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Winter, White and Wicked #1
Winter, White and Wicked
Winter doesn't like the smuggler who's come to Whistlestop. She doesn't trust him, doesn't want me to take this job.
Twice-orphaned Sylvi has chipped out a niche for herself on Layce, an island cursed by eternal winter. Alone in her truck, she takes comfort in two things: the solitude of the roads and the favor of Winter, an icy spirit who has protected her since she was a child.
Sylvi likes the road, where no one asks who her parents were or what she thinks of the rebels in the north. But when her best friend, Lenore, runs off with the rebels, Sylvi must make a haul too late in the season for a smuggler she wouldn’t normally work with, the infamous Mars Dresden. Alongside his team—Hyla, a giant warrior woman, and Kyn, a boy with skin like stone—Sylvi will do whatever it takes to save her friend.
But when the time comes, she’ll have to choose: safety, anonymity, and the favor of Winter—or the future of the island that she calls home.
Twice-orphaned Sylvi has chipped out a niche for herself on Layce, an island cursed by eternal winter. Alone in her truck, she takes comfort in two things: the solitude of the roads and the favor of Winter, an icy spirit who has protected her since she was a child.
Sylvi likes the road, where no one asks who her parents were or what she thinks of the rebels in the north. But when her best friend, Lenore, runs off with the rebels, Sylvi must make a haul too late in the season for a smuggler she wouldn’t normally work with, the infamous Mars Dresden. Alongside his team—Hyla, a giant warrior woman, and Kyn, a boy with skin like stone—Sylvi will do whatever it takes to save her friend.
But when the time comes, she’ll have to choose: safety, anonymity, and the favor of Winter—or the future of the island that she calls home.
384 pages, Hardcover
First published October 13, 2020
50 people are currently reading
8742 people want to read
About the author
Shannon Dittemore
10 books619 followersShannon Dittemore is an author and speaker. Her books include the Angel Eyes trilogy, a supernatural foray into the realm of angels and demons, as well as the fantastical adventure novel Winter, White and Wicked. A sequel to the latter is expected in the fall of 2022.
Shannon's stories often feature strong female leads grappling with fear and faith as they venture into the wilds of the unknown. She’s often wondered if she’s writing her own quest for bravery again and again.
It’s a choice she values highly. Bravery. And she’s never more inspired than when young people ball up their fist and punch fear in the face.
To that end, Shannon frequently offers mentoring tracks at a local school where she provides junior high and high school students with an introduction to writing and the publishing industry. Tools she hopes will enable them to use their voice in new and powerful ways.
Together with authors Stephanie Morrill and Jill Williamson, she encourages young writers online at Go Teen Writers, an instructional blog recognized by Writer’s Digest four years running as a "101 Best Websites for Writers" selection.
Shannon is represented by Holly Root of Root Literary.
Shannon's stories often feature strong female leads grappling with fear and faith as they venture into the wilds of the unknown. She’s often wondered if she’s writing her own quest for bravery again and again.
It’s a choice she values highly. Bravery. And she’s never more inspired than when young people ball up their fist and punch fear in the face.
To that end, Shannon frequently offers mentoring tracks at a local school where she provides junior high and high school students with an introduction to writing and the publishing industry. Tools she hopes will enable them to use their voice in new and powerful ways.
Together with authors Stephanie Morrill and Jill Williamson, she encourages young writers online at Go Teen Writers, an instructional blog recognized by Writer’s Digest four years running as a "101 Best Websites for Writers" selection.
Shannon is represented by Holly Root of Root Literary.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 293 reviews
March 30, 2021
Sylvi's island plunged into eternal winter ages ago. Its dark, desolate and despite the struggles throughout her life, Sylvi has managed to carve out a (somewhat) comfortable life for herself.
A voice slips through a crack in the pane, tugging curls from my snarled white braids. COME OUT AND PLAY, she says.
She has her own "rig" which she transports various cargo across the wintery mountains.
She has the companionship of "Winter" - a spirit which will sometime grant Sylvi blessings and will also sometimes makes Sylvi deal with even harsher conditions.
"Kindness does not make me weak. It allows others to be strong as well."Sylvi's adopted sister (Sylvi lost her original parents, and then her adoptive one) is with the rebels and Sylvi knows no good will come of that.
When Mars Dresden - a rebel sympathizer - contacts Sylvi to deliver essential supplies.
"The rebels need you."Despite her misgivings, Sylvi agrees to transport his load across the wilderness in exchange for something she needs very, very much.
"Not interested."
Together they mak a mad dash across the frozen landscape.
Will they make it in time? Will they even make it at all?
"He's insane," I whisper.Whew.
This one was high-energy for SURE!
The constant running and driving and running again definitely provided plenty of action to keep the adrenaline going for this book.
I quite liked the relationship Sylvi had with the winter spirit - it was definitely an intriguing and interesting aspect.
The myriad of side characters were fascinating - especially considering their various levels of human-ness.
Some of the characters felt a bit weak and the world-building did skip around a bit so I felt like I was stumbling to catch up at parts.
But overall, I think this one was a good book - a little bit out there but ultimately a good pick.
With thanks to Netgalley, Amulet Books and Shannon Dittemore for sending me a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
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February 1, 2021
This title is wrong. It should have been Book, Slow and Cliche.
2 stars because it wasn't awful but it was still less than just "okay".
Hello all and welcome to my first rant review of 2021!! Am I writing this with pent up angst and frustration about other things channeled into my intense annoyance with this book? Absolutely. Was this book dumb enough to give me the same level of angst and frustration as IRL problems?? Absolutely. This reads like it's written by a tween who thought Mad Max: Fury Road and Frozen should be an AU crossover fic. And that crossover element is what initially got me excited about the book . . . until I started reading.
'He's a cocky pup, but there's a steadiness to his hands. The kind of steadiness I look for in any trucker.'
One of the first things that irked me about this book was that it tried too hard to match the Fury Road vibes The only thing that comes close to them is that there are rigs, a big-ass road, and they never seem to stop driving. But it also tries to throw some Frozen elements, which, Fury Road but ICY?? I can get with that and it sounds great, doesn't it??
AND YET IT WAS WRITTEN SO BADLY AND SO CLICHE IT INVENTED A NEW GENRE OF TROPES starting with how weirdly things were spelled. No, you do NOT need all those P's and L's and Y's to make names sound interesting.
Also, literally everything about this book was confusing, badly developed, rushed, and made about 0.001% in relation to story coherence. I could literally feel my brain cells flaking away as I stubbornly continued to read this because, surely, it would at least get a little better? BUt no, it did not get better . . . only worse.
'Winter's more than words and wind. She's a chill that clings to everything. She's power. And, like all great powers, she likes her companionship recognized. If she's talking to you, you'll know.'
Worldbuilding? This book knows no such thing. It's a haphazard tangle of tales and jumbled conversations IN THE MIDDLE OF BATTLE MOMENTS that is either zombified tropes or silly madeup words. Look, I enjoy "silly" made up words in fantasy . . . when it's done proper. This just reads like it was written on the fly and wasn't cleaned up much after. It's the worldbuilding and lack of characterization and lack of, well, anything worthy of publishing that makes me question HOW this even got published in the first place.
This is something I would expect from a fanfic, not a published book. The type of fanfic you read late at night, scraping the bottom of the fandom barrel because you're bored/desperate/feeling the insomnia.
