I was excited to be able to review this book. I had picked up the first two of the trilogy in the winter as a part of a December read- a-thon with an online book club and immedietly fell in love with the world the author created. It is a beautifully written book that you will sink slowly into the way you fall into a deep sleep after a long hard day. It was the perfect winter read to read by the fireplace.

An excellent finale to this trilogy. While I think that the first book will remain my favorite, this was a strong addition with a satisfying ending. I found the pacing to be a bit uneven at times, but the action is very engaging and it's enjoyable to watch Vasya continue to discover her powers and also her weaknesses. The relationship between her and Sasha is very sweet and believable. And I loved the ending. I'm going to have to go back and reread the series at some point. Overall, highly recommended! Just make sure to read this series in order.

I absolutely looove all the books in this series! I had super high expectations for this book but Katherine Arden didn´t disappoint.

I loved The Bear and the Nightngale, and The Winter of the Witch was a perfect way to end this trilogy. Emotional, lots of action but still some self-reflection. I would love future tales ofVasya and Morozko but this will do me just fine. Thank you, so so much.

Katherine Arden's books are amazing. Her writing style is flawless. Russian Folklore is prevalant now with Leigh Bardugo's new book out so if anyone is looking for a read alike this is my first recommendation.

I rarely will give a book a five star rating, but without hesitation, this one is five stars. You need to read the first two books in this trilogy. Book 3 begins right where the last story ended. I would say this book was even better than the first two. The author has written a beautiful fairytale that is almost perfection. Vasya, is now a young woman and still fighting to save her family and her beloved Russia. The mix of mortals and magical beings all struggling to coexist is riveting.

The ending of the book was extremely satisfying. Only I am so sad to end this series, but I only hope Katherine Arden continues to keep writing. I can't wait to see what comes out next! I received a complimentary ebook from the publisher.

The Winter of the Witch is the final book in the Winternight Trilogy.

I absolutely love this trilogy! The stories have the lyrical feel of old folk tales. I listened to the first two books on audio. It was like listening to an old wise woman read me a story. Enchanting! I read a digital ARC of this final book in the series. While I have to say I did miss the audio experience somewhat, the ending of this trilogy is so powerful and action-packed that I was totally swept away by the story.

There is a lot going on in this final piece of the story. This series really needs to be read in order to understand the characters and the plot. It isn't a series where a reader can jump in on the last book and be able to follow the plot.

Vasya learns so much about herself and her powers in The Winter of the Witch. A lot of things come full circle. She is such a strong character! I was a bit worried going into the final book that no conclusion to the story would be "enough.'' It took me awhile to work up the courage to read this final book....I didn't want the series to come to an end. Or maybe the correct statement is I didn't want this series to come to an unsatisfactory or disappointing end. Sometimes when I read a series that has characters and a magical story that I really love when I come to the end I'm just left feeling let down somehow....like there really wasn't a satisfactory way to make me feel okay about leaving the characters behind with an ending. I didn't feel that way at the end of The Winter of the Witch. I'm glad I finally took a deep breath and read this final book. This trilogy ends with understanding, power and magic. I closed the final book with a smile on my face.

I did purchase the audio book. And I'm going to enjoy the story again. This series just works better for me in audio format. I can imagine myself sitting on the floor in front of a stone fireplace listening to a wise woman telling me the lovely story of Vasya, who saved the world.

I will definitely be reading more by this author. I loved this series!

**I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book from Random House via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

**ARC Provided via netgalley in exchange for an honest review**

Many say, better to die, until the time comes to actually do it, Morozko had told her once. He was right.


So, this series was a true love-hate thing for me. Yet, as a month and a half has passed since I finished it and have had sour thoughts about since, I can’t help, as I start writing this review, to have fond feelings for this story-so I guess that tells more than any nasty feelings that lingered. I hated the first, but loved the setting, the vivid storytelling (when it wasn’t talking about something totally triggerish for me), and, of course, Morozko. So I read the second-And I just plain adored it. Many times it’s not enough for the guy to be the only appealing thing to me, but, for this one, I really just had to know more about the mysterious Winter King and his oddly protective personality-even though, over the course of the series, he said time and again that he couldn’t always be around to protect Vasya, that it was taking him away from his duties, and that he wouldn’t ever do it again so be warned. Yet, every single time she was in danger…a certain freezing cold and rain or snow would assist our daring Vasya, and we just knew who couldn’t help himself from not letting her die. How romantically thrilling.

“I do not like him.”
“I fear,” said Sergei, “that he does not care in the slightest.”


And I finished this book around Christmas, or right before, what-have-you…and couldn’t find the words to write the review. After everything, this is what we were left with? Yeah, it was good. But, gone was what made me fall in love with this series, which was how Vasya was so strong, and how Morozko picked up the pieces and was relentless when she couldn’t be. I loved that. No matter how trigger-happy, nor how angry I got, I always loved that about this series, which is why I finished in the first place. Morozko had sacrificed so much over the course of this series, therefore he was at his weakest in this book-so we didn’t get to see many of theses moments (Though, he still continued to sacrifice all he had, in the only ways he could). It hurt me deeply, even though I know the goal was to show Vasya’s growth and what she can do to save her city on her own. But, with all the bullcrap surrounding these epic moments, the lack of Morozko was hard to swallow.


