The Winter of the Witch

This trilogy has got to be one of the best I have read in a very long time. I was so happy to have got an advanced copy so that I could continue reading as soon as I finished book 2 (Girl in the Tower) but sad that my journey with Vasya would be at an end. Winter of the Witch picks up the story from the end of book 2 without pause and then picks up the pace until the last word at the end. This in my opinion is the strongest part of the story. It's full of emotion (really had me in tears a few times); some of the scenes are so harrowing that the story leaves the reader wanting more, and there are so many unexpected twists and turns that it leaves you breathless. Vasya, who has to flee into Midnight to save her life, returns stronger and more determined. She takes on the task to help Dimitrii, along with her brother Sasha, to save Moscow from the Tatars, with the hope that she can prove that the old faith and new religion can coexist. Along the way we meet wonderful new characters and get reunited with old ones. And to top it all off there is a twist on a real Russian historical event! I cannot delve much more into the story as it will spoil it for you, the reader. However, I will give a quick mention for the ending. It's good as it is but I felt there wasn't a full closure, there are a few things left unsaid. Hopefully, there could be another book or novella in the future? I really hope so as I would love to go on another adventure with these wonderfully written characters. Winter of the Witch contains 384 very well written, emotive pages that are suitable for the 14+ confident reader of fantasy/folklore. Great once again for book clubs and as a classroom read, there are so many discussion points. This is one of the finest blends of fairytale/folklore and history that will appeal to any reader of fantasy. I thoroughly recommend it, especially as a winter read, it will give it even more atmosphere! 384 page / Ages 14+ / Reviewed by Linda Brown, school librarian.

Suggested Reading Age 11+