This was an explosive, magical end to a great trilogy. I LOVED the Midnight Realm, the idea of the Midnight Road that takes the rider through every midnight through time, but if the rider falls asleep in Midnight too far from where they began, they'll awaken in the future having traveled for years and years and years, and be immediately dead. And the House by the Lake - I want an ENTIRE book of stories in this place ... I want more Baba Yaga, more magical horses that are also birds, more magical little mushrooms and lake monsters ... I want a whole book of these. I'm holding out hope that Arden has this in her back pocket (pretty pretty please??) - like Garth Nix did for the Abhorsen series. Sometimes a fantasy world is just so perfect with history and fable and folklore and fairy tale, that I can't bear to leave it, and it is this way with this book.

"You loved it! Why not 5 stars?" - I was left a bit worn by the aggressive cruelty of men and the fighting world of an unstable Russia, plagued by usurping and marauding clans. And that war really was painful to read (I hate those parts of these epic novels, I must say). As I keep saying, I wanted more magical realm stuff, but there ended up being a pretty decent balance.

Well, this was a delightful ending to the series. I loved The Bear and the Nightingale and felt meh about Girl in the Tower, so I wasn't sure how this one was going to go over (particularly considering that my reading brain hates everything I read right now). I appreciate that Katherine Arden gives just enough background that I don't have to completely reread the last two books to have a clue what was going on...or they're just good enough that most of the plot stuck in my brain. If you're into Morozko, you'll be happy with this one. I thought Midnight was a fascinating place and I'm glad we got to see that strange little world. Vasya turns into a powerful woman who pretty much stops putting up with other people's nonsense. I mean, she was stubborn and headstrong to begin with, but her personality and confidence really shows through in the Winter of the Witch. It was a sad, but highly satisfying ending. If you like the last two books, or even one of the last two, I think you'll be happy with this one.

Katherine Arden’s amazing Winternight trilogy comes to a satisfying close in The Winter of the Witch. This novel begins in the immediate aftermath of the conclusion to the previous volume and readers should read this series in order so that they don’t get lost right off the bat. Everything in the first two books has been building towards the events in this concluding installment.

Our protagonist, the beaten and weary Vasilisa Petrovna, is not allow to rest after the night when Moscow was almost destroyed by an angry firebird. There was so much destruction and confusion that the people of Moscow want someone to pay. Vasya is only just barely able to escape when an old enemy whips up a mob to try and burn her as a witch. The first chapters made me ache for Vasya. She was only trying to help. Of course, a lot of protagonists were only trying to help when they inadvertently caused all hell to break loose. Still, there’s no excuse for trying to burn someone alive.

Her escape leads her on a series of episodic adventures that end up putting the Rus’ to rights after years of conflict between the supernatural chyerti and the Orthodox church; the warring Medved the Bear and his brother the winter king, Morozko; and the Rus’ and their Tatar overlords. Everywhere Vasya goes, she has to extract promises and strike bargains in an effort to save lives and find a measure of peace for everyone. Her tasks seem so impossible that, even though I knew things had to come out right because this was the last book in the series, I worried. Vasya has so much on her shoulders in this book between all of these struggles on top of her worries over her own sanity and for her family. The fact that she bears up under all of this had me marveling over her strength and ingenuity.

Readers who have been following the series will be more than satisfied with this conclusion, I think. Each episode in the book is tense, with high stakes if Vasya should falter. All the loose ends are tied up. Nothing is easy and the ending is more than earned. Arden treats us to plenty of magic and headstrong characters drawn from Russian history and folklore, with new creatures we haven’t seen before. I savored every page of The Winter of the Witch.

The Winter of the Witch is a fantastic, imaginative conclusion to the Winternight Trilogy. While this novel continues from where The Girl in the Tower ended, the tone of this book is very different from the two previous books: much darker. Vasya faces increasingly more dangerous challenges in her determination to find a happy medium between Morozko, the winter king and death-god, and Medved, the bear and bringer of chaos. Additionally, Vasya’s relationship with Morozko keeps changing as he helps her in her times of need.

Vasya feels that it is her mission to find a way to allow Christian doctrines to coexist with the folkloric beliefs in the various spirits (chyerti) from Russian folklore. Add to this an actual battle between the Russians and the Tatars who vastly outnumber the Russians. How Vasya is drawn into this conflict is the crux of the latter half of this novel. There are many twists and turns in the plot, many of them totally unexpected, which left me with a feeling of uncertainty as to how this would all end. Would any of the beloved characters die? Would Vasya succeed in her crusade? I found the suspense of wondering how things would work out both thrilling and nerve-wracking.

