The beautiful followup to The Bear and the Nightingale. Part fairy tale part Russian history and all powerful storytelling. I love the powerful Katya and the rich narrative is all encompassing. Although not 100% needed, I definitely would start with the first book first to get the full beauty if the characters.

More often than not the second book in a series lacks the "wow" factor that first book had, but this is not the case for "The Girl in the Tower". Arden has managed to manifest more magical writing and storytelling in her second novel. Her strong female lead and unique take on Russian Medieval fairytales. The Winternight Trilogy is a must for anyone who loved classic bedtime stories as a child.

Ah, The Tower. Such an enduring symbol in folklore and fantasy! It projects an aura of not only protectiveness and safety, but also frequently detains and keeps secret its cloistered, maybe even captive inhabitants. In The Girl in the Tower, the second book of an enthralling trilogy, the tower in question is the locale of a terem, in medieval Russia a conclave of highborn women and girls who have been secluded away from society, ostensibly for their own protection from the depravity of men and society in general. This terem is headed by Olga, a matronly princess and the older sister of the protagonist, Vasya, a fiercely independent young woman.

Vasya, whom we met in the first novel of this trilogy, The Bear and the Nightingale, has never wanted to come anywhere near such an institution. She was a fey spirit as a child in the earlier story, seeing and talking with the actual household and nature spirits populating her home and village, and she hasn't changed as a young woman in this story. She most desires to be free (what many other people call "wild") and wilfully lives accordingly. As a young child, because she believed in the actuality of these spirits and wasn't sufficiently deferential to the social customs, the people in her rural village branded her a witch. When her nasty stepmother vowed to tame her (and get rid of her) by putting her in a convent, Vasya ran away into the forest, in the middle of winter, to avoid both immanent stoning, the common punishment for witchcraft, as well as the loathsome future her stepmother was forcing upon her. Through the patronage of Morozko, AKA Frost, the spirit of winter, AKA the death god, Vasya survives, but soon asserts her independence and, pretending to be a boy, becomes a "traveller," a wanderer seeking experience of the world. This is where we pick up her story.

Of course, such assertiveness and "uppityness" in a woman in medieval Russia does not go unnoticed, by malevolent spirits as well as evil people. The old Russian fairy tale of Morozko, expanded in The Bear and the Nightingale, turns into an enthralling fantasy story in The Girl in the Tower, with Vasya growing into a brave and generous young woman (though trying hard to hide her identity.) Society's pressures to conform continue to operate and Vasya must not only face the rigors and dangers of life on the trail, she must also avoid scrutiny in the cities, including Moscow, she so wants to see.

This fantasy, while full of exciting and suspenseful events, also takes up some serious issues - the effect of belief over rationality; the force of religion, both benevolent and nefarious, over civil society; the nature of reality; and, most particularly in this second book of the trilogy, the censures and strictures placed on a woman by society, limiting her freedom and demeaning her spirit. A pivotal issue is the notion of fantasy, itself. Vasya does perceive and commune with the chyerti, the various spirits of Russian folklore - the guardian of the household, the guardian of the bathhouse, the Midnight Woman who causes children's nightmares, the black bird who speaks prophesy, Morozko, the frost demon death god, etc. For Vasya and select others, these spirits are real and their forces shape the narrative; for the rest of the populace, however, they are the stuff of folklore, they are fantasies. The Christian church in medieval Russia actively battles these spirits, preaching that such entities are fantasies not to be believed. The effect on the spirits is that they slowly fade away, for they require people's belief in order to exist.

While she has been aided by a benevolent Morozko, Vasya, as she grows into adulthood, comes to believe that that aid was not selflessly given, but was a ploy by Morozko to retain Vasya's belief and thus ensure his own continued existence. Vasya's changing relationship with Morozko is but one example of her maturation and fierce independence, but her perception that she was used, voiced to Morozko, causes an internal dilemma for him as well: how can a death god rationally seek immortality?

I am enthusiastic about this book. Upon reaching the conclusion, I wanted more, and I wanted it now! Thank goodness The Girl in the Tower is the second book of a trilogy. I hope we don't have to wait too long for the next installment.

