This is such a hard book to review because I am absolutely, devastatingly in love with this series and I don't know how to put that into words. I love Vasya, I love her loud strength and her determination to not let the world remake her into something palatable. I love Morozko and his quiet yearning, the growing softness alongside his sharp shards of ice. I even loved her family for the most part, stuck on the sharp edge of loving someone so much, yet not knowing how to keep them safe.

This book was beautifully written, and I found myself rereading some passages multiple times. I felt the snow in my hair, the harsh touch of icy winter. I felt the depth of Vasya's desire for freedom, her fire when it came to protecting those she loved. Every word felt carefully placed, chosen for maximum effect, and there were so many moments where these words broke my heart. Vasya's story takes place in an often cruel world, and the fantastic writing only made it so much more painful to read.

Vasya was, of course, still my favorite character, and I loved the time we got to spend with her and Solovey, whether it be inside the walls of Moscow or in the perilous depths of the forest. I loved seeing her unfettered joy during some scenes in this book, as much as it hurt to see that joy lost in others. I can't wait to see where her journey continues to bring her.

I loved the Bear and the Nightingale, but The Girl in the Tower has placed this series high on my list of favorites, and I am both extremely excited and endlessly terrified to start the next book, and see where this story brings me next.