The Summary

Lillian Carter, age 21, lost her mother to the Spanish flu in 1919, and it has been eight months since then. Since then, her life has fallen apart totally. Lillian was one of the most sought-after painters' models in New York City for the previous six years under the name Angelica. Statues of her likeness may be found on famous structures like the Brooklyn Bridge and the Plaza Hotel. The job has dried up and a brewing scandal have left a mourning Lillian completely without a safe haven. However, with her mother gone, she is alone and desperate. Therefore, Lillian seizes the chance when she discovers a job opening at the Frick mansion a building that, strangely, bears her own face. She is drawn into a complex web of romantic liaisons, stolen jewels, and family drama that is so deep that the stakes may be life or death the longer she serves as a private secretary to the imperious and demanding Helen Frick, the daughter and heiress of industrialist and art patron Henry Clay Frick.

Nearly fifty years later, within the walls of the former Frick mansion, now transformed into one of New York City's most stunning museums, mod English model Veronica Weber has her own opportunity to build her career and with it, earn the money she needs to support her family back home. However, after being fired from the Vogue photo shoot at the Frick Collection with a charming intern and aspiring art curator named Joshua, she stumbles upon a series of hidden messages in the gallery. These messages could help Veronica with her money problems as well as finally shed light on a long-simmering murder in the infamous Frick family.

My Review

My very first Fiona Davis book! Honestly, I was immediately drawn to the book's cover. The lovely Magnolia Palace on the book's cover relates to the Frick Collection in New York City, a peculiar but stunning location that serves as the setting for the most of the story.

Two separate historical fiction stories, a light romance, and an intriguing murder mystery are all featured in this literary gem. The first stream moves through 1919 effortlessly, but the second stream, which moves through 1966 gradually, reads like two books combined.

Lillian, a female form model for artists at the time, loses her mother to the Spanish flu in 1919, and it is later discovered that she had a significant role in the death of her landlord's wife. By mistake, she agrees to work as Helen Frick's personal secretary. Helen Frick's father is the owner of the estate that would eventually house the Frick Museum. In the second timeline, aspiring model Veronica Weber is trapped within the Frick Museum after being left behind after a photo shoot there in 1966, during a harsh blizzard.

The thing I like best about reading historical fiction is that I always learn something new, even if it's often hard for me to believe because it really does happen. This book made me intrigued about the Frick Museum in general and Audrey Munson, who is partly based on Lillian's character, which led me to explore Google for more information. incredibly fascinating things.

I was surprised by how many specifics there were in the Frick family history. I became totally absorbed in both timelines and was captivated by both tales. Despite my limited knowledge of art, the explanations in this book allowed me to picture the statues and paintings.

Although the story may have begun slowly, it quickly gathered up steam and entered the thriller subgenre, where it improved in both intrigue and readability. The finale was really satisfying, and the characters were incredibly believable. by fusing fictional characters that were both inspired by and connected to actual events with historically accurate details.

Overall, I thought it was a really good book and would suggest it to anyone who enjoys a good mystery and is interested in history or one of New York's most famous families and buildings!

My ratings score:

★★★★★ Fantastic! Made me go through a lot of emotions & the entire book is incredibly beautifully done! 

★★★★ Memorable! Despite its shortcomings, this book was incredible and taught us a lot. 

★★★ Good work! Nothing particularly remarkable, but still nice.

★★ Meh... Mediocre with great room for improvement.

★ Extremely Poor.

The Summary

Vasilisa Petrovna is a legendary heroine who was adamant about choosing her own path. It is too early to tell whether her link to Morozko, the winter-king, will be a blessing or a curse, but his interest has been piqued by her talents and her bravery. Vasilisa Petrovna is a legendary heroine who was adamant about choosing her own path. It is too early to tell whether her link to Morozko, the winter-king, will be a blessing or a curse, but his interest has been piqued by her talents and her bravery.

A catastrophe has now struck Moscow. People there are looking for solutions and someone to blame. Vasya is all by herself and in a hostile environment. In his fury, the Grand Prince makes alliances that will take him to conflict and ruin. A vile monster makes a comeback with the intent to cause havoc. Vasya, who is caught in the middle of the war, is responsible for the outcome of two different worlds. Vasya will learn surprising things about herself as she struggles to defend Russia, Morozko, and the fantasy world she holds dear while her future is uncertain. She might not be able to save everyone, though.

My Review

What an amazing trilogy it is! Once more, Katherine Arden has me in awe of the majesty and magic she is able to convey via writing. Being completely relieved and satisfied that the series is over.

Vasya is one of the strongest women you'll ever meet in a fantasy tale. In earlier works, Vasya was held captive by patriarchy, but she was able to escape before learning there was no place for a free woman in the society she was accustomed to. She merely invented a brand-new one. She fought for the right to live her life in accordance with her preferences and changed the rules of the game. She comes to mind as the best illustration of feminism in YA literature.

It was extremely simple to notice how these traits altered throughout the course of the series, along with Vasya's character development. The ambiance of all three stories, which was permeated with Russian mythology, mysticism, and love, was one of my favorites.

This book's plot is much more developed, with a number of distinct events occurring swiftly to bring it to a close. Another benefit of deciding to weave the plot with real historical events is that the conclusion has a lot more of an epic fantasy feel to it than the fey mysticism of the earlier works.

I was worried that I might have had too high of expectations, even while the second book does not have the same level of brighter, more innocent desire for adventure as the first book did. I still value it, though, and I was happy to see it make a fierce comeback in this novel. The second book, in my opinion, lacked an exploring sense the most.

