The Frost Fair | By Natasha Hastings

 

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis :

 

 

 

 

 

 

A heartwarming and magical adventure, The Frost Fair is a dazzling historical fantasy perfect for fans of Frozen and Serafina and the Black Cloak.

It’s winter, 1683, and the Great Frost has swept into London.

By day, thirteen-year-old Thomasina and her friend Anne peddle sweets on the frozen river, hearing rumors of the magical Frost Fair that awakens there at night. They say if you can find it, Father Winter himself will grant any wish you have.

And Thomasina has an impossible wish: the return of her twin brother, whose death left her family fractured.

But once they discover Father Winter’s icy kingdom, Thomasina and Anne quickly realize the Frost Fair isn’t exactly what it seems… and that some wishes never come for free.

With a delightful fantasy setting and unique magic system, The Frost Fair is an enchanting look at the power of friendship, the way grief shapes all of us, and how love can warm even the coldest heart. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My thoughts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Narrative and Plot

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Frost Fair is a middle-grade fantasy that is surprisingly grounded even when it is dealing with all these magical and frosty elements. Now, I am not exactly familiar with the internal history of London. And there might be historical references that I have missed. However, the story is far more powerful on a human level and it is easy to connect with that aspect.

The plot dives deep into grief and how each one processes it in their own way. The metaphor is quite obvious and the book doesn’t shy away from how mental health has been treated in the past. Even today there are places where the subject is still taboo. All this is neatly packaged with an engaging plot and an expressive main character who takes you along with her on this journey.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Characters and Conflicts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thomasina is basically the central character. The whole story mainly focuses on how she learns to process her own grief. Despite that, each character has an arc of their own which is satisfying as a reader. The ensemble cast makes this frosty world rich and engaging. Moreover, it shows that no one can win their battles alone.

Credit goes to the author to deal with such a delicate topic in a middle-grade novel. There is loss and pain in the book. So, if you’re someone who prefers to shield a kid from difficult topics, that’s your choice.

But, if you wish to be open and talk about such deep subjects with a young one, the book is worth a try. As a person who has suffered from bronchitis now and then since a kid, that part hits home. Also, I am grateful I live in a place with a hotter climate. However, the world-building really makes you want to experience the winter and the snow minus the sinister elements, of course.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conclusion

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Miraculous Sweetmakers is yet another middle-grade fantasy that is filled with emotions, magic, adventure, friendship and love all in a gorgeous package. If you are into the genre, definitely give this one a go.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

 

 

 

 

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I received an e-Copy of the book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review for TheWriteReads Ultimate Blog Tour.