This book was beautiful and devastating. The horrors of WWI are often overshadowed by WWII, but no less grotesque to read about. You can tell that Katherine Arden did rigorous research to create the correct atmosphere for this book, and she succeeded in doing that. I did feel like I was in war stricken Europe. This book is poetic and heartbreaking, but there was still something missing for me, something unfinished about it. The beginning gripped me but then it was a long slog in the middle before I was hooked again towards the end. This isn’t a long book, but it took me a long time to read. I don’t know if the style just wasn’t for me or if there was something lacking. Despite my misgivings I still highly recommend you add this to your reading list.

DNF at 25%, lacked connection to the story and character. I felt like this was a very surface level conversation between the characters. A very bleak accounting of war

This book was beautiful. One one hand, it's quite a unique story, with traumatized protagonists that felt real enough to touch. On the other, it sits comfortably alongside the classic, heartbreaking war stories contemporary to its setting during WWI.

Laura is a service-disabled combat nurse who loses everything in the span of one winter. The Canadian army discharges her after she is injured, her parents die suddenly, and her brother, Freddie is missing in action.

Details of Freddie's disappearance don't sit right, though, and when a spiritualist acquaintance insists that he is alive, she can't get the thought out of her head.

So she returns to Flanders to learn what she can, though her investigation is confounded by speculation and supernatural rumor.

Laura and Freddie's story is full of love, but love is not an easy thing when surrounded by death and destruction. It deals with trauma, and the struggle of finding the things that make life worth living in spite of the horrors. And it shows that Hell is a place that we've created for ourselves.

In her afterword, Arden writes about the way WWI is essentially a gap in our history curriculum in the States, overshadowed by WWII. Having grown up in the States, I can attest to this.

But I'm also Flemish, my mother coming from Vlaams-Brabant, so I learned about it anyway. I've seen the way Flanders has bounced back, but I've also seen the toll that being the epicenter of two world wars has taken on our landscape and the Belgian national character. Beyond that, it's surreal to know that you come from a place that, to most of the anglophone world, is synonymous with war.

I appreciated the thoughtful way in which Arden handled the horrors of war while writing a book that did not much take place on the battlefield.

I'm very glad I read it.

The Warm Hands of Ghosts is one of those books that challenged me in the best way possible. At first, I struggle with the pace of the story and the writing style. At times the writing was choppy and a little hard to follow, but I love Katherine Arden's Winternight Trilogy and I really wanted to give it a shot. I'm glad I stuck with it.
Once the story got going, it was hard to put down. I found myself invested in the journeys of Laura and Freddie and the people around them. All the characters are all fighting their own demons (sometimes literally) brought on by the horrors they have faced. All of them are plagued by ghosts. And yet they are trying to find a way to survive. To continue living in a world that no longer makes sense. In a world where the boundaries between black and white, right and wrong have been not only blurred but completely eroded. But the story is not one solely of doom and gloom. Arden makes sure to infuse hope into its very marrow. Even as the characters face their worst nightmares and lose part of themselves there is always a reason to keep going and that is what makes this book special.
The other thing that makes this book special is the bond between Laura and Freddie. I'm a sucker for a sibling story and the way these two supported and loved each other was so beautiful and heart wrenching and real. I enjoyed the dual POVs and watching as the sibling's timelines came together.
The Warm Hands of Ghosts is a deep mediation on war and grief and family and love. It mixes history and fantasy, myth and reality. It is like nothing I've read before.

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for an eARC in exchange for my honest review. This book had all the ingredients I love and expect when it comes to Arden’s writing style-- a headstrong female character, a rich atmosphere, and a blend of historical fiction with magical realism. However, the plot didn’t capture me the way her previous works have.

