While this extended mythology kick I’ve been on has largely been focused on Greek and Roman mythology, that’s mostly been due to the fact that novels inspired by Greek and Roman mythology are plentiful and easy to find. I’ve managed to find and devour a few inspired by Norse mythology like The Witch’s Heart or Hindu mythology like The Star-Touched Queen, Megan Barnard’s recent The Winter Goddess is the first novel I’ve come across inspired by Celtic mythology. And after reading Boudicca a short time ago, I was particularly interested to learn a little more of the mythology and figures that were reference there. The Winter Goddess doesn’t simply explore the figures of Celtic mythology, however – it also examines what it is that defines humanity and where power and belief intersect.

Cailleach isn’t like the other gods and goddesses in Tara. Cailleach was born to Danu, the mother goddess while Danu and the other gods were born mortal and became gods later. Cailleach shows an affinity for snow and ice and claims her place as the goddess of winter before she ever interacts with mortals directly but she quickly becomes friends with Enya, the daughter of one of Danu’s mortal friends. When Enya later dies in childbirth (forced into marriage to a much older man by her father in spite of her stated desire never to marry or have children), Cailleach’s grief drives her away from the mortal world as she decides mankind isn’t worth investing her care and attention in. Until they trespass somewhere Cailleach considers sacred to herself. Then she brings down a long and punishing winter on the mortals – a winter so devastating that Danu and the other gods decide she must be punished until she learns her lesson. Cailleach must live as a mortal… as many times as it takes for her to learn whatever lesson it is that Danu has in mind. But the longer Cailleach lives among the mortals, the more she begins to question the role the gods play in the scheme of things.

So much of The Winter Goddess centers around the individual and community as Cailleach gradually learns how to depend on her fellow mortals to help ensure her survival as well as how mortality and immortality impact the community. Other than Danu, the reader sees very little of the other gods and goddesses of Tara and Cailleach appears to have very little interactions with them. They don’t depend on one another for survival – it’s unclear how much they even depend on the mortals and their worship for anything other than entertainment and attention. Yet there is a community there and, because her path to immortality was different from the others’, Cailleach doesn’t fully seem to belong to that community. Of course, her ultimate immortality is part of what keeps her at the outskirts of the community of mortals she finds herself near over and over again as she suffers her punishment from Danu.

While Cailleach’s growing appreciation for the mortals around her and the harsh physicality of mortality are pretty predictable within the story, the way they impact Cailleach’s relationship with Danu and the exploration of parent/child relationships in the novel prove to be thoroughly compelling. The tension between Cailleach and Danu, the power struggle and the frustration of trying to be understood while the other is blinded by their own experience is infinitely relatable. They clash over the desire to protect someone else from the truth as well as the betrayal of having the truth withheld or having a decision taken out of your hands. Loss and grief and love bind them together in that inescapable way that simply is mother and daughter.

I must admit, that I was a little hesitant going into The Winter Goddess given my mixed feelings when I’d finished reading Jezebel, but I think some of those feelings probably stemmed from going in with a degree of familiarity with the character and her story. I’m curious to see where Barnard goes next and look forward to diving in eagerly.

I enjoyed this. The goddess of winter is sent to live among mortals in order to learn some key lessons. It didn't exactly blow my mind, but it kept my attention and the pace was pretty fast.

Barnard creates a cultivating world that captures the attention of the reader through her sweeting imagery and high stakes. "The Winter Goddess" has amazing concepts and dives well into Celtic myth. This book better fits readers who love Celtic lore, rich details, and emotional roller coasters.

Hello Book Friends,

Today I’m review The Winter Goddess by Megan Barnard, who reimagines Irish mythology in this story of a goddess punished, only to discover what it means to love and to be alive.

The story is broken up into parts by seasons and the many lives of the winter goddess.  Cailleach lives her life as most gods and goddesses do with no consequence or remorse for their actions.  It isn’t until she is punished for bringing on a deadly winter that she begins to slowly over time understand what she has done, what she has lost, and how she can atone.

Barnard deftly weaves a story about humanity over the course of seven lifetimes and how, in each passing life, Cailleach comes closer to the truth of her existence and what she wants, more than being a goddess.

The Winter Goddess is out now!

An absolutely wonderful mythological romance that swept me off my feet! Thank you to NetGalley and to Penguin Books for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review!

The Winter Goddess
by Megan Barnard
Pub Date: Mar 11 2025

Cailleach, goddess of winter, was not born to be a blight on humanity, but she became one. She would say with scorn that it was their own fault: mortals were selfish, thoughtless, and destructive, bringing harm to each other and the earth without cause or qualms.

