January 9, 2019

Review: The Winter of the Witch

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Following their adventures in The Bear and the Nightingale and The Girl in the Tower, Vasya and Morozko return in this stunning conclusion to the bestselling Winternight Trilogy, battling enemies mortal and magical to save both Russias, the seen and the unseen.

Now Moscow has been struck by disaster. Its people are searching for answers—and for someone to blame. Vasya finds herself alone, beset on all sides. The Grand Prince is in a rage, choosing allies that will lead him on a path to war and ruin. A wicked demon returns, stronger than ever and determined to spread chaos. Caught at the center of the conflict is Vasya, who finds the fate of two worlds resting on her shoulders. Her destiny uncertain, Vasya will uncover surprising truths about herself and her history as she desperately tries to save Russia, Morozko, and the magical world she treasures. But she may not be able to save them all.

Advance praise for The Winter of the Witch
“Katherine Arden’s Winternight Trilogy isn’t just good—it’s hug-to-your-chest, straight-to-the-favorites-shelf, reread-immediately good, and each book just gets better. The Winter of the Witch plunges us back to fourteenth-century Moscow, where old gods and new vie for the soul of Russia and fate rests on a witch girl’s slender shoulders. Prepare to have your heart ripped out, loaned back to you full of snow and magic, and ripped out some more.”—Laini Taylor


 



This is the final installment to the Winternight Trilogy. They have all been fantastic re-imagining of folklore but this one sent the series out with a bang! I admit to having to go back and re-read the ending of the 2nd book. I needed to remember where things left off. And this book jumps right in to the story.

Vasya is still battling the man made religions over her beloved earthly gods. The whole book is a struggle between the new and the old. Amongst all the battles and the blood shed are mixed up feelings about leaving the old ways and conforming to the new. Vasya is a champion for blending the two. It takes her most of the book and some unusual allies to get there. But in the end, peace comes to Rus and the wild creatures and the Christian priests are content to share the land.

Now, would I wish for a little bit more----yessss! Vasya and her Frost King---I wanted to see what their HEA looked like. He is silent most of the book since it is summer time. I missed him and Vasya together. We get hints what their life may be like but I would love to see them again in the future. Vasya's family---really would like to see her niece grow up and respect the old ways. And I had hoped to see them all move on and heal.

I am happy with the ending, but the colorful world building of this author just makes me want more. The first books were based more on the fairy tale. This one is definitely based more on the historical figures battling for power in Russia. Great bit of history with a fairy tale re-telling of the facts.  Loved the whole series! 

*Complimentary copy provided via Netgalley for an honest review.


Born in Texas, Katherine studied French and Russian at Middlebury College. She has lived abroad in France and in Moscow, among other places. She has also lived in Hawaii, where she wrote much of The Bear and the Nightingale. She currently lives in Vermont.

Website
http://katherinearden.com

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