I had the ALC for the House of Frost and Feathers by Lauren Wiesenbron. This story is narrated by Daphne Kouma. Fortunately, the main characters in this story are all women and the narrator does a fine job with their voices and telling this story. This is a Slavic inspired folktale fantasy. It is slower paced and very much character forward. I liked the magic and the walking house and the friendship between the two main characters, Marisha and Olena. Baba Zima is good but underdeveloped. There is a glimmer of romance. I liked how the story began and I really liked the conclusion. This could easily have been a 4+ star read. But, the middle of the book is bloated with stories that I don't think provide more insight into the characters nor does it move the plot forward. It is 420 pages and could easily have been a really nicely told story under 300 pages. I rated this book 3.5 stars rounded up due to Goodreads inability to provide more accurate rating system. I need to thank Net Galley and Harper Audio Adult for my ALC. This book comes out in the US on Tuesday, July 15, 2025.

The House of Frost and Feathers by Lauren Wiesebron
adventurous emotional mysterious tense medium-paced
Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75 Stars

An adventurous story full of twists and turns and steeped in Eastern European folklore. I did find that though the book is billed as an adult fantasy novel the overall story felt more young adult in nature. It was refreshing to see a story that focused more heavily on friendship than romance, but the cattiness and infighting felt more teenager than the 20+ years that the girls were described to be.

All that being said it was an enjoyable tale in a folklore I wasn't previously familiar with which made it a pleasant departure from the fae heavy fantasy that we've been seeing dominate the market as of late. Would recommend for fans of The Bear and the Nightingale, or even those who were curious about it but wanted something similar but lighter in tone.

2.5 ⭐️ Came for the folktale vibes, stayed for the sorcery and cute guinea pig fowl. The plot felt SO long-winded.

There was exactly 5 minutes at the 75% where it felt like the plot was finally coming together, only for it to immediately escalate enough to lose me again. For a story that gave the impression of being high stakes, it failed to keep me interested.

Of note, Daphne Kouma did a wonderful job narrating this book. She successfully created the witchy vibes I was expecting, which added to the atmospheric qualities of this read.

Thanks to NetGalley and HarperAudio Adult for this ALC in exchange for an honest review.

House of Frost and Feathers is the best kind of folklore/fairytale style story. It’s steeped in odd magic, haunted by old grudges, and overrun with quirky characters, all set in a winter landscape. Marisha is in desperate need of a job, and if a position in an orange house on chicken legs is the only option, she’ll take it. Olena wants to find a cure for the sleep plague that’s been hounding the world for decades. These two come together when Olena’s mistress, Baba Zima, hires Marisha as an assistant without consulting her first. They get off to a rocky start. Marisha is skeptical of any sort of magic and Olena is determined to succeed on her own. But in order to find a cure, save their families, and keep their home together, Marisha and Olena will need to learn to trust each other.

Marisha and Olena are both strong, independent young women with deep hurt in their past and a lack of trust in the world around them. These similarities are what clash more than their external differences, and it’s interesting to see how each develops and changes as the story progresses. I loved the world building aspect of the story as well, with the house changing around its occupants and creatures from the “other side” causing light chaos. I also appreciated the deep lore and mystery of the sleeping plague, especially how it became increasingly strange as Marisha’s dreams were brought in. If you love witchcraft, Baba Yaga lore, and weird beings, check out this modern folktale.

Oooh I loved this. It had elements that felt like a Ghibli film and characters with loads of personality. I cannot wait for my friends to read this! The plot was interesting and at moments intense before lulling you back to ease. I definitely had a couple of jaw drops in the last quarter. Perfect for readers looking for some whimsy.

The audiobook narration by Daphne Kouma was a strong point for "House of Frost and Feathers." Kouma had the perfect voice for Marisha, truly immersing me in the character's struggles and the unique setting of the story. Her reading style brought the text to life, helping to convey the atmosphere and emotions of the narrative.

