Winternight Trilogy
This Russian-inspired fantasy trilogy—The Bear and the Nightingale, The Girl in the Tower, and The Winter of the Witch—follows Vasya, a girl who can see spirits others cannot. As Orthodox Christianity clashes with old magic, Vasya becomes a key figure in saving her homeland from supernatural and political threats. Arden blends folklore, historical fiction, and lyrical prose into a coming-of-age tale rich in atmosphere and emotional depth. The trilogy is a celebration of courage, myth, and the power of choosing one’s own path in a world that fears the unknown.
Katherine Arden’s The Bear and the Nightingale is a rich historical fantasy rooted in Russian folklore. Set in a remote village, it follows Vasya, a girl who can see spirits others cannot. As Christianity spreads and the old ways fade, dark forces stir in the forest. Vasya must embrace her gift to protect her family and her world from ancient evil. With lyrical prose, magical realism, and a fiercely independent heroine, the novel weaves myth and history into a haunting coming-of-age tale about belief, bravery, and the struggle between tradition and change.