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Songs of Snow
Win a free print copy of this book!
16 days and 11:58:09
10 copies available
U.S. only
Banned magic. An ambitious huntress. A reluctant sorceress. A kingdom at stake.
Kata dreams of a life of wealth and glory, eradicating magic from her kingdom by hunting mythical beings. But when she finds a rare winged unicorn in the woods and fails to kill it, she’s unwillingly swept off to a mountain sanctuary for the very prey she longs to hunt.
Across the sea, Elín loves her simple farm life and is far too practical to believe in magic. When bounty hunters descend on her farm, believing Elín to be the last remaining snow sorceress, she’s forced to flee with a mysterious stranger. If she wants to survive to see her home again, she must travel to the shadowy ends of her world, find a lost book of spells, and learn to wield her newfound icy powers.
When they meet at the mountain sanctuary, Elín and Kata learn of an unexpected tether between them. Elín is eager to work together to reclaim the refugees’ homes—and her own—by defeating the king who banned magic. But there's a hefty bounty on Elín's life, and this is Kata’s chance to fulfill all her dearest-held dreams…
Fans of Viking Age fantasy, magical adventures like Margaret Rogerson’s Sorcery of Thorns, and wintry, fairy tale-inspired worlds like Naomi Novik’s Spinning Silver and Meagan Spooner’s Hunted will love this twist on Icelandic mythology.
Kata dreams of a life of wealth and glory, eradicating magic from her kingdom by hunting mythical beings. But when she finds a rare winged unicorn in the woods and fails to kill it, she’s unwillingly swept off to a mountain sanctuary for the very prey she longs to hunt.
Across the sea, Elín loves her simple farm life and is far too practical to believe in magic. When bounty hunters descend on her farm, believing Elín to be the last remaining snow sorceress, she’s forced to flee with a mysterious stranger. If she wants to survive to see her home again, she must travel to the shadowy ends of her world, find a lost book of spells, and learn to wield her newfound icy powers.
When they meet at the mountain sanctuary, Elín and Kata learn of an unexpected tether between them. Elín is eager to work together to reclaim the refugees’ homes—and her own—by defeating the king who banned magic. But there's a hefty bounty on Elín's life, and this is Kata’s chance to fulfill all her dearest-held dreams…
Fans of Viking Age fantasy, magical adventures like Margaret Rogerson’s Sorcery of Thorns, and wintry, fairy tale-inspired worlds like Naomi Novik’s Spinning Silver and Meagan Spooner’s Hunted will love this twist on Icelandic mythology.
- GenresFantasy
287 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 11, 2024
About the author
L.J. Thomas
3 books87 followersL.J. Thomas is a writer of speculative fiction. A native of South Dakota, she now lives in Minnesota with her husband and adopted dog. She works as an engineer by day and writes by night. In her free time she enjoys being outdoors, traveling, reading, and daydreaming about other worlds.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
July 6, 2024
The journey of two sisters, inspired in the Iceland folklore. Elif, the "witch" of snow and storm, and Kata, the hunterss that can talk with magical creatures, were separete most of their lives but will fight for protect the magic. I like the romance sob plot two, Elif and Ty were sweet together.
June 30, 2024
A beautifully heartfelt wintry fantasy brimming with nordic folklore and a magic all its own.
🏔️ If you are a northerner with frost in your veins, then this nordic ya fantasy will be your next favorite read..
..or if you simply enjoy trekking on wintry adventures such as in:
❄️ Hunted by Meagan Spooner
❄️ East by Edith pattou
..and enjoys books with vibes like:
❄️ The Last Unicorn
❄️ Frozen II
🏔️...then this book deserves a permanent place on your bookshelf! It has all the best elements of traditional european fairytales & icelandic lore.
❄️ LJ Thomas has a lyrical storytelling voice that expertly illustrates a world that is both at once hauntingly familiar as if you've visited there before, while also being shrouded in mystery, drawing you deeply into her world painted from nordic myths & folklore.
