I enjoyed The Bear and the Nightingale however it didn't prepare me for how much I would LOVE The Girl in the Tower. I couldn't put this book down! Considering it was almost a year ago when I read The Bear and the Nightingale it was easy to step back into this mythical and magical world to continue Vasya's story.

I said before that she was a kick ass heroine and my respect for Vasya has deepened. She stands strong for her beliefs throughout this story with plenty of action behind those beliefs ... and despite everything that is thrown at her to make her fail in her quest. She is often her own worst enemy! I knew she would choose independence over protection once she knew but I still felt very sad. I felt like shouting at her not to throw everything away because there was so much worse to come.

I enjoyed spending time in the Moscow court with its intrigue and distrust. Kasyan Lutovitch made me feel uneasy from the beginning and I couldn't work him out. Even now thinking about him gives me goosebumps! Dmitrii Ivanovich is a man of his time but I like to think he felt torn! I couldn't believe who Aleksandr rescued on the road and brought to the Lavra. A pawn to be used ...

It is such a stark landscape which dictates living and community (and compliments the myth/magic). I loved Vasya's ride through the early morning, seeing everything through her eyes.

The Girl in the Tower was such a tense read for me. It breaks rules of both spirit and culture, bringing one into the other. I'm excited for the final story, The Winter of the Witch, publishing later this year. I've no doubt the battles will be just as tense with just as much to lose. I have a suspicion about one of the 'demons' and want to see what the prophecy meant for Marya.

If you enjoy fantasy, myth and the darker fairy tales you must read the Winternight trilogy. It's outstanding.

I received a digital ARC copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

God bless the authors who can write sequels which can be read even without reading the first novel!

“Think of me sometimes," he returned. "When the snowdrops have bloomed and the snow has melted.”

You know that moment when you want some book full of action but with a tiny bit of romance (not too much please, don't want to be submerged by sugar), rich of history but with a hint of magic,, with a sparkle of sarcasm and a couple tears.... I suppose you understood.
Well then, you've just found what your heart truly desires.

It was truly inspiring to witness such a great mixture between history and fantasy, which takes the form of Medieval Russia's folklore. So fascinating that I look forward to getting more information about this historical period end its traditions, it was like plunging in a whole new unknown world! The descriptions might not be excessively wide or precise, but they're effective nonetheless, especially the ones regarding the characters.

“The breath hitched in his throat. His hand caught hers, but he did not untangle her fingers. "Why are you here?" she asked him. For a moment she thought he would not answer, then he said, as though reluctant, "I heard you cry.”

Oh, the characters! Let me tell you this: Morozko is mine. And no, I won't share him with anyone. Is he twisted? Is he unforseenable? Is he untamable? Yes, yes and yes. And maybe a demon? Well, yes. But love is blind, isn't it?
"The girl in the tower" is one of the few books where romance is not the most important element of the plot, but catches the attention of the reader anyway. And the heart. And the mind. I assure you I fangirled pretty hard during some chapters. And not because they were full of sickly sweet scenes (every single time there was someone almost dying lol), but because they were so intense and heart wrenching.
Ups... in all my fangirling I almost forgot about the main character, Vasya!
Well, she's simply amazing.
She's not just the classic female character who wants to behave like a boy and forgets what humanity means. No, her bravery shows even when she breaks out in tears, when she's ready to sacrifice herself for her family when she was unfairly rejected, when she could have just turned her back and fled away.
What distinguishes all the characters is exactly this: their complexity. They've got so many sides to discover, that every time they're mentioned it's a surprise.

This is why the plot itself is so stunning. At the beginning I was a bit puzzled as I was finding it a bit slow, but the rest of the book made me change my mind. Till the very end I held by breath, worried about the destiny of every single character (Morozko) and the future that waited for them (for Morozko). I really can't help but wanting to read the last book to satisfy my curiosity!

