Winternight Trilogy

Vasilisa, a wild young woman in the Russian wilderness, loves her nurse’s tales of the blue-eyed winter demon, Frost, and the spirits that protect their homes. When her devout stepmother arrives, she forbids honoring these spirits, leading to misfortune stalking the village. As the stepmother grows harsher and forces Vasya towards marriage or a convent, the village’s defenses weaken, and an ancient evil from the forest draws near. Vasya must embrace dangerous, long-concealed gifts to protect her family from the very threats sprung to life from her childhood fairy tales. This is The Bear and the Nightingale, the lyrical first novel of the Winternight Trilogy.

In The Girl in the Tower, sequel to The Bear and the Nightingale, Vasilisa is cast out by her village, named a witch for her gift of seeing what others cannot. Spurning a life of confinement, Vasya disguises herself as a young man and rides into the frozen wilderness, seeking adventure. Her journey reunites her with long-estranged siblings and catches the eye of Moscow's Grand Prince. As she navigates court intrigues, Vasya must safeguard her family, conceal her identity, and confront her complex, increasingly fraught connection with Morozko, the winter demon. Amidst these challenges, she discovers a mysterious threat to the realm, one only her unique magic can hope to defeat.

As the stirring conclusion to the Winternight Trilogy, The Winter of the Witch sees Vasilisa Petrovna facing her greatest challenges yet. Her gifts and courage have bound her fate to Morozko, the enigmatic winter-king, a connection that could prove either a blessing or a curse. Disaster has struck Moscow, leaving its people searching for answers and someone to blame. Alone and surrounded by threats, Vasya must contend with an enraged Grand Prince, whose choices are leading Russia towards war and ruin. Simultaneously, a wicked demon returns, intent on spreading chaos across the land. Caught at the center of this escalating conflict, Vasya’s choices will determine the fate of both the mortal and magical worlds. She will uncover surprising truths about herself as she desperately strives to protect her family, her country, and the beloved magical realm, though she may not be able to save them all.