I had high hopes for this book, and luckily for me The Girl in the Tower was every bit as brilliant as The Bear and the Nightingale. Katherine Arden continues to amaze me with the depth and professionalism of her research work, and I enjoyed her writing immensely again.

SPOILERS AHEAD!

This second book is more action-packed, somehow less eerie than The Bear. As promised in the first book we have a lot more of Olga and Sasha here, but these are the adult version of Vasya's siblings and there is little left from the young adults shown before. This second book is even more centred on Vasya's struggles as a woman in a world where her only choice is a husband or a convent (and the choice is not even hers). The girl-disguised-as-a-boy is an old vehicle to show how different her life could be but it's still very effective and it was equal parts heartbreaking and infuriating to see how differently Vasya was treated when disguised as Vasilii.

Her relationship with the siblings she had not seen in years was complicated to say the least. Neither Olga nor Sasha understand their sister's desire for more, although at least Sasha reluctantly admits that Vasya was not born to be kept in a tower in the end. Olga is even less inflexible about her sister's deception as it could cost her her position, her marriage and even her kids. I was often frustrated with them, especially with Olga for trying to force Vasya to a life that they both know would kill her, but their reactions are understandable considering the time and setting of the story, and in any case the dynamics of their relationship was very interesting.

The weakest point of the book was the romance, in my opinion. The triangle was not really a triangle, and I wonder if there's even a couple to talk about at all. I had guessed the whole twist the minute Kasyan said he had previously been to Moscow searching for a woman he loved. That part, although predictable, was entertaining and I could have killed Kasyan for humiliating Vasya like that after she won the race, so I guess he works well as a villain. My problem was Morozko. His character is still not developed at all - other than his showing up every time Vasya is about to die there's no info about him at all until the end of the book, which felt like too little, too late, and on top of everything their feelings are kind of forced because of the spell? For me this killed any interest I had on them as a romantic couple.

Obviously I'm not going to miss the last book on the series, I cannot wait to see what will happen to Vasya now that she's headed back home!

A beautifully layered, vivid continuation of the dark fairytale that began in The Bear and the Nightingale. As Vasya disguises herself as a boy and travels toward Moscow, she comes in to her own as a strong, independent character. The story drags a bit (perhaps fittingly) as she slogs through the ice and snow toward an uncertain future in the big city, but it's buoyed by her ongoing relationship with Morozko. The prose is certainly stunning—you can nearly hear the chanting, smell the incense, touch the stiffly embroidered fabric. However, I found myself a bit incredulous at just how segregated and oppressed the women seemed to be in this time and place. I know the story needed that tension to contrast with Vasya's utter freedom as a boy, but how true is it to that part of history?

As with the first book in this series, The Bear and the Nightingale, Katherine Arden weaves folklore, fairy tales, and magic into creating Vasilisa’s amazing adventures in The Girl in the Tower. Vasilisa is determined to escape the two options open to her as a young woman: marriage or the convent. With Morozko’s help and dressed as a young lad, she goes out into the world with Solovay, two travelers looking to visit other parts of the world. However, in her journeys she is challenged with increasingly strange occurrences, such as personal attacks, the burning of villages and the kidnapping of young girls from those villages. She encounters violence, killings, and deceit.

Upon reaching Moscow, she is reunited with her brother Sasha and her sister Olga. There she also meets her cousin Dmitrii, Grand Prince of Moscow, and a new character by the name of Kasyan Lutovich. Additionally, Vasya encounters another new, unanticipated character. Vasilisa becomes known throughout Moscow as the boy Vasilii the Brave. However, as complications ensue, she must rely on her wits and on the chyerti to triumph over her enemies and over those seeking to keep her in her place as a woman.

