If you loved Howl's Moving Castle or Rhapsodic, I think you're going to love House of Frost and Feathers. In a society where people are falling into a cursed sleep, our main character studies under the Baba Zima (like a baba yaga) and becomes part of a world of magic and intrigue. This is mostly a cozy story with medium to high stakes. I definitely recommend it, and I think it would be great on a winter TBR!

Charming story steeped in Slavic folklore. The mystery of the sleeping plague kept me interested, but mostly I just liked exploring the house and characters.

Would definitely pick up a sequel if there ends up being one!

Thanks to Harper Voyager for providing an arc through NetGalley for me to review.

House of Frost and Feathers is such a dreamy, imaginative read. I was immediately drawn into the richly atmospheric world that was so beautifully written and so full of magic. The lyrical prose bring every detail to life in a way that feels both grounded and otherworldly.

Inspired by Slavic folklore, the story follows Marisha, who becomes an apprentice to the powerful and mysterious Baba Zima after her family is struck by a strange sleeping plague. What begins as a search for a cure slowly transforms into something deeper, as Marisha is pulled into a world of strange enchantments, forgotten stories, and truths hidden in dreams.

The pacing leans more atmospheric than fast-paced, but that worked for me, it felt intentional, like you’re meant to sit with the magic and let it soak in. The focus is very much on the characters and their emotional growth over time, which I really appreciated. The found family dynamic in the house is heartwarming, and the relationships feel layered and meaningful. Although there is a slow-burn romance, it never overpowers the plot and adds just the right touch.

House of Frost and Feathers gave me the feeling of a Studio Ghibli film, softly magical, full of emotion, and a little strange in the best way.

If you love lyrical, folklore-driven fantasy full of rich atmosphere, gentle magic, and emotional depth, this one is worth picking up. It lingers in that quiet, thoughtful space long after you turn the last page.

If you love adult fairytales rooted in myth and magic--think Ava Reid, Peter S. Beagle, Katherine Arden, House of Frost and Feathers by Lauren Wiesebron belongs at the top of your TBR. This book is pure perfection.

The writing? Lyrical and immersive. The world? Steeped in Slavic lore. We follow Baba Zima, a powerful (and often wildly unpleasant) witch, as she trains two apprentices while a mysterious sleeping plague sweeps through nearby villages. The two apprentices, rivals forced into reluctant partnership--must navigate jealousy, secrets, and spellwork to uncover the truth behind the plague and earn Baba Zima’s trust… or at least survive her long enough to find answers. It’s a story about power, trust, and choosing who you want to become. And yes, the house has chicken feet. Because obviously. This book is magical, atmospheric, and soaked in folklore. If you love stories about witches, curses, secret histories, and unlikely friendships, House of Frost and Feathers will absolutely enchant you. It's the perfect read for cozy fall or wintry nights.

Themes:
Folklore & mythology
Female mentorship (the messy kind)
Found family through reluctant friendship
Power, trust, and transformation
Secrets, curses, and magic as survival

Would I recommend it?
Absolutely. If you love atmospheric, lore-rich stories about witches, curses, and quiet personal growth, House of Frost and Feathers will charm you. It’s perfect for fans of cozy fantasy with a darker edge. Add it to your fall or winter reading list--you won’t regret it.

Thank you to Avon Harper Voyager, HarperAudio, and NetGalley for providing me with advanced copies to read/listen to, and for allowing me to share an honest review. Both were fantastic.

3 stars

Although I will be DNFing the book at this time, I do believe it has promise and there are readers that will enjoy it!

It reminded me a lot of Howl's Moving Castle while reading it.

The author has a very lyrical & descriptive writing style that beautifully paints the picture of her world.

I'm a mood reader and the book is not matching my current reading mood, hence the DNF - a more apt label would be NFN (not for now). I do hope to return to the book & finish it in the future when it's a better fit for my reading mood at the time!

I found House of Frost and Feather to be a quiet, slowly paced, character study with slightly wonky pacing.

Readers follow Marisha who's lost all she loves to the sleeping sickness that plagues her realm. Desperate and alone she fights for a chance to be the apprentice to the feared Baba Zima. Unfortunately she'll have to work side by side with Baba's current apprentice Olena if she hopes to find a cure for her family. The problem, Olena wants nothing to do with Marisha!

I found the world and overall atmosphere quite transportive. It truley felt like the tale was set in a Slavic fairy tale. The Characters, who were really the main focus of the story, progress and grow at a slower pace than I typically enjoy.,,,making the pacing feel just a tad sluggish for me. The final act, with all it's action and resolution was satisfying but I do wish some of it's speed would have been infused into the first half of the story,

I think this story would be well suited for anyone wanting a quite methodical tale set in a Slavic inspired world.

