‘Girl in the Tower’ is the second book in the ‘Winternight’ trilogy. The first part ‘The Bear and the Nightingale’ left for us, a wild girl Vasya, declared a witch by her own people. We were curious to know where her journey would lead her and more about the blue necklace the frost demon Morozko gives her.
You can read my review of the first book here.
This second part has everything I loved in the first and more. Vasya is a strong woman protagonist. After she flees away from home, she embarks on a frightful journey through the woods to Russia. She almost dies on the road from cold and fighting bandits but she does not give up. In Russia, she meets with her brother and sister who have their own misgivings but protect each other because they are family.
At the court of the Grand Prince, she finds herself sucked into the black hole of lies and deception. But she is not the only one lying. Someone is out to take the throne. To save their beloved land, people will have to work together with the chyerti.
Why I love this series is because it is a perfect mixture of history and fantasy. I loved the Russian folklore and I also loved the court intrigue and power struggle. The cold lands of Russia come alive with Katherine’s worlds. The landscape does not seem dreary but full of possibilities.
Vasya is strong and independent. She is called names and is hated but she knows her responsibilities. She is forced to live her life as a boy which infuriated me. It also saddened me to see how women have been considered objects of pleasure and progeny. They hold no power of their own outside their harams.
This book solved a lot of questions. We also learn more about Vasya’s mother and the line of witches she comes from. The mystery of the blue necklace is solved. We are also introduced to the Nightingale. Would love to read more about her in the next book.
In short, this book has more magic, more fun. I could not put the book down until I was finished.
Book: The Girl In The Tower Author: Katherine Arden Publisher: Penguin Publication: Jan 2018 No. of pages: 364 My rating: 4.5/5
The Reading Owl 