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

The Girl in the Tower is Book 2 in The Winternight Trilogy with The Bear and the Nightingale being the first book in the series written by the incredible Katherine Arden.

Vasya, no longer a child but a tall, graceful, wild woman, has fled her forest country home for fear of whispers of those in her village. Whispers turning bolder and more menacing, accusing her of being a witch. The death of her father still looms over her and questions she cannot answer for fear of being called mad, or worse, beg her to leave everything she knows in search of adventure and the wild.

Dressed as a boy, she mounts her steed, Solovey, given to her by Death himself, and heads out into the world to live the life of a Traveler. On the way, she learns that the evil that plagued her village has seeped its way into the far corners of the countryside, burning villages and taking girls at every chance. Vasya, along with the Grand Prince of Moscow and her own brother, Sasha, must try and rid the land of this evil. All the while, the secret of Vasya's gender, while known to her brother, is kept from everyone else, lest she is sent to a convent, married off, or worse - killed for her lies and immodesty.

This sequel surprised me in the best way. Usually, books in a series don't get much better than the very first installment, but Arden was able to surprise me with a much better book than it's predecessor. I wouldn't necessarily call these books "action-packed". That's not a bad thing at all. I was genuinely intrigued and constantly on edge, even without every scene including a sword fight or a brawl. Each line had a pull and a tense edge that kept me turning every single page out of mere necessity. I had to know what would happen. I desperately needed to see this thing through.

I worried for Vasya as much as I admired her. I cursed her along with her family and her elders when she made rash judgments, just as I whooped and cheered for her pushing away the bonds of a role that she never asked for. Yet again, the setting in this novel is another game entirely. The cold world Arden sets is as much a character as Vasya, her brother Sasha, or even Morozko, the frost-demon and Winter King.

I've never been one for a romance novel, and The Winternight Trilogy definitely wouldn't fit into that category at all, but there is a romance that I felt really put a jolt in my heart. It made me care so much more than I imagined I would. And truly, if there ever was a love story in this book, it's the love story between the cold land of Rus' and the people that live within it. The domovoi and the people it tries to look after, even when they can do little but fade in the wake of new god and icons.

It's almost hard to imagine that these two books are Arden's first novels. They read so wonderfully and every word drips myth and legend. Every page speaks of the old world and sets you so firmly within it that you can feel the rattle of your bones in the frigid country. I cannot wait to see what the third and final book has in store. Although, I am fairly certain that Arden will break my heart, but leave me glad for the tale, nonetheless.

This was a wonderful book to pick up. The magical and fantastical elements amongst the every day life of the characters was really well balanced. I believe that's Russia a long time ago. It felt natural and clean. It was interesting and well paced to where I was not bored with this story. I would definitely read more by Katherine Arden.

This is the second book in a trilogy that began with “The Bear and the Nightingale,” and which combines elements of a fairytale retelling, historical fiction, and fantasy. I read the first book a year ago, and had a hard time, when I began this one, remembering what was going on. The author provides some background sporadically, but basically I would advise this not be read as a standalone.

The story is set in the mid-1300’s in Russia, or Rus’, as it was called then. The country had been Christian for five hundred years, but the populace, hedging their bets, still honored the gods of Russian folklore, paying tribute to the spirits of the household and the land by leaving regular offerings to them.

Vasilisa Petrovna, called Vasya, can see these spirits, as well as other beings, and she can hear voices no one else can. She is the granddaughter of a woman rumored to be the swan-maiden of fairy tales, and who also had these “gifts of sight.”

Vasya is free-spirited and fearless. She not only inherited her grandmother’s sight but her father’s kindness. She talks to the horses, takes care of the household spirits, and becomes beloved by all of them. But in the first book, she ran away from her family to avoid an arranged marriage. In the process of trying to find her, both her father and stepmother were killed. Her own life was saved by Morozko, the Winter-King, or as he is also known, the Frost-Demon.

In this book, the relationship between Vasya and Morozko takes on new depth, as Morozko struggles with his feelings for Vasya. He knows that “you cannot love and be immortal,” so he literally faces a situation of “damned if you do, damned if you don’t.” In a nice use of metaphor, Morozko explains to his companion mare: “…every time I go near her, the bond tightens. What immortal ever knew what it was like to number his days? Yet I can feel the hours passing when she is near.”

