Review: The Winter of the Witch by Katherine Arden

The Winter of the Witch by Katherine Arden

Series: Winternight Trilogy #3
Published by Del Rey on January 2019
Genres: Young Adult
Pages: 372
Format: Hardcover
Source: Bought
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4.5 Stars

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.

Reviewers called Katherine Arden’s novels The Bear and the Nightingale and The Girl in the Tower “lyrical,” “emotionally stirring,” and “utterly bewitching.” The Winternight Trilogy introduced an unforgettable heroine, Vasilisa Petrovna, a girl determined to forge her own path in a world that would rather lock her away. Her gifts and her courage have drawn the attention of Morozko, the winter-king, but it is too soon to know if this connection will prove a blessing or a curse.

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.

Vasilisa is back for this third and last book.

I devoured book one The Bear and the Nightingale and rushed through The Girl In The Tower. But coming to this final installment, I slowed down and took my time reading the beautiful language and the well woven plot.

I love Vasya and Morozko fiercely. Together and apart, they are so fully formed and real to me, I felt like I was being told about people I had really met. Vasya’s journey is also very satisfying. Her strength and stubbornness are great traits. She is brave to a fault and is perhaps too good of heart.

The world building is gorgeous. It’s a brutal and yet mesmerizing place to be. I love the Russian folklore and magic. It really brought Vasya and Morozko to life, weaving through various fables and magical creatures, none wholly good or evil. And while the third book did take me longer to read, the ending did not disappoint. Vasya finally comes into her own and it’s well worth the wait.

Overall, this is one of the strongest trilogies I’ve ever read. I loved the world and setting, the magic and characters. The first book is the strongest, and the third book the weakest. But that may have more to do with the fact I binge read these back to back into the night and by book three, well, maybe I was a little fatigued. The story fully transported me and kept me happily within its grasp. I didn’t even read anything else during this time. I wanted my reading to only be here, with them.

So what are you waiting for? Dive in to this unforgettable trilogy. I have been recommending it to everyone I know.