Katherine Arden is one of the best Fantasy and Horror authors I've had the pleasure to read. When I picked up this book, I was not expecting what was to come.

This was an amazing historical fiction, with twists and turns that pushed the story forward in a delicate way, but entertained with ease. Not a genre I would have expected from Arden, but more proof that she can write whatever she puts her mind to.

WW2 stories tend to have a sadness that breaks the heart, but Arden has weaved a wonderful tale of hope in a time of great pain.

The story is split between Freddie Iven and his sister Laura. Freddie is knee deep in the trenches of war when a disaster happens. By all counts, he should be dead, but by sure luck he is alive, but trapped. In the darkness, there is another sole with him, a German soldier. Their lives are now intwined for better or worse.

When Laura hears of her brothers fate, she doesn't believe it. In her quest to find the truth about Freddie, she forms bonds that cannot be broken, but the truth might be harder to swallow than Laura had hoped.

I gave this book 5 out of 5 stars. It was a wonderful story. Heartwarming, hopeful and amazing. I can't wait to see what Arden brings to the table next.

The Warm Hands of Ghosts is a novel set near the end of WWI, told from the perspectives of siblings Laura and Freddie Iven, with a touch of magical realism. Laura is a decorated nurse, sent home to Halifax from the war after suffering a debilitating injury to her leg. Freddie is her younger brother, missing but presumed dead from the battlefields of Belgium. Upon the opening of the book in early 1918, Laura is dealing with the aftermath of an explosion in the harbor that claimed the lives of both her parents. When she receives the box of her brother's possessions and is told he is missing, the women she is living with, who moonlight as mediums tell her that her brother is not dead and that she must save him. With the help of two new friends, Pim and Mary, she returns to Belgium under the guise of working as a nurse in Mary's private field hospital, but truly has the intentions of searching for Freddie.

From Freddie's perspective, we are taken back to the late fall of 1917 when Freddie becomes trapped during a fierce battle inside a pillbox with a German soldier, Hans Winter. Together, they work to escape the pillbox and, in the process, save each other from death. Both men become determined to make sure the other survives, and in the process of saving Hans, Freddies ends up giving himself over to a mysterious figure, Faland, known by the other soldiers as "The Fiddler".

This is a relatively short novel, the prose and characters quickly pulled me in, and I read it from start to finish in one day. WWI was a horrific time and this book hints at a darker purpose for the war and Faland's involvement in it. I found it to be an interesting premise and very much enjoyed this book.

Thank you to Random House Ballantine and NetGalley for the electronic ARC of this novel for review.

I loved the Winternight trilogy, and have been eagerly awaiting Katherine Arden’s next project. I am happy to report it was worth the wait.

In this standalone, Arden steps away from the warmth and cheer of the Medieval Russian winter into the warmth and cheer of Flanders 1918. The protagonist, Laura, is a nurse who was wounded by artillery fire, given a few medals, and sent home to Halifax where her parents (and half of Halifax) were killed when a ship carrying munitions exploded in the largest detonation to that point in history. While there, she receives the effects and dog tags of her brother Freddie - but no word of his death. Determined to learn what happened to the only family she (maybe, possibly) has left, she sets out to return to Europe with a few friends.

Meanwhile, we travel back in time several months to Freddie’s point of view, trapped in an overturned pillbox with a number of dead soldiers and a living German one. It’s not a spoiler to say that the two of them manage to work together to dig their way out. But by that point they’re no longer enemies in any real sense, and they’re in the middle of no-man’s-land with no way of knowing which direction is the Canadians and which is the Germans.

They also - Laura and Freddie both - meet a strange man named Faland, running an inexplicably cozy hotel/bar right behind the lines, where the wine flows freely, the music is wonderful, and the war feels much further away than it should be.

This book is *excellent*, but it’s not fun. It’s a thorough exploration of trauma, different kinds of love, and the connections that people can make under unimaginably bad conditions. Other themes include the futility of industrialized war and the callousness of the generals in their châteaux sending men off to die by the thousands and thousands (the “lions led by donkeys” notion isn’t *entirely* fair, but it’s not unfair either). From everything I know of WWI history, Arden has done her homework.