The pacing of the narration itself was wonderful, which was particularly helpful given the book's overall slower story progression. While I could easily distinguish between Marisha and Baba Zima, I did sometimes struggle to differentiate Olena's voice, though I acknowledge this might have been due to my own focus rather than solely the narration. There weren't any unique elements like music or sound effects, but I do think they could have further enhanced the listening experience. Despite some personal challenges with the story's own pacing, I found the narration to be cohesive with the writing, and the audiobook flowed well.

I would definitely recommend the audiobook for "House of Frost and Feathers." Being able to control the playback speed is a huge advantage for this particular story, and honestly, I don't think I would have been able to finish the book without the audio format guiding me through its more deliberate pace.

You've provided some excellent insights into "House of Frost and Feathers"! It sounds like a book with a unique atmosphere and compelling elements, despite the slower pace.

Here's a draft of your review, incorporating all your detailed thoughts:

Review: House of Frost and Feathers by Lauren Wiesebron
"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.

While I enjoyed the coziness and almost howls moving castle vibes, it felt so long for no reason. I kept thinking “I’ve been listening to this for a long time” and barely made a dent in the book lol I found myself just bored unfortunately. Other reviews said it got better after the halfway mark but I just couldn’t get into the story. The pacing was just too slow for my liking and I listened at a 1.75x speed to try to speed things up. It didn’t help. I kind of wished Marisha and Olena ended up together because of their bickering in the beginning. Apart from the story, the audio was great! The narrator did a great job!

This was a really cute store, and I love the folklore. The house was fun and the story was easy to follow.
I did find the story slow and the characters a little flat. I may have struggled to finish if this wasn't an audiobook, mostly due to the pacing.
Overall, it's a fun read with interesting magic.

I would like to thank the publisher for sending me an audio-arc in exchange for an honest review through NetGalley.

Marisha has lost everything to the sleeping plague, and with both her parents gone and her brother missing she is desperate for a place to live and for a job. When she comes across a house on chicken legs and she's invited in as an apprentice, she takes the job no questions asked. But Baba Zima is not exactly what she seems. Cruel and clever, she runs the house on chicken legs with her other aprentice Olena, who is searching for a cure to the plague and wants absolutely nothing to do with Marisha. But when Marisha starts having dreams of a masked ball where no one is allowed to remove their masks, guarded by a beaked man, Olena realizes Marisha might be the missing link she's been searching for.

This really wasn't anything that I expected after reading the blurb. For one, I thought this was a sapphic romance. It is not, and like I don't want to say I am disappointed it's not, but I don't like that it set up as if it were leading up to it just for it to be not true? I do like the characters individually. Olena is so smart, and she works so hard to find this cure, going so far as to disobey Baba Zima. And Marisha, despite her feeling very out of place at times, takes this whole world in stride and is willing to help in any way she can. While I enjoyed the magic and the world that the author created, I think hearing about every single detail of every single day got a little tedious at times, and I felt like a lot of it was filler and could have been cut. However, I did appreciate how expansive the world building felt, the while the end does leave a little bit to be desired, a part of me wonders if the author plans to revisit this world in future books. But otherwise I do like the way everything works out and I'm excited to see what this author writes next.

And while the book is great, the audiobook is fantastic. The narrator does a great job giving this a fairytale feel to this story from start to finish.

My thanks for the audio ARC goes to NetGalley and HarperAudio Adult. I'm voluntarily leaving a review.

Genre: Fantasy, Alternate World, Russian Mythology, Slavic Mythology, Folklore, Historical Fantasy
Audience: Young adult
Spice Level: Absolutely nothing but sighs and longing
Violence Level: I thought it was fairly low—certainly tension and very bad things could happen, but it doesn't rely on blood and guts for a shock factor
Narration: I loved the narrator—she did a fantastic job!
Representation: Disability in a point of view character
Format: Dual point of view

HOUSE OF FROST AND FEATHERS, in the vibe of Howl's Moving Castle, a grand adventure with complexities that open like a matryoshka doll. I loved it!

This is such an age appropriate fantasy for teens. And I wonder if that's why some of the reviews don't have as many stars because they're expecting the vein of fantasy that has young adult characters but in adult situations.