⇢➤ Plot: Set in the later half of World War I, the novel follows the duel perspectives of a sister and brother. Laura Iven is a combat nurse that’s seen the worst of the war. Her brother Freddie is pinned underground with a German soldier after an explosion, and they must work together to dig their way out. The two perspectives are set a year apart as the mystery of what happened to Freddie is slowly unraveled. Throughout the story, the two siblings encounter ghosts and legends, including the devil himself-- for where else would the devil be during the end of the world?

⇢➤ Pros: Few war novels are set in WWI. I enjoyed seeing the characters discuss the implications of the war and the advancements of technology in wartime. For many, it was an apocalyptic situation, and Arden captures this dread in stark clarity. Between the descriptions of combat, the way tear gas sticks to soldier’s clothing, the harsh winter, and the side characters reciting biblical verses, it feels like the reader is truly witnessing the end of days.

Freddie was the most interesting character to me. Freddie’s fight is largely mental, not physical. The inclusion of the devil and ghosts, with Freddie having to give up his memories to the devil for reprieve, was a great explanation for PTSD in a world that hadn’t acknowledged it yet. (PTSD was not recognized or added to the DSM until 1980. This was largely due to research from the Vietnam war and Holocaust survivors from WWII. However, terms like “shell shock” and “combat fatigue” hinted at the psychological trauma embedded in combat.) Freddie’s journey with Hans showcased the bravery, love, and desperation many soldiers experienced.

There is a hint towards LGBTQ romance and the author does a good job removing the stigma that would otherwise be present at the time.

⇢➤ Cons: Despite being a strong woman desperate to find her brother, it was hard to empathize with Laura’s character. She compartmentalized so much of the war that her character felt stilted, stuck in time. This significantly impacted my reading of the story, as her plotline is set in 1918 while Freddie’s is set in 1917, and it felt as if the two were fighting through mud to get to one another. Stylistically, it’s an interesting choice that highlights how the two are fighting across space and time. For the reader, it drags the plot itself to a standstill.

If the novel focused on Freddie and Hans alone, fighting to get free of combat and free of their demons, it would have been more engaging. Instead, there are multiple chapters with Laura at the medical hospital that did little to add to her character or the overarching plot. I enjoyed Arden's other female leads (e.g. Vasilisa in Winternight) and look forward to seeing her next historical fiction.

⇢➤ Recommended for fans of: Ava Reid, Olivia Atwater

Emotionally damaging. This is a perfect magical realism/fantasy novel about the Great War. A war that changed everything for everyone on this planet. This book is about people, and how the war made them into someone different than they ever were, and how the atrocities they faced have no justification or reason. And each of our characters are dealing with that fact and coming to terms with their own losses, grief and trauma.

The prose of this book is very well done, and this being my first Katherine Arden book, It may be something to continue to expect from her works. This novel is written so intelligently, weaving fantasy elements into a desolate atmosphere and it doesn’t come across as contrived.

Katherine Arden has a way of transporting you with her writing, this time to war-torn Flanders in Belgium. This story was captivating, lyrical and it really made me feel totally immersed. Such dark subject matter, but Laura and Freddie's stories were expertly told. The symbolism within this story was top-notch. I really felt as if I was there on the Front myself, in the middle of the Great War.

Thank you to Del Rey books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of THE WARM HANDS OF GHOSTS by Katherine Arden in exchange for my honest review!

This was my first experience reading Arden's works and I could immediately tell that her writing style was up my alley. She writes with a lot of heart and thoughtfulness, and you can also tell it was well researched. I really enjoy historical fiction, generally, but I loved the liberties Arden took with the fantasy/paranormal elements in this story. The themes in THE WARM HANDS OF GHOSTS are also really poignant and I think will leave a lasting impression on readers.

Looking forward to reading more from this author!

Unfortunately, the prose style in this novel just didn't work for me. The sentence structure was often very curt and choppy, and that really made me feel disjointed from the reading experience and the story. It felt like dialogue was often unfinished as well. However, with that said, although this book wasn't a great fit for my reading preferences, I think it's overall a really intriguing premise and if you are a fan of historical fiction, you should definitely give it a try.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

2.5 stars

Ah, the middling book, packed with unfilled promises and what-ifs.