It is a year since I read “The Bear and the Nightingale”, and initially, the “Girl in the Tower” passed slowly as I had to bring back to mind the action and characters of the first book. As with many Russian flavoured books, all the characters have several names – and it takes a little time to get used to that again. But once I got things straight in my head, the plot sped apace, as did my reading speed and enjoyment, and I read the second half of the book in a single sitting.
It is still winter, and still very cold. Vasya has escaped from her home, leaving behind her dead, the conflicted priest, Konstantin, and the villagers that he has turned against her by branding Vasya a witch (Witch. … We call such women so, because we have no other name”). She rides the immortal steed, Solovey, and seeks out the Frost King, Morozko. Vasya is not a witch – or at least doesn’t think she is – but she can see the Chyerti spirits, whose existence most others refuse now to acknowledge. But most of all, Vasya is escaping the stultifying future that society has decreed for her – and all other women of this age and country: “A woman married. Or she became a nun. Or she died. That was what being a woman meant”.
To have some semblance of freedom and a life worth living, Vasya takes on a new identity as a young lad, and as such comes to the notice of the Grand Prince of Moscow, Dmitrii Ivanovich. Her brother, Sasha, at the Grand Prince’s side, is forced to go along with her deception against his ‘better’ judgement: “her brother had loved the child Vasilisa. But how can one love a woman who is too much like that child, still brash, still unafraid?” When they all reach Moscow, Vasya’s sister, Olga, is dragged into the conspiracy. Olga has the life that she dreamed of – as a lady of consequence with husband, children, staff and slaves – but also with many constrictions. She can only envisage a similar existence for Vasya, even knowing that her sister is completely unsuited to such a life: “Vasya barely heard. The walls of the chapel were stifling her, as though Olga’s long, airless years had a shape and a flavor that she could breathe … This was the face of her most dreadful dream: herself, imprisoned behind walls until she grew to accept them, her soul withered away”. As a boy, Vasya becomes lauded as a hero, and gains in confidence – but the truth of her identity always threatens to ‘un-man’ her – and to destroy the lives of her siblings and their families.
There are some wonderful characters in this book. Of course, Vasya, whom you immediately take to heart. Solovey is much more than a (immortal) horse. He understands human speech, and is probably Vasya’s best friend, confidant and protector. His mood is communicated through his very mobile ears. Apart from Vasya, his greatest love is food – especially porridge. Morozko, as a portent of death and the Frost King, should invoke fear and dislike – but his care for Vasya humanises him, and he comes across as a very sympathetic, and misunderstood, being. Like all the Chyeyrti, he is doomed to fade with the onslaught of Christianity, but you feel the world will be poorer without him in it.
This is a wonderful sequel, and I would recommend it to anyone who loves fantasy and fairy-tales. I look forward to part three of this excellent trilogy.
I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

MINOR SPOILERS AHEAD!
I received a free ebook copy of this through Netgalley. Thankyou to both the publisher and Netgalley! My review is still completely honest.

So I ended up being a lot more engrossed in this second book than the first! While I'm still giving them both 4 stars overall because they are both of similar quality overall, the pacing was much better in this one and I really got sucked into this. Some great developments.

Thoughts on characters. <spoiler> Vasya grew a lot in this! Her experiences on the road got rid of some of that young naivety she has, and her role as Vasilii
Thoughts on characters: Vasya grew a lot in this! Her experiences on the road got rid of some of that young naivety she has, and her role as Vasilii Petrovich, masquerading as a male, taught her a lot about who she is and what she wants. I thought she was a better character at the end compared to at the beginning, definitely more powerful. We learn more about the frost demon and see more of him in this book, which I loved. Their relationship is sweet and difficult, and I really hope things can work out in book 3. I actually didn't like Vasya's sister. She somewhat redeemed herself right at the end, but she is unfortunate evidence of how women themselves can help to reinforce female oppression. She had such a fixed idea of how Vasya should be, and was gave her own daughter no freedom, which also meant no happiness. Marya herself was lovely, and I could almost see a trilogy related to her after this one! Vasya's brother is pretty cool, even as a monk his medieval ideas about women were a little less strong and he seemed to appreciate Vasya's desire for more. Solovey is still a favourite, he is the much needed comedy in this novel. His loyalty and pride make for a great animal character.

Thoughts on plot. The plot was strong in this one too, the main plot line being the introduction of Kasyan, an immortal sorcerer. One thing which I think could have been foreshadowed better was Kasyan's involvement with Tamara, Vasya's grandmother, as there seemed to be no warning of that at all, and as such it felt a little removed from the rest of the plot. I love all of the magical elements, the firebird was a favourite, the new chyerty introduced, the domovoi.. There were some disturbing scenes in this and the men are brutal. My favourite scene was Vasya taking Marya for a ride through Moscow, and every scene with the frost demon!

