So it is the dead of winter now, and the PNW is being dumped and dumped with snow. It has been below freezing as well and I am just over it. I am very much a themed reader, so in the summer, I particularly like books set in warmer settings or ya contemporaries about kids during their summer vacation. So, I thought I would put together a list of books befitting this weather. Here are a few books that make me think of snow storms and the need to cuddle up next to a fireplace.
A Winter’s Promise by Christelle Dabos
This was by far one of my favorite reads in 2018. Set in a world where cities are floating about the planet, each city is somewhat desolate to the next. One girl must travel to a distant city that is cloaked in mystery and is set in a wintery domain.
White Stag by Kara Barbieri
I originally received an ARC for this book and blew right through it. I loved the darker side in this book that the character had to endure as she helped a goblin during The Hunt for a stag. These goblins live in a wintery world on the edge of the human world.
Hunted by Meagan Spooner
By far one of my most favorite retellings of Beauty and the Beast. Spooner does an excellent job keeping the general idea and plot to BATB while at the same time bringing in some Russian folklore to give it an extra spin. I loved the back and forth with Beast’s POV as it helps develop his humanity as well. If you’re an audiobook fan, definitely go for this too as it is well done.
Sky in the Deep by Adrienne Young
One word: Vikings. When a young warrior girl finds herself on the wrong side of a battle, she is trapped with her enemy where she has subsequently encountered her brother. She must wait for the winter to thaw before she can make her way back home.
Red Winter by Annette Marie
You guys, this book! If it’s not on your radar please put it there. This book is steeped in Japanese mythology and has a great protagonist who just wants to live and experience life in general. On top of that it has amazing art to help give some visual stimulation on top of the excellent writing.
Even the Darkest Stars by Heather Fawcett
Not one of my favorite reads of 2018, however, just reading it will make you cold. Follow Kamzin as she leads an expedition through wintery mountains. That’s it, that’s all that really happens.
Frostblood by Elly Blake
If you’re still in the mood for elemental stories then take a look at this one. Here our main protagonist is actually a fireblood in a land that is controlled by frostbloods. The world building is fun and I am almost always in for a good elemental book. There’s also some decent hate to love type of romance going.
By Your Side by Kasie West
Again, not one of my favorite reads. But it’s everyone of our dreams that if we’re going to be trapped anywhere it will be in a library. The only problem in this scenario is that even through the boredom our protagonist doesn’t seem to pass the time by…reading.
The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden
This series is amazing. Not only is there lush world building in a wintery Russia, but we have such a fierce protagonist. Truly, Vasalisa is by far one of my favorite characters ever. She is headstrong and brave and doesn’t let the expectations of being a woman hold her back.
Let’s Discuss
Have you guys read these before? Which ones made you almost feel the cold? What other YA books do you think fit in this wintery category?
The Bear and the Nightingale and Sky in the Deep are both wonderful winter reads! I haven’t read A Winter’s Promise yet, but I’ll make sure to get to it before the winter’s over – it sounds amazing! Lovely list!
You might also like Spinning Silver if you liked TBATN! I totally forgot to include it on this list because I haven’t actually finished it, but it’s also very wintery. 🙂
It’s on my TBR – so that sounds promising! 😊
All of these are on my TBR list!!
Yay! I hope you like them all!!
I adoooored ‘The Bear and the Nightingale’. ‘Cold Magic’ by Kate Elliott is pretty good as well.