NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Following their adventures in The Bear and the Nightingale and The Girl in the Tower, Vasya and Morozko return in this stunning conclusion to the bestselling Winternight Trilogy, battling enemies mortal and magical to save both Russias, the seen and the unseen.
“A tale both intimate and epic, featuring a heroine whose harrowing and wondrous journey culminates in an emotionally resonant finale.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
NAMED ONE OF PASTE’S BEST FANTASY BOOKS OF THE DECADE
Vasilisa Petrovna is an unforgettable heroine determined to forge her own path. Her gifts and her courage have drawn the attention of Morozko, the winter-king, but it is too soon to know if this connection will prove a blessing or a curse.
Now Moscow has been struck by disaster. Its people are searching for answers—and for someone to blame. Vasya finds herself alone, beset on all sides. The Grand Prince is in a rage, choosing allies that will lead him on a path to war and ruin. A wicked demon returns, determined to spread chaos. Caught at the center of the conflict is Vasya, who finds the fate of two worlds resting on her shoulders. Her destiny uncertain, Vasya will uncover surprising truths about herself as she desperately tries to save Russia, Morozko, and the magical world she treasures. But she may not be able to save them all.
Praise for The Winter of the Witch
“Katherine Arden’s Winternight Trilogy isn’t just good—it’s hug-to-your-chest, straight-to-the-favorites-shelf, reread-immediately good, and each book just gets better. The Winter of the Witch plunges us back to fourteenth-century Moscow, where old gods and new vie for the soul of Russia and fate rests on a witch girl’s slender shoulders. Prepare to have your heart ripped out, loaned back to you full of snow and magic, and ripped out some more.”—Laini Taylor
“Luxuriously detailed yet briskly suspenseful . . . a striking literary fantasy informed by Arden’s deep knowledge.”—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
How could I possibly review this book? I cried twice. Each word pierced my heart. Katherine Arden's writing and storytelling is so visceral, her words so perfectly crafted, that the story just plays out in your mind like you're watching first-hand. As in the first two books, she tackles faith and religion, freedom and duty, all set against the backdrop of 14th century Russia. You can tell the author did her research, because the history interweaves seamlessly with the plot. I know it sounds grandiose, but the Winternight trilogy truly is a masterpiece.
On a more personal note, I never want to leave Vasya's world. I never want to say goodbye to Morozko, Sasha, Olga, and Solovey. Even Medved and Konstantin - in the end, I couldn't bring myself to hate anyone. I think a part of me will forever ride with Vasya on a dark road through Midnight. Despite the moments of heartbreak, the ending of The Winter of the Witch was everything I could've asked for and more.
You probably couldn't tell, but this is one of my favorite series of all time.
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12 January, 2018:
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