This is an action-packed tale that kept my attention throughout, a real page-turner. Knowing that there is a third novel to follow, I was never sure whether Vasya would overcome the challenges put before her or how she would attempt to do so. A very exciting tale made all the more so as I impatiently await the third book in this series.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Please, for the love of all that is holy, let there be more books. This tale has captivated me since I read the first book, only a short time ago. This is a beautiful story. I feel emotionally invested in the lives of the characters, particularly Marozko and Vasya. I want more of them. I can't go into too much detail because spoilers, and I got this through Netgalley, but if you haven't read this, read it when it comes out. If you haven't read The Bear and the Nightingale, what are you waiting for? I wish I had the words to describe how I feel about this series.

I loved the first book - I did not feel that this sustained the same air of mysticism of the first, but it is a solid book

Having accepted and embraced her ability to see what others do not, Vasya is viewed as a witch by her fellow villagers, prompting her to leave and explore the world in The Girl in the Tower by Katherine Arden. 

Faced with the unappealing options of marrying or joining a convent, Vasya travels around on her trusty steed Solovey dressed as a boy, having received reluctant help from Morozko. In her wanderings, Vasya comes across villages savaged by bandits that have stolen the girl children away. In rescuing three girls from the bandits' clutches, Vasya is not only reunited with her siblings, maintaining her guise of being a boy, but she also unknowingly becomes part of a larger plot to overthrow the Grand Prince of Moscow. Throughout the mortal, societal troubles she combats, Vasya is also confronted with a decision regarding her relationship with Morozko that will impact his ability to help her and the people of Moscow.

Maintaining the well-written and well-realized world previously established, the narrative is a fitting continuation of The Bear and the Nightingale, folding together the events from slightly overlapping character perspectives that incorporate Vasya's brother and sister, Sasha and Olga, while developing into a darker, more complex narrative. There is much more action taking place throughout this story that accelerates the pacing, with weapons training, fighting with and outsmarting bandits, and a battle for Moscow's future - all of which is fueled in part by Vasya taking action, both as her assumed male identity and her original female identity while simultaneously exploring the historic societal constraints Vasya rebels against. Though not a huge detraction, a pitfall common to sequels is demonstrated in this text with regard to momentum; the first part of the book is primarily a resolution to the first book, leaving the remainder to build the plot of this installment to finally present some interesting information only to bring the book to an end, which places lulls in the momentum of the story as the narrative switches gears. 

Overall, I'd give it a 4 out of 5 stars.

I have found that the second book of a series can be hit or miss, but this book hit so hard it broke the target. A fitting sequel to The Bear and the Nightingale and I already cannot wait for the next tale. Thank you!

Review to come in December on Goodreads and Tumblr

Thoroughly enjoyed The Girl in the Tower by Katherine Arden. Vasya is brave, fearless, and courageous. Her character shines through the story and is very relatable (for women, I'm sure) in that she is a woman fighting in a man's world in disguise.

The Girl in the Tower is just as magical as The Bear and the Nightingale, but with the maturity and depth of a story that comes after the initial, innocent fairy tale.

If you have not read the first one, please pick that one up first! There are spoilers for the first book below.

In this sequel, Vasya leaves her home village of Lesnaya Zemly, fleeing from the accusations of witchcraft on the back of Solovey, her bay stallion. As she explores a new freedom wandering the world, against the frost-demon Morozko's wishes, she encounters wild adventures and takes incredible risks. She reunites with her siblings for the first time since her father's death, aids a Grand Prince, and finds her life still irrevocably intertwined with the fantastical.

Darker and with less of the innocence of discovery found in the first book, this story shows a deeper maturity. Vasya must face what she has been running from, accept the consequences of her actions, and attempt to discover what she wants her identity to be. Her stubbornness and ego push her into difficult situations, and she must grow and mature. I loved how the familial relationships were shown, the heartwarming and the ugly, and I think the story has really grown into itself in this latest edition. I'm not usually a huge fan of second books in trilogies, but The Girl in the Tower does its predecessor justice.

Thanks to the publisher for an ARC in exchange for a fair review!

