The sequel to The Bear and the Nightingale, the story picks up where the last one left off but this time also follows the perspective of Vasilisa’s brother Sasha (who had left to become a monk in the first book) and Olya (who left because she was getting married). Vasilisa is now forced to decide where her life will go next since she cannot seem to find a place for herself, for she cannot stay with Morozko but she cannot also be with her people since they think she is a witch. Resolved to become a traveler she finds herself running into her siblings 10 years after they had left... and they meet when Vasilisa is dressed up as a boy and saving children. Her brother is now the hand to the prince and her sister has many children. When Vasya’s deeds get her recognized by the prince, soon she finds herself in the world of men, the freedom and respect they receive and can’t seem to tear herself away from the lies she has told and her new found freedom. Yet with this comes the threat of bandits kidnapping children, a mysterious new stranger who threatens to destroy the kingdom, and the complicated relationship that has grown between Vasya and Morozko. Vasya’s secrets once again threaten the lives of those she holds dear and magical dark forces are threatening to tear the world apart, and underneath it all is the budding romance between an immortal who was never meant to love and a girl who never wanted to fall in love. This story was ANGSTY, while the first one was about growing and freedom and just a soft read this one was pain, hurt, complicated relationships, and the ordeals that Vasya had to deal with, as well as the facing the consequences of her own choices? Brutal. This was a great sequel to the first book and I can’t wait to see where the second one goes. (Also cheers to my favorite frost demon Morozko, I fall deeper in love with this character with every book).