Didn't know this was a book 2 out of the series, so I got to read that one first sorry! So I can't review this book for you guys- which makes me sad because it sounded good!

The Girl in the Tower is the sequel to Katherine Arden's The Bear and the Nightingale. This is my favorite type of fantasy, with a lush setting and lyrical writing that is reminiscent of fairy tales. It's the perfect follow up to the first book in the series, with everything readers loved about the first but deeper, with the story becoming more involved. The story is multi-faceted and layered, and is a splendid and accomplished second book of the series. Readers will be thinking about it long after they finish. There will be a third book in the series to look forward to.

I loved this book. Absolutely loved it. I really liked the first book in the series, The Bear and The Nightingale, so I was looking forward to reading this second installment. I enjoyed this book even more than the first. I was completely swept away by the story and wanted to savor every word. I honestly didn't want the story to end. This is the kind of book that made me fall in love with reading and I know that I will reading this story again in the future.

Vasya is such a wonderful character. She doesn't quite fit in with what would be expected of a proper lady. She actually spends most of this book posing as a boy. She doesn't want the life that would be expected of her as a lady. She wants to see the world and do some good. She does what is right even when those actions put her at risk.

Vasya strikes out on her own along with her trusted horse, Solovey. Solovey is quite the traveling companion and is really a strong character throughout the story. She finds villages that have been burned with many dead and their daughters taken by bandits. She sets out to find the girls of a village after some advice from one of the local spirits. One thing leads to another and she ends up seeking refuge in the same location as her brother and the Grand Prince.

It was great to see Vasya's brother, Sasha, and her sister, Olga, both have important roles in this story. Vasya's actions will not only have an impact on her own life but could also influence how people see her family members. Another character that I really enjoyed in this book was Morozko, the frost demon. He is drawn to Vasya and his feelings for her are complicated.

This book pulled me in almost immediately and never let go. There was so much excitement in the overall story. There are battles and violent scenes offset by moments of tenderness and caring. The descriptions really brought the story to life. The writing was absolutely wonderful.

I would highly recommend this book to others. This is the second book of a trilogy that really needs to be read in order because the events of the first book are often discussed. I found this book to be a simply wonderful fairy tale of a story. I can't wait to see what happens next in the trilogy!

I received an advance reader edition of this book from Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine Del Ray directly and through NetGalley.

I absolutely adored this book! Proper review to come.

*I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
Be still my heart. I devoured The Bear and the Nightingale, it was one of my favorite books of last year (I snagged a copy at BookCon Chicago, 2016). I can't begin to explain how excited I was to hear it was going to be a trilogy, and when I was offered an ARC not too long after. This sequel was perfect, no second-book syndrome here.
The story begins many years after the first and we’re able to see how the characters have developed and their lives changed since the first book. Olga is a mother now, running her own castle while her husband is away. Sasha has become a warrior priest and is close with the Grand Prince of Moscow. Vasya, still as free-spirited and strong-willed as ever, has grown into a woman ready for an adventure outside of her home village with Solovey, her noble horse.
Vasya's relationship with Morozko has deepened since the last book, which I absolutely adore, and follows her through her adventure. I love that it was perfectly paced and wasn’t the central focus of the book. The way they are together is just perfect for the romance lover in me.
The side characters are well developed and I actually care to see how they help shape the next story in this series, especially since we’re introduced to more spirits during Vasya’s travels. Also because so much of the story going on depends on their actions after the way this book ended!
I’m not very familiar with Russian fairy tales, but this retelling is one I thoroughly enjoyed and am left waiting for more.

Katherine Arden follows up her debut novel with the second book in her Winternight Trilogy, a fantasy series that mingles Russian mythology with medieval Russian history. The series centers around Vasilisa Petrovna, descended from witches and from lords, as she attempts to protect the Russian people from demonic forces, even as the pagan world she inhabits is fading as Christianity rises.

If you have not read the first book, you definitely need to start there. This is very much a sequel and the events of the first book lead directly into this one. But where The Bear & The Nightingale was saturated with a fairy tale quality, set deep in the woods where household spirits and mythical forest creatures are still very much a part of daily life, The Girl in the Tower starts to get real.

