The Girl in the Tower: A Novel (Winternight Trilogy Book 2)
In the sequel to the nationally bestselling The Bear and the Nightingale, a gifted young woman with ties to the old magic of her homeland blazes a trail out of the frozen wilderness and into the court intrigues of Moscow.
“A masterfully told story of folklore, history, and magic with a spellbinding heroine at the heart of it all.”—Booklist (starred review)
Vasilisa’s gift for seeing what others do not won her the attention, even affection, of Morozko—the winter demon from her nurse’s stories. But his aid comes at a cost.
Orphaned, named a witch, and cast out by her village, Vasya’s options are few: resign herself to life in a convent or marriage to a stranger. Both doom her to life in a tower, cut off from the wide world she longs to explore. So instead she chooses adventure, disguising herself as a young man and riding her trusted stallion, Solovey, into the wilderness.
But Vasya’s exploits soon reunite her with her long-estranged siblings and earn her the admiration of the Grand Prince of Moscow. Disguised as a boy, she must walk a delicate line, safeguarding her family, concealing her identity and navigating her increasingly fraught relationship with Morozko—even as she realizes the realm is under threat from mysterious forces only she will be able to stop.
“A compelling, fast-moving story that grounds fantasy elements in a fascinating period of Russian history.”—Kirkus Reviews
Don’t miss any of the bestselling Winternight Trilogy:
THE BEAR AND THE NIGHTINGALE • THE GIRL IN THE TOWER • THE WINTER OF THE WITCH
“A masterfully told story of folklore, history, and magic with a spellbinding heroine at the heart of it all.”—Booklist (starred review)
Vasilisa’s gift for seeing what others do not won her the attention, even affection, of Morozko—the winter demon from her nurse’s stories. But his aid comes at a cost.
Orphaned, named a witch, and cast out by her village, Vasya’s options are few: resign herself to life in a convent or marriage to a stranger. Both doom her to life in a tower, cut off from the wide world she longs to explore. So instead she chooses adventure, disguising herself as a young man and riding her trusted stallion, Solovey, into the wilderness.
But Vasya’s exploits soon reunite her with her long-estranged siblings and earn her the admiration of the Grand Prince of Moscow. Disguised as a boy, she must walk a delicate line, safeguarding her family, concealing her identity and navigating her increasingly fraught relationship with Morozko—even as she realizes the realm is under threat from mysterious forces only she will be able to stop.
“A compelling, fast-moving story that grounds fantasy elements in a fascinating period of Russian history.”—Kirkus Reviews
Don’t miss any of the bestselling Winternight Trilogy:
THE BEAR AND THE NIGHTINGALE • THE GIRL IN THE TOWER • THE WINTER OF THE WITCH
BUY THE BOOK
Community Reviews
This got a it better!! Definitely had some unexpected plot twists. The world building is amazing as is the complexity of the characters. Excited to see what happens to wrap up this story.
Love, love, love it!
If The Bear and the Nightingale was delicate, snowy, and poetic, The Girl in the Tower is a full-blown, burning, scorching fire. Stepping into Vasya’s shoes delighted me, frustrated me, enraged me, and most importantly lit something ferocious inside me. She doesn’t just grow here, she blazes.
This is such a powerful sequel. I moved through the first half at a comfortable, civilized pace. The second half, however, was absolute paralysis. I was glued to the pages, reading on at the very real risk of giving myself a UTI because I couldn't waste a minute away from it. At one point I literally fell asleep mid-chapter (because I've had like 3 hours of sleep the previous night), woke up five minutes later, and immediately resumed reading with the urgency of someone whose house was on fire.
I desperately want to start the next one right now, but first, dinner. And maybe a short, strategic rest, and some hydration 😂
Couldn't stop thinking about it when I put it down... so I barely put it down.
Starting the final book immediately
Starting the final book immediately
WOW.
This is a sophomore book and it was absolute perfection. I want to dive into the last book of the trilogy, but I also don't want this magic - this world - to ever end. I already know this will be a series that I will reread EVERY winter.
The Girl in the Tower picks up right where the first book leaves off and takes us on an epic adventure of discovery of one's self - searching for one's purpose and place in life - with mistakes and consequences. I was so happy to see a favorite character from the first book get so much page time in the follow up, Sasha was one I immediately was drawn to in book one and he was tucked out of the way very early on.
The magic was explored further - the world was expanded upon - we learned more history about Vasya and her family - I honest to goodness cannot think of one single solitary thing that should have been done to make this book or story any better than it was. I feel like at the conclusion of the third book, I'm going to say something I can't remember ever having said before - that I've found THE perfect story.
This is a sophomore book and it was absolute perfection. I want to dive into the last book of the trilogy, but I also don't want this magic - this world - to ever end. I already know this will be a series that I will reread EVERY winter.
The Girl in the Tower picks up right where the first book leaves off and takes us on an epic adventure of discovery of one's self - searching for one's purpose and place in life - with mistakes and consequences. I was so happy to see a favorite character from the first book get so much page time in the follow up, Sasha was one I immediately was drawn to in book one and he was tucked out of the way very early on.
The magic was explored further - the world was expanded upon - we learned more history about Vasya and her family - I honest to goodness cannot think of one single solitary thing that should have been done to make this book or story any better than it was. I feel like at the conclusion of the third book, I'm going to say something I can't remember ever having said before - that I've found THE perfect story.
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