House of Frost and Feathers was a cozy, slow-paced novel good for any reader who enjoys Slavic folklore and easy building mystery.

While the core of the story was interesting to me, I felt the structure of the book did not serve it well. The alteration between the two female point-of-views of inconsistent and made the story feel slanted in favor of one of them instead of being co-main characters. I would have preferred an equal split between them or having only focusing on one to further develop her characterization. In addition, the prose had a tendency to be heavy-handed. I felt too often that I was guided in how to think and what questions to ask instead of allowing me to make the connections myself. This happened with character emotions as well, where I felt that instead of describing the emotions I was simply being told what the character felt.

While the story itself was interesting (if a little slow for me) the overall story was lackluster for me and I would only recommend it to those who don't mind a slower pace and who are already enthusiasts of Slavic folklore.

This was such a great read. Steeped in folklore and old stories, Marishka's story is one that will stay with me for a while. In search of a home, Marishka finds a home looking for people. She begs Baba Zima to take her in and teach her, but learning under Olena is what she will do.

Torn between a desire to learn and help, and the demand of duty, Marishka and Olena work to find a cure for the sleeping plague. But what if there isn't one? What if they can't find it before they're all asleep? Secrets can keep people alive, but in this case they may just cost that life instead.

House of Frost and Feathers is a haunting, magical, and quietly powerful fantasy story that wraps Slavic folklore, slow burn friendship, and eerie winter vibes into one beautifully atmospheric book. This is a tale best enjoyed slowly, maybe with a warm drink, on a cold day because it reads like a snow dusted dream.

The story follows two very different but equally compelling girls: Marisha, desperate and grieving, and Olena, brilliant but guarded. Both end up in service to the mysterious and formidable witch Baba Zima, working together (somewhat reluctantly at first) to uncover the mystery behind a sleeping plague that strikes every ten years. I loved how their relationship evolved, from distant and distrustful to something resembling hard won loyalty and care. The emotional depth in their dynamic was easily one of my favorite parts.

The world itself was absolutely stunning. The walking house, the folkloric magic, the sense of creeping cold and ancient secrets is all so vivid. I’m a sucker for Slavic mythology, and while it took me a minute to separate this version of Baba Zima from the traditional Baba Yaga in my head, once I did, I really appreciated how Wiesebron carved out her own vision of this world.

That said, this is a slow read. Not in a bad way, but it just leans more on atmosphere, character, and vibes than action or romance (which is minimal and honestly could’ve been left out entirely). There were parts in the middle that dragged a bit for me, and the writing style sometimes got repetitive or overly descriptive. Still, there’s a quiet strength to the prose, and the payoff toward the end felt worth the build up. The ending left me wanting just a bit more but maybe that’s because I wasn’t ready to leave this world yet.

One thing worth noting: the book explores disability in a very central way, especially through Olena’s character. It’s clear the author wanted to dive into the complexities of how disability is seen and experienced in this world. While I appreciated the intention and the themes being addressed, there were definitely moments where the execution could’ve been more nuanced, especially in how Olena’s personality often felt entirely shaped by her trauma and appearance. I think there’s a powerful message at the core, but it didn’t always land as sensitively or fully realized as I hoped.

Still, for those who love a story rich in folklore, filled with prickly and strong willed characters, and rooted in themes of healing, secrecy, and strange magic, this book is absolutely worth a read. Think The Bear and the Nightingale meets Labyrinth with a touch of Naomi Novik’s dayt o day magical rhythms. It may not be for everyone, but if the idea of a snowy, eerie fairytale full of magic, mystery, and unlikely sisterhood speaks to you, then you’ll likely enjoy this one as much as I did.

Thank you to NetGalley, Lauren Wiesebron, and Avon Harper Voyager for the eARC of this book.

A magical, wintry tale full of mystery and friendship between two strong-willed girls. I love fantasies involving Slavic folklore! The story mainly follows two girls, Olena and Marisha, who are both working under a witch named Baba Zima. Olena is a witch's apprentice, while Marisha is her assistant. The two are working to find a cure for a mysterious plague that comes every 10 years and makes people randomly fall asleep for long periods of time. I loved reading about the friendship that slowly developed between the two girls and the slow unveiling of the strangeness of the koldunic world. I think some of the romance that occurred in the story wasn't necessarily needed but overall, any romance in the story was very minor, I also wish there had been more to the ending, but maybe that was me also me not ready to see this story end. Overall, a really unique tale and good reading for a cold day.

Such a beautiful, cozy, intriguing book. Initially I struggled because I’m a huge Baba Yaga fanatic and it was hard for me to differentiate between all the stories and lore of Baba Yaga and her house on chicken legs and then this story. However, once my brain allowed me to enjoy this story for what it was, I was able to love the ride.