OMG, I loved this book! The writing is fantastic, the story engaging (I couldn't put it down!) and Vasilisa the protagonist is what every girl dreams of being.

The Girl in the Tower is the sequel to The Bear and the Nightingale. As that book ends, Vasilisa (Vasya for short) has left her family home after the death of her father. Vasya is special, but her neighbors think she's a witch. She can see spirits...the dumovi house spirits who inhabit the fireplace, ghosts of the dead....and the winter-king, who takes the dead with him. So rather than facing marriage or life locked up in a convent, Vasya does what any self respecting girl would do...she disguises herself as a boy and takes off on her magical horse, to help people who are oppressed. And there are many; brutal bandits are burning villages and taking off with the young girls. Vasya beseeches the Grand Prince Dimitri to help find and end this scourge of his people, but when it's done, who is the strange person who comes demanding tribute? In a land and a time when many are not what they seem, there are plenty of opportunities to help.

The writing in this book is so beautiful that I found myself just absorbing it, and then having to go back and read again to get all the detail. The descriptions bring things to life; you can see the spirits, hear the magical battles, feel the cold...its just wonderful. Because it had been a while since I read The Bear and the Nightingale I did go back and breeze through it again quickly to refresh myself on the details, but The Girl in the Tower also stands on its own. It's a wonderful blend of fantasy, adventure and girl power. I can't wait for the next book from Katherine Arden. Would I recommend this book? Yes, yes, a thousand times yes!

This is the second book I have read by this author, the first being the Bear and the Nightingale. I was intrigued when I first heard it compared to Uprooted by Naomi Novik and was pleasantly surprised that for once a comparison was fairly accurate.

I am happy also that this book doesn't suffer from the second book syndrome. It is just as magical and well written as the first. I find the world the author has created fascinating, especially not knowing a great deal about Russian folklore. I enjoy learning about the various demons and creatures.

This one I found was much faster paced than the first, but it works well since we had a good idea of the characters from the first book, so this book can spend more time on action.

Bear and the Nightingale was one of my favorite reads this year, and this is a close second. Amazing!

I received this book via Netgalley.

<i>The Bear and the Nightingale</i> was one of my favorite books last year, so my expectations for the sequel were quite high. The book absolutely lived up to them. Where the first explored medieval Russia and its mythology in the deep wilderness, <i>Girl</i> takes readers through the countryside and into the intrigues of Moscow.

Vasya and her magical horse are the central characters, and make me yearn for more books about women with magical horses. Vasya's brother and sister also play important roles. While the book is not a romance, there is a central romantic relationship with gentle yet considerable tension. One of the great joys in these books is Vasya's awareness and consideration of the spirits still found in Russia, despite the din of church bells. The atmosphere of magic is incredible and cozy, and leave me yearning for more books from this author.

By far one of the best books I have read this year. Enchanting story that will take you on an adventure in medieval Russian. This is the sequel to The Bear and the Nightingale. I recommend you read the first book if you haven’t so you can fully understand the story.

A magical story that picks up where the 1st book ended. Vasya is now orphaned and she needs to leave her village since the towns people see her as a witch. She sets off to explore the world but needs to disguise herself as a boy since that is the only way it would be possible for her to go off on her own. Vasya comes across bandits that are burning villages and decides she needs to do something to help the people. On this quest Vasya will cross paths with her brother and the Grand Prince of Moscow. Her brother and sister must keep the secret that Vasya is a girl to avoid scandal. Vasya realizes that there is a dangerous threat against the Grand Prince and she will have to find a way to stop it from happening.

A retelling of a fairytale at it’s finest. Beautifully written story. Lots of adventure and kept me on the edge of my seat. Looking forward to this tale to continue. A must read!

If you haven’t read The Bear and the Nightingale by Arden, you must read it first. I thought the story had ended, but The Girl in the Tower is the next “chapter” in the Russian fairy tale about Vasya. This novel releases December of 2017.

