"She dreamed aloud of boarding a ship and sailing away from Layce to a land where the skies were always blue and the unveiled sun turned faces warm and brown."

The world building in this book was amazing. It matched the setting of the book so wonderfully that I found myself feeling as if I was in the cold, icy, frozen land right along with Sylvi.

There was so much action and I loved every minute of it. The obstacles that Sylvi and Mars had to face made it hard to stop reading at certain points. There were a few chapters where the pacing slowed down at bit and I was waiting for it to pick back up again, which fortunately it did.

I found the characters in this book intriguing and mysterious. I couldn’t wait to figure out more about Sylvi and her connection to Winter, but I found her to be a bit annoying at times. There were points in the story where I was ready for her to be strong and “fight” but she seemed to always back down and choose to run away instead. The book ended with so many openings for a second book so I’m hoping to see Sylvi grow and embrace her fury, to help her become stronger which would make an amazing character arc.

Besides that and the lack of romance (which is always my favorite part of a book) I really enjoyed this book and I can see this being a pretty amazing and unique series.
3.5/5 ✰’s

I thought the book had a slow start, and it was a little hard to follow the legends at the beginning of the book. As I continued reading, I did want to know what was going to happen, and which legends were true. Some of the plot was confusing and hard to follow, but the mystery surrounding the Winter spirit made me want to read more to find out what happened.

"Winter's more than words and wind. She's a chill that clings to everything. She's power. And, like all great powers, she likes her companionship recognized. If she's talking to you, you'll know."

"The children of Layce are told not to dwell on the past, yes? .... In contrast, we Paradyians are told not to promise the future"

Oh my gosh the ending was everything and it made the entire book.I didn't even realize the story had been heavily foreshadowing the entire time, but it all makes sense looking back. I love stories that can do this.

I fell in love with these characters, but I especially loved the world.

Sylvi has grown up with the spirit Winter as her companion and friend. Winter can be both kind and cruel, casting the island into eternal winter. Sylvi must team up with her nemesis Mars, who is in constant battle against Winter, in order to bring her runaway sister back.

The story drops you in the middle and brings the reader along a cold and snowy journey with almost non stop action, yet enough heartfelt and character developing moments to draw the reader further into the story as Sylvi tries to contend with her benevolent feelings towards Winter and the hardships Winter causes on the road.

Thanks to the publishers and #Netgalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review

Unique and interesting story. It took me a bit to get into it but I enjoyed it once I started. Not my normal type of read but still a good one. Thank you netgalley.

Sylvi's island was plunged into eternal winter and despite the struggle's, she's created a (somewhat) comfortable life for herself.

She has her own "rig" which she transports various cargo across the wintery mountains/landscapes and despite lacking stability, she's always had something to fall back on.

She has the companionship of "Winter" - a spirit which will sometime grant Sylvi blessings as she crosses treacherous terrain and will also sometimes makes Sylvi deal with even harsher conditions.

Sylvi's adopted sister (Sylvi lost her original parents, and then her adoptive one) is with the rebels and Sylvi knows no good will come of that.

When Mars Dresden - a rebel sympathizer - contacts Sylvi to deliver essential supplies, she agrees in order to have him pull her sister out of the camp.

Together they make a mad dash across the frozen landscape - running into plenty of wild (and crazy) people - from half-human half-rock to barely human at all. They get captured, fight to escape and run like their lives depend upon it.

Will they make it in time? Will they make it at all?

I thought this one was fast-paced and exciting.

The constant running and driving provided plenty of action. Some of the characters felt a bit weak and the worldbuilding did skip around a bit so I felt like I was stumbling to catch up at parts.

However, I do like the relationship she has with the Winter Spirit and the myriad of side characters were definitely fascinating. I think this one would be a little out there but ultimately a good pick for a book club or for a fun, new read.

I really enjoyed this book. I was worried about it because of some reviews I read but, all in all, I give it 4 stars! I'm looking forward to the next books release!

Thank you for the ARC Netgally.

I receive an eArc from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

First, that cover. Holy smokes it is stunning and it is what caught my eye. Second, the premise. While I’ve never seen Frozen (I will probably go to my grave no having seen that movie…), the promise of a Mad Max: Fury Road story is what sold me. How has there not been a story with this type of set up done? Maybe it has been and I’ve overlooked it, who knows, but what I do know is this story was phenomenal.