The character development of each of the characters was beautiful. If you enjoy touches of Slovic folklore and/or cozy reads, this is for you!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced copy ebook!

This book is great for readers who enjoy stories and narratives similar to Juniper & Thorn by Ava Reid, and I would recommend it on that basis. But if you're someone who reads Juniper & Thorn specifically for the prose and style, I can't recommend this one in the same way.

There is something undeniably rich and imaginative about this story. The folklore influence, the eerie tone, and the world itself drew me in conceptually. You can tell the author is talented. They have a clear vision and the premise feel both darkly whimsical and original. I can absolutely see why this will resonate with readers who enjoy slower, folk-lore rich fantasy with a strong atmospheric lean.

That said, this book didn't hit the mark for me, and I think that is more about fit and preference than it is about the author or their talent. While the story and the premise were intriguing, I struggled with the writing style at the line level. The prose felt overwritten or redundant, with sentence constructions that pulled me out of the narrative rather than immersing me in it. Many passages had promising moments that I feel could have been strengthened with a tighter editorial review.

I want to make it clear is not a matter of lacking talent or skill from the author. The author clearly has that, especially in terms of worldbuilding and concept. This is more about the execution and polish. For readers who prioritize atmosphere and folklore-inspired journeys above clean sentence structure, this is still a wonderful read.

Ultimately, this is a book with strong ideas and heart. It just wasn't the right fit for my preferences.

This plot was amazing. it kept me on the edge of my seat and I found myself reading into the late hours just to see how it all ends!

I loved the nod to slavic folklore, and the descriptive imagery present throughout the story kept me hooked. While a slow start, the book really kicked off at the end and I believe most readers will love the ending.

This book was such a cozy, atmospheric read!
It felt like stepping into a quiet, snowy dream — eerie, magical, and just a little bit strange in the best way. I wasn’t sure what to expect going in, but I really enjoyed the slow, folkloric vibe and how much atmosphere the author created.

Marisha is such a sympathetic character — kind of stuck between duty and wanting something more for herself. Her journey with Baba Zima (who is prickly and kind of scary at first but so layered!) was probably my favorite part. I loved the subtle development of their bond, and the idea of magic that comes from tradition and care, not flashy spells.

Also, the HOUSE. A literal house that walks? Loved it. And the whole wintery setting made everything feel extra cozy and haunting at the same time.

It’s definitely not a fast-paced read, but if you’re in the mood for something thoughtful, character-driven, and rooted in folklore, I’d definitely recommend it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of this book.

"A touch of The Bear and the Nightingale, a bit of Juniper and Thorn, and a sense of wonder and adventure makes up this lyrical debut fantasy of a young woman in search of a home, and a home in search of people to make it feel lived in.

Marisha's time is running out. She's already lost her family to the sleeping plague, and she fears she'll be next. Penniless and desperate for protection, Marisha is forced to accept a job as apprentice to the notorious koldunya, the sorceress Baba Zima.

But Baba Zima is renowned for being both clever and cruel. And most difficult of all is her current apprentice, Olena, who wants nothing to do with Marisha. Despite her fears and Olena's cold demeanor, Marisha finds herself drawn into the magical world of koldunry and delves further into Olena's research - a cure for the sleeping plague.

Accompanying Olena on an increasingly dangerous, seemingly impossible search for a cure, she finds hidden connections between the sleeping plague, her own family's history, and her bizarre, recurring dreams: dreams of a masked ball where the deep sleepers are trapped endlessly dancing - and a monstrous beaked man who haunts her every step..."

I mean, here for the Baba Yaga of it all, but REALLY here for the Labyrinth of it all.

In a land where a sleeping plague takes victims every ten years, Marisha is running out of options. Both of her parents have fallen victim to the plague, and her brother has abandoned her to the machinations of their relatives. Marisha's options are to either submit to the dismal marriage prospects that her aunt has arranged or hire on as assistant to a koldunya's apprentice. Choosing what she hopes is the lesser of these two evils, Marisha agrees to work for Baba Zima, despite her deep suspicions of such old-fashioned magic practitioners.

Baba Zima is aloof, manipulative, and mysterious. Her assistant Olena is brilliant but stubborn and defensive. Zima's house, a magical structure that roams the countryside on chicken-like legs, doesn't seem to like Marisha all that much. But Olena are determined to find the origins of the sleeping plague and end it forever, a cause Marisha has plenty of reason to join. So together, they delve into magical experimentation, old folklore, and the uneasy, complicated politics, traditions, and secrets of koldunry.

It's a wonderful story. There is a lot of build-up before the action really picks up, but the payoff is worth it. The story feels magical, start to finish. It's not a cozy, but feels like a distant cousin. Honesty, secrecy, and loyalty are central themes, and the author explores those concepts in a number of interesting ways. The characters are varied, lively, and real; with the exception of a few minor characters, everyone feels individual. The lore is fascinating and feels deep enough to inspire plenty of future stories.

