If The Bear and the Nightingale was a slow burn, and The Girl in the Tower was a frantic race, The Winter of the Witch is the most glorious melding of the two. All of our storylines and characters are coming to a head. Everything is converging for these last battles, and you can’t help but feel the tension. Each character is so beautifully developed, some achingly so. I have never felt such loathing as I do for Father Konstantin throughout this series. It is so well done.

Words escape me when I try to write about this series. It felt like Katherine Arden came out of nowhere, and now I can’t get enough. The prose is beautifully written, transporting you to this fantastical past, all the way to the snowy landscape of Russia. There is something so atmospheric about these books. The writing is on another level, feeling lyrical at times, but never heavy-handed. I was so blown away with the first in the series, and while the second lost a bit of the fairy tale quality, the finale really pulled it together and knocked it out of the park. It’s a little bittersweet that it’s over.

This is the perfect ending for this trilogy. I couldn't have asked for anything more (except maybe an epilogue????)

Bittersweet, hopeful. lyrical, and a final resolution between the chyerti and humanity, between the Tatars and the people of 'Rus, and Vasya finally finds a place for herself and an answer to who she is.

Each character was well manifested and so alive, from the tiniest mushroom to the most sarcastic of bears. While some previous characters had less page time (Sasha, Dmitrii, Konstatin, Olga), the book turned much of its focus on Vasya—which was a definite improvement from The Girl in the Tower, where I felt like we saw Vasya through a billion different lenses but never spend much time with her beyond her venturing about with Solovey.

I'm not really sure I can put more words to my feelings, but if the first two books were enjoyable, then this will be a welcome ending.

I received this ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.

Thank you to Random house for the Arc of this amazing book!
What can I say, except another amazing book, I have thoroughly enjoyed this series, have loved the way Russian folk law was the basis for this series.

The final book in the Winternight trilogy left me in tears of joy and sadness. This trilogy hooked me early on with it's eloquent writing and the breath-taking descriptions.
In the third and final book, Moscow is slowly recovering from disaster and all the blame is put on Vasya. Vasya has been desperately trying to unite the men and chyerti of Russia to fight a common enemy. After escaping death, she searches for Morozko, the Frost King, who has sacrificed himself in order to save her. By making alliances and risking her life over and over again to do so, Vasya slowly figures out who she is, where she belongs, and where she really came from. This book is full of love: filial and romantic, and the bonds between friends. I can not put into words how wonderful this book is. I have not cried over the loss of a character in a long time and this book hit me hard.

I loved this book! I loved the entire trilogy and am thankful to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine
Del Rey, Katherine Arden, and Netgalley for the early access.

This final book of the Bear and the Nightingale trilogy ties up all story lines in a very satisfying way. The language of the book/series is beautiful and historic, and the story relies on actual Russian history for its narrative, wonderfully blending fact with fantasy.

Reaching the end of a beloved series is always bittersweet, and sometimes you even put off reading the last book because you don’t want to say goodbye. But in the case of the Winternight trilogy, I was actually really looking forward to The Winter of the Witch because as we all know, endings can be hopeful too—a promise to the reader that the journey was worth it all.

The story finds Vasya in the aftermath of the great fire in Moscow—a fire she accidentally started when she unleashed a firebird to save the life of the Grand Prince. Now an angry mob has descended upon the home of her sister, led by the zealot Konstantin Nikonvich, a priest who has been obsessed with bringing down Vasya since the very beginning. Grieving for a lost friend and distraught over what she has done, our protagonist ends up being captured and is headed for the pyre to be burned as a witch when suddenly, fate intervenes in the form of the Bear demon Medved, who makes Vasya a tempting offer.

However, Vasya is her own woman and refuses to owe the demon any favors. Escaping on her own, she finds herself in the dreamlike realm known as Midnight, where she encounters all kinds of mystical creatures and figures, including her own great-grandmother Baba Yaga. After learning about herfamily history and magical bloodline, Vasya realizes just how much responsibility rests upon her shoulders, especially once she discovers what has become of Morozko, the Winter King, following his sacrifice on her behalf. The Bear has also found a way to create chaos, manipulating Konstantin to do his bidding. To save Moscow, as well as those she loves, Vasya must come to terms with who she is, and embrace her power in all its glory and dangers.