In the city, Vasya is out of her element. The household spirits are faded to the point that they are barely there. And she is forced to live a lie that could mean death if she's found out. At home, she spent her days in the forest and fought demons. In Moscow, she spends her days pretending to be a boy and trying to navigate the unfamiliar politics of princes and lords. But in the end, Moscow is threatened by more than their mortal enemies, the Tatars and Mongols. There is a darker power that has its sights on Moscow and only Vasya's talents can save the city.

Somehow, I found this story of Vasya contending with the real world far more stressful to read than her battle with the demon of the first book. But it also made me more invested as a reader. I needed to see how Vasya would resolve her situation, and towards the end, fascinating hints are dropped about Vasya's ancestry. Looking forward, it seems we still have a lot to learn about where Vasya really comes from and where she's ultimately going. I'm hoping that in the third book, we'll finally see Buyan, the mysterious disappearing island where Vasya longs to go.

The Girl in the Tower
The Winternight Trilogy #2
By Katherine Arden

This is the delightful sequel to The Bear and the Nightingale. Picking up where the previous book ended with Vasya returning to the hidden forest home of Morozko. But this is not the beginning of this part of the story.

Remote peasant villages are being destroyed - burned to the ground, peasants killed, and select girls spirited away. But all traces of these marauders vanish almost as soon as they leave as if they had never been. Vasya's brother Sasha with the Grand Prince of Moscow Dmitrii Ivanovich upon receiving a plea for help in hunting this threat head out into the wildness. But nothing of these bandits can be discovered until a lone horse bearing a most unusual and unexpected rider.

Fleeing her home following the death of her father and her sole protection Vasya has determined to see the world that lies beyond what she has always known. Morozko warns against such a dangerous undertaking but Vasya being Vasya pays little heed to his efforts to turn her to home. The world is full of wonders that she never imagined and unexpected dangers. When her path crosses that of her brother Vasya presents herself as the brother that Sasha left behind eight years previous.

Soon Vasya is on the road to Moscow at the side of Sasha and Dmitrii. But disguising herself as a young man comes with its own dangers and more than her life is at risk if she cannot keep her secret. But keeping in the shadows and not drawing attention to her very person is not something Vasya excels at. But Moscow needs Vasya and her gift of sight. For a threat has come to the kingdom and no one seems able to see its true source.

If Vasya's true identity is revealed all could be lost and Moscow could fall into the hands of an ancient foe.

In a world in which women were expected to marry or enter the convent, Vasya is an oddity. She refuses to be something other than what she wants to be but her defiance could cost her everything. This is a medieval Russian fairytale that is filled with a hidden spirit world that is losing ground in the minds of the people. But Vasya's life has been filled with the listening of these tales and unlike most she believes.

The Girl in the Tower is for those who have a fondness for tales of folklore and impossible love. Set in Russia before the days of the Czar this story has a feel about it that captivates the reader as Vasya learns who she is at her heart. Morozko is a character that one can't get a true feel for but he is of two personalities - the being Vasya knows and the being of lore.

If you have not yet read The Bear and the Nightingale it is a must to read this book first. Without this background, one will not fully grasp the story or the characters and how they fit together in this setting. With winter soon to be upon us what better way to appreciate a warm cup of cider and a cozy blanket than to enter the world of the winter-king.

I was provided an advanced review copy of this book by the publisher with no expectation of a review positive or otherwise. All opinions expressed are my own.

The Girl in the Tower by Katherine Arden is the second novel in the Winternight Trilogy. The first book in the series, The Bear and the Nightingale, earned a rare five rocket rating from us because it’s that good. Well, Ms. Arden has done it again: The Girl in the Tower continues the elegant storytelling and magnificent worldbuilding of the first book and earns another five rocket rating for the second installment in the Winternight Trilogy. In the interests of full disclosure, we received a copy of The Girl in the Tower from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

The reader is drawn back into the story right where the first book ended. Vasya has left her home for fear of what might happen to her with her father gone and because her wild streak demands she set out to see more of the world than just her small corner of it. Though she sets out to see far distant corners, she doesn’t make it any further than the region surrounding Moscow when mysterious riders take an unexpected interest in her. With bandits burning villages indiscriminately and Vasya’s brother, Sasha, soon at hand, Vasya finds herself embroiled in Moscow’s plots and machinations, and the designs she’d had for her life fall by the wayside.

