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4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
It took me a little while to fall into this story but once I did I couldn't stop reading. One of my favourites.
This book was somewhat of a departure from Arden’s The Bear and the Nightingale series, which I loved—but historical fiction is exactly up my alley, especially one with a hint of the supernatural. The Warm Hands of Ghosts is historical fantasy—a popular genre these days—but the fantasy is very light, so this would be great for anyone who doesn’t typically see themselves reading fantasy.
The novel is centered on WWI and the experiences of two siblings: one, Laura, a nurse, and Freddie, a soldier who has gone missing on the Flemish front. While I found the characters fairly static, the plot was quite captivating and Arden managed to create her trademark surreal sense of place that I knew from her previous books. If you are a simple reader who enjoys a good atmospheric novel, then you’re bound to enjoy this one.
WWI is a tricky topic to focus any book on—especially in North America, where it is vastly overshadowed by WWII; perhaps this is strange for Europeans, but it makes sense when you think about how much of the ‘action’ took place on European soil. Interestingly for me, this book is partially set in Halifax, Nova Scotia—a region I am very unfamiliar with, but one I was nonetheless fascinated to learn about. The novel also centers a historic boat explosion in 1918, which of course coincided with the Spanish influenza epidemic. That is to say, Laura, our poor nurse, certainly has her work cut out for her, even before she finds out her brother is MIA.
I wanted the characters to be more engaging, perhaps. Laura was interesting and her sense of independence and agency certainly distinguish her from her social peers, the typical polite ladies of parlors and salons. Freddie was also a well-developed character, with his own demons and mysteries that must be dealt with. Despite Arden’s efforts to characterize and enrich these characters, the dual perspective in narration somewhat blunted these effects.
If anything, I found the secondary characters more fascinating—the society ladies who accompany Laura, daring to be bold; the German soldier who saves Freddie’s life, at great risk to his own; and even the hardworking doctor who aids dying soldiers in a dilapidated mansion-turned-hospital at the doorstep of the front. This novel has a rich cast of characters, and at the very least, their interactions were a solid component of what makes this novel a great one.
Arden ties the novel together with themes of trauma, memory, grief, and the hubristic nature of progress, among others. A certain aspect reminded me of the Odyssey, of course. Ever since reading All Quiet on the Western Front, I have been slightly curious about WWI, because more than any other war, its effects on the human psyche seem unparalleled. (After all, we get the term shellshock, whence PTSD is derived, from this war.) It is difficult to discuss the masterful interplay of these themes without spoiling the book, and I fear this review is rambling too much already, so I will leave it at that. In the afterword, you do get the sense that this became a very intimate novel for Arden—these themes and ideas really resonated with her—and she clearly has done copious amounts of research to achieve this.
It is hard to believe it has been four months since I finished this book… but I am optimistic in conquering my review backlog. In any case, this book is well worth checking out if you are at all curious, and especially if you are a fan of Arden’s other novels.
Favorite quotes:
○ ‘There's nothing noble about suffering. It's an ugly, petty, crawling business. You'll see men die with less dignity than dogs, cursing you sometimes, that you can't save them.’
○ ‘Maybe witches like the war. They can do what they like with everyone busy fighting.’
The novel is centered on WWI and the experiences of two siblings: one, Laura, a nurse, and Freddie, a soldier who has gone missing on the Flemish front. While I found the characters fairly static, the plot was quite captivating and Arden managed to create her trademark surreal sense of place that I knew from her previous books. If you are a simple reader who enjoys a good atmospheric novel, then you’re bound to enjoy this one.
WWI is a tricky topic to focus any book on—especially in North America, where it is vastly overshadowed by WWII; perhaps this is strange for Europeans, but it makes sense when you think about how much of the ‘action’ took place on European soil. Interestingly for me, this book is partially set in Halifax, Nova Scotia—a region I am very unfamiliar with, but one I was nonetheless fascinated to learn about. The novel also centers a historic boat explosion in 1918, which of course coincided with the Spanish influenza epidemic. That is to say, Laura, our poor nurse, certainly has her work cut out for her, even before she finds out her brother is MIA.
I wanted the characters to be more engaging, perhaps. Laura was interesting and her sense of independence and agency certainly distinguish her from her social peers, the typical polite ladies of parlors and salons. Freddie was also a well-developed character, with his own demons and mysteries that must be dealt with. Despite Arden’s efforts to characterize and enrich these characters, the dual perspective in narration somewhat blunted these effects.
