The Winter of the Witch (Book 3/ Winternight Trilogy) --by Katherine Arden

Fiction / Fairy Tale 

384 pages / 4479 KB

5 Stars

You have to understand something: I hate hardback books. They cost entirely too much, they weight entirely too much, and I read in bed. When/If I fall asleep, they hit my face, and they hurt. I never, ever, buy hardback books. Yet, when the offer came to pre-order The Winter of the Witch, I didn't think about it for a nanosecond, I just ordered. And I'm so glad I did. (And I did NOT fall asleep reading it!)

I had wondered how Vasya was getting along, and this book is the answer. The Winter King, Morozko, traded his freedom for captivity, Fr. Konstantin Nikonovich returns, and again, Vasya's world is turned upside down and frozen.

She faces a trial by fire, she must find and rescue Morozko, defeat Nikonovich, and rescue her family. Like the previous two books, we have villainy, magic, love, and even a bit of romance. The Tatars return, and Vasya gets a taste of battle—the excitement and the agony. 

If you have not read the first two, I strongly suggest you do so, although I do believe this book will stand alone. It will just stand better with the foundation of The Bear & the Nightingale and The Girl in the Tower under it. The story ends, or does it? I do believe Ms. Arden has left the ending open for at least one more book, and perhaps a second trilogy (dare I hope?). 

If, like me, you know little to nothing of Russian fairy tales or history, not to worry. Ms. Arden is a superb storyteller and writer, and all is made clear.

The Bear and the Nightingale --by Katherine Arden

Fiction / Fantasy

336 pages

5 Stars

Legalities first: I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

I found this book delightful and well written. The fact I knew next to nothing about Russian folk tales did not detract at all from my enjoyment of the story. Arden does a masterful job of telling the readers what they need to know. Thanks to Arden's story, I now know a wee bit about Russian folk tales.

True to fairy tales of which I am familiar, the mother dies shortly after childbirth and tasks her faithful servant to raise her daughter. The husband is morose over his wife's death, and basically allows the faithful servant to raise his beautiful daughter, with the help of his older daughters. Vasya is somewhat spoiled, not to mention a tad feral, but in a good sort of way.

Eventually, Papa goes to Moscow and comes home with a new wife who isn't happy being a wife, and stepmother. She was given to Papa as a wife, instead of being allowed into the convent, as she desired. The old priest died, and the new one is a firebrand, more in love with the idea and power of being a priest than in being helpful.

Subplots abound, and Vasya is to be married, but if she's married, how can she save her family and the people of the village? Evil is afoot, and only Vasya holds the key to locking it up again.

The biggest problem I had with the book were all the names and diminutives; however, it was nothing like trying to read Tolstoy. The few times I did get lost, Arden quickly brought me back to where I needed to be, name wise.

Do I recommend this book? Most assuredly. For anyone who enjoys fantasy, especially fairy tales; for anyone who grew up with Snow White and all her cousins; this is the book for you!