Book review: The House of Frost and Feathers by Lauren Wiesebron [blog tour]

I love retellings of fairytales, folklore, and myths. In recent years there's been a particular abundance of feminist takes on classic Greek tales and while they're certainly some of the most well-known and fascinating myths, it started to feel a little bit same-y. There's only so many ways to put a new spin on the same characters' origin story. So I was very excited when I first heard about The House of Frost and Feathers, which is steeped in Slavic folkore and loosely based on the to me previously unknown story of the witch Baba Yaga. 

About The House of Frost and Feathers by Lauren Wiesebron

Marisha lives in a world where every 10 years a sleeping plague sweeps the land. People are at risk of falling asleep, waking up either a year and a day later – or never at all. Nobody knows how the plague choses its victims and there's only one known remedy: getting a shield spell from a koldunya (a sorcerer) that allows you to protect someone else. But, if that protected person was fated to fall asleep, the one buying the remedy will become the victim instead. 

After both her parents have fallen asleep in separate cycles – both becoming deep sleepers and moving to a sanitarium – Marisha is alone and desperate not to be married off by her aunt. The only solution she can think of to her predicament? Become apprenticed to a koldunya and earn enough money to be able to take care of herself. What she didn't prepare for though, is that she would be tasked to help find a cure for the plague. 

And she's soon pulled into a fantastical world of old stories, powerful spells, cruel monsters, rivalling koldunya, magical dreams, and discovering the true nature of the plague... 

My review

The world-building within The House of Frost and Feathers by Lauren Wiesebron is stunning. I knew nothing about Slavic folklore before diving into the pages of the book so the magical system and items were incredibly fascinating to me. 

One of the most prominent and spectacular is the "house with the chicken legs" that Marisha finds herself living in when she becomes apprenticed. But there are also also a wealth of other fantastical elements, some of which were only briefly alluded to but tease incredible possibilities to expand the world much further. From the dream sequences Marisha experiences as she searches for a cure for the plague to the hidden doors in the house containing a range of dangerous but alluring magic. Absolutely wonderful. 

Magic and spectacle aside though, this is also a beautifully heart-warming story of found family. Marisha lives in the house with the chicken legs with the main koldunya, Baba Zima, alongside Olena (who is slated to take over when Baba Zima retires) and apprentices Dunya and Anka-ny. Along the way, two other people join the residents: Baba Zima's son Valdim and deep sleeper Kiril. It's a really eclectic bunch of people that on the surface don't fit together. But, even if they don't always admit it to themselves, they care deeply for each other and they fight for one another when it matters most. 

The House of Frost and Feathers is a highly original fantasy novel that will appeal to both adult and young adult readers (and I even found there were some elements that felt more middle grade, it's a very accessible book). There is an undercurrent of darkness, but nothing too gory or grotesque and there's even a subtle romance blossoming at the edges of the pages, teasing just enough to satisfy readers while still keeping the focus on unraveling the mystery of the sleeping plague. 

It's a moving tale of finding yourself and the power of friendship, while also being steeped in tantalising magic and mystery. A really compelling and unique novel, set in a wondrously vivid world I wouldn't mind returning to in the future!

The House of Frost and Feathers by Lauren Wiesebron is published by Hodderscape and you can now buy your copy from your favourite local book shop!

Blog tour stops for The House of Frost and Feathers by Lauren Wiesebron

This review for The House of Frost and Feathers is part of the blog tour for the launch of the book. Make sure to check out the other stops too!

Disclaimer: This book was gifted to me, but this has not impacted this honest review.