Something Arden paid particular attention to capturing was the almost *science-fiction* aspect of the First World War. More than any other war that I can think of, it marked a sea change. You had flying machines dropping bombs and chemical weapons and artillery raining death from tens of miles away. You also had messages being sent by pigeons and that same artillery moved into position by mules. And you had men and boys fighting a war that wasn’t at all what they were told war was supposed to be, and men and women doing their best to keep them alive.

As I said, this book is *excellent*, but I’m very glad I’ve got something lighthearted on hand to follow.

I would read Katherine Arden’s Grocery lists. The live and care that goes in to how carefully she researches her work shows. This was different than her past works, and stands on its own in a wonderful way. I can’t wait to get my hands on a physical copy of this book, it belongs on bookshelves.

I have been having a good time with the crop of historical fantasy novels that have come out recently, and this is no exception. This story is very atmospheric and vibey, which made the setting and overall cast of characters really come to life and feel pretty lush. I initially struggled to connect to our main character a bit, but after the first quarter of the book, the style of the narrative seems to change a bit which made me enjoy it a lot more. This story walked an interesting line between showing the atrocities of war but also balances that with acts of humanity and kindness. The fantasy element of this is not absolutely fundamental to the story, but adds a fun and sort of unexpected beat to the story. My only real issue with the story was the first quarter being a bit hard to really sink my teeth into, but overall I really enjoyed this historical fantasy!

The Warn Hands of Ghosts
Publishing February 13, 2024

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

The Warm Hands of Ghosts is a historical fiction novel set in World War 1, with a splash of magic added. It follows a Canadian brother and sister, Laura and Freddie, who both fight in the war. Laura is a nurse, and Freddie is a soldier.
Laura spends the book searching for her brother, who went missing. The story flips ack and forth between Laura’s search and what actually happened to Freddie.

If you have read the Winternight trilogy, then you should be familiar with Katherine Arden’s writing style. The Warm Hands of Ghosts has her same style of writing. It’s so immersive, and also disorienting. The writing is very strange, but amazing. It is very hard to explain, but I am a big fan. 😂

I really enjoyed reading this. It was a slow, but we really see and feel what the characters are going through. Arden did her research, and she really worked to incorporate people’s real experiences and stories from WW1. As someone who has not read much about WW1, I found it very interesting (and horrifying, too).

Overall, I would recommend this book to fans of Arden and those who enjoy historical fiction!

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to NetGalley and publisher for generously providing me with a digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

This book touched my heart in ways I never expected. I lost my grandmother a few years ago, and the way Arden wove together the themes of grief, memory, and the power of the past resonated deeply with me. As I read about Lucy and her ghostly presence, I felt like I was experiencing my own emotions all over again.

The writing is beautiful, like a warm embrace on a cold day. Arden's words transported me to a world that felt both familiar and unknown, like a dream you can't quite shake off. The characters are complex and multi-dimensional, with their own unique struggles and secrets.

What struck me most was how the book made me feel. It's like Arden reached into my chest and gently unwrapped the layers of emotions I'd been carrying around since my grandmother's passing. I felt seen and understood in a way that's hard to explain.

The supernatural elements added a fascinating layer to the story, making me question what's real and what's just a product of our imagination. It's a reminder that there's more to life than what we can see and touch.

"The Warm Hands of Ghosts" is more than just a book - it's an experience. It's a reminder that we're all connected, even when it feels like we're alone. It's a hug from a loved one who's no longer here, but whose memory lives on in our hearts.

Read this book if you're willing to confront your emotions, to feel seen and understood, and to experience the beauty of the human connection. It's a journey that will stay with you long after you finish reading.

Oh, man. Where do I even begin?? I don't think I've ever hit "request" so fast as when I saw this on NertGalley. Katherine Arden's **The Winternight Trilogy** is in my top 3 books of all time. The Bear and the Nightingale is a masterpiece in my opinion and I cannot even begin to tell you how many times I have read it. So, when I saw this was written by Arden, I truly did not care what this book was about because I fully trusted her to respect my time as a reader and provide me something that worth reading. Somehow I still managed to underestimate her because this book absolutely blew me away and I actually enjoyed it far more than The Bear and The Nightingale. Actually, "enjoyed" would not be the correct word to use. This book was more of an experience. It was a book that has kept me up at night since I first finished it.

