subpolka's review against another edition
4.0
In which I burn through a complete trilogy in a single week.
Granted, I spent 50+ hours of that week on a train, so had ample time for reading / burning through trilogies, but STILL. These are Very Good books and I would have found a way to devour them, extremely-long-train-ride or nah.
Four-and-a-half stars, not quite five, as a lot of elements were introduced / crammed into this one (e.g., Vasya's family history, etc.), especially towards the end, and it felt a bit overstuffed at times. Regardless: Loved this tale and Arden's magical writing style, and will absolutely revisit this series the future.
Granted, I spent 50+ hours of that week on a train, so had ample time for reading / burning through trilogies, but STILL. These are Very Good books and I would have found a way to devour them, extremely-long-train-ride or nah.
Four-and-a-half stars, not quite five, as a lot of elements were introduced / crammed into this one (e.g., Vasya's family history, etc.), especially towards the end, and it felt a bit overstuffed at times. Regardless: Loved this tale and Arden's magical writing style, and will absolutely revisit this series the future.
katymat18's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
What an absolutely beautiful and thrilling conclusion. Wow. I’m just in awe, I think this one may be my favorite in the trilogy. I cried several times reading this.
roropon's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
abes1566's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
cydneydaniel's review against another edition
5.0
What a stunning conclusion.
Thank you, Katherine Arden, for giving us such an incredible trilogy. Vasya’s story has been so absolutely enthralling and beautiful. I have loved reading about her as a child in BEAR, a young lady in GIRL, and now a woman, a witch, in WINTER. She has strength, brilliance, and vulnerability through all three books as she learned to navigate her feelings and skills. The Russian folklore and history is beautiful, and adds such a special element to this series. It was all done so well, and the ending came together perfectly. I could not be happier with how this ended. Honestly. But I’m really just a fan of Vasya and this trilogy, and I feel satisfied with her ending.
Now to go dig up some more books on Russian folklore...
(Will be writing a review for this series/book on my blog, stay tuned)
Thank you, Katherine Arden, for giving us such an incredible trilogy. Vasya’s story has been so absolutely enthralling and beautiful. I have loved reading about her as a child in BEAR, a young lady in GIRL, and now a woman, a witch, in WINTER. She has strength, brilliance, and vulnerability through all three books as she learned to navigate her feelings and skills. The Russian folklore and history is beautiful, and adds such a special element to this series. It was all done so well, and the ending came together perfectly. I could not be happier with how this ended. Honestly. But I’m really just a fan of Vasya and this trilogy, and I feel satisfied with her ending.
Now to go dig up some more books on Russian folklore...
(Will be writing a review for this series/book on my blog, stay tuned)
koushkoushkoush's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Best of the threeeee, I <3 solovey. Picked up the pace so much but then got to the last part and it already felt resolved so took ages for me to pick it up all over again
charr_alexx's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
agniesta's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
annieb123's review against another edition
5.0
Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
The Winter of the Witch is the conclusion to Katherine Arden's stunningly good Winternight trilogy. Released 8th Jan 2019 by Random House on their Del Rey imprint, it's 384 pages and available in hardcover, paperback, ebook, and audio formats.
The richness and intricacy of this trilogy, and especially this installment can't possibly be overstated. This is a brilliantly written book full of lush imagery and interwoven within a framework of almost a thousand years of Russian folklore. It has gravitas. In quite a lot of ways it reminds me of truly iconic fantasies, Lord of the Rings, Earthsea, Amber, Melnibone, Dune, etc.
This is an epic coming-of-age fantasy but so much more. I love that the heroine Vasya is the captain of her own story. And through all the sacrifice and pain in this book, she's admirable and determined.
The author's facility with the written word is amazing. I spent a great percentage of my time reading this book in gob-smacked admiration with her writing. It also includes an extensive glossary as well as author's notes which provide a fascinating glimpse into her creative process and some of the real historical background frameworks upon which she wove the story.
Just a beautiful reading experience. I will be revisiting these again.
Five stars for both the book and the trilogy. Wonderful.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
The Winter of the Witch is the conclusion to Katherine Arden's stunningly good Winternight trilogy. Released 8th Jan 2019 by Random House on their Del Rey imprint, it's 384 pages and available in hardcover, paperback, ebook, and audio formats.
The richness and intricacy of this trilogy, and especially this installment can't possibly be overstated. This is a brilliantly written book full of lush imagery and interwoven within a framework of almost a thousand years of Russian folklore. It has gravitas. In quite a lot of ways it reminds me of truly iconic fantasies, Lord of the Rings, Earthsea, Amber, Melnibone, Dune, etc.
This is an epic coming-of-age fantasy but so much more. I love that the heroine Vasya is the captain of her own story. And through all the sacrifice and pain in this book, she's admirable and determined.
The author's facility with the written word is amazing. I spent a great percentage of my time reading this book in gob-smacked admiration with her writing. It also includes an extensive glossary as well as author's notes which provide a fascinating glimpse into her creative process and some of the real historical background frameworks upon which she wove the story.
Just a beautiful reading experience. I will be revisiting these again.
Five stars for both the book and the trilogy. Wonderful.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.