annieb123's Review of The Girl in The Tower (Winternight Trilogy, #2)

by Katherine Arden

For a young woman in medieval Russia, the choices are stark: marriage or life in a convent. Vasya will choose a third way: magic. . .

The court of the Grand Prince of Moscow is plagued by power struggles and rumours of unrest. Meanwhile bandits roam the countryside, burning the villages and kidnapping its daughters. Setting out to defeat the raiders, the Prince and his trusted companion come across a young man riding a magnificent horse.

Only Sasha, a priest with a warrior's training, recognises this 'boy' as his younger sister, thought to be dead or a witch by her village. But when Vasya proves herself in battle, riding with remarkable skill and inexplicable power, Sasha realises he must keep her secret as she may be the only way to save the city from threats both human and fantastical. . .

A spellbinding fairytale full of magic and wonder, perfect for fans of Erin Morgenstern's The Night Circus and Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials.

*Make sure you've read all the books in the Winternight Trilogy*
1. The Bear and the Nightingale
2. The Girl in the Tower
3. The Winter of the Witch

Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

The Girl in the Tower is the second book in the Winternight Trilogy by Katherine Arden. Published by Random House - Ballantine in ebook, hardback and paperbound formats, it was released 5th December, 2017.

I had devoured the first book in the series, The Bear and the Nightingale, and looked eagerly forward to the next book(s). This one certainly lived up to the promise of the first book. The author's facility with plotting and characterization are flawless. The prose is ethereal and powerful at the same time. These books have a sense of timelessness and almost dreamlike fairy-tale feeling. I loved the gravitas with occasional glimpses of puckishness of ageless Morozko and especially the interactions between them and between Solovey and Vasya. I also LOVED it that Vasya is strong and brave (and it sometimes costs her dearly). She is honorable and kind and a wonderful role model.

There is an aching beauty in the writing and the book was just a completely enchanting read from first to last. I could not imagine enjoying it more.

Five stars, wonderful wonderful book. Can't wait for the third book, The Winter of the Witch, due out in 2019.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

The Girl in The Tower (Winternight Trilogy, #2)

by Katherine Arden

Reviewed by annieb123 on Mar 11, 2018

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