The way Arden used the horrors of war as a vehicle to explore themes of love, loss, grief and letting go was expertly crafted.

This was NOT a fun book to read, that's for sure, but it is certainly a book that I'm glad I read . If I could sum up this book in one word, it would be HAUNTING..

But this book was far more than just that. It was beautiful, unsettling, frustrating, melancholic, and just so many other things that my head and heart are still grappling with. This book has etched a permanent mark on my heart and mind and I know this sounds cheesy, but I honestly feel like a better, more emotionally "intelligent" person having read this.. Like, I feel my empathy level has been boosted.

This book is truly special and needs to be read by everyone, and this comes from someone who NEVER EVER reads or recommends books that have to do with war/being in the trenches, etc, because I read to escape reality and the horrors of real life, but this book is too important, and in my honest opinion I hope becomes required reading one day.

I am so happy to say that this is getting 5 million stars from me, however I would like to know who will now be paying for my therapy bills. ; )

Another gorgeous story from one of the best authors out there today and I am so grateful that not only was I given an opportunity to read this arc, but that I will soon have another Katherine Arden book to add to my personal library.

I will be thinking about this book for a very, very long time. This book will no doubt stand the test of time and I can easily seeing it becoming a classic.

Thank you Netgalley, author, and the publishers for allowing me the opportunity to read this e-arc. I look forward to reading more.

★ ★ ★ • 3

When I saw the cover of this book and the author it’s written by, I immediately knew I wanted to read it. The concept initially sounded interesting, and who doesn’t love a good historical fantasy? At least, so I thought…

The main character wasn’t a character I could sympathize with or really care about at all so everything that happened in the story, I felt apathetic towards. The combination of a boring main character and plot holes left without any real resolution made this sadly, somewhat of a mediocre read.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC for review!

First of all, I love the title, but maybe I didn't quite understand the book description. Somehow, I got through the chapters, but felt nothing at the end. The two characters I didn't quite get were Faland and Pim. I must have missed her description at the beginning of the book. Being a widow and losing her son in the war, I had no idea she was considered beautiful. I assumed she was much older. She was an underdeveloped character in my opinion. Second was Faland. I didn't understand his character at all. Period.
However, this is my first book by this author. I didn't care for this one, but from some of the other reviews, I'm interested in reading her earlier books.
Ms. Arden's research on WWI is very apparent and her descriptions of the devastation of the Belgian towns, especially Ypres helped to move the story forward. I liked Laura, Winter, and Freddie but felt the author held back a bit on Laura. Overall, I give it a 2,5.
Thanks to the author and publisher for allowing me to read the ARC.

I have been a huge fan of Arden's since I read the Winternight trilogy (The Bear and the Nightingale is even a comp for my own book currently on sub) so I was *delighted* to receive an ARC!

And wow, did it not disappoint. This book is a nightmare with a fever (in, like, the BEST possible way), and one from which I did not wish to be relinquished! Life demanded I read this book in multiple sittings, but if I had my way I’d have devoured it whole in one go. Written with a timelessness apt to the setting of the Great War, yet in Arden’s distinctive prose; lovers of her voice and characters like Morozko will not be disappointed, where her talent for writing gods—or rather, demons—both frightens and delights. The metaphors for experiencing trauma and the choices one has after—to tend the trauma and integrate it, or succumb to escaping it by means that ultimately destroy—are impressive. Another new favorite by this author to add to my shelf next to the Winternight series!

If you’re reading for vibes, you’ll find atmosphere akin to: Tolkien’s Dead Marshes, the temptations of Faerie’s Unseelie court in all of its unholy extravagance and just-concealed decay, artifacts of power, and ghosts to rival Shirley Jackson’s.

