Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Thank you NetGalley and Harper Voyager | HarperAudio for this ARC Copy! 3.5 Stars
I was really excited to read a Baba Yaga retelling with folklore elements, and I was excited for the parts that I got, but disappointed that there were not more folklore elements in this story. It was a cute story with enough stakes that it doesn't really fall into the cozy fantasy category, but it still had quite a few of the cozy story ingredients that I usually enjoy. However, I feel like something was missing, like everything that is happening is serios, but I didnt feel like the characters portrayed the weight of the situation very convincingly. At times the pacing was a little confusing, I felt like we were just there for the vibes, and then suddenly the story would pick back up again. All in all it was a cute read.
I was really excited to read a Baba Yaga retelling with folklore elements, and I was excited for the parts that I got, but disappointed that there were not more folklore elements in this story. It was a cute story with enough stakes that it doesn't really fall into the cozy fantasy category, but it still had quite a few of the cozy story ingredients that I usually enjoy. However, I feel like something was missing, like everything that is happening is serios, but I didnt feel like the characters portrayed the weight of the situation very convincingly. At times the pacing was a little confusing, I felt like we were just there for the vibes, and then suddenly the story would pick back up again. All in all it was a cute read.
The pacing of this book is way too slow. I’m 35% in and I still don’t really know what’s at stake here. And honestly I just don’t really care to find out.
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
4 Stars – A Haunting, Atmospheric Tale with a Chilling Mystery
The House of Frost and Feathers is a beautifully eerie and immersive listen, rich in folklore, dark magic, and a creeping sense of dread. I listened to the audiobook version and was completely drawn into the haunting world Lauren Wiesebron created—where dreams blur with reality, and danger lingers in every shadow.
The story follows Marisha, a desperate girl seeking refuge and purpose in a world ravaged by a mysterious sleeping plague. When she takes a position as an apprentice to the feared koldunya Baba Zima, she’s swept into a world of magic and secrets. The imagery—from endless masked balls to a sinister beaked figure stalking her dreams—is vivid and chilling, perfect for fans of gothic or folkloric fantasy.
The narrator did a great job bringing the story to life, and the slow unraveling of Marisha’s family history and the plague’s origins kept me engaged. My only minor critique is that the pacing dragged slightly in places, and I occasionally wished for a bit more urgency in the plot. Still, the atmosphere, originality, and world-building made this a memorable listen.
I received this audiobook as an Advanced Reader Copy from NetGalley and am leaving this review voluntarily.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
✨BOOK REVIEW✨
House of Frost and Feathers - Lauren Wiesebron
I love a good Baba Yaga inspired story so when I saw merely the cover of this book I knew I would be requesting it. House of Frost and Feathers follows a young woman named Marisha who finds herself packing up her bags and accepting a job with the infamous traveling witch Baba Zima and her sentient chicken legged house. Marisha hopes to help Baba Zima succeed in a cure for the sleeping plague that has taken both of Marisha’s parents into a permanent deep sleep. Throughout their travels from city to city, Marisha and the other house’s residents work together to solve the mystery of this plague and the eerie sleep world they keep finding themselves slipping into.
This historical fantasy story is equal parts cozy and creepy with excellent dialogue and character development. I did find the pacing to be inconsistent, dragging at times and racing through action filled scenes at other times which caused me some confusion leading up to the ending. That being said, I really connected with the characters and found myself fully engaged in finding out more about the mysterious sleeping plague. I was given an advanced listening copy of this book and I really enjoyed listening to this story. The narrator did a wonderful job bringing life to the characters, and absolutely nailed the acerbic and wily nature of Baba Zima. I connected almost immediately to the narrator’s voice which is something I admittedly struggle with often in audiobooks.
House of Frost and Feathers is out now. Thank you to HarperAudio and Netgalley for my copy; all opinions are my own.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
An adventurous story full of twists and turns and steeped in Eastern European folklore. I did find that though the book is billed as an adult fantasy novel the overall story felt more young adult in nature. It was refreshing to see a story that focused more heavily on friendship than romance, but the cattiness and infighting felt more teenager than the 20+ years that the girls were described to be.
All that being said it was an enjoyable tale in a folklore I wasn't previously familiar with which made it a pleasant departure from the fae heavy fantasy that we've been seeing dominate the market as of late. Would recommend for fans of The Bear and the Nightingale, or even those who were curious about it but wanted something similar but lighter in tone.
All that being said it was an enjoyable tale in a folklore I wasn't previously familiar with which made it a pleasant departure from the fae heavy fantasy that we've been seeing dominate the market as of late. Would recommend for fans of The Bear and the Nightingale, or even those who were curious about it but wanted something similar but lighter in tone.
slow-paced
2.5 ⭐️ Came for the folktale vibes, stayed for the sorcery and cute guinea pig fowl. The plot felt SO long-winded.