So, overall, I was HIGHLY disappointed in this . . . and maybe a little bit disappointed in the publishing community for giving hype to something totally unworthy of hype?? The only thing this book has for itself is that it's a mostly "clean" read but, if there's nothing beyond that, what is even the point???
I'm just . . . tired. And upset. And salty that precious trees are wasted without taking the time to make sure what's printed on them is WORTH being printed.
I received a digital ARC from Harry N. Abrams via Edelweiss and NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. However, quotes in the review and reading updates were taken from a published hardcover copy.
2 stars because it wasn't awful but it was still less than just "okay".
Hello all and welcome to my first rant review of 2021!! Am I writing this with pent up angst and frustration about other things channeled into my intense annoyance with this book? Absolutely. Was this book dumb enough to give me the same level of angst and frustration as IRL problems?? Absolutely. This reads like it's written by a tween who thought Mad Max: Fury Road and Frozen should be an AU crossover fic. And that crossover element is what initially got me excited about the book . . . until I started reading.
'He's a cocky pup, but there's a steadiness to his hands. The kind of steadiness I look for in any trucker.'
One of the first things that irked me about this book was that it tried too hard to match the Fury Road vibes The only thing that comes close to them is that there are rigs, a big-ass road, and they never seem to stop driving. But it also tries to throw some Frozen elements, which, Fury Road but ICY?? I can get with that and it sounds great, doesn't it??
AND YET IT WAS WRITTEN SO BADLY AND SO CLICHE IT INVENTED A NEW GENRE OF TROPES starting with how weirdly things were spelled. No, you do NOT need all those P's and L's and Y's to make names sound interesting.
Also, literally everything about this book was confusing, badly developed, rushed, and made about 0.001% in relation to story coherence. I could literally feel my brain cells flaking away as I stubbornly continued to read this because, surely, it would at least get a little better? BUt no, it did not get better . . . only worse.
'Winter's more than words and wind. She's a chill that clings to everything. She's power. And, like all great powers, she likes her companionship recognized. If she's talking to you, you'll know.'
Worldbuilding? This book knows no such thing. It's a haphazard tangle of tales and jumbled conversations IN THE MIDDLE OF BATTLE MOMENTS that is either zombified tropes or silly madeup words. Look, I enjoy "silly" made up words in fantasy . . . when it's done proper. This just reads like it was written on the fly and wasn't cleaned up much after. It's the worldbuilding and lack of characterization and lack of, well, anything worthy of publishing that makes me question HOW this even got published in the first place.
This is something I would expect from a fanfic, not a published book. The type of fanfic you read late at night, scraping the bottom of the fandom barrel because you're bored/desperate/feeling the insomnia.
So, overall, I was HIGHLY disappointed in this . . . and maybe a little bit disappointed in the publishing community for giving hype to something totally unworthy of hype?? The only thing this book has for itself is that it's a mostly "clean" read but, if there's nothing beyond that, what is even the point???
I'm just . . . tired. And upset. And salty that precious trees are wasted without taking the time to make sure what's printed on them is WORTH being printed.
I received a digital ARC from Harry N. Abrams via Edelweiss and NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. However, quotes in the review and reading updates were taken from a published hardcover copy.
April 3, 2020
Such a fabulous read! Check out this IG post for my thoughts on the book: https://www.instagram.com/p/B91yBf4gyOp/
November 21, 2022
I officially have a new obsession and it is this book! Holy crap. What just happened. I cannot wait for book two!
“You cannot believe the truth about yourself until you’ve killed the lie. The two cannot co-exist.”
Such an imaginative story with really unique characters. I loved the twists and Kyn 😭 and Hyla 😭
Also the themes were so great I literally had to pause the audiobook (the narrator was totally bomb amazing) to just process. Such a great exploration of how lies can twist into our hearts and blind is completely, as well as the painful and confusing process of unbinding ourselves from those lies so we can see what is true.
A top favorite of the year for sure!
“You cannot believe the truth about yourself until you’ve killed the lie. The two cannot co-exist.”
Such an imaginative story with really unique characters. I loved the twists and Kyn 😭 and Hyla 😭
Also the themes were so great I literally had to pause the audiobook (the narrator was totally bomb amazing) to just process. Such a great exploration of how lies can twist into our hearts and blind is completely, as well as the painful and confusing process of unbinding ourselves from those lies so we can see what is true.
A top favorite of the year for sure!
July 16, 2024
Fast paced, thrilling, fun, heartbreaking. I got so invested. I loved this so much. I’ve been meaning to read it for years and I’m just sad it took me so long. On to book 2!
May 9, 2020
4.5/ 5 and I HAVE A LOT TO UNPACK HERE. This was described as Mad Max meets Frozen. That's still true if you add drugs, smugglers, buddy team adventures and found family nonsense, and...monsters made out of body parts of other people(?) Right. Remember what I said? We are unpacking a lot.
Is Winter, White and Wicked perfect? Not by a long shot. But I’ll be damned if I didn’t have a great time. For about 4.5 hours I was taken an on absolute fever dream where nothing made sense and everything made sense at the same time.
Sylvi is a long haul trucker living a modest life driving her big rig across an island of eternal winter. She has the ear of the winter spirit that dominates the land. Her life is changed when her best friend runs away with a group of rebels fighting against the oppressive late stage capitalist ruling class that dominates the land.
Mars Dresden is a black eyed smuggler that has learned to enslave the spirit of winter to his will, and he needs Sylvi and her truck for a long and dangerous journey. Our story follows Sylvi, Mars, and his small team across a desert of ice. They face sociopathic rangers, vicious wildlife, island natives, and winter's fury on their journey.
What sets this apart to me is the incredible amount of gore and violence for what I believe is technically considered a YA novel- Winter White and Wicked does not hold back in it's viciousness. I would go so far to argue that the book has actually carved out a whole new genre of YA Grimdark, pushing the limits of what would normally be considered acceptable for a teen audience. No character is safe from immeasurable suffering.
At it's core, One could argue that "Winter" is about deconstructing belief and the foundation of belief- as we are introduced to several impactful moments of radical faith (bot religious and political) Whether it's Sylvi's unrelenting belief in the spirit that haunts her, the numerous island based faiths that drive the brutal lifestyles of their inhabitance, or warring political parties that use humans as slave labor. The absolute truths believed by almost every character they meet swell into a dark and cold world of violence that makes driving a truck turn into a death sentence.
Unlike many YA novels of today, "Winter" does not focus much on things like romance, instead investing deeply into the powerful growing bond between Sylvi and the smugglers that she is driving. The character driven warmth of this book carries you through the darkness of this world and keeps you invested until the end.
Is Winter, White and Wicked perfect? Not by a long shot. But I’ll be damned if I didn’t have a great time. For about 4.5 hours I was taken an on absolute fever dream where nothing made sense and everything made sense at the same time.
Sylvi is a long haul trucker living a modest life driving her big rig across an island of eternal winter. She has the ear of the winter spirit that dominates the land. Her life is changed when her best friend runs away with a group of rebels fighting against the oppressive late stage capitalist ruling class that dominates the land.
Mars Dresden is a black eyed smuggler that has learned to enslave the spirit of winter to his will, and he needs Sylvi and her truck for a long and dangerous journey. Our story follows Sylvi, Mars, and his small team across a desert of ice. They face sociopathic rangers, vicious wildlife, island natives, and winter's fury on their journey.
What sets this apart to me is the incredible amount of gore and violence for what I believe is technically considered a YA novel- Winter White and Wicked does not hold back in it's viciousness. I would go so far to argue that the book has actually carved out a whole new genre of YA Grimdark, pushing the limits of what would normally be considered acceptable for a teen audience. No character is safe from immeasurable suffering.
