“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. The wise know that.”

After leaving the previous book The Girl in the Tower, Moscow is in flames. The only one to blame is Vasilisa. To save her self she has to flee, but then a powerful demon resurrects and they need Vasya more than ever to save her. But is she capable of saving her people?

Snow is blazing around you, you flee, leaving smoke behind you as the city burns. You feel betrayed and alone. This book started off so emotional. It completely took me by surprise and ripped my heart out. And then it started mending it and it took me on a enchanted, mythological journey of personal growth with new chyerti, a long lost love and the strength of family.
This conclusion was clearly more adult themed. Just as Vasaya had aged so had the book. And because of it the book was darker, more brutal and had more difficult and mature themes like finding oneself, getting more secure of one’s capabilities, strengthening of a romantic life, but also war and torture or philosophical themes like Christianity versus paganism.
Downside to this book was the midnight section that dragged on a bit to long for my taste and the absence of my most beloved character for almost the whole of the book, but besides this it was a wonderful cold and snowy conclusion filled with a very strong, but charming character, wonderful sibling relationships and some major battles. Highly recommend it to anyone in search of a wintery young adult/adult fantasy.