I know that The Winter of the Witch is the conclusion to this trilogy. However, I would enjoy reading about the further adventures of some of these characters, especially if or when they get to meet other members of their families. For example, I’d like to see more of the development of the character of Masha (Marya), Vasya’s niece, and what type of experiences she will ultimately face. There is so much more that can be explored and I hope that Katherine Arden will take up the challenge of writing more stories based on Russian folklore, along the line of the Winternight Trilogy.

Katherine Arden has written an action-packed series that is a real page-turner, with a unique blend of historical Russian people and events, Russian folklore, fairy tales, and magic, Her amazingly detailed worldbuilding provides the background for this creative trilogy. If you enjoy fantasy, this is series not to be missed.

Many thanks to Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This series is amazing!

The idea of a Russian fairy tale appealed to me, the covers are intriguing and the stories are very well written, filled with details that captivate and bring the story to life. From the first book to the last, I have been completely spellbound.

I hope that people everywhere have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the world Arden has created where there is a bit of magic, caring families, adventurous people, a brave heroine, storytellers, mysterious fairy-tale beings who care for homes, animals and sometimes people, as well as mysterious beings who do not. There are people and spirits who are likeable and others who are not.

The story is neatly wrapped up in a dramatic ending that kept me glued to the pages, and was at the same time incredibly sad and yet ultimately was full of promise and joyful. I did not want the story to end. (I really think that it would be possible to write more about the the characters in the book!)

I loved this series and I am looking forward to reading more books by this author.

Katherine Arden is a master at blending the supernatural and the mundane. The Winternight trilogy sits high on my favorites shelf. I absolutely adore each of the multilayered characters as well as the perilous world hanging in the balance. A must-read for all generations. The writing scintillates and thrills. The plot is taut and heart-stopping. The conclusion will leave you longing for more.

This is the third book in the series and I would recommend reading them in order. This book finds Vaska in trouble with most of Moscow on fire due to the events in the last book. The priest (Constantin) is out to rouse the public against her and have her burned as a witch. She must escape from the mob and the fire and hide away in the land of Midnight where she heals and plans for what must be done to save her country. War is coming - the Tartars are invading and the ransom in silver which was sent to keep the Tartars at bay was lost in an unfortunate flood. Rallying both her supernatural friends and her bother, cousin and his army they must fight the Tartars to save their lands.
The author blends her extensive knowledge of the folktales and language and topography of Russia to bring about a thrilling conclusion to this trilogy. This was a fast and enjoyable read!!! I loved this series!!!!

4.75 out of 5 stars

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of The Winter of the Witch in exchange for an honest review.

I couldn't click request fast enough when I saw this up for grabs. I read The Bear and the Nightingale, and when I was done it went in #thegreensuitcase.

The Winter of the Witch was a little harder to get into for the first couple dozen pages, but that's my fault, as I hadn't read The Girl in the Tower yet (it was on my to-read list! Near the top! I promise!) But after that I fell away into the beautiful dream that is Katherine Arden's writing. I'm sure fans of this trilogy know what I'm talking about. She has a way of clouding your vision of reality and lulling you into her written world like few other writers do. I found it hard, though, to register these adults as the children I knew from The Bear and the Nightingale. And the publisher got themselves some money giving me this ARC because I have the hard copy of Bear, and now I must go buy The Girl in the Tower, and I will definitely be buying this when it comes out so I can put them all in #thegreensuitcase.

I was impressed with her continuous depth of world-building and characters. Oh, gracious, I cried when...well...you'll cry, too.

I was completely taken by the world of midnights and of course with the Winter King. It's not often I fall for a character in a book. From reading a lot of other reviews I take it that is a normal thing with other readers, but not for me. I also loved the new characters introduced in the world of midnights.

One of my favorite things about Arden's writing is her love for horses. If you can follow me here, a lot of my favorite books had horses that were more friends and companions to their humans than pet or vehicle. Shadowfax, for example, was not given nearly the credit he deserved in LotR movies. I could go on and on, but I don't want to take away from the epic that Arden has written here.

If you love fairy tales, if you love fabulism, if you love stories that take place in winter-y places and characters you can root for and bad guys you want nothing more than to see justice hammered down upon, then you're going to love these books. I can't wait until this is released so I can get my hard copy.