“...that is the only way you can play for everything, when you do not fear to lose.”


For all the triggers in all the lands of these books, one thing has stood out above all that that I just….just…could not stand, and that’s that bastard priest that was a thorn in my side from book one on. Can he just not, like, DISAPPEAR?! Go. Away.



YOU CAN’T SIT WITH US. He ruined so much and caused so much pain, heartache, and desperation that I could barely stand the series because of it. But, alas, he’s gone nowhere, and here we are.

Raising her head, she snapped at him, “Did you bring me here to watch me bleed to death? You are going to be disappointed. I am getting used to spiting people by surviving.”


TRIGGERS: Death, animal death (TRAUMATIC), child deaths, scary moments for weaklings such as I, and, like, so much more? What am I forgetting? Abuse at the hands of a misinformed and angry mob? And, for book two, which is what really hurt me most out of this whole series…a baby death. I have never been okay with this moment and, had it been erased from this series and book two, I think I could stomach it more.

“I knew you couldn’t do without me!” cried Ded Grib, triumphantly. “Even if now you have allies that are bigger.” He gave the Bear a very hard look.
“This is going to be a terrible war,” the Bear interjected. “What damage do you expect to do with a mushroom?”


I am a very sensitive soul, so when a mother is weeping for her child (book one) or an animal is slaughtered (1, 2, and 3) or burnt to death (2) or a baby dies traumatically and because of a selfish heroine (2) I cannot. I cannot I cannot and I will not. Yet, again, here we are. I feel fondly of this series…even after all this. All the tears. All the heartache. It all hurts. But I still, in a weird way…imagine skimming all that to get to the bright and amazing and shining parts. So I guess, again, that speaks louder than my angry reviews.

Which leads me here-Do I want these absolutely STUNNING books on my shelf? Yes. Will I get them? I don’t know. Is it worth it? There is so much heartache and sadness. Despair. But then-Morozko. Romantic peril. My baby Solovey. And those gorgeous covers. Here we are. Again. And again. And again.

None of the tales spoke of both wanting and resentment, of grand gestures and terrible mistakes.


Most enjoyable, to me, in order:

The Girl in the Tower (Favorite, might even just buy this one)
The Winter of the Witch
The Bear and the Nightingale

The finale to Arden's trilogy is as fantastically written as its' predecessors. Five stars. Would read again.

I had a mix of emotion when I started reading The Winter of the Witch. I was happy because this book was out. I was apprehensive because of the blurb. I was sad because the trilogy was ending. My feelings were validated for The Winter of the Witch. I never get emotional reading a book. But I did for this one.

Vasya was one of my favorite people in The Winter of the Witch. Even when pushed to her limits, she was one of the strongest people in the book. What she endured in this book would have killed lesser people. Instead, it made her a stronger person. It fueled her desire to bind Bear. I was worried about what was going to happen to her after Bear was bound. I was worried that the story was going to flounder.

Morozko is one of my favorite characters to date. He stole every single scene that he was in. The fight scene with Bear, his twin, was one of the best supernatural fight scenes that I have read to date. His scenes with Vasya after that were touching. I mean, he did follow her to summer. If that doesn’t tell anyone how he felt, that I don’t know what would. My only complaint is that he refused to get involved in the war. But I understood why.

Vasya’s rise to power in this book was amazing to read. I knew that something was going to happen when she was thrust into Midnight. I was thrown for a surprise when it was revealed who her grandmother was. I remember shaking my head and saying “Well, that explains a lot”. I liked how Vasya was able to keep her promise to the chyerti. There were points in the book, after her journey to Midnight, where I thought that she was failed. I have never been more happy to be proved wrong!!

There were several deaths in The Winter of the Witch. The death of Solovey, at the beginning of the book, broke my heart. Vasya never recovered from it. There was one death where I cheered. The other notable death was at the end of the book. I was crushed at that person’s death. Freaking crushed. I did cry. No shame here in admitting that.

The end of The Winter of the Witch was an emotional read for me. I am not going to give away spoilers but I was thrilled with how it ended. I was also thrilled with the other thing that happened. That came out of left field for me. I was happy. I might have done a fist pump and say “Yes!!“.

I want to add that the Author’s Note was a welcome surprise. I liked that the author used an actual battle as the backdrop of the one that took place at the end of the book. The Grand Prince and Sasha were actual people. She admitted to tweaking parts of the battle (which I expected). She pointed out something interesting about Russia that ended with the Revolution. Made me go “Hmmmm“. As was her fitting reference about the guardians of Russia.

What I loved was that she included a glossary. She also included a note on Russian names. Both were helpful!!