I already mentioned in my previous review that the setting is a really strong element of this story, so I will briefly mention-Russia! Russian folklore! It's an excellent, refreshing basis that is done differently to other books with a similar basis

I started my review of The Bear and the Nightingale in all-caps, violently demanding more. I would have done the same for The Girl in the Tower, except that I don't think Caps Lock can actually express my desire accurately. I devoured the first book in the Winternight trilogy in a single night and, unfortunately, did exactly the same for The Girl in the Tower. Then I spent some time just happily staring at it, deeply satisfied. In the paragraphs below I have tried to put my fangirling into words, hopefully they make sense. Thanks to Ebury Publishing, Del Rey and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The second book in a trilogy often has the hardest job of all. On the one hand you need to keep readers entertained and invested, but you can't just do the same thing as you did in the first book. You also need to prepare the board for the epic finale still to come without making your moves too obvious. Not many sequels manage to do all this, but The Girl in the Tower does so beautifully. Arden advances the plot, widens the world within which her characters move and, above all, allows her characters to grow and develop! While The Bear and the Nightingale beautifully showed Vasya growing from child to girl, The Girl in the Tower shows her growing up and becoming a woman. And with that Arden gives stunning commentary on the role of women in society. I hadn't expected the gentle ferocity (this is not a paradox, trust me!) with which Arden articulates the limits upon women and the pain this causes. She doesn't force this realisation upon her readers, doesn't shout it in their faces, but rather shows it throughout the novel, expertly following that maxim 'show, don't tell'.

Vasya was one of my favourite heroines of the last year and this is even more true after reading The Girl in the Tower. Although Arden moves between different narrators into this book, showing us the minds of Vasya, Sasha and even Morzoko at times, Vasya remains the heart of the Winternight Trilogy. As I said above, Arden shows her developing and changing without betraying who she is as a character. She remains spirited and passionate, with a heavy serving of stubborn, but also deeply dedicated to her family. But she also learns and grows. While The Bear and the Nightingale's action was limited largely to Vasya's father's estate, The Girl in the Tower sees her literally riding into the big wide world, dressed as a boy. While she faced dangers back home, greater threats await her and she has to adapt to meet them, which happens naturally. Arden builds up her world believably, introducing, in some cases re-introducing, more and more power players without losing the plot. The stakes increase as well, with more being at risk for both Vasya and those she loves, but Arden keeps it realistic. Once I finished The Girl in the Tower I contemplated for a bit and realised there is literally nothing I could even contemplate complaining about in this book. In a way this makes my job incredibly difficult since there are only so many ways you can express your love for something before you look crazy, but I'd rather have it this way than any other.

Arden continues to bowl me over with her books. Whether she has me gripping my sheets during action sequences or actually giggling like a teenager over certain moments, Arden is continually evoking something in her readers. Her descriptions of Russian nature and Moscow's architecture are stunning and her research into Russian folklore and history really shows itself in how natural the two flow alongside each other. In some ways The Girl in the Tower is the perfect historical fantasy book, grounded enough in fact to allow the fiction to shine. Arden strikes a fine balance between a modern and a mythical tone. Her heroine is an intrinsically modern one, coming up with phrases like the one below:
'Bogatyry ride the world, rescuing maidens. Why not I?'
On the other hand there remains that sense of the old, the ancient and the legendary. Certain descriptions, certain turns of phrases, they create the perfect mood in which magic is not only possible, but natural. In The Girl in the Tower Arden also continues her dance across the fine line that is romance. There are enough hints there to keep everyone content, but Arden never sacrifices her heroine or her plot to the desire for A Grand Romance™.

Actually, I have thought of one criticism: why is it already over? Why couldn't it just go on forever? I need that third book straightaway. Although, maybe take your time with it, Katherine. I don't think I can handle this trilogy's future end quite yet.

I literally couldn't have asked for more from The Girl in the Tower. Everything I wanted to see and things I didn't even know I wanted, Arden delivers in this book. It is a perfect continuation of the Winternight trilogy and has certified her as one of my favourite contemporary writers. Please do yourself a favour and read this book!

This book is the follow up to The Bear and the Nightingale and continues the story of Vasya, a girl who can see the magic in the everyday and has the courage of a lioness. I had the pleasure of reading this book in exchange for an honest review.

The story begins not where you would expect – it begins in the tower of Olga, her sister, and we meet the women who live in the towers of Moscow, visiting each other, going to chapel to pray and rarely seeing the outside world. I kept wondering when Vasya would make her appearance and when she does, the story really begins.

Vasya is an interesting character, she truly drives the narrative on the back of her great stallion Solovey. Her sister wishes for her to be meek, to be pious and to live in the towers of Moscow like herself, but Vasya wants so much more. She wants to see and experience the world, to travel beyond the known and out into the vast unknown.