This is the third book of the Winternight Trilogy that began with The Bear and the Nightingale followed by The Girl in the Tower and this one carries on the beautiful and tragic tale of Vasya and the Winter King, Morozko. 

We have been through many trials with our brave heroine, Vasilisa Petrovna, a girl. Yes, that's correct she is still a girl, which only makes the heroic and terrifying deeds she does more incredible. 

Things are not good in Russia. After what happened in Moscow the people are ready to throw her to the wolves. She must be a witch and she must die. Vasya is alone. Even her cousin, the Grand Prince doesn't know what to do with her.

The Winter King has traded his freedom for hers and now his demon twin is reeking havoc on the world. Feeding on chaos and death, manipulating the weak religious priest and intent on ridding the world of humans. Even the unseen, magical creatures are afraid.

Vasya doesn't know who to trust or to believe. But if she is to save her family and her country as well as the Winter King, she must be braver than ever and listen and learn as the country prepares to go to war with the Tatars. 

So much weight on the shoulders of one girl.

I have loved these books so much. First, Arden is a genius with covers. They pull you in to a world of fairy tales and magic in the most beautiful of languages. Arden is pure genius at storytelling. 

Very Well Done! *****

Netgalley/DelRay January 09,2019

This book... where do I even begin? I have been waiting and hoping desperately for an ARC because I HAD to know the rest of the story... so thanks, NetGalley, for this copy!
Winter of the Witch was everything I had hoped it would be. Sometimes with a series the endings don't always live up to expectations but this one does. It was perfect. It broke my heart (more than once) and put it back together again by the end. The end could not have been more satisfying. There is so much in this novel - action, romance, family drama, magic... and every emotion on the spectrum. Katherine Arden has created a world in this book - in the entire series - that is so alive. This is not my usual genre but this series is at the top of my all time favorites and I highly recommend!

I received a free Advance Reader Copy through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I'm always apprehensive when I prepare to read the final book in a series, especially YA fantasy. This is the definitive moment where you find out if the author had an exit strategy or not.

The Winter of the Witch is a fast-paced finale which neatly wraps up the Winternight trilogy. Book 2 saw Vasya continuously experiencing brutal setback after setback (Solovey! I will weep forever), and the first half of The Winter of the Witch extends this depressing and unpleasant situation. How many times do we need to watch Vasya get the tar kicked out of her? Apparently, a lot. Despite the subject matter, the pacing felt appropriate and the story moved forward at a good clip.

One of the major conflicts was wrapped up in the first 60% of the novel, and I fully expected it to be the conflict and last for the entire length. Instead, Arden writes in a new conflict for the remaining 40% of the novel, which led to it feeling a bit slapped together and half-formed. There were a couple small references to the impending conflict in the other two books, but not enough to end the trilogy on it.

There are several new characters introduced, the best of all being an adorable and spunky mushroom sprite who reminded me of how much I love Fantasia (despite some problematic portrayals regarding race and gender)

One of the strongest aspects of The Winter of the Witch and the Winternight trilogy as a whole is that Vasya's relationship with Morozko never defines and she never allows herself to be defined by it. She remains independent and self-sufficient, forging her own path without being pigheaded about it like many other YA heroines are depicted. She's rational and works toward competence without being a Mary Sue.

Overall, it was a satisfying close to the trilogy, and fans should be pleased with the ending.

The Winter of the Witch is the final book in Katherine Arden’s captivating Winternight Trilogy. I always find it difficult to review books that come late in a series because it’s so hard to talk about them without giving away spoilers, but I’m going to give it my best shot here and hope that my words do it justice because filled with unforgettable characters, intricate worldbuilding, and creatures from Russian folklore, the Winternight Trilogy truly is one of the most beautifully crafted series I’ve ever read.

To give a bit of general context for those who have begun the series, The Winter of the Witch picks up right where the second book left off. Moscow is in ruins and its terrified citizens are looking for answers, and more specifically, for someone to blame. That someone, unfortunately, becomes our heroine Vasya, and the final book begins with her fleeing for her life from an angry mob who accuse her of being a witch and want to see her dead.

