The Winter of the Witch
A Novel
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4.7 • 462 Ratings
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- $12.99
Publisher Description
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The fate of two worlds rests on the shoulders of Vasilisa Petrovna as she contends with forces both mortal and magical in the stirring conclusion to the story that began with The Bear and the Nightingale.
“A tale both intimate and epic, featuring a heroine whose harrowing and wondrous journey culminates in an emotionally resonant finale.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
NAMED ONE OF PASTE’S BEST FANTASY BOOKS OF THE DECADE
Vasilisa Petrovna is an unforgettable heroine determined to forge her own path. Her gifts and her courage have bound her fate to 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 that will lead him on a path to war and ruin. And a wicked demon returns, determined to spread chaos.
Caught at the center of the conflict, her destiny uncertain, knowing that her choices will determine the fate of two worlds, Vasya will uncover surprising truths about herself as she desperately tries to protect her family, her country, and the magical world she loves. But she may not be able to save them all.
“Luminous from page one . . . Featuring Rus nobles, witches, frost gods and a magical horse-with-the-soul-of-a-bird, The Winter of the Witch finds Arden at her best.” —Paste
Don’t miss any of the bestselling Winternight Trilogy:
THE BEAR AND THE NIGHTINGALE • THE GIRL IN THE TOWER • THE WINTER OF THE WITCH
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Arden's satisfying conclusion to her fantasy trilogy set in medieval Russia finds 17-year-old Vasilisa "Vasya" Petrovna in the ruins of Moscow. She released a firebird in order to save the life of the Grand Prince of Moscow and inadvertently set the city on fire. An angry mob descends and slaughters someone very close to her, and the devastated Vasya ends up in the clutches of an old foe, the mad priest Konstantin Nikonovich, who plans to burn Vasya as a witch. An offer from the demon Medved, whom Vasya knows as the Bear, promises salvation, but Vasya is no one's pawn. Once she escapes Konstantin, she must journey into the dreamlike Midnight country and beyond, where she encounters her great-grandmother Baba Yaga, gains allies old and new, and comes to terms with her own powers. Her realizations come just in time, because the Bear will use Konstantin and the dead to sow further chaos and destruction, and war is on the horizon. How far will Vasya go to save her beloved 'Rus and the people she loves? 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.
Customer Reviews
An Ending Worth Every Emotion
Wow—my tears just wouldn’t stop. I’m so grateful this finale wrapped the series so beautifully, leaving no unanswered questions while still giving plenty of room for more (please!). I’d love nothing more than to see this adapted into a TV miniseries or movie. I absolutely adore every character and storyline. I never saw the family betrayal coming, but the lessons it brought were powerful—sometimes the hardest ones are the most meaningful.
Loved this Last Book
This was an awesome conclusion to this trilogy. Vasya is such a great character. I love her. I recommend the whole trilogy.