🏔️ Elín is content to live her life in the secluded mountain village where she grew up but when two strangers arrive at her quiet farm insisting she is the last Storm Singer, they bring with them winds of change that propel her into the journey of a lifetime, unraveling long lost secrets and discovering family bonds she thought were lost forever.
❄️ I loved the dual point of view between Elín and Kata, watching them slowly come closer to the truth while unknowingly working their way closer to each other. When their worlds finally collide, it shatters everything they thought they knew about themselves and the world around them.
🏔️ The romance between Elín and Tyr is very sweet and full of longing, not to mention long-suffering. Their slow dance between love or duty will keep you turning those pages long into the night in anticipation.
❄️ This beautiful coming of age story has been lovingly crafted and intricately researched, you can tell LJ Thomas poured her heart and soul into this story.
🏔️ The world inside Songs of Snow was comforting, enchanting, deeply thoughtful, and so all-encompassing that it is one I plan to return to every winter season, so I can embark on this journey with Elin & Kata while the wind howls against the windowpanes, and you can imagine a world where there are still Storm Singers.
I received this as an ARC, but all opinions are my own.Thank you BookSirens and LJ Thomas @ljthomasbooks !
I loved this book & give it:
❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️
🏔️ If you are a northerner with frost in your veins, then this nordic ya fantasy will be your next favorite read..
..or if you simply enjoy trekking on wintry adventures such as in:
❄️ Hunted by Meagan Spooner
❄️ East by Edith pattou
..and enjoys books with vibes like:
❄️ The Last Unicorn
❄️ Frozen II
🏔️...then this book deserves a permanent place on your bookshelf! It has all the best elements of traditional european fairytales & icelandic lore.
❄️ LJ Thomas has a lyrical storytelling voice that expertly illustrates a world that is both at once hauntingly familiar as if you've visited there before, while also being shrouded in mystery, drawing you deeply into her world painted from nordic myths & folklore.
🏔️ Elín is content to live her life in the secluded mountain village where she grew up but when two strangers arrive at her quiet farm insisting she is the last Storm Singer, they bring with them winds of change that propel her into the journey of a lifetime, unraveling long lost secrets and discovering family bonds she thought were lost forever.
❄️ I loved the dual point of view between Elín and Kata, watching them slowly come closer to the truth while unknowingly working their way closer to each other. When their worlds finally collide, it shatters everything they thought they knew about themselves and the world around them.
🏔️ The romance between Elín and Tyr is very sweet and full of longing, not to mention long-suffering. Their slow dance between love or duty will keep you turning those pages long into the night in anticipation.
❄️ This beautiful coming of age story has been lovingly crafted and intricately researched, you can tell LJ Thomas poured her heart and soul into this story.
🏔️ The world inside Songs of Snow was comforting, enchanting, deeply thoughtful, and so all-encompassing that it is one I plan to return to every winter season, so I can embark on this journey with Elin & Kata while the wind howls against the windowpanes, and you can imagine a world where there are still Storm Singers.
I received this as an ARC, but all opinions are my own.Thank you BookSirens and LJ Thomas @ljthomasbooks !
I loved this book & give it:
❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️
June 17, 2024
Songs of Snow is a story about two sisters who not only find each other, but find out who they are along the way. One a reluctant sorceress and the other a determined bounty huntress.
There is a lot to love about this book! I enjoyed both POVs, but loved Elín's chapters just a bit more. Both characters were well developed with their own goals and motivations. I loved the plot and the pacing as well. This book is perfect for those who love fantasy but prefer not to read a long epic tale. It was an easy read, partly because the story pulls you in. I loved the hints of romance throughout and really liked how it was secondary to the sister's journeys. This would be a great read for the younger side of young adult which is refreshing! My 16 year old is reading it now as well.
Another great read from L.J. Thomas!
Thanks to BookSirens for a free eArc. I left this review voluntarily (and also after I bought and read the paperback once released).
