Publication Date: Dec 2017
Blurb:
Vasilisa has grown up at the edge of a Russian wilderness, where snowdrifts reach the eaves of her family’s wooden house and there is truth in the fairy tales told around the fire. Vasilisa’s gift for seeing what others do not won her the attention of Morozko—Frost, the winter demon from the stories—and together they saved her people from destruction. But Frost’s aid comes at a cost, and her people have condemned her as a witch.
In The Girl in the Tower, Vasilisa faces an impossible choice. Driven from her home by frightened villagers, she has only two options left: marriage or the convent. She cannot bring herself to accept either fate and instead chooses adventure, dressing herself as a boy and setting off astride her magnificent stallion Solovey.
But after she prevails in a skirmish with bandits, everything changes. The Grand Prince of Moscow anoints her a hero for her exploits, and she is reunited with her beloved sister and brother, who are now part of the Grand Prince’s inner circle. She dares not reveal to the court that she is a girl, for if her deception were discovered it would have terrible consequences for herself and her family. Before she can untangle herself from Moscow’s intrigues—and as Frost provides counsel that may or may not be trustworthy—she will also confront an even graver threat lying in wait for all of Moscow itself.
What To Expect:
The Girl in the Tower is the second book in the Winternight Trilogy, a fairytale-inspired adult fantasy series set in medieval Russia. You can expect perilous adventure, complex family dynamics, and lyrical writing with a subtle romance with no spice.
Content Warnings:
Language: Mild
Sexual Content: Closed door – Kissing and vague innuendo; unwanted sexual advances (no rape)
Violence: Moderate – Fantasy violence including some descriptions of blood and gore
Substance Use: Mild – Characters of all ages drink alcohol as part of daily life and culture
Prejudices: Moderate – Sexism, religious fear of witches
Religious Themes: Much of the plot is driven by conflict between historical Christianity and mythological beings. There are protagonists and antagonists on both sides of the conflict.
Other Topics: Stillbirth
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