Review to come in December on Goodreads and Tumblr

Thoroughly enjoyed The Girl in the Tower by Katherine Arden. Vasya is brave, fearless, and courageous. Her character shines through the story and is very relatable (for women, I'm sure) in that she is a woman fighting in a man's world in disguise.

The Girl in the Tower is just as magical as The Bear and the Nightingale, but with the maturity and depth of a story that comes after the initial, innocent fairy tale.

If you have not read the first one, please pick that one up first! There are spoilers for the first book below.

In this sequel, Vasya leaves her home village of Lesnaya Zemly, fleeing from the accusations of witchcraft on the back of Solovey, her bay stallion. As she explores a new freedom wandering the world, against the frost-demon Morozko's wishes, she encounters wild adventures and takes incredible risks. She reunites with her siblings for the first time since her father's death, aids a Grand Prince, and finds her life still irrevocably intertwined with the fantastical.

Darker and with less of the innocence of discovery found in the first book, this story shows a deeper maturity. Vasya must face what she has been running from, accept the consequences of her actions, and attempt to discover what she wants her identity to be. Her stubbornness and ego push her into difficult situations, and she must grow and mature. I loved how the familial relationships were shown, the heartwarming and the ugly, and I think the story has really grown into itself in this latest edition. I'm not usually a huge fan of second books in trilogies, but The Girl in the Tower does its predecessor justice.

Thanks to the publisher for an ARC in exchange for a fair review!

OMG, I loved this book! The writing is fantastic, the story engaging (I couldn't put it down!) and Vasilisa the protagonist is what every girl dreams of being.

The Girl in the Tower is the sequel to The Bear and the Nightingale. As that book ends, Vasilisa (Vasya for short) has left her family home after the death of her father. Vasya is special, but her neighbors think she's a witch. She can see spirits...the dumovi house spirits who inhabit the fireplace, ghosts of the dead....and the winter-king, who takes the dead with him. So rather than facing marriage or life locked up in a convent, Vasya does what any self respecting girl would do...she disguises herself as a boy and takes off on her magical horse, to help people who are oppressed. And there are many; brutal bandits are burning villages and taking off with the young girls. Vasya beseeches the Grand Prince Dimitri to help find and end this scourge of his people, but when it's done, who is the strange person who comes demanding tribute? In a land and a time when many are not what they seem, there are plenty of opportunities to help.

The writing in this book is so beautiful that I found myself just absorbing it, and then having to go back and read again to get all the detail. The descriptions bring things to life; you can see the spirits, hear the magical battles, feel the cold...its just wonderful. Because it had been a while since I read The Bear and the Nightingale I did go back and breeze through it again quickly to refresh myself on the details, but The Girl in the Tower also stands on its own. It's a wonderful blend of fantasy, adventure and girl power. I can't wait for the next book from Katherine Arden. Would I recommend this book? Yes, yes, a thousand times yes!

This is the second book I have read by this author, the first being the Bear and the Nightingale. I was intrigued when I first heard it compared to Uprooted by Naomi Novik and was pleasantly surprised that for once a comparison was fairly accurate.

I am happy also that this book doesn't suffer from the second book syndrome. It is just as magical and well written as the first. I find the world the author has created fascinating, especially not knowing a great deal about Russian folklore. I enjoy learning about the various demons and creatures.

This one I found was much faster paced than the first, but it works well since we had a good idea of the characters from the first book, so this book can spend more time on action.

Bear and the Nightingale was one of my favorite reads this year, and this is a close second. Amazing!

I received this book via Netgalley.

<i>The Bear and the Nightingale</i> was one of my favorite books last year, so my expectations for the sequel were quite high. The book absolutely lived up to them. Where the first explored medieval Russia and its mythology in the deep wilderness, <i>Girl</i> takes readers through the countryside and into the intrigues of Moscow.

Vasya and her magical horse are the central characters, and make me yearn for more books about women with magical horses. Vasya's brother and sister also play important roles. While the book is not a romance, there is a central romantic relationship with gentle yet considerable tension. One of the great joys in these books is Vasya's awareness and consideration of the spirits still found in Russia, despite the din of church bells. The atmosphere of magic is incredible and cozy, and leave me yearning for more books from this author.

By far one of the best books I have read this year. Enchanting story that will take you on an adventure in medieval Russian. This is the sequel to The Bear and the Nightingale. I recommend you read the first book if you haven’t so you can fully understand the story.

A magical story that picks up where the 1st book ended. Vasya is now orphaned and she needs to leave her village since the towns people see her as a witch. She sets off to explore the world but needs to disguise herself as a boy since that is the only way it would be possible for her to go off on her own. Vasya comes across bandits that are burning villages and decides she needs to do something to help the people. On this quest Vasya will cross paths with her brother and the Grand Prince of Moscow. Her brother and sister must keep the secret that Vasya is a girl to avoid scandal. Vasya realizes that there is a dangerous threat against the Grand Prince and she will have to find a way to stop it from happening.