Unfortunately this story was just too slow for me. The first 15-20% was fantastic! I love a folklore based story, I LOVE baba yaga stories, and this premise really intrigued me. After the 20% mark, the story was just so painfully slow I couldn’t do it. I’ve heard it picked up at the last 20% but to get through the middle 60% was just a bore. I think this could go through some major editing/reduction in volume and it would be fantastic. There is good work in it, but the pacing unfortunately ruined the experience.

Thank you Netgalley & Harper Voyage for an eARC ♥️

If you don’t behave ,Baba Yaga will come for you 😩

I grew up in a post-USSR household, those words were more than just a warning—they were a promise. Baba Yaga wasn’t just a fairy-tale villain; she was the ever-present threat lurking in the shadows, ready to snatch misbehaving children away to her hut on chicken legs. That deep-rooted fear—and fascination—with Slavic folklore is exactly why this book gripped me from the very first page. 😍
Marisha, our desperate and determined protagonist, is forced to seek protection under the infamous *koldunya* (sorceress) Baba Zima—a figure who evokes the same terrifying ambiguity as Baba Yaga. Is she a cruel witch or a reluctant mentor? The dynamic between Marisha and Olena, the cold and secretive apprentice, adds layers of tension and slow-burning intrigue.
*Why This Book Resonated with Me♥️
As someone raised on Russian fairy tales, I loved how the story played with familiar elements—the witch in the woods, the cursed sleep, the liminal space between dreams and reality—while making them feel new and dangerous. The beaked man, in particular, sent chills down my spine. Was he a *leshy*? A twisted *vila*? Or something even older and more forgotten?
The dream sequences, especially the masked ball, were gorgeously unsettling, like a darker version of *The Nutcracker* if the Mouse King had won. And the ever-present fear of the sleeping plague—of being stolen away into an endless dance—felt like a grown-up echo of childhood warnings: *"Don’t wander too far, or the monsters will take you.

Final Thoughts♥️
This book is perfect for readers who love folklore-inspired fantasy with a gothic edge. If you grew up with Baba Yaga’s stories—if you remember the way your parents would half-joke, half-warn that the witch would come for you—then this story will feel like coming home… in the best and most terrifying way. 👍🏽
Would I read it again? *Da.* Would I sleep with the lights on afterward? *Also da.

dnf @ 12%. i really wanted to like this, but unfortunately from the start i could tell that this book was not for me. the characters, particularly baba zima and olena, were intriguing but sadly i found the main character to be quite bland and was unable to sympathize with her. why should we care about her struggles? why should we root for her?; the author does a lot of telling rather than showing, which made it a bit difficult for the story to feel immersive and for me to really feel connected to marisha. the worldbuilding was interesting, but sadly the lack of complexity in the plot doesn’t give me much motivation to continue exploring what this world has to offer.

2.75 stars. thank you to netgalley and avon and harper voyager for the opportunity to read this arc in exchange for an honest review!

Immediately, was engaged with the writing and setting. The author does a great job with Marisha and instantly I was rooting for her. And even our secondary characters are well written, Baba Zima and Olena. A cool cast of women!

I think, for me, the comps to books like ‘Howl’s Moving Castle’, ‘Bear and the Nightingale’ and ‘Juniper & Thorn’ actually ended up hurting the story for me as I read.

For anyone looking for a cottagecore with slavic roots, cozy-ish story, this is for you. The biggest thing though? A good portion of this should have been cut down/edited, it was extremely slow in the middle which I struggled with.

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Voyager for the arc.

House of Frost and Feathers is heavily character driven with a good dose of Slavic folklore. Most of the story is slowly paced, focusing on the character dynamics and relationships. Just about everyone gets some development.

While I enjoyed the plot twists, some of the elements felt disjointed. The motivations of several players never really clicked for me; they kind of just felt thrown in there because there had to be a bad guy somewhere.

There are a couple small romance subplots, but it didn't distract from the story itself, and they didn't feel forced.

DNF @ 20% I really did try but I felt as if I was Dory from Nemo throughout the entire time. Didn't hold my attention at all and this book being compared to The Winternight Trilogy was extremely misleading.

I wish there was more focus on the sleeping plague and the plot, but instead we are pretty much stuck with flat characters. Marisha felt inconsistent and two-dimensional, and while Olena had a bit more substance, she too lacked real depth. None of the characters' motivations felt fully fleshed out. I never quite understood why they were so desperate or what truly drove them.

Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this book!

"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.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

Unfortunately this novel did not work for me. I did not find the writing style enjoyable to read. From the start I found the writing to be lacking and a touch juvenile. I was very intrigued by the premise so I am disappointed that I couldn't get behind the writing style.

Please try it for yourself because it might work for you.

This book is about 400 pages too long for its plot and yet still manages to do absolutely nothing interesting with its characters.

