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galactic_gigi's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
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? It's complicated
5.0
Following the first book in it‘s magical footsteps, this book delivered everything needed in a sequel. We get a heroine that is maturing throughout the book while facing human and magical dangers. Vasya‘s development during this book is incredible and I wished to protect this innocent child from all the cruel things her world has to offer. However, she masters the difficulties she faces wonderfully given the circumstances and I‘m still amazed how good of a heart she has. If I were faced with all this stuff, I would gladly stay in a not-quite-there-hut in the forest.
The slow-burn left me sighing more than once and at this point I can‘t wait to nearly die in a winter night just to be saved by a handsome frost-demon. Also: the YEARNING. From both of them! And he is always there for her. These are the things that keep the seasonal depression at bay!
Despite introducing a new villain in this book, I still can’t fathom the idea of how much hatred and rage a certain priest provokes in me. The pure entitlement this man feels towards Vasya leaves me with the most urgent need to introduce him to a wall. Of Brick. Repeatedly. Needless to say, Vasya is confronted with a lot of misogyny and sexism, as could be expected in a historical fantasy. However, the reveal in the end was a little bit obvious if you know some Russian folklore but it was executed really well and the betrayal left me aghast (somehow I managed to expect it but also denying myself so yeah, the shock was real).
The things I liked most were definitely the scenes with amoroso and the ones with her little niece. Also, as I mentioned: I really want an opportunity to train my right hook with this blond dude….
The slow-burn left me sighing more than once and at this point I can‘t wait to nearly die in a winter night just to be saved by a handsome frost-demon. Also: the YEARNING. From both of them! And he is always there for her. These are the things that keep the seasonal depression at bay!
Despite introducing a new villain in this book, I still can’t fathom the idea of how much hatred and rage a certain priest provokes in me. The pure entitlement this man feels towards Vasya leaves me with the most urgent need to introduce him to a wall. Of Brick. Repeatedly. Needless to say, Vasya is confronted with a lot of misogyny and sexism, as could be expected in a historical fantasy. However, the reveal in the end was a little bit obvious if you know some Russian folklore but it was executed really well and the betrayal left me aghast (somehow I managed to expect it but also denying myself so yeah, the shock was real).
The things I liked most were definitely the scenes with amoroso and the ones with her little niece. Also, as I mentioned: I really want an opportunity to train my right hook with this blond dude….
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Child death, Confinement, Death of parent, Grief, Kidnapping, Murder, Religious bigotry, Stalking, and Violence
Minor: Trafficking, Vomit, and War
mscalls's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Grief, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Miscarriage, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexism, and Violence
the_chaotic_witch's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
4.25
346 pages; 2017, 4/5 stars; 8.29 CAWPILE; spoiler-free
I did not review the first book in this series for personal reasons, and when I reread it - which I indeed will at some point - I will review it properly, suffice it to say that I absolutely loved it!
For the sequel, I headed in shortly after finishing the first book, already loving the writing style, the world-building, the plot development. I will not summarize here, as this is a sequel, but I highly recommend it, anyway.
An issue that for Me continued from the first book and will draw into the last (and that is not actually an issue with the book or the plot) is that I am a character-driven reader. And this is a plot-driven book. Of course, the characters here are still developed, deep and multi-dimensional, and I dearly love them, but they are not the story's focus.
As for the story and the plot itself, I highly enjoyed it. I had no idea what to expect from this book since the first felt so very complete for Me. And I still have that sentiment. I still think the second needn't have been there, but I am glad it is.
I am not only deeply in love with the characters and their multitudes in opinion, motivation, background, and character traits, but in their relationship to one another and their environment.
While it is sometimes painful to read this due to the historical accuracy of how people (probably) thought and acted back, then I would consider this a comfort read still.
Here I would like to state clear trigger warnings:
- sexual assault
- violence
- blood
- transphobia? (if it can be counted as that)
- misogyny!!
- sexism!!
- talk of rape
- emotional abuse
- child trafficking
- fire
- mentions of vomit
The strategic elements never cease to amaze Me, the thoughtfulness and coherence of the plot as well. While this is set in an entirely different culture and time-period from my own, I still felt like I understood the people and their customs, fell in love with their magical world, and cared deeply about how the story would end. I can't say anything about the accuracy of their displays, but I can say that the text drew Me in and, I am sure, kept a piece of Me when I finished reading.
A fairy-tale of the cold, Russian winter, full of magic, political intrigue, and strong relationships. What more could you ask for?
I did not review the first book in this series for personal reasons, and when I reread it - which I indeed will at some point - I will review it properly, suffice it to say that I absolutely loved it!
For the sequel, I headed in shortly after finishing the first book, already loving the writing style, the world-building, the plot development. I will not summarize here, as this is a sequel, but I highly recommend it, anyway.
An issue that for Me continued from the first book and will draw into the last (and that is not actually an issue with the book or the plot) is that I am a character-driven reader. And this is a plot-driven book. Of course, the characters here are still developed, deep and multi-dimensional, and I dearly love them, but they are not the story's focus.
As for the story and the plot itself, I highly enjoyed it. I had no idea what to expect from this book since the first felt so very complete for Me. And I still have that sentiment. I still think the second needn't have been there, but I am glad it is.
