Uugh, I liked this even more than the first book.
Truly, how riveting. This book managed to wrench out of me so many emotions that I literally had a hand over my heart at one point while reading the damn thing. There is waxing and waning tension from start to finish, and I was left absolutely transfixed.
Now why did I enjoy this book more than the first one? Well, as much as I utterly loved the gleaming, magical nature of the first installment (and I think the prose is more lovely in that one), I felt the thrust of Girl in the Tower had better momentum, balance, and finish. This book actually addresses the "bigger picture" in which it juggles a larger cast and presents higher stakes, and it was in such regards that I felt a tad more satisfied.
Furthermore, the world-building and lore was as achingly gorgeous as ever, and the addition of even more complicated family relationships elevated my emotions to a fever pitch. The convoluted feeling of frustration and love between Vasya and her family was suffocating yet heartrending to read, and the lovely message that I took away from it was that family can be your greatest boon and burden, and you can't ever escape fact.
Lastly, the author finally sold me on the romance. Like, I am here for it. I still am not the biggest fan of Morozko being used as plot convenience in Vasya's times of crisis, but his poignant final scene in the book almost made me weep. Not to mention, I relished the friendship between Vasya and Solovey (gosh darn, they're so adorable together) as the witty banter broke up the otherwise solemn, almost oppressive nature of this book.
Now here are a few nitpicks, as usual. This book was near-perfect in my eyes, but I did find the reveal of the villain a tad predictable, and his abrupt personality change left me in want of nuance (he felt like a mustache-twirling villain at the end). Also, the finale again felt slightly rushed, though this was alleviated by the fact that there were waves of drama that slowed down the pacing and made the rush much less apparent this time.
Bottom line, this book adds in layers of complexity and drama that I found lacking in Bear and the Nightingale, and that's why I had such a bangin' time reading this. The prose, the lore, the morals, the feels...how much more perfect can a book get?
______________________
Should you read this book? I will hound you if you don't!
Honestly, I don't have much else to say, but I do feel like I haven't praised nearly enough just how subtly yet glaringly feminist this trilogy is. The oppressingly patriarchal society of these times is so well-ingrained within these characters that the feminist themes do not feel preachy in the least: this book SHOWS its morals, not tells.
So regardless of whether you liked The Bear and the Nightingale or not, I feel like this book can offer something new for all readers. If you enjoyed the dark yet whimsical ambiance of the first book, you'll again find that here. If you would've liked more political intrigue and characters interactions (like me), no need to look any further.
______________________
Final thoughts: I'm melting.
The family dynamics made my heart sing and ache. Vasya's struggles made my blood boil on her behalf. The gentle, poignant nature of the romance was the first time in a long time that I shipped two characters, and my heart is officially thawed. Hallelujah.
So if you are ever in need of a tender yet harrowing ride that will still manage to pack one hell of a punch, this trilogy is for you. (Seriously, go read it ya'll.)
My rating: 5/5 stars
Truly, how riveting. This book managed to wrench out of me so many emotions that I literally had a hand over my heart at one point while reading the damn thing. There is waxing and waning tension from start to finish, and I was left absolutely transfixed.
Now why did I enjoy this book more than the first one? Well, as much as I utterly loved the gleaming, magical nature of the first installment (and I think the prose is more lovely in that one), I felt the thrust of Girl in the Tower had better momentum, balance, and finish. This book actually addresses the "bigger picture" in which it juggles a larger cast and presents higher stakes, and it was in such regards that I felt a tad more satisfied.
Furthermore, the world-building and lore was as achingly gorgeous as ever, and the addition of even more complicated family relationships elevated my emotions to a fever pitch. The convoluted feeling of frustration and love between Vasya and her family was suffocating yet heartrending to read, and the lovely message that I took away from it was that family can be your greatest boon and burden, and you can't ever escape fact.
Lastly, the author finally sold me on the romance. Like, I am here for it. I still am not the biggest fan of Morozko being used as plot convenience in Vasya's times of crisis, but his poignant final scene in the book almost made me weep. Not to mention, I relished the friendship between Vasya and Solovey (gosh darn, they're so adorable together) as the witty banter broke up the otherwise solemn, almost oppressive nature of this book.
Now here are a few nitpicks, as usual. This book was near-perfect in my eyes, but I did find the reveal of the villain a tad predictable, and his abrupt personality change left me in want of nuance (he felt like a mustache-twirling villain at the end). Also, the finale again felt slightly rushed, though this was alleviated by the fact that there were waves of drama that slowed down the pacing and made the rush much less apparent this time.
Bottom line, this book adds in layers of complexity and drama that I found lacking in Bear and the Nightingale, and that's why I had such a bangin' time reading this. The prose, the lore, the morals, the feels...how much more perfect can a book get?
______________________
Should you read this book? I will hound you if you don't!
Honestly, I don't have much else to say, but I do feel like I haven't praised nearly enough just how subtly yet glaringly feminist this trilogy is. The oppressingly patriarchal society of these times is so well-ingrained within these characters that the feminist themes do not feel preachy in the least: this book SHOWS its morals, not tells.
So regardless of whether you liked The Bear and the Nightingale or not, I feel like this book can offer something new for all readers. If you enjoyed the dark yet whimsical ambiance of the first book, you'll again find that here. If you would've liked more political intrigue and characters interactions (like me), no need to look any further.
______________________
Final thoughts: I'm melting.
The family dynamics made my heart sing and ache. Vasya's struggles made my blood boil on her behalf. The gentle, poignant nature of the romance was the first time in a long time that I shipped two characters, and my heart is officially thawed. Hallelujah.
So if you are ever in need of a tender yet harrowing ride that will still manage to pack one hell of a punch, this trilogy is for you. (Seriously, go read it ya'll.)
My rating: 5/5 stars