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olma's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I gave this a 3 because, while I liked it, I didn’t find it as wonderful as the first, which I gave a 4. The city life combined with the living as a boy trope wasn’t as magical as the first story was, and I didn’t love the naked humiliation of the main character.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Miscarriage, and Sexism
emtees's review against another edition
adventurous
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
4.25
Vasya is done with her fairytale. After her symbolic marriage to the Winter King Morozko helped defeat his arch enemy the Bear and save her people, Vasya is meant to take Morozko’s dowry and use it to marry a human man. That’s how the story always ends. But Vasya has no desire to marry, and with her people whispering that she’s a witch, she decides to take the dowry and use it to fund a new life as a world traveler, disguised as a boy and alone with just her magical horse Solovey. But it’s not as easy to leave her old life behind as she thought. On the road, Vasya finds herself embroiled in a threat to the reign of the Grand Prince of Moscow - Tartar bandits have been kidnapping girls from peasant villages, and there seems to be something supernatural about the way they’ve evaded pursuit. When Vasya attempts to rescue some of the girls, she winds up entangled with the Grand Prince’s court, which includes her brother Sasha, the famous warrior monk, and her sister Olga, the Princess of Serpukhov. Sasha and Olga know who she is, but to everyone else she is a boy, and the reveal of her identity could have devastating consequences for all of them.
I enjoyed this one even more than the last book in the series, The Bear and the Nightingale. Like the first book, The Girl in the Tower is heavily based on Russian folklore and fairy tales. It’s not an area I’m very familiar with, but Arden sprinkles the plot with just enough background to understand the various mythological and archetypal figures and story arcs in play. The folklore isn’t just there for flavor or set dressing; Arden is speaking to the heart of these stories and questioning the truths they tell and the lessons they purport to teach. This book also expands the setting of the story from Vasya’s remote forest home to Moscow, bringing in the real history of the 14th century Rus. The rich but restrictive culture of Christian Moscow is set against the whimsy and danger of the pagan woods, which adds a lot of depth to Vasya’s story. Vasya has followed the path of many fairy tale heroines before her, but there is a lot about both their fate and the expected life of a proper Christian noblewoman that this independent and restless young woman doesn’t want, and the question of how much room she has to forge her own path is a big one.
Vasya continues to be a likeable heroine, but I appreciated that in this story we see her more out of her depth. She was comfortable and confident in her own terrain, but out on the road, and then among the court of Moscow, she is in over her head and that means mistakes and poor decisions. I liked that this wasn’t the kind of story where, because the young hero was strong and had done impressive things, she was able to accomplish just anything. In fact, Vasya’s confidence in her own abilities gets in her way at times; she gets complacent and makes mistakes that get her and the people around her in trouble. The story simultaneously understands Vasya’s desire for freedom and anger at the restrictions placed on her by her sexist society and questions the cost of her freedom to the people around her. Vasya’s relationships with her siblings were great: messy and full of misunderstandings and resentments, but also deeply loyal and loving.
The fantasy elements of this world continue to be intriguing. The main plot of this book is a largely stand-alone adventure, but there is a lot of background building up, presumably to be explored in the last book of the trilogy. Both the mysteries of Vasya’s family heritage and her complex relationship with the Winter King Morozko get a lot of page time. After not caring very much about Morozko in the first book, I enjoyed his relationship with Vasya in this one a lot more. Arden humanized him and therefore his interactions with Vasya in a way that made me feel for him.
I enjoyed this one even more than the last book in the series, The Bear and the Nightingale. Like the first book, The Girl in the Tower is heavily based on Russian folklore and fairy tales. It’s not an area I’m very familiar with, but Arden sprinkles the plot with just enough background to understand the various mythological and archetypal figures and story arcs in play. The folklore isn’t just there for flavor or set dressing; Arden is speaking to the heart of these stories and questioning the truths they tell and the lessons they purport to teach. This book also expands the setting of the story from Vasya’s remote forest home to Moscow, bringing in the real history of the 14th century Rus. The rich but restrictive culture of Christian Moscow is set against the whimsy and danger of the pagan woods, which adds a lot of depth to Vasya’s story. Vasya has followed the path of many fairy tale heroines before her, but there is a lot about both their fate and the expected life of a proper Christian noblewoman that this independent and restless young woman doesn’t want, and the question of how much room she has to forge her own path is a big one.
