Not since Catching Fire have I found the second book in a trilogy to be so captivating and fulfilling! Usually the second book is the filler material between character development and the full-on-action, but The Girl in the Tower provides both of those in large quantities. This book grows Vasya's world to include navigating her relationship with her brother and sister, each of which have established reputations in Moscow. I love the continued wintery, blustery feel of the world and the difficult and magical romance between Vasya and Morozko. It gives me a character that is committed to creating her own destiny, regardless of the influences around her - and breaks open the fairy tales that we've been told of the evil ice witch.