This book had a lot of promise and some genuinely intriguing elements, but ultimately, it fell short for me. I was drawn in by the imaginative worldbuilding--especially the delightful and whimsical touch of the orange, chicken-legged house--and I enjoyed the overall premise of the story. There's a good foundation here, and for readers who enjoy folklore-infused fantasy, this book might have its charms.

However, several issues stood out. The pacing was a major problem for me. The first two-thirds of the book dragged with not much happening, and then the final quarter had so much going on in it that there was barely any time to breathe. I also found myself wishing for a deeper exploration of the koldunic arts, which seemed like such an important part of the world but didn't get enough attention. The story hints at the characters learning powerful things, but we as the readers rarely get to understand how it all works.

The characters didn't quite come alive for me either. Marisha felt inconsistent and two-dimensional, and while Olena had a bit more substance, she too lacked real depth. None of the characters' motivations felt fully fleshed out--I never quite understood why they were so desperate or what truly drove them. The writing, too, left something to be desired. While some descriptions were nicely done, overall the prose felt unpolished and amateur, and the action scenes in particular were confusing and hard to follow.

If the premise speaks to you and these critiques aren't deal breakers, House of Frost and Feathers might still be worth checking out. But for me, it didn't quite live up to its potential.

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the chance to review this eARC.

3.5 but I will happily bump this up to 4 stars.

This is a book that must be read in the dead of winter, with snow drifting outside your window and a cup of something hot beside you. It is most definitely a low (ish) stakes cozy read. The plot is simple and slow moving. I happen to enjoy reading the filler; daily chores, food, places traveled, background information etc. So this was moved at the exact pace it was meant to.

Olena and Marisha are both very strong POV's. I liked how we didn't get Olena's POV until the middle part of the book, you learn about Koldunri through Marisha's skeptical eye and then it goes further with Olena's viewpoint.

COMMUNICATION is key and would have solved and avoided multiple situations LOL.

Valdim. Can we TALK about VALDIM?! This is the first character in the THOUSANDS of books I have read with a condition similar to my own, Misophonia. Sensitivity to certain sounds! The second I read it I was like "NO WAY!" I loved that was included in this book. Makes you feel like you aren't alone, I don't know if that was her intent but she described it perfectly. His gift of seeing aura colors was unique wrapped up in creativity. Making sure the right person got the right violin. ANNND the way he SAW Olena made me heart all mushy. These two are perfect.

Perfect read for those dead months in winter (November - February) when you want something light and fluffy.

Thank you to NetGalley, Avon, Harper Voyager, and HarperAudio for this advanced copy. You can pick up House of Frost and Feathers on July 15, 2025.

While I loved the cottagecore aspect of this book and the deep dive into various character relationships, ultimately, this was a bit of a miss for me. Marisha, our main character, had an interesting backstory and development as she learns more about the sleeping plague and its connection to her family. But her romance felt half-baked, and honestly, I 100% expected her and Olena to have a more romantic connection.

The found family vibes in general between Baba Zima and her apprentice/assistants were pretty good, but we spent SO MUCH time just doing everyday things. I don't mind a character-driven story that compels me to want to learn more about our protagonists, but this was much too long and could've been significantly shortened. I felt unmotivated to pick up the book, and I think with some tighter plotting, I would've moved through it much more quickly and with more enjoyment.

All in all, if you enjoy Slavic and cottagecore vibes, I think you'll enjoy this one.

This really is a cozy folklore retelling. I loved how vivid and colorful the world is in comparison to the plague that is going on. If you struggled with Naomi novick but love folklore retellings, this really might be a great option for you.

This is a strange story infused with Slavic folklore, namely the old tale of Baba Yaga and her house with chicken legs. More frequently than not, that and a good dose of sorrow and grey morality is a recipe for me to fall in love with a novel.

House of Frost and Feathers, however, felt unnecessarily prolonged. For a character-driven fantasy, I found protagonist Marisha the least interesting of the ensemble. Her convictions didn’t sell the urgency that I think was needed for the story’s 500+ pages—I think either Olena and Valdim would have made more compelling focuses. For that matter, Marisha’s background was frequently understated. The girl bound herself to a cantankerous old magical woman to avoid an arranged marriage and the shame of her brother’s abandonment! Yet little of that is brought to the forefront of the plot until the end.

The characters’ hunt for a cure to the sleeping plague was a bit boring. It was torn between two directions—an academic scouring of dilapidated texts and neglected histories, and a fast-paced quest through dreams and reality—and so neither came to full fruition. The excitement of the last 20% or so of the novel could have been more evenly dispersed. A lot is left unresolved, which leaves fertile ground for a sequel, but I would have liked more time to sit with the changes the characters wrought.