My only glimpse of Arden’s struggle with this novel (which she has talked about at length on socials) was in perhaps the first 20%, where the style seems to differ somewhat from the rest of the book, and I suspect that may have been a result of the many years of revision spent on getting it right, but I do not think the book suffers for this. There’s something to be said for an author who has mastered their craft and the experience of writing the thing showing up in the story itself; Arden penned a story about a mad world war, and, well, the experience of that is disorienting at a psychic and emotional level. I found the book all the richer for it, as it captures the essence of unraveling and chaos so prominent in the experiences of its characters. The overall style is literary, and I *loved* that it read like a classic I might have picked up fifty years ago (and perhaps influenced by her beloved Dunnett), instead of necessarily following current trends, which can tend to read v similarly.

I HAVE SO MANY QUOTES I WANT TO SHARE but I am told they must wait until the release of the book, which you should read as soon as it’s available in 2024. Thank you so much to NetGalley and Del Rey for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Content warnings: graphic descriptions of warfare and shell shock/PTSD.

It is 1918 and honorary discharged war nurse Laura Iven gets send a box of her brothers belongings. From there we follow her back to the front line in search for answers.
This felt different from other war books I have read. While still showing the madness, atrocity and inhumanity of war it felt somewhat more sensitive, more connected to the characters. Katherine Arden manages to walk the line between showing that war transforms humans to numbers in statistics and a deep emotional connection to her protagonists. It shows tenderness and acts of kindness in a whole world of darkness.
I am not sure if the fantasy element was really necessary in this book, but it gave it an unexpected twist.
I deduct one point because I had problems to get into a smooth reading flow from time to time.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an earc!

Warm Hands of Ghosts is a war book told between alternating view points of siblings Laura, a nurse previously injured during an attack, and Freddie, a soldier MIA, as Laura seeks the truth of what happened to her brother and Freddie does what he can to forget everything…except the only reason he’s still alive.

The premise of this book is interesting. I’m a fan of historical fiction and thought the idea of a woman seeking her brother who she presumes to be dead in her middle of a war would be an entertaining read. Unfortunately, I thought the story dragged. I was far more interested in Freddie’s story than Laura’s, and his felt rushed and messy.

Laura was a bland character and tbh I don’t think she was entirely necessary. I didn’t really care about anything she was going through and the women she was with were also bland and annoying.


My final thought is that the book includes an LBTQIA+ element, which I am also a fan of…except in this case it felt forced. As if the book went there just to be in the now. It honestly left me very puzzled.

As it is the book is just mediocre. It needs further development and editing. Good premise, but the overall story and characters were lacking.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Warm Hands of Ghosts is the first book by Katherine Arden that I've read and really enjoyed the concept of this book. It follows Laura, a combat nurse that has returned from the front injured. Freddie her brother is one of the soliders that is at the front fighting the Germans. Laura's parents had just died when there was an explosion of a ship in the harbor of Halifax. One day Laura recieves a trunk that has her brothers belonging including both of is dog tags. She know that he is not dead and goes back to the front to look for him. There she meets Faland, a violinst that has a special mirror that will show the person their hearts desire. Laura sees Freddie in the mirror and knows that she will be able to find him. This was a little slow to start with but did pick up speed once you were half way through.

It has been some time since I finished this book and I still can’t get the characters out of my head. This is the fastest I’ve devoured a book this whole year.

I generally steer clear of WWI or WWII adjacent stories, but I couldn’t pass up a Katherine Arden novel. And I’m so glad I read this book. It’s an unflinching depiction of war. Heartbreaking, stomach-turning, and so so dark at times. But one of the most beautiful, most human stories I’ve ever read. That moment when the meaning of the title clicks… it’s genuinely why I love reading so much.

This is a relatively short book but it’s so absorbing. You won’t want to put it down. I easily grew attached to the characters. Arden has a way of writing that makes you feel as though you’re right there alongside them. The cold, the pain, the loneliness… all so visceral. But so was the hope and the love.

Told in dual POVs and timelines, the book follows Laura, a nurse whose brother is presumed to be dead. After receiving cryptic messages hinting that her brother may be alive, she sets off to find some answers. We also follow Freddie, her brother, who must pull himself out of the hellscape trenches with the help of an enemy soldier.

There is a hint of fantasy elements, but it is not the sole focus. It reminded me a bit of Divine Rivals in that way. There’s also romance; not as prevalent but it is developed in a way that’s refreshing and not expected. I would also say this book explores the terrors of war better. It is immediately clear how much heart and research was poured into this work.

