya – after her village shunned her and cast her out as a witch, leaving her with only two options: go to a convent or get married. Being a headstrong, independent, and obstinate girl who fears being locked away, she instead defies convention and rides out with her horse, Solovey, disguised as a boy in search of adventure. It isn’t long until she finds trouble – or trouble finds her – and she finds herself in Moscow.

The Girl in the Tower was a very intriguing read, and I think it was even better than The Bear and the Nightingale. The story drew me in from the first page, and I kept wanting to know what would happen next to Vasya and her siblings. Both of Arden’s books have been very atmospheric reads, which are perfect for the season. I think The Girl in the Tower was a little more action-packed whereas the previous book was more set-up, though both were equally magical.

What is it about?

Vasya has left her home because superstitious people do not appreciate "witches" saving their lives. All she knows is she wants to ride Solovey, her horse, as far as he will take her. 

Was it good?

Oh boy, yes it was. It was beautiful, magical, mysterious, clever, haunting, exciting, and more. And the romance, although subtle, was swoon worthy. 

Katherine Arden's writing transports you to the winter land that is Russia in the mid 14th century. Her story pacing keeps you on the edge of your seat without wearing you out. I think this is just a really well told and beautiful story. I'm very much looking forward to book 3.

I loved Katherine Arden's "The Bear and The Nightingale," the first book of this trilogy, and I enjoyed "The Girl in the Tower" even more.

Like the first book, this one is full of magic, haunting, richly vivid and fleshed out with fascinating historical detail. However, in this second book, there's less of the frustrating Father Konstantin, and more of Vasya's thrilling adventures (more Morozko too!). We get more details on Vasya's family history of "the sight," and learn more about the history and origin of the magic and characters of the "older pagan world" - Morozko, the Chyerti, Solovey, and more.

Spell-binding and beautifully written, this is the perfect book to curl up with on a snowy winter evening.

The Girl in the Tower by Katherine Arden is a captivating story that transports the reader to a place and time full of magic, power, political intrigue and so much more. Through the author's lyrical and lush prose, this fairy tale comes to life culminating in a story that I feel is even better than her first book, The Bear and The Nightingale.

I can't wait to read the third book in this series being released next year, The Winter of the Witch. I highly recommend The Girl in the Tower and this whole series!

I received this book for free. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are my own. Thank you to Ms. Arden, Del Rey Publishing and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I have never heard or read any books from this author before but the cover caught my interest.The colors were fantastic. This authors writing style was awesome and brilliant. I was drawned into the book from page 1 to the very last page. I just could not put it down!!!!I will love to read more from this author in the future. I will definitely be keeping my eyes open for more from this author.
A young woman wants an adventure, so one day she decides to take an adventure. Her adventure starts from Russia to mosque. From one beautiful country to another. From one world to another. Everyone needs an adventure from time to time. A way to escape from life and the troubles that come with it!!!!!!!

4.5 stars. I really enjoyed the first book in the Winternight Trilogy, The Bear and the Nightingale, but I loved this book even more. Vasya has fled her family home after a tragedy and has struck off on her own as a traveler. She is older, wiser, stronger and even braver than before as she seeks freedom from those who call her a witch and expect her to marry. The writing is beautiful and the descriptions are breathtaking while the characters are strong yet flawed. The elements of historical Russia are perfectly interspersed with magical elements. It is not often that the second book is better than the first, but this one definitely is and I cannot wait for the last in the trilogy. I received this book from Bookish First in exchange for an honest review.

I wasn't sure about this book at first because it is not a genre I would normally pick. But after starting I was caught up in the story line and the beautiful scenery I was reading about. The character of Vasya was such a strong female role model and I truly wanted to be her friend. Olga was hateful and I could not imagine being so disrespectful of my sister. My favorite character was Morozko because of the multiple layers that was peeled away in every scene he was in. The "friendship" between Vasya and Solovey was beautifully written with true feeling. All Solovey wanted in the world was to care for Vasya. What more could any of us ask for out of friendship? Katherine Arden truly wrote a delightful book, full of adventure, beautiful scenery and of course love in every definition. I enjoyed your book and I'm so glad I stepped out of my usual genres to read your novel. Thank you!

This is the sequel to The Bear and the Nightingale. Vasya and her horse, Solovey, have quite the adventure and is reunited with Sasha, her brother who became a monk, and her older sister, Olya. The Frost King, Morozko, continues to help Vasya. This book has some very gripping action in it!

I liked this book better than the first because the horse was in it a lot and I really liked the special relationship between Vasy and her horse! It seemed to move along faster and there were not a lot of new names to learn. I liked Vasy very much and liked how she fought for freedom. The magic was a bit confusing to me and didn't make much sense, but it did add interest to the story.

This second installment of a fantasy trilogy is as enthralling as its predecessor, The Bear and the Nightingale, expertly weaving history, folklore, and fairy tales into an exciting narrative of medieval Russia. Teenage heroine Vasya has left her remote home to pursue her ambition of seeing the world, but finds herself pursued by dangers related to past and present threats and to the supernatural creatures her special abilities enable her to see and communicate with. Caught up in deadly Moscow court intrigues centered on her family, Vasya comes to realize both the strengths and liabilities of her beyond-human gifts. The exciting denouement will have both young adult and adult fans eager for the final volume.

After reading the first about 30 pages through Bookish First, I'm interested. I like the idea of a "sequel" that isn't right after the first book. "Lord of the Rings", for instance, each book begins right after the first ends; you could bind all three together and have the same story. That style works for some stories, but I think this story benefits from a little time between "chapters".

I liked the first book, "Bear and Nightingale", and hoping the second continues the same writing style. It's like reading poetry within the story. I do have a problem, but it's a personal problem... I struggle to keep track of individuals with long names. This many characters with Russian names will make me focus.

Another brilliant novel by Arden. This is a sequel to "The Bear and the Nightingale". You need to read these in order, or you won't understand what's happening in the second book.
The stories are drawn largely from Russian folk and fairy tales, but have a fresh originality of their own. The characters are well developed and engaging, and there's plenty of suspense and danger. I couldn't put either one down, and I'm eager to read the next one. I think the title of the third book is "The Witch in Winter", not sure. It may not be available yet, but I think it will be soon.

I really love reading these stories about Vasya and her horse Solovey. This one goes between Vasya and her two siblings Olga who is a princess stuck in her tower in Moscow and Sasha the traveling/fighting monk.

This starts where the last one ends, Vasya is on her own wanting to see the world, but that isn't exactly what happens and then she runs into her brother Sasha and they tried to figure out who is burning down all the villages.

This book as a lot more folktale in it, and it is just as enchanting as the last one. Morozko is in this one as well.

Overall I can't wait to read the next one

I love the style of these books! It's so fairytale-like and imaginative and vivid. The description and dialogue are fantastic. The only thing I don't love about this book is the same and only thing I didn't love about book one, and that is the fact that everyone has three or four names they go by between all the nicknames and formal names and casual names. It makes it really difficult to keep up people sometimes. But that said, it wasn't annoying enough to keep me from enjoying the story. It mostly just slowed me down. It's not often I'll give a book five stars for slowing me down, but I so enjoy being in this world, and can't wait to own the full collection.

I loved The Bear and The Night but so often the second book in a trilogy is just filler. That was very much not the case with The Girl in the Tower. This book is just as wonderful, if not better, than its predecessor.

Vasya has left her small village home behind and finds that the world is both larger and more dangerous than she had imagined. The difficulty is finding her place within it. Vasya has grown so much since we first met her but her options have not grown with her.

I love how rich these books are. They are perfect winter reads filled with chilly scenes and dark corners. The mix of adventure and fairy tale and just a hint of romance make for the perfect book to curl up with a lazy weekend.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I thought I loved the Bear and the Nightingale, but the Girl in the Tower was even better. In this second book in the series, we follow Vasya's journey again as she struggles with the way a woman should act and being the hero when no one else will.

I loved how Vasya didn't wait for someone to act when she knew people were in trouble. Instead, she took matters into her own hands no matter what the consequences were. She is so strong and empowering. The story goes from action to creepy very well and the writing is excellent. I can't wait to pick up the third book.

I don't give out five stars very often, but when I can't put down a book because its that enthralling, it deserves the highest rating.

Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.

Vasya's adventures from The Bear and the Nightingale continue in this, the second book in the Winternight Trilogy. The book is very well-written. The character of Vasya grows as she experiences adventures and conflicts. The book is done in 3 parts, 4 if you count the prelude. The first part focuses more on Olga and Sasha, Vasya's siblings. The second part focuses mostly on Vasya herself. The third part is a blend.

Overall I gave this book 5 stars. It is very well-written. I liked the character development of Vasya. I liked the structure of the book. And it was very well-paced. I would recommend this as a good book if you enjoy historical fantasy.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

“Every time you take one path, you must live with the memory of the other: of a life left unchosen. Decide as seems best, one course or the other; each way will have its bitter with its sweet.”

This sequel to The Bear and the Nightingale was completely enchanting. I would love to have Vasya as a friend, but I feel that she would be too busy for me. Between saving her sister and children, Moscow, and being friends with a frost demon, she doesn't have time for anything else.

This book has the perfect blend of magic, history and fantasy. The Russian historical fiction is mesmerizing. From the beginning to the end you will be caught up in Vasya's story, feeling her anger and crying when she cries. Go read it.

The Girl in the Tower is the highly-anticipated sequel to The Bear and the Nightingale in Katherine Arden’s The Winternight Trilogy. It continues the story of Vasilisa Petrovna – Vasya – after her village shunned her and cast her out as a witch, leaving her with only two options: go to a convent or get married. Being a headstrong, independent, and obstinate girl who fears being locked away, she instead defies convention and rides out with her horse, Solovey, disguised as a boy in search of adventure. It isn’t long until she finds trouble – or trouble finds her – and she finds herself in Moscow.

