Please Note:  I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  This did not influence the opinions of my review in any way.

Synopsis (From Goodreads):
In the stunning conclusion to the bestselling Winternight Trilogy, following The Bear and the Nightingale and The Girl in the Tower, Vasya returns to save Russia and the spirit realm, battling enemies both mortal and magic.

Review:
The Winter of The Witch, by Katherine Arden, encompasses everything I love about fantasy novels:  imaginative world-building, strong characters,  storytelling that uses elements of folktales, and plenty of action sequences to keep those pages turning.  
World-Building:
A good story begins with a rich universe.  The Winter of The Witch continues to build on the world the author created in the first two books of the series.  On top of the setting of medieval Russia, there many fantastical spirits such as Ded Grib (a mushroom spirit), Lady Midday (a spirit who wanders hayfields causing heatstroke), and Pozhar (a firebird).

One of the most creative aspects of this universe is when Vasya travels on The Midnight Road.  This is a never-ending land of all the midnights the world has ever known, spanning locations, climates, and time itself.  I loved this!!!

Themes:
One of the central themes of this series is the conflict between old and new religions.  As the Christian church is rising in power, people are discouraged from offering tributes to the Chyerti (various spirits found in Russian folklore).  This is causing the Chyerti to fade.   But the Chyerti play a vital role in protecting those who believe in them. 

Vasya believes in both Christianity and the Chyerti.  Her task is to find a way to create acceptance between the two belief systems.

Fully Formed Characters:
Vasya, the main character, is a strong female who bristles against the tight constraints that women are subjected to in her society.  As the series begins, Vasya's choices are to be married off to make babies, or to join a nunnery.  Neither hold any appeal.  

Vasya also has the "Sight".  She can see Chyerti and makes regular offerings to them.  In exchange, she gains protection and learns of dangers to her and her family ahead of time.  

I love Vasya because she is so NOT perfect.  As she is drawn into an ancient conflict between The Bear (the king of Chaos) and Morozko (the king of death), she doesn't always make the right choices.  She also starts to understand that as she uses magic, the power she wields will drive her insane.  Can she do what is needed to save Russia and protect her family?
 

There are no cartoonishly evil or saintly people in this novel. 

             
via GIPHY
As the book progressed, I found myself having empathy for characters such as Father Konstantin (who I originally loathed), and even The Bear.  Both characters do truly dispicable things, yet the author gets inside their heads to show the reader how they became who they are.  To paraphrase Vasya, "I've done good things, and evil things.  But I am neither."  That is what makes these characters so complex.

Russian History & Folklore:
I was delighted to read at the end of the book that many of the plot points in The Winter of the Witch are drawn from actual historical events!  Russian folklore is also woven into the story to include characters such as Baba Yaga, and Lady Midnight.  I loved that the author shows the rich cultural traditions of Russia.

Tension:
This book is definitely a page-turner!  Just when you think Vasya is out of danger, another problem pops up (she just can't get a break!).  Vasya is either running for her life, fighting her way out of a corner, or fighting her urge to go mad with magical power.  There is also tension of the sexual kind as Vasya tries to resist her feelings for The Winter King...
              
via GIPHY

Lack Of A Recap:
This is a pet peeve of mine.  When I read a series, I like it when there is a small recap of who the people are with a quick synopsis of what has happened earlier.  I often had to work hard at the beginning of this book to remember who everyone was.  That said, I would highly recommend re-reading the first two books (The Bear and the Nightingale, and The Girl in the Tower), in order to be able to fully enjoy this book. 

Rating: 




Release Date:  January 9th, 2019

Author:  Katherine Arden

Publisher:  Del Rey

Genre:  YA Fantasy

Page Length: 384 Pages

Source:  NetGalley

Format:  E-Book

Recommendation:  A worthy finish to a wildly creative series.  But read the first two books first.