Rife with loveable characters, mystery, and a little bit of romance and magic, The Warm Hands of Ghosts is a must-read.

One of my favorite book series is the Winternight Trilogy by Katherine Arden, so I have been eagerly anticipating her new adult fiction release. Going into The Warm Hands of Ghosts, I knew this was going to be different than her previous works. World War I books are always something I am interested in, as having lived in Europe in 2014 during the 100th anniversary of the beginning of the war, I gained a new appreciation of what those in Europe went through during that time. WWI was absolutely horrific, and one of the most poignant museum exhibits I have ever been to (2014 - Mitten in Europa/Middle of Europe, held in the Zollverein Industrial Complex Ruhr Museum). The sheer scale of the war and the transition of weapons made for some of the deadliest and cruelest horrors inflicted on humans known to date. After seeing that exhibition, I've always had that time period in the back of my mind. Similar to our current time period, there was a pandemic, violence, tragic accidents, political uncertainty, and society on the cusp of change. Needless to say, I approached Arden's most recent book with an eager and open mind.

In seeing some of the other reviews, please don't go into this expecting Winternight. It's not. Arden's style is there, her wit, her storytelling, but this is not Winternight and please don't expect it to be. This book stands on its own, and weaves its own world. I loved that there were events brought up such as the Halifax explosion that were on the periphery of my awareness but not something that I had given much thought of. Arden brought in historical fact as plot without lecturing. Other events that were occurring in the time period were also seamlessly tied into the story and made an appearance.

As for the characters, the development was on point in my opinion. The characters struggle through love, loss, despair, and the abomination that was trench warfare from their various perspectives. I am trying to figure out how to write this without giving too many spoilers as some of what resounded with me was the inner dialogue of the characters as they descend into their own ways of coping with the traumas of what they're enduring or they have endured. So much of the ghastliness of what people in the frontlines of WWI were expected to endure was never talked about or discussed. It is of note that for how much there is written about WWI and the hardships endured, there is still a dearth of writing on how people felt about their experiences or how they coped during and after the war. I can't imagine being subjected to the mud, the shelling, the gas, and then be expected to go back to it the next day. The bond forged between Freddie and Winter and the descent of Freddie's mind is so well written I think for how people experience war. This war was the war that resulted in human rights laws forbidding the use of certain weapons such as mustard gas, and the characters and their stories show the senselessness of the war and the actions taken, as well as what that can drive people to.

Overall, I loved the story. I started it and finished it in a day. I wanted to sit and savor it... but here we are. I was engrossed in the story and completely immersed until the book finally ended. I'm in a bit of a book hangover after two back to back gutwrenching stories. I highly recommend the novel, and can't wait for the release. It's one of those books you wish you could re-read, but get to experience it for the first time again. Again, it's very different from Winternight, but just as well done in my opinion.

Please be advised I received an Advanced Readers Copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Set during World War I, this book is a historical fiction/ghost story mashup. I loved the attention to detail and historical accuracy, it felt like I was there in the trenches and madness of World War I in Belgium/France, as well as when the ship exploded in Halifax harbor. Clearly this was a well-researched story.

I love Ms. Arden's writing style. The story just flows off the page. She has a way with setting the appropriate mood for the scene at hand. I particularly enjoyed The Fiddler. Such an eerie, creepy, soul-less character.

This book is nothing like her other books (which is not a bad thing). I will say, I cannot wait for whatever book she writes next. Definitely an author on my "must read" list.

I really enjoyed this one. Ive been reading more and more historical fiction surrounding WWI, a welcome departure from the oversaturation off WWII fiction. Loved the dual timelines, that slowly merged into one, that was a unique feature.

The Warm Hands of Ghosts is a beautifully written, creative book that is somewhat miserable to read. Arden is a master of this type of magical realism and the way she incorporates it into the World War I plot is innovative and adds to the plot. That said, Arden has a way to making you feel trapped, confused, uncomfortable while reading. It's kind of her signature and I don't know that I can say that I enjoyed this book. At times, I felt like all the characters had a veil over them that prevented me from truly seeing and understanding them. But, this is still a good piece of literary fiction and well worth a recommendation to patrons interested in something different.