Set during WWI, The Warm Hands of Ghosts begins with a lot of potential. Arden sets the scene and characters up beautifully, along with the dual timelines that, by their sheer closeness, are destined to collide.

In January 1918, we meet Laura Iven, a revered field nurse wounded and discharged from the medical corp, Laura has returned home to Halifax, Canada. Further rocked by a tragedy just the previous month that claimed the lives of her parents (see Halifax Explosion), Laura is profoundly upset when she receives word of her brother's disappearance. But when his personal belongings, along with the full set of dog tags, arrives by mail one day, Laura returns to Belgium as a volunteer nurse for a private hospital to uncover what has happened to her brother, Freddie.

The narrative then dives back to November 1917 inside a half-destroyed pillbox where Freddie Iven awakens following an explosion. He discovers a companion in the rubble with him, a German solider named Hans Winter. As the two figure out how to work together to survive, they grapple with the idea of a way ahead that would keep them both alive.

While I loved the idea of visiting some rarely covered WWI topics, reading Arden's book felt like climbing an uphill battle of my own, only to have it collapse at the end. At first, Freddie's storyline felt like it had the more gripping elements and reminded me heavily of the Poitier / Curtis movie, The Defiant Ones (1958). Set in the Southern United States, the film features two escaped prisoners, one white and one Black, shackled together, who must learn to co-operate in order to survive. However, Freddie's story never really took root in anything meaningful or delved too deeply into a stronger connection or bigger conversation for the two from opposite sides.

The two timelines begin their collision course by way of a supernatural connection — both sets run into a magical oasis of sorts in Belgium. As Laura continues her work as a nurse with plans to set off to determine Freddie's fate, she and her two female travel companions (one being Mary Burton (a real-life person), happen into a magical underground reverie, where a mysterious figure, Faland, welcomes weary guests with food and music. He also has a magical mirror that shows people what they truly desire...and he has garnered a reputation among the soldiers who experienced his spectacle and long to return but are unable to find it a second time. Meanwhile, Freddie and Winter meet up with Faland on their own, impacting the pair in different ways.

Elements of The Warm Hands of Ghosts worked really well and played around with themes of mental health, grief, and guilt. But the opening took too long to get going, and by the time Faland and his "night circus" dreamscape arrives, it was hard to remain engaged. In fact, once over the hump of the halfway point, though I held out hope, the story was on a steady decline and all but fell apart by the end.

I adored Katherine Arden's Winternight trilogy, and would not hesitate to continue to recommend it wholeheartedly.

I really enjoy Katherine Arden’s prose, and I’m so grateful to have received an arc of this book from the publisher. This is a dual perspective story with alternating chapters. We follow siblings, Laura and Freddie, during WWI as they try to find each other. Freddie is presumed dead, but Laura does not believe the “evidence,” so she returns to Belgium to try to get more information and find her brother. This reads like Historical Fiction with a touch of Magical Realism. It's clear that Arden did a lot of research and this effort really brought the book to life. I did like the main and supporting characters, but I wish their arcs were better written to make them feel more three-dimensional. I think you’ll appreciate this book too if you’re looking for a historical fiction with some mysterious magic. The descriptions of the war torn cities was vivid, the characters' emotions were explored with care, and the subplot of romance was moving but a little surface level. Overall, a good read.

Historical fiction with an element of the supernatural. Takes place during WWI and is the story of a nurse and her brother and the tragedy of war and the endurance of hope.

I didn't love this as much as I did The Bear and the Nightingale, but it was good. I think I liked the parts told from Freddie's POV the most, even thought they were the worst.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a free e-ARC of this book.

(4.8 rounded up) I don't usually read many books set during World War 1. I loved the Small Spaces quartet by this author, and the premise seemed interesting. I'm really glad I read this book.