At it's core, One could argue that "Winter" is about deconstructing belief and the foundation of belief- as we are introduced to several impactful moments of radical faith (bot religious and political) Whether it's Sylvi's unrelenting belief in the spirit that haunts her, the numerous island based faiths that drive the brutal lifestyles of their inhabitance, or warring political parties that use humans as slave labor. The absolute truths believed by almost every character they meet swell into a dark and cold world of violence that makes driving a truck turn into a death sentence.
Unlike many YA novels of today, "Winter" does not focus much on things like romance, instead investing deeply into the powerful growing bond between Sylvi and the smugglers that she is driving. The character driven warmth of this book carries you through the darkness of this world and keeps you invested until the end.
September 16, 2021
I have read this book.
It’s not hard to do.
Took me a month.
Probably less for you.
Because it’s always Winter.
Never Christmas.
Somehow I think
There’s more to this business.
It’s not hard to do.
Took me a month.
Probably less for you.
Because it’s always Winter.
Never Christmas.
Somehow I think
There’s more to this business.
July 1, 2021
3.5 stars // read June 2021
tl;dr: Winter, White and Wicked went wonderfully well; a wild and frigid ride with a whimsical spell. Except for content, which I didn't like. The end.
Actual review:
-First off, the cover. Feast your eyes on the beautiful cover. Feel the temperature drop fifteen degrees as Sylvi stares into your soul. The typography. The alliteration in the title- I almost want to do a video of this review just so I can keep repeating the title. XD
-Worldbuilding! The world is so completely unique and frigid and original, it's really fascinating. There's a dash of dystopian in there too! I also liked the different races and cultures.
-Yay for developed legends and mythology! I thought maybe it was a Snow Queen retelling; it's not, but there are some similarities with Frozen (two sisters, for example.)
-I actually thought that Sylvi was going to end up with someone else. XD I'm glad she didn't, because it would've been the cliche person and would've ended up being weird. I did like the romance- it's sort of in the background and features one of my favorite tropes.
-Plot twists! I figured out one thing, but didn't figure out other things, so it worked out.
-The writing is good, but a little too vague at some points. I really wish that we had a picture of the Sylver Dragon because that was the hardest thing for me to visualize.
-The ending is just tight enough that it works by itself but I'm wondering if maybe a sequel is in the works?
Content: Medium.
Language: Some swearing and crude words (denser towards the beginning of the book.) The word "flux" is used as a swear word and it's rather too easy to translate that into an English equivalent.
Sensuality: Mention of a young girl being assaulted. References to a prostitute.
Violence: By far the creepiest part are the Frankenstein's monster-type creatures, composed of various limbs from different dead people. Eep. Heavy rocks are placed on people as torture. Oh, yeah, and a guy is killed. Mentions of blood. Fun stuff like that.
Other: Sylvi prays to Winter at least once; even though she's technically a winter spirit she's basically viewed as a goddess. There's references to *cough* bodily fluids. Raw kol basically acts as a drug to those who aren't immune or who don't have protection against it.
tl;dr: Winter, White and Wicked went wonderfully well; a wild and frigid ride with a whimsical spell. Except for content, which I didn't like. The end.
Actual review:
-First off, the cover. Feast your eyes on the beautiful cover. Feel the temperature drop fifteen degrees as Sylvi stares into your soul. The typography. The alliteration in the title- I almost want to do a video of this review just so I can keep repeating the title. XD
-Worldbuilding! The world is so completely unique and frigid and original, it's really fascinating. There's a dash of dystopian in there too! I also liked the different races and cultures.
-Yay for developed legends and mythology! I thought maybe it was a Snow Queen retelling; it's not, but there are some similarities with Frozen (two sisters, for example.)
-I actually thought that Sylvi was going to end up with someone else. XD I'm glad she didn't, because it would've been the cliche person and would've ended up being weird. I did like the romance- it's sort of in the background and features one of my favorite tropes.
-Plot twists! I figured out one thing, but didn't figure out other things, so it worked out.
-The writing is good, but a little too vague at some points. I really wish that we had a picture of the Sylver Dragon because that was the hardest thing for me to visualize.
-The ending is just tight enough that it works by itself but I'm wondering if maybe a sequel is in the works?
Content: Medium.
Language: Some swearing and crude words (denser towards the beginning of the book.) The word "flux" is used as a swear word and it's rather too easy to translate that into an English equivalent.
Sensuality: Mention of a young girl being assaulted. References to a prostitute.
Violence: By far the creepiest part are the Frankenstein's monster-type creatures, composed of various limbs from different dead people. Eep. Heavy rocks are placed on people as torture. Oh, yeah, and a guy is killed. Mentions of blood. Fun stuff like that.
Other: Sylvi prays to Winter at least once; even though she's technically a winter spirit she's basically viewed as a goddess. There's references to *cough* bodily fluids. Raw kol basically acts as a drug to those who aren't immune or who don't have protection against it.
July 14, 2024
If I had known this book dealt with sexual assault, I would’ve read it so much sooner. Oh my goodness, that was so good. The slow burn (and the way that Kyn respects Sylvi when she tells him about her trauma and he apologizes for accidentally triggering it and how he asks from then on). The found family. The toxic relationship between Sylvi and Winter and the way Sylvi wrestles with it and finally breaks free. The mythology. The intensity and action and ice trucking. The kol drug and the way it affected people. The Shiv, people with stone patches on their skin. The trauma and the path toward healing.
There were confusing parts about the book, especially at the beginning when I was still figuring out the worldbuilding, but oh my goodness it was so worth it. Can’t wait to devour book two.
“‘You’re not who you think you are,’ Winter says. ‘You’re nothing without me.’ But there’s only one way to find out.”
“Not wielding your power has consequences as well. Winter is not warm, Miss Quine. She is not comfortable. If her words burn inside your belly, consider that it’s likely a cold burn. The kind that kills. You can remain silent—that is always your prerogative—but just because we cannot see the consequences of your inaction doesn’t mean you will escape unscathed.”
“I pull myself upright, strange emotions bumping like an ice floe behind my rib cage. I’ve only ever defended her. To be slapped like a petulant child… Hot tears prick my eyes.”
“‘He’ll expect it forever now,’ Winter says. ‘The healing, your touch. He’ll claim it as rightfully his.’ It’s a terrifying thought and my hands come up and away. I lean back, suddenly afraid of what I’ve done, afraid of what I’ve started.”
It is so beautiful and I cannot recommend it enough.
There were confusing parts about the book, especially at the beginning when I was still figuring out the worldbuilding, but oh my goodness it was so worth it. Can’t wait to devour book two.
“‘You’re not who you think you are,’ Winter says. ‘You’re nothing without me.’ But there’s only one way to find out.”
“Not wielding your power has consequences as well. Winter is not warm, Miss Quine. She is not comfortable. If her words burn inside your belly, consider that it’s likely a cold burn. The kind that kills. You can remain silent—that is always your prerogative—but just because we cannot see the consequences of your inaction doesn’t mean you will escape unscathed.”
“I pull myself upright, strange emotions bumping like an ice floe behind my rib cage. I’ve only ever defended her. To be slapped like a petulant child… Hot tears prick my eyes.”
“‘He’ll expect it forever now,’ Winter says. ‘The healing, your touch. He’ll claim it as rightfully his.’ It’s a terrifying thought and my hands come up and away. I lean back, suddenly afraid of what I’ve done, afraid of what I’ve started.”