Morozko is back, as are many other beings taken from Russian folklore. As before, only Vasya can communicate with them. They are an integral part of the story, but not nearly as much as in the first book. There is a deeper mystery in this book, however, one which I won’t go into to any degree for fear of giving something away. I will say only that it has something to do with the title of the book.

Vasya remains a strong and brave character, but one who is extremely vulnerable if only because of the constraints put upon all women of that time period. She does achieve a certain amount of freedom beyond the norm, but only when she is on her own (or subsisting with Morozko’s help). The moment she steps back into society, she quickly finds herself shackled. Any other woman would accept such imprisonment, yet because of her resolve and willingness to sacrifice herself, Vasya breaks free of such constraints and ultimately achieves things that no other person can.

I think it’s important to close with a look at what the author is doing to make this such a great series so far. There’s the setting: Russia, set in a time period that has the flavor of the middle ages. There’s the mythology and folklore, which, despite the influence of Christianity, brings with it a great amount of superstition. Also, there’s the characters, which defy stereotypes in many respects. Last, there’s the writing, which is consistently good and always moving the story forward. Getting any one of these right is not that hard. But getting them all right? It’s not common.

The Girl in the Tower is another fantastic read from a true up and coming author. If you haven’t started reading these books, you need to start now. It’s rare a series this good comes along, so don’t miss it.

The Girl in the Tower by Katharine Arden is book two in the Winternight Trilogy. It continues the dark fantasy, Russian fairy-tale type story and the tale of Vasya. Ms. Arden's writing is deep, complex and comprehensive. This is not your typical sword and sorcery fantasy novel, though there are aspects of magic and sword fighting. The descriptive and narrative process we are provided gives us a very detailed internal view of Vasya and enables the reader to really connect with her decision making process. Vasya continues to grow as a character as her adventures push her limits pull her deeper into a society whose life she has been apart from. At the begining I was a bit confused but as I read more and as Vasya navigates the world and its dynamics you fall deeper under her spell.

Overall I enjoyed The Girl in the Tower by Katharine Arden and recommend it. I liked how in character and theme the story was and how as the character grows, you grow with her as a reader.

(I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book I received for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my open and honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.)

Hey guys! Long time no see. Today I have a review for The Girl in the Tower, the sequel to one of my favorite books I read in 2017, The Bear and the Nightingale (you can read my review here!).

The Girl in the Tower starts shortly after The Bear and the Nightingale, though the focus is very much on Vasya as a young woman and what she wants out of life rather than the story behind her gifts of seeing spirits, which is a large part of the first book. Here we really get to see her take charge of her destiny after the traumatic events of her past.

One of the most interesting things about this book is how different Vasya is from the first, and how much she changes even in this story. She is more sure of her abilities and isn't afraid to use them to protect her siblings and those she loves (even when sometimes those people may not it). Vasya spends much of this book disguised as a boy and the freedom and confidence it gives her makes an interesting commentary about the social constructs of the time, especially since what makes Vasya rebel and run away in the first place is the idea of the convent or marriage.

If I'm being honest, I personally liked the setting and environment in the first book a little better than in this book. The eeriness of the forest and the bitter cold and Vasya's home was a more unique setting than Moscow, at least for me. That being said, the vastly different setting makes for a really fresh story with so many new details. The cast expands with great secondary characters, all orbiting Vasya as she navigates the new world of court life and her place within it, as a woman, a sister, and a witch. I thought that sometimes the plot lagged a little but Vasya is a strong enough character to quickly pull me through. I was also put on an emotional rollercoaster with Vasya and Morozco *swoon*. In the end I really liked the way their relationship grew but I can not wait until the last book to see what's going to happen.

The dangers being slightly more human in nature, though no less threatening. Seeing how Vasya takes them all head on, despite the doubts and limitations placed on her by society, is exciting and inspiring. I highly recommend this series if you liked The Grisha series by Leigh Bardugo. The writing is dark and lyrical, the world more like a vibrant Russian fairy tale. Much like a Russian winter, Vasya's story is unpredictable and dangerous but also beautiful and magical.

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.

What a thrill...when you've thoroughly enjoyed book one of a trilogy and find book two to be every bit as good or better! Katherine Arden is one terrific writer. This series is set in medieval Muscovy and is a delightful mixture of historical fiction, folktale, adventure story and romance.

