The Girl in the Tower is a fascinating fantasy that takes place in Russia during the medieval times.
Vasya Petrovna was a free-spirited woman, on the run. It was rumored that she was a witch. Her father tried to marry her off, but Vasya wanted nothing to do with marriage. She also had no interest in becoming a nun. So, Vasya decided to dress as a boy, adopt the male version of her name, Vasilii, for herself, and gallop off into the woods, on a magic horse. Running into her brother Sasha, and her cousin, Dmitrii, the Grand Prince of Moscow, complicated matters, though. Sasha was reluctant to play along with his sister’s ruse, but did so, for safety’s sake. He knew, however, that if the Prince discovered her deceit, things would not go well for her.
Much to Sasha’s dismay, his sister, Vasya, now, Vasilii, was joining them in the fight against the bandits, who were destroying Russian lives. Young girls were being kidnapped, families slaughtered, and villages burned to the ground. War was something that was now unavoidable.
The Girl in the Tower is an intriguing novel, well-written and captivating. I would suggest reading, book one in the series, The Bear and the Nightingale, first, though. I had a difficult time, especially in the beginning, following this novel, but wouldn’t have; I’m sure if I had already read the first book.
Thank you, Del Rey Publishing and NetGalley, for my advanced review copy.
~4 out of 5 stars~
Vasya Petrovna was a free-spirited woman, on the run. It was rumored that she was a witch. Her father tried to marry her off, but Vasya wanted nothing to do with marriage. She also had no interest in becoming a nun. So, Vasya decided to dress as a boy, adopt the male version of her name, Vasilii, for herself, and gallop off into the woods, on a magic horse. Running into her brother Sasha, and her cousin, Dmitrii, the Grand Prince of Moscow, complicated matters, though. Sasha was reluctant to play along with his sister’s ruse, but did so, for safety’s sake. He knew, however, that if the Prince discovered her deceit, things would not go well for her.
Much to Sasha’s dismay, his sister, Vasya, now, Vasilii, was joining them in the fight against the bandits, who were destroying Russian lives. Young girls were being kidnapped, families slaughtered, and villages burned to the ground. War was something that was now unavoidable.
The Girl in the Tower is an intriguing novel, well-written and captivating. I would suggest reading, book one in the series, The Bear and the Nightingale, first, though. I had a difficult time, especially in the beginning, following this novel, but wouldn’t have; I’m sure if I had already read the first book.
Thank you, Del Rey Publishing and NetGalley, for my advanced review copy.
~4 out of 5 stars~