For why shouldn’t a girl go off on adventures? In these times this was reserved for the men, the fact that she would dare to break the mould has her labelled a ‘witch’ and far worse. It brings up questions about marriage, women’s rights and equality through the eyes of Vasya, who bravely challenges the norm.

However, the author also explores the motivations of the men, not painting them as villains simply for being male, but as well rounded, thoughtful humans. I particularly loved the character of her brother, Sasha who, despite all that Vasya does, still defends and protects her, still acknowledges her depth, her uniqueness and her humanity.

The Girl in the Tower has the allure of magic just beyond your fingertips, set against the stark backdrop of a snow lit Rus’. The author has clearly done her research, weaving in folklore and tales from Medieval Russia, showing us the harsh reality of what it meant to live in these times.

This is the most perfect winter read, you really feel the numbing cold of the forest and the intense cloying heat of the bath house. The everyday touches make this story stand out for me, I love knowing how people lived, not just the Queens and the Kings, but also the poor people and the servants. Arden deftly serves up a feast of details, with a twist of magical realism which is utterly delightful.

https://lynns-books.com/2018/01/25/the-girl-in-the-tower-winternight-trilogy-2-by-katherine-arden/

The Girl in the Tower is the second book in the Winternight series by Katherine Arden. Last year I was spellbound when I saw the cover to the Bear and the Nightingale and read the synopsis. I had to have that book in my life. I don’t know, perhaps I was mesmerised, but after reading it the book proved to be even better than my expectations. I loved The Bear and the Nightingale. Imagine how happy I was when I found out that it was the first in a trilogy. I have since been like a cat on a hot tin roof waiting to read The Girl in the Tower.

Firstly, the cover again held me in it’s thrall, I was trapped in the headlights and unable to move, but I did have a nagging doubt. I loved book one, how could this possibly compete? Fear not, like Vasilisa (Vasya), there is more to Ms Arden than meets the eye. She’s clearly some sort of story sprite, which would explain why she writes of such creatures with deceptively easy charm. She has written a second book that is not only delightfully enchanting, brimming with atmosphere and evocative in it’s descriptions but she has superseded the first book. How is it possible? Well, for my mind this is an author who knows her topic, her knowledge is apparent in her writing but more than that her love for what she writes shines through.

I realise I’m gushing but I literally can’t help it. With this series I have that feeling of coming home. The feeling you get when a book is so good that it talks to you and makes you feel as though the author not only knows you inside and out but has written this book with you in mind. Silly, I know, but there it is. Pick up this series and prepare to fall in love with the characters, the place and the folklore.

The story picks up virtually where book one left off. (Side note – be wary of spoilers in this review if you haven’t yet read the first book – and by the way, if that’s the case – why not? Get thee to a book shop and pick up The Bear and the Nightingale, read it, then come back and talk to me. Please). So, Vasya has ran away from her childhood village, the villagers believe she is a witch and with her father dead she no longer enjoys his protection from their superstitious anger. Retreating to the forest in the bitter cold isn’t the easiest route, neither is deciding to try and see something of the world as a single young female in a time when women’s’ expectations were marry and have a family or go to a convent. Neither of these options appeal, or indeed suit Vasya. It isn’t a judgement call, everyone is different and Vasya wants something more. She’s a woman who was born in the wrong place at the wrong time. She’s a restless spirit and stubborn to boot. So, with safety and anonymity in mind, Vasya dresses as a boy. Now, there’s much more to the story than Vasya surviving in the wild. The bigger story begins with the plundering and destruction of many of the outlying rural villages and the abduction of children. This comes to the attention of the Grand Prince who eventually rides out to try and tackle the bandits head on. Vasya becomes embroiled in this thread which eventually sees her return to Moscow as a hero. She’s still masquerading as a boy – but how long can her luck hold out? She has now gained the attention of more than the Winter King and she walks on a tightrope of deception that threatens daily to give way beneath her.

What I loved about this book. Everything basically. The characters, the sense of anticipation that turns to that terrible choking feeling of dread, the cold of the forest, the whimsy and fairytale aspects, the darkness, the politics of city life and in particular being at the whim of a Grand Prince, the mysterious Frost Demon, the descriptions of the way of life and the Domovoi and Bannik’s that act as guardians of the homes and baths. Just everything.

