Although I’m already looking ahead to next weekend’s Deweys 24 Hour Readathon, I’m excited to finish this reading month on a high note, with the second book in the Winternight Trilogy: The Girl in the Tower by Katherine Arden.
Keep scrolling for this week’s Book Beginnings and The Friday 56…
Book Beginnings is a bookish meme hosted by Rose City Reader that asks you to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you’re reading, along with your initial thoughts/impressions.
A girl rode a bay horse through a forest late at night. This forest had no name. It lay far from Moscow—far from anything—and the only sound was the snow’s silence and the rattle of frozen trees.
Almost midnight—that wicked, magic hour—on a night menaced by ice and storm and the abyss of the featureless sky. And yet this girl and her horse went on through the wood, dogged.
The Friday 56 is a bookish meme hosted by Freda’s Voice that asks you to: Grab a book, any book, and turn to page 56 and find a sentence that grabs you.
In winter it is almost impossible to be still. Even sitting by the fire, one is watching the coals, stirring the soup, fighting—always fighting—the eager frost. But in the singing heat, the soft breath of the steam, Vasya’s breath slowed, and slowed again, until she lay quietly in the darkness and the frigid knot of grief insider her loosened. She lay on her back, open-eyed, and the tears ran down her temples, to mingle with her sweat.
Right away, Katherine Arden paints a vivid picture of medieval Russia and this magical and wintry world. I’m so excited to see where Vasya’s adventures lead her next. I have a feeling I may end up loving The Girl in the Tower even more than The Bear in the Nightingale.
Have you read the Winternight Trilogy? What are you planning to read this weekend?
Hey Jessie – loved her first one too…will get to the the girl in the tower before too long. She’s a talented writer for sure
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad to hear you enjoyed The Bear and the Nightingale too, Jeremy! I ended up loving this one even more and can’t wait to pick up the final book soon. I’m excited to see what Katherine Arden writes next!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes she’s a talent that’s for sure
LikeLike
The description is so beautifully done!
LikeLiked by 1 person
So glad you enjoyed it, Lin! Her writing really is beautiful and evocative.
LikeLike
Love the excerpts and the images they show us. Thanks for sharing, and here’s mine: “ALL THE WRONG PLACES”
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy to hear you enjoyed them, Laurel!
LikeLike
I read the first book in the series and really liked it a lot. I hope to get to the next two books soon. My Friday quotes
LikeLiked by 1 person
I actually loved The Girl in the Tower even more than The Bear and the Nightingale and can’t wait to get my hands on the final book. I hope you’ll enjoy the rest of the series too!
LikeLike
I just finished the last book in this trilogy. I’ve loved every one! 😊
Friday Spotlight
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad to hear you’re a fan too, Louise! I ended up loving The Girl in the Tower even more than The Bear and the Nightingale. I can’t wait to get my hands on the final book. I’ll be so sad to say goodbye to these characters though!
LikeLiked by 1 person
No! I haven’t come across this trilogy and that first line is so lovely !
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’d definitely recommend the entire series, Jane! I ended up loving this one even more than the first. Katherine Arden’s writing is so atmospheric and I’ve fallen in love with her characters.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The setting is intriguing. I will have to look for this trilogy. Thanks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’d highly recommend the trilogy, Roberta! I ended up loving this one even more than the first. Hope you’ll love it too if you decide to pick it up!
LikeLike
This sounds great. So descriptive! This week I am spotlighting Grave Destiny by Kalayna Price. Happy reading!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Her writing is very descriptive and atmospheric for sure! Happy reading to you too, Kathy!
LikeLike
I so loved The Bear and the Nightingale. Glad to know The Girl in the Tower is also good and will add it to my list!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I loved it even more than The Bear in the Nightingale; hope you will too!
LikeLike
Sounds beautifully written! Happy weekend!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I really loved it! Hope you had (and will have) a lovely weekend too!
LikeLike
This sounds great! Thanks for sharing!
Lauren @ Always Me
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad you enjoyed it, Lauren! It was such a great read and I’d highly recommend it, and the series as a whole.
LikeLike
I hope you enjoy this one too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Fran! I loved it even more than the first
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think it was about the same level for me, but I’m glad that you enjoyed it so much. Hopefully The Winter of the Witch maintains (or exceeds!) the quality of the first two. It’ll make for a great trilogy.
LikeLike