The Girl in the Tower was a very intriguing read, and I think it was even better than The Bear and the Nightingale. The story drew me in from the first page, and I kept wanting to know what would happen next to Vasya and her siblings. Both of Arden’s books have been very atmospheric reads, which are perfect for the season. I think The Girl in the Tower was a little more action-packed whereas the previous book was more set-up, though both were equally magical.

What is it about?

Vasya has left her home because superstitious people do not appreciate "witches" saving their lives. All she knows is she wants to ride Solovey, her horse, as far as he will take her. 

Was it good?

Oh boy, yes it was. It was beautiful, magical, mysterious, clever, haunting, exciting, and more. And the romance, although subtle, was swoon worthy. 

Katherine Arden's writing transports you to the winter land that is Russia in the mid 14th century. Her story pacing keeps you on the edge of your seat without wearing you out. I think this is just a really well told and beautiful story. I'm very much looking forward to book 3.

I loved Katherine Arden's "The Bear and The Nightingale," the first book of this trilogy, and I enjoyed "The Girl in the Tower" even more.

Like the first book, this one is full of magic, haunting, richly vivid and fleshed out with fascinating historical detail. However, in this second book, there's less of the frustrating Father Konstantin, and more of Vasya's thrilling adventures (more Morozko too!). We get more details on Vasya's family history of "the sight," and learn more about the history and origin of the magic and characters of the "older pagan world" - Morozko, the Chyerti, Solovey, and more.

Spell-binding and beautifully written, this is the perfect book to curl up with on a snowy winter evening.

The Girl in the Tower by Katherine Arden is a captivating story that transports the reader to a place and time full of magic, power, political intrigue and so much more. Through the author's lyrical and lush prose, this fairy tale comes to life culminating in a story that I feel is even better than her first book, The Bear and The Nightingale.

I can't wait to read the third book in this series being released next year, The Winter of the Witch. I highly recommend The Girl in the Tower and this whole series!

I received this book for free. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are my own. Thank you to Ms. Arden, Del Rey Publishing and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I have never heard or read any books from this author before but the cover caught my interest.The colors were fantastic. This authors writing style was awesome and brilliant. I was drawned into the book from page 1 to the very last page. I just could not put it down!!!!I will love to read more from this author in the future. I will definitely be keeping my eyes open for more from this author.
A young woman wants an adventure, so one day she decides to take an adventure. Her adventure starts from Russia to mosque. From one beautiful country to another. From one world to another. Everyone needs an adventure from time to time. A way to escape from life and the troubles that come with it!!!!!!!

4.5 stars. I really enjoyed the first book in the Winternight Trilogy, The Bear and the Nightingale, but I loved this book even more. Vasya has fled her family home after a tragedy and has struck off on her own as a traveler. She is older, wiser, stronger and even braver than before as she seeks freedom from those who call her a witch and expect her to marry. The writing is beautiful and the descriptions are breathtaking while the characters are strong yet flawed. The elements of historical Russia are perfectly interspersed with magical elements. It is not often that the second book is better than the first, but this one definitely is and I cannot wait for the last in the trilogy. I received this book from Bookish First in exchange for an honest review.

I wasn't sure about this book at first because it is not a genre I would normally pick. But after starting I was caught up in the story line and the beautiful scenery I was reading about. The character of Vasya was such a strong female role model and I truly wanted to be her friend. Olga was hateful and I could not imagine being so disrespectful of my sister. My favorite character was Morozko because of the multiple layers that was peeled away in every scene he was in. The "friendship" between Vasya and Solovey was beautifully written with true feeling. All Solovey wanted in the world was to care for Vasya. What more could any of us ask for out of friendship? Katherine Arden truly wrote a delightful book, full of adventure, beautiful scenery and of course love in every definition. I enjoyed your book and I'm so glad I stepped out of my usual genres to read your novel. Thank you!

This is the sequel to The Bear and the Nightingale. Vasya and her horse, Solovey, have quite the adventure and is reunited with Sasha, her brother who became a monk, and her older sister, Olya. The Frost King, Morozko, continues to help Vasya. This book has some very gripping action in it!

I liked this book better than the first because the horse was in it a lot and I really liked the special relationship between Vasy and her horse! It seemed to move along faster and there were not a lot of new names to learn. I liked Vasy very much and liked how she fought for freedom. The magic was a bit confusing to me and didn't make much sense, but it did add interest to the story.

This second installment of a fantasy trilogy is as enthralling as its predecessor, The Bear and the Nightingale, expertly weaving history, folklore, and fairy tales into an exciting narrative of medieval Russia. Teenage heroine Vasya has left her remote home to pursue her ambition of seeing the world, but finds herself pursued by dangers related to past and present threats and to the supernatural creatures her special abilities enable her to see and communicate with. Caught up in deadly Moscow court intrigues centered on her family, Vasya comes to realize both the strengths and liabilities of her beyond-human gifts. The exciting denouement will have both young adult and adult fans eager for the final volume.

After reading the first about 30 pages through Bookish First, I'm interested. I like the idea of a "sequel" that isn't right after the first book. "Lord of the Rings", for instance, each book begins right after the first ends; you could bind all three together and have the same story. That style works for some stories, but I think this story benefits from a little time between "chapters".

I liked the first book, "Bear and Nightingale", and hoping the second continues the same writing style. It's like reading poetry within the story. I do have a problem, but it's a personal problem... I struggle to keep track of individuals with long names. This many characters with Russian names will make me focus.

Another brilliant novel by Arden. This is a sequel to "The Bear and the Nightingale". You need to read these in order, or you won't understand what's happening in the second book.
The stories are drawn largely from Russian folk and fairy tales, but have a fresh originality of their own. The characters are well developed and engaging, and there's plenty of suspense and danger. I couldn't put either one down, and I'm eager to read the next one. I think the title of the third book is "The Witch in Winter", not sure. It may not be available yet, but I think it will be soon.

I really love reading these stories about Vasya and her horse Solovey. This one goes between Vasya and her two siblings Olga who is a princess stuck in her tower in Moscow and Sasha the traveling/fighting monk.

This starts where the last one ends, Vasya is on her own wanting to see the world, but that isn't exactly what happens and then she runs into her brother Sasha and they tried to figure out who is burning down all the villages.

This book as a lot more folktale in it, and it is just as enchanting as the last one. Morozko is in this one as well.

Overall I can't wait to read the next one

I love the style of these books! It's so fairytale-like and imaginative and vivid. The description and dialogue are fantastic. The only thing I don't love about this book is the same and only thing I didn't love about book one, and that is the fact that everyone has three or four names they go by between all the nicknames and formal names and casual names. It makes it really difficult to keep up people sometimes. But that said, it wasn't annoying enough to keep me from enjoying the story. It mostly just slowed me down. It's not often I'll give a book five stars for slowing me down, but I so enjoy being in this world, and can't wait to own the full collection.

The Girl in the Tower by Katherine Arden

Star Rating: ★★★★★ 5/5 stars

Format: paperback ARC

Summary: The sequel to The Bear and the Nightingale, this book follows Vasya on her travels after leaving her childhood home.

Review: I received a free arc galley copy of this book from NetGalley and BookishFirst for review.

I loved the first book in this series, I wasn't sure if would be possible to love the sequel more than that first book but I totally did. I think the fact that the story was already established so we got right into the action of it rather than having to do world building or much exposition. I enjoy Vasya as a character and there was much more of her in this than the first.

The love story between Vasya and Morozko ended up being much more enjoyable than I imagined. I thought I wouldn't like them because the first book was so vague about their relationship but it was a real nice slow burn.

I actually liked Kasyan until the horse race. I thought he was an interesting character and I thought there could have been good chemistry between him and Vasya. Although, I did suspect when she ran into him in the first village she visits that he sent the men after her.

We get more explanation about Vasya and why she sees chyerti. And also the reunions I was waiting for with Vasya's brother and sister finally happen. I wished Vasya and Olya's reunion was happier than it ended up being.

The language in this is beautiful. The book is long but it reads fast because the story is so good. It keeps me enthralled in it, I kept wanting to pick it up and continue reading. The story is really magical, I love Russian folktales and I think this series does a good job bringing them to life.

Recommendation: This is a great series, the first book starts a little slow but the second is fast paced and such an amazing story. I can't wait to read the third book in this series.

I loved the first book so much I was afraid it would be an impossible task to follow-up. But Ms. Arden delivers!!! Great sequel. I liked the first one best still, first because it stands on its own, and because I loved the background of the forest and small dwelling. The second one takes up from the first and leaves all ends open for the third so I think it will be less enjoyable unless you read the first. And personally, I didn’t like the setting of big city Moscow and fighting as much. But it STILL did not disappoint. I read her books twice: once quickly to satisfy my need of knowing what will happen, then a second time slowly, to enjoy every plot and twist.

I loved the first book in this series, and I loved this even more. The groundwork laid in Bear and the Nightingale really pays off here. Here we get to see Vasya's strength and courage, even as she tends to make rash choices. I must say that I also enjoyed that the romance aspect, while still very subtle, was dialed up a little here as well with Vasya being older. It had that heartbreaking longing.

And Arden's language just stays so lush and elegant. It feels like a fairy tale while also fleshing the characters out so much more. I care for them deeply.

I can't wait to see how this story ends.

There are just some books that you tell yourself to read slowly and make them last. This was one of the books. I loved The Bear and the Nightingale so much, that I knew I had to make this one last and I had ever intention to. Then suddenly, I was on the last page, my heart tearing in two because not only was this just as amazing as the first book, but now I have to wait until the third. The story was fantastic and I loved learning more about the characters I had already grown to love, as well as meeting new ones. The writing itself was so lyrical and beautiful, that I'm honestly not that surprised I finished this so quickly.

The Girl in the Tower is not rip-roaring or un-put-down-able. It is not fast-paced. But it is lush and lovely and beautifully written, as still and cold and sharp as nighttime in the deep of winter.