The “Prologue” is the end of the first book repeated. Part I begins the new story--Vasya’s family in Moscow. Olga and Sasha have been in Moscow for many years now, having never visited home again. Life here is treacherous. Sasha is a monk, a sword-handling monk who often fights to defend the Grand Prince as others try to unseat him. The political situations of the various leaders are tenuous at best. Olga’s life is just as tenuous. She is only safe if she follows the “rules” of her station and her husband maintains their family’s control.

Vasya determines to be a Traveler in a world that doesn’t allow for this choice. She must leave, as her people fear her a witch and would kill her. Jumping onto Solovey, Vasya sets out from the Frost King. As a girl, she is in great danger, so she travels as a boy. With each danger, Vasya is fast or clever enough to get away. When she isn’t, she is rescued, saved from death several times, yet she fails to understand why she is being saved. Ultimately, she is needed. She is a bridge between the old ways and the new ways; she is a girl who can see the creatures who need gifts given to them to keep the homes, stables, etc. safe. People no longer believe in these old ways and have stopped giving offerings to them. Therefore, the creatures are fading, including the Frost King. Vasya’s ability to see them and tend to them keeps them from fading for moments. She also represents the new world. She wants to be free; as a female, her only choices are marriage or going into the convent. She is a force of nature--impetuous, courageous, and free-spirited--someone not meant for marriage or solitary convents. Instead, she has the courage and faith to face the evils that are encroaching upon the country.

Vasya reunites with her siblings after showing great courage rescuing girls who had been kidnapped and has been praised for “his” bravery. “He” is well-liked by the Grand Prince, Sasha’s friend, but the lie is a dangerous one. Another man watches Vasya closely after appearing from nowhere and unknown to all the people in Moscow despite being a large land owner. Sasha and Olga’s precarious lives are in the hands of Vasya who doesn’t understand the intrigues and dangers of life in Moscow. As they don’t explain the direness of their situations, Vasya cannot be blamed for failing to comprehend how her actions reflect on them.

What appears to be and actually is permeates much of the novel. Each character has a face he/she must present, but falsehoods exist for all. Even Vasya knows what to hide of her abilities and what layer of truth she can give her siblings about what happened back home. The creatures can only be seen by a few, yet they exist. To find the Frost Kind, Vasya must unfocus or focus in to find movement on the edge of her vision. With secrets and the forgotten past, Moscow is doomed to fall. Vasya may be the only hope--if she can find the truth about herself and the Frost King.

The novel is full of action and the pacing is perfect. At times I was exasperated with Vasya because she was following her own ideas instead of being careful. She never intends harm, but she moves too quickly to stop and think. This quickness also, paradoxically, works well for her. She can follow her instincts, which saves people. I loved this novel as much as the first. I’m purposefully not revealing much of the plot because it’s such a pleasure to let a plot unfold and ride along with it. If you already know what’s going to happen, the book loses its exciting qualities. I am now fascinated with Russian fairy tales and want to read more--probably because Ms. Arden writes beautifully. I feel like I am in these worlds; I see the winter, the trees, the creatures, and I am startled back into the real world when my reading time is up. I highly recommend both novels.

This was an excellent follow up to the first book! I liked it just the same, or maybe better! There was more of Vasya in this one, which I was excited to see. Nothing stands in her way when she wants to do something, and sometimes this can cause consequences. It all makes her appear more human, though. The sibling bond between her, Sasha, and Olga felt perfectly real. Loved them! My main pet peeve was that there wasn't enough of the Frost Demon. I want to know more about Morozko because he is amazing! The writing, setting, and action were all on point! I can't wait for the next book!!!

This book is gorgeous. The change of location from country to big city didn't take away any of the magic. We still get to see the creatures even if they're essentially dying out. Vasya is a strong character who I keep on wanting to follow. The only problem I had (and this is completely on me) is that I kept on reading Sasha as a girl's name and have to keep reminding myself that Sasha is a boy. So when's the next one coming out?