There was exactly 5 minutes at the 75% where it felt like the plot was finally coming together, only for it to immediately escalate enough to lose me again. For a story that gave the impression of being high stakes, it failed to keep me interested.
Of note, Daphne Kouma did a wonderful job narrating this book. She successfully created the witchy vibes I was expecting, which added to the atmospheric qualities of this read.
Thanks to NetGalley and HarperAudio Adult for this ALC in exchange for an honest review.
There was exactly 5 minutes at the 75% where it felt like the plot was finally coming together, only for it to immediately escalate enough to lose me again. For a story that gave the impression of being high stakes, it failed to keep me interested.
Of note, Daphne Kouma did a wonderful job narrating this book. She successfully created the witchy vibes I was expecting, which added to the atmospheric qualities of this read.
Thanks to NetGalley and HarperAudio Adult for this ALC in exchange for an honest review.
Sometimes I really hate when a book is compared to another beloved book. I know that is a great marketing tactic and I fall prey to it often. But in the case of this book I think it was a mistake. This book was compared to The Bear and the Nightingale everywhere I saw it and that caused it to be a bit of a let down for me. It is a good book, it just couldn't match the lush setting and time that Arden's book drops the reader into. This book felt like it could have taken place anywhere or anytime and while the house itself was fascinating, it was hard to feel any strong sense of place. It is a serviceable Baba Yaga tale and there were things I liked a lot about it, but I was felt a little on the outskirts of the tale. However, the narration was excellent.
challenging
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
"House of Frost and Feathers" by Lauren Wiesebron is a debut fantasy that offers a unique and atmospheric reading experience, drawing comparisons to "The Bear and the Nightingale" and "Juniper & Thorn." The story follows Marisha, whose family has fallen victim to the sleeping plague, leaving her desperate and penniless. She accepts an apprenticeship with the notorious sorceress Baba Zima, renowned for both cleverness and cruelty. Marisha is then thrown into a magical world, delving into koldunry and the research for a cure, all while navigating the cold demeanor of Baba Zima's current apprentice, Olena.
This book was a bit challenging for me to get through initially, largely due to its length and a very slow pace during the first 60%. It started with many mysteries that, while well-developed, were sometimes hard to track. There were instances where I found myself re-reading sections to connect the dots. However, I believe this slower, more mysterious pace might be characteristic of stories drawing on Slavic mythology, as it reminded me of "Cry of the Firebird" by Amy Kuivalainen, which also has a similar tone, evoking imagery of cold, forested settings. Despite the initial struggle, I do feel that a rushed pace wouldn't have worked for this kind of story. The narrative truly picked up significantly after the 60% mark, leading to a very well-executed main villain reveal that I thoroughly enjoyed.
What truly stands out is the unique incorporation of Slavic mythology, particularly the Baba Yaga elements, which I don't often encounter enough in fantasy. This distinct mythological foundation gives the entire story a different, immersive feel. The characters themselves are quite lovable. Olena, though initially cold, proved to be deeply caring as the story progressed. Her distant nature stemmed from her focused efforts to find a cure for the sleeping plague, a constant threat to those around her.
Overall, "House of Frost and Feathers" offers a fascinating journey into a magical world, rich with mystery and unique folklore, even if it requires patience with its gradual unfolding.
The audiobook narration by Daphne Kouma was a strong point for "House of Frost and Feathers." Kouma had the perfect voice for Marisha, truly immersing me in the character's struggles and the unique setting of the story. Her reading style brought the text to life, helping to convey the atmosphere and emotions of the narrative.
The audiobook narration by Daphne Kouma was a strong point for "House of Frost and Feathers." Kouma had the perfect voice for Marisha, truly immersing me in the character's struggles and the unique setting of the story. Her reading style brought the text to life, helping to convey the atmosphere and emotions of the narrative.
The pacing of the narration itself was wonderful, which was particularly helpful given the book's overall slower story progression. While I could easily distinguish between Marisha and Baba Zima, I did sometimes struggle to differentiate Olena's voice, though I acknowledge this might have been due to my own focus rather than solely the narration. There weren't any unique elements like music or sound effects, but I do think they could have further enhanced the listening experience. Despite some personal challenges with the story's own pacing, I found the narration to be cohesive with the writing, and the audiobook flowed well.
I would definitely recommend the audiobook for "House of Frost and Feathers." Being able to control the playback speed is a huge advantage for this particular story, and honestly, I don't think I would have been able to finish the book without the audio format guiding me through its more deliberate pace.
I received this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.