The Girl in the Tower, Katherine Arden
The Girl in the Tower, Katherine Arden
20 Rating(s)
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The Girl in the Tower

Author: Katherine Arden

Narrator: Kathleen Gati

Unabridged: 13 hr 2 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 12/05/2017


Synopsis

A remarkable young woman blazes her own trail, from the backwoods of Russia to the court of Moscow, in the exhilarating sequel to Katherine Arden’s bestselling debut novel, 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.

Now Vasilisa faces an impossible choice. Driven from her home by frightened villagers, the only options left for her are 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 Vasilisa 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.

Praise for The Girl in the Tower

“[A] magical story set in an alluring Russia.”—Paste

“Arden’s lush, lyrical writing cultivates an intoxicating, visceral atmosphere, and her marvelous sense of pacing carries the novel along at a propulsive clip. A masterfully told story of folklore, history, and magic with a spellbinding heroine at the heart of it all.”—Booklist (starred review)

“[A] sensual, beautifully written, and emotionally stirring fantasy . . . Fairy tales don’t get better than this.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“[Katherine] Arden once again delivers an engaging fantasy that mixes Russian folklore and history with delightful worldbuilding and lively characters.”—Library Journal

About The Author

Katherine Arden is the author of the national bestseller The Bear and the Nightingale. Born in Austin, Texas, Arden spent a year of high school in Rennes, France. Following her acceptance to Middlebury College in Vermont, she deferred enrollment for a year in order to live and study in Moscow. At Middlebury, she specialized in French and Russian literature. After receiving her BA, she moved to Maui, Hawaii, working every kind of odd job imaginable, from grant writing and making crêpes to guiding horse trips. Currently she lives in Vermont, but really, you never know.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Emily May on December 05, 2017

Every time you take one path, you must live with the memory of the other: of a life left unchosen. Decide as seems best, one course or the other; each way will have its bitter with its sweet. Magical. Dark. Beautiful. Fans of The Bear and the Nightingale should love this sequel at least as much a......more

Goodreads review by Miranda on December 09, 2020

4.5 stars.“Has the world run dry of warriors?' She asked... 'There were no heroes,' said Vasya between her teeth. 'There was only me.” Vasya lives in a time where women were not given many choices. A woman married. Or she became a nun. Or she died. That was what being a woman meant.......more

Goodreads review by Nilufer on October 03, 2022

I LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH! I LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH! I LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH! I LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH! I LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH! I LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH! I LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH! I LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH! I LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH! Did I tell you how I love this book so much? Nope, words are not enou......more

Goodreads review by Melanie on December 10, 2017

ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. 1.) The Bear and the Nightingale ★★★★★ “Vasilisa Petrovna, murderer, savior, lost child, rode away from the house in the fir-grove.” Hi, my name is Melanie and I’m in love with a frost demon. You guys, please stop......more

Goodreads review by Elena on February 16, 2020

Witch. The word drifted across his mind. We call such women so, because we have no other name. When I first read this book’s description, I was afraid it would turn into a generic adventure, without the magical elements that made The Bear and the Nightingale so charming. I shouldn’t have worrie......more


Quotes

“Arden’s lush, lyrical writing cultivates an intoxicating, visceral atmosphere, and her marvelous sense of pacing carries the novel along at a propulsive clip. A masterfully told story of folklore, history, and magic with a spellbinding heroine at the heart of it all.”Booklist (starred review)
 
“[A] sensual, beautifully written, and emotionally stirring fantasy . . . Fairy tales don’t get better than this.”Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“[Katherine] Arden once again delivers an engaging fantasy that mixes Russian folklore and history with delightful worldbuilding and lively characters.”Library Journal
 
“A compelling, fast-moving story that grounds fantasy elements in a fascinating period of Russian history.”Kirkus Reviews
 
“[A] magical story set in an alluring Russia.”Paste