Recommended for readers looking for cozy-like fantasy stories and Slavic inspired tales, and for readers who enjoy stories with flawed, strong women doing their best to save the world.

In this captivating novel, Marisha is on the brink of despair, having lost her family to the sleeping plague and fearing she may be next. Desperate for safety, she becomes the apprentice to the infamous sorceress Baba Zima, known for her cunning and cruelty.

Marisha's journey is further complicated by her cold and dismissive fellow apprentice, Olena. Despite the challenges, Marisha is drawn into the magical world of koldunry and uncovers Olena's quest for a cure to the plague. As they embark on a perilous search, Marisha discovers unsettling connections between the sleeping plague, her family's history, and eerie dreams of a masked ball where the afflicted dance endlessly, haunted by a monstrous figure.

This novel expertly blends magic, danger, and mystery, creating an engaging narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. I loved this book and didn't mind the slower pacing, as I prefer it. Highly recommend it to people who love slower paced fantasy fable stories.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC! All thoughts are my own.

I have never read a story so atmospheric... so absolutely filled with folklore and beautiful prose. This is a very slow paced, character driven story and I felt so attached to all of these characters by the end. I enjoyed the mystery in this story and enjoyed how it wrapped up. It was a bit of an open ending but that's kind of my thing so I enjoyed it immensely.

Definitely pick this up during the winter months if you love Slavic folklore and Howl's Moving Castle. This is a story for lovers of both.

This was a DNF for me at 15%. I just could not get sucked into the book. When it comes to Slavic folklore and fairytales, I keep looking for similar vibes to Olesya Salnikov Gilmore’s The Witch and the Tsar and Katherine Arden’s The Bear and the Nightengale. Unfortunately, this did not hit the same notes for me, but I think this book may appeal to fans of Foul Days by Genoveva Dimova

This one had all the right ingredients: a folkloric forest setting, a prickly sorceress mentor, a deadly sleeping plague, and a house that may or may not be sentient. It promised big Bear and the Nightingale energy, and I was fully ready to be swept away by Slavic-inspired spells and dream logic. And yet… I never quite found my footing.

Marisha is a sympathetic lead, and the Baba Yaga vibes from Baba Zima were deliciously sharp. I was intrigued by the idea of magic as a kind of bitter inheritance—dangerous, beautiful, and isolating. The masked dream ball? Creepy and cool. The beaked man? Weird in a “what are you doing in my dreams, sir?” kind of way.

But the pacing dragged like a too-long ball gown, and the lyrical prose sometimes sacrificed clarity for style. I often found myself rereading passages thinking, Wait—what just happened? The tension flickered in and out, and while I wanted to care more about Marisha and Olena’s dynamic, it felt underdeveloped.

Still, if you’re craving dark fairytale vibes with a dash of melancholy and don’t mind a plot that wanders like a lost forest path, this debut might enchant you more than it did me.

🦴 3 stars — beautifully imagined, but didn’t quite cast the spell I was hoping for.

I enjoyed the book alot, the pacing was decent but more on the slow end, I personally liked the slow pacing but I know alot of people prefer fast pace.

Thank you to netgalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

To start off, it was a struggle to finish this book. I will say to those who are solely picking this up because it is being compared to Juniper and Thorn, and The Winternight Trilogy, I strongly discourage it. I adore both those stories to literal pieces, Vasya is the best character to ever be written, and I can tell you that the vibe is NOT the similar. Sure, it takes place in winter and intertwines mythology within the story, but that is where the similarities end. This is a completely different concept than either of those stories, and the prose is not remotely similar. If anything it more closely follows Naomi Novik’s prose, where you are basically following the characters doing their tasks all day.

I wish there was more focus on the sleeping plague and the plot, but instead you are pretty much stuck with uninteresting characters. This may also be because the pacing is very inconsistent, which makes the entire book feel very rushed, and yet extremely boring and slow.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc of The House of Frost and Feathers.

***Review Summary:***
The House of Frost and Feathers is part Slavic folklore, part magical schooling/tutelage, part coming-of-age story, and part commentary on disability and ableism. There's a lot to love about it — but unfortunately, it suffered from a stodgy middle and poor execution with the disability rep.

I found the folklore to be truly delightful, with tons of Slavic myths and monsters. The house and other folklore elements have a real personality to them. And the half-duck-half-guinea-pig? Adorable. The folklore elements added a lot of charm, humour and YA-appropriate horror to the story.

As a coming-of-age YA story, the book also had some poignant takes on family and friendship. A lot of characters discover that their parents and siblings aren't entirely who they thought they were — for good and for bad.

However, the book really did drag in the middle, and I think it would have benefited from a disability-informed sensitivity reader. It had a good message to share but floundered in the execution.