It is a fairy tale, and it is Russian, and it is dark, and it is new and old all at once. But mostly it is a book about a woman’s fight for freedom - a fight that resonates bone-deep, because freedom is all any of us has ever wanted.

I *love* this book.

Pairs well with warmed wine, achingly cold water, and the creeping feeling of someone invisible standing just behind you.

This second book in the Winternight Trilogy well follows up the story begun in The Bear and the Nightingale. Vasya, now grown, takes on even more life as she leaves her childhood home to seek out the world on the back of her supernatural horse, Solovey. Set primarily against the backdrop of Moscow, we get a taste of the metropolitan scene (as it were) in contrast to book one's rural village. As with the previous book, Katherine Arden's swift paced storytelling, and beautiful writing sucked me in and had me hanging on every last word. In a world of fantasy writing where there are often so many wasted words in descriptions that leave the reader bogged down, and unable to continue, The Girl in the Tower has no superfluous words. (Can I get an Amen?)
This second installment brought to mind classic fantasy heroines like Tamora Pierce's Alanna, but remains a fresh and unique story on today's fantasy literature landscape. Readers will finish and immediately begin longing for book three!
I recieved an ARC of this book from the publishers through the BookishFirst Program in exchange for a honest review, but that does not influence my opinion of this book at all!

This is a fabulous book, on par with Arden's fantastic debut "The Bear and the Nightingale." For those who enjoy artful writing, powerful characters and a handful of fairytale magic, I highly recommend this series.

The Girl in the Tower continues the story of Vasilisa Petrovna, her horse Solovey, and her surviving friends and family members. In this book we see the evolution of Vasya as a character, perhaps more so than in the first novel. First and foremost for me is the writing - Arden has an exquisite sense of when to luxuriate in her language and when to keep it simple. The story moves at a good clip, though the first few dozen pages dragged a bit for me, as Vasya wasn't in them. She is the heart and soul of this story, but she is surrounded by a strong cast of supporting characters who firmly anchor this world for the reader.

Arden's characters feel alive, while still keeping that little hint of otherworldliness that makes fairy tales so special. We see Vasya, her brother Sasha, her sister Olga and even the winter king Morozko change and grow as people - not as plot devices, one of my LEAST favourite author tricks - from the first page to the last. Vasya has some important lessons to learn in this book about actions and consequences, but she tackles them with the same tenacity and honesty that caused me to love her so dearly in the first novel. *MILD SPOILERS* I was also delighted with the growing relationship between Vasya and Morozko; the promise hinted at in "Nightingale" took on new, lovely dimension here. (Yes, I am a fangirl when it comes to good relationships.)

My only complaint is that the book is too readable - though I tried desperately to savor the reading experience (i.e. not read through the night like a madwoman) I will have to wait until late summer of 2018 for the third in the series to come out. :( I suppose I will just have to go back to the beginning again...

Arden spins another brilliant and enjoyable book here! We are in the same world as the first book, A Bear in the Nightingale, as well as following many of the same characters and sprinkling in some new. Vasya meets up with her other siblings, Sasha and Olya in Moscow with more darkness and evil spreading over Rus’. Vasya’s heart and courage continues to be a force to be recked with. Her horse Solovey is one of my favorite animal characters of all time.

I highly recommend both of Arden’s books so far and can’t wait until she releases the next in the Winternight Trilogy. She will be an auto-buy author for me in the future.

I really liked The Bear and the Nightingale, but I loved The Girl in the Tower so much more! The Girl in the Tower is fast-paced and riveting. Vasya has grown so much throughout the story and has come to understand herself and the world better - and yet, she is still only human, and her actions sometimes come with heartbreaking consequences. I loved the perspectives of Sasha and Olga in this book, their struggle to understand Vasya and the events back home that they missed, and the limitations of their lives that conflict with their desire to protect their younger sister.

The plot and characters are so strong, and Arden's writing is captivating and magical. Once again, the wintry atmosphere is so perfectly described. It almost gives me a chill every time Morozko makes an appearance (and I love every single moment that he appears in this book). I can't wait for the final book in this trilogy!

Vasya is one of those characters that I live for! Smart, spunky, and refuses to give in to traditional female roles of her time. After escaping her village, because she knows she will be targeted as a witch, Vasya can either marry or join a convent, neither of which she wants to do. So instead, she disguises herself as a boy and goes on an adventure! I really enjoyed her growth in this story. While she still gets in trouble for shirking her female duties, Vasya thinks a little more of her actions before throwing herself into a situation. What is clear is that she will do anything to save those she loves, whether she has society's approval or not.

I love how the author combines the history of fourteenth century Russia and fantasy elements. Russian legends and fairytales exist alongside everyday life and the combination just works so well in this story. There is more action than in the first book, and the romance also picks up. I am really looking forward to the third book to see where all of the characters end up.

This story picks up where the first book left off following Vasya and her family after they left home. I want to say that I love everything about this story and I can not wait til the final 3rd book even though I know I will cry when it is over. As a child, I have always been fascinated by Jack Frost (Winter King) and this book has truly fed my interest. I love Morozko, his love for Vasya and hope the final book focuses more on this developing relationship because those are always my favorite parts of the story. I would recommend this book to everyone. My first read of 2018 and definitely 5 stars!

This is a strong second book from Arden- no sophomore slump here.

Vasya is so much herself here, while still being a young woman figuring out who exactly she is, in this world that doesn't care for women like her. She's headstrong (sometimes to her detriment) and passionate and it all rings very true. The continued exploration of family ties is well done, particularly across generations.

The developments with Morozhoko worked out in a way that I'm content with, we'll see how book 3 goes.

I felt some very real suspense toward the back third of this book, as the tension and stakes ramp up for both Vasya and Moscow.

There really isn't anything I'd change about the story, it's lovely, I just don't end up loving these quite enough for a full five stars (maybe the small cast?)

Review copy courtesy of Net Galley

What can I add to the other reviews? This is a terrific piece of magical realism with a young heroine who would be a terrific YA crossover read. Vasya is one determined woman- she doesn't like her choices so she makes her own. 14th Century Russia was clearly not an easy place for anyone, let alone Vasya, who has set out alone. This is a fairy tale and yet it seems very real. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. I very much enjoyed the first book (if you haven't read it, you'll be fine with this as a standalone but if you like this one, you'll really like it) and now I'm looking forward to the third.

I was so happy to find out that I could get an advance copy from Netgalley because I loved the first book of this series and this second book was just as good. I love Vasya's character and the fairy tale mixed with realism makes it a fun and good read. I highly recommend this series and this author. I love the way she writes the story and the characters. This is a continuation of the first book following Vasya (also known as Vasalisa) and her family and Morozko the frost demon, the king of Winter. Great story for the second book, easy to read and entertaining. Can't wait to read the third book in the series. I was given an advance copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

It wasn't even a year ago when I, on a slight whim, picked up "The Bear and the Nightingale." It was in the middle of winter, and here in Minnesota, that's a real thing, so the gorgeous cover with its deep, cool blues centered around a girl, out in the cold, facing inwards towards the cozy warms hues of hearth and home, struck a particular cord. But nothing could have prepared me for the sheer joy that was reading that first debut novel by Katherine Arden. This time, I was prepared. And yet...was I? Once again, I've somehow been blown off my feet by the sheer scope of Arden's abilities and the story she is weaving together in this series.

"The Girl in the Tower" opens with a few chapters from the perspective of Vasya's siblings. These first glimpses highlight not only that life has gone on outside of the strange and magical happenings in Vasya's remote home village, but that in this time period, across all of this space, word does not travel fast. And her siblings have their own concerns. Olga, living the life of an aristocratic woman in medieval Russia, constrained to a tower and seclusion, is trying to raise her two children, particularly her willful young daughter, while looking forward to the birth of her third. And Vasya's brother, Sasha, a wandering warrior monk, brings news of villages being raided and burned, their daughters stolen, to his close friend the Grand Prince.

Within this framework, we return to Vasya, almost immediately after the end of the previous book, still set on her plan to wander the world, accepting neither marriage nor a convent as reasonable choices. Even in the face of Morozko's, the frost demon and god of death, open skepticism of her plan, she sets off. Only to discover that he is both right and wrong. The world is filled with much more danger than she had expected, but oh so much more beauty, as well. Along the way, she takes on the appearance of a young boy for further safety, and rescues two girls from the same group of bandits that Sasha had discovered. After running into her brother and the Grand Prince hunting these bandits, Vasya finds herself living a lie that is full of freedom but doomed to not last. Olga and Sasha, alone, understand the true, political dangers of what their young sister has gotten them all tangled up within.

As I said, I loved the first book in this series, and while I was hopeful that this book would continue to show that same strength, I never expected it to exceed it. And exceed it did, in almost every way. This book was by far more action-packed. The romance was increased. The danger and horror were there. And the characterization, allowed to build on what came before without the pressure of introducing completely new characters, blossomed. By being exposed to the world and its realities, the beauties and, more importantly, dangers and restrictions that confront women, Vasya's former naivety is brutally stripped away. And yet she never loses her fierceness or her conviction that, whatever anyone says, this is wrong. Seeing their fiery, brilliant sister's struggle, Sasha and Olga, not the most conservative individuals themselves, are forced to confront the lives they are leading and the expectations and assumptions they've made about themselves and those around them. One of my favorite quotes, from Sasha:

"Witch. The word drifted across his mind. We call such women so, because we have no other name."

Further, I continue to love the mixture of historical detail of a time period and location that is rarely explored, with Russian folklore and fairytales, some of them recognizable, some completely, refreshingly, new. The tower from the book's name, for example. In the author's note, Arden discusses how locking aristocratic women in remote towers or wings of castles, completely removed from society, was a common practice in this time period. But perhaps most interesting, no one fully understands why this was done. And here, she ties this aspect of Russian history so neatly into a full-fledged fantasy novel that includes frost demons, magical talking horses, and firebirds.

