The Girl in the Tower is the sequel to The Bear and the Nightingale by Arden. To me, The Bear and the Nightingale, was a ‘fairytale that leaves you breathless.’ Moreover it made it to my list of favourite books of 2017. To top that, Aitch’s cover design was one of my favourites among the books released in early 2016 and hence it made it to my list of ‘14 Delicious covers of 2017‘ So yes, my expectations for the sequel were sky high. I was almost scared to read the book because I feared I would be disappointed. But so happy that the sequel was just as good, but in a different way.
More Vasya
Vasya is now a young lady who craves to be wild and free like the child she was.She does not want to constrict herself within the norms of womanhood by getting married or entering a convent. She has dreams of travelling and exploring. This fire to break free is even brighter in the sequel. When the villagers call her a witch, she finds it impossible to stay there. She listens to her heart and runs away from home with her horse, Solovey to have adventures, meet the frost-demon again and to save Moscow.
I loved that Arden did not create Vasya to be an extraordinary beauty (cringing at the many books who sculpt a physically perfect heroine; Vasya is often described as frog faced). She is ordinary as well as ambitious. She is ferocious, but breaks down when she is forced to. I loved that the character felt so real with imperfections. She wants to live her life but she also prioritizes her family. Vasya is your perfect ‘imperfect heroine’.
Morozko will steal your heart
The frost demon has a larger role to play in this sequel. And he steals your heart, no doubt. Each time a scene with a frost demon ended, I kept longing for another one soon. The chemistry between Vasya and Morozko felt like a rush of electric current. Morozko will steal your heart, break it and make you fall in love with him.
More minor characters + Action sequences
While the first book focused mainly on Vasya, the second books gives an important role to her brother, Sasha and sister, Olga as well as many other minor characters. Solovey, Vasya’s horse, has a bigger role too. I found Solovey’s entry in The Bear and the Nightingale to be a rushed one towards the ending chapters; so this was much needed. In this book, Vasya tries to save Moscow, and hence there are many action sequences such as escaping from the evil men, fighting with bandits, horse races and so on. Each scene is well written that you can see it in your head like a movie.
Read : The Bear and the Nightingale is a frosty, Russian fairytale
Fairytale elements
It was the abundance of Slavic myths that attracted me towards The Bear and the Nightingale. Compared to the first book in the series, the presence of such elements is considerably weaker. I enjoyed the few allusions to mythical elements. There are more fantastical scenes that are a product of the author’s imagination than spin-offs of myths. But no complaints. The overall story is wonderful, engaging and I was fully engrossed in the way one chapter led to another.
Much needed answers
One of my qualms with The Bear and the Nightingale was the fact that there were so many unanswered questions. What is the jewel that Vasya wears? Who is the famous witch of a grandmother? What happened to Sasha? I was expecting explanations in the sequel and I am happy with the back story.
Stronger themes
Since Vasya is a young lady now, we see a clear picture of the place of women in olden times which is equated to domestic happiness or spiritual happiness only; the strong presence of men in official decision making of the kingdom; relationships and hierarchy in old Russian political structure among many others. We explore the relationships between siblings compared to exploring love within the whole family in the first book.
Third book please
All I could think when I finished reading the book was that I need the third one as soon as possible. I am anxious to see what happens next. I am worried about some of the characters. I am stressed if Arden will do justice to my favourite characters (I am sure she will).
The Girl in the Tower has more of the plucky heroine, the frost demon & ACTION! @EburyPublishing Click To Tweet
Final Verdict
Do I have to choose between the two books? They are very different from one another. While, The Bear and the Nightingale mesmerizes you with the mythical elements in the stories and lyrical prose, The Girl in the Tower captures your heart with the story telling and action scenes. You will fall in love with Vasya more in this one. But be prepared for the surprise because it is the frost demon who will steal your heart.
Title : The Girl in the Tower
Author : Katherine Arden
Publisher : Ebury
Publication: 2017
Language : English
Pages : 384
Rating : 4/5
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I need to read The Bear and the Nightingale! I remember seeing the beautiful cover, and this one is gorgeous as well!
True! Aitch is definitely a talented artist. Bear and the Nightingale was one of my fav reads. Hope you enjoy it when you pick it up
I loved this book too! Your review summed it up perfectly
Ah! So glad to know you enjoyed it as well. I cannot wait for the third book!!
