Katherine Arden’s books just keep improving with each one. Her third book in the Winternight Trilogy was every bit as exciting as I was hoping for. Arden’s books remind me so much of why I loved fairy tales as a child.

In the third book, Vasya, the main character, finds herself in a precarious position at the beginning of the story. Right away some devastating events occur and Vasya must escape to a safer place.

Along the way, she learns more about her heritage and her powers as a witch. Vasya develops into a peacemaker of sorts, to bring about the best outcomes for everyone. She finds her true path and she also finds romance throughout her difficult journey.

I especially loved the role of the horses in the story and how valued they were to Vasya.
The ending was wonderful and just the sort of fairy tale ending I was anticipating.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine for allowing me to read and advance copy and give my honest review.

Oh. My. God. Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Random House for the ARC.
The last book in a trilogy is always so difficult to please me, in general. I tend to be very critical of this. There are so many ends to tie up, so many questions to answer, so many conflicts to resolve, etc etc. This trilogy became close to my heart as soon as I read TBATN and I was very afraid to be left unsatisfied, but I was completely and thoroughly and teary-eyed and laughing at the pages and leaping in surprise, and I haven't been this engaged in a book in ages.
I don't think I've ever read a book that tied a series to a close as well as this did.
It was an absolute delight to read, with twists and turns and shocks and at one point I thought I had come to the climax, near the end, and yet, there was still 1/3 of a book left! I was amazed. This book brought everything together, in more ways than one. It answered the questions of Vasya's heritage, or her future as a "witch" in the Christian world, her relationship with Morozko and the chyerti as a whole, her place with her family and her country, the conflict between the new religions and the chyerti, and Vasya's own magic. And just enough tantalizing possibilities left out that I would sell my firstborn to Arden for short stories and novellas of Vasya's adventures post-TWOTW.
Also, Vasya and Morozko were a slowburn pair that tore at my heartstrings, and again: the events of their relationship in this book made all the pain and suffering worth it.

I loved the first two books in the Winternight Trilogy, but this third book left me feeling pretty underwhelmed. There's lots of action, yet I didn't feel a sense of urgency or emotional connection. It's a shame when the last book in a series doesn't really deliver. The story was fine, but just never grabbed me.

I eagerly awaited the third installment of the Winternight Trilogy, and it did not disappoint!
Vasya’s abilities are growing stronger in this book, along with her understanding of where she comes from. She finds herself in new, mysterious lands where she comes in contact with members of her long forgotten family.
I really enjoyed the complexity each character in the book. If you’re looking for cut and dry, black and white, good and evil characters in a story, you might want to look elsewhere. All of the characters reveal hidden facets of their character that are contradictory to the proverbial “good guys” and “bad guys.” Their internal struggles are real and relatable. I’m not going to lie, it’s kind of scary when you find yourself warming up to a character who you know is evil and has done horrible things, but maybe that’s exactly Arden’s intent. Vasya walks a thin line of morality in this book and she struggles with all of the emotional attachments pulling her in a million directions; her family, her loyalty to the chyerti, her faith, her love for Morozko, her love for her country, her insecurities, her ambitions... I could go on and on. She realizes there has to be a balance, but at what cost?
I highly recommend this book. I would also suggest that you set aside plenty of time to read it because you will not want to put it down once you’ve started reading.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

Buckle up, baby, because author Katherine Arden roars to the conclusion of the Winternight Trilogy in The Winter of the Witch. Ms. Arden takes a no-holds-barred approach in a book that is in a state of constant climax. In spite of this relentless action, somehow the author is able to fill out the shadow areas in the story, answer questions, and grow Vasya into a woman in her own right. Vasya is oddly both strong and vulnerable as the heroine. Vasya's siblings, Olga and Sasha, also get some welcome page time in this novel. Some unanticipated twists--which hang together amazingly well--coupled with some unconventional alliances, keep this tale fresh and unscripted.

This is truly one of the more satisfying trilogies in recent memory and a fantasy-lover's dream. Highly recommended!

What gorgeous cover art, befitting the wild and vibrant conclusion to Katherine Arden's Winternight trilogy. This third part takes us onward to the famous Battle of Kulikovo in 1380 between the Rus and the Tatars, the first time the people of Rus came together under the guidance of the grand prince of Moscow to defeat a foreign adversary--marking perhaps the spiritual birth at least of the nation of Russia. But in this folk-tale retelling, it is also a battle between the new religion of Christianity and old paganism with its belief in the powers of chyerti, various spirits and demons of folklore.

