About the Books
Title: The Bear and the Nightingale
Author: Katherine Arden
Series: Winternight Trilogy #1
Genre: Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Mythology
Pages: 319
Edition Read: Paperback
Dates Read: March 28 – 31, 2026
Blurb: At the edge of the Russian wilderness, winter lasts most of the year and the snowdrifts grow taller than houses. But Vasilisa doesn’t mind—she spends the winter nights huddled around the embers of a fire with her beloved siblings, listening to her nurse’s fairy tales. Above all, she loves the chilling story of Frost, the blue-eyed winter demon, who appears in the frigid night to claim unwary souls. Wise Russians fear him, her nurse says, and honor the spirits of house and yard and forest that protect their homes from evil.
After Vasilisa’s mother dies, her father goes to Moscow and brings home a new wife. Fiercely devout, city-bred, Vasilisa’s new stepmother forbids her family from honoring the household spirits. The family acquiesces, but Vasilisa is frightened, sensing that more hinges upon their rituals than anyone knows.
And indeed, crops begin to fail, evil creatures of the forest creep nearer, and misfortune stalks the village. All the while, Vasilisa’s stepmother grows ever harsher in her determination to groom her rebellious stepdaughter for either marriage or confinement in a convent.
As danger circles, Vasilisa must defy even the people she loves and call on dangerous gifts she has long concealed—this, in order to protect her family from a threat that seems to have stepped from her nurse’s most frightening tales.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Title: The Girl in the Tower
Author: Katherine Arden
Series: Winternight Trilogy #2
Genre: Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Mythology
Pages: 360
Edition Read: Kindle eBook
Dates Read: April 1 – 7, 2026
Blurb: The Bear and the Nightingale, Katherine Arden’s enchanting first novel, introduced readers to an irresistible heroine. Vasilisa has grown up at the edge of a Russian wilderness, where snowdrifts reach the eaves of her family’s wooden house and there is truth in the fairy tales told around the fire. Vasilisa’s gift for seeing what others do not won her the attention of Morozko—Frost, the winter demon from the stories—and together they saved her people from destruction. But Frost’s aid comes at a cost, and her people have condemned her as a witch.
In The Girl in the Tower, Vasilisa faces an impossible choice. Driven from her home by frightened villagers, she has only two options left: marriage or the convent. She cannot bring herself to accept either fate and instead chooses adventure, dressing herself as a boy and setting off astride her magnificent stallion Solovey.
But after she prevails in a skirmish with bandits, everything changes. The Grand Prince of Moscow anoints her a hero for her exploits, and she is reunited with her beloved sister and brother, who are now part of the Grand Prince’s inner circle. She dares not reveal to the court that she is a girl, for if her deception were discovered it would have terrible consequences for herself and her family. Before she can untangle herself from Moscow’s intrigues—and as Frost provides counsel that may or may not be trustworthy—she will also confront an even graver threat lying in wait for all of Moscow itself.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Title: The Winter of the Witch
Author: Katherine Arden
Series: Winternight Trilogy #3
Genre: Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Mythology
Pages: 400
Edition Read: Kindle eBook
Dates Read: April 9 – 15, 2026
Blurb: 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 bestselling Winternight Trilogy, battling enemies mortal and magical to save both Russias, the seen and the unseen.
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 that 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.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Review
These books were so beautifully written. I really enjoy stories that feel like modern day fairy tales, especially when it takes place in an interesting country and culture – in this case, Russia. So much wonderful world building within a mythology that is already so intricate and interesting.
I really loved Vasya. She reminded me a lot of Alanna from the Song of the Lioness books by Tamora Pierce. She’s very young, but doesn’t want to be constrained to the normal expectations of a young woman. She dresses as a boy for a time to gain a measure of freedom to pursue the life she wants. Add to that a magical connection to the land and it’s spirits, as well as to the very essence of winter itself – Morozko, the winter demon that everyone fears.
This series has a little bit of everything. Difficult family dynamics. A magic horse. Political machinations. Conflict between the Church and the Old Ways. All of it written in a way that feels both fresh and new, as well as absolutely timeless.
GoodReads rating: 4 stars for books 1 and 2, 5 stars for book 3
Categories: Books I've Read
Life With No Plot 
Leave a comment