The main character, Vasilisa Petrovna is a young woman who is labeled a witch by her village priest, Konstantin, because she is disobedient and can speak to animals and the ancient pagan chyerti (spirits) of the hearth and forest. Of course, he is quite mad and a bit attracted to her himself.

Her choices are to go to a convent or marry but she chooses to do neither. Instead, she dresses as a boy and takes off on her wild and magical horse Solovey to see the world. Along the way she has many harrowing adventures and occasionally needs help from the winter-king, Morozko, who just happens to be falling in love with her. He cannot remain immortal and love a human woman so what is a guy to do?

Vasilisa is brave and smart but will she be strong enough to help defeat the forces of evil that are at work both in the countryside and in the great city of Moscow itself? What will happen if the Grand Prince discovers she is really a woman?

This book has it all! Fascinating historical setting; exciting, edge-of-your-seat adventure; wonderful brave and intelligent female character you'll care deeply about; and a simmering romance to boot! I highly recommend this series.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, the publisher and the author, Katherine Arden for the opportunity to read an arc of this exciting new book. I cannot wait read the third book in the series now! Please hurry, Ms Arden!

The Girl in the Tower is the sequel to The Bear and the Nightingale. If you loved the first book then this continuation lives up to expectation.

It picks up after The Bear and the Nightingale with Vasya leaving. Accused of witchcraft and loving her freedom, Vasya chooses to hide her gender and take on adventures. We get to spend time with her siblings Sasha who is now a monk and Olga who is married, as well as her cousin Dmitrii the Grand Prince of Moscow.
I adored this book. The world building is lovely and the descriptions so real. The deft weaving of fairytale and historical aspects are amazing. I do love the legends and Morozko is my ultimate favorite.

I loved loved this book and I was so excited that I got a physical ARC as well. Thank you!!!!

ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

1.) The Bear and the Nightingale ★★★★★

“Vasilisa Petrovna, murderer, savior, lost child, rode away from the house in the fir-grove.”

Hi, my name is Melanie and I’m in love with a frost demon. You guys, please stop sleeping on this series. This is the best historical fantasy I’ve ever read in my entire life. And all of the Russian folklore is actual perfection. This is the type of book that reminds me that literature can be tangible pieces of magic, and this book is truly an enchanted masterpiece.

The Girl in the Tower picks up right where The Bear and the Nightingale left off. Vasya is leaving the only home she has ever known, and has chosen to see the world that is beyond the forest that surrounds her family’s home.

And since it is absolutely unheard of for a girl to go exploring the world on her own, and since the ways of men can be cruel to a girl traveling alone, Vasya disguises herself as a boy and ventures out to see what the world has to offer. Well, unfortunately, Vasya soon finds that the world has to offer many cruelties, and some of the surrounding forest towns have been burned down and had their young daughters stolen away.

Vasya can’t help but want to save these people that remind her so much of her own village back home. And soon her path crosses with her older brother, Sasha, who has devoted his life to God, and her older sister Olga, who has devoted her life to motherhood after wedding a prince. Vasya hasn’t seen either of these siblings for ten years, so it’s quite a reunion to say the least. And Vasya soon finds out that her niece is much more like her than the world would want.

We are also very quickly thrown into the world of Moscow, where political intrigue and betrayal is vast. Vasya is forced to masquerade as a boy in a city that is unlike anything she’s ever experienced while living in the safety of her forest. And even winter can’t protect her, because spring is arriving sooner and sooner every day.

“You cannot take vengeance on a whole people because of the doings of a few wicked men.”

This book is so atmospheric! You will breathe in the cold, you will taste the food, you will break from the heartache, but you will feel the magic inside of this story. I truly believe this book is on parallel with none for atmosphere. The descriptions are lush, and gorgeous, and make me believe Katherine Arden’s words truly are written with sorcery.

And the characters are some of my absolute favorites, bar none. How am I so in love with a brooding frost demon, a sassy stallion, a brand-new ghost, and every single small-folk who reside in all the different ovens and bathhouses in Russia? On top of Vasya being one of the best female protagonists every to be created. I’m so enthralled, so captivated, and so invested in everyone’s story. Somehow, Katherine Arden has woven the entire cast into my heart and soul and I want to protect them all at all costs.

“Do you think that is all I want, in all my life—a royal dowry, and a man to force his children into me?”