Arden has concocted a fairy-tale like story to flesh out these historical details in her trilogy featuring courageous young Vasilisa Petrovna, a wild, witch-like girl who is just coming to an understanding of her own powers. But "magic makes men mad. They forget what is real because too much is possible." Will she end up a madwoman like her great-grandmother Baba Yaga? Or will she be strong enough to be the uniting force between both pagan and Christian beliefs, bringing stability to her country and people?

I am actually hoping there will be more to this series--I have enjoyed it that much and don't wish for it to end!

I received an arc from the publisher via NetGalley for my honest review. Many thanks! My first read of 2019 and my first 5-star rating!

Let me start by saying that "The Bear and the Nightingale" is one of my favorite books and I have recommended it to many people. I also really enjoyed reading "The Girl in the Tower" although not quite as much as the first book in the trilogy. Sadly, "The Winter of the Witch" did not work for me. I felt like the characters had shifted and they weren't who I remembered them being. The plot, specifically tying everything to the historical battle at the end, felt forced to me and a departure from where the first two books were leading. I still appreciated Katherine Arden's writing and will definitely read anything she writes in the future.

A fitting and satisfying end to an exceptional trilogy.

The first book in the series felt beautiful and atmospheric with a touch of the powerful. The second book felt incredibly powerful, with a touch of beauty and atmosphere. The third and final installment felt like an even balance of those elements.

I wasn't quite as swept up by this book as I was by the first two, though that's not to say it wasn't a solid read and a good conclusion to the trilogy.

I wonder, will the story continue in a new series featuring Vasya's gifted niece? I'm not sure there is enough there, historically speaking, but I'd give anything Arden writes a try, particularly if it is set in this universe.

And on the above note, a nod to Arden for blending this gorgeously magical environment with the true history of 14th century Russia. That's not easy to pull off, and Arden did it masterfully.

If The Bear and the Nightingale was a slow burn, and The Girl in the Tower was a frantic race, The Winter of the Witch is the most glorious melding of the two. All of our storylines and characters are coming to a head. Everything is converging for these last battles, and you can’t help but feel the tension. Each character is so beautifully developed, some achingly so. I have never felt such loathing as I do for Father Konstantin throughout this series. It is so well done.

Words escape me when I try to write about this series. It felt like Katherine Arden came out of nowhere, and now I can’t get enough. The prose is beautifully written, transporting you to this fantastical past, all the way to the snowy landscape of Russia. There is something so atmospheric about these books. The writing is on another level, feeling lyrical at times, but never heavy-handed. I was so blown away with the first in the series, and while the second lost a bit of the fairy tale quality, the finale really pulled it together and knocked it out of the park. It’s a little bittersweet that it’s over.

This is the perfect ending for this trilogy. I couldn't have asked for anything more (except maybe an epilogue????)

Bittersweet, hopeful. lyrical, and a final resolution between the chyerti and humanity, between the Tatars and the people of 'Rus, and Vasya finally finds a place for herself and an answer to who she is.

Each character was well manifested and so alive, from the tiniest mushroom to the most sarcastic of bears. While some previous characters had less page time (Sasha, Dmitrii, Konstatin, Olga), the book turned much of its focus on Vasya—which was a definite improvement from The Girl in the Tower, where I felt like we saw Vasya through a billion different lenses but never spend much time with her beyond her venturing about with Solovey.

I'm not really sure I can put more words to my feelings, but if the first two books were enjoyable, then this will be a welcome ending.

I received this ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.

Thank you to Random house for the Arc of this amazing book!
What can I say, except another amazing book, I have thoroughly enjoyed this series, have loved the way Russian folk law was the basis for this series.

The final book in the Winternight trilogy left me in tears of joy and sadness. This trilogy hooked me early on with it's eloquent writing and the breath-taking descriptions.
In the third and final book, Moscow is slowly recovering from disaster and all the blame is put on Vasya. Vasya has been desperately trying to unite the men and chyerti of Russia to fight a common enemy. After escaping death, she searches for Morozko, the Frost King, who has sacrificed himself in order to save her. By making alliances and risking her life over and over again to do so, Vasya slowly figures out who she is, where she belongs, and where she really came from. This book is full of love: filial and romantic, and the bonds between friends. I can not put into words how wonderful this book is. I have not cried over the loss of a character in a long time and this book hit me hard.

I loved this book! I loved the entire trilogy and am thankful to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine
Del Rey, Katherine Arden, and Netgalley for the early access.

This final book of the Bear and the Nightingale trilogy ties up all story lines in a very satisfying way. The language of the book/series is beautiful and historic, and the story relies on actual Russian history for its narrative, wonderfully blending fact with fantasy.