To the characters. Vasya is an amazing character to read about. She’s stubborn and headstrong. She doesn’t always make the best decisions. She won’t ask for help. But, she’s loving, she loves her family, she’s brave and curious and has a determination streak a mile wide. I loved her story in this book. The dressing as a boy and the sense of freedom she enjoyed. It’s captivating to read about – especially her time in the forest.

Then we have Vasya’s stallion Solovey. I defy you not to love this horse. Just try. Or don’t – because it’s not possible so why waste time and effort.

We have a return to the story of two of Vasya’s siblings – Olga, her sister and now Princess with her own children and Sasha, her doting brother who left to become a monk. Vasya finds that she has a niece who is very similar, not only in temperament but in the way she ‘sees’ spirits and this also plays a role as the story unfolds.

Konstantin also makes a return to the story. He’s still obsessive in terms of both Vasya and his religion and neither help to make him into either a stable or likable character.

And, of course we have Morozko. Still an enigma, although we learn a little more of him in this instalment. Wow, what can I say. I’m a little bit in love which I realise is ridiculous. But I am. Don’t judge me – just read the book and you’ll be a little bit in love too I think. There is an underlying love theme going on here – but it’s very subtle and has the feeling of dabbling with unknown quantities that are dangerous and exciting at the same time.

The pace is much faster in this story than in the first, there’s more action and heart stopping drama, there are ghosts and other entities and this definitely tends towards a slightly darker streak than the first book.

Did I have any criticisms? No. I guess on balance I preferred Vasya’s time in the forest to her time in Moscow but I think that’s simply because even though she was more often than not cold, hungry or even a little scared it had such a feeling of wild abandon. Things might not be going perfectly but they were Vasya’s choices. As soon as she returns to the City you immediately feel the noose begin to tighten around her.

Overall: great characters, plenty of myth and folklore, fantasy and history coming together in perfect harmony, love, betrayal, deception, beautiful writing and a story that will hold you riveted to the page.

What more can I say.

Read it.

I received a copy courtesy of the publisher, through Netgalley, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.

A beautiful, magical wintery tale, rich of Russian Folklore.
I really loved this second chapter, even more than the first one... Can't wait to read the sequel !

Tower

What a beautiful book which is filled from cover to cover with Russian folklore.brought to life. We pick up the tale of the strange and wild Vasya which began in The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden. The author brings to life all the imagined sights and sounds of Russia in a time of great upheaval. Christianity has come to the fore and the old pagan beliefs are fading.
Vasya still yearns for freedom and wants to travel the world and not be trapped in a life she knows she would hate. Torn between her desire for freedom and love for her family , it is not easy for her to make her decision.
Chyerti, Domovoi, the winter king and many more characters from Russian fairy tales are woven into the story. You feel a sadness at the thought of them fading from the world as it becomes overpowered by the diminished belief in them and the rise of another more powerful belief.
Lyrical writing, excellent character portrayal. I love this book and I am looking forward to more.

Confession time, I haven't read The Bear and the Nightingale so honestly I can't tell you if this lives up to that boook or indeed exceeds it but I can say as I read this I was gripped. I know nothing about Russian fairytales or mythology apart from the legend that is Baba Yaga so I came into this world created by the author with completely fresh eyes.
Admittedly initially I wasn't terribly sure how the characters connected or indeed who I should be routing for but once Vasya entered the story I knew exactly just who I needed to keep a close eye on. Vasya is running in many ways but don't discount her. She's very brave, open to so many things and trying oh so hard to find her place in the world. It's a world don't forget that views women so very differently from what I as a modern emancipated woman am used to. Vasya is expected to go from childhood to be either a wife and mother or enter a convent and honestly neither path really appeals to her .
The crux of this story centres around the fact that there's something moving through the countryside that is bringing death and destruction. In a time when leaders are all too often deposed and murdered the Prince really needs to be able to trust those around him. Luckily he has Sasha, Vasya's brother but when the siblings reunite Sasha has to lie in order to protect Vasya. Oh and speaking of Vasya well an old acquaintance ( for me the most exciting character) also tries oh so hard to protect the girl that just might have the ability to humanise him !
Bold heroine who shines so brightly set in a world of magic and greed . I loved the setting, the twists but felt at times it didn't quite deliver but as the story hurtled to its conclusion I just didn't want to put it down. I'm left with questions, I desperately want more and as book hangovers go this ones a doozy .
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair

Like all good trilogies, this second book clearly exceeded the first. Using everything we know from the world of The Bear and the Nightingale, the author weaves in political intrigue as Vasya deals with the consequences of previous events. It was a lot pacier and thrilling than before; as events spiral out of control towards the end I just could not stop reading and I’m now bereft - what happens next?! The characters were strong and the line between right and wrong often agonisingly blurred (Olga’s birth scene, in particular, was incredibly moving). I loved it!

