Barrow of Winter is the third book in the Hall of Smoke series. It follows Thray, a priestess who is plagued by the question of if she is immortal or not. When her half-sister arrives on her shores and promises answers, Thray is intrigued and sets out on an epic journey to discover the truth about her immortality. In Barrow of Winter, Thray meets siblings she never knew she had, tests the strength of her current relationships, and discovers hidden strengths. But how far will she go for her blood family when they set their sights on her homeland? 

I loved Barrow of Winter!! H.M. Long paints a vivid picture of an unforgiving & eternal winter. This is a world filled with dangers that feel tangible. Thray is a fascinating character to watch  on her challenging journey to find answers. All the senses are engaged from the sting of cold ice to the cloying smoke of a fire. Thray is determined that she will never stop fighting for her homeland, bound by blood or not.

H.M. Long writes thoughtfully about both blood and found family, as well as what it means to find people who understand you. My favorite side characters were Thray’s brothers who look out for her as she encounters siblings who are less welcoming. The conclusion felt a bit rushed to me, but I also just wanted to spend more time in the world.

If you love Viking-inspired fantasy, secrets laced with betrayal, and epic quests then you need to read Barrow of Winter! Barrow of Winter could be read as a standalone, but you will have much more context if you have read the first two books in the series. I would recommend this for readers of Adrienne Young, Shea Ernshaw, and Meg Long. I look forward to reading what H.M. Long writes next!!

 

Thank you to H.M. Long and Titan Books for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.