I love the world that the author has created, and I love the main characters. I love all of this so much, in fact, that I just thoroughly enjoy every minute of time that I spend reading these books. I also feel like this book did a good job wrapping up the story of the series. All that being said, this volume seemed a little haphazard to me. The pacing and the organization did not always make sense, and she brought in some details that felt like afterthoughts, if that makes sense. .

This is the third and final book in the Winternight trilogy. I got a copy of this book from NetGalley to review. This was an amazing conclusion to this Russian folklore based fantasy tale. I absolutely loved it and thought it was just perfect!

Vasya is in trouble, she’s been accused of being a witch and is on the run. The Bear has been released again and Vasya needs Morozko’s help to trap the Bear before he destroys Moscow. Can Vasya help to save Moscow and still have happiness for herself as well?

This was an amazing conclusion to this trilogy. It continues to be incredibly well written and I loved how Vasya pulled together all the folklorish powers of Russia to help deal with both the Bear and the Tartars. So many amazing things happen in this book, it was impossible to put down and amazing to read.

Overall this was one of my favorite series that I read this year and this installment in it was the most amazing of all. I absolutely loved it to pieces and would highly recommend if you enjoy beautiful fantasy writing with folklore/fairy tale themes.

“There are not, said the Bear at last. ‘There are no monsters in the world, and no saints. Only infinite shades woven into the same tapestry, light and dark. One man’s monster is another man’s beloved. The wise know that.’”

In the stunning conclusion to Katherine Arden’s Winternight trilogy, Vasya journey ends much where it began, yet everything about her has changed. Where we met Vasya as a young woman, confused about her special powers and her ability to talk with things that her family could not see, we see a much more confident and dangerous woman in Arden’s last installment. The folklore and the fairytale continue in this book, where Arden weaves a tale that brings together the elements of orthodoxy and paganism in a fresh retelling of Russian history. As readers can expect from Arden’s work, the world is complicated and messy, and the writing is gorgeous and pulling.

The book begins slowly and continues as such for longer than some might be willing to handle, but if readers are drawn in by the characters and relationships in this series, they will want to follow Vasya’s journey until the very end, where her friends the Bear and the Winter King appear throughout the novel. Vasya makes new spirit-realm friends that lighten a relatively dark book, and Vasya’s family are a constant throughout. Girl in the Tower is a perfect precursor to this last installment, where Vasya’s confusion and inability to make a decision are replaced with a new resolve about what Vasya has come to accomplish and what she holds most dear.

Where this final installment is dark and bittersweet, the realization that Vasya is now a woman and no longer a child, it is also full of fiercely joyful moments that have stuck with me in the aftermath of this series. Arden is apt at balancing moments of grief and loss with instances of great happiness and triumph. Vasya’s journey is accompanied by the mysterious Winter King and the reckless Bear, shadow versions of sides of Vasya she would rather ignore. This triangle of magic forces is at the forefront of the novel, and ends up being much more important than readers may have assumed at the offset of the series.

For fans of LEIGH BARDUGO, ROSHANI CHOKSHI, and NAOMI NOVIK, this final installment in the Winternight trilogy is a midnight ride through snow-filled stories, a fantasy that pulls at your heartstrings and aims to have you question your loyalties throughout. A worthy end for our Vasya, leaving readers wondering what magic Katherine Arden has in store for us next.

“Love is for those who know the griefs of time, for it goes hand in hand with loss. An eternity, so burdened, would be a torment. And yet -- He broke off, drew breath. “Yet, what else to call it, this terror and joy?”

In the final installment of the Winternight trilogy, Vasya finds herself feared and hated in the aftermath of the fire that ravaged Moscow when she set the firebird free. What the enraged mob doesn't know is that Vasya also saved the city that night. Narrowly escaping death, Vasya escapes Moscow and embarks on a journey to save her family and her people from the invading Tatars while also protecting the chyerti, the spirits and magical creatures only she and a few others can see.
I enjoyed this entire trilogy, and The Winter of the Witch was a satisfying conclusion. At times I was frustrated with Vasya, but that ended up serving as a reminder that she is only a teenager who has had a huge burden put on her at a young age. There was one new element to her character that was introduced in this book that seemed to come somewhat out of nowhere and was a bit underdeveloped, but it did not detract from the overall story. As with the other books there was a lot of good character development, even for the more peripheral people. I highly recommend this series for those who like fairy tales and fantasy novels.