In this satisfying conclusion, we get to meet some familiar faces like Vasya’s sister Olga, who is dealing with her own grief, as well as her brother Sasha, who has come a long way since leaving home for the monastery—though he is still my favorite character. Vasya’s cousin Dmitrii, the Grand Prince, also has a part to play, as he begins to gather allies and prepare for the oncoming threat of invasion. In essence, we are pulling all the threads together in the lead-up to the Battle of Kulikovo, which marked a victory for Rus forces over the Tatars and is considered one of the major steps in formation of what is modern Russia. Katherine Arden blends history with fantasy, entwining medieval Russian politics with fairy tale and folklore to create something amazing here. For while the tensions simmer in the real world, an invisible war also rages among the supernatural beings of the enchanted lands, as Morozko and his brother Medved are locked in their own fierce battle.

This novel sees Vasya caught in the middle, in more ways than one. For one thing, she spends a good part of the story in the realm of Midnight, which should delight fans of the more fantastical elements of this series. This, however, was probably why I liked this volume a little less than the two previous ones; as much as I enjoy the magical aspects of Vasya’s journey, I always preferred it better when she was dealing with mortal conflicts. The one exception to this is her complex romance with Morozko. As Vasya struggles with her place between two worlds, she is also trying to work out her complicated feelings for the Winter King, whose purposes are often hidden but quite vast. As always, I love how the author treated their relationship with a subtle touch, so that it becomes neatly integrated into the novel’s larger themes of choices, sacrifice, and unity.

Like the two books that came before, this one had some slow-moving sections. However, Arden keeps things interesting with all the new things Vasya encounters in the spirit world. I confess some of these parts felt like filler, but there were also revelations that paved the way for bigger developments later on. The prose, too, is beautiful—Arden has clearly been honing her skills over the years, and her writing is now better than ever. Midnight would not have come to life the way it did had she not described the world and its denizens in such luscious detail.

All told, The Winter of the Witch is a worthy conclusion to a beautiful trilogy about changing times and growing up. It is not my favorite of the books, considering how strong the first two volumes were, but it did end with an epic climax and an emotional denouement which is sure to resonate with readers who have been with Vasya since the beginning. Katherine Arden has created something genuinely incredible here: an atmospheric and memorable saga full of imagination and heart.

This was the perfect end to what has been a fantastic trilogy! Just like the previous two books, this was beautifully written and full of rich characters and details. I can't recommend this series enough!

I was over the moon to get an ARC of The Winter of the Witch. I adored the first two books and was so eager to read the final book of the series. I was a little nervous about whether or not it would live up to my expectations, but The Winter of the Witch was absolutely everything I hoped it would be and more! Actually, this is my top read of 2018!

If you haven’t heard of the Winternight trilogy, it is a series set in medieval Russia involving Russian folklore. It is a wonderful, richly told, atmospheric story. Arden expertly weaves historical facts with classic lore and cultural exploration. This series has so many things I love: a powerful yet flawed heroine, adventure, mythology, magic, emotion, and thought-provoking ideas. The writing has just the right balance between action and character development. There are humorous moments and heart-wrenching ones. And through is that undefinable essence of old storytelling like something deep and elemental springing up from a time gone by. It’s so astounding that this was Arden’s debut series! (And I will also add that I greatly appreciate that each book was released in a timely manner!)

There are three conflicts entwined within the stories: The political machinations between Rus’ and the Tatars, new religion versus old beliefs and customs, and Vasya’s struggle to find her place between societal expectations and her own desires. This is such a powerful story. It reminded me of why I love to read.

I really could go on and on and on about how much I love this book, but I don’t want to give away much more about the story. But I highly recommend it!

I cannot wait to see what Katherine Arden comes out with next!!