I was afraid I would struggle with this one as it’s a fantasy but it was brilliantly done. This story held nothing back as it was non-stop action from the very start. Full of complex characters, mythical creatures, ancient legends, mysterious secrets, and a lush magical world, this story was the entire package.

I want to talk about so many things that happened in this one as I enjoyed it so much, but I promise I won’t spoil anything. In one last ditch effort to hook you on wanting to read this powerhouse, I’ll leave you with these thoughts: some people are made of stone, some people can control Winter, Winter is a vicious foe, battle ready wolves, monsters that make themselves out of random body parts, and a flower that becomes addictive when burned and it drifts through the air. Curious yet? This author was far more morbid than I realized and I loved it. I absolutely enjoyed ever single second of this thrill ride. I cannot wait to read the next book.

The word I would use to describe this book is strange. The world is utterly unique as well as the legend it's built upon. The plot is also strange. It's a destination plot: the whole plot is basically how Sylvi gets from point A to point B and all she learns on the way. I thought it was interesting to read about a character who chooses flight over fight and has a special connection to the season Winter. But the whole book just felt strange. I couldn't ever get comfortable with the plot, the legend/world, and the characters.

Trigger Warning: child sex abuse/attempted rape

Lightening paced action and adventure will keep readers on the edge of their seats in Winter, White, and Wicked by Shannon Dittemore.

Sylvi is an orphan young woman twice orphaned, who hauls goods on her rig across a snowy wasteland. Raised on an island known as Kayce, she finds solace alone in her truck, with Winter as her companion. Out on the roads, no one asks who her parents were, and no one comments on the growing rebel force in the north.

The story jumps into the mix straight off the gate, dropping readers into a snow-covered, legend filled, and magical world. This immediacy leaves room for confusion as Dittemore does her best to explain the slang and the magic system. To some readers, this might be off-putting, while others will find the weaving of the story as expeditious as the plot.

When Sylvi and her long-time friend, Lenore, have a tiff, Sylvi escapes to her truck for one last delivery. But it will not be the last thing she hauls across the dangerous ice. Lenore, she finds upon returning, has left to join the rebels, and to get her back, Sylvi will join ranks with a smuggler to haul one last load of cargo for the infamous smuggler, Mars Dresden.

At this point, readers learn that Winter acts like an element to be manipulated by incantations. Mars Dresden is a man who can wield Winter, and we soon find out that so too can Sylvi. There is a touch of tedium to Sylvi's constant, adamant denial of her power to manipulate Winter. Still, Sylvi is a fierce female character with a well-rounded arc.

Winter, White and Wicked has a lot to unpack. People made of stone, drugs, rangers, totalitarian government, majestic wolves and monsters made from body parts are just a glimpse into the madness that Shannon Dittemore unveils. The comparison of Frozen meets Mad Max: Fury Road is pretty accurate. Filled with bountiful action and dynamic, layered characters, Winter, White and Wicked may be flawed, but it's one hell of a ride.

Winter, White and Wicked is a unique story. It’s about a truck driver named Sylvi, who accepts a job from a smuggler in order to rescue her friend who had run away to join a rebellion. When this book was pitched to me, it was Mad Max meets Frozen and I fully endorse this pitch.

Sylvi is an incredible character. She’s fierce, confident, and smart. I loved her relationship to Winter and the other characters. The one issue that I have, which I feel is minor compared to the overall story, is that the initial few chapters are a bit of an info-dump. It was a little overwhelming, but once I got a grasp on the world-building and terms, I found the world to be super interesting and unique.

I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Love it! The writing, characters, and plot are fabulous and edgy! This is going in the library for sure!

Summary:
A YA Fantasy that tells a story about a young rig driver, Sylver Quine, a twice orphaned that loves to haul merchandise to different places and keeps a low profile. Until then, her sister, Lenore, leaves to join the rebellion is when Sylvi works with Mars, Kyn, and Hyla to haul for Mars and get Lenore back. Throughout the journey, Sylvi begins to find out more of her past: her relationship with Winter (an icy spirit that helped her since she was young(, getting to know her three companions, and among other things. There will be a time where she will have to decide whether she will try to keep a low profile and live the life she has been living, continue to favor Winter, or begin a whole new chapter in her. life that will change so many lives forever.

