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***4 ‘#TeamVasya’ Stars*** And we have another epic chapter in Vasya’s journey and what a ride it was! Things start of right were they ended in the The Bear and the Nightingale and we find that not is as it should be in the land of Rus. The mystical powers that are seen and unseen are wreaking havoc across the land and questions abound as to what the purpose of it all is and unbeknownst to Vasya, and those she calls her own, she has a role to play in all of it. I loved Vasya in The Bear and the Nightingale and that love grew to adoration in The Girl in the Tower. Even though she has no choice but to leave her village, she takes it and runs with it. She finds freedom and with that freedom she finds a well of strength she never realized she had. Of course her determinedly stubborn nature helps that process along, even as it at times hinders her, but she comes out of it all with a better understanding of not only the world but herself by the end of the book. As wit...

***3.5 #TeamVasya Stars*** Russia, fairytales coming to life, a life or death situation and a strong female lead? Yup, couldn’t pass up checking The Bear and The Nightingale out and it was a rich, enchanting story that does such a wonderful job at blending fantasy and reality and bringing to life old world Rus that it will make you reconsider all that you know and think you know. Vasya is at the center of this storm and I adored her. She is independent and rebellious, but not to the point where she truly does catastrophic harm. She simply knows her mind and doesn’t want to be locked in with all of the other ‘girls’. But underneath all of that is a generous and compassionate heart that takes care of those around her and craves the freedom to live life on her own terms. The synopsis hits most of the high points of the story and each step of the journey is well thought out and the various storylines woven together well. The world that Ms. Arden has created is lush and...