Reviews

L'inverno della strega by Katherine Arden

emmallvr'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

5.0

katherineharnisch'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? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

 

This series was captivating! The story kept me interested through all three books, and I enjoyed them all equally. 

 

From the beginning, it’s clear there is much tension between the newer (in this time and place) religion of Christianity and the old ways of making offerings to spirits. The heroine, Vasya, is more inclined to practice the old ways as she has such a strong calling to nature and the spirit world. However, as time goes on she is pulled closer to the people of the Christian world, for better or worse. 

 

This series had everything I love in a good story: great plot, compelling characters, and beautiful writing. There were marriages and funerals, wars and revelry, great sorrow and quiet happiness. On top of all of that, I found the descriptions of the Russian landscape to be quite immersive. 

 

I highly recommend this series, particularly to people who love historical fiction with a bit of magic. 

didyousaybooks's review against another edition

adventurous emotional tense

5.0

linara4522's review against another edition

5.0

it took me wayyyy too long to finish this.
Ngl, I think I had attachment issues.
OVERALL, I loved the trilogy; hope to read more of Katherine Arden and yeah I'm now a big Russian folklore, witch-in-the-winterwoods kinda girl.

ybagueera's review against another edition

adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

5.0

jnishi's review against another edition

5.0

Again Arden spoils us with another amazing book. Every single kind of emotion ran through my heart and mind as I read this. Both stunningly magical and hauntingly heartbreaking this book is full of magic, emotions, and poetic language this book will have you spellbound at page 1. A beautiful end to a beautiful series.

blackberry_coulis's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional inspiring mysterious tense 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

4.25

headasmith's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional tense 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? Yes

5.0

phaedruus'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? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

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

Minor: Rape

christinefolan's review against another edition

5.0

It is no easy feat to integrate magic and mythology into a complex and rich historical backdrop while still keeping the plot engaging, dynamic, and exciting. Katherine Arden's Winternight Trilogy is above all else the story of a young girl finding her place in a world that is fighting to exclude her, and the journey she undertakes in order to create a new and more unified one.
Vasya is an outsider who is still relatable and sympathetic, and her struggles and victories are real and are never contrived or forced. While there is romance, it serves to further the character arcs of the important players and never distracts or takes away from the relevance of the plot.
If you love mythology, history, and anything Russian, then this series is for you.