Reaching the end of a beloved series is always bittersweet, and sometimes you even put off reading the last book because you don’t want to say goodbye. But in the case of the Winternight trilogy, I was actually really looking forward to The Winter of the Witch because as we all know, endings can be hopeful too—a promise to the reader that the journey was worth it all.

The story finds Vasya in the aftermath of the great fire in Moscow—a fire she accidentally started when she unleashed a firebird to save the life of the Grand Prince. Now an angry mob has descended upon the home of her sister, led by the zealot Konstantin Nikonvich, a priest who has been obsessed with bringing down Vasya since the very beginning. Grieving for a lost friend and distraught over what she has done, our protagonist ends up being captured and is headed for the pyre to be burned as a witch when suddenly, fate intervenes in the form of the Bear demon Medved, who makes Vasya a tempting offer.

However, Vasya is her own woman and refuses to owe the demon any favors. Escaping on her own, she finds herself in the dreamlike realm known as Midnight, where she encounters all kinds of mystical creatures and figures, including her own great-grandmother Baba Yaga. After learning about herfamily history and magical bloodline, Vasya realizes just how much responsibility rests upon her shoulders, especially once she discovers what has become of Morozko, the Winter King, following his sacrifice on her behalf. The Bear has also found a way to create chaos, manipulating Konstantin to do his bidding. To save Moscow, as well as those she loves, Vasya must come to terms with who she is, and embrace her power in all its glory and dangers.

In this satisfying conclusion, we get to meet some familiar faces like Vasya’s sister Olga, who is dealing with her own grief, as well as her brother Sasha, who has come a long way since leaving home for the monastery—though he is still my favorite character. Vasya’s cousin Dmitrii, the Grand Prince, also has a part to play, as he begins to gather allies and prepare for the oncoming threat of invasion. In essence, we are pulling all the threads together in the lead-up to the Battle of Kulikovo, which marked a victory for Rus forces over the Tatars and is considered one of the major steps in formation of what is modern Russia. Katherine Arden blends history with fantasy, entwining medieval Russian politics with fairy tale and folklore to create something amazing here. For while the tensions simmer in the real world, an invisible war also rages among the supernatural beings of the enchanted lands, as Morozko and his brother Medved are locked in their own fierce battle.

This novel sees Vasya caught in the middle, in more ways than one. For one thing, she spends a good part of the story in the realm of Midnight, which should delight fans of the more fantastical elements of this series. This, however, was probably why I liked this volume a little less than the two previous ones; as much as I enjoy the magical aspects of Vasya’s journey, I always preferred it better when she was dealing with mortal conflicts. The one exception to this is her complex romance with Morozko. As Vasya struggles with her place between two worlds, she is also trying to work out her complicated feelings for the Winter King, whose purposes are often hidden but quite vast. As always, I love how the author treated their relationship with a subtle touch, so that it becomes neatly integrated into the novel’s larger themes of choices, sacrifice, and unity.

Like the two books that came before, this one had some slow-moving sections. However, Arden keeps things interesting with all the new things Vasya encounters in the spirit world. I confess some of these parts felt like filler, but there were also revelations that paved the way for bigger developments later on. The prose, too, is beautiful—Arden has clearly been honing her skills over the years, and her writing is now better than ever. Midnight would not have come to life the way it did had she not described the world and its denizens in such luscious detail.

All told, The Winter of the Witch is a worthy conclusion to a beautiful trilogy about changing times and growing up. It is not my favorite of the books, considering how strong the first two volumes were, but it did end with an epic climax and an emotional denouement which is sure to resonate with readers who have been with Vasya since the beginning. Katherine Arden has created something genuinely incredible here: an atmospheric and memorable saga full of imagination and heart.

This was the perfect end to what has been a fantastic trilogy! Just like the previous two books, this was beautifully written and full of rich characters and details. I can't recommend this series enough!

I was over the moon to get an ARC of The Winter of the Witch. I adored the first two books and was so eager to read the final book of the series. I was a little nervous about whether or not it would live up to my expectations, but The Winter of the Witch was absolutely everything I hoped it would be and more! Actually, this is my top read of 2018!

If you haven’t heard of the Winternight trilogy, it is a series set in medieval Russia involving Russian folklore. It is a wonderful, richly told, atmospheric story. Arden expertly weaves historical facts with classic lore and cultural exploration. This series has so many things I love: a powerful yet flawed heroine, adventure, mythology, magic, emotion, and thought-provoking ideas. The writing has just the right balance between action and character development. There are humorous moments and heart-wrenching ones. And through is that undefinable essence of old storytelling like something deep and elemental springing up from a time gone by. It’s so astounding that this was Arden’s debut series! (And I will also add that I greatly appreciate that each book was released in a timely manner!)

