Disclaimer: I received this arc from a library sale. Thanks! All opinions are my own.




Book: Through the White Wood




Author: Jessica Leake




Book Series: Side book to the Through A Dark Wood series




Rating: 3.5/5




Diversity: Slavic folklore




Recommended For...: dark fantasy and Elsa powers!




Publication Date: April 9, 2019




Genre: YA Fantasy




Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, war, gore, innocent killings)




Publisher: HarperTeen




Pages: 416




Synopsis: Katya’s power to freeze anything she touches has made her an outcast in her isolated village. And when she loses control of her ability, accidentally killing several villagers, she is banished to the palace of the terrifying Prince Sasha in Kiev.

At the castle, though, she is surprised to find that Sasha is just like her—with his own strange talent, the ability to summon fire. Instead of punishment, Sasha offers Katya friendship, and the chance to embrace her power rather than fear it.

But outside the walls of Kiev, Sasha’s enemies have organized their own army of people who can control the very earth. Bent on taking over the entire world, they won’t stop until they’ve destroyed everything.

Katya and Sasha are desperate to stop the encroaching army, and together their powers are a fearsome weapon. But as their enemies draw nearer, leaving destruction in their wake, will fire and frost be enough to save the world? Or will they lose everything they hold dear?




Review: For the most part I thought this was a great book. I loved the magic system in it and I loved the use of Slavic folklore. The book had great character development and world building as well.




However, the book wasn’t that interesting in my opinion. It was a struggle to get through it. I had to keep picking it up and putting it down. The book didn’t seem to have anything unique or surprising about it.




Verdict: It was an ok book.