The Snow Child

I absolutely adored this book. I never really write this much about books, but I think because this one touched on some really personal and heavy topics for me I wanted to cover a bit of this one. I think it's a really unique fantasy story due to it following an older couple still feeling the grief of losing their baby many years before and who are also struggling a bit in their marriage and with the state of their own lives - I just don't often see those themes in fantasy. It's a retelling of the snow child folktale, which I had never heard of before - “There once was an old man and woman who loved each other very much and were content with their lot in life except for one great sadness - they had no children of their own.” So for some (like me) there might need to be some handling with care, especially if you've experienced the loss of a child. It's set in Alaska in the early 20th century. I found it magical and whimsical, especially against the interior Alaska backdrop - “I don't know if you get used to it really, it just get's in your blood so you can't stand to be anywhere else,” - if you know, you know. I think another reason why this is special is because it's dual POV of the couple, so you're able to see the drivers of their (sometimes poor or hurtful) decisions, which as someone who had marital relationship problems I appreciated seeing both sides. Of course it won't be for everyone, but if 1) what I said before interests you, 2) you want an emotional, loving and/or “real” story (and if you liked those aspects in Sword of Kaigen this might interest you or vice-versa), 3) you like the woods, hunting/fishing/trapping or homesteading, or 4) are in the mood for a book that will make you feel the cold and the brutality and beauty of winter, check this out.