A retelling of a fairytale at it’s finest. Beautifully written story. Lots of adventure and kept me on the edge of my seat. Looking forward to this tale to continue. A must read!

If you haven’t read The Bear and the Nightingale by Arden, you must read it first. I thought the story had ended, but The Girl in the Tower is the next “chapter” in the Russian fairy tale about Vasya. This novel releases December of 2017.

The “Prologue” is the end of the first book repeated. Part I begins the new story--Vasya’s family in Moscow. Olga and Sasha have been in Moscow for many years now, having never visited home again. Life here is treacherous. Sasha is a monk, a sword-handling monk who often fights to defend the Grand Prince as others try to unseat him. The political situations of the various leaders are tenuous at best. Olga’s life is just as tenuous. She is only safe if she follows the “rules” of her station and her husband maintains their family’s control.

Vasya determines to be a Traveler in a world that doesn’t allow for this choice. She must leave, as her people fear her a witch and would kill her. Jumping onto Solovey, Vasya sets out from the Frost King. As a girl, she is in great danger, so she travels as a boy. With each danger, Vasya is fast or clever enough to get away. When she isn’t, she is rescued, saved from death several times, yet she fails to understand why she is being saved. Ultimately, she is needed. She is a bridge between the old ways and the new ways; she is a girl who can see the creatures who need gifts given to them to keep the homes, stables, etc. safe. People no longer believe in these old ways and have stopped giving offerings to them. Therefore, the creatures are fading, including the Frost King. Vasya’s ability to see them and tend to them keeps them from fading for moments. She also represents the new world. She wants to be free; as a female, her only choices are marriage or going into the convent. She is a force of nature--impetuous, courageous, and free-spirited--someone not meant for marriage or solitary convents. Instead, she has the courage and faith to face the evils that are encroaching upon the country.

Vasya reunites with her siblings after showing great courage rescuing girls who had been kidnapped and has been praised for “his” bravery. “He” is well-liked by the Grand Prince, Sasha’s friend, but the lie is a dangerous one. Another man watches Vasya closely after appearing from nowhere and unknown to all the people in Moscow despite being a large land owner. Sasha and Olga’s precarious lives are in the hands of Vasya who doesn’t understand the intrigues and dangers of life in Moscow. As they don’t explain the direness of their situations, Vasya cannot be blamed for failing to comprehend how her actions reflect on them.

What appears to be and actually is permeates much of the novel. Each character has a face he/she must present, but falsehoods exist for all. Even Vasya knows what to hide of her abilities and what layer of truth she can give her siblings about what happened back home. The creatures can only be seen by a few, yet they exist. To find the Frost Kind, Vasya must unfocus or focus in to find movement on the edge of her vision. With secrets and the forgotten past, Moscow is doomed to fall. Vasya may be the only hope--if she can find the truth about herself and the Frost King.

The novel is full of action and the pacing is perfect. At times I was exasperated with Vasya because she was following her own ideas instead of being careful. She never intends harm, but she moves too quickly to stop and think. This quickness also, paradoxically, works well for her. She can follow her instincts, which saves people. I loved this novel as much as the first. I’m purposefully not revealing much of the plot because it’s such a pleasure to let a plot unfold and ride along with it. If you already know what’s going to happen, the book loses its exciting qualities. I am now fascinated with Russian fairy tales and want to read more--probably because Ms. Arden writes beautifully. I feel like I am in these worlds; I see the winter, the trees, the creatures, and I am startled back into the real world when my reading time is up. I highly recommend both novels.

This was an excellent follow up to the first book! I liked it just the same, or maybe better! There was more of Vasya in this one, which I was excited to see. Nothing stands in her way when she wants to do something, and sometimes this can cause consequences. It all makes her appear more human, though. The sibling bond between her, Sasha, and Olga felt perfectly real. Loved them! My main pet peeve was that there wasn't enough of the Frost Demon. I want to know more about Morozko because he is amazing! The writing, setting, and action were all on point! I can't wait for the next book!!!

This book is gorgeous. The change of location from country to big city didn't take away any of the magic. We still get to see the creatures even if they're essentially dying out. Vasya is a strong character who I keep on wanting to follow. The only problem I had (and this is completely on me) is that I kept on reading Sasha as a girl's name and have to keep reminding myself that Sasha is a boy. So when's the next one coming out?