It is so beautiful and I cannot recommend it enough.
Read
February 22, 2021I'm mad at myself for not writing this review earlier -- my only excuse is that I thought I already had! The dangers of blabbing about it on Instagram for weeks instead of posting a proper review right away, I guess...
Anyway, WINTER, WHITE AND WICKED is a breath of fresh (if chilly!) air in modern YA fantasy, with a unique and fascinating premise and world-building setup. The writing is solid, the characters distinct and compelling, and the blend of technology. mythology and magic kept me wondering what strange turns Sylvi's ice road of adventure would take. I'm excited to hear that this book has been contracted for a sequel, and eager to read more about Sylvi and her world!
Anyway, WINTER, WHITE AND WICKED is a breath of fresh (if chilly!) air in modern YA fantasy, with a unique and fascinating premise and world-building setup. The writing is solid, the characters distinct and compelling, and the blend of technology. mythology and magic kept me wondering what strange turns Sylvi's ice road of adventure would take. I'm excited to hear that this book has been contracted for a sequel, and eager to read more about Sylvi and her world!
Read
September 24, 2022DNF @ 30% I’m just not enjoying this one
October 16, 2020
Thank you to NetGalley and Amulet Books for sending me an Advanced Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Sylvi is raised on the lonely island of Kerce, a land that has been controlled by Winter for many decades.
Sylvi only has one goal. Finish a haul and bring money to the table. On the road she can forget who she was and only focused on the path ahead with Winter as her companion.
But after her best friend, Lenore, runs away with a group of rebels, Sylvi agrees to use her rig to haul a load of essential supplies across a treacherous pass from a rebel sympathizer, Mars Dresden, to find Lenore and bring her home.
She must transport him, his companions and his haul.
In this journey, Sylvi begins to wonder if “Winter”, the icy spirit who has control of Layce, is really a friend or foe.
THOUGHTS
At the beginning I was struggling with the pace of the story. As almost all elementals/magic novels, the information is overwhelming since the author is trying to explain how the magic system works. By a third of Winter, White and Wicked I was still struggling to comprehend how Kerce magic works.
Even though the story has so much potential, I found that Winter, White and Wicked is so repetitive. The same argument is brought up during the novel but with a different explanation.
I also found myself frustrated with the main character because I just wanted for her to grow a backbone and deal with Winter.
Even though this novel lacks romance, it was very believable between the characters which contributed in the story development.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Winter, White and Wicked is totally different from other books I’ve read. The worldbuilding is so unique and very interesting.
The cover is beautiful. You can’t deny that.
But unfortunately the ending is a little bit disappointing and with many holes. There’s no indication of a sequel but the story wasn’t completed, it shows all the lies in Sylvi’s life and then JUST ENDS.
I really hope there is a sequel since I felt like the story was building up for something major and then nothing.
Sylvi is raised on the lonely island of Kerce, a land that has been controlled by Winter for many decades.
Sylvi only has one goal. Finish a haul and bring money to the table. On the road she can forget who she was and only focused on the path ahead with Winter as her companion.
But after her best friend, Lenore, runs away with a group of rebels, Sylvi agrees to use her rig to haul a load of essential supplies across a treacherous pass from a rebel sympathizer, Mars Dresden, to find Lenore and bring her home.
She must transport him, his companions and his haul.
In this journey, Sylvi begins to wonder if “Winter”, the icy spirit who has control of Layce, is really a friend or foe.
THOUGHTS
At the beginning I was struggling with the pace of the story. As almost all elementals/magic novels, the information is overwhelming since the author is trying to explain how the magic system works. By a third of Winter, White and Wicked I was still struggling to comprehend how Kerce magic works.
Even though the story has so much potential, I found that Winter, White and Wicked is so repetitive. The same argument is brought up during the novel but with a different explanation.
I also found myself frustrated with the main character because I just wanted for her to grow a backbone and deal with Winter.
Even though this novel lacks romance, it was very believable between the characters which contributed in the story development.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Winter, White and Wicked is totally different from other books I’ve read. The worldbuilding is so unique and very interesting.
The cover is beautiful. You can’t deny that.
But unfortunately the ending is a little bit disappointing and with many holes. There’s no indication of a sequel but the story wasn’t completed, it shows all the lies in Sylvi’s life and then JUST ENDS.
I really hope there is a sequel since I felt like the story was building up for something major and then nothing.
August 17, 2021
I really enjoyed this book! And can we talk about how stinking AWESOME and GORGEOUS this cover is?!?! ALL the prompts to the cover designers on this gorgeous piece of art! Plus it’s SHINY!!! 🤩😍🤩😍
The beginning was a bit confusing with the lore and how things work (which is common for fantasy and not something I’m bothered by), but after the first few chapters where I was more immersed with the characters and world things cleared up and made sense, though I will need to reread it to catch all the little details I missed. And the lore! The magic! The worldbuilding! It was all so rich with depth and life and just so, so, so well done! You could just tell how much time and effort went into creating it all, and I love it and am so thankful the author put the time and care into it.
Though her time and effort weren’t just on the world and lore but the characters too! Our main cast are SO different from each other yet so compliment and work well together you can’t imagine them anywhere else but in the Dragon together. Sylvi reminded me a bit in the beginning of Katniss from The Hunger Games, but she grows into herself more and more as the story goes on and I ended up really rooting for her. Kyn was probably my favorite and needs to be wrapped in blankets and protected at all costs, my precious boy. Hyla was amazing, and Mars I both want to slap yet hug sometimes simultaneously, lol. The side characters were well done and felt real as well, and I’m excited to get to know Lenore better in the second book.
While I love the author’s Angel Eyes trilogy more, I really enjoyed this book and am eagerly looking forward to the second book! Though no fear of cliffhangers as this one wraps up nicely on its own. Just thought I’d let you know. 😉
*****WARNING! Possible trigger warning for attempted sexual assault, see Content section below for more details.*****
Content: mild swearing (real + made up); violence and blood (nothing over PG-13); magic; truckers converse on using the bathroom; in Chapter 18 in a flashback a girl is nearly raped by an old man (it’s not detailed beyond some touching under a shirt and on a belt buckle); creatures fuse with pieces of dead human bodies to create themselves and attack
The beginning was a bit confusing with the lore and how things work (which is common for fantasy and not something I’m bothered by), but after the first few chapters where I was more immersed with the characters and world things cleared up and made sense, though I will need to reread it to catch all the little details I missed. And the lore! The magic! The worldbuilding! It was all so rich with depth and life and just so, so, so well done! You could just tell how much time and effort went into creating it all, and I love it and am so thankful the author put the time and care into it.
Though her time and effort weren’t just on the world and lore but the characters too! Our main cast are SO different from each other yet so compliment and work well together you can’t imagine them anywhere else but in the Dragon together. Sylvi reminded me a bit in the beginning of Katniss from The Hunger Games, but she grows into herself more and more as the story goes on and I ended up really rooting for her. Kyn was probably my favorite and needs to be wrapped in blankets and protected at all costs, my precious boy. Hyla was amazing, and Mars I both want to slap yet hug sometimes simultaneously, lol. The side characters were well done and felt real as well, and I’m excited to get to know Lenore better in the second book.