If anything, I found the secondary characters more fascinating—the society ladies who accompany Laura, daring to be bold; the German soldier who saves Freddie’s life, at great risk to his own; and even the hardworking doctor who aids dying soldiers in a dilapidated mansion-turned-hospital at the doorstep of the front. This novel has a rich cast of characters, and at the very least, their interactions were a solid component of what makes this novel a great one.
Arden ties the novel together with themes of trauma, memory, grief, and the hubristic nature of progress, among others. A certain aspect reminded me of the Odyssey, of course. Ever since reading All Quiet on the Western Front, I have been slightly curious about WWI, because more than any other war, its effects on the human psyche seem unparalleled. (After all, we get the term shellshock, whence PTSD is derived, from this war.) It is difficult to discuss the masterful interplay of these themes without spoiling the book, and I fear this review is rambling too much already, so I will leave it at that. In the afterword, you do get the sense that this became a very intimate novel for Arden—these themes and ideas really resonated with her—and she clearly has done copious amounts of research to achieve this.
It is hard to believe it has been four months since I finished this book… but I am optimistic in conquering my review backlog. In any case, this book is well worth checking out if you are at all curious, and especially if you are a fan of Arden’s other novels.
Favorite quotes:
○ ‘There's nothing noble about suffering. It's an ugly, petty, crawling business. You'll see men die with less dignity than dogs, cursing you sometimes, that you can't save them.’
○ ‘Maybe witches like the war. They can do what they like with everyone busy fighting.’
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
One of my favourite reads of 2025. Katherine Arden's really knows how to craft an atmosphere and while wartime stories are not my fave, the ambience of this one was hypnotizing. The writing is haunting with a fantastic/speculative touch. The side romance is also *chef kiss*, it has kind of a Anne and Gilbert vibe
1. plot - 4
2. characters - 4
3. setting - 3
4. writing style - 3
5. pacing - 3
6. themes - 4
7. originality - 3
8. emotional impact - 3
9. overall enjoyment - 3
10. ending - 3.5
average = 3.35
average = 3.35
This was fantastic and I finished this novel in a day, my eyes utterly glued to the page. I had no idea where the plot was going and the way it all resolved was wonderfully done. The work the author put into research for this book, both the time period/setting as well as following literary and cinematic perceptions of it is clear. And the romance! Loved this book.
Great pacing. Strong atmosphere. The fantastical elements were scarce and started later, but they did not take away from the plot and intrigue.
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
itle: The Warm Hands of Ghosts
Author: Katherine Arden
Pages: 325
Rating: 5/5
Spice/Romance level: 🩷
#qotd would you give up ALL of your memories if it meant you could forget and survive?
@shrewsburybookclub September read
(Your eyes do not deceive you, I didn't get round to reading Augusts- yet)
This was such a lovely, unexpected book.
I'm not usually one to read historical fiction. That's why I love being part of a book club. It takes me out of my comfort zone with reading.
Laura believes her brother has died in the trenches, but some psychics have told her otherwise. With nightmares of her mother, the unnatural call pulls her towards Belgium, to look for what happened to Freddie.
Freddie finds an unlikely friendship with a German after finding themselves trapped inside a pillbox.
We are taken through a journey of survival, deals with the devil, ptsd and friendships. The hauntings of ghosts and what was left behind. As well as how far a sister is willing to go to save her brother.
I was hooked all the way through, with the gentle sibling love. The fight for survival any unlikely friendships. The writing was easy to understand but was so beautifully written transporting you into those difficult times.
You'll love this book if you like;
- real world fantasy
- WW2 historical fiction
- dual perspective
- books about mental health
- sibling bonds
- no spice, little romance
Author: Katherine Arden
Pages: 325
Rating: 5/5
Spice/Romance level: 🩷
#qotd would you give up ALL of your memories if it meant you could forget and survive?
@shrewsburybookclub September read
(Your eyes do not deceive you, I didn't get round to reading Augusts- yet)
This was such a lovely, unexpected book.
I'm not usually one to read historical fiction. That's why I love being part of a book club. It takes me out of my comfort zone with reading.
Laura believes her brother has died in the trenches, but some psychics have told her otherwise. With nightmares of her mother, the unnatural call pulls her towards Belgium, to look for what happened to Freddie.
Freddie finds an unlikely friendship with a German after finding themselves trapped inside a pillbox.
We are taken through a journey of survival, deals with the devil, ptsd and friendships. The hauntings of ghosts and what was left behind. As well as how far a sister is willing to go to save her brother.
I was hooked all the way through, with the gentle sibling love. The fight for survival any unlikely friendships. The writing was easy to understand but was so beautifully written transporting you into those difficult times.
You'll love this book if you like;
- real world fantasy
- WW2 historical fiction
- dual perspective
- books about mental health
- sibling bonds
- no spice, little romance