I thought the representation of a disability was very good. The character has adapted, and her disability is not a superpower. I felt like the emotions matched what I imagine a person with this disability could feel.

It is refreshing to have a young adult novel that is not blowing up the world for the love interest to get together. (Been there, done that.) There are hints of romance, but it is not the main plot. The characters are having their coming-of-age adventure.

If the reader is familiar with who Baba Yaga is, the moving house will make more sense. There's this sense of whimsy along with the serious situations of a sleeping plague, fierce competition between witches, and another world of masks and dancing.

This book focuses on belonging: found family and biological family. Some of this is honestly tragic to see how loved ones have treated/diminished the characters. For this reason and the folklore, I feel like the book could be compared to Six Crimson Cranes.

I would highly recommend this book for any teen or readers who love folkloric tales.

Happy reading!

There's nothing really wrong with this and overall it's firmly fine, but I unfortunately was not that moved by this story. It's compared to the The Bear and the Nightingale I guess because it's a snowy setting and it's supposed to be Slavic but really apart from the names of the characters, this could've been set anywhere. Granted, I've only read the first book in that series but the vibes were stronger and set the scene/time period in a more definitive way for me.

I'm not really sure if this was supposed to be ~cozy but this is very much a day-to-day story where we just see Marisha do random quests for Baba Zima. And that would be fine if any of them were interesting. I was kept finding myself zoning out and nothing was gripping me about that narrative and it's like....the entire middle section of this story. The beginning is interesting and the end sort of is interesting, but overall the large chunk of the story where nothing happens killed the momentum for me.

I enjoyed the characters for the most part, but I do agree with some reviews commenting that this should've been sapphic. The romance didn't add anything regardless and this story would've been better served without one, but Marisha and Olena are with each other for the whole story because they're both apprentices which means they have a better relationship than Marisha and whoever the male character is. Unfortunately I have forgotten his name and really he was a non-factor.

I don't know how accurate this is to be a retelling of a fairy tale since I'm unfamiliar but from what I do know about Baba Yaga she's creepy and this ....wasn't.

I wish this had more active plot and less mundane activity for as long as it happened but overall this story was fine. If you read for vibes you'll probably enjoy this.

The audio narration was good though!

I received an arc from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Netgalley and Harper Audio for the ALC!

House of frost and feathers
By Lauren Wiesebron
Narrated by Daphne Kouma
4 ⭐️

If a house has chicken legs in a book, I’m game to read it. I love folklore and Slovak folklore is top notch inspiration. This read to me like a T Kingfisher fairytale. Atmospheric, character driven, with some dark aspects lingering in the corner waiting to be unleashed. I really enjoyed my time with this one. Marissa and Olena carry this story. They were very well crafted characters. The audiobook was well done; I zipped through this one very quickly.

Thank you NetGalley, Lauren Wiesebron, and Harper Audio for this audiobook ARC.

I enjoyed this folklore fantasy story! I haven't read many books like it which is a great compliment. The imagery was fantastical and immersive.

Thank you to NetGalley 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.

Thank you HarperAudio for the free audiobook! I really enjoyed Daphne Kouma's narration.

If you're looking for something that is action packed and fast-paced, this is not that. If you're looking for something that is atmospheric, where the setting is a character, with cozy folkloric vibes, and found family, this is the story for you.

The plot is slow to unfold, the sleeping curse took both of Marisha's parents and now she has to either find a job or let her aunt marry her off to a creepy man. And the job market in this world is somehow worse than the one we're in now. So Marisha makes the obvious choice and joins on as the sorceress's apprentice's assistant. Only one problem, the apprentice hates her.

Marisha and Olena learning to work together and care about one another was the novel's strength. It's weakness was the various romantic plotlines, which felt like they were shoehorned in. Even then, it was such a minor part of the story that I could easily overlook them and just be swept away in the atmosphere and magic of the world.