In this story, we follow siblings Laura and Freddie. It switches between their POVs (Laura's in 1918 and Freddie's in 1917). I was almost immediately invested in the fate of the siblings. I really felt immersed in the time period. Arden did an excellent job of bringing us into the past. It's obvious that a lot of research was done for this book.

Without getting into spoilers, I absolutely loved this book. There are so many scenes that will stay with me. One of them involving the warm hands of ghosts (IYKYK) really moved me. I don't want to give any details as it's best to go in knowing as little as possible. The book touches on the effects that war has on people.

"The more we progress, the more it seems we destroy ourselves." The author's note is also definitely worth a read as well.

This was a beautiful and haunting story. Yes, it's about ghosts. Kind of. It's mostly about what it means to be human. To be human is to suffer, yes, but there's also love and hope. This book will leave you with a lot to think about.

I'd recommend this to anyone. Especially those that enjoy historical fiction with a dash of something extra. If you're at all interested in World War 1, definitely pick this up.

Thank you to Del Rey and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC for review.

“He was suddenly afraid that the memory of grief was part of the edifice that fixed his love for her in his mind. Could he not rid himself of sorrow without losing the rest?”

Although it’s early in the year, Ghosts is currently my favorite book of 2024.

A tale of devotion at its core, The Warm Hands of Ghosts follows a World War I nurse, Laura, as she seeks out her missing brother, Freddie, presumed dead on a battlefield in Belgium. However, rather than finding the tale of his demise, Lauren instead discovers that a new world comes with new devils — and that she is not the only one searching for Freddie.

The first quarter of Ghosts was a slow read while still being enjoyable. Around the halfway mark the action picks up, and as you’re very invested in the characters — Arden does an excellent job of this, as I felt strongly connected to a doctor who is introduced late in the novel and has sparring page time — you’ll be unable to put down the book until the last page.

I loved Katherine Arden's Winternight Trilogy and went into this book with the same expectations. That was a mistake. This book was entirely different and I felt a bit let down. I did myself a disservice by going into this book with the same expectations.
The Warm Hands of Ghosts took me a while to get through. Almost 3 weeks in fact because I kept putting it down. It was hard to read at times. But ultimately I am glad I continued with it. I thought the ending was worth the struggle to get through. I do believe the struggle to make it through this book was more my fault than that of the author. I have a military background and come from a Military household. PTSD is something I am well versed in.

I thought this book was well written and had interesting perspective on war and PTSD. I do believe it is a book I will think about in the future and ultimately I am glad I read it.

3.75

A wonderfully haunting novel about the love between siblings and dedication to humanity.

Personally, I have mixed feelings about The Warm Hands of Ghosts. On one hand, I see the passion, research, and dedication to writing a story about WWI. The desolation, isolation, and devastation of war comes across in technicolor. On the other hand, the characters' stories drew no strong emotions from me. For a story about a sister heading back into an active warzone to look for news about her brother who went missing, there was very little that moved me. There wasn't enough desperation on Laura's part to ravage the forbidden zone for Freddie. Winter did more to liberate Freddie than Laura did in my opinion. The paranormal aspect didn't do much to add to the story either other than create a space in which Freddie could disappear into.

I loved all the moments between Winter and Freddie and wish we'd gotten more of that instead of the long-winded beginning where nothing really happened other than following Laura around. I felt there was more dedication and love between Winter and Freddie than between Laura and Freddie.

All in all, a very worthwhile read even if it does take a while to get into the thick of it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group/Ballantine/Del Rey for generously providing me with a digital reviewer copy

Laura and Freddie, both having been traumatized by being in the war, are each struggling to keep moving forward and find their way through it. Laura has put up a wall to keep herself together, struggling to let her guard down around the people who are helping her. Her determination to find out what happened to Freddie, although she has no hope of finding a miracle, drives her forward and causes her to return to Belgium to solve this mystery.