Vasya continues to be a likeable heroine, but I appreciated that in this story we see her more out of her depth. She was comfortable and confident in her own terrain, but out on the road, and then among the court of Moscow, she is in over her head and that means mistakes and poor decisions. I liked that this wasn’t the kind of story where, because the young hero was strong and had done impressive things, she was able to accomplish just anything. In fact, Vasya’s confidence in her own abilities gets in her way at times; she gets complacent and makes mistakes that get her and the people around her in trouble. The story simultaneously understands Vasya’s desire for freedom and anger at the restrictions placed on her by her sexist society and questions the cost of her freedom to the people around her. Vasya’s relationships with her siblings were great: messy and full of misunderstandings and resentments, but also deeply loyal and loving.
The fantasy elements of this world continue to be intriguing. The main plot of this book is a largely stand-alone adventure, but there is a lot of background building up, presumably to be explored in the last book of the trilogy. Both the mysteries of Vasya’s family heritage and her complex relationship with the Winter King Morozko get a lot of page time. After not caring very much about Morozko in the first book, I enjoyed his relationship with Vasya in this one a lot more. Arden humanized him and therefore his interactions with Vasya in a way that made me feel for him.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy, Miscarriage, and Child death
Moderate: Sexism and Sexual harassment
Sexism, misogyny, and the threat of forced marriages or other restrictions on women are a major theme. There is a graphic birth scene in whichameliabee33's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
✨️ As I could, I loved you. ✨️
The second book in the Winternight Trilogy leans heavily into the concept of womanhood and what it meant to be a woman in medieval Russia in the 1300s. Vasya left her small village to see the world, to live a free life. To do this she dresses as a boy, because traveling as a man is much safer than traveling as a girl. As a boy, Vasya can be respected and not questioned, and for the most part she is safe from wandering eyes and hands. Vasya often comments on how much more comfortable and freeing being a boy/man is in this book, to herself as well as her brother and sister in Moscow. As a boy Vasya can be brave and rewarded for it, which she likes- because honestly why would she just want to be locked up in a tower we're highborn women in Moscow are supposed to live.
Her relationship with her siblings is strained because of her desire to not conform. Olga is the quintessential woman, who married, hand kids, and lives in the Tower and prays. Vasya is the exact opposite of everything Olga stands for, and their conflict with one another is very apparent throughout this book. Sasha leads the life Vasya wants (except for the Christian part), a man who is held in high regard by the Grand Prince of Moscow and someone who has traveled and seen the world. Sasha doesn't understand why Vasya is doing what she is doing and also wants her to "act like a woman". However, he is more lenient and allows her to live her lie.
This book also leans heavily into the "Death and his maiden" trope. We all know it and a lot of people love it. Vasya and Morozko become closer throughout the book and kindled their budding romantic relationship. Morozko is constantly confused as to why he, and immortal death god, is feeling human feelings, especially for a young human girl- keep in mind Vasya is ~16/17 here. Vasya doesn't know what it is Morozko wants, but knows she is interested in the freedom and power he offers, and if romance comes with 🤷♀️ But really, there is a lot of nuance surrounding Vasya growing up, becoming wiser and the growth of her relationship with Morozko, in my opinion.
The only reason I dropped his 0.5⭐️s was because of the creepy men that kept wanting Vasya. Like seriously I know times were different then, but GROSS. Like leave my girl alone!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Death, Violence, and Sexism
simp_librarian's review against another edition
adventurous
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Outing, Sexism, and Child death
Moderate: Kidnapping
bethlynch's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy, Child death, Sexism, Fire/Fire injury, Animal death, and Grief
mnerd63's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
inspiring
mysterious
medium-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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage, Sexism, War, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, and Child death
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Religious bigotry, and Sexual assault
Minor: Pregnancy and Slavery
lisa_m's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I loved this book even more than the first one in the series! If the 3rd installment can keep up this might become one of my favourite series!
