The Winter of the Witch by Katherine Arden

[I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.]   

Release date: 1/8/19
Rating: 4/5 stars
Genre: Fantasy
Features: Romance, family, strong female main character, magic
Quotes:

"Have you never thought to believe that heaven and hell are both nearer you than you like to believe."

"There are no monsters in the world, and no saints. Only infinite shades woven into the same tapestry, light and dark. One man's monster is another man's beloved."

"Men make themselves afraid . . . Imagining is worse than anything they actually see. All it takes is whispers in the dark."

I loved the first books in the series, and couldn't wait to get my hands on the third one in Arden's Winternight Trilogy. I was elated when I finally got approved for the ARC -- thanks, NetGalley! As the third and final book in the trilogy, The Winter of the Witch picks up where the story leaves off in The Girl in the Tower. I enjoyed it greatly, and gave it 4/5 stars. I think, though, that the first book was my favorite. 

However, this book still had all the elements I enjoyed in the first two: strong female characters, magic, romance, strong family ties, Russian history and folklore, and atmospheric setting descriptions. Arden develops the characters further in The Winter of the Witch, giving more insight into their motives, desires, and abilities. I was emotionally invested in their plight, and teared up a few times. *No spoilers, promise!* I liked that this book explores the magical world where the women in Vasya's family came from, and a bunch of the fantastical creatures that live in it. 

I was a little disappointed that the book didn't explore more of the characters and their futures. Arden definitely leaves room for further stories to be written, but as this is the third book in a trilogy, I think this will be the last one. All in all, this was a fun book. Not as stellar as the first one, but still a solid four stars.