simp_librarian's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Animal death, Suicidal thoughts, and Murder
Moderate: Sexism, War, and Violence
lisa_m's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I don't think I understand every theme that was explored in this book so I won't even try to analyse it. I just read this book for pleasure so I didn't make notes or anything. I can say that there is definitely loads of things to analyse and think about though.
I loved the way the myths were mixed with real events and people. It just feels like an alternative universe.
This series is officially one of my all time favourites. The writing is amazing, as is the storytelling. The characters range from good, to horrible, to amazing, to very morally ambiguous. The exploration of good & bad and if there even is such a thing in the first place was done so well. This book had a twist I truly did not expect. After the 3rd big chapter I thought everything was over (because in every other fantasy book, that is how the story ends), everything that came after was just so unexpected and amazing. I can't say more without saying too much and spoiling the book so I won't. This is truly a series you should know as little as possible about before reading.
Also I was surprised by how fresh this book felt. I have read so many fantasy books by now and I can enjoy a book while still realising how tropy and cliquee it is. This book felt like something new and exciting though.
I can only highly recommend this book! Especially if you are interested in russian folklore :)
Moderate: Blood, Slavery, Animal cruelty, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Murder, War, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Religious bigotry, Sexual assault, Abandonment, Body shaming, Death, Torture, Animal death, Body horror, Confinement, Violence, Kidnapping, and Sexism
thewildmageslibrary's review against another edition
4.5
I absolutely adore Vasya's growth, especially in this book. Can't say much without spoilers, so just read these.
CW: same "it's set in the 14th century, so" as the others
Graphic: War, Grief, Sexism, Animal death, Religious bigotry, Violence, Blood, Confinement, Misogyny, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Toxic relationship, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
Minor: Child death
ktkeps's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Animal death, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual harassment, and War
saintyeehaw's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
Spoiler
We are pretty much outright told that no man can resist Vasya's wild/unique charm; while that's something seen in the behavior of other men in the previous books, making it some kind of general rule that gets her out of more than one life threatening situation feels pretty cheap. I also don't feel great, or even good at all, about a 17 year old feeling forced by a dire situation to have sex with an ancient winter god. I was already iffy about their relationship but this book pushed it from questionable to straight up ick for me. Not loving that the only queer relationship in the entire series is between the two villains either. Finally, if we're going to undo some of Vasya's greatest development into adulthood by bringing Solovey back, at least give us more time with him.Graphic: Sexual content, Blood, Child death, Confinement, Kidnapping, Pedophilia, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, War, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Grief, Animal death, Death, Emotional abuse, Adult/minor relationship, and Murder
chattie_the_mad_chatter's review against another edition
- 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
I love the journey we go with Vasya, it starts with a band then slows down, it took me by surprise but wraps everything up so well.
I love this out of all 3 as it mixes things I enjoy from the first 2, tje conflict between Chereti and the Church, politics, Vasya finding herself. Character growth is brilliant emotions are high and it has made me appreciate mushrooms!
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Sexism, Violence, Child death, Fire/Fire injury, Misogyny, and Murder
Moderate: Blood, Vomit, Injury/Injury detail, and Sexual harassment
crownoflaurel's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Sexism, and Misogyny
hanarama's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
• Historical fantasy
• Medieval Russia
• Folklore, Witches, and old gods
• Coming of Age
• War
• Final Installment
Again branded as a witch, Vasilisa must escape Moscow. Grieving the death of her stallion, Solovey, she makes her way on the road through midnight.
Mustering forces amongst the chert, Vasilisa soon realizes that she will need to take part in two wars. And unless she can resolve the battle between Morozko and Medved, she will be unable to bring the worlds of the chert and men together to save Russia from the Golden Horde.
What I liked:
Vasya really comes into her power in this book. Embracing her abilities as a witch, she is ready to grow her skills and to fulfill her destiny.
Arden's atmospheric writing makes the threat of dual wars feel grand and epic, larger than life. Based on the real conflict between Dmitry Donskoy and Mamai or the Golden Horde, The Winter of the Witch feels like a historical epic. While the first book felt like a fairytale, this one feels like a legend. Vasya is a hero for the ages.
What I disliked:
While the previous book was mostly downtime, this one feels like it has too little. With the plot coming to a head, there is so much happening that there is little chance to sit and breathe.
Additionally, there are moments where some of the more powerful chert have to spell things out for Vasilisa. With how clever she was through most of the books, and how far she's come, it feels like she should have been able to figure things out without the help.
Graphic: Animal death, Blood, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Sexism, and War
szuum's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Misogyny, Sexism, and Sexual content
Moderate: Sexual assault and Torture
avisreadsandreads's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: War, Fire/Fire injury, Animal death, Violence, Religious bigotry, Child death, Blood, Physical abuse, and Death
Moderate: Torture, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, and Misogyny
Minor: Vomit