***Detailed Review:***
As far as YA books go, this is a long one. And while the beginning was intriguing and the last 20% absolutely hooked me, the middle was slow going.

I found it frustrating how much time characters spent ruminating over the same information, flip-flopping over what action they were going to take, and hiding relevant information from people for no good reason. You know when you're in a car that keeps stalling? That's what it felt like. The writing also at times felt mechanical.

But, the book really turned it around for the ending. It's funny; just the other day, my friends and I were debating whether it's better to read a good book with a mediocre ending or a mediocre ending with a good book. As a group, we couldn't reach a consensus. So, whether or not you should read The House of Frost and Feathers depends on what camp you fall into.

I also mentioned the book's handling of disability in the review summary. Disability is one of the biggest themes of the book. The big focus is on Olena, an apprentice witch and POV character who has a stump instead of a hand and a facial birthmark. But there's also a secondary character who feels pain whenever they touch anything with their hands; using magical objects can disfigure you; the main plot device is a disease that makes people fall asleep, sometimes for a year but sometimes for decades; a secondary character has a disabling sensitivity to noise; other characters lose limbs during the story... It's hard to think of a character who isn't in some way either disabled or affected by disability. And there's also a debate over medical ethics and consent that unfortunately gets dropped rather than explored or resolved.

But I want to talk more about how Olena's presented. To give credit to the author, she doesn't shy away from exploring how prejudice affects Olena, and she also shows that her disability doesn't make her less than anyone else. And while other characters turn to magic to cure themselves, Olena never does.

Olena is also shown as being unpleasant because of her disability; she is prickly and mean because others don't give her a fair chance, and she tends to assume the worst of people. Some marketing materials call Olena a "bitter apprentice", and her character arc is very clearly focused on her overcoming this.

I was really uncomfortable with how the book kept referring to Olena. Over 250 pages in, the main character still describes Olena's facial birthmark as "looking like a sinister mask". And Olena's most common body language or facial tells revolve around her birthmark — it frequently flushes purple to show she's embarrassed while the rest of her skin goes unmentioned, and she's constantly tracing the outline of it while other characters wonder if the skin feels different or if she's just memorised the location.

Perhaps most frustratingly of all, Olena doesn't have a single characteristic or personality trait that can't in some way be explained by her disability. Most of the other characters have well-rounded and distinctive personalities. But Olena? She's just angry and insecure and mean and traumatised, and it all comes down to her being disabled.

It's frustrating because there's the bones of a powerful message about being disabled, but the execution was flawed. Olena's disability is an important part of who she is, but she shouldn't just be her disability.

It’s a bit of a slow build, but overall I did enjoy this! Definitely has the wonder and whimsy of a folktale.

Marisha gets a job as an assistant to Olena, and apprentice to Baba Zima, a koldunya who can perform feats of magic. They live in a moving house with chicken legs, traveling from place to place seeing supplicants as Olena searches for a cure to a sleeping plague that Marisha’s parents have caught. But as they delve into their search, Marisha starts finding connections to her family and starts having dreams about a horrifying beaked man.

It’s hard to describe this book in a blurb, so I didn’t really know what to expect from the blurb when I first read it. It draws from Slavic folklore and you really do feel that atmosphere from the writing and the magic in this book. It starts slow and is a little hard to figure out where the story’s heading, and I did have some trouble getting through it initially, but it picks up eventually, and the last 30% especially was pretty exciting. It’s definitely more character-driven than plot-focused, and also focuses in on the relationships between the characters. It kind of used the miscommunication trope, but I thought it was effective here because you could see why characters didn’t trust each other and the behavior that led to little distrust that ballooned into something bigger, and the consequences as a result from that.

This is comped to some other big name fantasies like The Bear and the Nightingale and Spinning Silver, and while I can’t say I enjoyed this one as much as I enjoyed those others, this had its own charms and fun whimsical elements (like disembodied hands that can do chores, a house that skis, and a flying guinea pig fowl). A bit of romance too, but I don’t think one of them was that necessary since it wasn’t that built up. I also kind of wish that character relationships, since they were a big focus, was built up a bit better to make the betrayals and twists pack more of a punch, because they did have a lot of potential.

If you want a character-driven fantasy without much romance, with a snowy setting and whimsical magic, then you’ll enjoy this!

Thanks to Netgalley and Harper Voyager for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

House of Frost and Feathers is a retelling of Baba Yaga. I genuinely love Baba Yaga stories, so I wanted to give this book a chance, and I'm happy to say that I really liked it. The pacing is on the slower side, so if you're expecting an action packed story, this may not be the right choice for you. Instead, this book is slower and character driven and beautifully written. I think it's an excellent retelling, and if you enjoy folklore stories, I highly recommend you give this book a chance. Thanks to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. I'll post my review closer to the publication date.