And, like the first book, Arden's prose is simply beautiful. While this book has more action than the first, this in no way detracts from atmospheric style of writing. Again, the cold of winter, the darkness of the woods, the bustle of the cities. It is all gorgeously drawn landscapes across which her characters romp.

The story also fully succeeds as a middle step in a trilogy. It takes concepts and interest points from the first story (particularly the romantic undertones with Morozko) and expands on them, tells a complete and compelling story of its own (the bandits, and a surprising tie-in to Vasya's own familial history), but also lays the groundwork for the next and last in the trilogy. Vasya's place in the world is by no means defined, and where she will go, and what role she will play in the ever-fading mystical world to which she is so closely connected is still yet to be determined.

Lastly, as a horse lover already, Solovey stole the show in this book. He was the primary source of much of the humor of the story, but it is also clear that without him, much of what Vasya accomplishes would have been impossible. As much as I love the bittersweet romance with Morozko, I'm all in for the horse/girl relationship as my primary bread and butter.

Honestly, I can't recommend this book enough.

In many respects, I enjoyed this book more than than the first. Where the first had a lot of info dumping that dragged, this one moved quickly. The world was rich, and you got just enough information to really believe in the world. The pacing in this one was well done.

I enjoyed the further development of Morozko, and in particular his relationship with Vasya.

The one major drawback was the adult language. There were several instances of it, and I strongly feel that there was better options. It really was destructive for me as a reader.

A snippet of the folktale of Snegurochka:

Snegurochka knew that she could live forever if she chose, a snow-girl in a little peasant's izba. But...there was the music. And her lover's eyes.
"So she smiled and clothed herself in blue and white. She ran outside. When the sun touched her, drops of water slid from her flaxen hair. "She and the shepherd went to the edge of the birch-wood.
"'Play your flute for me,' she said.
"The water ran faster, down her arms and hands, down her hair. Though her face was pale, her blood was warm, and her heart. The young man played his flute, and Snegurochka loved him, and she wept.
"The song ended. The shepherd went to take her into his arms. But as he reached for her, her feet melted. She crumpled to the damp earth and vanished. An icy mist drifted under the warmth of the blue sky, and the boy was left alone.
------------------------------------
"'Why should I be always cold?' she retorted. 'You are an old cold thing, but I am a mortal girl now; I will learn about this new thing, this fire.'"

One thing that struck me right away in The Bear and the Nightingale was the way Arden introduced the fairy tale to the reader through character storytelling. Not only does it tie everything together into a lovely bow, it is a wonderful tactic to familiarize any reader with the retelling. Not being particularly familiar with Russian folklore, I was elated that she used the same tactic in The Girl in the Tower to introduce the tale of Snegurochka, the snow child who became Morozko's Goddaughter and helper.

"But some say she died," she said sadly. "For that is the price of loving."

It is very interesting how Arden retells this tale and applies its implications towards Morozko, himself instead of Snegurochka. His undeniable connection to Vasya, a human girl, pulls him towards the life of the living. Yet, his true nature is an obstacle that will most-likely could be the downfall of this budding romance.

Despite the fact that I was playing a bit of catch up, it was to my satisfaction that much of the indecisiveness The Bear and the Nightingale left me with was cleared up in the first few chapters. There still were a few small details that left me wanting for more explanation, but I'm hoping The Winter of the Witch will address those.

Moving on to things I liked:

#1 In my opinion, the world building is the most notable characteristic of The Girl in the Tower. The reader doesn't need to work at all to fall into the crystalline setting of this story. The moment I started reading, a wintry chill crept in and trapped me into this medieval era in Russia. The atmosphere of this book is everything. If you are looking for a Winter read, this series is perfect for that! You have (of course) snow, a snow/death demon, wintry horse races, and so much more!

#2 The entire cast is perfection. With such a wide variety of people and creatures, it's hard not to become invested in them.

Character Breakdown (of only more prominent characters)

Vasya's character is the perfect combination of a strong female character, that has some sense. It's a common theme to make female characters rather brutish in YA fantasy nowadays. Gladly, I never had this feeling while following Vasya. She retains her free spirit, braveness, selflessness, and is simply a delightful character.

When Vasya must leave her home, she decides that she wants to live a life of freedom and adventure. Morozko tries, yet cannot sway her yearning. Instead, he aids her to disguise herself as a young man as it was dangerous to travel as a woman alone. Although it was highly against the rules, her new identity of Vasilicii ushered her into the world of men, along with their politics.

Soon, she realizes that in order to gain favor with men, including the Grand Prince Dimitrii, she must prove herself. Time after time, she does. However, her growing reputation is forgotten when she is discovered to be a woman during a duel race with Kasyan.

Faced with difficult choices, Vasya remains true to herself and stands for herself and family.

Sasha: After encountering his sister Vasya disguised as a man, Sasha's morals are challenged. Knowing her precarious state, he puts on a front and introduces her as his little brother. He puts his own reputation on the line as a priest to ensure his sister's safety. (The things we do for our family!)

Olga: While her presence was quite apparent in this story, Olga didn't have much of an impact on me. Her character is essential, as it exemplifies the societal structure, especially among the upper-class citizens.

Kasyan: I had thought that Konstantin couldn't be rivaled in his vileness, but he has met his match. Kasyan, one of Vasya's male acquaintances along the road, discovers that she is a woman. He ends up revealing her secret to the Grand Prince, forcing her to choose between punishment or marriage. Vasya discovers that Kasyan holds a secret of his own, and is actually Koshchei, an old rival to Morozko.

Konstantin: While he was still just as despicable as ever, I felt a bit more satisfied that he sort of got what he deserved. However, I feel that it will not be the last of him in this series.

Other Beings: I must send a little shout out to my lovely Solovey and other creatures throughout this series. You all make it so much better! (And who doesn't love a talking, sassy horse!?)

Morozko: I had some issues with Morozko in The Bear and the Nightingale as I wasn't really understanding where his character was supposed to go. However, his stance was established quickly, and consistently. His obvious love for Vasya is undeniable, and heartbreaking.

Which leads me to the third point of what I liked.

#3 The romance is deliciously innocent, and believable. It's clear that there is chemistry between the snow girl and the Winter Demon. Unlike many fast-paced, no-one-uses-their-heads kind of romances, this one is nearly infuriating because the reader wants Morozko and Vasya to be together (at least, I do!) but there are so many obstacles in between them making it nearly impossible!

#4 The way this story is written feels historically accurate. Yes, I know it's a fantasy tale. However, before Christianity found its way into Russia, the Slavic (Rus) fictional character Ded Moroz (Morozko) held supreme. This battle between "the old gods and new gods" seems believable, as it did take time to convert non-believers to Christianity. Even though this is an underlying theme, these belief systems play a major role in the existence and well-being of the "mythical" creatures that add such flavor to this tale.

Things I didn't like:

#1 While I gave this book a 5-star rating, one thing that I still had a bit of difficulty with was all of the characters. While this was less overwhelming than in The Bear and the Nightingale I still felt myself trying to figure out, or remember who a character was here and there.

#2 This isn't a read for the weak. The depiction given of this Russia is brutal when one is a woman. Woman have hardly any rights, as shown when Vasya is discovered not to be a boy.

#3 Some further explanation would have been nice when regarding Koshchei the Deathless, portrayed by the character of Kasyan, and even the Nightingale. Little to no backstory is given on these characters' involvement in Russian folklore.

Overall, I loved this read. The pacing is fast and incredibly intense. I can't wait for The Winter of the Witch to come out!

Vulgarity: Moderate usage, mainly consisting of the B-word, as well as other degrading female terms.
Sexual content: While there aren't any specific scenes, women aren't treated well at this time in Russia. Basically, the moment a girl is out on the streets alone, no matter her intent, she's fair game to any man.
Violence: Moderate. There is a child birthing scene which is a bit graphic, and tragic.

5 stars.

A big thanks to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!

Girl in the Tower follows Vasya as she tries to establish a new life, not one where she fulfills the traditional role expected of her. As she explores her land and begins to focus her wishes and dreams we learn if she can work through the magic or if will it work through her. Will family secrets help to save those she cares about? Arden has built upon her debut, Bear in the Nightingale, and Vasya has grown in depth and skill as well. Her abilities and relationships allow her to uniquely face the challenges brought by the new Christianity that is forcing aside the long steeped traditions of the Old Gods. Can one young girl provide a role model to others who feel stifled in the tower? Yes.

I received an eARC of this title from NetGalley in exchange for a review. The FTC wants you to know.

An adventure Vasya started in book 1 continues in The Girl from the Tower. More action, more folklore, more romance, more political intrigues - book two suppresses its predecessor in every aspect or is it?

One of the most amazing things i loved about the bear and the nightingale - its darkness. Without a doubt the book was a visibly darker interpretation of Russian folklore, which made the story alive with images of night creatures crawling in the cold cold northern winter, growing even more colder, if possible, with every nightmare coming alive in the darkness. The other thing that made the first book memorable for me is the cast of characters. None of them were a hero; they had struggles on their paths and it was clear book 2 would continue with the question: what will become of Vasya, Morozko, Konstantin, Sasha and Olga? I was extremely curious about this question as well.

The girl in the tower starts with Vasya on the run from her home where she was considered a witch, thanks to the priest Konstantin's vigilance. She has two choices: either be burnt on pyre as a witch or to be send to live in a convent. Free spirited Vasya, of course. chooses the third option: to run away and ask help from Morozko, the frost demon. But Morozko has his own secrets and Vasya's path will lead her to a different from the initial goal direction.

