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lbarsk's review against another edition
5.0
WOW WOW WOW!!!! LITERALLY WOW!!!
First of all I can't believe that we got TWO BOOKS OF A TRILOGY IN ONE YEAR - the gift of bookending 2017 with books 1 and 2 of the Winternight Trilogy is one of the few good things of this trash year.
AND SECOND OF ALL JUST LIKE! THIS WAS SO GOOD! I don't know what I was expecting going into the book, but whatever expectations I did have were exceeded and kind of blown to pieces. Katherine Arden is a gifted storyteller with a knack for writing, and I appreciate how *different* each character feels, if that makes sense. In some books characters feel surface-level different but then are all sort of mirror images of each other, or caricatures of the author; in The Girl in the Tower every person (and/or domovoi) feels unique and vibrant.
Plus the mythology of this world, the fables and the storytelling of it, is just so excellently done. BRING ON THE THIRD BOOK, BRING ON MUCH MORE BY KATHERINE ARDEN
First of all I can't believe that we got TWO BOOKS OF A TRILOGY IN ONE YEAR - the gift of bookending 2017 with books 1 and 2 of the Winternight Trilogy is one of the few good things of this trash year.
AND SECOND OF ALL JUST LIKE! THIS WAS SO GOOD! I don't know what I was expecting going into the book, but whatever expectations I did have were exceeded and kind of blown to pieces. Katherine Arden is a gifted storyteller with a knack for writing, and I appreciate how *different* each character feels, if that makes sense. In some books characters feel surface-level different but then are all sort of mirror images of each other, or caricatures of the author; in The Girl in the Tower every person (and/or domovoi) feels unique and vibrant.
Plus the mythology of this world, the fables and the storytelling of it, is just so excellently done. BRING ON THE THIRD BOOK, BRING ON MUCH MORE BY KATHERINE ARDEN
jyeetreads's review against another edition
5.0
5/5. I am ... wow ... this series has been breathtaking and I just finished this whole sequel in one sitting
I think this book deserves a very hard earned spot on my (all time) favorites list of only 6 other books.
I think this book deserves a very hard earned spot on my (all time) favorites list of only 6 other books.
cozy_gh0st's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
barrettarb's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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
5.0
Another gorgeous read from Ms. Arden! While the first book was this lyrical Russian fairytale, this was a gritty adventure but in that beautiful lilt that Arden has mastered. It’s so pretty and well paced that it’s impossible to put down. I just can’t get enough of this trilogy and I can’t believe I only have one book left to go. Even if you’re not into fairytales or the medieval Russian setting I would give this one a read, I promise you won’t be disappointed. And now I know what a patronymic is!!
nanlikesbooks14's review against another edition
5.0
This series has just the right amount of romance and adventure. The atmosphere was rich, dark and exciting. And I actually really love Vasya! She's brave and reckless in a way that I don't find grating. I'm excited for the next one!
m_iam_elia's review against another edition
5.0
amazing, this series is so special to me because it got me out of a reading funk that’s lasted for the past few years. the atmosphere is formed so well, and the characters feel real and engaging. once i finish this series i’m going to be dying to find another folklore-based novel that i can get lost in.
eri6's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
medium-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? It's complicated
5.0
danaelycia's review against another edition
5.0
Listened as an audiobook which gave it so much life and richness to a vibrant story. A wonderful blend of Russian mythology and fairytale with historical fiction.
bklassen's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
As other reviewers have said, this book was necessary to give Vasya an opportunity to grow. After saving some young girls from a mysterious group of thieves and bandits who no one can seem to trace, Vasya then goes to Moscow disguised as a boy to get a taste of freedom that she will never has a girl. However, this now puts her family in not only a risky spot, but great danger. Olga and Sasha are now wrapped up in the lie as naïve and hot blooded Vasya now gets to explore this huge city. However, despite having a great capacity for kindness and curiosity galore, she is also impetuous, selfish at times, stubborn, and competitive, which leads to a pickle, if we’re putting it lightly.
There was a lot of clever string pulling behind the scenes as the villain deftly pulls the strings behind the scenes and manipulates people to result in quite the climax of this book.
I loved how imperfect Vasya was, despite wanting to grab her shoulders and yell at her. Not only is she fighting against the constraints put on her simply because of her sex, but she is also fighting magical forces and evil that others cannot see and believe, which makes her struggle even more of an uphill battle.
Despite it all, I never felt like Vasya lost her inherent qualities, and she is now set up for a wallop of a third and final book in the trilogy.
There was a lot of clever string pulling behind the scenes as the villain deftly pulls the strings behind the scenes and manipulates people to result in quite the climax of this book.
I loved how imperfect Vasya was, despite wanting to grab her shoulders and yell at her. Not only is she fighting against the constraints put on her simply because of her sex, but she is also fighting magical forces and evil that others cannot see and believe, which makes her struggle even more of an uphill battle.
Despite it all, I never felt like Vasya lost her inherent qualities, and she is now set up for a wallop of a third and final book in the trilogy.