I love the feeling I get when I finish reading a great book. The feeling is rewarding and bittersweet because I am tied to this journey just as much as the main characters are but there is a part of me that doesn't want the story to end. This feeling is magnified when it's an epic series. The Winter of the Witch is my favorite book this year and I loved reading the entire trilogy. I have enjoyed reading about Vasya and watching her grow. Katherine Arden has created a fascinating trilogy with wonderful, well crafted characters and The Winter of the Witch is an amazing conclusion to Vasya's story. I highly recommend this book and the entire trilogy to anyone looking for an adventurous fantasy story. I look forward to reading future novels by Katherine Arden and I wish that Vasya's story comes to life either as a series of movies or a television series.

Fairytale retellings have been part of culture for as long as there have been fairy tales. Their characters are recast, their stories adjusted to suit current sensibilities, their settings adjusted to someplace new and exciting. What many of these retellings lack, however, is the sense of wonder and strangeness inherent in the old stories. Fairy tales recorded by the Brothers Grimm, Hans Christian Andersen, Giambattista Basile, and others show us an uncanny world where strange figures lurk just out of view and you might find that the road you have walked every day of your life has suddenly delivered you to the realms of Faërie. The journey does not guarantee adventure. The Hidden Folk, the Twylyth Teg, the Chyerti– regardless of their names, they can be benevolent in one moment and threatening the next. But whoever or whatever a mortal encounters in these perilous realms, they do not arrive home the same as when they left. Encountering the denizens of fairy tales changes a person forever. Whether that is for good or for ill depends upon the person.

Throughout The Bear and the Nightingale and The Girl in the Tower, the first two books of Katherine Arden’s Winternight Trilogy, we have watched Vasilisa Petrovna change from a little girl playing in the woods and offering bread to the strange creatures she found there to a young woman who has faced peril and survived it, but still doesn’t know what her place in the world is meant to be. She cannot stay in her childhood home, where the villagers would persecute her as a witch, any more than she can remain confined within her sister’s home where her culture dictates a woman of her rank should be. So while the bonds of family call to Vasya, she cannot remain in Moscow. After a devastating fire, the people are looking for a scapegoat and they place the blame squarely on Vasya’s shoulders. With no good choice before her and all roads leading certain death, Vasya escapes into the dark paths of the realm of Midnight where she will discover things about herself, her family, and the nature of her world.

I have loved Vasya and her world ever since I first read The Bear and the Nightingale two years ago. She is full of contradictions while remaining true to herself and her convictions. Her growth throughout the three books has been consistent and believable, culminating in The Winter of the Witch, where she becomes a fully realized adult capable of recognizing her mistakes and accepting their consequences. She also realizes that the world is not black and white; problems are not always solved because this side wins and the other loses. Life is more complicated than that.

Vasya’s is not the only story that comes full circle in The Winter of the Witch. Storylines begun in book one are concluded in book three, and if some of those endings are heartbreaking they are at least true to the story and its characters, although there are a few points I would have liked to see fleshed out a little more if only to solidify a particular character’s nature and their role in the story. But that is a minor flaw. Overall, Arden’s storytelling ability is miles ahead of many of her peers. The Winternight Trilogy is one of those that truly succeeds in its three-book format and doesn’t feel like it’s been stretched out to accommodate a publisher’s desire to cash in on a successful franchise. While there are three books with distinct plots, the Winternight Trilogy begins and ends a full story filled with fully realized characters, a rich and often haunting milieu, and elegant writing that depth and emotion without drawing attention to itself.

