majorditzy230's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
bonnygreen98's review
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
aminonawhim's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I do not know what spell this witch has cast on her books to captivate me, so 💙
madwomaninanattic's review
5.0
I’ll give it a 4.5 only because I enjoyed the first slightly more than the second. There is something about Katherine Arden’s writing that I cannot get over. Although I had some confusion with areas of the plot I love the complexity and depth and that fact that she doesn’t give in to ridiculous tropes. The way she rights has an authenticity to it and I’m jealous. I just ordered the last book and I can’t wait to see what happens next.
tjwallace04's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I really enjoyed "The Girl in the Tower," the sequel to "The Bear and the Nightingale." This is one trilogy that did not suffer from "middle book syndrome." If anything, I enjoyed "The Girl and the Tower" a bit more than the first book. It has the same lovely mix of historic fiction and fairy tale, the same atmospheric setting, and the same lyrical and inviting writing. But I thought "The Girl in the Tower" had a more propulsive plot; I was glued to the last 1/3 of the book, reading so fast to find out what happened that I missed some of the things that happened. 😆
Synopsis: Disguised as a boy, Vasya has left her home to roam the wilderness and see the world with her magic talking horse Solovey, but her solitary rambles are quickly cut short when she becomes embroiled in a mystery of burned villages and stolen girl children. She is reunited first with her older brother Sasha, the warrior monk, and then with her older sister Olga, but neither of them know what to do with a little sister who is wild and proud and is now known to most of Moscow as a heroic boy fighter and horse whisperer. Put her in a convent? Let her continue her exploits in disguise? There are risks in every direction, especially as a plot to depose the Grand Prince begins to become evident. Can Vasya save Moscow, her family, and her own freedom while fighting against forces she doesn't fully understand?
Dang it. Here we have another synopsis where I somehow haven't figured out how to work in the thread of Morozko, the winter demon. 😅 And I actually liked him much better in this second novel, even though I am still not a big fan of the supernatural romance thing. We'll see where it goes, but thus far it is not making my heart go pitter patter. (Note: my heart might be as cold as a frost demon's. 😆) (Also: Vasya was kind of acting like a big whiny baby every time Morozko was on the page, and that definitely dampened the romantic vibes for me.)
But what I did absolutely love about this book was the poignant depiction of the restrictions on female life in this era (14th century Russia). Vasya is in a hard place as an unmarried woman who doesn't want to live a traditional life. It is made very clear that if she is caught masquerading as a boy, things will go badly for her. The title encompasses this important element of the story; "The Girl in the Tower" could refer to Vasya, her sister, her niece (who is as spunky and open to magic as she is), or even her long-dead grandmother, all of whom experience to some degree the feeling of being trapped and powerless. The book also asks interesting questions about duty vs. freedom and what is selfishness vs. remaining true to yourself.
Overall, a very entertaining and thought-provoking read that made me feel like I was smelling crisp snowy air in the Russian forests instead of muggy armpit breezes in South Carolina. 😅
Synopsis: Disguised as a boy, Vasya has left her home to roam the wilderness and see the world with her magic talking horse Solovey, but her solitary rambles are quickly cut short when she becomes embroiled in a mystery of burned villages and stolen girl children. She is reunited first with her older brother Sasha, the warrior monk, and then with her older sister Olga, but neither of them know what to do with a little sister who is wild and proud and is now known to most of Moscow as a heroic boy fighter and horse whisperer. Put her in a convent? Let her continue her exploits in disguise? There are risks in every direction, especially as a plot to depose the Grand Prince begins to become evident. Can Vasya save Moscow, her family, and her own freedom while fighting against forces she doesn't fully understand?
Dang it. Here we have another synopsis where I somehow haven't figured out how to work in the thread of Morozko, the winter demon. 😅 And I actually liked him much better in this second novel, even though I am still not a big fan of the supernatural romance thing. We'll see where it goes, but thus far it is not making my heart go pitter patter. (Note: my heart might be as cold as a frost demon's. 😆) (Also: Vasya was kind of acting like a big whiny baby every time Morozko was on the page, and that definitely dampened the romantic vibes for me.)
But what I did absolutely love about this book was the poignant depiction of the restrictions on female life in this era (14th century Russia). Vasya is in a hard place as an unmarried woman who doesn't want to live a traditional life. It is made very clear that if she is caught masquerading as a boy, things will go badly for her. The title encompasses this important element of the story; "The Girl in the Tower" could refer to Vasya, her sister, her niece (who is as spunky and open to magic as she is), or even her long-dead grandmother, all of whom experience to some degree the feeling of being trapped and powerless. The book also asks interesting questions about duty vs. freedom and what is selfishness vs. remaining true to yourself.