While I love the author’s Angel Eyes trilogy more, I really enjoyed this book and am eagerly looking forward to the second book! Though no fear of cliffhangers as this one wraps up nicely on its own. Just thought I’d let you know. 😉
*****WARNING! Possible trigger warning for attempted sexual assault, see Content section below for more details.*****
Content: mild swearing (real + made up); violence and blood (nothing over PG-13); magic; truckers converse on using the bathroom; in Chapter 18 in a flashback a girl is nearly raped by an old man (it’s not detailed beyond some touching under a shirt and on a belt buckle); creatures fuse with pieces of dead human bodies to create themselves and attack
November 1, 2021
*Huge thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for the chance to review this book ahead of its release date. All opinions are my own.*
When I first heard about the acquisition of this novel, I just had to follow its progress, from all stages right up to the cover reveal, which did not disappoint. I knew right away that this was going to the book for me.
Set in the icy world of Layce where winter is eternal, trucker Sylvi accepts a job from a famous smuggler in order to get to her friend, who'd run away to join a rebellion. The world-building around this frozen land puts you right in its icy clutches. It's cold, and it's relentless. Along for the ride are two foreigners, Kyn and Hyla who become more than just a job to Sylvie, and a spirit called Winter who may or not be the protector Sylvi thinks she is.
This book throws you right into the action and leaves you in mystery right off the bat. Why did Lenore leave Sylvi to join the rebels? Who is this spirit Winter and why does Sylvi not want to call upon her magic to aid her? The info trickles in slowly, which can be frustrating to some people. For myself, I did not get a sense of urgency from Sylvi on why she cared so much about rescuing her friend and why she thought she was in so much danger that she'd risk her life offseason to get to her. A lot of aspects f the book happened too gradually and I could not get a sense of things as early on as I wanted to.
Sylvie, as a character, was what I look for in a heroine. Fierce, flawed, and intelligent.
The side characters were enjoyable especially Kyn. The different races were unique, though I wished I had a little bit more time with them. The writing was top-notch and put me right there in the snow and chilly winds
WINTER, WHITE AND WICKED sets itself apart from YA fantasy in its magic system and its setting. I look forward to the sequel.
For all the books, find me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/celiamcmaho...
When I first heard about the acquisition of this novel, I just had to follow its progress, from all stages right up to the cover reveal, which did not disappoint. I knew right away that this was going to the book for me.
Set in the icy world of Layce where winter is eternal, trucker Sylvi accepts a job from a famous smuggler in order to get to her friend, who'd run away to join a rebellion. The world-building around this frozen land puts you right in its icy clutches. It's cold, and it's relentless. Along for the ride are two foreigners, Kyn and Hyla who become more than just a job to Sylvie, and a spirit called Winter who may or not be the protector Sylvi thinks she is.
This book throws you right into the action and leaves you in mystery right off the bat. Why did Lenore leave Sylvi to join the rebels? Who is this spirit Winter and why does Sylvi not want to call upon her magic to aid her? The info trickles in slowly, which can be frustrating to some people. For myself, I did not get a sense of urgency from Sylvi on why she cared so much about rescuing her friend and why she thought she was in so much danger that she'd risk her life offseason to get to her. A lot of aspects f the book happened too gradually and I could not get a sense of things as early on as I wanted to.
Sylvie, as a character, was what I look for in a heroine. Fierce, flawed, and intelligent.
The side characters were enjoyable especially Kyn. The different races were unique, though I wished I had a little bit more time with them. The writing was top-notch and put me right there in the snow and chilly winds
WINTER, WHITE AND WICKED sets itself apart from YA fantasy in its magic system and its setting. I look forward to the sequel.
For all the books, find me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/celiamcmaho...
March 14, 2021
Five stars, five stars, five stars - honestly, I would give it more if I could. I read Winter so fast, and I needed it so much. I can't even tell you /why/, exactly (maybe I'll be able to after I process longer), but I loved it so much. Let me count the ways: I stayed up until 2am on a school night to finish this book, because I just had to. And then I laid awake because I couldn't stop thinking about it.
Five stars, five stars, five stars.
Five stars, five stars, five stars.
January 5, 2025
Unexpected. That’s the word to encapsulate my feelings about this story. And that’s not a bad thing!
I’ve wanted to read it for ages but was never in the right mood for it. Until this blustery January.
A trucker fantasy was the last thing I expected, but you know, it was actually pretty interesting. Much of the world building was lost on me—reading at night has its drawbacks—but I enjoyed the aspects that clicked in my head.
Plot wise, it’s both fast paced and slow. Much of the story takes place into the cab of a truck, and then we get flashbacks to the past & the pit-stop adventures/battles.
The characters are what did it for me, at least for Kyn & Hyla. The jury is still out for how I feel about Mars & Sylvi, but I’m eager to give the second book a go!
Content: mild language (d*mn; b*stard; p*ss; h*ll; and in world swears); a few candid remarks about the necessity of bathroom breaks; **spoiler** 1 scene of a man forcing himself on Sylvi as a child (groping her) as her guardian does nothing to stop it—it’s heartbreaking & while not overly graphic, it can be disturbing if you’re not expecting it, but it’s there for a reason
I’ve wanted to read it for ages but was never in the right mood for it. Until this blustery January.
A trucker fantasy was the last thing I expected, but you know, it was actually pretty interesting. Much of the world building was lost on me—reading at night has its drawbacks—but I enjoyed the aspects that clicked in my head.
Plot wise, it’s both fast paced and slow. Much of the story takes place into the cab of a truck, and then we get flashbacks to the past & the pit-stop adventures/battles.
The characters are what did it for me, at least for Kyn & Hyla. The jury is still out for how I feel about Mars & Sylvi, but I’m eager to give the second book a go!
Content: mild language (d*mn; b*stard; p*ss; h*ll; and in world swears); a few candid remarks about the necessity of bathroom breaks; **spoiler** 1 scene of a man forcing himself on Sylvi as a child (groping her) as her guardian does nothing to stop it—it’s heartbreaking & while not overly graphic, it can be disturbing if you’re not expecting it, but it’s there for a reason
January 10, 2022
WOW. What a story. I've been anticipating this read for some time but I never expected to be swept utterly off my feet like this.
Shannon Dittemore's writing is beautiful. It's something else--in the most amazing way. The whole Sylver Dragon crew captured my heart (some faster than others) and I ADORE the slow-burn. The slow-burn enemies to friends. The slow burn lies to truth. The slow burn fleeing to fighting.
I'm left breathless in the wake of this story. I enjoyed every second of it, but I didn't realise until nearly the end quite how much I'd grown to love this story and these characters. This is an incredible story that I cannot recommend enough!
Shannon Dittemore's writing is beautiful. It's something else--in the most amazing way. The whole Sylver Dragon crew captured my heart (some faster than others) and I ADORE the slow-burn. The slow-burn enemies to friends. The slow burn lies to truth. The slow burn fleeing to fighting.
I'm left breathless in the wake of this story. I enjoyed every second of it, but I didn't realise until nearly the end quite how much I'd grown to love this story and these characters. This is an incredible story that I cannot recommend enough!
December 19, 2021
Sylvi and Mars and Kyn and Hyla. I love all of these characters, yeah? 🥰 I appreciate that the author doesn’t spoon feed the reader anything. There is no info dumping here. The reader is thrown into this world with Sylvi Quine as their guide, and she is one tough cookie. At times I got frustrated with her, but that is the mark of a good character. It would be far worse to feel numb toward the character’s actions :) bravo, Shannon Dittemore. Can’t wait for book 2!
September 5, 2020
Thank you to the publishers and TBRbeyond for sending me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!