There is a lot to love about this book! I enjoyed both POVs, but loved Elín's chapters just a bit more. Both characters were well developed with their own goals and motivations. I loved the plot and the pacing as well. This book is perfect for those who love fantasy but prefer not to read a long epic tale. It was an easy read, partly because the story pulls you in. I loved the hints of romance throughout and really liked how it was secondary to the sister's journeys. This would be a great read for the younger side of young adult which is refreshing! My 16 year old is reading it now as well.
Another great read from L.J. Thomas!
Thanks to BookSirens for a free eArc. I left this review voluntarily (and also after I bought and read the paperback once released).
June 10, 2024
Thank you so much to Book Sirens for a free e-ARC of this book!
I had such a fun time reading this wintery fantasy tale of magic, adventure, and growing up. It’s such a fun, spellbinding story, and I’m so excited to see it on shelves soon!
LJ Thomas is a master of beautifully lyrical writing, and this latest book from her does not disappoint! I will also always be a fan of dual POV, and I absolutely love our two main characters, Kata and Elín. This is very much a book about two young women growing up, learning the truths of their pasts, facing hard questions in their present, and deciding how to steer their own futures, and they both have secret inner strengths that they’ve never tapped into before and explore over the course of the book. Watching them grow into their own is a joy!
One of my favorite things about this world and world building was the magic system, which just feels like it fits so well with Icelandic myth and folklore, and is so reminiscent of classic fairytales and folklore in the best way. There's also some delightful and heartwarming romance (another favorite of mine!).
If you're a fan of the the fairytale elements of the "Snow Queen," the wintry atmosphere of Naomi Novik’s Spinning Silver and the YA mythology retellings being published by Rick Riordan’s imprint, this will be the perfect addition to your shelf!
I had such a fun time reading this wintery fantasy tale of magic, adventure, and growing up. It’s such a fun, spellbinding story, and I’m so excited to see it on shelves soon!
LJ Thomas is a master of beautifully lyrical writing, and this latest book from her does not disappoint! I will also always be a fan of dual POV, and I absolutely love our two main characters, Kata and Elín. This is very much a book about two young women growing up, learning the truths of their pasts, facing hard questions in their present, and deciding how to steer their own futures, and they both have secret inner strengths that they’ve never tapped into before and explore over the course of the book. Watching them grow into their own is a joy!
One of my favorite things about this world and world building was the magic system, which just feels like it fits so well with Icelandic myth and folklore, and is so reminiscent of classic fairytales and folklore in the best way. There's also some delightful and heartwarming romance (another favorite of mine!).
If you're a fan of the the fairytale elements of the "Snow Queen," the wintry atmosphere of Naomi Novik’s Spinning Silver and the YA mythology retellings being published by Rick Riordan’s imprint, this will be the perfect addition to your shelf!
May 29, 2024
3.5 rounded down
Songs of Snow is a fantasy book about two girls: one is the last remaining snow sorceress, and the other is a huntress who dreams of hunting magical creatures.
I found this book to be a really quick read that wasn't overly complicated (I didn't think much). I enjoyed both our main characters. I especially liked how they had very opposing personalities. It is a dual-pov book and even without the heading saying whose perspective it was from, I was able to tell who was talking. While I liked the book, I did feel like it wasn't very young adult—more middle grade. Just the way some topics weren't out right said and the very nice, neat ending felt like it was for younger kids. There also wasn't that much violence, which isn't a problem, but I personally can be a little blood thirsty, and this was marketed as Norse mythology. I wish some of the love interests backgrounds and personalities were expanded on more, but it didn't really hurt the book as there relationships didn't feel to rushed and they had chemistry. All in all a decent book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Songs of Snow is a fantasy book about two girls: one is the last remaining snow sorceress, and the other is a huntress who dreams of hunting magical creatures.