What sets Arden and the Winternight Trilogy apart from the glut of fairytale retellings available at every turn, though, is not Vasya or the medieval Russian setting. Arden clearly understands the language of fairytales. Not the princess stories of Disney, but the old, old tales our ancestors told their children by the hearth at night. Otherworldly stories that sought to explain the weirdness of nature and provide rules by which to navigate a world where the darkness pressed close and death lurked around every corner. This awareness of the language of fairy stories is not, I think, one that can be taught in any class. It is heard less by the ear and more by the heart, shining a light, however briefly, into the strange and perilous realms just beyond mortal sight.

The Winter of the Witch exceeded my already high expectations. It is at turns eerie and heartbreaking, and wondrous and strange. Vasya continues to be a heroine who is strong and filled with agency, without falling prey to the tired tropes that too many fantasy heroines are afflicted by. She shows that strength is more than the ability to wield a sword and that forging the path forward does not mean abandoning those you left behind.

If the Winternight Trilogy, her first major work, is a sign of what Katherine Arden is capable of, I look forward to seeing what stories she spins in the years to come.

Winter of the Witch wraps up the Winternight Trilogy through an excellent combination of action and true character growth. The novel picks up right where The Girl in the Tower left off - Moscow burned, a sudden snowstorm, and Vasya rescuing Marya from the sorcerer. Vasya, responsible for the fire, finds herself chased by a mob and drawn even further into the unseen side of the world. We’re introduced to new figures, including Lady Midnight and a mushroom spirit named Ded Grib, as Vasya journeys to find Morozko (the Winter King) and trap the Bear again. Meanwhile, Dmitrii (the Grand Prince of Moscow) is readying for a confrontation with the Golden Horde.

It’s fascinating to see how Vasya grows throughout this book, she really comes into her own, deciding that she can act on her own desires and still keep her family and country standing. I love the way the romance between Vasya and Morozko develops, with them recognizing their feelings but also understanding the other’s nature. The continuing interplay between paganism and Christianity in Russia is also fascinating. Then there’s the conflict between the Princes of Rus’ and the Horde, which culminates in the final battle. The near-poetic prose paints every moment in vivid detail and really brings medieval Russia to life.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and felt it was a perfect conclusion to the trilogy. I’m looking forward to whatever Katherine Arden does next.

I received an advance copy from the publisher through Netgalley.

This is the exhilarating and beautiful conclusion to Arden's Russian trilogy. Beginning with death and ending with resurrection, it is at its heart a romance in the oldest sense of the word, and a story about a girl and a horse. When Vasya, a young woman gifted with the ability to see and communicate with the old pagan spirits of Russia, is condemned to death by a conflicted and zealous priest egged on by a chaos demon, it appears that the new religion of Christianity will cause the old spirits to become extinct. But Vasya throws herself into unknown lands, magic, and war to find a way to allow both faiths continue. This is an epic full of beautifully worked language and images that still retains a sense of humanity and humor among the characters, as mythic as they often are. And I love these books for the relationships between Vasya and the horses with whom she can speak. Her stallion Solovey is a rare treasure in literature about horses. This entire series is on my permanent list of fantasy I recommend to anyone seeking magic in history, history in magic, and the beauty of folklore.

I really don't read a lot of fantasy, but I do enjoy stories steeped in folklore, and Katherine Arden has been writing some of the best. This trilogy conclusion had the same detailed environments and characters that readers have loved in the first two. Arden writes with a style that somehow conveys both sparkle and melancholy- she conveys both the light and the darkness, and the high stakes in this book made it one that, while it's not a short book, felt fast.
I'm not well versed enough in fantasy and folklore stories to write articulately about how this book compares to the genre, but for this reader who only tentatively ventures into the genre, the series is accessible and engaging.

There's honestly something bittersweet about this book. From the very beginning The Bear and the Nightingale series has held a special place in my heart and knowing that this one would be the last in the series broke my heart but at the same time filled me with such joy. I’ve come to love all these characters so much for both their good and bad, and with Winter of the Witch I fell in love with them all over again.