The Girl in the Tower
By Katherine Arden
Rating: 5
There is trouble for Vasya at home and in her village. Trouble that could no longer be contained even in the far and cold reaches of the outer wilderness of Rus’. Vasya was too strong and too independent for this time in long ago Rus’. The village thought her witch. Even her family was in fear for her safety. All Vasya wanted was freedom, a home and a purpose. There was no way that this could happen. There was no way that a woman during this time could get what Vasya wanted. Vasya knew this so she took matters into her own hands. She took the only option open to her, she ran, no, she rode Solovey into the night, swift and silent as a night flying bird. She chose to be the master of her fate. And the tears filled her eyes... So ends the story of The Bear and the Nightingale and a new start for Vasya. Vasya’s story begins...

Vasya and Solovey rode enjoying the morning and the afternoon warmth of the sun. Oh, she was calm and confident and then night came and she was all alone. “The shadows draped the forest like hands; the light was all blue-violet and nothing looked real.” As Vasya and Solovey rode I felt my first quiver of real fear and foreboding for Vasya. Suddenly, I felt chilled and I had to stop and tell myself it was only a fairytale...just a story. I had to put the book aside to get a blanket even though it was 95 degrees outside where i live. I don't know if it was the cold I felt or the fear; probably both; but I was grabbed and sucked in once again by the author. I was with Vasya every single minute and every step she took. I felt what she felt. I saw what she saw. I heard what she heard. I fought alongside her and Solovey. Her fears were my fears. Her thoughts were mine; but I knew more and I couldn’t tell her. I heard myself trying to tell her, to warn her; but she couldn’t hear me. It was frustrating. Fruitless and I knew it; but I couldn't help it. I couldn’t stop myself. I was in the story.

The characters, some first introduced to us in The Bear and the Nightingale continued to develop, becoming more complex and layered. Believable. They were no longer fictional book characters; but real people for me. People I could see in my mind’s eye and relate to. Sasha, comes to mind first. Vasya"s brother, a holy man, ...steadfast. Her anchor. Then there was Olya, Vasya’s older sister, who knew that for a woman to survive in this time of Rus” was to submit. She also knew that Vasya would never submit. Conflict resulted. Masha, Olya’s daughter and niece of Vasya...there has got to be a story there. Dimitri, the Prince of Rus’, whose very life was dependent upon Vasya. Kasyan, the flamboyant lord who had more going on than what it seemed. Tamara. Tamara, Vasya’s grandmother...we get a glimpse of the past and the why. Last. but not least, Is Morozko, the winter king...what are his motives??? Are they true

This is a love story. This is a story of a strong and independent woman who was called a witch because there was no other name of which to call her. This is, indeed, a fairytale...a tale of make-believe creatures, magic, sorcery, deception, betrayal, love, faith, and family. Does this fairytale end happily ever after? I don’t know. But I can tell you this much; Vasya’s prophesy has only partly come to pass...

ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

4.5*

The Girl in the Tower picks up where The Bear and the Nightingale left off. Once again we are following the brave and untamed Vasya as she continues her journey for personal significance and discovery.

I actually liked this book slightly more tgan the first one. It is written in the same lyrical prose but is broader in scope and a bit darker. To me it felt even more like a Russian folktale than the first book. There's a lot more action and adventure here so the pace seems faster. The character interactions are as satifying as ever - especially between Vasya and Morozko. Is it weird that I love Vasya's horse as a character? Because I do.

All in all a splendid dark fairy tale with brains, guts and a strange, dreamlike beauty.

Many thanks to the publisher for inviting me to read and review this title.

I love this author's writing. I feel like these are old Russian Fables handed down from generation to generation complete with Bears, Nightingales, a Prince, Evil Priest, Girl posing as boy, magical horse, strong female character posing as a boy, evil forces. This book has it all. I highly recommend this book and its sister book The Bear and the Nightingale. Top shelf book!

Picking up from where we left her in The Bear and the Nightingale, Vasya Petrovna, disguised as a boy, makes her way to Moscow with the help of the frost demon Morozko and her faithful horse Solovey. Moscow is her first stop on her quest to see the world, and where she hopes to be reunited with her sister, Olga. However, trouble is never far behind, and Vasya finds herself rescuing a few maidens along the way. Meanwhile, Vasya’s brother, Sasha, urges the Grand Prince Dmitrii to deal with the roving bandits that have been kidnapping girls and burning villages across Russia. Once in Moscow, Vasya enters a world utterly different from village she left. The grandeur of the city is like magic, and yet the magic Vasya knows holds little power there. She is also torn by the admiration she receives while masquerading as a boy, while knowing the fate that awaits her as a young woman: marriage or a convent. On her journey, Vasya learns more about her family and her ties to Morozko, while a new dark power threatens to overtake Moscow.