War is also brewing as the Grand Prince of Moscow looks to go after those who threaten his kingdom. While the Grand Prince prepares for war, the priest Konstantin has troubles of his own. Although he may be a powerful religious figure, Konstantin is a weak man, easily manipulated by those stronger than he is. In Konstantin’s case, he finds himself the puppet of a vengeful demon named the Bear. The Bear feeds off of chaos, fear, and war so he uses Konstantin to fan the flames of hatred and distrust to create chaos everywhere.

This chaos and turmoil affects not just the humans, but also the magical creatures. Vasya finds herself with the weight of both worlds on her shoulders as she desperately tries to save both her Russian homeland and her beloved magical realm.

Can Vasya stop the Bear and Konstantin? Can she stop a war? And most importantly, is there any way that her magical pagan world can peacefully coexist with the human world? It’s a tall order, and Vasya isn’t sure she’s up to the task.

Some things I loved:

Vasya. As with the two prior books, Vasya is my favorite part about this story. We’ve watched her grow from a young girl to a young woman and there has just been such tremendous character growth throughout each book. That growth continues well into this final book and I can honestly say that Vasya is one of my all-time favorite book heroines. I love her big heart, her refusal to conform to what is expected of her, and most especially, I love her resilience. The final book presents Vasya with several heartbreaking, gut-wrenching moments – moments that probably would have crushed a lesser person – but no matter how low she is pushed down, she always picks herself back up and refuses to give up.

Worldbuilding. I honestly didn’t think Arden could improve upon the worldbuilding from the first two books, but she proved me wrong with the Winter of the Witch. Again, I don’t want to say much because of spoilers, but into her world of Russian inspired folklore, she introduces what she calls the Road to Midnight and for me, it’s one of the most memorable and unique parts of the story. Vasya finds herself journeying on this road as she desperately seeks help from the Frost Demon and the journey she takes is truly magical, so much so that it almost defies explanation. It’s kind of like time traveling but so much more. You really have to experience it for yourself to get a feel for how wild a ride it really is.

Wonderful Secondary Characters. Some like Solovey, Vasya’s horse, and Morozko, the Frost Demon, I adored. Others like the Bear and Konstantin, not so much. But whether I loved or hated them, this series has a fantastic and unforgettable cast of well-drawn characters. We also meet several more mythological creatures in this final book and their bond of mutual respect with Vasya adds so much richness to the story and really emphasizes how she is a bridge between the two worlds.

Creative Use of History. I didn’t realize this until I read the author’s note, but some of the characters and events in the series are based on real historical events, including a war. Arden has, of course, put her own personal and creative twist on them, but the historical fiction fan in me thought it was very cool to learn the story was based on not just Russian folklore but on actual Russian history as well.

It made me cry. This does not happen to me often when I read fantasy series, but The Winter of the Witch made me cry. Not just once or twice, but three times! I won’t say specifically why I cried, but I will say that two times, my tears were tears of sadness and one time, they were tears of joy. That’s how attached to these characters I got!


The Winternight Trilogy is, by far, one of the most unforgettable series I’ve ever read. I love that while it’s a wholly unique story inspired by Russian history and folklore, it’s also reminiscent of some of my favorite childhood fantasies like The Chronicles of Narnia because the strong element of whimsical magic and wonder that permeates it.

This is the third book in a trilogy that began with "The Bear and the Nightingale," and continued with "The Girl in the Tower." The saga combines elements of a fairytale retelling, historical fiction, and fantasy. I would advise that this book not be read as a standalone, but rather as part of the trilogy.

The story is set in the 1300’s in Russia, or Rus’, as it was called then. The country had been Christian for five hundred years, but some of the populace, hedging their bets, still honored the gods of Russian folklore, paying tribute to the spirits of the household and the land by leaving regular offerings to them.

Vasilisa Petrovna, called Vasya, can see these spirits, as well as other fantastical beings, and she can hear voices no one else can. She is the granddaughter of a woman rumored to be the swan-maiden of fairy tales, and who also had these “gifts of sight.”

In the first book, Vasya ran away from home to avoid an arranged marriage or a nunnery. Her life was saved by Morozko, the Winter-King, or as he is also known, the Frost-Demon.

In the second book, the relationship between Vasya and Morozko takes on new depth, as Morozko struggles with his feelings for Vasya. He knows that “you cannot love and be immortal,” or indeed, have feelings at all.

Morozko wants Vasya to return to her family where she will be safer than traveling on her own. She tells him:

“You may tell me to go home, but I may choose not to. Do you think that is all I want, in all my life - a royal dowry, and a man to force his children into me? No, I am going on. I will see the world beyond this forest, and I will not count the cost.”