Morozko wants Vasya to return to her family where she will be safer than traveling on her own. She tells him: “You may tell me to go home, but I may choose not to. Do you think that is all I want, in all my life - a royal dowry, and a man to force his children into me?” “No, I am going on. I will see the world beyond this forest, and I will not count the cost.”

Morozko asks her at least to promise to wear the sapphire her father gave her always, no matter the circumstances. She does not know the significance of the jewel, other than the emotional attachment to it she feels because it came from her father. Morozko tells her it will offer her protection.

In other chapters, we follow what is happening with Vasya’s brother Sasha, now known as the monk Brother Aleksandr Persvet, or Aleksandr Lightbringer. He is acting as a counsel to his cousin and good friend Dmitrii Ivanovich, Grand Prince of Moscow. As this book begins, mysterious bandits have been burning villages and taking young girls as captives, leaving no trace of who they are or where they are headed. The two are about to take armed forces to go see what is happening when they are approached by Kasyan Lutovich, a previously unknown-to-them boyar who also complains about the bandits, and asks for assistance in fighting them. Thus they all set out together.

After days of no success, the group takes refuge at Trinity Lavra, Sasha and Dmitrii’s old monastery, which is some 40 miles northeast of Moscow. To Sasha’s shock, Vasya shows up there, disguised as the boy Vasilii Petrovich, and bringing with her three little girls she rescued from the bandits. She is riding the magnificent and not-quite-human horse Solovey she got from Morozko. Sasha is forced, for Vasya’s own safety, to introduce her as his brother, all the while rueing the need to deceive Dmitrii. He takes Vasya to their sister Olga, hoping she can salvage the situation. Olga, heavily pregnant, is exasperated that she has been dragged into the deception, putting her and her family at risk. They are all the more in danger because, as Vasya discovers, one of Olga’s daughters, Marya, has also inherited sight. This could get her labeled, as Vasya was, as a witch.

Tension escalates as they discover who Kasyan really is, and the extent to which they all face death and the city of Moscow possible destruction. They are all the more at risk because Vasya gave back the protective sapphire to Morozko. Up to the very end of the book, there is no guarantee of who will live and who will die.

Discussion: There is a great deal in this book about life in feudal Russia, especially with respect to the friction between religion and pagan traditions. There is also a lot about gender roles, and the resentment of females (at least those not co-opted by socialization) to getting assigned to roles of less moment and interest than those of males.

Morozko, the Russian winter demon who was seen as sometimes a force of good and sometimes of evil, is turning into more and more of a sympathetic character; in many ways, he is the best character of this second book. The only mystery is what draws him so much to Vasya, who, like many teen heroines, is bratty, stubborn, and disagreeable even though she is spirited, brave, and more devoted to justice for the people than its rulers.

Evaluation: The prose definitely evokes the tone of fairy tales, and the historical aspects dovetail nicely with the plot and add a nice flavor to the story. There is a helpful glossary in the back of the book for Russian terms. I liked this second book better than the first.

Recommended for fans of fairy tales and historical fantasies.

Katherine Arden’s debut novel, The Bear and the Nightingale, was as charming and magical a debut novel as you could hope to find in 2016. Drawing comparisons to Neil Gaiman, Naomi Novik, and Robin Hobb, Arden’s debut became a bestseller, but more importantly, it marked the introduction of an incredible new voice, one that repackaged Russian fairy tales for a modern audience.

In the sequel, The Girl in the Tower, Arden’s lyrical prose and rich setting remain as charming as ever, as Vasya encounters new challenges and even higher stakes. Having fled her village at the conclusion of The Bear and the Nightingale under suspicion of being a witch, Vasya finds herself at a crossroads. Knowing that marriage or life in a convent could never suit her need for adventure, Vasya takes to the road, disguising herself as a boy and riding her magical horse Solovey into the woods.

But Vasya finds even more adventure than she bargained for when she comes across a village that has been raided by bandits, men who have been terrorizing the countryside, burning, killing, and even stealing young girls. Determined to save the kidnapped children, Vasya soon finds herself alongside the Grand Prince of Moscow, her brother Sasha, and her sister Olga as they each play their role in defending the kingdom from a mysterious new threat.

