For fans of Howl’s Moving Castle and The Bear and the Nightingale, this take on the Baba Yaga legend was a breath of fresh air that gave the folk tale new life. Wiesebron’s story is character-driven and reflective in the best way, and the magic therein is all the more believable as a result. Perfect for all fans of no traditional adventure stories.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this.

As per my usual lately, I both read and listened to parts of this story. I can definitely say I found the audiobook more engaging. The pacing of the story is a little off at times. It’s inconsistent so there are parts where a ton happens and parts that drag and the audiobook at least kept it interesting with different voices done by the narrator.

There is very little romance in this story. It’s basically just hinted at so if you enjoy little romance or fantasy where the romance is not the focus, this might be a book for you.

Also, this book kind of gave me Howl’s Moving Castle vibes with the whimsy and the folklore so if you like that story, give this one a try.

I can see more books being set in this world and I can also see this being a satisfying stand alone book. I would revisit the world but I’m not dying for a sequel or left feeling incomplete with the ending here.

I’d read more from this author as well. I enjoyed the way folklore was woven into the story as well as the quirky and entertaining characters.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

⭐⭐⭐1/2⭐

I did enjoy this Baba Yaga retelling very much.
“Golgolin you cheecke thing”

Thank you, NetGalley and Harper Voyager | HarperAudio, for this Audiobook Copy! 3.5 Stars

Sadly, I couldn't get into this one right now. I've bee running into a lot of "adult" fiction that feels younger to me, and this book falls into that category. Which isn't a bad thing! I just need to come back to it with those expectations at a later date. Winter, mayhap?

The House of Frost and Feathers by Lauren Wiesebron is a beautifully atmospheric read that immediately transported me into a world steeped in folklore, snow, and secrets. The writing is lyrical and immersive, and the haunting, wintry setting gave me major The Bear and the Nightingale vibes. The story unravels slowly, with just the right amount of tension and magic to keep me turning pages. While some plot points could have used a touch more clarity, the rich tone and mythic undercurrent made this a standout read. Perfect for those who love fairytale-inspired fantasy with a chilling edge.

I picked this book up as it said it was perfect for fans of The Bear and the Nightingale and readers of Naomi Novak. Though I am not sure it quite lives up to these other books and authors, I do think it is pretty good on it's own. I did enjoy the folklore-esque atmosphere with references to Baba Yaga and her house with chicken feet. We also have a really great witchy vibe, but it doesn't come off as darkly cozy, but rather a bit tense and unwelcoming for most of the characters.

Marisha is looking for a way out of her current situation. Both of her parents are afflicted with the sleeping plague and her brother left as well. Now she is living with her aunt and uncle who want to marry her off to someone she doesn't even like. In her search for a job, she runs across a flyer to be the assistant to a koldunya, which seems to be like a witch/ healer.

However Baba Zima is a cold, unfeeling woman who seems to have little patience for anyone beyond her own son and her actual apprentice, Olena. Marisha is tasked to assist Olena with finding a cure for the sleeping plague and the cycle of the sleeping plague is quickly approaching. Now the girls have to find a way to figure out the truth of the plague and prove themselves as valuable members within the koldunya house.

I thought the characters were complex and pretty well crafted but the story did feel a bit scattered with a lot of cat fighting and jealousy throughout. We really didn't need to try and shoehorn any sort of romantic interests in here. Everybody is dealing with a host of other things to have to think about that as well. I do think it could have been a bit shorter and more tailored which could have made the story move at a better pace. But overall, I like the cottagecore and witchy vibes. I think the atmosphere just needs a bit of tweaking to get it to a better place.

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Voyager | HarperAudio for this ARC Copy! 3.5 Stars

I was really excited to read a Baba Yaga retelling with folklore elements, and I was excited for the parts that I got, but disappointed that there were not more folklore elements in this story. It was a cute story with enough stakes that it doesn't really fall into the cozy fantasy category, but it still had quite a few of the cozy story ingredients that I usually enjoy. However, I feel like something was missing, like everything that is happening is serios, but I didn't feel like the characters portrayed the weight of the situation very convincingly. At times the pacing was a little confusing, I felt like we were just there for the vibes, and then suddenly the story would pick back up again. All in all it was a cute read.