I really liked the setting of this book. Somehow, even though the storyline and vibes were definitely not peaceful for any of the characters, the setting made it cozy, which I loved. I adored Olena, how unique of a FMC she was and especially how no matter the power and knowledge of magic she gained, she never tried to change anything about her appearance (and disabilities). Overall, she was a very refreshing MC. I also liked Marisha. I didn't really like the romance aspects and the ending felt rushed and like many answers didn't get answered. I'm unsure if this book is meant to be the first installment in a series or not, but it felt like the ending was too open to be a standalone, and yet too complete to be a series' first book.

The audiobook narrator did a wonderful job, however! No complaints!

Every ten years, the sleeping plague comes around. Most sleepers sleep for a year and a day, but some others fall into a deep sleep. Both of Marisha's parents are deep sleepers, her mother first, and her father ten years later. Her brother has vanished, and her aunt treats her with disdain, believing the sleeping plague is a moral blight on the family's character. Marisha stumbles upon an old witch, Baba Zima, who offers her an apprenticeship and the chance to discover the cause of the sleeping plague. Baba Zima has a cruel reputation, but her other apprentice, Olena, is worse. Working for Olena is hard and unrewarding, but that's because Olena carries her own burdens, and Marisha and Olena will have to rely on each other's strengths to find a cure for the sleeping plague.

A house on chicken legs, a sleeping plague, researching in old Slavonic...this book has all of the elements for a story to spark my imagination. I found the pacing to be a little uneven, though listening to the audiobook helped with that. Daphne Kouma is a great choice for the narration, bringing a sense of imagination, adventure, and wonder to the story, suitable for both Marisha and Olena's perspectives. There's a touch of light romance, but it's not the driving force of the plot. Marisha is looking for a home, and she finds one... it just happens to be on chicken legs and skis around from village to village. This isn't a new favorite, but hits all the right spots for me for an enjoyable read.

What a beautifully written debut fantasy! The plot feels uniquely original and unfolds with consistent, steady pacing, guiding us through forests and moonlit secrets with confidence. Wiesebron created a world rich with myth and quiet wonder and invites readers to an adventure that feels both intimate and sweeping. I loved the journey and found that the book effortlessly wove together my favorite parts of folklore, magic, and the aching pull of found family.

For anyone who loves folklore infused tales of adventure, threaded with warmth and wonder, House of Frost and Feathers is a captivating beginning for an exciting new voice in fantasy. I can't wait to see where she takes us next.

Ooof, the way I hated this book. The audiobook was 16 hours long, and 15 hours were of nothing. By the time the action started, I could not have cared less what happened.

Can the author write? Absolutely. I’ve given and extra star for that fact, but honestly, this is easily a 1 star book.

They went too hard on the “this is like the bear and the nightingale!” because it wasn’t. They both had a moving house, but that is where the similarities stop.

I looked at reviews about half way through when I really wanted to bail. People said it got better in the 2nd half. I am here to tell you it does not. It will not pay off. If you are reading this questioning if you should finish it - don’t. Bail. It’s not worth it.

I can not, in any good conscience, recommend this one.

I received an advance listening copy from HarperAudio and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a slow, immersive read with rich prose, layered characters, and a vividly built world. The big orange house on chicken legs (that skis!) manages to feel both strange and comforting. For a debut, the writing is confident and atmospheric, with a steady emotional undercurrent throughout.

The story follows a woman fleeing a sleeping plague that has already taken her family. She finds shelter in the magical home of Baba Zima, a kaldunya who lives with her apprentices. At first, the house feels safe, sealed off and protected. But <spoiler>when one of the apprentices falls ill,</spoiler> that safety begins to crack. The pace gradually builds as the main character uncovers hidden truths about the plague, her family, and the mysterious woman who took her in.

I don’t read a lot of fantasy, but I found the worldbuilding strong, the magic intriguing, and the emotional arc satisfying. I especially liked the abstract dream sequences and the mysterious antagonist haunting Marisha’s sleep. Those strange, dreamlike interludes added tension and layered foreshadowing that made me eager to see how it would all connect. The romance stays mostly in the background until the end, which fits the tone. A confident and memorable debut.