★ ★ ★ • 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.

The writing is incredibly artful and sets the perfect tone for all of the secrets that it holds. I'm not sure what I expected from this book, but this exceeded whatever expectations I did have.

I want to read every book this author writes. She's that good. This story centers around the horrors of World War 1. Laura is a Canadian nurse who is discharged from the front as she faithfully served as a nurse before she was injured. But after a tragic accident in her hometown, Laura once again sets off to the Belgium frontlines. This time she is accompanied by Mary Burton, who can help secure her job in a hospital an Pim Shaw, whose son was killed in the war. Laura knows her brother was also killed; however, she begins to question what exactly has happened to him and why is body was never found.

The author again weaves in a bit of myth and folklore. There have always been stories about ghosts, premonitions and odd occurrences on the battlefield whether due to lack of sleep, hunger and the presence of death and destruction. This was a captivating story of soldiers, the women who mourn them, the evils of war and the hope of love. I received an eBook from the publisher via Netgalley.com in exchange for a review

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced ecopy of The Warm Hands of Ghosts by Katherine Arden.

The Bear and the Nightingale trilogy is one of my favorites, so I was very much looking forward to Arden's newest book. While this story of WWI and its traumas was much more heartbreaking and sobering than her folkloric adventures, it was written just as beautifully. Arden knows how to tell a story and weave just the right amount of supernatural elements in. It's a sad and impactful story filled with longing and hope.

The Warm Hands of Ghosts was unlike anything I have ever read. I found the plot to be captivating and the dual POV added depth to the characters and the story itself. I felt that the beginning was a little slow, it took me more than I thought it would to get into it. I did really enjoy the story once I got past the first couple of chapters. I think what captivated me most was that this was a historical fiction novel, and the aspect of magical realism that was thrown in there neatly tied everything together.

Laura is a powerful woman, and the way Katherine Arden wrote her was absolutely beautiful. Arden did a wonderful job of giving depth to all of the characters within the story, and I loved that the romance was woven in as a subtle subplot. Arden did a great job of making Laura a very independent character and giving her the means to live without a man during a time when that wasn't necessarily common. I really appreciated that the romance in the story did not become the entire plot and instead remained a subplot.

Overall The Warm Hands of Ghosts is a book I'd recommend to anyone looking for historical fiction with a magical realism twist. The way the magical realism is portrayed made the book that much better. Instead of taking away from the plot, it added just the right amount of mystery and suspense. I could not get enough of this novel once I really got into it! It transported you into the lives of characters that had lived through so much, but kept going despite it all.

In The Warm Hands of Ghosts, Katherine Arden has gifted readers a stunning story about life and love set against the backdrop of World War I. The narrative relays the daily struggles of Laura Iven, a field nurse who has returned home to Halifax, Canada after being wounded by shrapnel, and her little brother Freddie, a young man with an artistic temperament who is serving in the trenches. Although Laura receives word of her brother’s death in a battlefield explosion, she is also confronted with otherworldly messages that let her know he is still alive, and she crosses the Atlantic to find the answers she needs. The chapters alternate between Laura’s search and her brother’s experiences as he is trapped beneath a pillbox with an injured German soldier who becomes his only connection to the world of the living.

Although set in a harsh, real-world environment, Arden’s text is rich with supernatural elements. The trenches and the forbidden zone between the warring armies is haunted by the ghosts of fallen soldiers, and rumors of bands of defectors who live among the rubble abound. Perhaps most interesting is the legend of a fiddler who hosts soldiers in his strange hotel, offering them wine which brings them the peace of oblivion in exchange for their stories. The Iven siblings must confront the costs of living in a world of death, destruction, and pain if they hope to escape from the fiddler with the memory of their own identities.

In addition to being a haunting and beautifully written novel, The Warm Hands of Ghosts is a well-researched depiction of the horrors of World War I. In her author’s note, Arden says “World War I deserves our attention. The hectic, violent years from 1915-1918 set the stage for the rest of the tumultuous twentieth century and laid the groundwork for the modern world.” Arden skillfully captures the reality of trench warfare and its aftermath, likening it to the apocalyptic imagination of the Laura and Freddie’s parents who prepared their children for the end of days. The prose is peppered with poetry from Milton, Dante, and Tennyson, and the close juxtaposition of beauty and horror, death and life, will leave readers spellbound. Throughout it all is an enduring sense of hope and an appreciation for the love that makes human life worth living. I loved every word of this book and highly recommend it!