I started to love Vasya as the main character even more. I feel like she had so much more personality and drive in this book. Also I generally really love the 'girl dresses up as a boy in order to be taken seriously' trope - especially when she then comments on the things that come so easy to her just because of that small change, as well as all the things she would never have been allowed to do otherwise.
The end was a great conclusion to the story of this book. I realised that even though the story is a continuation of the first book, every book could really stand on it's own as well. They are clearly connected and part of a series, but they all tell their own stories that just happen to the same cast of charaters. I am really excited for 'The Winter of the Witch' and I really hope Katherine Arden will write more mythology retellings because she is truly doing such an amazing job!
I really like reading the Glossary at the end as well as her own reflecton upon the book. In this one she even gives secondary sources for further research into the base myths and storys of the books.
I started to love Vasya as the main character even more. I feel like she had so much more personality and drive in this book. Also I generally really love the 'girl dresses up as a boy in order to be taken seriously' trope - especially when she then comments on the things that come so easy to her just because of that small change, as well as all the things she would never have been allowed to do otherwise.
The end was a great conclusion to the story of this book. I realised that even though the story is a continuation of the first book, every book could really stand on it's own as well. They are clearly connected and part of a series, but they all tell their own stories that just happen to the same cast of charaters. I am really excited for 'The Winter of the Witch' and I really hope Katherine Arden will write more mythology retellings because she is truly doing such an amazing job!
I really like reading the Glossary at the end as well as her own reflecton upon the book. In this one she even gives secondary sources for further research into the base myths and storys of the books.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Animal cruelty, Grief, Medical content, Miscarriage, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Slavery, Sexual violence, Trafficking, Violence, Classism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Child death, Death, Gaslighting, Confinement, Misogyny, Sexual harassment, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Kidnapping, Murder, and Religious bigotry
thewildmageslibrary's review against another edition
adventurous
5.0
Wow, 5 stars for sure. I adored the way this built on book one and all the revisited characters! Vasya and Morozko have my heart. I love the vibes, the magic, SOLOVEY, girl-in-disguise, just everything.
CW: same "it's set in the 14th century, so" as book one
CW: same "it's set in the 14th century, so" as book one
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Death, Religious bigotry, Violence, Child death, Blood, Sexism, and Misogyny
Moderate: Pregnancy, Grief, Miscarriage, Toxic relationship, Sexual assault, Kidnapping, Adult/minor relationship, and Confinement
Minor: Death of parent
ktkeps's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Sexism, Sexual harassment, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Slavery
mmefish's review against another edition
adventurous
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
3.5
Witch. The word drifted across his mind. We call such women so, because we have no other name.
This one... isn't as great as "The Bear And the Nightingale".
I still love Katherine Arden's writing and the way she shapes her characters but this book feels way less... mature? The beginning is fine and the middle section is great (I was anxious the whole time) but the ending felt rushed, unnecessary and trope-ish.
What I mean by unnecessary is, for example, this:
-
-
-
And by tropes I mean: Vasya is special, "plain" (so many time it's mentioned that she's ugly and not a beauty, we get it), everyone falls in love with her; Vasya is good/better at whatever; lack of communication, specifically people starting telling something and just... deciding not to (I hate it so much); the "twist" (
It read a little bit too much like YA.
Also, I'm really sick of
Overall, "The Girl in the Tower" is definitely not terrible but still feels like a letdown after such a strong first book.
_______________
Edit: decided not to finish the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Miscarriage, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Blood, and Sexism
Moderate: Gore, Animal cruelty, Fire/Fire injury, Physical abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Kidnapping, and Violence
Minor: Animal death, Vomit, Slavery, and Rape