"She dreamed aloud of boarding a ship and sailing away from Layce to a land where the skies were always blue and the unveiled sun turned faces warm and brown."
The world building in this book was amazing. It matched the setting of the book so wonderfully that I found myself feeling as if I was in the cold, icy, frozen land right along with Sylvi.
There was so much action and I loved every minute of it. The obstacles that Sylvi and Mars had to face made it hard to stop reading at certain points. There were a few chapters where the pacing slowed down at bit and I was waiting for it to pick back up again, which fortunately it did.
I found the characters in this book intriguing and mysterious. I couldn’t wait to figure out more about Sylvi and her connection to Winter, but I found her to be a bit annoying at times. There were points in the story where I was ready for her to be strong and “fight” but she seemed to always back down and choose to run away instead. The book ended with so many openings for a second book so I’m hoping to see Sylvi grow and embrace her fury, to help her become stronger which would make an amazing character arc.
Besides that and the lack of romance (which is always my favorite part of a book) I really enjoyed this book and I can see this being a pretty amazing and unique series.
3.5/5 ✰’s
"She dreamed aloud of boarding a ship and sailing away from Layce to a land where the skies were always blue and the unveiled sun turned faces warm and brown."
The world building in this book was amazing. It matched the setting of the book so wonderfully that I found myself feeling as if I was in the cold, icy, frozen land right along with Sylvi.
There was so much action and I loved every minute of it. The obstacles that Sylvi and Mars had to face made it hard to stop reading at certain points. There were a few chapters where the pacing slowed down at bit and I was waiting for it to pick back up again, which fortunately it did.
I found the characters in this book intriguing and mysterious. I couldn’t wait to figure out more about Sylvi and her connection to Winter, but I found her to be a bit annoying at times. There were points in the story where I was ready for her to be strong and “fight” but she seemed to always back down and choose to run away instead. The book ended with so many openings for a second book so I’m hoping to see Sylvi grow and embrace her fury, to help her become stronger which would make an amazing character arc.
Besides that and the lack of romance (which is always my favorite part of a book) I really enjoyed this book and I can see this being a pretty amazing and unique series.
3.5/5 ✰’s
January 29, 2021
Disappointed.
That’s the biggest feeling I have after finishing this one.
I guess I was really hoping for more from this story. And from the author.
This book was hyped on Instagram by a few authors and other readers I generally trust, so I guess my expectations were set too high. So now I’m ultimately disappointed.
Things I liked:
The book layout is visually appealing. Not only is the cover absolutely gorgeous (kudos to to cover artist!), the first page of each chapter has a sprayed edge which looks cool and the words of Winter are printed in a unique wintery bold font. You can almost feel Winter speaking to Sylvi.
The world-building was unique and interesting. I’d say the genre for this book is dystopian fantasy.
Hyla. She’s an amazing side character and about the only one on the journey you really feel love for. Kyn was also okay. But Hyla is my fave.
Things I didn’t like:
There’s no real redemption arc. This story needs one. Desperately.
There are too many cuss words for my taste including some made-up/replacement cusses that made me think of the f-bomb (no thank you). I read enough YA to know cussing is widely accepted in secular YA, but I personally believe cussing is unnecessary and in this book the words were overused.
Add to that the fact that the author acknowledges Christ as her Lord and Saviour in the back of the book, and I’m left not only disappointed in the story but in the author as well. We Christ-followers are called to be light in the darkness, so the art we make should always reflect His Light. Sadly, I didn’t find Him anywhere in this story. The closest thing to God in this fantasy world comes across as weak, defeated, and inactive. Definitely not the kind of deity I’d expect from an author with a Biblical worldview.
Except for Hyla, I didn’t feel much sympathy or love for the characters. Especially the main character Sylvi—I felt I should at least like her, but I just couldn’t. And then there’s Mars who comes across as a total jerk nearly every time he speaks. Let’s just say I have little to no interest in reading a sequel with these guys.
***trigger warning***
There’s reference (via the character’s memories) of a character being sexually assaulted as a child—it doesn’t get graphic but you know what’s happened to her. I understand why the author uses this past hurt and that it shaped the character and how she deals with life, but I didn’t expect it and it felt so yucky. Side note: I think books really need to have a rating system like movies and tv. I’d rate this one PG-13.
For a destination story, you end up feeling like the physical journey from point A to point B occurs, but the MC doesn’t have any growth or real change.
The execution of the book felt like...an execution.
Winter, White and Wicked had great potential as a story. But ultimately, the story fell flat and left me wishing it had been much better than it actually was.
That’s the biggest feeling I have after finishing this one.
I guess I was really hoping for more from this story. And from the author.
This book was hyped on Instagram by a few authors and other readers I generally trust, so I guess my expectations were set too high. So now I’m ultimately disappointed.
Things I liked:
The book layout is visually appealing. Not only is the cover absolutely gorgeous (kudos to to cover artist!), the first page of each chapter has a sprayed edge which looks cool and the words of Winter are printed in a unique wintery bold font. You can almost feel Winter speaking to Sylvi.
The world-building was unique and interesting. I’d say the genre for this book is dystopian fantasy.
Hyla. She’s an amazing side character and about the only one on the journey you really feel love for. Kyn was also okay. But Hyla is my fave.
Things I didn’t like:
There’s no real redemption arc. This story needs one. Desperately.
There are too many cuss words for my taste including some made-up/replacement cusses that made me think of the f-bomb (no thank you). I read enough YA to know cussing is widely accepted in secular YA, but I personally believe cussing is unnecessary and in this book the words were overused.
Add to that the fact that the author acknowledges Christ as her Lord and Saviour in the back of the book, and I’m left not only disappointed in the story but in the author as well. We Christ-followers are called to be light in the darkness, so the art we make should always reflect His Light. Sadly, I didn’t find Him anywhere in this story. The closest thing to God in this fantasy world comes across as weak, defeated, and inactive. Definitely not the kind of deity I’d expect from an author with a Biblical worldview.
Except for Hyla, I didn’t feel much sympathy or love for the characters. Especially the main character Sylvi—I felt I should at least like her, but I just couldn’t. And then there’s Mars who comes across as a total jerk nearly every time he speaks. Let’s just say I have little to no interest in reading a sequel with these guys.
***trigger warning***
There’s reference (via the character’s memories) of a character being sexually assaulted as a child—it doesn’t get graphic but you know what’s happened to her. I understand why the author uses this past hurt and that it shaped the character and how she deals with life, but I didn’t expect it and it felt so yucky. Side note: I think books really need to have a rating system like movies and tv. I’d rate this one PG-13.
For a destination story, you end up feeling like the physical journey from point A to point B occurs, but the MC doesn’t have any growth or real change.
The execution of the book felt like...an execution.
Winter, White and Wicked had great potential as a story. But ultimately, the story fell flat and left me wishing it had been much better than it actually was.
October 15, 2020
Have you ever had a time when you looked forward to a book a ton and then it didn't live up to expectations?
This is what happened for me regarding Winter, White and Wicked.
The reason why I eventually DNF'ed was because I was so confused regarding the part real and part fantasy world that Sylvi lived in. I could not pinpoint the location, time period, or much else.
Rating: 1/5
No content list for this one since I did not finish. However, there was one death already.
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts are my own and a positive review was not required.
This is what happened for me regarding Winter, White and Wicked.
The reason why I eventually DNF'ed was because I was so confused regarding the part real and part fantasy world that Sylvi lived in. I could not pinpoint the location, time period, or much else.
