I am a fable/fairy tale junkie. I grew up in my local library reading the many fairy tale books by Andrew Lang. My first impression was of the author's talent in painting vivid pictures without the verbal excess that is often prevalent today. The story has that element that makes the reader want to snuggle in their most cozy of chairs and lose themselves in the author's world. The Girl in the Tower immediately transported me back to those times when my world was full of princes, princesses, magic and wonder. The fairy tale within this story of Misha, Alena and the snow-maiden was of a pure and simplistic magic that isn't easily found in modern novels. After reviewing the offered chapters, I immediately purchased The Bear and the Nightingale so that I can read it before I have a chance to read this novel.