One day, Cailleach goes too far. Thousands die, lost to her brutal winter. In punishment, her mother Danu, queen of the gods, strips the goddess of her powers and sends Cailleach to earth, to live and die as the mortals she so despises, until she understands what it is to be one of them. Though determined to live in solitude, Cailleach finds that she cannot help but reach for the people she once held in such disdain. She loves and mourns in equal measure, and in opening herself to humanity, hears tales not meant for immortal ears—including a long-buried secret that will redefine what it means to be a god.

From the author of the “stunning . . . riveting” historical reenvisioning Jezebel (Library Journal), a vividly imagined and arresting story of a goddess punished—and a goddess reborn, as she discovers the importance of a life ephemeral…and what it means to truly be alive.

The Winter Goddess is a beautifully woven fantasy novel that blends myth, magic, and emotion into a compelling story. I was completely hooked—I tore through it in two days!

Perfect read for mythology lovers - a beautiful heartwarming story. Barnard created fascinating worlds and explored the characters in depth in such a warm manner that helped build that world

The Winter Goddess is a wonderful book for lovers of mythology. I found the beginning to be a bit slow, but at (I believe exactly) the 40% mark, the story really grabbed hold of me emotionally, and by the end I couldn't put it down! I love that Cailleach's journey is nonlinear, consisting of both growth and setbacks. The dynamic between Gods and mortals, and even the God's themselves, was very intriguing and made for a captivating read

In "The Winter Goddess," Megan Barnard beautifully reimagines Irish mythology through the poignant journey of Cailleach, the goddess of winter, who finds herself cursed to experience the mortal life she once scorned. This inventive narrative explores themes of empathy, love, and the intrinsic value of human life as Cailleach is stripped of her powers and forced to confront the very existence she abhors.

As she navigates the trials and tribulations of mortality, Cailleach's initial disdain for humankind gives way to profound connections and experiences that reveal the complexities and fragility of life. Barnard’s writing is rich and evocative, capturing the stark beauty of winter alongside the warmth of human emotions. Through love and loss, Cailleach discovers a deep understanding of what it means to be mortal—a journey that serves as both a punishment and an awakening.

"The Winter Goddess" is a captivating blend of mythology and introspection, compelling readers to reflect on their own connections to others while highlighting the transformative power of understanding and compassion. Barnard's exploration of a goddess learning to embrace the human experience creates a deeply resonant story that lingers long after the last page.

I highly recommend this novel to anyone who has a love for mythology, or who loved books like Circe, Song of Achilles, et cetera. In my opinion, we don’t see enough mainstream literature centering on mythology from other pantheons. We spend time with the Irish deity Cailleach, goddess of the winter.

As with so many stories concerning gods and goddesses, Cailleach has no love for humans. In fact, there is little she despises more than these weak, selfish mortals. So when thousands of humans die during a particularly brutal winter, she has no pity for them. Instead, Cailleach turns her heart away from the human population, causing her own mother, the goddess queen Danu, to strip her daughter of her power and status, forcing her to live as a mortal so that Cailleach might come to understand and respect humans.

The book itself was slow to start, but gradually picks up as Cailleach begins her life upon Earth. She experiences all the things that makes us human — the joys and the sorrows. Even death comes for her, until she ultimately understands, even loves, the humans she once scorned so. A compelling read filled with emotion, which leaves the reader pondering on what makes us all human, as well as reminding us that there is no grief without love.

Many thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for access to this ARC. I am looking forward to reading more from this author!

The Winter Goddess is a retelling of Irish myth in which Cailleach, the goddess of winter, is forced to live and die as a mortal woman in recompense for the brutal winter that claimed so many human lives. As a mortal woman Cailleach learns the value of a mortal life.

Rating: 4.5/5
I received the eARC for my honest opinion.

This was my first book by this author, and it will not be the last. In this book you will meet Cailleach, she is a goddess of the winter. She was not born with humanity, like the other gods and goddesses, so when she goes too far one day and sends thousands to death. Her mother Danu punishes her by stripping away her goddess powers and sends Cailleach to Earth to live and die as mortals that she hates. However, after years of not caring and dying alone she finally understands that she can’t do it alone and she reaches for the help from mortals that she used to hate.