Rating: 1/5
No content list for this one since I did not finish. However, there was one death already.
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts are my own and a positive review was not required.
December 29, 2020
4.5 stars
Wonderful read, super fun, but felt a bit rushed at times. I feel like this could be a series, but if it continued it might take some of the magic away from this book and how cool she is just as a rig driver.
Wonderful read, super fun, but felt a bit rushed at times. I feel like this could be a series, but if it continued it might take some of the magic away from this book and how cool she is just as a rig driver.
January 25, 2023
I completely and thoroughly adored this book. I’ve got to stop being so surprised how much I love books that my friends recommend 🙈 They really know what they’re talking about!
This book is a gem.
This book is a gem.
October 7, 2020
“That’s how I first heard Winter. Her words fell lightly into my head as I lay there, soft and enchanting like the snow gathering just outside on the ground.”
Ms. Dittemore has created a solely unique and complex world in Winter, White and Wicked; one that is quite unlike any I’ve read before. The synopsis says it’s Mad Max: Fury Road meet Frozen but it’s really so much more. The island of Layce has been cursed by the spirit Winter, a cunning spirit who has manipulated and beguiled her way into an eternal winter. It’s a brutal world full of the magical dust Kol – deadly and crazy-making to most, Winter-made abominations that will tear you limb from limb and a ruling Majority that keeps the people down.
Sylvi is the main character and favored by the spirit Winter. Winter speaks often to Sylvi and has since she was a child, has even saved her from a vicious attack but does Winter really care about Sylvi or are there more wicked reasons for her favor at heart? Sylvi is well-known for her truck driving skills and would rather be off running her truck, the Dragon, in solitude than anywhere else. She doesn’t know who her parents are but was taken in by a man and his granddaughter, Lenore (Leni), after she was found in the woods by Leni. This is the only family she knows. When Leni decides to run off and join the Rebels fighting the Majority, Sylvi makes the choice to team up with a notorious smuggler, Mars Dresden and his team to make the treacherous trip to save Leni.
WWaW is non-stop, high-octane action in a world full of danger! I loved how the general feelings of mistrust eventually grew in to something more between some of the characters. This is one of my favorite tropes! Also, this is a strongly character driven plot, another favorite! Every character is well-developed and emotive, I am invested in them all and I know there has to be a sequel because the ending just left me wanting more. More of the characters, more of this world, more of the story!
I highly recommend this if you enjoy unique fantasy with dystopian elements!
Ms. Dittemore has created a solely unique and complex world in Winter, White and Wicked; one that is quite unlike any I’ve read before. The synopsis says it’s Mad Max: Fury Road meet Frozen but it’s really so much more. The island of Layce has been cursed by the spirit Winter, a cunning spirit who has manipulated and beguiled her way into an eternal winter. It’s a brutal world full of the magical dust Kol – deadly and crazy-making to most, Winter-made abominations that will tear you limb from limb and a ruling Majority that keeps the people down.
Sylvi is the main character and favored by the spirit Winter. Winter speaks often to Sylvi and has since she was a child, has even saved her from a vicious attack but does Winter really care about Sylvi or are there more wicked reasons for her favor at heart? Sylvi is well-known for her truck driving skills and would rather be off running her truck, the Dragon, in solitude than anywhere else. She doesn’t know who her parents are but was taken in by a man and his granddaughter, Lenore (Leni), after she was found in the woods by Leni. This is the only family she knows. When Leni decides to run off and join the Rebels fighting the Majority, Sylvi makes the choice to team up with a notorious smuggler, Mars Dresden and his team to make the treacherous trip to save Leni.
WWaW is non-stop, high-octane action in a world full of danger! I loved how the general feelings of mistrust eventually grew in to something more between some of the characters. This is one of my favorite tropes! Also, this is a strongly character driven plot, another favorite! Every character is well-developed and emotive, I am invested in them all and I know there has to be a sequel because the ending just left me wanting more. More of the characters, more of this world, more of the story!
I highly recommend this if you enjoy unique fantasy with dystopian elements!
October 14, 2020
Thank you to the publisher for sending me this book for review!
Overall, 3.5/5 stars
I was so hyped for this one, I can't help but feel a little disappointed. I had trouble with the world building and the actual plot of the novel. And I found the pacing was kinda all over.
I had no idea what Mars wanted, and why he got to continually put them in danger because of his ego. It just didn't make sense to me why Sylvi would continue her journey with him. I feel like we could have gotten more about the relationship between Sylvi and Lenore because the more we go, the more it sounds like Lenore ran away. So why, I continually ask, does Sylvi keep putting herself though this?
I really liked the idea of Winter and how Sylvi can communicate with her. The formatting of Winter when she's in Sylvi's head is really cool. I liked that visual. And I felt like the relationship between Sylvi and Kyn was a slow burn which I liked.
Unfortunately, this one started with great hype, but didn't quite deliver for me. I liked the idea of a feminist Mad Max story, but Sylvi listened to Mars's orders in one ear and Winter's in the other for over half of the book. And we don't learn very much about the Dragon, just sometimes on the road there's hidden compartments or things that are cool. Honestly, that's the best part of the book.
Overall, 3.5/5 stars
I was so hyped for this one, I can't help but feel a little disappointed. I had trouble with the world building and the actual plot of the novel. And I found the pacing was kinda all over.
I had no idea what Mars wanted, and why he got to continually put them in danger because of his ego. It just didn't make sense to me why Sylvi would continue her journey with him. I feel like we could have gotten more about the relationship between Sylvi and Lenore because the more we go, the more it sounds like Lenore ran away. So why, I continually ask, does Sylvi keep putting herself though this?
I really liked the idea of Winter and how Sylvi can communicate with her. The formatting of Winter when she's in Sylvi's head is really cool. I liked that visual. And I felt like the relationship between Sylvi and Kyn was a slow burn which I liked.
Unfortunately, this one started with great hype, but didn't quite deliver for me. I liked the idea of a feminist Mad Max story, but Sylvi listened to Mars's orders in one ear and Winter's in the other for over half of the book. And we don't learn very much about the Dragon, just sometimes on the road there's hidden compartments or things that are cool. Honestly, that's the best part of the book.
October 19, 2020
You can find the full review and all the fancy and/or randomness that accompanies it at It Starts at Midnight
I was super excited for this one, as the premise is so unique and interesting! I definitely did enjoy parts of it, but others left me a bit confused. First, the setting was awesome, and as atmospheric as I had hoped! You can certainly feel the desperation of the endlessly frigid winter, and the dangers facing Sylvi as she attempts to navigate the roads in her rig. I mean, I don't love driving on the highways in snow, let alone some ice cliff in an 18-wheeler.
I also really enjoyed the characters. While I would have liked to have known a bit more about Sylvi, I did like what I knew of her. And I loved the side characters! They just may be my favorite part of the book. They injected humor and banter and good old fashioned friendship and camaraderie in a novel that could have otherwise been quite bleak.
My biggest (and only, I suppose) complaint with the book is that I was just confused more often than not. I didn't fully understand Winter personified, which I think made it harder for me to understand the magic stuff in general. Similarly, I didn't have a good grasp on the world in general. Yes, it's snowy and cold and such, but why are people fighting, what is the cause of this, and is there a solution? I am just not sure. I think that the story lagged for me at times, mostly because I was starting to get too confused and I don't love being confused.
Bottom Line: A bit of a mixed bag for me, but I definitely enjoyed the characters and atmosphere, I just would have liked to have understood the world better.