I have yet to read The Bear and the Nightingale. Now I don’t know whether I should just wait until the third book is out, so that I can read them all one after the other.
That’s a very good plan actually. You can binge read all of them
Are you going to put together your favourites from the second half of 2017? Or for the whole year even?
I have a list for the first half of 2017 favourites. I will be putting up a second half favourites too. Working on that post a little by little everyday (The perils of not planning way ahead). So it should be up this month whenever it is ready.
Oh great, I’ll keep an eye out for it. Your photos are just amazing, I know I’ve said it before, but you’re a woman of multiple talents with an eye for the exquisite, creating images that make others feel good, keep up the good work Resh. 🙂
Thank you so much, Claire. Words like these really motivate me when I am feeling down or feeling that I am not doing anything right. Thank you very much.
I wasn’t too interested in the first book, but the cover for this one makes me want to read it immediately!
If you didn’t like the first book, you might not enjoy this one. They are different but there are similar vibes too
I actually never read the first one. It just didn’t capture my interest enough for me to pick it up!
Yay, I’m so glad I’m not the only one who loved the Frost Demon. What an incredible character. I really can’t wait to get my hands on the third book in the series!
I was worried sick about the frost demon. I still am. This long wait for the third book is just torture
“What happened to Sasha?” That’s my biggest question. I look forward to reading this now. I was enthused about Bear and the Nightingale after reading it, but am still interested in the story to continue with the series.
I assure you that you won’t be disappointed in the second book. I loved it just as much
Wonderful review Resh! Bear and Nightingale is yet on my TBR and I am hoping to read it as soon as possible. And now I am quite excited about this sequel too
I hope you will love the read, Simant. It was certainly one of my favourites Of 2017 and a well written novel too.
I have really high expectations and I guess you can’t be wrong.. atleast not for me
I finished reading The Bear and the Nightingale yesterday and loved Katherine Arden’s beautiful writing, the whole setting of the story, the fairytale aspects and, more than anything else, Vasya as the protagonist! I’m so happy to hear that the 2nd book focuses even more on her and her development and I can’t wait to read it lovely review! ✨
I am sure you will LOVE the second book just as much! It was a wonderful ride and I am already waiting for the third
Resh your posts are always super crisp and clear. May I know what camera you use?? I am not a DLSR person (I use my phone camera for all Italy pics) but I am planning to take the basic DSLR that my friend has for my upcoming travels. Still unsure 😛
I own a Nikon DSLR and the pictures are a mix of both camera and phone pics. All the best to you.
Thank you! Keep rocking xx
I’ve finally started The Bear and the Nightingale. I’ve heard so many good things about this sequel as well. Glad you enjoyed both even thought they feel different.
Indeed!! I loved the read! I am such a big fan of Vasya and I cannot wait to read the next book.
I’m so so glad to hear this was just as good! I adored Bear and the Nightingale and it was on my top ten too! Vasya is a simply wonderful character and I love the fairytale aspect to this story. I’m really glad it provided some much needed answers as well. Wonderful review!
Thank you. If you loved The Bear and the Nightingale, then you will love this too. The sequel sure doesn’t disappoint
You’re welcome! That’s brilliant!!
Fantastic review. Really need to check this series out!
Yes please. I really enjoyed the series.
Great review!
Thank you! I hope you will love the read if you pick it up some day
Thanks. I was actually able to read it through NetGalley, and did not have the love for it that you do, but I plan on re-reading both books before the 3rd comes out in hopes of renewing my love for the story. I am really glad that you loved it. I am hoping my feelings were because I read it after a slump.
That’s too bad. But yes, we all like different books. I hope if you ever decide to pick them up again, you enjoy it better than the first time
Agreed, and same here! <3
You nailed this review! You perfectly articulated what makes each book amazing and for different reasons. I cannot wait for the 3rd book either 🙂
Same here. I hope it will be a great ending for the trilogy
It looks like this didn’t fall into the dreaded second book syndrome category. I love how pleasantly you write about these. Shows how brilliant they’ve been. And the fact that she isn’t a perfect heroine? I need that sorta heroine to read about. Great review Resh. As always.
Thank you. Yes, the second book has definitely been promising. So I am looking forward to the third