I would give The Winter of the Witch an Older Teen rating. There are mentions of sex (not graphic). There is no language. There is violence. I would recommend that no one under the age of 16 read this book.

I would reread The Winter of the Witch. I would also recommend this book to family and friends.

I would like to thank the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review The Winter of the Witch.

All opinions stated in this review of The Winter of the Witch are mine.

I have truly enjoyed the Winternight Trilogy & am sad that it is over. This has been a fast paced adventure that kept me on the edge of my seat with every turn of the page. A beautiful tribute to the land of Russia and the power of its folklore. I hope to see more of Arden’s novels in the future. 5+ stars.

Copy furnished by Net Galley for the price of a review.

The bear has awakened, and the dead are beginning to walk.  A horse of fire, a laughing skeleton, a shadow of claws, and a bird with a woman's face.  In the vast realm of Midnight, some shocking family ties are exposed.  Allegiances and betrayals.  A grievous loss.  Will the nightingale remain silent and frozen, or return to sing another day? 

I was utterly bewitched and transfixed with this trilogy.  Divulging a secret here, this one <b>almost</b> made me cry.  I stifled it, of course; big girls don't cry and all that.  But I share it as a testament to the magical story that is, sadly, now at an end.  Brava!

Magical! I love the language and imagery in this series. After finishing this book I felt as if the tale is finally complete.

The series finale brings us to the final chapters of a coming-of-age story set in the unforgiving Russian climate. Arden is a natural storyteller and I loved this series. Looking forward to seeing what direction she'll take us next.

In the amazing conclusion to Katherine Arden's Winternight Trilogy, our heroine, Vasya returns to save her family, Russia, and the spirit realm and takes us on an adventure even more heroic than those she took us on in the previous two books. The descriptions in this series are so incredible you can honestly see it happening in your mind's eye, just like you were watching a movie. I enjoyed every moment of this series and am, honestly, a little sad to see Vasya's story end. If the author wanted to write more books in this world, I'd be thrilled. That said, I really do feel like Vasya's story was brought to a good stopping point, as well. Everything was resolved in a way that truly fit her story and personality. I truly loved Vasya as a character, as well as many of the mythological characters Katherine Arden incorporated into Russia's history. I could tell she did a great deal of research into the time period and history of Russia, as well as the mythology and managed to incorporate both seamlessly. I definitely hope to read more of this author's work as she's incredibly talented and imaginative.

Another fantastic story by Katherine alden. The third book in a trilogy and a very satisfying finish O can't recommend the whole series enough, once you pick up one you have to read them all.

Katherine Arden's Winternight Trilogy have been some of my favorite fantasy books in recent years, and I find myself recommending them to friends and readers everywhere because of their world building, their characters, and the fairy tale qualities upon which each book explores. The first book, The Bear and the Nightingale, has a slower start that builds into a magnificent, magical Russian setting. The second book, The Girl in the Tower, continues Vasya's story and sets up for the satisfying conclusion in The Winter of the Witch.

I loved the intersection of fantasy and Russian history, the strength of the female characters, the quiet scenes interspersed with the highly emotional or violent scenes. I thoroughly enjoyed the relationship between Vasya and Morozov, because their dynamic is a deep, dark, frisson. The scenes between Vasya and Morozov are intense and beautifully written, and I wish there was more about him, too. Vasya by herself, this time, seemed to be a little distanced from the character in the first two books, but I also wonder that it's because she has been through so much that she's in dissonance from herself, too.

Overall, I was highly satisfied with the story, and I think it's rare that the third book in a trilogy holds up and is even better than the first two installments. It's an excellent meld of fantasy and history and how a single person can unite a country, for better or worse.

Thank you to Netgalley and Del Rey Books for a review copy! All opinions are my own.

I love everything about this trilogy, and I cannot stop gushing about it to any customer who gives me the slightest chance to. They awoke an interest in Russian culture, myths, and history that I could never claim before this series.

The third and final book is perhaps even the best in this trilogy. The author broke my heart, made me cry (several times), and then without being saccharine sweet, put the pieces back together.

Honestly I love reading these books, this series is so captivating and the writing just pulls you in. This next book is no exception. I feel as if each book that is released just gets better!

<blockquote>"I will leave riding the horses of legend to you, witch girl. It is like trying to ride a thunderstorm."</blockquote>

If I were to sum up all three books, including this one, it is with this quote. Vasya, and her ability to talk to horses, is what allows her to go out into the world, and become the witch that she is, by this book. It helps that she also can speak to the spirits of the house, and stove, and horses. Spirits that were neglected, because of the Christian teachings.

This third book begins with Vasya in trouble from the moment the book begins.

The problem is, what do you do with a strong woman who does not want to play by the rules? Where does she fit in society? What would become of her?

Of course this is always a problem, but more so with the constraints of the society she was born into.

I love that using magic causes people to go mad, because it is a distortion of reality. This is why so few manage to weld it, and survive.

A very satisfactory ending to the series, and like all good series, I will miss everyone.


Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.