I was super excited for this one, as the premise is so unique and interesting! I definitely did enjoy parts of it, but others left me a bit confused. First, the setting was awesome, and as atmospheric as I had hoped! You can certainly feel the desperation of the endlessly frigid winter, and the dangers facing Sylvi as she attempts to navigate the roads in her rig. I mean, I don't love driving on the highways in snow, let alone some ice cliff in an 18-wheeler.
I also really enjoyed the characters. While I would have liked to have known a bit more about Sylvi, I did like what I knew of her. And I loved the side characters! They just may be my favorite part of the book. They injected humor and banter and good old fashioned friendship and camaraderie in a novel that could have otherwise been quite bleak.
My biggest (and only, I suppose) complaint with the book is that I was just confused more often than not. I didn't fully understand Winter personified, which I think made it harder for me to understand the magic stuff in general. Similarly, I didn't have a good grasp on the world in general. Yes, it's snowy and cold and such, but why are people fighting, what is the cause of this, and is there a solution? I am just not sure. I think that the story lagged for me at times, mostly because I was starting to get too confused and I don't love being confused.
Bottom Line: A bit of a mixed bag for me, but I definitely enjoyed the characters and atmosphere, I just would have liked to have understood the world better.
April 17, 2022
How perfect to finish this book while a spring blizzard blows in! I have to say, I expected to enjoy Sylvi’s story, but I didn’t expect to love it THIS much.
Sylvi is a reluctant heroine, set in her ways and hiding behind an ice wall of her own making. So it’s beautifully compelling to see her wrestle with the truth—to question the way she’s always seen the world and venture into the uncomfortable places where those questions lead.
I also loved the ragtag group of rebels who hire Sylvi to haul their secret cargo across the island. There’s Mars, who’s enigmatic and charismatic and every other -atic. (Reminded me of Haymitch a little bit.) Then there’s Kyn, who is absolutely ENDEARING. And Hyla, so good and brave and golden.
I won’t go into detail about the plot—best to discover every twist and turn for yourself—but I was thoroughly impressed by how MUCH can take place in and around a single big rig out on the icy mountain roads. Being confined to the Sylver Dragon for much of the book didn’t feel one bit stifling. I was glued to the page through every blistering action scene.
The story was deftly told. Very cinematic. At times I was a little bit lost with the history, but it came together in the end. And although I would’ve liked to *see* the enemy a little more clearly, I think more of that will come in the sequel. Besides, Sylvi and Co. had plenty of antagonistic forces to contend with on the road already.
All in all, this was a fun ride that packed a lot of action, humor, and heartfelt transformation into its pages. Can’t wait for the next one!
Sylvi is a reluctant heroine, set in her ways and hiding behind an ice wall of her own making. So it’s beautifully compelling to see her wrestle with the truth—to question the way she’s always seen the world and venture into the uncomfortable places where those questions lead.
I also loved the ragtag group of rebels who hire Sylvi to haul their secret cargo across the island. There’s Mars, who’s enigmatic and charismatic and every other -atic. (Reminded me of Haymitch a little bit.) Then there’s Kyn, who is absolutely ENDEARING. And Hyla, so good and brave and golden.
I won’t go into detail about the plot—best to discover every twist and turn for yourself—but I was thoroughly impressed by how MUCH can take place in and around a single big rig out on the icy mountain roads. Being confined to the Sylver Dragon for much of the book didn’t feel one bit stifling. I was glued to the page through every blistering action scene.
The story was deftly told. Very cinematic. At times I was a little bit lost with the history, but it came together in the end. And although I would’ve liked to *see* the enemy a little more clearly, I think more of that will come in the sequel. Besides, Sylvi and Co. had plenty of antagonistic forces to contend with on the road already.
All in all, this was a fun ride that packed a lot of action, humor, and heartfelt transformation into its pages. Can’t wait for the next one!
October 12, 2020
Actual Rating: 3.5 Stars
This was a hard book for me to rate because I struggled a bit in the beginning. I had trouble getting into the story, and I was very confused about the world, and I didn't really care much about the characters (and one just pissed me off a lot when I was reading, although I do think that was the point). But once I got into it and more of the world was explained, I started to enjoy it a lot more.
Once I understood more of the world, and the history of it, I found it to be really fascinating, and I did grow to care more about the characters, which is also good. There were twists and turns that I didn't expect, and the ending has me interested in a sequel. Overall, I think this was a really unique fantasy and I would recommend it to people who enjoy YA fantasy.
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy to review.
This was a hard book for me to rate because I struggled a bit in the beginning. I had trouble getting into the story, and I was very confused about the world, and I didn't really care much about the characters (and one just pissed me off a lot when I was reading, although I do think that was the point). But once I got into it and more of the world was explained, I started to enjoy it a lot more.
Once I understood more of the world, and the history of it, I found it to be really fascinating, and I did grow to care more about the characters, which is also good. There were twists and turns that I didn't expect, and the ending has me interested in a sequel. Overall, I think this was a really unique fantasy and I would recommend it to people who enjoy YA fantasy.
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy to review.
October 20, 2020
Please Note: I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This did not influence the opinions in my review in any way.
When one reads the synopsis for Winter, White and Wicked, by Shannon Dittemore, you think, "Mad Max crossed with Frozen?" But that is really the most apt description for this wonderfully strange mix of YA Dystopian and Fantasy. In the scariest version of a road trip ever, Sylvi, the driver of a monster hauling vehicle, must drive a group of rebels across the frozen mountain pass, dodging monsters, impossible road conditions, and attacks by locals, all the while as she has Winter whispering truths (or is it lies?) about herself and her companions into her ears. This was a really unusual, and entertaining book.
TRIGGER WARNING FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT
Please see the complete review on my blog: www.ponderingtheprose.blogspot.com on October 22, 2020.
When one reads the synopsis for Winter, White and Wicked, by Shannon Dittemore, you think, "Mad Max crossed with Frozen?" But that is really the most apt description for this wonderfully strange mix of YA Dystopian and Fantasy. In the scariest version of a road trip ever, Sylvi, the driver of a monster hauling vehicle, must drive a group of rebels across the frozen mountain pass, dodging monsters, impossible road conditions, and attacks by locals, all the while as she has Winter whispering truths (or is it lies?) about herself and her companions into her ears. This was a really unusual, and entertaining book.
TRIGGER WARNING FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT
Please see the complete review on my blog: www.ponderingtheprose.blogspot.com on October 22, 2020.
October 20, 2020
*Source* Publisher
*Genre* Young Adult / Fantasy
*Rating* 3.5
*Thoughts*
Shannon Dittemore's Winter, White and Wicked infuses a high fantasy setting with a mixture of Mad Max: Fury Road and Frozen. The story is filled with grim lore, grotesque monsters, gripping mysticism, and a character who must figure out her own past before she can move forward. Set in the icy world of Layce or Shiv Island where winter is eternal, trucker Sylvi Quine is content with her life as a rig driver on an island cursed to an eternal winter.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...
*Genre* Young Adult / Fantasy
*Rating* 3.5
*Thoughts*
Shannon Dittemore's Winter, White and Wicked infuses a high fantasy setting with a mixture of Mad Max: Fury Road and Frozen. The story is filled with grim lore, grotesque monsters, gripping mysticism, and a character who must figure out her own past before she can move forward. Set in the icy world of Layce or Shiv Island where winter is eternal, trucker Sylvi Quine is content with her life as a rig driver on an island cursed to an eternal winter.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...
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