Thank you to NetGalley for a free copy of the book in exchange for a fair review.

The horrors of war and the yearning for human connection drive two unlikely men together - one Canadian and one German trapped in a foxhole depending on only each other to survive. Meanwhile, back at home Laura receives word that her brother Freddie is missing and presumed dead she goes back to the front to find him. She is a skilled war nurse and has already been wounded but nothing prepares her for the current horror at the front line. She meets a strange violin playing hotelier Faland whose gift of helping others see what they want to see comes at a high price. Laura will do anything to find and help her brother and free others caught up in Faland's allure. Battlefield shock and the extreme violence of a brutal war makes it hard to see the good guys from the bad guys and gives way to ghosts, nightmares and perhaps selling your soul to the devil to find peace. A vivid portrayal of WWI staged beautifully in a hellish setting that reads like a cautionary fairy tale.
My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy.

I sincerely feel this book will one day be considered a modern classic.

It is a story of war, terrible and brutal; of love, kind, searching, enduring; loss and grief, and apocalypses great and small. Sometimes, when the world ends, it's not on a grand world stage. It's personal. What do we do when our worlds end?

It's so hard to know what I can say about this book. This is my first arc (provided by netgalley) and this book won't be out for two months!

I need to tell you all the reasons I love Laura and Pim. How they literally collide into each other after both having lost everything and have to find their paths forward. All the reasons I love Freddie and Winter, reborn together in darkness and how far their paths diverge. The two stories start at different times and when you get to the point where they converge? Magic.

It's like a brutally realistic historical fantasy steampunk-esque reimagining of Orpheus and Eurydice, but like platonic (the romances in this book are perfect though not at all the main plot, just that quiet genuine love that grows when you are with a person. ugh, so good).

I don't think I have to give this back? So I will definitely be re-reading it but I've also put in my pre-order for a physical copy. I need to do some annotating.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the opportunity to pre-read this book and share my opinions on it.

My goodness. Any new titles from Katherine Arden are basically an insta-read for me from now on.

Between the two world wars, it seems WWII gets the most press. As awful and bloody and tragic as that war was, I personally have always felt a little more horrified by WWI. The world was in this transition phase of modernization, so there was a lot of crossover with old war tactics and new ones. It was the first war of its kind, something the world had never seen before. And of course, there was always the thick, mucky, inescapable coldness of the trenches and No Man's Land. I can't imagine being in a situation where I'm knee-deep in muck, surrounded by the bodies of my friends, breathing in poisonous, diseased air, knowing at any moment a bullet or artillery could kill me. And yet, if I leave the trench, death is almost certain. What an absolute nightmare.

Arden's <i>The Warm Hands of Ghosts</i> captures that horror, of course, but also the horror what it was like to be at home during the war, learning to cope with fear and uncertainty and grief. We got to see the grim reality that hospitals could be just as horrifying as battlefields, and that even civilians and those serving off of the frontlines could still be damaged or killed.

But even in the midst of this bleak landscape, we got to see the indomitable Laura, whose hope in finding her brother alive propelled her through the story. The strength she must have had to lose both of her parents, recover from being wounded, and go across the Atlantic to serve once again in war-torn Europe to search for her missing, potentially dead, brother just astounded me. Her vulnerability shows through more and more the deeper into the story we got, and yet she never stopped. I also loved that nurse personality she had - very no-nonsense, suffer-no-fools, but very tender and caring at the same time. She was a fantastic character.

I always appreciate proper pacing and good tension in a story, and this is a shining example of a well-paced story. I never once wanted to put the book down the whole time I was reading it, and that's always going to bump up my estimation for any book. I almost wanted to flip back to the beginning and start the book over again once it ended.

Really can't say enough good things about this title, but that's no surprise since that's been my experience with every one of Arden's books I've had the pleasure of reading so far. Can't wait to see what else she writes!

If you are looking for the same vibe you found reading the Winternight Trilogy by the same author, you will not find it here. That is not to say this was a bad read, I actually enjoyed the historical fiction aspect of this woven with the paranormal and fantastical. The author ensures you are invested in each character and how their small stories fit into the larger theme and plot of the book all the way to the end. Even if you were hoping for the same feel as the authors other work, I still think you should give this a chance.