This is the sequel to The Bear and The Nightingale by Katherine Arden, the second of The Winternight Trilogy. The Girl in the Tower follows Vasya, the daughter of a country prince in what is now Russia hundreds of years ago. Villages are burning, and Vasya sees demons (different from what the western world thinks of demons).
That is all I am going to say for the summary of this book. Because it is a sequel. The title is appropriate, but if you can figure that out before the last fifth of the book, good for you.
And you don’t HAVE to read the first book. I didn’t (yet). And I loved this book. (I think the reason that I tried to listen to this one, and the reader just… I couldn’t get through them.)
This book entrenches you into the Rus culture, and this author knows how to do this! I understood all of the references. The writing honestly makes me want to go find more Russian literature, or Russian inspired literature.
This novel has adventure, romance, family, and lies. This story takes you on an adventure.
Anyone who enjoys historical fiction, fantasy based on actual myths, subtle love stories, and sword and fighting should give this novel a chance. And if you don’t like any of those things, to the point of them ruining a story for you, maybe don’t.
This is one of the best books I have read lately. I will put that out there.
I don’t know what genre this is generally put in, but I would put it into literary fiction or fantasy.
SPOILERS BELOW
Okay, so, I ran through this book once I started. Not only that, but in a lot of ways I think this can be a standalone book, which is really great. It stands on its own, and then gives you more of the story in other books.
This, this is what I really enjoy in a series. Because I want more, but I don’t have to have more. But I want it. Please, give me the third. I want to know if the frost demon comes back.
Speaking of, the frost demon is fantastic. A non-human who, without wanting to, is falling in love and feeling like a human. AND I WANT HIM IN THE NEXT BOOK.
Alright, I want them to be together. I do.
Okay, no other spoilers. That is it.
I was given this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