I think the greatest part about this book is that the story picks up immediately after where The Girl in the Tower left off. As I was reading this book, I don’t know if the writing just somehow got more magical or it pulled my in so quickly that I was just in a state of wonder from the beginning, but I was so pleased with how much more we dealt the ‘fae’ then we did in the last book. There were definitely more characters that came along as Vasya came into her own and learned more about her bloodline and her power.

And oh my god Morozko!

I have to admit to him being one of my favorites. I’m a sucker for a frost/winter king or demon. I felt like him and Vasya really grew together in this book than compared to the last two. (I honestly should be doing a better job at this review than actually just fangirling over, well everything) But that's the thing, I loved every single minute of this book.

There was so much that happened here and it took twist and turns that I never saw coming. This was just an amazing ending to a fantastic series

I loved this book, and was so sorry to see it end, especially since it's also the end of the trilogy...or is it? Katherine Arden's writing is evocative and downright lyrical, and every page is a joy to read! And that's not even taking into account the story, which is exciting, suspenseful and enthralling. Continuing the saga begun in "The Bear & The Nightingale" and "The Girl In The Tower", 'The Winter of The Witch follows Vasilisa (Vasya for short) as she does what she must to ensure the lives of both human and fantastical Rus. With a wonderful cast of otherworld characters including a mushroom sprite, a flying horse and miscellaneous others (not to mention the domovoi that inhabit the homes), Vasya inspires human and not humans to work together for the benefit of all. Vasya's relationship with the Winter King adds spice, and chaos demon returns to stir things up as well. This unlikely team leads equally unlikely soldiers, human and otherwise, against a terrible enemy that could mean the end of life as they know it. I couldn't put this book down! Highly recommended!

The Winter of the Witch is the absolute perfect ending to this trilogy. It shattered my heart, stitched it back together, then stomped on it. Just in case I had any hope of it ever healing properly.

Full, in depth review will be posted on GoodReads and at the link below on January 9, 2019.

Having read and loved the two previous books in this series, I was thrilled to be approved for this one. It absolutely did not disappoint!
Picking up where the second left off, Vasya continues her quest to save Rus from the Tatars and the magical world from being forgotten, all the while attempting to prevent her family from becoming casualties in the struggle.
The “unseen” world is not the only magic present in this novel - Arden’s writing is beautiful and with the imagery she is able to transport the reader to 14th century Russia. A satisfying conclusion to a wonderful trilogy!

This was great conclusion to the Winternight Trilogy! My only wish was that the book was longer. I look forward to reading future books by Katherine Arden. I would love more stories of these characters but I'll read anything she publishes in the future!

Book hangover commencing in 3 ... 2 ...

My first thought upon finishing this book was, "I need to rank my favorite characters." So that's what we'll start with:

1. Solovey. Easy win. No contest.
2. Morozko, the sexy forbidden frost-demon. Every scene he's in is my favorite scene. Can we have a full novel that's just him whittling birds by a fire?
3. Tie between the evil Konstantin and the new mushroom spirit, Deb Grib. I love to hate a good villain, but also enjoy the plucky fungal sidekick.
4. Vasya. Yes, the protagonist is my fourth favorite. She's too perfect of a third-wave feminist for 14th century Russia.

This book has moments that are perfect, when my emotions overcame me in an instant. Moments when I'm reminded, "This is why I read!!" Arden doesn't pull her punches. Right out of the gate we're reminded that love isn't enough and is easily lost.

"As I could, I loved you."

But then there's the other 60% of this book that can get bogged down and boring. Large sections were a chore to read. But I made it through only because I knew I'd be rewarded with perfect moments of emotional overload.

If you're in a similar book hangover and need more frost-demon romance, I recommend Spinning Silver to get you through the rest of these winter nights.

