Reviews tagging 'Animal death'

The Winter of the Witch by Katherine Arden

75 reviews

thebookkeepers's review against another edition

adventurous emotional slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No

4.25

I love this series! This book was probably my least favorite of the trilogy, but still a great read. I felt like Vasya’s magic in this one came out of nowhere and was a convenient tool for the author to advance certain parts of the story and since it didn’t feel woven into book 1 & 2 (that I noticed), it just didn’t quite do it for me. That said I love how there were many unexpected twists and reveals within the story I didn’t see coming. I love all the cherty and domovoi and the horses ❤️‍🩹. Great historical fiction/fantasy blend and one I’ll remember. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Animal death

happy_book's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious 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? No

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Death, and War

lisa_m'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
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This book was the perfect conclusion to the trilogy! It truly got better and better. I really liked the first book, loved the second and this one was just amazing.
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 :)

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Content Warnings

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

One thing I really love about this series is that there's not really any time gaps between books. Bam, you're right back where you left off. In this case, "in a pickle".
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

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Content Warnings

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

elisabeth_g_mark's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional inspiring mysterious sad 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

5.0

This became my favourite trilogy of the last year. Every character is alive, has depth, evolves and has a role to play. The setting is vibrant, you feel the cold, the darkness and the summer heat. 
The love story is a side plot, because for our MC her own growth, searching for her own way, is more important than a man. But it's still important to her, home and in the end, she needs it all - her love, her friends and allies, her enemies and faith in herself. 
I'll miss this world and will reread it next winter. Katherine Arden became quickly a favourite author with this 5-star trilogy. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: War, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Misogyny, Grief, Violence, Religious bigotry, Physical abuse, Animal death, and Animal cruelty

Moderate: Suicide and Torture

Minor: Vomit, Toxic friendship, and Sexual harassment

ktkeps's review against another edition

adventurous emotional inspiring mysterious sad slow-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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Religious bigotry, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Animal death, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual harassment, and War

painausten314's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful mysterious reflective slow-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? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: War, Animal death, Murder, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence

erwikka's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad tense slow-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

This book is by far the best finale I have read. It was a perfect culmination of the series as a whole. I won’t say much because obvious spoilers but I loved every minute of this book. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Torture

Moderate: Animal death

maximauve's review against another edition

adventurous emotional fast-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Religious bigotry, Misogyny, and War

Minor: Torture and Rape

kirschyhershey's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring 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

5.0

A truly satisfying end to my favorite trilogy. I will never stop thinking about this book.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death and Death

Moderate: Sexual violence and War