And this book is so wonderfully feminist! Give me all the books about girls choosing themselves and their wants for their own future. Like, this entire series is about a girl who doesn’t want to fit into women’s gender-norm for this time period. She is proud to be different, she doesn’t care what other’s say, and she always listens to her heart. She’s knows that being brave is more important than being beautiful. She knows that being smart is more important that being subservient. And she knows that being a woman doesn’t make her lesser than being a man. And all of these themes are constant throughout the novel.

“…An aging woman, magnificent and solitary, whose tower door never opened, who would make her daughter a proper maiden but never count the cost.”

Vasya wants to explore, and go on adventures, and see the world, rather than getting married, having children, and managing a household. But Vasya never shames that life choice/path, she just knows that it isn’t for her. And even when she feels like she has the whole world against her, Vasya never backs down or changes who she is. I could honestly write a thesis, a book of my own, and a freakin’ sonnet to how much Vasya Petrovna means to me.

“Perhaps I will die here, as others have died. But I will not die your creature.”

I loved this book with the sum of my being. This book is so very powerful, and I can’t even find the words to express how much this series means to me. The Winter of the Witch is easily my most anticipated release of 2018 now. This series is such a magical treat, and I hope you all do yourselves a favor and pick it up. Just make sure you are prepared for the ultimate winter wonderland, that doesn’t hold back from heartbreak.

Publication date: December 5th, 2017
Publisher: Del Rey
Series: The Winternight Trilogy #2
Format: e-ARC
Source: Publisher/Netgalley
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Orphaned and cast out as a witch by her village, Vasya’s options are few: resign herself to life in a convent, or allow her older sister to make her a match with a Moscovite prince. Both doom her to life in a tower, cut off from the vast world she longs to explore. So instead she chooses adventure, disguising herself as a boy and riding her horse into the woods. When a battle with some bandits who have been terrorizing the countryside earns her the admiration of the Grand Prince of Moscow, she must carefully guard the secret of her gender to remain in his good graces—even as she realizes his kingdom is under threat from mysterious forces only she will be able to stop.






**I received this title free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.**

This is the sequel to the wonderful The Bear and the Nightingale, so if you have not read that yet, do so before starting this one. Following Medved's defeat in book one, Vasya is now an orphan and an outcast. She has not seen her brother and sister in years so she elects to travel around Rus with her supernatural horse, Solovey.

Even though the outside world is harsh, especially for a woman, Vasya loves the freedom. She is not content to be idling around as a wife, or at a convent, so she relishes the fact the nobody is telling her what to do. Of course, it helps that Morzoko, the Lord of Winter, helps her out from time to time.

Her travels have forced her to dress like a boy to conceal her true identity, and that is the lie that she must keep in order to stay alive. Raids on neighboring villages cause Vasya to become a hero in the eyes of her cousin, the Prince of Moscow. Only her brother and her sister know her true identity, and all of their lives depend on her disguise to hold. But a mysterious Lord has other plans for Vasya and all of Moscow.

She must use all of the magic within her to save Moscow and her family before it's too late.

I cannot stress how much I adore this series, and Arden's amazing writing! Her descriptions of everything are gritty, real, and magical. It's not often that you hear of princesses with rotting teeth, or princes who smell, but yet that is what Medieval Russia was like, and Arden put that in her series. Even though there is magic in this story, it also feels real.

The world of Medieval Rus is dark and deadly. The chyerti-spirits from Russian folklore, are present, but are not as prevalent as the previous book because less and less people believe in them. They can be helpful like bath attendants, but they can also cause harm if provoked. Luckily for Vasya, she is a great believer in them and treats them with respect.

One of the important parts of the story is how women are treated in Medieval Russia, especially highborn women. We tend to think that princesses and highborn ladies must have the most amazing lives with everything they want, but in this story, they are confined to lives as either wives or to the convent, neither which Vasya is content with. We see her sister who lives her life in a tower, surrounded by other highborn ladies who never really leave that tower. They are like caged birds, unable to taste freedom.

This story contained new and old characters, and new information to who Vasya really is and where her magic comes from. I am eagerly looking forward to book three so that everything will be revealed, and if the slow burning romance between Vasya and Morzoko will finally come to a head.

Immerse yourself in this magical medieval world and you will not be disappointed!

