I am thrilled to take part in the BlogTour for The Girl in the Tower by Katherine Arden to celebrate the paperback release of the second book in The Winternight Trilogy.
This is one of my favourite series and both the first book, The Bear and the Nightingale, and the second, The Girl in the Tower, are at the top of my list of favourite reads. Katherine Arden deserves to be at the top of award lists, because she is a very talented writer.
'Inspired by Russian fairy-tales and folklore, this is the second book in a stunning literary trilogy. It is the perfect blend of historical fiction and magical realism.'
About the Author
Katherine Arden has studied Russian in Moscow, taught at a school in the French Alps, and worked on a farm in Hawaii. Born in Austin, Texas, she currently lives in Vermont. She is the author of the critically acclaimed The Bear and the Nightingale and The Girl in the Tower.
Follow @arden_katherine @EburyPublishing on Twitter #TheWintertrilogy
Visit katherinearden.com
Buy The Girl in the Tower
About the book
The magical adventure begun in The Bear and the Nightingale continues as brave Vasya, now a young woman, is forced to choose between marriage or life in a convent and instead flees her home—but soon finds herself called upon to help defend the city of Moscow when it comes under siege.
Orphaned and cast out as a witch by her village, Vasya’s options are few: resign herself to life in a convent, or allow her older sister to make her a match with a Moscovite prince. Both doom her to life in a tower, cut off from the vast world she longs to explore. So instead she chooses adventure, disguising herself as a boy and riding her horse into the woods. When a battle with some bandits who have been terrorizing the countryside earns her the admiration of the Grand Prince of Moscow, she must carefully guard the secret of her gender to remain in his good graces—even as she realizes his kingdom is under threat from mysterious forces only she will be able to stop.
I adore this series. Arden is an incredible writer and possesses the ability to recreate the feeling of an old Russian master with the flair of a nouveau writer.
The author combines the magic and essence of Russian folktales with the creativity of high fantasy, and lets the reader experience the darkness of old tales told in front of fires, and the power of ancient myths.
At the end of the first part of the trilogy, The Bear and the Nightingale, we left Vasya grieving for her father and protected by Morozko. In this second part she decides she wants to travel the world, to discover things beyond her village. Thanks to the new local priest everyone thinks she is a witch, which means she is a pariah and in danger.
So begins her venture into a world of rules, fear and cruelty. One Morozko would rather she didn't experience at all, even if she has been gifted with a magical stallion, who will protect her. He struggles with his emotions towards Vasja and the inevitability of their separation.
In both books the author has made a point of shedding a light on the inequality between men and women, and how it impacts those who are deemed to be less equal than others. Part of Vasja's drive to be free is connected to the limitations she experiences as a woman. The title is very apt in that sense. There is no freedom, but plenty of restrictions, and any deviation from the rules can ruin a reputation.
Once again Arden balances the mystical with exceptional storytelling and leaves the reader with the feeling of reading a Russian classic. It feels timeless and ancient.
I am really looking forward to The Winter of the Witch, the third part of this trilogy. Katherine Arden has proven herself to be a writer and storyteller of great skill, and I wager that her Winternight trilogy will soon receive the recognition it truly deserves.
Buy The Girl in the Tower (The Winternight Trilogy #2) at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer.
Buy The Bear and the Nightingale (The Winternight Trilogy #1)
Pre-order The Winter of the Witch (The Winternight Trilogy #3) on Amazon com or Amazon UK
Read the review of The Bear and the Nightingale (The Winternight Trilogy #1)
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