I was highly excited about Vasya going into Moscow. The capital as beautiful as it is dangerous for someone with Vasya's gifts. Everywhere eyes, everywhere plotting and danger behind corners. Even Vasya's siblings Sasha and Olga are not the same people as they were when they left home. And a new mysterious lord Kasyan Lutovich— who seems to be hiding something very important- adds to the pile of intrigues Vasya encounters in the capital. To say that I am satisfied with the direction the plot took in this book? Yes. But was it what I wanted from this book? Not exactly. Let me explain. I thoroughly enjoyed the way Katherine Arden twisted the plot, but I cannot say it was enough to make me surprised or to call political intrigues in this book actual intrigues. Of course, without a doubt, for Vasya it was a new experience as she started as a naive country girl who wanted to see the world, and it's quite understandable that the level of intrigue suits Vasya's perception of the world at the given moment. Alas for me, spoiled with a more prominent subplots and vicious twists in books I am reading, it was not enough to be fully engaged in the mystery Vasya tried to unravel. I already predicted the outcome and knew beforehand every secret that this or that character hid from Vasya. It didn't spoil my enjoyment of the story or characters, but it made it a little bit paler, not so vibrant as it was with the first book.

But if the plot failed to surprise me, the characters showed a great deal of potential in this book. Especially Morozko. I already said in my review for book 1 that he is the one character I was intrigued by the most. Well, well, finally we have a glimpse of true frost demon in this book and I loved that he is not so pristine clear and goodie-two-shoes as it might've seemed in book 1. I loved every scene he shared with Vasya in this book and I am looking forward to his role in book 3, which I've heard from the author will be a significant one.

As for Vasya herself, I can say the girl is getting older and wiser. In book 1 she was still that naive young child who only was learning her strengths and the world around. In book 2 Vasya shows herself as a very reliable and strong character who learns from her mistakes and opposes those who wish to harm her or people she loves; she turns into a woman: strong and independent *whisper * though I still love that Morozko is always there to save her. Vasya is a female character I can add to my list of favorites. As for the romance, things are getting more clear and steamer, but still I need more development from that side. And judging by the way the book ended, we will have something in book 3 *excited giggle*

I don't want to beat around the bush: The bear and the nightingale is fresh and masterly crafted new series that already has a special place in my heart. I recommend it to everyone who wants something new and something magical with a bit of crisp white snow to clear - metaphorically - their minds from everyday problems.

Disclaimer: I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I can't wait to read the third, and quite enjoyed this book. I'd strongly recommend picking up The Bear and the Nightingale before reading this, as I don't think it would read well as a standalone, but I would also highly recommend this once you're caught up!

Spoiler Alert: the rest of this review contains spoilers for the 1st book in the series, read at your own risk!

I sped through The Bear and the Nightingale on the day this ARC arrived, and immediately began reading this once I had finished. I was entranced by Vasya's journey and could not wait to find out what would happen next. Arden did not disappoint, and Vasya remained true to herself while discovering many things about her maternal grandmother, extended family, Morozkha's magic, and so much more.

My only complaint, and it's a mild one, is that it's clear that this is the second act of the story. The first book passed somewhat more slowly, giving us insights into Vasya's family dynamics preceding her birth, then allowing us to learn of her as a child, before launching her into the precarious semi-adulthood of a 14-year-old young woman for the rest of the story, which takes place over the course of several months. This book contained at most two weeks of Vasya's life, and while it was undoubtedly full of action, emotion, and character development, I couldn't help but wish that there was a bit more time in this story.

While her actions made sense for her character, I found myself cringing at many of her choices. Perhaps if the story had shown more passage of time, her reflections on these and other actions, and more maturation of her character, I would have felt more sympathy for Vasya. As it stands, I had a harder time seeing her as a strong-willed somewhat fey young woman and instead found myself wishing she'd have a care for the people and spirits whose existences she carelessly risked or used to her own ends. Again, these things were in-character and exceedingly well-written, but I found myself cheering for Vasya less and less as the book went on, and I feel somewhat sad about that.

Still, I'm excited to read the third, and I thought Arden once again crafted a masterful blend of Russian mythology, history, and folklore that I'd highly recommend to anyone who loves fairy tales, mythology, history, paranormal, or simply excellently told stories.

I received an advance copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Oh man, I haven't been this happy with a sequel in a WHILE. The Girl in The Tower is a very different book than The Bear and the Nightingale. The first book spends a lot of time building its atmosphere, characters, and the world they live in. Therefore, it's a story more on the slow side; which isn't a bad thing, mind you. In the sequel, however, we see a change of pace. Since the atmosphere, characters, and world are already all built up, this book can focus on expanding; expanding on the world, characters, plot, and the myths that were all introduced before. It's more fast paced, more action packed, and develops all the threads introduced in the first book. We get to see the consequences of what happened in the end of The Bear and the Nightingale; since we're already familiar with Vasya's village and magic from the first book, now we get to see Moscow and its politics; we also get a lot of development on Morozko and his relationship with Vasya (the high point of this book for me, I love them); and of course, more about Vasya's fight to be free. In fact, this book is pretty much all about Vasya's desire for freedom against her society's expections of gender (and religion).

Like I sad, it is quite different from the first book; but all the themes explored here fit in the story's overarching arc. It makes sense that we got here after the first book. So, even if different, The Girl in the Tower is just as delightful as its predecessor. And with improvements: I knocked a half star down from The Bear and The Nightingale because I thought the ending was a bit too rushed and convenient, a bit too neat. In here, Katherine Arden doesn't pull any punches: the ending is as painful as expected, and therefore way more realistic; I like messy endings.

The mythology remains just as enchanting, and even if the first book had more "magical" moments, I felt that the otherwordly was explored a little more in depth here; old questions were answered, and new ones created, leaving enough space for the sequel.

One thing that really caught my attention was the way the author handled Vasya's refusal to "accept a woman's fate". That was already a theme in the first book, but it got way more proeminent on this one, since now that she's in Moscow, there's way more expectations and pressure from "polite society" for her to settle down, and either marry or go to a convent. I think these "female protagonist ahead of her time" stories can a lot of the time fall down the "I'm not like other girls" problematic route, so I'm quite surprised by how Katherine Arden threaded very carefully on this point. I do wish Olga had a more proeminent role in this book, but at the same time it makes sense why she didn't. My hope for the next book, however, definitely is more proeminent female characters getting along with Vasya (and a happy ending for Morozko/Vasya, amen).

The 2nd book in this trilogy. The Bear & The Nightengale should be read prior to reading this book. If you enjoy fairytales with a darker tone, (but not too dark) you will enjoy this book. I can't wait until the 3rd book comes out! I love the main character Vasya. The author doesn't fall I to the trap of creating a strong female lead, then turns her into a simpleton that needs someone to rescue her or solve her problems for her. Kudos to the author! I look forward to reading more from her.

Oh hey now…do you hear bells?

There are plenty of reasons to read this luminous, intimate, magical novel, the second in the Winternight Trilogy. You can read it for its badass female warrior, an anomaly in ancient Russia; you can read it for its impressive use of figurative language and unmatchable word-smithery; or you can read it because you love excellent fiction. The main thing is that you have to read it. I was overjoyed to be invited to read it in advance by Atria Books in exchange for this honest review; thanks also go to Net Galley for the digital copy. The book is available to the public tomorrow, December 5, 2017.

Vasya is no ordinary young woman. She sees and hears things few others do. Take, for example, the domovoi that guard the home; the priests discourage belief in such creatures, but they’re right there. She can see them. Then there’s the matter of her extraordinary horse, Solovey, who is nobody’s property and nobody’s pet, but who makes a magnificent friend and ally. And then of course there is the Frost Demon, a mentor and intimate acquaintance with whom she has a complicated relationship. But these are only parts of her story. The whole of it is pure spun magic that no review can adequately describe.

In ancient Russia, there are three kinds of women: some are wives; some are nuns; and some are dead. Vasya is determined to be none of these. Everyone that cares about her tries to explain how the world works so that she can make her peace with it. Her father is dead now, and so her brother, who is a priest, and her elder sister Olga both implore her to be reasonable. And even the Frost Demon wants her to face the facts. He tells her:

“Having the world as you wish—that is not for the young,” he added. “They want too much.”

Nevertheless, Vasya sets out into the winter woodlands with Solovey; she’s dressed as a man for the sake of safety. She learns that bandits have kidnapped the girls of a village that lies in her path, and everywhere she sees the depredations, the burned homes and ruined fortresses that have been laid waste by the Mongol invaders that have preceded her. She vows to rescue the girls and to seek vengeance, and as one might expect, she brings down a world of ruin and pain upon herself in the process.

A character like Vasya comes along perhaps once in a generation. Together with the first story in this trilogy, The Bear and the Nightingale, it has the makings of a classic. My one small wish is not to see it become a romance rather than what it is now—brilliant historical fiction and deeply moving fantasy. At the same time, wherever Arden takes the third volume of her trilogy, I know she can be counted on to do it better than anyone else.

Can this book stand on its own if the first title isn’t available? Arden ensures that the reader has the basic information necessary to jump into the story, and yet I urge readers to get both books if at all possible. To disregard the first in the series is to cheat oneself.

This reviewer seldom keeps review copies on the shelves here at home. There are too many books and never enough space. This title (and the one before it) is an exception to this rule; I will love this series until I die.

You have to read this book.

The Girl in the Tower is mystical and intriguing. As a continuation of Vasya’s story, it was engaging and flowed nicely. If you loved The Bear and the Nightingale, you will love this one.

My first thoughts for this one were of slight boredom and confusion (and my review may reflect said thoughts). It took me about 30% of the book before I really got in to it. It relied heavily on knowledge of Russian folk tales and gave little explanation. But, having thought about it some more, I found that I could put those thoughts aside when looking at the story as a whole.

Between book 1 and book 2, the story did seem to flow pretty seamlessly. My initial thoughts on book 1 were that I would have liked to have more Russian folklore and less Christianity. Book 2 gave me the same thoughts, and I realized that this is meant to weigh heavily in the story to show the oppression of the Russian culture. This is what drove the story and drove Vasya to fight for the things she believed in. This is what made the appearance of Morozco, and the folklore creatures so important and fascinating!