There are several plot threads woven through The Girl in the Tower, and Arden brings them together beautifully. As in the previous book, Arden’s lush prose transports the reader to medieval Russia, and her strong grasp of history and creative adaptation of folklore again makes for a winning combination. The story unfolds through the eyes of several characters, which enriches our understanding of them and the world they inhabit. Vasya is still as brave and strong-willed as ever but, thanks to the new setting and characters, she continues to grow as a character. The development of her relationships with her siblings and Morozko is lovely. I can’t wait to see where she goes from here, and I’m sure readers will be champing at the bit for the next book!

Brave Vasya, older and wild as ever, is faced with a choice to either marry or live in a convent as a nun. Neither choice seems applicable to her and she would rather die riding in the frozen wintry forest than be stuck living a life that doesn’t fit her. She’s been deemed a witch and questions still loom regarding her father’s death. Vasya needs to discover who she is and as she embarks on a journey alone with her horse Solovey against Morozko’s wishes, she takes risks, experiences danger with violent bandits, witnesses burned and destroyed villages, meets the Grand Prince, and even reunites with family. Only time will tell if she’s made the right decisions and the commitment may be more than she can bear.

This second installment has more action and adventure, the addition of new characters, and clues that offer insight to some of the events in the first book. It’s just as enchanting and a little darker than the first. I enjoyed the characters and relationships, especially Vasya’s relationship with Morozko and her horse Solovey. When I first began reading, I felt as though I was right back in the first book again and had to remember a few of the characters. It doesn’t take long to pick up and as Vasya’s traveling begins, there’s no telling what will happen next and the book is far from predictable.

The Girl In The Tower is written in the same enchanting prose as The Bear and the Nightingale and I did enjoy it, but it didn’t captivate me as much as the first. As this book closed with an unexpected ending, I’m even more excited for the third. 4 ****

I’d like to thank Netgalley for providing me with an ARC of this book to read and review.

Keep in mind that a 5-star rating from me does not mean a perfect book; rather that at the time I read this book I enjoyed it immensely. And I did, taking a break from Classics & Nonfiction, this was a perfectly delightful book to read. I love the Russian Fairy Tale atmosphere that Arden creates.

Call them what you will. Fairy tales, old wives’ tales, fables or just plain stories passed down through the generations. I know different sections of the world have different stories of unknown and often dubious sources. This novel is a work of art, taking the reader back to olden times in the region of Russia. To appreciate this story fully one should first read “The Bear and the Nightingale” by this same author, where the reader will be introduced to the characters, the spirits and the chimeras. With vivid descriptions of the harsh weather, the primitive means of living during the times and the struggle to survive; the story has many characters but the most captivating would be a young lady, masquerading as a young man. Nothing to do with sexual implications but simply a spirited youth living on her own, having been cast out as a witch. In the near past the description of tomboy would be apt. The youngster and her splendid horse arise to hero status only to fall harshly into shame and loathing. The heroics of this young lady in guise as a young man are a story within a fascinating tale of wars, pillaging and plundering and burning villages, killing the inhabitants and abducting the young females to be sold into slavery. It is also the continuing saga of the family first introduced in the afore mentioned “The Bear and the Nightingale”, which upon completing I hoped for a sequel, and now having completed the sequel I am again hoping for continuation in the future. I rate this book as a five-star read and would gladly assign more stars if allowed. Praise to the author for this fascinating work.

What an utter disappointment. The magic of The Bear and the Nightingale burst from its charm and uniqueness; there is little to distinguish The Girl in the Tower from every other YA book burdening store shelves.

Vasya’s likeability plummets in this sequel. Rather than understand her frustration as a young, adventurous girl breaking norms in a heavily patriarchal society, I was incredibly irritated by her attitude. How little she thinks of the consequences of her actions, how little she thinks of how her actions will affect people other than herself. Oh yeah, and she’s a total Mary Sue. Other characters cannot stand on their own—they only appear to move Vasya’s story along in incremental movements. (I remember Konstantin being a fascinating villain in the previous novel—this is no longer the case!)

The plot and the writing failed me too. I could literally predict what would happen on the next page before I read it. How is that fun? This story is in desperate need of depth, which is where I thought the first novel excelled. This just felt like action scene after action scene (not even particularly well-written action scenes!) with little world-building and even less character development. And the actual plot? Oh, was that something you wanted? Look elsewhere.

I’m sad. The Bear and the Nightingale was such a joy to read. I had to force myself to finish The Girl in the Tower.

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Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for sending me a digital ARC of “The Girl in the Tower” by Katherine Arden. The first book in this series is beautiful and magical. This second installment was just as wonderful. The world building is just gorgeous and the historical references are quite intriguing. The author has such a way of telling the story that I found myself wondering if the part I was reading was an old fairy tale. The plot and story structure has an old feeling that pulls you in and lets you live there for a while. This book is perfect for those who loved fairy stories as a child.