Looking for a new adventure as the evenings start to close in? I’d recommend revisiting the world of Greenwild in a brand new frosty adventure. Be sure to scroll down and read some of Pari Thomson’s top winter recommendations.
“Annika may be heir to the ocean-ruled kingdom of Iffenwild, but she’d much rather be sailing with her traveling theater troupe than learning how to be queen. But when her beloved uncle Max – the king – returns gravely injured from a secret mission to the Utter North, her world shifts in an instant.
Determined to find a long-lost cure, Annika journeys into the frozen North: a land of towering ice cliffs, frozen seas, and powerful ice magic. But the deeper she ventures, the clearer it becomes that something far darker is stirring. If Annika fails, it won’t just be her uncle’s life at stake – it will be the fate of the entire magical world.”
If that’s whet your appetite for some new winter reads, take a look at Pari’s special piece about her favourite wintery books:
Pari Thomson on her favourite winter books
The Frozen King is a winter book – a story that sparkles with snowflakes, frost and ice magic. It follows twelve-year-old Annika, who journeys to the magical Utter North to find a cure for her dangerously sick uncle – and along the way, discovers a land full of white huskies, sleigh rides, frost flowers, and more wonders than she could ever have dreamed of.
Here are some of the classic winter books that inspired me while I was writing, and which I return to again and again when I want comfort on the coldest winter days.
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
Who can forget that first glimpse of Narnia, in the sparkling, snowy forest with the lamppost shining in the dark? And who can forget the terrifying, glittering beauty of the White Witch? This is a winter book par excellence – complete with sleigh rides, Turkish delight, and an appearance from Father Christmas!
Northern Lights by Philip Pullman
Perhaps the greatest winter story ever written, full of so much wonder and complexity that it leaves you breathless. I love the stern honour of the armoured bears, the lure of the spiced chocolatl, and the rippling of the aurora borealis as Lyra and Iorek Byrnison race across the snow of Svalbard.
Moominland Midwinter by Tove Jannson
I reread this every winter, and each time it seems to grow in wisdom and delight. It’s the story of what happens when Moomintroll wakes up from hibernation in the ‘bewitched time of winter,’ when all his family and friends are still fast asleep. It’s a story full of moonlight and mountains, strange friendships and glorious snowball fights. Perfection.
North Child by Edith Patou
This enchanting, richly imagined story is inspired by the fairytale ‘East of the Sun, West of the Moon’. Rose is born facing north and fated to seek out adventures. When she travels on the back of a white bear to a mysterious white castle, we’re plunged into an epic and spellbinding adventure that feels like a timeless winter fairytale.
Here are a few more recent winter books that I’ve loved more recently – perfect for curling up with on snowy days!
– The Way Past Winter by Kiran Millwood Hargrave: ‘a gorgeous wintry folk tale for young and old alike’*
– The Ice Children by M.G. Leonard: ‘the perfect cosy winter read’*
– The Snow Girl by Sophie Anderson: ‘a fairytale adventure of friendship, belonging and bravery in a winter wonderland’*
(*all quotes from publishers’ websites)
So many wonderful recommendations there, thank you Pari. I’d love to know which titles you’re going to be adding to your ‘to be read’ pile.
Having just finished ‘The Frozen King,’ I can confirm that it is a truly sparkling adventure through the frostbitten lands of the Utter North and back again. I loved heading back to the world of the Greenwild series again to revisit some of the favourite places and discover some new.
Readers will get swept away with Annika and Connie as they set off on a mission to save those they love. The strong themes of conservation and protecting our planet will also engage many.
Jo.
*Huge thanks to Macmillan for inviting me to be a part of this blog tour*