I loved this book, and I loved that we got to see all the human lives that she lived and all the people that she helps and the ones that hate her. She came to understand that it wasn’t hate but fear that led them to do horrible acts. I loved the writing style of this author; the words just flew and were lyrical. I loved that the pace of the book was perfect, it was slow but fast at the same time, if that makes any sense. I found the plot to be more character driven, I loved that you got to see the development from Cailleach through each death and the lessons that she learns. It was an emotional read, with a lot of great teaching moments. I liked that in this book it is a fantasy but it also wasn’t. I liked that I knew that if I didn’t like Cailleach in one of her lives that I would still be able to learn from her lives, and I wanted to see why her mother Danu wanted her daughter to live as a mortal.

CW: arranged marriage, unwanted pregnancy, murder, child death and death of pet.

I want to thank NetGalley and Penguin for the opportunity to review this book.

Overall, an enjoyable read. I particularly enjoyed how the human world expands as Cailleach's perspective on humans evolves - this is when the book really hits its stride, and Cailleach's growth as she grapples with each different facet of humanity is extremely compelling. However, it takes a while to get there. The beginning was rather slow could have benefitted from significantly more world building in terms of what life is like for the gods (how their powers work, how they typically interact with each other, etc.) to give readers a better frame of reference for Cailleach's existence before mortality.

this book did not disappoint! the cover peaked my interest, and i just knew i had to read it. it was a beautifully written mythology about the winter goddess, Cailleach. the novel was emotional, and heartbreaking, allowing readers to empathize and grow alongside Cailleach. i would love to read more novels by this author in the future!

Cailleach, goddess of winter, sees mortals as selfish and destructive and isn't terribly sorry when thousands die in a brutal winter. Her mother Danu, queen of the gods, disagrees. She strips Cailleach of her power and sends her to live with mortals to better understand them. Cailleach planned to live alone but eventually realizes she needs the help of mortals. Opening herself to humanity, she learns to live and love as mortals do and then hears a secret that will redefine what it means to be a god.

Cailleach loves the winter and the grove where she was given dominion over winter. As a child, she met humans and was close to one of them, but her mother Danu refused to intervene. Cailleach distanced herself, and the rage at her grove getting destroyed to house the dead created the destructive winter. She's sent to Earth multiple times, and can't survive on her own as a mortal. She doesn't understand love or friendship, and it takes several lifetimes to get it right. The anger at humanity and Danu is intense, which is why it takes so long. The attachments she finally makes really teach her about family, love and truly wanting the best for others. Gods are too distant, immortality blinding them to what humanity really is. I cried along with Cailleach at her significant losses. The writing is spare but evocative so that we feel what she does. It drew me in, and I couldn't put it down.

Thank you NetGalley, Megan Barnard, and Penguin Books for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! I’m such a big fan of this author and I fell in love with her first book, Jezebel, but I might like this one even more. They’re both criminally underrated and I hope more people start to find them both!

This one follows Cailleach, goddess of Winter, after she brings harm to mortals with a brutal winter. Her mother Danu, queen of the gods, makes her a mortal temporarily to live and die so that she will understand them more. This book follows many of her human lives and the people she meets in each.

I loved the way this story is set up and found it emotional and bittersweet. It was great getting to see her grow and make connections with people over time, while learning to appreciate what it means to be human. I don’t want to say much to avoid spoilers, but you will become so invested in her story and root for her as she grows and matures.

This one also felt SO quick and I flew through it. I really hope Barnard continues to write these type of books and I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next. 5 stars!

This book delivered major emotional damage. I was in tears starting around the 40% mark and didn’t stop crying until the very end. Although the beginning felt a bit slow, the story quickly gained momentum and became deeply moving. It kept me hooked until the end. I bet the audiobook for this would be amazing!
Thanks to NetGallery and PENGUIN GROUP Viking Penguin for an advanced copy of this ebook in exchange for my honest review.

THANK YOU NETGALLEY!! I read this book in two days and I really enjoyed it! What a unique take on what it means to be human <3 so much heart and emotion in only 300 pages! I learned so much about Celtic mythology and I am so intrigued by it now. I've always been a Greek mythology girl, so I am very happy to get to branch out with a book like this and the cover is just stunning as well. Highly recommend!

The Winter Goddess by Megan Barnard held my interest with every turn of the page. It tells the captivating tale of Cailleach and how she became the goddess of winter, only to have everything stripped away as punishment for a devastating action. She is sent to live among mortals and faces the root of her grief while experiencing different sides of humanity that she never previously considered. Her journey will stick with me for quite some time.

I appreciate this story's exploration of love, friendship, and womanhood. The author's writing style flows and the world building is easy to understand throughout this fantasy setting.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Books for the opportunity to read a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.