I love a good Baba Yaga inspired story so when I saw merely the cover of this book I knew I would be requesting it. House of Frost and Feathers follows a young woman named Marisha who finds herself packing up her bags and accepting a job with the infamous traveling witch Baba Zima and her sentient chicken legged house. Marisha hopes to help Baba Zima succeed in a cure for the sleeping plague that has taken both of Marisha’s parents into a permanent deep sleep. Throughout their travels from city to city, Marisha and the other house’s residents work together to solve the mystery of this plague and the eerie sleep world they keep finding themselves slipping into.

This historical fantasy story is equal parts cozy and creepy with excellent dialogue and character development. I did find the pacing to be inconsistent, dragging at times and racing through action filled scenes at other times which caused me some confusion leading up to the ending. That being said, I really connected with the characters and found myself fully engaged in finding out more about the mysterious sleeping plague. I was given an advanced listening copy of this book and I really enjoyed listening to this story. The narrator did a wonderful job bringing life to the characters, and absolutely nailed the acerbic and wily nature of Baba Zima. I connected almost immediately to the narrator’s voice which is something I admittedly struggle with often in audiobooks.

House of Frost and Feathers is out now. Thank you to HarperAudio and Netgalley for my copy; all opinions are my own.

This story was such a delight to read. It gave me the feeling that this could be happening in the same world as Howls moving castle. The character development was great to witness. I really hope there will be a next book to continue the story.

Narration was excellent!

A Slavic folkloric fantasy novel where the FMC seeks work at a magical traveling house with chicken legs for a mysterious witch. This fictional world struggles with a deep Sleeping Plague without a cure. The FMC assists in trying to develop a magical cure to wake her parents and all other victims of the sleeping plague.

HIGHLIGHTS:
-Folktale Re-Telling
-Magical Training
-Using magic to help others
-Magical traveling house
-Found Family
-Second Chances
-Multiple realms
-She Saves Him

Thank you Net Galley for this audio ARC!

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!

I thought the audio narration was so good! It felt like I was eavesdropping on the characters as they worked their way through the story!

DNF @ 53%

I'll start off this review by saying that the book isn't bad. But I literally didn't read any books at all for almost two days because I was reading THIS book and I should finish it and not start other things... but also I just didn't want to read it. And it's time to admit to myself that this book just isn't working for me.

I like the setting of the magical house (though I'm admittedly confused about the greater world/time this is taking place in). I like some of the characters, particularly Baba Zima. I think the mystery with the sleepers and the plague is vaguely interesting, same for her dad's scar, but overall not *that* intriguing.

I don't like the shoehorned hetero love interests. This feels like the story was originally supposed to be strong friendship/vague romance between the two female characters and the men were written in last minute to prove they're so hetero. Zima's son has a little personality to him at least, but the rest of it and their storylines together is just so blah. It also feels like the plot isn't really progressing, but I'm not trading progression for character growth/development, world-building, nor atmosphere. Instead it's just dragging on and I honestly don't know for what.

I think if this was a good 150pgs shorter it could be a pretty tight, interesting story. But it's just not doing it for me and doesn't live up to its predecessors of Spinning Silver or The Bear and the Nightingale.

House of Frost and Feathers is a slow-paced fantasy following a sorceress's apprentice and the apprentice's assistant. I loved the fantasy elements, but I really struggled with the pacing. I think I would've enjoyed it more if the mundane elements had been cut out and gave more of a hook in the beginning.

Narration performed by Daphne Kouma was absolutely outstanding.

I received an ALC from HarperAudio Adult | HarperAudio via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a meandering retelling of Slavic folklore. Marisha seeks a cure for the death plague while working for Baba Yaga and her apprentice Olena. I think this could almost fall into the cozy fantasy category, but with slightly higher stakes with the death plague. If you like getting lost in a fantasy world , including a moving and skiing house, and Slavic folklore this is for you. Thank you to Harper Voyager for the audio ARC - the narration was fantastic!

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

Additionally, I had the opportunity to listen to the Advanced Listener Copy. The narration is fantastic; it pulls you into this magical world without overdoing it, and the tone fits the eerie, enchanted vibe of the story. Each character feels distinct, and Baba Zima’s sharpness especially comes through. If you enjoy audiobooks that feel like you're being told a dark fairytale by firelight, this one delivers. I would highly recommend an immersive read--I'm obsessed.