The re-introduction of Sasha and Olga adds an important flavor to the book, as we see where their lives have taken them since they departed the small village where they grew up. It is particularly interesting to see the way the siblings behave, and the similarities they possess with Vasya, particularly in the way Olga runs her household and the monk Sasha struggles to settle down, opting instead for the adventure of being a counselor and friend to the Grand Prince of Moscow. In fact, after the prologue, the early pages of the book focus exclusively on Sasha and Olga, creating a cleverly written moment when Vasya makes her sudden appearance, a moment that proved just as surprising to me as it was to the characters.

Vasya continues to be an easily relatable character, and you can see the many ways in which she has grown more decisive and confident since we first met her as a girl in The Bear and the Nightingale. But while Vasya remains relatable, she certainly is a flawed character who makes impulsive or poor decisions with easily foreseen consequences. In some ways, this proves a strength for the book, as Arden refuses to flinch from the heavy consequences Vasya’s choices can have for herself and her loved ones. In other ways, however, as Vasya’s mistakes led to predictable outcomes, it made the plot somewhat less exciting.

The worldbuilding continues to be a great strength for the series, as Arden takes Vasya out of her tiny village and into Moscow, where the grand prince plays a dangerous political game. For the sake of the story, and to maintain the fairy tale influence of the series, Arden can’t dive into the complicated politics of the prince, the Mongolians, the church, and many others that colored this period in Russian history, but she hints at it, making the reader aware of the wider world of complexities lurking just behind the surface of what Vasya sees.

It’s an interesting balancing act in a book that is, by necessity, slightly darker than its predecessor. There certainly is more action and danger, as Vasya finds herself in several battle scenes, but there also is greater emphasis placed on Vasya’s limited life choices. Vasya chooses to become a “traveler,” as she puts it, but it quickly becomes apparent that if she didn’t have the frost-demon Morozko watching over her, her adventuring would have come to a quick and likely tragic end. For women of this time period, Vasya’s choice would have been impossible.

Speaking of Morozko, Vasya’s relationship with the Winter King plays a significant role in the story. This portion of the plot didn’t especially do anything for me, but those who enjoy supernatural romance in their fantasy almost certainly will be delighted by the way Arden continues to develop their relationship.

For those who enjoyed The Bear and the Nightingale, The Girl in the Tower will not disappoint. Those who haven’t read first book in the series would be best off starting from the beginning – The Girl in the Tower makes several references to events, characters, and locations from the first book, and it may prove difficult to understand Vasya’s magic without the foundation the first book provides. Fantasy-Faction’s review of The Bear and the Nightingale is available here.

I loved this novel just as much as the first in the trilogy. Russia is the perfect backdrop to these stories with is natural physical wonderment that makes one believe in the unbelievable. I must admit that I dragging my reading out as long as I could because I didn’t want to leave this magical world.

The Girl in the Tower, second in a proposed trilogy, is even better than The Bear and the Nightingale, totally flipping the weak second book in a trilogy phenomenon. The Russian fairy tale elements meld perfectly with the historical details of life in medieval Russia, but even better Vasya becomes a more real character. When Vasya realizes her fate as a young woman is confined to marriage or to the convent, she chooses a life of adventure out in the wider world, dressing as a boy to give her more freedom to explore. With the aid of her trusted horse, she rescues girls kidnapped by bandits and joins her warrior monk brother Sasha and his men on the way to Moscow where she is reunited with her sister Olga. But Vasya’s disguise may not protect her from the danger of being discovered to be female and the ensuing scandal. As for the frost demon Morozko, his presence was not nearly large enough in this novel which I hope will be rectified in the last book in the trilogy. Fans of strong female characters and fairy tales mixed with the reality of historical fiction will love Arden's new novel.

Oh this is turning out to be a good month for me! First of all, I always enjoy Banned Books Week. I love looking into some of the weird decisions behind censoring books. Then, I got approved for two books that I have been dying to read! The Girl in the Tower was the first one and I am so happy Netgalley sent it to me!! Thank you publishers!