Morozko gives Vasya a magical horse named Solovey, which means Nightingale, and with whom she can communicate. She leaves him and reunites with her sister Olga, married to the Prince of Serpukhov, and with her brother brother Sasha, who is now the monk Brother Aleksandr Persvet. Sasha is acting as a counselor to his cousin and good friend Dmitrii Ivanovich, Grand Prince of Moscow.

As the third book begins, Olga has recently lost a baby, and another of her children is at risk, since her little girl Marya, like Vasya, has inherited “sight,” which could get her labeled as a witch. Indeed, Vasya is being called out as a witch by the villagers, egged on by the “holy man” Konstantin Nikonovich, who leads a mob to the gates of the Olga’s palace demanding “the witch.” They intend to burn Vasya at the stake. To that end, they first killed her beloved horse Solovey so she could not escape on his back. Vasya manages to escape the flames however through magic, and Vavara, the house maid, tells her where she must flee for safety. Vasya then discovers that Morozko traded his freedom for Vasya’s life. Morozko released his twin brother, Medved - The Bear, from captivity, with the only proviso that he save Vasya.

The beings with whom Vasya communes are chyerti (the various spirits of Russian folklore which may include human-like beings, animals, or plants endowed with the ability to speak, emote, and influence human affairs) and as Vavara explains:

“The Bear is among the greatest of chyerti, a master of the unclean forces of the earth. . . . .His chief skill is knowing the minds of men and women, and bending them to his will. Above all he loves destruction and chaos, and will seek to sow it as he can.”

Inevitably, Medved aligns with Konstantin, who, Medved understands at once, is capable of unleashing the most chaos on the populace through religious-inspired fear and hatred.

Vasya gets away from the flames, but she doesn’t feel free yet. The Bear is loose, Morozko is now captive somewhere, Moscow is in danger from Medved and Konstantin, and she is concerned for her family, particularly Marya. Somehow, she must use the powers she has to make it all right.

This story ends just after the Battle of Kulikovo in 1380. At that [actual] battle, the Grand Prince Dmitrii Ivanovich lead a combined force from several different Russian principalities against a Tatar army. As the author explains in her Afterword, it was the first time the Russian people fought together to defeat a foreign adversary and thus “marks the spiritual birth of the nation of Russia.” She also notes that many aspects of the battle she portrayed are true, with the possible exception of the fairy elements. But, she adds:

“Who is to say, in the end, that the three guardians of Russia re not a witch, a frost-demon, and a chaos- spirit?”

<strong>Discussion:</strong> There is a great deal in this book about life in feudal Russia, especially with respect to the friction between religion and pagan traditions, and how the diminution of belief in fantastical beings will lead to their elimination from nature. There is also a lot about gender roles, and the stereotypes about women that are so destructive to their well-being.

In the previous two books, Vasya was much more self-centered and disagreeable. In this book she finally matures and makes sacrifices beyond those that serve her own interest. She not only is more mature and compassionate, but shows bravery and devotion to justice befitting a heroine.

Arden does an excellent job of adding nuance to the villains of this saga, sharing with us their hurts and longings as Vasya comes to understand why they acted the way they did.

We even get more romance and physical expression of it in this final book, and it is quite well done.

<strong>Evaluation:</strong> The prose evokes the tone of fairy tales, and the historical aspects dovetail nicely with the plot and add a nice flavor to the story. There is a helpful glossary in the back of the book for Russian terms. The saga is enlightening as well as entertaining, and has cross-over appeal for fans of historical fiction, fantasy, and romance.

When I read The Girl in the Tower last year, it quickly became one of my favorite books ever, which was a total surprised since The Bear and the Nightingale was enjoyable, but not mind-blowing. The Winter of the Witch was not only a satisfying conclusion to the series, but an absolutely stunning and magical story all on its own.

As with the second, The Winter of the Witch picks up right where the last book left off, making it easy to transition back into the story. Vasya continues to be one of the best written female protagonists I’ve ever read – and one of my very favorite heroines in literature. Her character growth throughout the series is amazing, and her bravery, strength, and compassion are admirable traits that only speak to some her well-roundedness. In addition to Vasya, there were so many other characters whom I loved reading about: Sasha, Olga, Marya (although there wasn’t as much of her in this one), Dmitrii, Ded Grib, and Pozhar to name a few. And of course, there’s Morozko, our morose winter-king. My adoration for that brooding frost-demon only grew in this novel, and I couldn’t get enough of his scenes, especially the angst with Vasya. Chapter 17 very nearly put me in an early grave, you guys.

