Reviews

Das Mädchen und der Winterkönig by Katherine Arden

rachelturano's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring tense medium-paced

5.0

noranne's review against another edition

adventurous emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot

5.0

I really liked the first one in the trilogy, but I loved this one! The writing itself was definitely stronger, and the story was fast and less confusing than the first one. The medieval Russian setting really comes to life, and the relationships between the siblings were so deep and real. And for every terrible

young woman falls in love with immortal man who unbelievably loves her too

plot that I have read, this one actually worked and its conclusion was more believable and bittersweet. The villains were well done, though a bit quickly wrapped up towards the end. All in all, an excellent book!

booksbydann's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional inspiring reflective tense medium-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

5.0

olgarotaru's review against another edition

adventurous emotional inspiring mysterious relaxing tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.25

amiascah's review against another edition

adventurous emotional slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Welcome back to this enchanting world.

'The Girl in the Tower' is Katherine Arden's second book in the Winternight Trilogy. Set in the same Russian wilderness we continue to follow Vasilisa, whom we met in 'The Bear and the Nightingale'. Always a wild and imaginative child Vasilisa knows she would never be content in a stifling marriage or shut away in convent. Coupled with her ability to see all the mystical and mythological creatures of Russian folklore has set her apart and gotten her branded as a witch. 

Forced to flee Vasilisa adapts her appearance to that of a boy as she rides away on her stallion Solovey. An encounter with bandits brings her to the attention to her cousin The Grand Prince of Moscow. Luckily her disguise holds but she has captured the attention of the Grand Prince and he decides to bring Vasilisa the boy with him, forcing her to involve her brother and sister in her deception. Soon she finds herself in too deep with no way out without risking herself and her family. 

spoilers


These books will never be my favourites, but I find the slow lyrical pace so soothing and I'm able to just relax into these books and enjoy. I don't find myself enraptured with Vasilisa and needing to know what happens next or itching to pick the book back up, but when im reading I truly feel transported to her side and I love the atmosphere and the background. I found this second book had less of the feautures that I enjoyed most in the first book, there was a lot of the 'little people' the mythological beings that take care of the household, there was also less of the sinister and dangerous feel. The step mother was such a good oppressing force in the first book and everyone in this instalment seems so nice and cheery. Even when the bad guys are revealed they were still gleeful and boasting and no one was scary. 

On a side note, I didnt feel the romance with Moroznov. Maybe its because I keep picturing him as so much older and not human, which that is some peoples jam I will give you that, but it doesn't match up with this dreamy Russian tundra of a fairytale for me. He was annoying at times and overbearing to me in others. 

I will definitely be checking out the third book.     

frederique's review against another edition

adventurous tense slow-paced

4.0

doctadri44's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Sexism, Blood, and Grief

Minor: Slavery and Kidnapping

majota's review against another edition

adventurous emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

nithyaez's review against another edition

5.0

The second novel in the Winternight Trilogy is even better than the first; this is a captivating story, which masterfully weaves mythology and magic together with history and politics. The fairytale aspects of the novel make it feel warm and comforting to read, but the plot and characters don’t feel worn or trite.

I liked Vasya’s character in ‘The Bear and the Nightingale”, but in ‘The Girl in the Tower’ I fell completely in love with her. I love her hot-headedness and naivety, but also how this story could almost be described as her coming of age novel. I also enjoyed seeing more from Vasya’s siblings’ perspective, and seeing the slow-burn romance develop.

I can’t wait to see what Arden does with the last instalment of the series.

sydgraham's review against another edition

adventurous dark informative mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5