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graby's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
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
4.5
krismcd59's review against another edition
5.0
An emotionally intense, rich, and satisfying conclusion to the brilliant trilogy. Vasya is a warrior who learns the true nature of power and sacrifice, and is defined by this rather than her relationships -- a refreshing change from the usual arc of the "heroine's journey."
woobat's review against another edition
5.0
What a beautiful and satisfying third book in the trilogy. The changes in Vasya’s character from the first book to the end of this were executed very well - the changes and growth were all believable and I was deeply invested in her story. I continued to love the medieval Russia-with-fairy-tales setting, which was both vivid and slightly dream-like.
alinathebean's review against another edition
5.0
This was one of the most enjoyable trilogies I’ve read in a while. It is original magical historical and fascinating. I am partial to Eastern European folklore so this was right up my alley
lovemazeee's review against another edition
5.0
This is one of the best trilogies I can remember reading. I’m sad it’s over but I know it’s one that I will go back to again and again.
grainnewalsh's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
sad
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
4.5
silentlysings's review against another edition
5.0
Oh how I wish I could reread this trilogy for the first time. Truly a story that felt like it was written for me personally (how pretentious), checking every box in my soul, such a satisfying and mesmerizing read. I can't find the accurate words to describe how I feel, I'm utterly in love with these characters, this universe and Katherine Arden's gorgeous writing.
pragmaticallypassionate_reader's review against another edition
4.0
I have an incredibly hard time describing this series and reviewing it. On one hand, I loved the folklore aspects and Vasya herself, but on the other, the pacing lags at times and there's some feeling of an overall goal that's missing. Let me elaborate.
There's a lot of things this series - and this book especially - get right. There's folklore mixed with daily life, strong characters, light magic, historical details, clever dialogue, and satisfying plot turns. However, through all that, there's something missing.
I stuck through the first book, which I found most tedious of the series. It read like an extended prologue. The, the second book was that seamless gap, but still slow and lacking a larger motivation. Then, this book, which opens with a flurry of activity and never quite stops. But there were several places that I thought would be the climax, the final defeat of evil, and the urgency continued past that point? Perhaps this was a case of adding too many plot points right at the end?
I definitely would like to reread these books eventually, as I feel I would better understand the story if I did so. There were so many people, places, and titles (especially in this last book) that I got a little lost. The politics oscillated between seeming important and trivial. It made the ultimate conflict or goal hard to discern. Maybe I just zoned out one time too many?
Regardless, I really enjoyed this series! The Winter of the Witch was probably my favorite of the three, because there's finally action and a focus on the folklore creatures (of which I can spell approximately zero, thanks to listening to the story over audio). The ending was satisfying, and Vasya is such a vivid character in my mind. The romance was lovely and subtle and clever and sweet. There's just something about the whole of the story that I . . . don't understand yet? Hopefully, I will get to revisit this series in the not-too-distant future and have that click of understanding!
**romance notes: one vague fade-to-black scene and lightly described attraction.
There's a lot of things this series - and this book especially - get right. There's folklore mixed with daily life, strong characters, light magic, historical details, clever dialogue, and satisfying plot turns. However, through all that, there's something missing.
I stuck through the first book, which I found most tedious of the series. It read like an extended prologue. The, the second book was that seamless gap, but still slow and lacking a larger motivation. Then, this book, which opens with a flurry of activity and never quite stops. But there were several places that I thought would be the climax, the final defeat of evil, and the urgency continued past that point? Perhaps this was a case of adding too many plot points right at the end?
I definitely would like to reread these books eventually, as I feel I would better understand the story if I did so. There were so many people, places, and titles (especially in this last book) that I got a little lost. The politics oscillated between seeming important and trivial. It made the ultimate conflict or goal hard to discern. Maybe I just zoned out one time too many?
Regardless, I really enjoyed this series! The Winter of the Witch was probably my favorite of the three, because there's finally action and a focus on the folklore creatures (of which I can spell approximately zero, thanks to listening to the story over audio). The ending was satisfying, and Vasya is such a vivid character in my mind. The romance was lovely and subtle and clever and sweet. There's just something about the whole of the story that I . . . don't understand yet? Hopefully, I will get to revisit this series in the not-too-distant future and have that click of understanding!
**romance notes: one vague fade-to-black scene and lightly described attraction.
lmsmaxwell's review against another edition
5.0
This whole series is like stupidly good. I wish I could read it again for the first time.