Ahoy there me mateys!  I received this fantasy eARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  So here be me honest musings.  If ye haven’t read the other two books in this trilogy then ye might want to skip this post and read them.  Worth the read.  If ye keep reading this log then ye have been forewarned and continue at yer own peril . . . . . .

the winter of the witch (Katherine Arden)

Title: the winter of the witch

Author: Katherine Arden

Publisher: Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine Del Ray

Publication Date: TODAY!!! (hardcover/e-book)

ISBN: 978-1101885994

Source: the publisher - Arrrr!

The first two books of this trilogy tied for the number one spot on me top 5 reads of 2017.  So imagine me delight when I finally got to read this stunning conclusion.  This installment contains another fabulous cover and another beautiful lyrical story that had me besotted.  While book one could be read as a standalone, I am so very glad that I got to experience more of Vasya's adventures.  This book was worth the wait.

In-spite of the time between books two and three, a couple of sentences in and I was magically transported back into the author's amazing world.  Vasya continues to struggle to find her proper place in the world.  Christianity and magic continue to clash.  Political upheaval continues to disrupt Russia.  Vasya is in the thick of things and is trying to save those she loves and a disappearing way of life.  She makes mistakes and suffers yet remains overall strong and determined.  Vasya is certainly one of me favourite characters ever.

What truly took center stage in this book was the vivid imagery and lush writing.  I couldn't put this book down and finished it in one sitting.  Not only was I completely immersed in the story but I was mesmerized by the tale's twists and turns.  There are surprises and heartbreak.  Assumptions are overturned.  And yet overall the story ended with hope.  I absolutely adored the ending.

I really can't do this book justice.  If ye haven't read this series then ye should.  It is a perfect read for winter.  I will be reading whatever this author writes next!

So lastly . . .

Thank you Random House!

Normally I would post a blurb here but not this time due to spoilers!!

To visit the author’s website go to:

Katherine Arden - Author

To buy the novel please visit:

the winter of the witch - Book

To add to Goodreads go to:

Yer Ports for Plunder List

Previous Log Entries for this Author

the bear and the nightingale - book 1 (On the Horizon – Fantasy eArc)

the girl in the tower - book 2 (On the Horizon - Fantasy Arc)

small spaces (Captain's Log - YA Fantasy)

In book three of Katherine Arden's. trilogy Vasya's journey continues. My enthusiasm for the first two volumes was boundless. The final book has made me want to go back and read the whole series again. If you ever enjoyed fairy tales, you should be reading this series. The pace of the story gallops and leaves you breathless. The tension between the Orthodox Church and Vasya's witchcraft is exhilarating. Will the church and the pagan spirits be able to inhabit the world together peacefully? Arden has based much of the story on historic fact. I enthusiastically recommend this book and the whole series.

This book is the concluding installment of the Winternight Triology, a unique fantasy series steeped in Russian folklore. Ms. Arden gave readers a truly beautiful conclusion to Vasya's story. Her imagery of the spirit world was very vivid. The storylines built up in the first two books continue in this installment and the book picks up where the second installment left off, so it is highly recommended that readers go back and read those prior to picking up these books. Readers find Vasya rising from the ashes of Moscow as a mature, strong-willed woman who is not afraid to fight for those she loves. All the minor characters in the other two books make an appearance and more are added, which could make the story a bit confusing for some folks. I had a really hard time with the relationship development between Vasya and Morozko. It felt a bit forced and rushed, especially considering this wasn't the first time this subject was brought up during this series. I wanted a bit more emotion from Vasya. She goes through so much this book mentally, emotionally, and physically, and I felt like there were some lost opportunities regarding development of her character layers. I didn't know much about Russian folklore and history of this period prior to reading this trilogy, and I appreciate the opportunity to see these themes through Ms. Arden's eyes.

Katherine Arden knocked it out of the park with the the third book in the Winter Night series. I usually binge read books all night, but I had to stop and pace myself with this one because it was making me feel so strongly. Arden's writing is beautiful and works so well with the world she has created. These are books I could read again and again and catch something new every time.