Review:
This is a great read for those that love fantasy and a good YA read. Throughout the book, the suspense of not knowing the main characters past and is slowly unraveling has the reader curious to know more. Providing uniqur words in the story with good understanding of them helps a lot (Rhyme) and I enjoyed knowing them without any diversions from the story. Looking forward to reading more about Sylvi and how she will help others fight their freedom.

When I read that it was being compared to mad max meets frozen I was sold. I never thought I would ever see a book like that but I did this book was amazing I loved the story line and the characters also the cover is absolutely beautiful I’m obsessed I recommend any YA lovers pick up this book you won’t regret it

Thank you to NetGalley and ABRAMS Kids for providing a free copy for review.

First, let me say that this cover grabbed me immediately. The book description sold the deal, but I could not pass up the stunning artwork and I’m glad I didn’t. Winter, White and Wicked is a daring ride that will get your heart pumping and give you chills at the same time.

Dittemore has created a complex fantasy world imbued with diverse peoples, treacherous magic, and enchanting legends. Unfortunately, the initial “data dump” in the prologue failed to convey the elaborate histories in a clear and concise manner. It would have been far more successful to pick up bits and pieces throughout the story as the truth was uncovered. Needless to say, I could have done without the entire prologue and this might have been a five star read for me.

At the start of Chapter One, the catalyst has already occurred and we are thrown (a bit jarringly) right into the journey. Aside from this abrupt beginning, the pacing of this book is great. There are just enough heart-warming, soul-searching, calm-in-the-storm moments between the action scenes for readers to catch their breath. Just as I’d begin to relax, another adventure would begin. By the end of the journey, I felt like I’d run the whole route rather than merely tagging along in the Sylver Dragon with Sylvi and the gang.

The MC Sylvi is exactly the kind of YA protagonist I love: a take-no-shit, independent young woman, who pushes through hard times and comes out stronger on the other side. Her connection to Winter is beautiful in it’s simplicity. It is fascinating to see the development of this relationship through memories and the transformation brought on by outside sources.

I was immediately drawn to Mars Dresden and the gang. Though each was vastly different from the others, I could feel the kinship of their team from the very beginning. Mars drove me nuts in the best way. His stubborn refusal to play nice with Winter was both frustrating and comical. Hyla is the best femme warrior ever and I want her on my team. Her straight-forward attitude made her instantly likeable and her foreigner’s naivete provided many welcome opportunities for clarification. At first, I found Kyn to be too happy-go-lucky. I’m glad that we got a deeper look into his emotions. By the end, I was just as connected to Kyn as I was to Sylvi.

There are so many ups and downs on this journey. It’s grungy, beautiful, tragic, and funny. There’s violence, but there is also love. This story touches on many different themes including overcoming prejudices and blind belief and discovering self worth and responsibility. Winter, White and Wicked is sure to appeal to many YA fantasy readers and highly recommend it to those seeking an exciting new series. I eagerly await the next installment.

Such a cool story! I loved the winter aspect, the dialogue, the story! I connected especially to the characters!

Thank you so much to net galley for sending me a copy of this book. I really enjoyed it and would definitely recommend.. even if it doesn’t sound like you’ll like it I know you’ll love it

The story gripped me from the very first page, and I never wanted to put it down! The story is pretty fast-paced, and every page had me on the edge of my seat. It lives up to the expectations of Mad Max meeting Frozen There are so many unexpected twists and turns. There are also many emotional moments. The main character was highly engaging and it was see her development throughout the book.

This was a lot darker than I was expecting it to be. Even if it was pitched as a Mad Max type book. There is gore, tough subjects, and lots of dangerous driving. Romance is basically non existent and instead you spend the journey getting to know the companions.
While I enjoyed the premise I just didn't care of the gore.

Our protagonist is a teenage girl who has a deep personal relationship with Winter and she's basically trained to be on Ice Road Truckers. What's not to love? Slyvie is on a mission to rescue her best friend, but that means she's going to have the let three people she really doesn't like ride in her rig with her. Along the way, Sylvie learns that the world may not be the place that she thinks it is.

I want to tell you that I loved this book with all of my heart, but there were some slow parts. I did love the premise and the world created. I also thought that Sylvie was an absolute savage.

An interesting take on a fairy-tale about a trucker wanting to retrieve her friend from a choice of joining a rebellion rather than living a life of servitude. Is the harder path worth standing up for? That becomes the question as the story unfolds for both girls.