I am not only deeply in love with the characters and their multitudes in opinion, motivation, background, and character traits, but in their relationship to one another and their environment.
While it is sometimes painful to read this due to the historical accuracy of how people (probably) thought and acted back, then I would consider this a comfort read still.
Here I would like to state clear trigger warnings:
- sexual assault
- violence
- blood
- transphobia? (if it can be counted as that)
- misogyny!!
- sexism!!
- talk of rape
- emotional abuse
- child trafficking
- fire
- mentions of vomit
The strategic elements never cease to amaze Me, the thoughtfulness and coherence of the plot as well. While this is set in an entirely different culture and time-period from my own, I still felt like I understood the people and their customs, fell in love with their magical world, and cared deeply about how the story would end. I can't say anything about the accuracy of their displays, but I can say that the text drew Me in and, I am sure, kept a piece of Me when I finished reading.
A fairy-tale of the cold, Russian winter, full of magic, political intrigue, and strong relationships. What more could you ask for?
This is Me signing off. Be kind, especially to yourselves. Bye ♥
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Confinement, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Grief, Kidnapping, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Murder, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Trafficking, Violence, and Vomit
aseaoftomes's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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? Yes
This is the second installment in the Winternight trilogy, and my feelings change a bit on this reread. While I still really enjoyed it, I didn't like it as much as the first one (but not by much).
This book picks up mostly where the first book left off, at least with Vasya's storyline, but we also follow some of Vasya's family members; her brother Sasha and her sister Olga and meet some new characters in the process. This book focuses more on the humanity and Christianity aspect than the spirits of the old religion and takes place in cities and towns more than the country. We're primarily in Moscow in this book It's looking at the opposite end of the spectrum from the first book.
As with the first book, the setting and atmosphere of the world is excellently and expertly written. It really transports you there and you live it. It was no different here, but I missed the extra atmosphere of being in the wilderness vs. the city. And the historical aspects were also really interesting and well done. Once again, Katherine Arden does her research and while we don't have a ton of documentation on the time period, I loved what she did with it and how she wove in the tales.
The writing was also still fine. A little less engaging at times, but not overly so. I was just more interested in certain characters and their storylines than others at different times.
The plot was also fine. It's pretty much Vasya deciding she wants to travel and learning about the world and how different it is compared to how she grew up. And also her reuniting with family members we only got glimpses of in the first book like Sasha and Olga. There was also an added part of the plot where Vasya is posing as a boy for a large part of the book and how that all plays in to everything.
Finally, the characters. My feelings on Vasya were pretty much the same as my thoughts on the first book. Her arc and actions are driven by those around her, so she feels flat at times, but I still really enjoy her anyway. I loved getting to see Sasha more in this book and Olga was also interesting at times. I loved two of the new characters we also got to meet - Kasyan and Marya. Marya is probably my favorite of the new characters. But honestly, the characters that shine the most for me are the spirits - Morozko remains my favorite (and probably always will - I have such a soft spot for death gods in books). The relationship between Vasya and Morozko is also great (idiots to lovers anyone?)
All in all, a great second installment and one I'll definitely reread again (also in a snowy setting - that's how you read these books. Wait for a snow storm!).
This book picks up mostly where the first book left off, at least with Vasya's storyline, but we also follow some of Vasya's family members; her brother Sasha and her sister Olga and meet some new characters in the process. This book focuses more on the humanity and Christianity aspect than the spirits of the old religion and takes place in cities and towns more than the country. We're primarily in Moscow in this book It's looking at the opposite end of the spectrum from the first book.
As with the first book, the setting and atmosphere of the world is excellently and expertly written. It really transports you there and you live it. It was no different here, but I missed the extra atmosphere of being in the wilderness vs. the city. And the historical aspects were also really interesting and well done. Once again, Katherine Arden does her research and while we don't have a ton of documentation on the time period, I loved what she did with it and how she wove in the tales.
The writing was also still fine. A little less engaging at times, but not overly so. I was just more interested in certain characters and their storylines than others at different times.
The plot was also fine. It's pretty much Vasya deciding she wants to travel and learning about the world and how different it is compared to how she grew up. And also her reuniting with family members we only got glimpses of in the first book like Sasha and Olga. There was also an added part of the plot where Vasya is posing as a boy for a large part of the book and how that all plays in to everything.
Finally, the characters. My feelings on Vasya were pretty much the same as my thoughts on the first book. Her arc and actions are driven by those around her, so she feels flat at times, but I still really enjoy her anyway. I loved getting to see Sasha more in this book and Olga was also interesting at times. I loved two of the new characters we also got to meet - Kasyan and Marya. Marya is probably my favorite of the new characters. But honestly, the characters that shine the most for me are the spirits - Morozko remains my favorite (and probably always will - I have such a soft spot for death gods in books). The relationship between Vasya and Morozko is also great (idiots to lovers anyone?)
All in all, a great second installment and one I'll definitely reread again (also in a snowy setting - that's how you read these books. Wait for a snow storm!).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Child death, Death, Grief, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Violence, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Confinement, and Physical abuse
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