I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Story: 5 stars
Character Development: 4 stars
Writing/Prose: 3 stars

This was a terrific conclusion to this trilogy. Another wonderful book full of magic and intrigue. I enjoyed it so throughly

The Winter of the Witch by Katherine Arden is the third and final book of the Winternight Trilogy. The Winternight Trilogy is a historical fantasy read that is heavily influenced by Russian folklore and fairy tales. Each book of the series picks up where the previous had left off so this is one that definitely needs to be read from the beginning in order to fully understand the world and it’s characters.

In the first book of the series, The Bear and the Nightingale the story introduced readers to young Vasilisa who lived at the edge of the Russian wilderness where winter lasted most of the year with her father and siblings. It was there that Vasilisa and the children gathered around the fire at night and listened to the tale of Frost, a much feared blue eyed winter demon that will claim wary souls. The children learned that as much as Frost is feared they must honor the spirits that protect their homes from evil.

Vasilisa was different from other children, she was able to see the spirits that surround the land around the family. With a bit of a wild side Vasilisa spent her time roaming the forest and interacting with the spirits. After Vasilisa’s mother passed away her father traveled to Moscow to find a new wife. The new stepmother shared Vasilisa’s vision and forbid the interaction with what she thought were demons in her new home and with promise of either being married off or sent to a convent Vasilisa ran off to encounter Frost where the adventure began that has continued throughout the series.

The Winternight Trilogy has been a rather up and down experience for me as a reader from the beginning. I absolutely love the way the author painted the scene of medieval Russia in the bitter cold and her use of folklore into the story setting up this fantasy trilogy. But, for me the story is one that is rather slow going throughout and would test my patience getting through the books. The second of the series was my favorite as it did seem to pick up a bit from the pace of the first but now with this last I felt that it was back to really dragging through a lot of areas of the story. Many readers though absolutely love this trilogy and I, myself, would still recommend giving it a chance even if it was a bit slow for my overall taste leaving me to rate this last installment at 3.5 stars.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

I received an arc from the publisher via NetGalley for an honest opinion.

This was the perfect end to a beautiful series. I’m very content with it, though I cannot wait for Arden’s next books.

Vasya has to deal with the after effects of book 2 while trying to protect her family and the chyerti at the same time. This story is tragic at some moments, yet empowering in others. It was fascinating to see Vasya’a growth from a headstrong girl to a mature woman. I cried, I laughed, I cheered. I’m not going to say too much, to avoid spoilers, but as always, the story was incredibly plotted, the prose is lush and beautiful, and the exploration of the magic is fascinating.

Fans of Arden’s first two books are not going to be disappointed.

Despite a slow start, the final volume of Arden's trilogy more than delivers. I couldn't put it down, and I was totally engrossed by how Arden brought disparate characters together. Vasya is a fascinating character, and I loved how cleverly Arden wove in Russian history and Russian folklore. Excellent for fans of Naomi Novik and Robin McKinley, or for fans of Neil Gaiman and Edith Pattou.

<i>Thank you to Random House Publishing - Ballantine and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.</i>

Like its predecessor, "The Winter of the Witch" begins right after the events of the previous book and through Arden't atmospheric storytelling, leads to the most satisfying conclusion.

Undoubtedly, the author should be commended for taking a largely unfamiliar to American readers mythology making it come alive in a vibrant and unforgettable way. But Arden't greatest achievement in this trilogy is its spell-bounding language. The reason readers connect with the alien cultural and historical backdrop is the lyrical voice, of a quality so hypnotic and evocative that we are transported, nay - enchanted - into Vasya's world.

This evocative fairy tale for grown ups is filled with story turns and revelations that I would challenge anyone to foresee. Rather than frustrate or confuse the reader, they only enrich the story, adding emotion and mystique. A whole slew of characters emerges as new favorites - some of them not new at all, and yet shockingly vivid and captivating.

While the trilogy is marketed as "concluded," I cannot help but wonder about a certain mention of a certain ancestor towards the end of the book. It's a tantalizing detail, that receives no further attention. Perhaps we are in for a treat after all. If not, I will be picking up anything Arden publishes in the future. I'm simply enchanted.