The Girl in the Tower (Winternight Trilogy)
A remarkable young woman blazes her own trail, from the backwoods of Russia to the court of Moscow, in the exhilarating sequel to Katherine Arden’s bestselling debut novel, The Bear and the Nightingale.
Katherine Arden’s enchanting first novel introduced readers to an irresistible heroine. Vasilisa has grown up at the edge of a Russian wilderness, where snowdrifts reach the eaves of her family’s wooden house and there is truth in the fairy tales told around the fire. Vasilisa’s gift for seeing what others do not won her the attention of Morozko—Frost, the winter demon from the stories—and together they saved her people from destruction. But Frost’s aid comes at a cost, and her people have condemned her as a witch.
Now Vasilisa faces an impossible choice. Driven from her home by frightened villagers, the only options left for her are marriage or the convent. She cannot bring herself to accept either fate and instead chooses adventure, dressing herself as a boy and setting off astride her magnificent stallion Solovey.
But after Vasilisa prevails in a skirmish with bandits, everything changes. The Grand Prince of Moscow anoints her a hero for her exploits, and she is reunited with her beloved sister and brother, who are now part of the Grand Prince’s inner circle. She dares not reveal to the court that she is a girl, for if her deception were discovered it would have terrible consequences for herself and her family. Before she can untangle herself from Moscow’s intrigues—and as Frost provides counsel that may or may not be trustworthy—she will also confront an even graver threat lying in wait for all of Moscow itself.
Praise for The Girl in the Tower
“[A] magical story set in an alluring Russia.”—Paste
“Arden’s lush, lyrical writing cultivates an intoxicating, visceral atmosphere, and her marvelous sense of pacing carries the novel along at a propulsive clip. A masterfully told story of folklore, history, and magic with a spellbinding heroine at the heart of it all.”—Booklist (starred review)
“[A] sensual, beautifully written, and emotionally stirring fantasy . . . Fairy tales don’t get better than this.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“[Katherine] Arden once again delivers an engaging fantasy that mixes Russian folklore and history with delightful worldbuilding and lively characters.”—Library Journal
Katherine Arden’s enchanting first novel introduced readers to an irresistible heroine. Vasilisa has grown up at the edge of a Russian wilderness, where snowdrifts reach the eaves of her family’s wooden house and there is truth in the fairy tales told around the fire. Vasilisa’s gift for seeing what others do not won her the attention of Morozko—Frost, the winter demon from the stories—and together they saved her people from destruction. But Frost’s aid comes at a cost, and her people have condemned her as a witch.
Now Vasilisa faces an impossible choice. Driven from her home by frightened villagers, the only options left for her are marriage or the convent. She cannot bring herself to accept either fate and instead chooses adventure, dressing herself as a boy and setting off astride her magnificent stallion Solovey.
But after Vasilisa prevails in a skirmish with bandits, everything changes. The Grand Prince of Moscow anoints her a hero for her exploits, and she is reunited with her beloved sister and brother, who are now part of the Grand Prince’s inner circle. She dares not reveal to the court that she is a girl, for if her deception were discovered it would have terrible consequences for herself and her family. Before she can untangle herself from Moscow’s intrigues—and as Frost provides counsel that may or may not be trustworthy—she will also confront an even graver threat lying in wait for all of Moscow itself.
Praise for The Girl in the Tower
“[A] magical story set in an alluring Russia.”—Paste
“Arden’s lush, lyrical writing cultivates an intoxicating, visceral atmosphere, and her marvelous sense of pacing carries the novel along at a propulsive clip. A masterfully told story of folklore, history, and magic with a spellbinding heroine at the heart of it all.”—Booklist (starred review)
“[A] sensual, beautifully written, and emotionally stirring fantasy . . . Fairy tales don’t get better than this.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“[Katherine] Arden once again delivers an engaging fantasy that mixes Russian folklore and history with delightful worldbuilding and lively characters.”—Library Journal
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Community Reviews
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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