Freddie on the other hand has been forced to ally with an enemy soldier. The desperate bond between then being the only thing that may get them out of a terrible situation alive. Their reliance on one another keeps them moving, but also causes Freddie to fear what may become of them when their complicated relationship is discovered. Desperate for an escape from the things he has seen and done, Freddie finds an unexpected chance to leave the war behind for good and avoid what he fears his sister may think of him if he does return.

I loved the bond between Laura and Freddie. How they have lived through similar situations, but responded to them so differently. In both cases their love for one another is a driving force in their decisions. The side characters certainly added something to both halves of the story with the various relationships helping and sometimes hindering the main characters' progress. I enjoyed seeing the way their paths crossed throughout the novel as they were all looking for some way to make it through, as well as the addition of magical elements to this real world situation.

Some moments felt incomplete, like there was context missing or a thought left unfinished. Still, I was engaged in this story and seeing how things may work out for our characters. Not everyone makes it through the war in the end, but it still felt like a happy ending, or at least as happy as a terrible war story can end. Overall, I very much enjoyed this story and going along on this difficult journey with both Laura and Freddie.

Katherine Arden quickly became one of my favorite authors with her previous works, The Winternight Trilogy. Her exquisite storytelling ability and breathtaking settings have wowed me from day one and I always recommend her whenever I can. I loved reading her children’s series, Small Spaces, but was avidly awaiting her next adult novel as I knew she would not disappoint. I was beyond excited to receive an ARC copy of this book, even though I had also preordered a signed copy from Arden herself.

Arden successfully mixed historical fiction and fantasy in this WWI novel with a mysterious twist. It was dark and heartbreaking but showed the realistic tole of war that affected people in many different ways. You don't see many books about WWI out there which is part of the reason why Arden says she wrote this book. So as dark as the material is, I enjoyed learning more about this pivotal historical moment. Especially Arden's notes after the story was over of why she wrote this particular book in this particular way. So incredibly unique and clever.

Arden's character development is flawless, and I could easily picture each character and match their personality to the scenes and dialogue as the story continued. You are introduced to a sister, Laura, who has been a frontline nurse during this long war. Wounded and sent home but now back after she hears conflicting stories of how her brother died. Laura is determined to find out what really happened to him. You are introduced to her brother, Freddie, a soldier stuck in a pillbox with an enemy German soldier, Winter, and their harrowing journey of clawing their way out and searching for safety.

As the storyline unfolds for this brother and sister, you follow them in their struggle of losing hope in this desperate and chaotic time. Their memories threaten to drag them to a dark place that they might not be able to escape. And that is where the fantastical element is added in this storyline. I can’t say much without giving away the clever and unique twist, but it enhanced the dark and harrowing journey for both of these characters.

I cannot say enough about how much I love Katherine Arden’s writing or how much this story affected me. All I can say is read it as soon as you can.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book so I was able to read it earlier than the release day. Of course, I am so glad to have the personalized physical copy in my possession now and it has immediately gone to my favorites bookshelf.

This book was simply incredible! The writing is dark, atmospheric, and achingly lovely. I truly can't say enough about how much I've loved everything Katherine Arden has written.

In The Warm Hands of Ghosts, we get a hauntingly beautiful story set during WWI featuring trauma, heartache, and ghosts. I'm going to have this one on my mind for a long time to come. Having the supernatural and fantasy elements entwined with such a devastating time in history was absolutely mesmerizing. I especially loved the authors note at the end. Make sure to read it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Some books are good but in some ways are unoriginal and therefor forgettable, Katherine Arden does not write those kinds of books.
This book was absolutely unforgettable (like her others).
This is a fantasy tale that is intertwined with historical elements that make it that much more immersive.
You can't help but fall in love with the characters and become whole invested in the story that unfolds.
You can tell all the time, love and effort that was put into this book and its one of the reasons it is so good.
Highly recommend if you are at all interested in historical fiction/fantasy, enemies to lovers, or war time fictions.