The Winter of the Witch

Publisher's Summary

New York Times best seller 

Following their adventures in The Bear and the Nightingale and The Girl in the Tower, Vasya and Morozko return in this stunning conclusion to the best-selling Winternight Trilogy, battling enemies mortal and magical to save both Russias, the seen and the unseen.

“A tale both intimate and epic, featuring a heroine whose harrowing and wondrous journey culminates in an emotionally resonant finale.” (Publishers Weekly)  

Reviewers called Katherine Arden’s novels The Bear and the Nightingale and The Girl in the Tower “lyrical”, “emotionally stirring”, and “utterly bewitching”.

The Winternight Trilogy introduced an unforgettable heroine, Vasilisa Petrovna, a girl determined to forge her own path in a world that would rather lock her away. Her gifts and her courage have drawn the attention of Morozko, the winter-king, but it is too soon to know if this connection will prove a blessing or a curse. 

Now, Moscow has been struck by disaster. Its people are searching for answers - and for someone to blame. Vasya finds herself alone, beset on all sides. The grand prince is in a rage, choosing allies who will lead him on a path to war and ruin. A wicked demon returns, stronger than ever and determined to spread chaos. Caught at the center of the conflict is Vasya, who finds the fate of two worlds resting on her shoulders.

Her destiny uncertain, Vasya will uncover surprising truths about herself and her history as she desperately tries to save Russia, Morozko, and the magical world she treasures. But she may not be able to save them all.

“Katherine Arden’s Winternight Trilogy isn’t just good - it’s hug-to-your-chest, straight-to-the-favorites-shelf, reread-immediately good, and each book just gets better. The Winter of the Witch plunges us back to 14th-century Moscow, where old gods and new vie for the soul of Russia and fate rests on a witch girl’s slender shoulders. Prepare to have your heart ripped out, loaned back to you full of snow and magic, and ripped out some more.” (Laini Taylor) 

"Luxuriously detailed yet briskly suspenseful.... A striking literary fantasy informed by Arden’s deep knowledge.” (Kirkus Reviews) 

“Visceral descriptions of battle, an atmospheric sense of place, and some truly heartbreaking moments of loss make this a gut-wrenching read, but there’s ample hope and satisfaction to be found as Vasya chooses her own unique path to triumph.” (Booklist)

©2018 Katherine Arden (P)2018 Random House Audio

Critic Reviews

“[Katherine] Arden’s gorgeous prose entwines political intrigue and feminist themes with magic and folklore to tell a tale both intimate and epic, featuring a heroine whose harrowing and wondrous journey culminates in an emotionally resonant finale.” (Publishers Weekly, starred review)  

“Luxuriously detailed yet briskly suspenseful... A striking literary fantasy informed by Arden’s deep knowledge.” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review)    

“Visceral descriptions of battle, an atmospheric sense of place, and some truly heartbreaking moments of loss make this a gut-wrenching read, but there’s ample hope and satisfaction to be found as Vasya chooses her own unique path to triumph.” (Booklist)

“Exciting, moving, and beautifully written, this is a story readers will savor.” (Library Reads)

Amazing conclusion!

Though not my usual fare, this trilogy captured my imagination and held me in its thrall. What a wild, wonderful, mystical adventure. Vasya is everything I have ever wanted in a heroine, and I'm so glad to have had the opportunity to take this journey with her.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Wonderful

I love this story. I wish it could go on forever. But this was a sad, yet beautiful ending to the trilogy. The narration as always was wonderful

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Didn't let me down

This was a great conclusion to the trilogy. The character behaviors remained consistent with the author's rules for the world, and the protagonist grows to maneuver within the gray between good and evil. The conflict between the church and local mythology mirrors the larger war in the plot. Creative Nonfiction or Historical Fiction, regardless of what you want to call it, I love how real events and characters are woven into the story. The narrator is great.

loved it

I really enjoyed this book, I read some reviews that said it was too violent, and it was violent, but not without need. I was not looking forward to the end, I wanted the story to keep going. Will definitively be getting some more books from the author.

Mists of Avalon in Russian

I really enjoyed this mix of folk tale fantasy, fairytale and myth. I enjoyed every moment

I wish there was more.

Enjoyed ever moment of this 3 book trilogy. Very well performed. Thank You Katherine Arden & Kathleen Gail for many hours of riveting entertainment.

I'm so glad to have read this book

The author does a wonderful job making the story come to life. I am sad that it's over.

More wonderful narration for fantastic conclusion

Kathleen Gati brings more wonderful narration to the final installment of this trilogy. I could listen to her for days, and she does such a great job with the characters and their highs and lows in this book. The book itself is a compelling and rich addition to this trilogy. The characters all experience growth and are written with nuance and depth. The story twists and turns and goes in surprising directions. I was sad to come to the end, but it closes on the right note. This was well worth the listen, and something I can imagine listening to again.

Absolutely beautiful!

This trilogy was and is so incredibly beautiful. It’s rich in description and characters and landscape and history. It’s become my second favorite book series just under The Chronicles of Narnia. I laughed and sobbed and loved every moment of it. Also Kathleen Gati is so wonderful and a delight to listen to!

excellent ending!

Thus was a fascinating look into Russian history through their fairy tales. Kathleen Gati is a superb narrator. I'm sorry it's over.