The Girl in the Tower
By Katherine Arden
Rating: 5
There is trouble for Vasya at home and in her village. Trouble that could no longer be contained even in the far and cold reaches of the outer wilderness of Rus’. Vasya was too strong and too independent for this time in long ago Rus’. The village thought her witch. Even her family was in fear for her safety. All Vasya wanted was freedom, a home and a purpose. There was no way that this could happen. There was no way that a woman during this time could get what Vasya wanted. Vasya knew this so she took matters into her own hands. She took the only option open to her, she ran, no, she rode Solovey into the night, swift and silent as a night flying bird. She chose to be the master of her fate. And the tears filled her eyes... So ends the story of The Bear and the Nightingale and a new start for Vasya. Vasya’s story begins...

Vasya and Solovey rode enjoying the morning and the afternoon warmth of the sun. Oh, she was calm and confident and then night came and she was all alone. “The shadows draped the forest like hands; the light was all blue-violet and nothing looked real.” As Vasya and Solovey rode I felt my first quiver of real fear and foreboding for Vasya. Suddenly, I felt chilled and I had to stop and tell myself it was only a fairytale...just a story. I had to put the book aside to get a blanket even though it was 95 degrees outside where i live. I don't know if it was the cold I felt or the fear; probably both; but I was grabbed and sucked in once again by the author. I was with Vasya every single minute and every step she took. I felt what she felt. I saw what she saw. I heard what she heard. I fought alongside her and Solovey. Her fears were my fears. Her thoughts were mine; but I knew more and I couldn’t tell her. I heard myself trying to tell her, to warn her; but she couldn’t hear me. It was frustrating. Fruitless and I knew it; but I couldn't help it. I couldn’t stop myself. I was in the story.

The characters, some first introduced to us in The Bear and the Nightingale continued to develop, becoming more complex and layered. Believable. They were no longer fictional book characters; but real people for me. People I could see in my mind’s eye and relate to. Sasha, comes to mind first. Vasya"s brother, a holy man, ...steadfast. Her anchor. Then there was Olya, Vasya’s older sister, who knew that for a woman to survive in this time of Rus” was to submit. She also knew that Vasya would never submit. Conflict resulted. Masha, Olya’s daughter and niece of Vasya...there has got to be a story there. Dimitri, the Prince of Rus’, whose very life was dependent upon Vasya. Kasyan, the flamboyant lord who had more going on than what it seemed. Tamara. Tamara, Vasya’s grandmother...we get a glimpse of the past and the why. Last. but not least, Is Morozko, the winter king...what are his motives??? Are they true

This is a love story. This is a story of a strong and independent woman who was called a witch because there was no other name of which to call her. This is, indeed, a fairytale...a tale of make-believe creatures, magic, sorcery, deception, betrayal, love, faith, and family. Does this fairytale end happily ever after? I don’t know. But I can tell you this much; Vasya’s prophesy has only partly come to pass...

ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

4.5*

The Girl in the Tower picks up where The Bear and the Nightingale left off. Once again we are following the brave and untamed Vasya as she continues her journey for personal significance and discovery.

I actually liked this book slightly more tgan the first one. It is written in the same lyrical prose but is broader in scope and a bit darker. To me it felt even more like a Russian folktale than the first book. There's a lot more action and adventure here so the pace seems faster. The character interactions are as satifying as ever - especially between Vasya and Morozko. Is it weird that I love Vasya's horse as a character? Because I do.

All in all a splendid dark fairy tale with brains, guts and a strange, dreamlike beauty.

Many thanks to the publisher for inviting me to read and review this title.

I love this author's writing. I feel like these are old Russian Fables handed down from generation to generation complete with Bears, Nightingales, a Prince, Evil Priest, Girl posing as boy, magical horse, strong female character posing as a boy, evil forces. This book has it all. I highly recommend this book and its sister book The Bear and the Nightingale. Top shelf book!