Title: The Girl In The Tower
Author: Katherine Arden
Genre: Fantasy, Folklore
Source: Library hardback
Rating: 4 out of 5 paws
The Bear has been defeated, but because of it Vasya has been cast out of her village labeled a witch. Instead of living life in a convent or allowing herself to be married to some man, Vasya decides to travel the world, see all that she can see. She disguises herself as a boy and ventures out into the woods atop her grand horse. She encounters some bandits and after a narrow escape she stumbles upon a monastery which happens to be Sasha's monastery. She earns the admiration of the Grand Prince, but must keep up the pretenses of being a boy. She begins to notice things in Moscow that don't seem to add up and begins to realize the Grand Prince's kingdom is under threat, a threat that feasts and drinks wine with him. But is it too late for her to stop things that are already in motion?
Vasya wants nothing more than to be her own person and not be confined to what society says she needs to be and how to act. While she may feel like she is still wild young girl she once was, she grow immensely in this novel and forms ideal beyond that of simply not wanting to marry or go to a convent. Readers see her enjoy being an advisor to the Grand Prince and finally being able to stand up for herself and be taken seriously. Her voice is finally heard even if it is as a boy. To her, that is a freeing experience. Her shift into maturity happens so naturally that by the end of the novel you think to yourself, wow she grew tremendously in this novel, and you can't wait to see her in the next one.
Kathrine Arden's writing is beautifully lyrical and poetic. It was easy to get lost in her world and forget everything in the real world, I almost forgot to go back to work after lunch. Every character introduced plays an important part, there are no "small roles" in this novel and I love that. I love that readers can feel connected to every character even Katya in the beginning. While Vasya isn't out right romantically involved with anyone she feels a love towards Morozko. I think he can win everyone's heart, he won mine! I almost want a story focused on him.
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.
This is probably my favorite quote from the book. It says so much within these two sentences that define the series and life in general. After reading it I paused and thought about what those words meant for me, for my life and the path I have chosen. From start to finish you find yourself melting into the words of Katherine Arden. There is no better way to describe it.
I highly recommend this novel, and will keep my eye out for the third book and feel like I need to buy all versions of this book. Check it out.
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