I won't even attempt to summarize the book's plot. Despite all the bustle, I will admit that I appreciate how Arden makes each book flow into the next. Arden's distinct and wonderful writing style, which hints at her influences while being distinctively her own, made me glad to be back in her capable hands from the very first chapter on. She writes with a flow that I think to be quite beautiful.

After reading this, it feels strange to return to everyday life since it is like being gradually drawn into a world that is so vivid and amazing. The variety of characters and the underlying issues in the trilogy have all been meticulously developed.

Fundamentally, this series has been like a lodge in the woods that has provided me with the greatest amount of warmth and protection from cyclones. I won't soon forget this, for sure.

Series Review:

The Bear and The Nightingale: 5/5 stars

The Girl in The Tower: 5/5 stars

The Winter of The Witch: 5/5 stars

The Winter Night Trilogy: 15/15 stars

My ratings score:

★★★★★ Fantastic! Made me go through a lot of emotions & the entire book is incredibly beautifully done! 

★★★★ Memorable! Despite its shortcomings, this book was incredible and taught us a lot. 

★★★ Good work! Nothing particularly remarkable, but still nice.

★★ Meh... Mediocre with great room for improvement.

★ Extremely Poor.

The Summary

In her charming debut book, Katherine Arden introduced readers to a captivating heroine. In a place where snowdrifts reach the eaves of her family's wooden home and where fairy tales recounted over a fire have some basis in reality, Vasilisa grew up on the edge of a Russian wilderness. Vasilisa attracted the attention of Morozko, Frost, the winter demon from the tales, due to her talent for seeing things that others do not, and together they prevented the destruction of her people. However, Frost's assistance is not free, and her community has labeled her a witch.

Vasilisa must now make a difficult decision. The two alternatives left for her after being driven from her home by terrified villagers are marriage or the convent. She is unable to accept either outcome and instead opts for adventure, masquerading as a boy and riding her gorgeous steed Solovey to the open road.

But all changes when Vasilisa defeats bandits in a battle. She receives a hero's ovation from the Grand Prince of Moscow for her achievements, and she is reunited with her adored sister and brother, who are now members of the Grand Prince's close-knit group. She is afraid to admit to the court that she is a female because if her lie was found out, it would be very bad for her and her family. Before she can extricate herself from Moscow's machinations and as Frost offers advice that may or may not be reliable, she must also face a threat that is considerably more serious and waiting for the entire city of Moscow.

My Review

Right now, it's difficult for me to put into words how I feel. The second one is notably better.

Vasya still possesses the same vivacious and intelligent girl I adored in the first novel, despite the fact that she is older and more mature now. As the plot has developed naturally with her character, we get to see the courageous but also disturbed and complex person she has become.

She embodies all the qualities I look for in a strong, knowledgeable, brave, and independent female protagonist, therefore I can't help but root for her throughout the entire book.

The original book's sense of daring adventure where its strength rests in its quiet enchantment is what its sequel draws on. The second is riskier, more exciting, and without a doubt darker and scarier.

Both the lighthearted amorous scenes and the gritty, filthy ones are richly described in the literature. Historical components are just as quietly fascinating as legendary or mystical ones.

Unquestionably capturing my attention and keeping me enthralled is this excellent series. I'm eager to read the following one!

My ratings score:

★★★★★ Fantastic! Made me go through a lot of emotions & the entire book is incredibly beautifully done! 

★★★★ Memorable! Despite its shortcomings, this book was incredible and taught us a lot. 

★★★ Good work! Nothing particularly remarkable, but still nice.

★★ Meh... Mediocre with great room for improvement.

★ Extremely Poor.

The Summary

At the edge of the Russian forest, where winter lasts for the majority of the year, Vasilisa and her siblings like spending the long evenings by the fire listening to the fairy tales their nurse used to tell them. Vasya adores Frost, the blue-eyed winter demon, above everything else. Because he captures innocent souls, wise Russians are afraid of him, and they revere the spirits that guard their houses from evil.

The bereaved father of Vasya then returns from Moscow with a new spouse. Vasya's stepmother, who is a devout woman, prevents her family from honoring their house spirits, but Vasya is afraid of what this might bring. Indeed, bad luck starts to follow the village.

Vasya's stepmother, however, only gets stricter as she works to change the community to her liking and raise her disobedient stepdaughter for a convent or marriage. Vasilisa must use perilous abilities that she has long kept hidden in order to defend her family from a danger that has materialized from her nurse's most terrifying tales as the village's defenses deteriorate and evil from the forest draws closer.

My Review

This was the kind of story that made you long for the days of your youth, when you had unflinching confidence in wishes, magic, and the reality of all possibilities.

A wonderful fusion of traditional literature, fairy tales, and Russian mythology. You begin to feel like you are a part of the story and connected to all those legendary monsters as your bones begin to shake from the cold and the demons waiting to take you to the end of the world.

Superstition and a sense of uncertainty are successfully conveyed by the atmosphere. Between the old and the modern, the characters are imprisoned. They follow modern religion, but they maintain a strong connection to ancient myths.

In this book, there was nothing less than magic. The book's beautiful imagery, evocative town and forest, and the characters who made me cry ceaselessly all serve to convey the notion that girls can be whatever they choose to be, regardless of what society tries to confine them to.

I'm sure I'll pick this up again around Christmas time to read in bed before I go to sleep. Because everyone deserves the kind of wonderful warmth and comfort that this book provides during the coldest of times.

My ratings score:

★★★★★ Fantastic! Made me go through a lot of emotions & the entire book is incredibly beautifully done! 

★★★★ Memorable! Despite its shortcomings, this book was incredible and taught us a lot. 

★★★ Good work! Nothing particularly remarkable, but still nice.

★★ Meh... Mediocre with great room for improvement.

★ Extremely Poor.