Overall, a very entertaining and thought-provoking read that made me feel like I was smelling crisp snowy air in the Russian forests instead of muggy armpit breezes in South Carolina. 😅
allietriestoread's review against another edition
5.0
“In a childish way, as girls love heroes that come in the night, I loved you."
Morozko's crush in this one is embarrassingly cute. I would say I prefer [b:The Bear and the Nightingale|25489134|The Bear and the Nightingale (Winternight Trilogy, #1)|Katherine Arden|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1470731420l/25489134._SX50_.jpg|45268929] to this ("the Bear" made a better antagonist than that weird-ass Kasyan guy) if there weren't so many sweet moments between Morozko and Vasya. He was the only one who believed in her. Yes, he also tried to warn her against the danger of travelling on her own as a girl, but while everyone else tried to force her to live a certain way, he let her choose her own path and secretly stayed beside her to protect her. If that's not romantic, I don't know what is.
---
[first read]
“Think of me sometimes," he returned. "When the snowdrops have bloomed and the snow has melted.”
FINISHED THIS BOOK IN ONE SITTING! I SHIP VASYA AND MOROZKO SO MUCH! THAT ENDING! FUUUUUUUCK!
wszechswiat_slowa_i_ja's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
reviews_musings's review
5.0
The second book in the WinterNight Trilogy begins with Vasya, a free-spirited daughter of the Northern country lord, being accused as a witch in her homeland. With no place to stay and kith and kin slain, she decides to embark on a journey across Russia in the bitterly cold winter with the blessings of the Frost God, Morozko. Vasya's journey turns out to be an adventure filled with adversities.
As she journeys along, she comes across many burnt villages, kidnapped girls and the distraught nature spirits. There is a subtle meaning that whatever the circumstances are, nature has to be attended to. The Domovoi in the oven, the night spirits, the fire spirits or the horse spirits, may have been called Pagan, but the underlying truth is that if we do not care for nature, we will have to face the consequences. All the nature spirits are fading because an evil force is in the awakening.
When she reaches Moscow, Vasya is star stuck with the city's marvel. With its beautiful buildings and churches, the bustling streets, horse races, bathhouses, and eateries, Moscow comes alive with its lavishness and luxury. Vasya reunites with her brother Sasha, who is now a trusted advisor to the Grand Prince and also her sister Olga who is wedded to the prince's cousin.
But despite the protective Sasha, the motherly Olga, and the Frost God Morozko by her side, Vasya has to call upon her inner strengths to save what matters to her the most when evil comes knocking on Moscow's door.
To summarize, if The Bear and the Nightingale was good, The Girl in the Tower is brilliant. I hope that Book 3, The Winter Witch, will end with the much-anticipated grand finale for this magnificent tale. I cannot wait to see how the trilogy ends.
As she journeys along, she comes across many burnt villages, kidnapped girls and the distraught nature spirits. There is a subtle meaning that whatever the circumstances are, nature has to be attended to. The Domovoi in the oven, the night spirits, the fire spirits or the horse spirits, may have been called Pagan, but the underlying truth is that if we do not care for nature, we will have to face the consequences. All the nature spirits are fading because an evil force is in the awakening.
When she reaches Moscow, Vasya is star stuck with the city's marvel. With its beautiful buildings and churches, the bustling streets, horse races, bathhouses, and eateries, Moscow comes alive with its lavishness and luxury. Vasya reunites with her brother Sasha, who is now a trusted advisor to the Grand Prince and also her sister Olga who is wedded to the prince's cousin.
But despite the protective Sasha, the motherly Olga, and the Frost God Morozko by her side, Vasya has to call upon her inner strengths to save what matters to her the most when evil comes knocking on Moscow's door.
To summarize, if The Bear and the Nightingale was good, The Girl in the Tower is brilliant. I hope that Book 3, The Winter Witch, will end with the much-anticipated grand finale for this magnificent tale. I cannot wait to see how the trilogy ends.
themagikat's review
4.0
This book is the 2nd in the Winternight Trilogy, and it truly improved upon the already beautiful first book (The Bear And The Nightingale). Its use of Russian folklore is absolutely transportive; the world building is imaginative to say the very least, and the language is so beautifully immersive. But, more than that, the STORY is captivating. I found myself deeply invested in what happened to the characters, as well as being mystified by the magic of the world. All that is to say I cannot WAIT to read the third and final (sob) book in the trilogy!!
yvris's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0