This is the second in a triglogy(!) and although not many details are given regarding the events of the first book The Bear and the Nightingale I think it would ground you more to the story if you read that book first.

The Girl in the Tower picks up right where the story left off previously and it’s riddled with action, magic, murder, politics and a more prominent thread of romance. I was captivated from the first page and fell in love all over again with Vasya, her trusty stead Solovey and of course the elusive Morozko.

Vasya’s journey starts with her and Solovey deciding to leave home and travel the world. With her father dead and the towns people turned against her, Vasya sees no reason to remain. To avoid thieves and unwanted attention, Vasya dresses like a boy. When she comes across a ravaged village with tales of bandits burning, killing and stealing young girls, Vasya can’t turn a blind eye to them and she and Solovey find themselves tracking this mysterious group. What started as a rash rescue mission, quickly throws Vasya into a complicated and dangerous political war.

With family reunions tinged with both happiness and grief, Vasya finds that life as a young lord’s son is preferable to life as a young maiden. Even Morozko’s warnings can’t tempt her back to the safety of familiarity. But not every one she meets has her best interest at heart and dark things are underfoot in the city of Moscow.

What I loved about it:
I am hooked on this story and I can’t wait to get my hands on the final installment! Just like when I read book one, I didn’t know what I was getting into. The story won’t be what your expecting but in a good way.

There was no way I’d guess just how crazy good this would be so I loved that I was surprised, shocked, scared and seduced by this story. The storytelling is spellbinding and I literally had to read this in one sitting!

I loved Vasya with her courage and her inner strength. To forge out into the unknown and not confine herself to the mold others would like to pressure her into took some guts and our girl definitely has what it takes to make her own way. In a world where the female’s role is written in stone, Vasya struggled to find herself a niche but it was paved in loneliness and heartache.

I loved Solovey for his loyalty and his astuteness. He was a true friend and companion to Vasya and I loved every side of him. From protector, to friend, to preening flirt, Solovey was a character who might have been written in a supportive role but shined bright enough to make you see him as a first stringer instead.

And then there’s Morozko – In book one, Morozko pretty much stayed deep in shadow and mystery and I wasn’t sure where he stood, whether he was just overly cautious or hid a self serving agenda but we definitely get some answers here and although there is still things to be discovered, seeing how much Morozko has changed because of Vasya and how he couldn’t stay away, it hit me pretty heavy with all the feels! OMG, I don’t think I have the words to describe how I feel about this maddening tight lipped winter-king but I do know that he has to (like HAS TO!) come back for the final book. The romantic in me can’t accept that good-bye as their final farewell. I need more Morozko and Vasya. She might be too stubborn to admit it but Vasya needs more Morozko too, Lol!

What I didn't like:
This isn’t really anything against the story itself, I’m just gonna use this spot to rant about how crappy Sasha and Olga were to Vasya. Yes, their reactions were understandable because they didn’t know the whole story and the lives they lived were so vastly different then it was for Vasya back home but still! Where was the brotherly/sisterly understanding? Being that I was rooting for Vasya and am 100% biased when it comes to her, I was beyond pissed whenever either one of them blamed Vasya for what happened to their father. Olga throwing their dead mother into the mix was a freakin low blow, so yeah, in book one I had high hopes for both of these people but after everything that happened here, I’m only really holding out hope that Sasha will redeem himself. Olga … meh, it can go either way there but I’m not torn about it.

Favorite Lines:
“Think of me sometimes,” he returned. “When the snowdrops have bloomed and the snow has melted.”
“Is that all?” she asked, and then added, with wry honesty, “How could I forget?”
“It is easier than you would think.”

“… things made by effort are more real than things made by wishing.

“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.

Memorable Moments:
Every time we met a bannik I was fascinated with them. Their attitudes, their functions, their actions and reations to Vasya, it was charming but also unnerving all at the same time.

Kasyn’s golden mare was a surprise and Katya and Marya were both awesome chicks I hope we get to see more of next time around.I have a feeling Midnight will also be back which is fine by me. Her cryptic mention of Tamara’s mother has me feeling antsy for more.

And I probably don’t need to mention this but the short but sweet kisses shared between Morozko and Vasya were pretty high up in the best/memorable moments of this story, just saying… I'm a romantic at heart so I'm always looking to pair characters up and this is feeding my addiction!