Once the plot picked up for me, it had some interesting twists. I was introduced to a few more creatures, and another character from Russian folklore. It had moments of magic and intrigue, and some engaging characters.

Vasya still held the lead in the story. She was brave and determined. She was caring and stubborn, and still made some dumb choices. She was engaging and fascinating though.

Vasya’s siblings, Olga and Sasha, were wildly different from book 1. They had clashing beliefs compared to Vasya. They were unique in their own way, but sometimes still annoyed me with their choices.

I still don’t feel like I enjoyed this one as much as the first. I enjoyed it enough to look forward to book 3 when it is released, but it just doesn’t get the rating that I gave book 1. It had really nice moments of mysticism and excitement, and had action and unpredictable plot twists, but I would have liked it to have more world and history building, and more enjoyable characters. I also realized that I couldn’t enjoy this one as much because of my lack of knowledge of the Russian folktales. That is why I was able to think a little more positively about the book when putting my confused thoughts aside (my initial rating was at a 2).

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I gave this book’s predecessor “The Bear and the Nightingale” three stars and what I admit is a rather hostile review for a three star rating. However as I indicated there was enough to make me open to a sequel. That sequel fixed basically everything I didn’t like about the first and kept most of what I loved while adding a lot I also loved and liked.

I spent a long part of my review for criticizing how her magical realist and fantastical medieval russia with kitchen sprites and church bells was absorbing, complex, and truly magical while the fairy tale/modern fantasy elements of the dying battles of old gods fell completely flat. I suggested that it would have been better if she had reduced or eliminated the higher fantasy and emphasized the more domestic fantasy.

Well I am glad Ms. Arden did not take my advice because instead of toning down or eliminating her fairy tale she just breathed life into them, and it turned them from dross into gold. She did this even while weakening the influence of the part of it predecessor I enjoyed most, the domestic fantasy. Instead she gave us a rather gripping grand historical tale of the intimate life of Alexander Peresviet and Dmitry Donskoy, with a grand fantasy adventure by Vassilissa, disguised now as the boy Vassily, through the forests and palaces of Old Russia. And combined this with a truly vivid war between the great powers of Russian folklore and yet managed in a truly realistic and psychologically minded style.

The book opens in the purdah, or terem (an old Russian harem) ruled by Vassilisa’s sister Olga now a princess in Moscow, their brother Sasha the legendary monk Alexander Peresviet has returned with dire news of the Tartars return. And political intrigue with only glimmers of the other, older world, proceeds. Meanwhile our heroine, and a great characterization of a noble heroine, now faces her true adolescence after having fled into the forest for a final time to die at the end of “The Bear and the Nightingale” now as expected saved once again by Winter. Their relationship has changed and this will drive much of the plot as new enemies are encountered.

This book was basically written for me, if you wanted a real world representation of old slavic fairy tales in a very real late medieval Muscovy this book is for you. But it is more than that as it is also a very well dobe coming of age tale, so well done that I have to wonder if it was my distance from childhood that made me not appreciate the nightmarish supernatural world laying outside as they were represented in “The Bear and the Nightingale.” I believe it is growth in Ms. Arden’s skill as a novelist that explains this as it shows in other ways. Her handling of all characters has become more skillful and realistic, her intimations of the beginings of the line between the natural and supernatural more deft, the handling of feminist and other social issues both more subtle and powerful, and the command of the greater arc of the plot and the integration of individual scenes is far more secure. But most importantly despite everything I have said so far this book is unlike the whole of its predecessor is an exciting adventure filled with the thrill of joy, wonder, and genuine fear.

I eagerly await the third installment.

I am in my 60's, with a degree in English Lit from a vey prestigious university. I LOVE books. But I think that Katherine Arden's books are the first hard-cover novels that I have ever purchased brand new. And I already read this one and the prequel first as library books. But I must own my own copies of these, because I will read them again and again. And I plan to pre-order the third. Pray that Katherine Arden has a very, very long and productive life. And thank you.

After reading the first book in The Winternight Trilogy (The Bear & the Nightingale), I was excited to read the next one, which surprised me. I'm not usually one for the fantasy genre, but this story and the character of Vasya reeled me in. I really don't want to give too much away, so to summarize the plot briefly, Vasya is defying the norms of the time in 14th century Russia. She wants a life of adventure, not marriage or a convent, which are typically the only paths for women. She and her strong horse Solovey (whom I worried about the whole book, as I am an animal lover), set out into the frigid, lonely woods to see the world and commit acts of bravery along the way. All this is against the wishes of the elusive and magical Morozko. In the first book, I hoped for a romance to start with Vasya and Morozko...you'll have to read to see if I got my wish! Again, I am not one for books with "nonsense"...demons, fantastical creatures, etc., but this is something different. From the beautiful cover art, to the elegant, flowing prose Katherine Arden uses to describe the settings, to the nostalgic feeling this books gives of fairy tales and magic, it is the perfect book for a cozy winter read.

The first book: The Bear and the Nightingale, was amazing. I was not sure if Arden would be able to maintain the momentum she started with, but I was pleasantly surprised to find the second book just as engaging as the first. I find myself anxiously awaiting the third book. This series is magical.

Arden has a wonderful ability to retell folktales in such a way the reader feels that they are reading history or historical fiction. The language grabs you so that you cannot book the book down. I found myself more engaged by this story than any other book has in a while. It was moving, enthralling, and had such real characters. I could not find anything I did not like about this book.

I am a huge fan of fairy tales and their retellings, so you can imagine how pleased I was to discover such a beautiful story. I cannot wait to discover where the trilogy goes, but what else this author writes. I felt so engaged by the characters. They jumped off the page. I became so invested in who they were and what was happening to them. I was sad when I reached the last page. I wanted the story to keep going on.

If you are a fan of fairy tales or well told tales, this book and the rest of the series is a must!

*I received a free copy of this book from Bookish First in exchange for an honest review.

The first novel was great and the second novel is epic! The Girl in the Tower is the second novel in The Winternight Trilogy by Katherine Arden. I don't read fantasy books that often but after the great reviews the first book received I decided to give it a go and I am so glad I did. Katherine Arden has created wonderful characters in an epic story that takes place in medieval Russia.

The story picks up right were the first novel ended. Vasya begins her journey of exploring Russia only to be surprised by meeting Sasha on the road. Soon they travel to Moscow for a reunion with Olga. From beginning to end, Vasya's story is full of emotion and adventure and I could not get enough of this epic fantasy.

I look forward to the exciting conclusion to this wonderful trilogy and more than anything, I look forward to Katherine Arden's next project. She is a masterful storyteller.

This is such a fantastic sequel. I am always entranced by the way Arden balances politics and fantasy and a younger protagonist without making it feel overwhelming. This picks right off where the other left, giving us more insight into the family. I found myself need to stop myself from skipping sentences at the end because I needed to find out what happened! The suspense!

Disclaimer: I received this book in exchange for an honest review from the publisher.

When I read The Bear and the Nightingale, I fell absolutely in love with this Russian fairy tale and Ms. Arden's writing. I really didn't think that she would be able to top that first book. Boy was I very happily wrong.

I was immediately swept back in time to medieval Rus when Christianity was replacing earlier pagan beliefs. Vasya is a wild and free maiden who was never meant to fit into the narrow confines that women were shoved into. Instead she decides to ride away on her horse and find adventure. And does she ever.

Again Vasya's character really spoke to me. She refused to compromise and get married as proper young girls should. Instead she masquerades as a boy, saves some children and comes to the attention of the Grand Prince of Moscow. As long as her disguise held, she was happy but all good things come to an end. She is found out and to save her family, she agrees to marry. She has such a good heart and love is really her guiding light.

I very highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fairy tales. It is perfect for readers of all ages though there is violence as there is in any good tale. This book will grab you from very first page all the way through to the satisfying conclusion.

*** I received this book at no charge from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions expressed within are my own.

I read The Girl in the Tower for the 24in48 Readathon and absolutely loved it. I appreciated the extra excuse of the readathon to devote my Saturday to this novel.

The characters are so unique and exploring the wintery Rus setting made me crave honey and milk. A real treat. Even though the cadence feels like that of a fairy tale, it takes you to unexpected places. I didn't anticipate where this story would go, but I am eager to see where it will go next.

I also appreciated the history captured here. I am a voracious reader of historical fiction but admit I know very little about the Russian transition from a pagan-based society to a Christian-focused. Arden took the familiar trope of a woman disguised as a man and played it out in an unfamiliar environment.

My only regret in reading this is knowing I have to wait for the next chapter. Fans of Juliet Marillier will love this and the first in the series, The Bear and the Nightingale.

By happenstance I fell into the first of this series "The Bear and the Nightingale". What luck that was. This is the continuance of that story. Katherine Arden has done a wonderful job of weaving Russian folk tale into a fantastical lyrical story. The author takes her time building her characters and unveiling her story. I have recommended this book to many, and eagerly await the next installation in this trilogy. The tales characters are embroiled in old superstitions and what the new religion is now telling them what to believe. Full of demons and kitchen spirits, priests and snow gods, nobility and town folk, and a main character who you will be rooting for, this book's characters are wonderfully written. Grab and read the first in the series and be happy the next one awaits your immediate perusal!

If you haven't read the first book, The Bear and the Nightengale, get both! Katherine has a wonderful style of writing. She draws you in with amazing Mythical characters plucked right out of Russian folklore. Her characters are complex and so exciting, you can't help being drawn in. I highly recommend reading this exciting new author. What a creative book! If you like suspense, magic, an amazing cast of characters and just great story telling, these are the books for you! More please! Thank you Kathrine!

I bought this book immediately after finishing The Bear and the Nightingale, and I wasn’t disappointed. The sequel is different enough that it feels fresh but it carries on with the same great writing and sympathetic characters as before. Vasya continues to grow as a likeable but still human character; there is a dash more of romance, which was done well and made me want more.

