Chapter 35 Summary – The Tsar’s Hunt and Katerina’s Secret
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
Katerina has improved slightly under Nadya’s care, but remains weak. When Tsar Aleksander abruptly visits, he dismisses Nadya and threatens to burn the forest to hunt Baba Yaga, executing anyone who refuses to join the hunt. Through the door, Nadya overhears Katerina confess that she is a witch with powers – a secret she has hidden from everyone. Katerina believes marrying the tsar will remove her magic and cure an illness she blames on Baba Yaga’s curse. Nadya argues that the witch is trustworthy and warns that the tsar’s plan endangers their orphanage family. She convinces Katerina to let her seek the truth from Baba Yaga. As Nadya tries to leave the castle, the tsar intercepts her, seizing her dagger and revealing he has underestimated her.
Key Events
- Tsar Aleksander bursts into Katerina’s sickroom, angered by Nadya’s attempt to turn him away.
- Nadya is forcibly removed and overhears the tsar tell Katerina that Baba Yaga has been sighted on castle grounds.
- Katerina claims Baba Yaga cursed her, but Nadya doubts the accusation.
- The tsar announces his plan to burn the forest in a great hunt and execute any who do not join.
- Nadya realises Katerina is a witch when the tsar mentions her “powers”.
- Katerina confesses she wants to marry the tsar to lose her witch nature and gain a family.
- Nadya argues that the orphanage is her true family and the tsar threatens their home.
- Katerina reluctantly agrees to ask the tsar to stop the hunt if Nadya learns the truth from Baba Yaga.
- Nadya attempts to leave the castle but is caught by the tsar, who snatches her dagger.
Character Development
Nadya grows from a self-conscious orphan into a courageous protector. She defies the tsar’s authority, prioritises Katerina’s well-being over her own castle dreams, and risks her life to warn Baba Yaga. Her love for the orphanage community hardens her resolve.
Katerina reveals deep vulnerability and fear of rejection. She clings to marriage as an escape from her magical identity, even while knowing the tsar is dangerous. Her willingness to let Nadya investigate shows a flicker of trust.
Tsar Aleksander confirms his cruelty and manipulation. He feigns affection for Katerina while threatening genocide, and his final ambush of Nadya exposes him as a direct antagonist.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Secrets and Lies – Katerina’s hidden powers and her false belief in Baba Yaga’s curse drive the central conflict. Nadya’s eavesdropping symbolises the truth finally breaking through deception.
Family vs. Power – Nadya defines family by love and loyalty, while Katerina seeks belonging through the tsar’s status. The contrast highlights how power can corrupt genuine bonds.
The Hunt as Tyranny – The tsar’s planned forest burning and mass execution echo historical witch hunts, showing how fear is weaponised to control and destroy.
Choice and Identity – Katerina’s refusal to accept her magic reflects a broader theme of self-acceptance. Nadya’s choice to defy the tsar affirms her identity as a protector.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter is a turning point. It reveals that Katerina is a witch, shattering Nadya’s trust yet also deepening her commitment. The tsar’s hunt plan expands the conflict from a personal curse to a threat against the entire forest community. Nadya’s capture sets up the climax, forcing her to choose between safety and action. It also deepens the moral ambiguity: Katerina’s fear of her own nature makes her complicit in tyranny, while Baba Yaga’s innocence becomes clearer.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Katerina believe she has been cursed by Baba Yaga?
Katerina thinks her sudden illness is a curse because Baba Yaga told her to embrace magic or face danger. She interprets the warning as a threat, especially since her sickness began after that meeting.
2. How does Nadya’s view of family conflict with Katerina’s?
Nadya sees the orphanage Mrs. Orlova runs as her true family, built on mutual care. Katerina longs for a traditional family through marriage to the tsar, even though he shows no real affection, because she craves acceptance.
3. What does the tsar’s threat to execute anyone who refuses the hunt reveal about his character?
It reveals him as a ruthless tyrant who uses fear to enforce obedience. His willingness to burn the forest and kill innocent people shows he values control over life, and his disregard for Katerina’s health proves his promises are hollow.