This was everything I could have hoped for, and more. In this one, Arden jumps around a little more with the timeline; we follow a character until they run into another and then we backtrack to see what the appearing character has been up to these past weeks or however long. If this was a feature also in the first book, I didn't notice it as much as in this one - and it worked. Arden handles this delicately and well, and it adds to the story.

We left Vasya at the end of the first book with no father or stepmother, and having witnessed magic that will only strengthen the fear of others, for she does things a person of good religion would not do (in these new times), and especially not a woman. 

So she strikes out from her home, knowing there is nothing left there for her anymore. Morozko once promised her a worthy dowry, and she claims part of it to instead be a traveller, despite the weather and the dangers on the road. As dangerous as winter is, at least it means he is there following and helping her even when she doesn't realise it at the time, which is a very good thing when things get quickly out of hand no matter where she turns.

It helps that she's often mistaken for a boy, due to her underfed looks and the fact she, like everyone else, is bundled in furs against the elements. She is dressed thus as she comes across one of the countless villages that has been pillaged and robbed of their girls, and decides to track the bandits back to their camp for the night to steal the girls back. She runs into her former brother (now a holy man), who is with the Prince, and the charade of her gender must continue for her own safety, for the ego of the prince who would not take kindly to being tricked, and so she won't end up in a convent or married and kept in a tower like her older sister. 

In this there are gods, a niece who must be taught the ways of the spirits that keep their homes safe, a great fire, a few great challenges of bravery wit and talent, and of course, the encounters between Vasya and Morozko - both who are easily confused and hurt by their missteps.

I can not wait for the next book. I love this series more than I can say.

Last year BookEater Tam raved over Katherine Arden’s debut (and this books’ prequel) The Bear and the Nightingale. I added it to my ‘to be read’ pile straight away but I saved reading it until I knew that this book was within my grasp! As soon as I had my preview copy on my kindle I dug in. BookEater Tam’s review was right on the money and I loved the first book.

This second novel moves to Moscow, where Vasya’s older sister lives the life of a princess, gilded and luxurious but constrained by the walls of a tower which no maiden or woman of high birth must leave. Vasya’s brother, the monk known as Aleksandre Lightbringer is also there – a favourite at the court of the Grand Prince.

Moscow is plagued by power struggles and bandits roam the countryside, burning the villages and kidnapping its daughters. The Prince, Aleksandre and a retinue of trusted companions set out to destroy the bandits but on route they meet a young man riding a magnificent horse who has rescued three of the stolen girls.

But this is no boy, it is Vasya. Her brother must protect her identity until he can get her to safety. But when Vasya proves herself in battle, riding with remarkable skill and inexplicable power, he realises he must keep her secret as she may be the only way to save the city from threats both human and fantastical…

This book was just as good as the last, Arden has created a magical world and the medieval Russian themes running through it add a wintery fairytale element. Lit by ice and spiced with smoke.

The characters are wonderful- the villains are evil but their motivations make sense. The heroes are flawed and Vasya makes some mistakes fuelled by pride and ignorance, but ultimately they are all trying to do the best they can in a society that holds them back.

Having read (and loved) the first book in this series, The Bear and the Nightingale last Christmas, I saved my early copy of book two, The Girl In The Tower for over the festive season. Set in the Russian winter, this is a tale that’s perfect to read at this time of year. But truthfully, Arden’s writing will transport you to the Russian winter no matter the season outside.

If you haven’t yet read the first book, then make sure you check out my review of it here and go pick up a copy! This post will inevitably contain mild spoilers for that first book.

Where The Bear and the Nightingale was set in rural Russia, The Girl In The Tower takes us on an adventure through the rural landscape and into Moscow itself. Continuing from the first book, we follow Vasya who, with accusations of witchcraft lingering at home, looks to follow her dreams, break with convention, shun marriage or the convent and travel.

We also spend time with her older brother Sasha, the monk, who I personally really liked in the first book, as well as meeting other characters – old and new!

Once again, Arden engulfs us in a beautifully written tale, built around Russian history and folklore. Through Vasya she continues to explore the lives of, and expectations towards, women at this time in Russian history – weaving historical fact within her fiction.

