Reviews with content warning for Sexism - The Winter of the Witch

Reviews tagging 'Sexism'

The Winter of the Witch by Katherine Arden

22 reviews

saintyeehaw's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense 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

3.5

This was probably the last thing I expected from the events of the first book. Truthfully, I had wanted Vasya to run away from it all and travel the world like she planned to. I admit I was disappointed by the second book's decision to turn inward toward her siblings. I think that disappointment probably puts a bias on my mediocre experience with this last installment. This third story is a good one and I did enjoy my time reading it, but it suffers a little from treating Vasya as untouchable and some questionable ethics.

We are pretty much outright told that no man can resist Vasya's wild/unique charm; while that's something seen in the behavior of other men in the previous books, making it some kind of general rule that gets her out of more than one life threatening situation feels pretty cheap. I also don't feel great, or even good at all, about a 17 year old feeling forced by a dire situation to have sex with an ancient winter god. I was already iffy about their relationship but this book pushed it from questionable to straight up ick for me. Not loving that the only queer relationship in the entire series is between the two villains either. Finally, if we're going to undo some of Vasya's greatest development into adulthood by bringing Solovey back, at least give us more time with him.

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chattie_the_mad_chatter's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective 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? Yes

5.0

On a re-read this is even more incredible than when I first read it.

I love the journey we go with Vasya, it starts with a band then slows down, it took me by surprise but wraps everything up so well.

I love this out of all 3 as it mixes things I enjoy from the first 2, tje conflict between Chereti and the Church, politics, Vasya finding herself. Character growth is brilliant emotions are high and it has made me appreciate mushrooms!

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crownoflaurel's review against another edition

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adventurous dark tense medium-paced

Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

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hanarama's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional fast-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? Yes

5.0

Book at a glance:
• Historical fantasy
• Medieval Russia
• Folklore, Witches, and old gods
• Coming of Age
• War
• Final Installment

Again branded as a witch, Vasilisa must escape Moscow. Grieving the death of her stallion, Solovey, she makes her way on the road through midnight.

Mustering forces amongst the chert, Vasilisa soon realizes that she will need to take part in two wars. And unless she can resolve the battle between Morozko and Medved, she will be unable to bring the worlds of the chert and men together to save Russia from the Golden Horde.

What I liked:
Vasya really comes into her power in this book. Embracing her abilities as a witch, she is ready to grow her skills and to fulfill her destiny.

Arden's atmospheric writing makes the threat of dual wars feel grand and epic, larger than life. Based on the real conflict between Dmitry Donskoy and Mamai or the Golden Horde, The Winter of the Witch feels like a historical epic. While the first book felt like a fairytale, this one feels like a legend. Vasya is a hero for the ages.

What I disliked:
While the previous book was mostly downtime, this one feels like it has too little. With the plot coming to a head, there is so much happening that there is little chance to sit and breathe.

Additionally, there are moments where some of the more powerful chert have to spell things out for Vasilisa. With how clever she was through most of the books, and how far she's come, it feels like she should have been able to figure things out without the help.

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