I’ve said this before, but the atmospheric setting in these books is one of the best I’ve ever written. Katherine Arden is such a talented author: her lush writing, vivid descriptions, and carefully crated historical and fairytale elements create such a magical story. And the wintry setting made this a perfect read for winter time.

There is so much to love about The Winter of the Witch, and I will never stop recommending this series to people. From the writing to the characters to the storytelling, The Winternight trilogy is an enchanting, whimsical story perfect for those who love a blend of fantasy and folklore.

[I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.]

Quotes:

"Have you never thought to believe that heaven and hell are both nearer you than you like to believe."

"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."

"Men make themselves afraid . . . Imagining is worse than anything they actually see. All it takes is whispers in the dark."

I loved the first books in the series, and couldn't wait to get my hands on the third one in Arden's Winternight Trilogy. I was elated when I finally got approved for the ARC -- thanks, NetGalley! As the third and final book in the trilogy, The Winter of the Witch picks up where the story leaves off in The Girl in the Tower. I enjoyed it greatly, and gave it 4/5 stars. I think, though, that the first book was my favorite.

However, this book still had all the elements I enjoyed in the first two: strong female characters, magic, romance, strong family ties, Russian history and folklore, and atmospheric setting descriptions. Arden develops the characters further in The Winter of the Witch, giving more insight into their motives, desires, and abilities. I was emotionally invested in their plight, and teared up a few times. *No spoilers, promise!* I liked that this book explores the magical world where the women in Vasya's family came from, and a bunch of the fantastical creatures that live in it.

I was a little disappointed that the book didn't explore more of the characters and their futures. Arden definitely leaves room for further stories to be written, but as this is the third book in a trilogy, I think this will be the last one. All in all, this was a fun book. Not as stellar as the first one, but still a solid four stars.

This series follows Vasya, a strong-willed young woman living in medieval Russia (during the period when Russian princes were paying tribute to the Golden Horde), who can see and talk to chyerti, the demons and spirits of Russian folklore. This ability and her free-spirited personality sets her at odds with her family and the church, and pulls her into an age-old conflict involving the god of death himself. By the time The Winter of the Witch begins, Vasya has gone through massive character growth and has become a powerful figure in her own right, and must figure out how to use her powers and cunning to save all of Russia from the forces that threaten it.

Friends, I've been in love with this series from the beginning. It captures the atmosphere and wonder of fairy tales, with their supernatural creatures, strange quests and riddles, and plucky, clever heroes. The political and religious conflict involving fictionalized versions of real historical figures provides another layer of complexity and helps ground the tale. It's a vibrantly imagined world.

The characters are fascinatingly flawed, and I've enjoyed seeing them grow throughout the series. Moreover, I've enjoyed how Arden has handled Vasya's relationship with Morozko. All along, there's been a bit of a Beauty and the Beast vibe to it, but Arden specifically avoids the problematic aspects of that classic relationship trope and gives Vasya agency and introspection. In The Winter of the Witch, it's a relationship between equals and Vasya makes her decisions with a clear head.

In this novel, all the plots of the previous novels come to a head. It's more action-packed than the previous books in the series. I had a hard time putting down The Bear and the Nightingale and The Girl in the Tower, but this one was almost impossible to set aside. (A real problem, when I read this during my busy season of work!)

All in all, this is a richly layered and beautifully written tale. It's a magnificent ending to a phenomenal series, and I highly recommend it.

<i> The Winter of the Witch</i> is the final book in the Winternight Trilogy, and it picks up right after the devastation of the second book. In this book, Vasya is older than the little girl readers first met in <i>The Bear and the Nightengale</i>, and the situation she faces is much more devastating. To remind us of this, the book gets dark very fast. While the first two stories heavily featured the romance angle, this book focuses on Vasya on her own and having to literally face her own demons.

It took me a while to write this review because even though I finished the book a few weeks ago, I'm still not entirely sure how I feel about it. It was good to see Vasya come a bit more into her own as a character, and I'm a sucker for anything related to Russian folklore. However, the book dragged a bit in the middle and there are almost too many plot lines in this one (do we really need to know who Vasya's paternal ancestors are? Does anyone actually care about her sister's husband).