I really loved the first book in the series, The Bear and the Nightingale. The book is a wonderful story that reads like a Russian folktale. It is icy, bleak and utterly fantastic. At the time I didn’t realize that it was part of a trilogy, so I was so pleased to find out about this new book in the series. It starts off right where the first book leaves off…

The story focuses again on Vasya, a young woman who has affinity with the old pagan gods of Rus. She can see and speak with the household gods, sprites of water and woods, and has been building a strangely intimate relationship with Morozco, the god of winter and death. However, in this newly Christian community that singles her out for suspicion and distrust. If the villagers only knew how close she is getting to Morozko, that would be the end of her.

Vasya herself is a wonderful character. She is fiercely independent but not fearless. At times confused and impetuous, she makes some grave mistakes. I love her even more for that. She is also a very consistent character. It is easy to see how the headstrong little girl from book one developed into this bold young woman in book two.

Being a woman in this time and place was exceedingly dangerous. Ms. Arden demonstrates for the reader how virtually impossible life in Rus would be for someone as independent as Vasya. A young girl grows up with only the prospect of marriage in her future. Marriage is it’s own kind of prison. Women are sequestered in their dwellings, not allowed freedom of movement or expression. The only alternative to marriage is to live in the convent, just more of the same. Being born a woman came with a life sentence, imprisonment with hard labor.

One thing Vasya is sure of, that will not be her eventuality. I do not know how she will be able to avoid her fate, but she is resourceful and courageous. I can’t wait to see what happens next, I am dying for the next book and this one isn’t even out yet! I recommend it to everyone who loves fantasy, folk tales, and excellent writing.

Song for this book: Fear by Sarah McLachlan

"Do you think that anyone, in all this world of yours, cares what you want? Even princes don't have what they want and neither do maidens."

Where do I even begin with this book? I spent last night clinging to the last pages because I didn't want it to end and when I did I had a real ache - a severe book hangover. That is what I love about Katherine Arden, not only did she deliver a grand debut novel, but this sequel was just as good if not better than her debut.

I finished this book with my heart in my hand and a wonderful ache for more of this world.

In this installment Vasya is on a mission to explore the world, she doesn't want to be bound simply because she is a female in these harsh times so she sets out dressed as a boy in fine clothing and along the way, trouble finds her - as it always does. Soon, she is tasked with the mission to save the Grand Prince and those dear to the family, but can she keep her identity as a girl a secret? Or will it tumble out and endanger those she loves?

Honestly, there was not a bad line in the book. I marked so many passages down because I couldn't decide which to choose.

"I carve things of wood because things made by effort are more real than things made by wishing."

Morozko, the frost demon, and Winter-King is back, his presence is stronger in the book, his story more extensive but still enough to keep a reader wanting more. I fell in love with him in the prior book and for those who are wondering -- if you loved him then you will love him more now. He is such a strong character but has vulnerabilities even as an immortal.

Vasya has grown by leaps and bounds and she even continues to do so, sometimes her headstrong behavior can come across as irritating because she wants to do it all and prove herself - which allows her character to develop and grow so it adds real depth to her.

It shows how strong womankind was in these times, silenced they might have been and tossed aside to be shoved in towers or rooms, they were still strong individuals.

"Only boys and fools think men are first in courage. We do not bear children."

Let's not forget beyond character growth and development, Arden created this world that as a reader, I could nearly taste the air and feel the elements as I was plunged into the world. Vivid and riveting, I was captivated by the first page. It is something Brian Froud & Jim Henson would have had a field day with. The eeriness, the dark fantasy that is presented in stunning prose. I absolutely cherish Arden's storytelling capabilities.

I highly recommend this. Indulge in beautiful storytelling. I sincerely wish I could give more than 5 stars.

The Bear and the Nightingale was one of my favorite books from the beginning of this year and I was a little afraid that the sequel wouldn't live up to wonder and magic of the first, but it does. Instead of the deep backwoods village of the first, we spend most of this book in Moscow and we get more of Vasya's siblings, especially in Part One. I spent a lot of the book wanting to shake some sense into Vasya, but it was always because I loved the book and the character, not because I was angry about it. I cannot recommend this trilogy enough.

I really enjoyed this story set in Russia and dealing with Winter and finding one's place in life. Great story. I really enjoyed seeing Winter thawing because he was in love with her.