Would I recommend?
Yes! If you liked Pan’s Labyrinth, Tithe, or Amelia Atwaters-Rhodes, I think there’s something within these pages that will ring true with you. I loved it and will be stalking this author’s social media for crumbs/details on the next book because it honestly cannot come soon enough for me

What a surprising book! When I first started reading, I thought this would be a difficult story for me to get through because I generally don't read books like this. I enjoy adventure stories and fairy tales, but I don't usually read books in the paranormal genre. Unexpectedly, I was pulled right into the story and stayed up late until I finished it.
Vasilisa Petrovna does not want to get married or live in a convent. She loves the outdoors and dreams of exploring the world. She has left her home because her father has died in a tragic manner and the villagers have branded her as a witch. She rides away on her horse, disguised as a boy and looking for a new life. She receives help from Morozko, the Russian winter demon. He helps her escape from several dangerous situations. Unfortunately, evil bandits have been burning villages and kidnapping young Russian girls. When Vasilisa risks her life to save three girls, she makes an enemy and also meets up with her brother, who has been helping their cousin track the bandits. Little does Vasilisa know that there is someone much more menacing and powerful than the bandits behind the crimes, and she will face almost impossible circumstances in order to save her family.
This is the sequel to The Bear and the Nightingale, which I had not read before reading this book. It is not absolutely necessary to have read the first book before this one, but it would help clarify the events that occur in this book. This book is set in medieval Russia, and I would classify it as a Russian fairy tale or folk tale with paranormal elements. This book taught me quite a bit about medieval Russian folklore, which was interesting. I didn't like the paranormal elements (ghosts, demons, house spirits, etc.) because of my own personal beliefs, but I thought this story was extremely well written and beautifully descriptive in spite of those elements. I also didn't care for the profanity and a couple of disturbing scenes having to do with sexual abuse, but I know those horrible things happened more frequently back then. I would say this is an adult book because of those things I just mentioned, as well as the violently descriptive scenes that occur. Having said all that, I loved the adventure, plot elements, many-layered characters, and beautiful descriptions in this story. I simply could not wait to find out what happened, and because of that and the beautiful writing I have given this book five stars.
I received an eARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

***4 ‘#TeamVasya’ Stars***

And we have another epic chapter in Vasya’s journey and what a ride it was!

Things start of right were they ended in the The Bear and the Nightingale and we find that not is as it should be in the land of Rus. The mystical powers that are seen and unseen are wreaking havoc across the land and questions abound as to what the purpose of it all is and unbeknownst to Vasya, and those she calls her own, she has a role to play in all of it.

I loved Vasya in The Bear and the Nightingale and that love grew to adoration in The Girl in the Tower. Even though she has no choice but to leave her village, she takes it and runs with it. She finds freedom and with that freedom she finds a well of strength she never realized she had. Of course her determinedly stubborn nature helps that process along, even as it at times hinders her, but she comes out of it all with a better understanding of not only the world but herself by the end of the book.

As with the first book, there are multiple POV’s throughout the book and I will admit that sometimes it did slow the pace down for me, but each one added the depth needed to get a well rounded understanding of the various situations going on and the consequences of each action taken or not taken. The supporting cast of characters grows in this one, and I found that Morozko and Solovey are my favorites. And, yes, I realize that having the winter-king/frost-demon and a horse being my favorites may seem strange, but believe me when I say they are amazing and hold pieces of my heart. But Sasha aka Aleksandr Peresvet turned out to be a most pleasant surprise throughout.

While there is closure on the main storyline at the end of the book, questions still linger over some of the smaller issues and it looks like the next book in the series will be quite a journey in and of itself and it will be interesting to see the trials and tribulations Vasya will face and how they will impact her view on the world as well as herself.

Vasya is such a strong and unique protagonist and the world building in this book wonderful. I probably liked the first book a little more, but I still really enjoyed the fleshing out of the Russian fairy tales.

This is the continuing story of Vasya as she ventures forth int he world after the events of Book #1. I thought the first book stood well on its own but oh my goodness! I did not know what I didn't know! The author once again takes us on an adventure both epic and poignant. A young woman who wants to hold on and respect the old ways of demons and sprites and beings of the earth, yet facing down a world and her family who is moving into Christianity. A world that wants to hid away and forget the old ways.