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.

This is one of my absolute favorite books of the year!

Marisha needs to find a job. She can't go back to her aunt's house where she will get married off, but she also can't support herself if no one is willing to give her a job. When she hears that a kuldunya, Baba Zima, might be hiring, Marisha decides, regardless of her skepticism of magic, that she will get this position. She does, and thus starts the found family adventure. Lauren Wiesebron is a wonderful writer. The world she has created is vibrant and almost touchable. Her characters have depth that is generally not given to so many archetypal characters. House of Frost and Feathers is brimming with folklore made real.

I cannot recommend this book enough. I am especially grateful for Daphne Kouma's narration, as it made this Slavic-inspired story easier to understand. Kouma's pronunciation and feeling when narrating is perfect for this book!

4 Stars – A Haunting, Atmospheric Tale with a Chilling Mystery

The House of Frost and Feathers is a beautifully eerie and immersive listen, rich in folklore, dark magic, and a creeping sense of dread. I listened to the audiobook version and was completely drawn into the haunting world Lauren Wiesebron created—where dreams blur with reality, and danger lingers in every shadow.

The story follows Marisha, a desperate girl seeking refuge and purpose in a world ravaged by a mysterious sleeping plague. When she takes a position as an apprentice to the feared koldunya Baba Zima, she’s swept into a world of magic and secrets. The imagery—from endless masked balls to a sinister beaked figure stalking her dreams—is vivid and chilling, perfect for fans of gothic or folkloric fantasy.

The narrator did a great job bringing the story to life, and the slow unraveling of Marisha’s family history and the plague’s origins kept me engaged. My only minor critique is that the pacing dragged slightly in places, and I occasionally wished for a bit more urgency in the plot. Still, the atmosphere, originality, and world-building made this a memorable listen.

I received this audiobook as an Advanced Reader Copy from NetGalley and am leaving this review voluntarily.

The setting was super fun. I've always been fascinated by Baba Yaga's house in chicken legs moving around. This version of the magical house, owned by Baba Zima, did not disappoint. It was weird and ever changing and full of mysterious magic stuff. It was definitely my favorite part of this book.
I also liked the growth of Marishka and Olena's relationship as she began assisting Olena as they began to unravel the mystery of the sleeping plague. I do think it could have been a bit shorter and just focused more on the magical apprentice angle though.

OK. So, this was very …. Different!

And, it has a lot of characters… and a lot of names I couldn’t pronounce, or remember… and for that alone, I was ready to give up! But, I’m so glad I didn’t!
This has a magical realm, along with mystical creatures, folklore, made up stuff, and lots of innuendos … and, the Chicken Leg 🍗 House??!! 🤪😮

Most of the story revolves around two young women who are ‘supposed to be’ Working Together to find a cure for the Sleeping Plague. But the more they explore, the more mystified they are!

It has a lot of character building, and the story unfolds slowly… but once it does, hold onto your hats… because soon you’re off and running! And the last 1/4-1/3 rd of the book, well, just…. AMAZING!!

And, being as this is a DEBUT NIVEL for this author, well, I have a feeling that we will have a lot more to look forward to in the future!!

** THIS HAS NOT YET BEEN RELEASED!! Look 👀 for it in a few days, on 7/15/25!! **

4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me!!

#HouseOfFrostAndFeathers by @LaurenWiesebron and narrated nicely by @DaphneKouma.

Thanks so much to #NetGalley and #HarlequinAdultAudio and #HarlequinAudio for an ARC of the audiobook, in exchange for an honest review.

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Production – the book sounded great, no issues with the audio or narrator. I was able to immerse myself into the story very easily – Daphne Kouma brought Marisha to life and allowed Baba Zima to be larger than life! I can imagine that the basis of Baba Zima is someone’s MIL. 😊

Story – Oh! I loved this story. I could easily imagine the world, the monsters, and each of our characters. Lauren Wiesebron has written an instant classic! High stakes, bartering, magic, spells, and familial expectations. I was truly moved by every word. Read this in one sitting. Perfect weekend read! I highly encourage any lovers of cozy fantasy to pick up this book, ebook or audio!