Nothing, and I mean absolutely nothing falls flat in this sequel. The story is just as lush and beautiful as the first. The story comes to life on every page, and I was enthralled from start to finish. I generally devour books, but Arden's writing deserves to be savored. I don't want to give anything away, but read it if you're looking for something magical that you can really sink your teeth into!.

I liked the second book about Vasia very much. In this book, after she leaves her home, her travels lead her to Moscow. The story continues with creative retelling Russian folk stories with cherti and other mythical creatures. It is mostly not very true to the originals, but with benefit of making some more sense. Vasia does not know what she wants for herself, by she does know she does not want to be locked in a convent or married and be someone's property, and she fights for her freedom with all the wild fierceness we saw in the first book. The book is written very well, with vivid scenes and characters. It is an easy and fast read. Beautiful writing and exciting story.

The Girl in the Tower adds to the story that was so well constructed by Arden in the Bear and the Nightingale. Many times while reading, either by myself or with my book club, I have wondered where strong female characters are that don't rely on a fiancé, boyfriend or brother to help them through. Arden has done this in both books and Vasya's independence continues to grow as she takes on a male persona to avoid two options she sees as being locked in tower. Again using Russian folklore, Arden weaves a beautiful story that adds to the world and has the reader ready for the third and final in the trilogy.

Arden's great characters, lightening fast pacing and overall in depth world building makes this trilogy a must have for any one with independent daughters. Without giving away too many spoilers the ending sets up the third act and honestly, this reviewer can't wait to see what Arden does to wrap up the story.

Continuing the adventures started in THE BEAR AND THE NIGHTINGALE, THE GIRL IN THE TOWER treats the reader to the same amount of charm and storytelling that was in the first, if not more. Vasya really grew as a character and I enjoyed seeing her work her way through the problems that came her way. This story was darker than the first, which made me love it just a little more. No soggy middle here.

While sequels can feel repetitive and dry, The Girl in the Tower was a powerful sequel to The Bear and the Nightingale and strengthened the story. Differing from the first novel, The Girl in the Tower has a fast-paced plot, mystery surrounding new and old characters, and the deepening of magic. I'm a sucker for romance, especially the forbidden and mysterious kind, and Arden has get this a-plenty with Morozko and Vasya. I guessed the ending easily due to some pretty typical plot conventions; however, I did not mind--the characters have depth and unique traits that kept me invested, even on the edge of my seat, as the action unfolded.

When I first found out that "The Bear and the Nightingale" was going to have a sequel, I was pretty mad. I thought it was a great stand-alone book, and even though I really like Vasya, I didn't want her story to get stale or over done.

Arden, however, does not disappoint. The magic of the first one carries over, in addition to having a lot more character development. And a lot more characters! The point of views vary mostly between Vasya, her brother Sasha, and Olga, with a few others thrown in.

It does take a little long to get to the tipping point of the story, but it all winds up being worth it in the end.

The only issue I had was in remembering everyone's names and understanding the nicknames and honorifics. I should have paid more attention to the glossary in the back.

I went out and grabbed the sequel as soon as done with first book (fair warning, it's a trilogy), and was not disappointed. The prose was just as pretty, the characters continued to be very well evoked (and bonus, more Morozko, Sasha and Olga in this one!) and the pacing was improved from that last book (which was my only, very faint qualm with book #1).
Highly recommended!

A beautiful sequel that lives up to its predecessor, "The Girl in the Tower" brings us back to Katherine Arden's enchanting dark world of Russian fairy tales. As compared to "The Bear and Nightingale" there is a lot more action and adventure, some more romance though I wouldn't say it is a focal point, and lots of character growth.

No one is as they seem including Vasilisa who spends a good amount of the time masquerading as boy in order to see the world. While she makes a good amount of mistakes along the way, she always has the best intentions. With all the intrigue and jumping from one adventure to the next, the story is captivating. Top that with Katherine Arden's magical writing and it is hard not to imagine yourself there.

One word BEAUTIFUL! This book is simply beautiful. Beautiful writing, beautiful setting, beautiful story, and beautiful characters. I don't think I've ever read a book that was just so beautiful!

This is the sequel to The Bear and the Nightingale, but The Girl in the Tower can definitely stand on its own. You should definitely read The Bear and the Nightingale, but you don't have to. The Girl in the Tower was so magical that I couldn't help but be pulled in. The author did an incredible job and I think I have my first author crush!

If I could create the perfect character it would have been Vasya. She's someone who is strong, but vulnerable and knows when she needs to be each of those. She surprised me at every turn and i just truly connected with her.

If you are looking for something you can just fall into this is it I promise you. I mean just look at the cover! It promises something beautiful and Katherine Arden definitely delivers!

I love Katherine Arden. There, I’ve said it, I do. I love her, but more than that I love her books – and this book in particular. So be prepared for some full-on gush. I love the way she writes, I love what she writes about, I love her attention to detail, I love her characters, I love the way the books make me feel – oh my god, the feels – but most of all I love Vasya, the girl with fire in her eyes, who defies expectations and refuses to live in a cage. Poor well meaning, destructive, confusing, magical Vasya.

Everything that was set up so brilliantly in The Bear and the Nightingale has reached its culmination in The Girl in the Tower, which in every way builds and improves upon its predecessor.

The stakes are higher and so was my investment. I was so engrossed I almost missed my stop.

Highly recommended: a beautifully told story, woven with intricate care.

"The Girl in the Tower" is an excellent addition to the Winternight trilogy. Katherine Arden has written another beautiful story about Vasya and her superstitious country, the cold and dark medieval Russia. Vasya has been labeled as a witch and flees from her home. She disguises herself as a boy and heads to visit her sister Olga. Trouble seems to follow Vasya everywhere she goes. But she is feisty enough to handle it all, or most of the trouble, anyway.
The frost demon, Morozko, makes his appearance as well in this sequel to "The Bear and the Nightingale." The swoon is strong but the frost demon resists his attraction to Vasya.
Arden is a gifted writer, blending fantastical Russia with history. I cannot wait for the third book in this trilogy!

This is my kind of fairytale, strong heroine, dark villains and beautiful magical creatures. The author does a wonderful job bringing everything to life with rich and colorful details, intriguing historical setting, and, most importantly, endearing characters. The Russian theme is especially enchanting. I can’t wait for the next book to come out!

Thanks to NetGalley and Del Rey for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
4 1/2 Stars

The Girl in the Tower is much more action packed than The Bear and the Nightingale, yet doesn’t lose any of the magic or charm. It’s a sumptuous literary feast for the eyes and soul and I’m eagerly looking forward to the conclusion, The Winter Witch, which is due out next August.

Fair warning: this is the second book in the Winternight trilogy. There’s definitely going to be spoilers ahead for the first book in the series, The Bear and the Nightingale. If you want, you can read my review of that book here.

____________________________________________________________________

Vasya has been driven from her village after the deaths of her father and stepmother. The options are slim for a young woman in medieval Russia — convent or marriage. Vasya, ever seeking to be her own master, decides to create a third option: to wander the vast expanses of Rus’ disguised as a boy, and explore the wide world now open to her. But the road and the places upon it are dangerous. Unnatural and vicious bandits are plundering remote towns in northern Rus’, and political intrigue and betrayal surround the residents of Moscow. Pulled into the events of the larger world, Vasya finds herself walking on a knife’s edge to help her family and her country, and to safeguard her precious freedom.

I simply adore this series. The Bear and the Nightingale was one of those delightful little surprises you come across occasionally. Expecting a typical historical fantasy, I found myself enveloped in a fairy tale story richly woven through with historical detail and living, breathing characters. The Girl in the Tower stays true to form. Arden’s careful attention to detail, and phenomenal gift for bringing fully-fleshed characters to her tales are undiminished in the second book.

Vasya has become a bit older and harder than last we saw her, but still retains her close ties with the many spirits who inhabit her world. Her choices and their consequences are rarely easy, and we get to see her grow and change as the plot moves along. Her relationship with Morozko, the winter demon is well done. No sappy love story here, but a subtler, bittersweet rapport that feels much more real.

If you enjoyed The Bear and the Nightingale, then you’ll most likely love the continuation to the story. Fans of fantasy, fairy tales, and magic should definitely check out this phenomenal and original series.

An advance copy of this book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I loved The Bear and the Nightingale, but I hadn't realized it was intended as part of a trilogy, so imagine how eager I was to get my hands on this book. However, I did have some reservations, because at times I think trilogies are attempts to stretch out a story over more books than it needs, often leaving the second book feeling like so much filler. I'm happy to say I did not have that sense with this book, at all. Since I also know very little about Russian folklore, these books are an immersive experience for me in a way other European-inspired fantasy books are not. Some spoilers to follow; since there is a pretty major plot point I intend to discuss here, I will be giving some things away, but I'll try not to spoil the central plot or most of the plot points.

The Girl in the Tower brings back many of the characters I knew and loved in The Bear and the Nightingale; most importantly, Vasya and Morozko. What I really love about Vasya is she is a character who does not fit in with her time period and both books reflect this. Not only do they reflect this, they struggle with it, moreso in this book, I think, than in the first. I liked the fact that multiple characters tell Vasya she doesn't fit in, and that she is presented with several alternative forms of escape, yet the book makes it very clear that none of these "escapes" is a real win for Vasya. Throughout this book, she has no truly good options, she simply must adapt from one situation to the next, striving to make the best of choices that offer her no real fulfillment. She exists with feet in both worlds, and this means she constantly flirts with what it would feel like to belong to one or another without ever really being able to belong to one or another. The tension, frustration, and longing this makes her feel comes through very vividly in this book, and I empathized with Vasya so much.