Having become familiarised with the conventions of rural Russia, we arrive in Moscow as overwhelmed as Vasya herself. Together we uncover the lay of the land, the customs, expectations, and requirements of the upper echelons in the Russian city.

The development of the characters in this second novel is fantastic. I love the progression of Vasya’s character – she’s everything I hoped she would be!

Arden’s writing is once again a highlight for me. Her descriptions, turn of phrase and writing style swept me up. I felt I was, once again, there in the Russian snow. I loved the continuation of the story. For me, it felt more action-packed than the first book, filled with deception, death… and a sassy horse!

The story itself is unforgettable, the writing enchanting, what more can I say? It’s a must-read for fans of The Bear and the Nightingale!

Absolutely ADORE this series!!!
I loved the Bear and the Nightingale and I love this book as much, which is extremely rare in a series.
Arden, has a flair for weaving magical realism into historical fiction and the pages of this books were turning themselves.
Cannot recommend this enough and I cannot wait until the third book!

I actually don’t think I can put into words just how much I enjoyed this book. The Bear and The Nightingale was amazing but The Girl in The Tower far surpasses it. The first book was a lot about setting the scene and the world that the author has created is better for it, but this book slides right into the action and doesn’t stop.

Vasya is once again my heroine, a girl who knows her own mind and doesn’t want to succumb to a life of being a wife or living in a convent. She wants to travel and to do so must disguise herself as a boy, which is where she finds her freedom. I admire her for sticking to her own beliefs and for not doing the things that are expected of her, I am envious of her wild spirit and wish that I had such tenacity. Although this story does make me extremely grateful for the freedoms that I have.

I really loved the bond between Sasha, Olga, and Vasya and even when things were tough and their relationship was tested, in the end, they were all there for each other. I did like that they weren’t accepting of each other all the time because it felt real, they are family but they still question each other and were stronger for it.

The writing is just as expressive as in the previous book but stronger, creating amazing imagery so that it was playing out like a movie in my mind. Again it was wonderful to journey to a setting that I have not experienced but to this time get the contrast of the remote village and the forest to the grandness of Moscow.

It also, of course, helped in making me feel every emotion. I would go from joy and wonder when Vasya and Solovey are riding and experiencing new things, to complete and utter hatred and devastation (I won’t tell you why though you just need to read it to understand).

The Girl in The Tower has definitely sunk its claws into me, I found myself completely losing track of time desperate to find out the fate of Vasya and Moscow. I also know that I’ll be thinking about this book for a good few days to come. I cannot recommend this book, well really this series, enough and I will be waiting on the edge of my seat for the next book.

I read "The Bear and the Nightingale" and "The Girl in the Tower" back-to-back so I can't help but compare these two books. They are alike in some aspects—at the same time, they're entirely different from each other. "The Girl in the Tower" managed to pull me in from the first page even though the pacing felt quite slow to me after the first couple of chapters. I understand that the jump back in time was needed in order to explain the circumstances properly, but I still feel like it could have been shortened quite a bit.
"The Girl in the Tower" also felt less magical than its predecessor—that may be the case because Vasya has grown up and hides her Sight more carefully; or maybe it is because the story now plays in Moscow where the house spirits are rapidly fading. While this installment still focuses heavily on family dynamics (which I loved!), new themes have been added like politics or gender roles. I loved reading how Vasya struggled under the pressures of society but still tried to choose her own destiny. She's such a brilliant, authentic protagonist that has grown on me immensely. I can't wait for the final book—The Winter of the Witch—in this beautiful trilogy.

This review will be posted on my blog, Foxes and Fairy Tales on 21 Jan 2018.
https://foxesfairytale.wordpress.com/2018/01/21/review-the-girl-in-the-tower

I found the first book, The Bear and the Nightingale, a little difficult to get into at first. Somewhere I got my wires crossed and thought it was a YA fairy tale retelling (it's wasn't) and that threw me. It was absolutely worth sticking with though. There were so many characters, each with their own objectives, and so many overlapping themes -- folklore, religious conflict, the harshness of winter, women's positions and power (or lack of it), family saga, political machinations -- I absolutely loved the depth. The Medieval Russian setting seemed completely authentic and somehow had more 'realness' to it than some of the other Russian-inspired fantasy I've read lately. From all the little references to the wider world and the level of detail in Vasilisa's, you could tell Arden really knows her stuff.