Ultimately, <i> The Winter of the Witch</i> is a satisfying ending for fans of the trilogy, but it's not as dynamic as the first two.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of the novel.

The Winter of the Witch is Katherine Arden's third book in the Winternight Trilogy.

I was quite taken by the 14th c Rus' setting, the Russian fairy-tale-inspired characters, and the female heroine journey. Arden studied Russian in Moscow, so reading the books the reader is immersed in Russian history and traditional culture.

The series, in essence, is about a young girl growing up, discovering her abilities and place in the world, at odds with societal expectations. Historical Russia becomes a fairy-tale kingdom where both men and devils must fight to survive.

The Bear and the Nightingale
In 14th c Russia, Vasya, who can talk to horses and hear the household spirits, dares to claim the right to make her own fate. Against her family's desires and the demands of society and church, she resists the life laid out for her. Even the pagan gods, whose power is slowly fading, try to harness her for their good but she will not be chattel to anyone. She fights the evil spirits that threaten her family, protected by the Winter King Morozko. When the spirit of Death in the form of a monstrous bear attacks their community, Vasya is blamed and labeled a witch by the priest Konstantin. Her choices limited to marry, enter a convent, or be killed as a witch, Vasya dresses as a boy and goes out into the world with a horse from Morozko, the unworldly stead Solovey, or Nightingale.

The Girl in the Tower
In the cruel winter, dressed as a boy, Vasya flees her home where she was driven out as a witch. After battling a Tartar army she finds refuge in a city where she is reunited with her brother Sasha, the valiant monk-warrior and childhood friend of the ruling prince. Her exploits impress the prince and she leads his band to track down the Tartar marauders. Vasya accompanies the retinue to Moscow and is reunited with her sister. Also in Moscow is the tormented Konstintine, the priest whose misguided faith drove him to persecute Vasya in her hometown. The story includes a twisted plot of false identities, a heritage of women who can communicate with the spirit world, and a riveting epic battle.

The Winter of the Witch
This installment brings the epic story to an exciting climax as the Rus kingdoms are threatened by the Mongol Golden Horde, and the chyerti fight for survival as they are forgotten as Christianity spreads.

Vasya learns she is descended from a line of witches and pledges to help the chyerti coexist with humanity. Central to the continuing story is Vasya's monk-warrior brother Sasha, their sister Olga and her daughter, the nascent witch Marya, the Rus' Prince, and the misguided Christian priest, Konstantin, whose lust for power overrides his faith.

Vasya's demon mentor Morozko The Winter King, a god of death, and his brother Medved, the Bear, god of chaos, have been enemies. To protect her Rus' kinfolk, Vasya's task is to bridge their gap and make them ally with humans.

In the Author's Note, Arden states that from the start she planned to end the trilogy at the 1380 Battle of Kulikovo on the Don River between the Grand Prince Dmitrii Ivanovich and the Tatar temnik Mamai. There was a historical warrior-monk who battled a Tartar warrior as in the novel, and the Grand Prince did trade places with a boyar so he could fight incognito.

I sped through The Winter of the Witch, a compelling read. There are two epic battles. As I noted in earlier reviews, the myth of the female hero continues as Vasya receives help and magical helpers. I noted repetition in the story, stock images or phrases, in the style of Epic poetry.

The series would appeal to readers who like strong female characters battling for freedom and those with an interest in fairy tales, Russian folklore, and fantasy.

I received a free ebook from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.

How do I love The Winter of the Witch? Let me count the ways. God, just read it. Marvel at the language and magic, the depth of characterization, the merging of history and folklore. I giggled, yes. And I certainly cried, but mostly I was satisfied because it was the perfect end, unexpected and splendid. Highly recommended.

The Winter of the Witch is the third and (sadly) final book in an amazing series by Katherine Arden. Thank you to Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this beautifully written book.
This book picks up where the last book ended and the charismatic priest Konstantin Nikonovich has convinced the mobs that the fires that broke out all over the city was God's punishment for the prince harboring a witch, Vasya, and that she must be burned to death as punishment. Through a crazy chain of events Vasya escapes and is set on the magical Midnight Road where she discovers more about her family, her past and what her future might be.
This book was great beginning to end. It was fast paced, stayed intriguing and was very hard to put down. I was first enchanted by the first book and the Russian folklore that was woven throughout and this book did not disappoint. I will definitely continue recommending this series. Loved it!