In my opinion, these books have a strong underlying feminist message, but that doesn't mean they aren't entirely without problematic elements. On the one hand, Vasya's being treated like an object of mingled desire and disgust by Konstantin in the first book, and her treatment at the hands of the villain in this book (whose name I won't use, lest I give a twist away) are problematic to me. There's an almost fetishistic turn to her treatment, particularly in this book, that didn't sit well with me. Yet it also makes sense, given the time period in which the book takes place. Male characters' reactions to her refusal to conform in the way women are expected to conform feel authentic in that it makes sense to me the male characters will either outright reject Vasya, seeing her as repulsive and unnatural, or will be attracted to her willfulness, as it would imbue her with a certain spice. The books create a world where highborn women aren't seen as autonomous human beings, but as property, so I could see how her "otherness" would make her a temptation to men who tend to see women in a very narrow light. I didn't think the book was overly graphic, but I still was very uncomfortable with two scenes in particular, both of which are extremely demeaning to Vasya.

Yet this discomfort may be the point. Vasya's pain is never discounted, and the book makes it clear she is the victim, but the humiliation and degradation she suffers also make Sasha, in particular, feel a very visceral sense of how painful it is to live in Vasya's skin. Social mores demand that she sit on her hands rather than act, and the books do a good job of expressing her frustration with her inability to be who she is, as well as her simultaneous inability to pretend to be things she is not. Vasya shakes the foundations of her society by challenging people's definitions of what women should be, and what they are capable of doing. Even the people who care about her struggle mightily with this, which I think is to the books' credit. Her refusal to adhere to traditional roles shocks them and makes it difficult for them to decide how they feel about her, and those struggles are very evident. Also evident is how bitter this makes Vasya feel, how while she understands why they feel as they do, given the world in which they live, it does nothing to dispel the terrible sense of betrayal she feels at people's inability to see her for who she is rather than defining her by what's expected of her gender.

Another element I find problematic in this novel--even as I admittedly root for it--lies in Vasya's relationship with Morozko, though I admire how the book handled this evolution, particularly in the latter parts of the book. In many ways, this is a classic trope: an impossibly old being falls in love with a young woman, which raises all kinds of questions about the ethics of someone much older falling in love with someone much younger. Aside from the age difference, Morozko is also a supernatural being, so there is a definite power imbalance between him and Vasya. The book doesn't shy from this, and though they're each developing feelings for the other, those feelings are messy and complicated. I also think Vasya retains her agency, as she is determined not to be entrapped by anyone, no matter how she feels about them. Her freedom is of the utmost importance to her, and she will defy anyone who threatens it, even if she is coming to care for him. I like that she doesn't just give in, that she calls him out for his behavior and doesn't give him a pass.

Really, this entire book hinges on gender dynamics when boiled down to its essence. Vasya is a hero, with all the complications her heroism entails. She isn't rash, though she does act rashly at times. She isn't eager for violence, though she sometimes finds violence satisfying. She doesn't set out to become heroic but rises to the occasion and does what she must for the good of others--but she can only do these things by posing as a boy, because women are not allowed to do what she has to do. No matter how much she proves herself, every man in the book will distrust and discredit her, from her brother to all manner of important men, simply because she is a woman. Her warnings are discounted as hysteria and/or witchcraft, laying bare how intimidated the male characters are by the thought of a woman attempting to claim her own power, even though their refusal to acknowledge Vasya's information threatens their own well-being.

Ultimately, what I think makes this series work so well for me is that it's messy. Things aren't black and white, and Vasya is constantly forced to grapple with what it means for her to try to grasp what she wants in life, choices that affect not only herself, but those she loves as well. Nothing is simple for her, and those complications make her struggles all the more compelling.

After The Bear And The Nightingale i had the highest expectations and this second installment hasn't let me down. It's a little less fascinating than the first book, maybe because the extraordinary fairytale atmosphere is no longer a surprise but still, i loved every page. The atmosphere is darker and the tension is palpable and i really want the third book now!
Kathrine Arden is an extraordinary author. I felt part of Vasya's world even more than in the Bear and the Nightingale, since there's more action and adventure and we get to know many new characters. Maybe i was expecting a little bit more about Morozko because i wasn't really fully invested in the romance since we get to know him very little but i also loved the pace of their relationship.

Katherine Arden returns to Rus of the 14th century when the Mongols still technically ruled. Vasilisa Petrovna (Vasya) can see the spirit beings and had to deal with The Bear and the Nightingale (paper) which resulted in her father’s death and mad friend with Morozko, Lord of Winter and death. She decides to travel with her magical horse dressed as a boy for protection. Local villages have been attacked by bandits who steal young girls. Rescuing some girls she meets with Dmitry Ivanovich Donskoy, Prince of Moscow who is also hunting the bandits with her monk brother Aleksandr. Vasya hides her gender until a horse race with a Prince reveals her. Dmitiry would make her The Girl in the Tower(hard from Del Rey), for all high born women, including her pregnant sister, are locked in towers, or even burn her as a witch. Alas the prince who tricked her has a plot to kill Dmitiry and only she and her brother can stop him. This is a lush look at the early years of Moscow and is fascinating. I look forward to the final book in the trilogy.Review printed by Philadelphia Free Press

I liked the opening of the story a lot. It hooked me into the story right away. From first reading it, I thought that it was going to be better than the first book in the series. I also like that Olga and Sasha figure more prominently in the story. In the last book, I thought that these two characters didn't get enough 'screen time', so it was nice to see that they get some more time to shine in this story. I'm also intrigued with the location, time period, and the fantasy element to the story. Since I am an avid reader of young adult, historical fiction, and fantasy books, this book seemed to fit right in my wheel house! Overall, I can't wait to see how the rest of the book and the series unfolds!

Truly amazing. Arden starts out strong in The Bear and the Nightingale. In The Girl in the Tower not only does she match the excitement of the first but builds on it. The setting is so richly detailed and the action is intense. This series was recommended to me as a lover of Game of Thrones. I could picture the book's climax coming to life on that show. Epic really is the perfect word. I can hardly wait for the conclusion of this thrilling adventure. Thankfully I won't have to since it's set to be released in August. If you love to read for setting like historical details or vividly realized landscapes this series is a definite must.

Holy. Moly. This book was sooooo good! I mean, I figured it would be great, considering how much I loved the second one. But, seriously. So fantastic. I don’t know how I’m going to be able to wait until next year to get my hands on the final book. I need it now!!!!!

The Girl in the Tower continues the story of Vasya and her quest for freedom from the traditional role of a woman. Disguised as a boy, she uses her belief in the old ways to fight against the evils told in the fairy tales. But her youth and inexperience cannot always show her how to avoid the cunning of the old demons who seek to eliminate the ruler of Moscow, as well as Vasya’s family.
I look forward to the final book in this trilogy.

I found this book so engrossing. It was well written and made the Russian folktales come alive. A fairytale for adults. Her description of the Russian winters woven throughout the story made the book feel so real. Absolutely loved it.

The perfect book for a winter evening! This was fabulous, as good, if not better, than The Bear and the Nightingale.
This book is the perfect blend of historical fiction, with a touch of magic.
Highly recommended!

I’m so glad I waited a year to read “The Bear and the Nightingale,” because it allowed me to devour Vasya’s first two story arcs one after the other. Thank goodness I only have to wait ‘til August for the end of this trilogy.

I simply love everything about this series. The second effort from Arden is just as strong as the first.

I devoured this book, and the 2nd in the trilogy; now I’m anxiously awaiting the final book. I enjoyed the strong female protagonist and the telling of a fairytale-ish story in a location I am not familiar with.

Magic lurking in the shadows. Love found in the most unlikely of places. Palaces and princesses. War and deceit. All of these things and more can be found in this Russian fairy tale setting. This book has a slow start but don't let it fool you! The more you read, the more you will be drawn into the wonderful world of Vasya.

When faced with the choice of marriage or joining a convent, Vasya decides to determine her own fate and leaves for Moscow, disguised as a boy. This second book has multiple new characters, and some of your favorite old ones, like a certain wintry entity, that add to Vasya's journey to and life in Moscow. Moscow itself is opulently drawn and the threat to it builds throughout the book. Some of my issues with book 1 are resolved here, this installment is not slow, but I still wish that we had more development on Vasya's relationship with Morozko.

Seriously, people. Writing doesn't get much more beautiful than this. Starting off pretty much right after book one ended, it brings in a little bit more of Vasya's brother and sister. With each book, there is a fairytale touchstone, and they way they are woven into the stories are simply wonderful. The first book has been a favorite of mine since I read it, and I can guarantee the second book will be as well.

As this is a sequel, it would be helpful to read the first book in the series before reading this one. Much of the character development - particularly for Vasya - happens in that book. However, it is not absolutely necessary. Both books are beautiful in their own right, and well worth reading.

I think this book will end up being a Top 5 for the year for me. It's just that good.

I hate to rate this book so low given that the first book was incredible. I was enjoying the first few chapters thoroughly, I had to force myself to put the book down but after a the first few chapters Vasya annoyed me with her repetitive stubborn antics and the book began to bore me. She had so many opportunities to make wiser decisions and selfishly puts her siblings in danger for dressing as a boy. The part where she dresses as a boy was too cliche for me, the kiss she shares between her and Morozko was interesting but short lived. The book went from adult to young adult in this second book and I’m quite disappointed. The storyline had so much potential. Frankly, I’m scared to invest in the third book. I don’t want another let down.

I can't believe the claim this is a best seller. Not sure what people like reading anymore, I guess. I felt like I was drowing in adjectives. Barely got past the prologue and into the first chapter. Maybe its the publishers?

Favorite book of 2017, hands down. Dark and lush and glittering. You will feel the wind howl and smell the forest and the smoke. I was already impressed with Arden's writing in The Bear and the Nightingale, and this book only improves on that high standard. Definitely recommend!

The Girl in the Tower is just as enchanting and adventure-filled as book one in this fantasy series by Katherine Arden (The Bear and the Nightingale), who again brings to life rich Russian folklore in the medieval era. A fantastic fantasy series for fans of authors like Laini Taylor.

I really have enjoyed the story of Vasalisa! I spent several hours this afternoon finishing the book! The story telling is masterful and it is a compelling story, hoping- can't wait till the next book comes out!