There are three conflicts entwined within the stories: The political machinations between Rus’ and the Tatars, new religion versus old beliefs and customs, and Vasya’s struggle to find her place between societal expectations and her own desires. This is such a powerful story. It reminded me of why I love to read.

I really could go on and on and on about how much I love this book, but I don’t want to give away much more about the story. But I highly recommend it!

I cannot wait to see what Katherine Arden comes out with next!!

Ahoy there me mateys!  I received this fantasy eARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  So here be me honest musings.  If ye haven’t read the other two books in this trilogy then ye might want to skip this post and read them.  Worth the read.  If ye keep reading this log then ye have been forewarned and continue at yer own peril . . . . . .

the winter of the witch (Katherine Arden)

Title: the winter of the witch

Author: Katherine Arden

Publisher: Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine Del Ray

Publication Date: TODAY!!! (hardcover/e-book)

ISBN: 978-1101885994

Source: the publisher - Arrrr!

The first two books of this trilogy tied for the number one spot on me top 5 reads of 2017.  So imagine me delight when I finally got to read this stunning conclusion.  This installment contains another fabulous cover and another beautiful lyrical story that had me besotted.  While book one could be read as a standalone, I am so very glad that I got to experience more of Vasya's adventures.  This book was worth the wait.

In-spite of the time between books two and three, a couple of sentences in and I was magically transported back into the author's amazing world.  Vasya continues to struggle to find her proper place in the world.  Christianity and magic continue to clash.  Political upheaval continues to disrupt Russia.  Vasya is in the thick of things and is trying to save those she loves and a disappearing way of life.  She makes mistakes and suffers yet remains overall strong and determined.  Vasya is certainly one of me favourite characters ever.

What truly took center stage in this book was the vivid imagery and lush writing.  I couldn't put this book down and finished it in one sitting.  Not only was I completely immersed in the story but I was mesmerized by the tale's twists and turns.  There are surprises and heartbreak.  Assumptions are overturned.  And yet overall the story ended with hope.  I absolutely adored the ending.

I really can't do this book justice.  If ye haven't read this series then ye should.  It is a perfect read for winter.  I will be reading whatever this author writes next!

So lastly . . .

Thank you Random House!

Normally I would post a blurb here but not this time due to spoilers!!

To visit the author’s website go to:

Katherine Arden - Author

To buy the novel please visit:

the winter of the witch - Book

To add to Goodreads go to:

Yer Ports for Plunder List

Previous Log Entries for this Author

the bear and the nightingale - book 1 (On the Horizon – Fantasy eArc)

the girl in the tower - book 2 (On the Horizon - Fantasy Arc)

small spaces (Captain's Log - YA Fantasy)

In book three of Katherine Arden's. trilogy Vasya's journey continues. My enthusiasm for the first two volumes was boundless. The final book has made me want to go back and read the whole series again. If you ever enjoyed fairy tales, you should be reading this series. The pace of the story gallops and leaves you breathless. The tension between the Orthodox Church and Vasya's witchcraft is exhilarating. Will the church and the pagan spirits be able to inhabit the world together peacefully? Arden has based much of the story on historic fact. I enthusiastically recommend this book and the whole series.

This book is the concluding installment of the Winternight Triology, a unique fantasy series steeped in Russian folklore. Ms. Arden gave readers a truly beautiful conclusion to Vasya's story. Her imagery of the spirit world was very vivid. The storylines built up in the first two books continue in this installment and the book picks up where the second installment left off, so it is highly recommended that readers go back and read those prior to picking up these books. Readers find Vasya rising from the ashes of Moscow as a mature, strong-willed woman who is not afraid to fight for those she loves. All the minor characters in the other two books make an appearance and more are added, which could make the story a bit confusing for some folks. I had a really hard time with the relationship development between Vasya and Morozko. It felt a bit forced and rushed, especially considering this wasn't the first time this subject was brought up during this series. I wanted a bit more emotion from Vasya. She goes through so much this book mentally, emotionally, and physically, and I felt like there were some lost opportunities regarding development of her character layers. I didn't know much about Russian folklore and history of this period prior to reading this trilogy, and I appreciate the opportunity to see these themes through Ms. Arden's eyes.

Katherine Arden knocked it out of the park with the the third book in the Winter Night series. I usually binge read books all night, but I had to stop and pace myself with this one because it was making me feel so strongly. Arden's writing is beautiful and works so well with the world she has created. These are books I could read again and again and catch something new every time.