I found this book to be a really quick read that wasn't overly complicated (I didn't think much). I enjoyed both our main characters. I especially liked how they had very opposing personalities. It is a dual-pov book and even without the heading saying whose perspective it was from, I was able to tell who was talking. While I liked the book, I did feel like it wasn't very young adult—more middle grade. Just the way some topics weren't out right said and the very nice, neat ending felt like it was for younger kids. There also wasn't that much violence, which isn't a problem, but I personally can be a little blood thirsty, and this was marketed as Norse mythology. I wish some of the love interests backgrounds and personalities were expanded on more, but it didn't really hurt the book as there relationships didn't feel to rushed and they had chemistry. All in all a decent book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 27, 2024
I would have liked this to be more of a viking adventure but it was more of a fantasy than a viking tale. In fantasies everything turns out as you'd expect and viking tales it would be more like noir. It seemed to go like you'd expect it to go but with some revisions in the happy ending. Elin was a Stormsinger and this was an about how she would get back her Kingdom for all the people who had magic. But her grandmother dies and then she is approached by two men one that gets killed and one that takes her to safety. Meanwhile, her sister, Kata is a huntswoman, not know to Elin, and she is taken on a trip by a alicorn to make her aware what she is to contribute to the mix. It's and adventure that any good fantasy reader would like to finish. It's a very good story for adventure seekers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 14, 2024
This was a very enjoyable book. I wasn't sure at first as the main characters seemed to linger too long in obstinance. But the story was captivating to get me through that, and as it went along, the various moral dilemmas they faced throughout the story felt genuine and serious. They were not simply contrived or easily passed through, and that made the story that much more interesting. Nearing the end, I couldn't figure out how the book could wrap up without going into sequels or trilogies, but it tied together the loose ends very well, and was a satisfying read. I almost wished it were a trilogy, as it'd be fun to continue along the adventures of these characters. By adding not only nordic/icelandic myths and legends, but also creating her own, the author really added depth and texture to the book, which I loved.
Definitely a recommendation - worth your time.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Definitely a recommendation - worth your time.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 5, 2024
This uses the Viking Age fantasy element in a way that was unique and had that fantasy element that I was expecting. I enjoyed the idea of the use of banned magic and thought the overall magical element in this world worked overall. The characters had that element that I was looking for and enjoyed the overall story of this. It had that adventure element perfectly and I was hooked from the first page. I thought L.J. Thomas wrote this perfectly and was glad I got to read this. It uses the Icelandic mythology in a way that was unique and glad I got to read this.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 18, 2024
Thank you to BookSirens and LJ Thomas for the free e-ARC!
Between Songs of Snow and The Bloody Key: A Bluebeard Retelling, LJ Thomas has now cemented herself as the fairy godmother of complicated sister relationships.
Songs of Snow is a Viking Age-inspired YA fantasy — it follows two sisters, Kata and Elín, who are discovering new things about their family and their own power. I really loved seeing each character come into her own individually, then also grow together as sisters.
The whole book is meticulously, lovingly researched, and Thomas strikes a perfect balance between weaving her own fantasy elements in with established Icelandic folklore. The prose is vivid and lush, and I found myself completely transported to the Scandinavian forests and tundras.
If you enjoyed Genevieve Gornichec’s The Weaver and the Witch Queen but wish it’d had more of a YA vibe, definitely add Songs of Snow to your TBR!
I give it five snowflakes!
❄️ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️
Between Songs of Snow and The Bloody Key: A Bluebeard Retelling, LJ Thomas has now cemented herself as the fairy godmother of complicated sister relationships.
Songs of Snow is a Viking Age-inspired YA fantasy — it follows two sisters, Kata and Elín, who are discovering new things about their family and their own power. I really loved seeing each character come into her own individually, then also grow together as sisters.
The whole book is meticulously, lovingly researched, and Thomas strikes a perfect balance between weaving her own fantasy elements in with established Icelandic folklore. The prose is vivid and lush, and I found myself completely transported to the Scandinavian forests and tundras.
If you enjoyed Genevieve Gornichec’s The Weaver and the Witch Queen but wish it’d had more of a YA vibe, definitely add Songs of Snow to your TBR!
I give it five snowflakes!
❄️ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️
June 2, 2024
I really enjoyed reading this book. I thought the characters were very well developed and the world building excellent. There were a few twists I didn't see coming, but they worked well with the story. I definitely recommend this book.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews