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A review by the_rabble
The Girl in The Tower by Katherine Arden
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
fast-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
4.5
This book slaps.
Magic horses, frost demons, and that pinpoint frustration of a moment that is a young woman going through the inevitable "MAN, the patriarchy is such a goddamn raw deal!!" and trying to figure out what she's going to do or not do about it.
It's such a specific feeling and moment of coming of age as an adult and Arden nails it.
The second book delivers on the promise of the first. All the table setting was done in The Bear and the Nightingale so The Girl in the Tower soars.
Book is 3rd person in Vasya's POV, with some 3rd person omniscient scenes, usually Morozko.
Speaking of Morozko, Arden nails the tension and affection between he and Vasya. Excellent example of how to write an immortal/force of nature drawn to a mortal (who is very aware of the dynamic and her own youth.)
The story spends a lot of time out of the forest and into the lands of men (towns, cities) in this one, and it starts out less magical- which can be grim. Luckily, the Chyerti are never far and Arden flexs her folklore muscles as well as her devastating realistic ground floor history muscles.
Who I Wouldn't Rec This To:
Really young kids and pregnant people, probably. There's a graphic,scary pregnancy scene. And a lot of non sexual nudity.
Peeps having a moment of big gender dysphoria symptoms. This is one of those stories with "women have it so bad the relief offered by presenting as a dude is intoxicating" moments. Arden doesn't seem to be alluding to gender dysphoria in any way- Vasya likes her body and is comfortable with it. She is dealing with not fitting into rigid gender roles and there are a few moments she talks about "staying a boy" - which read as accessing privilege not identity, but could feel shitty if you're having a rough stretch.
Magic horses, frost demons, and that pinpoint frustration of a moment that is a young woman going through the inevitable "MAN, the patriarchy is such a goddamn raw deal!!" and trying to figure out what she's going to do or not do about it.
It's such a specific feeling and moment of coming of age as an adult and Arden nails it.
The second book delivers on the promise of the first. All the table setting was done in The Bear and the Nightingale so The Girl in the Tower soars.
Book is 3rd person in Vasya's POV, with some 3rd person omniscient scenes, usually Morozko.
Speaking of Morozko, Arden nails the tension and affection between he and Vasya. Excellent example of how to write an immortal/force of nature drawn to a mortal (who is very aware of the dynamic and her own youth.)
The story spends a lot of time out of the forest and into the lands of men (towns, cities) in this one, and it starts out less magical- which can be grim. Luckily, the Chyerti are never far and Arden flexs her folklore muscles as well as her devastating realistic ground floor history muscles.
Who I Wouldn't Rec This To:
Really young kids and pregnant people, probably. There's a graphic,
Peeps having a moment of big gender dysphoria symptoms. This is one of those stories with "women have it so bad the relief offered by presenting as a dude is intoxicating" moments. Arden doesn't seem to be alluding to gender dysphoria in any way- Vasya likes her body and is comfortable with it. She is dealing with not fitting into rigid gender roles and there are a few moments she talks about "staying a boy" - which read as accessing privilege not identity, but could feel shitty if you're having a rough stretch.