The Girl in the Tower continues the story and is even better! Everything I loved about The Bear and the Nightingale is back, but with a faster, more action-packed plot. Perfection. Again, you really get the sense Arden might have visited Medieval Russia at some point because Moscow is just as vivid as Vasya's village was. It's amazing to see some more of the things hinted at, or briefly mentioned in TBATN -- especially Olga, Sasha, the Grand Prince (and politics between him and the Khan).

I loved Vasya, even more, this time. This story really felt like it focused in on her, giving her character more time to shine as she explores a wider world. I love how nuanced and brave and flawed Vasya is. I adored reading her interactions with Morzoko, the relationship there is so well written and subtle. And I loved her banter with porridge-eating Solovey.

I can't wait for the final book!

This is a FEMINIST fairy tale. I bow to Katherine Arden for writing this in a world where young girls are forcefully spoon fed unrealistic expectations by the media. Body image, The endless pressure to be beautiful, to be liked by men.

The story is set in medieval Russia, where magic is a part of the world like nature, fantastic creatures lurking in houses, forests, on roads; only certain people have the ability to see them. This is a world where a girl should not ride horses. A girl should not fight.  A girl should not disobey her father or brothers. A girl should marry when the time comes, and give sons to her husband or go to convent and become a nun if she cannot find someone to marry. A girl should not die in child bed. A girl should stay inside buildings: tower or shack, palace or a single room dwelling, and should not complain, even her life passes in there without experiencing the world. A girl should do what's expected of her. As you see, this magical, medieval world in Russia is no different than parts of today's world : Men decide for women.

The first book, The Bear and Nightingale, is the growing up tale of Vasya. She discovers that what is expected of her is not what she really wants. But luckily: She is not afraid to determine her own fate. 

Girl in the Tower picks up immediately from where the first book finished. Vasya begins an adventure where she will make good and bad decisions, and will discover things she doesn't know.  In this book we have dangerous Tatar bandits, mysterious noble Kasyan, Grand-Prince of Moscow, Vasya's siblings Sasha and Olga, Olga's children, and many more characters. And of course, Morozko. Swinging between his god-self to human-self, he takes a major part in this sequel.

This book is much more action packed than The Bear and the Nightingale , and reminded me a lot of The Mists of Avalon. 

...the constant church-bell reminded folk too often that banniki should not exist. The thought made her sad.

The unbearable sadness of the loss of magic is there between the pages, Christianity and the churches eating up the traces of magic in this world. 

I will go on by bullet pointing some things I really loved about this book:

-The imperfect characters. No one is a super hero. None of the characters are perfect. Vasya or the other characters can make bad decisions.  
-The dialogue between the characters gives the reader an insightful dose of "why we should not be racist" :
"You cannot take vengeance on a whole people because of  the doings of a few wicked men."

- Reading about Russian folklore is fascinating. Comparing it with other nation's myths to see the cultural differences, how history and geography determines the fairy tales for every country / nation is even more fascinating for me.
- Do I have to have another go on how incredibly feminist this book is? Probably not!

This is Book #2 of one of my favourite books of last year (The Bear and the Nightingale), so I was beyond excited to be offered the opportunity to read an advance copy. I had verrrrrrry high expectations, and I was not disappointed. Vasya, facing the choice between marriage or life in a convent, decides instead to run away and travel. Her adventures soon take her to Moscow, where she finds herself having to defend the city and the Grand Prince from something awful.

Katherine Arden’s writing is fantastic. She weaves clear and enchanting images, and no part of the story is boring. Every single word was a joy to read. There really aren’t many books I’ve come across that are quite as magically well-written. That being said, there was, sadly, a bit less magic in the book than in the first, but there was still just enough to keep it special.

Vasya and Morozko are two of my favourite characters to ever exist. Vasya is strong and determined – and nothing like the usual fantasy heroines – while Morozko is a powerful and compassionate… What a babe. I just love him. And I can’t not mention Solovey: I’m not usually a fan of horses in general, but his connection to Vasya throughout the story is so lovely.

My one and only criticism of this book is the ending. It was abrupt and kind of unsatisfying, I was completely unprepared for it to end when it did (and not just because I enjoyed the book so much I didn’t want it to end). There seemed to be a lot of only partially resolved threads, and the ending just felt very sudden. It was quite a jarring and unsatisfying end to my reading experience.

However, the abrupt ending does not take anything away from the magnificence of the rest of the story. I cannot wait for the next book. 10/10. 5 stars. Full marks.

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