4 ½ stars

The first book was a dark fantasy that felt very much like a re-imagining of a fairy tale. This book however felt like an adventure story, still full of magic and mystery and Russian folklore but a lot more fast paced than the first book.

The beautiful writing was just as strong and Vasya has become more than just a girl that stands up against society’s expectations of a woman, she is busy finding herself and succeeding.
But deception, even with the best of intentions is still deception. There are hard lessons along the way and she faces them mostly alone.
I liked that the story also showed the bigger picture of medieval Muscovy, showing the political landscape as well as elaborating on Vasya’s older siblings, Olga and Sasha.

A sequel sometimes takes a bit of time to find its own rhythm, not entirely keeping up with the momentum created in the first book but this one does not suffer this fate at all!

I think anyone who loved The Bear and The Nightingale will not be disappointed with this one and I can’t wait for the next book in this amazing series.

Both luminous and gritty, this sequel to The Bear and the Nightingale follows Vasilia as she takes the lessons she learned in her home village to Moscow. The Middle Ages were as liminal there, as everywhere. The old gods were being displaced by Christianity, which had succumbed to politics, and its constant companion, greed, but they still could protect - or harm - if properly approached with respect, small gifts, and kindness. Disguised as a boy, Vasya battles mysterious forces and earthly corruption that would destroy the city and consign her to a convent or forced marriage.

The reader should read The Bear and the Nightingale first, to acquaint herself with the culture of this series. She won't be disappointed.

It occurs to me that this book also belongs in the company of Neil Gaiman's American Gods, since the theme of old v. new gods is similar, although played out differently.

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.

The Girl in the Tower is the second book of a series by Katherine Arden. I read the first book The Bear and the Nightingale and loved it. This is the story of Vasya a girl who can see the old spirits in Russia. After her father and stepmother are killed Vasya flees from her home and begins to explore the world. She disguises herself as a boy but soon finds herself in situations that could be the end of her life if she is discovered. She soon finds herself in Moscow and friend with the Grand Prince. When Moscow finds itself under siege from outside forces Vasya must use her knowledge of the old world to save herself, her family, and Russia.

This book is a gripping adventure from start to finish. Arden does a fabulous job of weaving together the old and new world in Russia. Her description of the wilderness and Moscow itself helps the reader to visualize the world in which Vasya lives. Vasya's relationship with the Frost King is touching and frightening at the same time. Anyone who loves adventure will surely love this book.

Following on the heels of her captivating first novel, The Bear and the Nightingale, author Katherine Arden has crafted an engaging and addictive story continuing the saga of her main heroine, Vasya. Given Vasya’s gift of seeing the unseen creatures of folktales and her complex relationship with the frost demon Morozko, her attempts to belong anywhere prove futile. When allegations of her being a witch continue to haunt her at home in Lesnaya Zemlya, Vasya sets out to see the world, and her sister Olga, in Moscow. But other forces are at work and Vasya soon finds herself heavily invested in a battle against one known as The Sorcerer, the outcome of which could mean life or death for her and her family. If Vasya is to succeed, she must adapt to the fights of men and grapple with her own choice to eschew the traditional female path.

In The Girl in the Tower, Arden has conjured up an evocative journey of Russia and the historical time period in which it is set, including the Golden Horde’s control over Russia. At the same time, she has kept true to the folklore-based creatures that Vasya communes with, and it is these two worlds colliding that makes for an epic tale of adventure with battles, coups, and plots surging throughout. Arden displays a true gift with words that instantly casts a spell over the reader. Part Russian fairytale, part historical fiction and part adventure tale, The Girl in the Tower, is a winning mix reminiscent of Neil Gaiman’s Stardust and yet, uniquely different in its own right. Flawlessly written; spellbinding from the first page.

My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced ARC of this story.

I have been looking forward to reading this book for months and was very excited to find it as an ARC. The Girl in the Tower is a fantastic sequel to The Bear and the Nightingale. The story has fantastic pacing, action mixed with slower periods of conversation and introspection. Arden is a master at making her characters come to life with different personalities and beliefs, Her prose in describing the cold, unforgiving Russian landscape is wonderful. I can't wait to read the third book in this series.