I received this book on audiobook from the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

In a sheltered village, the Cabinet Maker's daughter Edith meets a shepherd and instantly falls in love. The two vow to be wed but Edith's father has promised her to The Butcher - an evil man who rules the village in fear. Edith promises that she will marry The Butcher if her shepherd does not return by the time of the first snow. What happens next takes away Edith's voice, but starts to change everything for the village, and in particular its womenfolk.

This book very much feels like a feminist fairytale in a way - not in the actions of the characters in particular but more so the overall message of the story. There were some parts of the story that were really beautifully told, and I did really like some of the imagery of the snow-covered village. I also enjoyed a lot of the storytelling aspects of the tale.

I don't really have anything particularly critical to say about the book other than I think it just wasn't one for me. I didn't really gel with the story, and by 3/4 of the way through I was just really wanting it to be over. I found the story mostly sad overall, and it was a bit depressing continuously hearing all the ways The Butcher had wrecked the lives of so many people. He was a really evil character with zero redeemable qualities.

Just not my cup of tea.