Note: I was provided an ARC of this book by the publisher, in exchange for a fair and honest review. 

At long last, we've come to the end of the road for Vasya Petrovna, a young woman in medieval Russia gifted with the ability to see the spirits of hearth and forest that are slowly dying out.  Arden works her narrative magic in this immensely satisfying conclusion, bringing to a close the story of Vasya's struggle to find a balance between the changes coming to the land of Rus and the old ways that protected her people for so long.  To do so, she must find a way to placate powerful spirits threatened by the humans - including the mercurial winter king.  If you haven't started this series yet, I highly recommend you pick up THE BEAR AND THE NIGHTINGALE and dive in!

THE WINTER OF THE WITCH begins just hours after the climactic battle of THE GIRL IN THE TOWER, when the Grand Prince was nearly overthrown and Vasya inadvertently created a great fire in Muscovy.  Although Vasya was able to eventually quell the fire with the help of the winter king, the entire town is on edge.   Eventually, roused to anger by Vasya's bitter enemy Father Konstantin, the townspeople storm the palace and drag Vasya to the forest to be burned at the stake as a witch.  Vasya escapes only through bargains struck by those who believe that she can be a new power in the war that is coming to Rus - bargains that loose a great darkness on the land and send Vasya to a hidden country she will have to learn to navigate if she is to return home and save her people.

Readers of the previous entries in this series will be pleased to know that, once again, Arden's elegant writing style is at full force.  THE WINTER OF THE WITCH is a Russian folktale in long form, with princes and spirits and great armies, and one singularly powerful woman at the center of it all.  The prose invokes the aura of a storyteller in front of  a fire on a winter's night.  But though the language is simple, the characters are not.  There are no easy decisions, no relationships that are untested or foregone conclusions. Even the central romance is complicated, twisted as it has been around scheming and maneuverings  by both parties involved.  And that's what makes this tale supreme, that it can straddle the line and be fantastical and grounded at the same time.

Of course, this story doesn't work without Vasya.  This is a heroine who wins through her quiet inner strength.  She's been through a lot over the trilogy, and while she was never exactly timid, she is officially done letting men or spirits dictate terms to her.  Vasya is a woman who will stand in front of a flooding river, demand it abate, and expect to be obeyed.  She has magic, yes, but it is her sheer force of will that allows her to be a worthy adversary. She is still flawed, given sometimes to strong emotions that overrule her better judgement.  But through it all, this is a woman moved by kindness. Her devotion to her family, the respect she gives to the spirits of the forest, allow her to unite the lands of Rus in a way that no one else ever has.  She's a heroine you want to root for, and cheer for with every success.

THE WINTER OF THE WITCH is an impressive end to this fairy tale trilogy. I'm still amazed at how well seeds were planted in THE BEAR AND THE NIGHTINGALE, story points that were not that important to book one but which blossomed into key arcs in subsequent books.  Even Konstantin, villain that he is, has the kind of tragic journey you can empathize with.  Vasya is a heroine that will live on long in my heart, long past the ending of this Russian winter.

Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read The Winter of the Witch in exchange for a review. And it is with pleasure that I do so!

Having an interest in old Russian and Slavic tales I eagerly read the first in this series, The Bear and the Nightingale, a few years ago. I was absorbed by the adventures of Vasilisa as she navigates the changes in her family and the rigid mores of her isolated village. The fairy tale aspects of the story were compelling but, for me, slightly hard to follow.

Then the second volume, The Girl in the Tower, arrived and I found myself really drawn in to the political plots involving the slimy and terrifying monk Konstintin, Vasilisa's sister and niece- plus, of course, a demon or two. This book read even better than the first and I wanted to follow where the life of the city that is not yet quite Moscow, burnt down and on the edge of war, might go.

It was perfect and gratifying to have this final book of the trilogy begin just as the embers are dying in the city, as the village people are looking for the cause of the destruction of their homes and Konstintin points his finger at Vasilisa as a witch. Really the whole book satisfyingly ties up many threads that I won't list at risk of spoilers except to say the Winter King, the Bear and even Baba Yaga make important appearances throughout the story. Read and enjoy!