I hesitate to give too much away as the story is still unfolding. I have my thoughts and my wishes for the final book, but will wait patiently to see what the author brings us. Rich world building. Well developed secondary charcters. Wonderful sophomore outing by this new author. If you are looking for a book with a strong female lead, this is the series for you. Vasya is a times both wild and insightful. She is good to her core. She loves her family. She respects the creatures of the land. She is the bridge into this new world.

I am so excited to see what the conclusion to this tale is. As with all fairy tales, there is a message for the reader and hopefully a forever after. Looking forward to more!

When we last saw Vasya in The Bear and the Nightingale, she had just survived the onslaught of the Bear, who wanted to bring unending death and night to Rus. Vasya's witchy powers, combined with the might of the god of the snows, Morozko, saved Rus but doomed her father and stepmother, and now Vasya cannot endure returning to the life she once knew. Dogged by rumors that she is a witch, she decides on a dramatic change. Instead of taking Morozko's silver as a dowry, she takes it as an investment in her travels. Along with her steed, Solovey, Vasya is ready to see the world.

But the world is not always ready for Vasya. Rus is a dangerous place, full of bandits, rapists, and kidnappers--not to mention the uneasy alliances across the political landscape. With unrest in the Mongolian horde, and boyars always vying for more power, there is more danger than ever in Rus. Vasya is not really prepared to stumble into the midst of so much chaos, but after rescuing three young girls who were kidnapped, she has little choice.
There is also the titular girl in one of Moscow's towers, a ghost woman who weeps in the night. Vasya must untangle conspiracies both spiritual and civil, all while keeping the secrets of her gender and her abilities. With so many plot threads, you would think it might get a bit chaotic, but Katharine Arden makes a firm and clear path forward at all times. She's exceptionally deft with the mysteries as well, feeding us breadcrumbs from each in turn, keeping us eager.
The Grand Prince of Moscow and a handsome lord named Kasyan make uneasy new allies in this fraught world; bandits who leave no trail make new enemies. There are also some familiar faces in Olya and Sasha, Vasya's sister and monk brother (respectively), who provide more conservative counterpoints to Vasya's rebellious desires. I was a little disappointed to also see the priest Konstantin again. He's an excellent character, a terrifying fanatic whose righteousness tends toward evil, but he was at the heart of the previous book. I am heartsick of fanaticism, and I was not eager for more of it, especially since Vasya dealt with it extensively in the first book.
The contrast with the first book is strong, setting up a nice dichotomy between being settled and being a traveler, between a distant farm and a capital city, and also between being a girl and a boy. Vasya triumphed in the previous book by mastering her domain, both the hearth and the wild woods. (A triumph mitigated by loss, certainly, but a triumph nonetheless.) Here she is out of that familiar territory as she tries to become a traveler. She knows little of life on the road and even less of people, and her bumpkinish ways get her into trouble before long. At some points, she needs to be saved.

Far from finding that offensive, I actually think it's rather interesting. The fact that this is called The Girl in the Tower is a perhaps another nod to fairy tales where women were imprisoned to await a savior. I think it's nice to have something that acknowledges that a young, untrained woman in disguise will need to be helped just as much as she is able to provide help. Vasya is very real, learning and growing from painful lessons, but holding tight to her independence despite the pressures all around her.

The historical reality is heavy with violence, especially violence against women. Arden doesn't let us look away from the sexual exploitation of poor women or the restricted circumstances of even the wealthiest women, even when her male characters shrug their shoulders at it. Vasya, able to travel back and forth between the gender divide as well as the real and spirit worlds, has to once again find her footing between the two. It is so frustrating to watch her struggle against the prejudices of her family and her people, to the point where sometimes I had to put this aside in favor of lighter things. It may not be gory or salacious, but this is still not an easy book to read in this political climate.

Once again I appreciate Arden's fine attention to detail and meticulous research. She is clearly a Russian scholar, which creates a really rich, thrilling world in both its details and its wide strokes. Vasya's rides through freezing forests, deep snowy plains, and the glory and stink of Moscow are a delight to follow. The whole narrative is like a jewel, bright but hard.

By the end, The Girl in the Tower is another success for what we now know will be a trilogy that will finish with The Winter of the Witch in 2018, for which I now have even higher expectations. Do not miss this glittering, dangerous world.