The conclusion to this trilogy is epic and will give you all the feels. It will break your heart and heal it again. Vasilisa has seen some things but this book has her greatest trials and greatest growth. I really don’t know how to review this amazing book and trilogy. If you are looking for an epic high fantasy series that shows the dichotomy of several aspects of Russian life, interspersed with real history, this is definitely the series for you.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC!

I had this for a while before I took the plunge: I was torn between charging ahead to finish one of my favorite series, and reluctance to end the series and find out what awful things Vasya would go through this time. Plus I was worried I’d set the bar too high for Katharine Arden - after the first two books, how could she top it?

I shouldn’t have worried.

I finished it in one sitting at 3am. I have only one regret, that it is finished. Actually, make that two ... I have to wait before I can talk to anyone else about the details and geek out in splendor. Take that as a warning, friends and family, I’ll be pestering you all until you finish so we can talk!

Arden is a master of weaving history and folklore in a way that is both natural and believable. Her characters are all well developed. Sick of books with “evil villains” that are two dimensional and have no motivation? Read these. These are some of the most believable characters, in the most realistic setting, even when they’ve managed to go into a world that is magic. The plot kept me guessing (and dreading in the best possible way) until the end.

I truly look forward to anything else Arden creates, though how she could top this, I don’t know. But then, I said that after book 2, so ... surprise me! Please! Thanks for giving me one of my favorite series to hand to just about anyone at the library looking for a recommendation!

I liked the first book a whole lot. I loved the second. I was let down by this conclusion, which begins directly after the second book ends, though I'm not sure whether this is due to the book or to me. Certainly I feel that maybe if I had read this book in a few long sittings, rather than spread out over several weeks, I might have felt more invested in it - but maybe the reason I kept finding excuses to put it back down over only a few chapters is that I didn't feel invested in it.

Not that I didn't like The Winter of the Witch. It really cranks the old-Rus mythology up to 11, with upyr (Slavic vampires) and the demon-goddesses of both Midnight and Midday, which was very cool. But I felt very distant from Vasilisa, and not as invested in her trials and tribulations as I was in the previous book - and her trials and tribulations meander a lot, here, as Arden brings together the over-arching thread of the fate of old-religion spirits in a Christianizing world, along with the political fate of Moscow with the Tatars at the door. The personal fates of the individual characters were less compelling to me, but unfortunately that's typically what drives my engagement with a novel.

This is an incredibly epic conclusion to this trilogy. I can’t believe I was lucky enough to get an advanced readers copy of this.This is much darker than the other two books and sometimes hard to read. It broke my heart and I actually teared up and a couple times said, “nooooooooo!!!!!!”
My husband was like, “what is going on?!”
Me, “Oh nothing, just having my heart ripped out.”

This book is a wonderful end to the series. It will make you cheer with relief, gasp in surprise, and probably weep with sadness.

I just finished The Winter of the Witch by Katherine Arden and I give it 5 stars. This is the third book in the Winternight Trilogy, and what a book to end the series! No spoilers here, but it definitely keeps the story going with the reader on the edge of their seats. I would say this was darker than the previous two books and leans more toward adult rather than young, since it’s considered YA. I love the blend of Russian history and Russian fairy tales, it was truly delightful, exciting, a little scary and altogether entertaining.
One thing I would want to mention is that demons/devils are talked about, but not in the way western culture views them.

This Russian Fairytale-like Winternight Trilogy has brought me such enjoyment the past three winters, I’m sad that it has come to an end! So much real Russian history with the added elements of demons and mythical creatures just took me over in The Bear and The Nightingale (my favorite)
The Girl in The Tower was also very enjoyable!

In this latest/last book, Vasya, Morozko, The Bear and many other magical/mythical creatures work together to save Russia. It was a little slower for me then the first two books with all the warring going on,but it still ended well.

3.5 rounded up for me.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing -Ballantine for the early copy of the book!