6 wonderful wintry stories to curl up with

I love all things winter. Breath frosting the air. Cold hands burned warm by a mug of toffee-apple tea. Log fires breathing just a hint of smoky scent into the lounge. 

Snow. 

Snow. 

Snow! (When we’re lucky enough to get it). 

Ice Apprentices is all of these put together. A world of pine trees, cabins, and dancing lights in the night sky. That, and a bit of magic and monsters, of course. And now – with the days delightfully short, so we have plenty of time to enjoy candle flames flickering – it’s the perfect occasion to bury ourselves in blankets and rifle the pages of books. 

For Oswin Fields, the main character of Ice Apprentices, his frost-filled adventure involves a training ground for survival, spellcasting, and invention. But when beasts strike, Oswin’s need to prove he’s not a waste of precious resources will lead him on a dangerous mission of mystery-solving. 

In the sequel, The Frozen Curse, Oswin doesn’t only have to worry about monstrous faces appearing in trees, stalking him, but also the worsening cold, with temperatures dropping to lethal and something, or someone, brewing a frozen curse to kill everyone in Tundra. 

Oswin isn’t alone in the world of snowy tales. Here are three of my favourite stories with winter at their hearts, plus three more whose pulse-racing adventures are sure to keep you warm in the colder months. 

Forget globe-trotting, the Fireborn series is a treat of wintry locations. Venture through freezing caves, over mountain peaks, or even to the icy heart of magic itself. With hefty garments and monster-slaying equipment, this book series pulls you into a world of harsh survival and strong friendship. 

A simply brilliant magical school adventure, with a burst of wintry wonder when the story passes through the cold portion of the year, and building tension to keep you hooked throughout. The characters and world building shine in this series, and I can think of no better accompaniment to a hot chocolate and snug armchair. 

For the lovers of history and London (which go fantastically hand-in-hand) is this brilliant tale of Thomasina and Anne during the great frost of 1683. With evocative imagery pulling you into the finger-numbing time period, and sinister magic afoot, this twisting mystery brings not only the flavour of sweets to life, but the terrifying beauty of winter, too. That, and it features a Frost Fair on the completely frozen waters of the Thames. What’s not to love? 

One thing I can’t get enough of in winter is a library, and Auramere, the magical library and main setting of Vanya and the Wild Hunt, delivers on every count, with cosy nooks, talking books, and an indoors waterfall. Oh, and the looming threat of the Wild Hunt prowling ever closer. With a racing story, surprising twists, and a world you’ll want to live in, it’s the perfect winter read. 

The illustrations in this book hold bags of charm and power. Combine that with a perilous and break-neck story happening over icy wastes, where ships sail the monster-filled Snow Sea, and you’ve got something that truly encapsulates the cold. Ash, the main character with a whole bunch of heart and bravery, ties this together into both a freezing and yet heart-warming adventure. 

I read this book in one sitting on a long car journey through nothing but snow, and felt the time vanish as I was whisked on a thrilling ride of mythological creatures through a technological lens. The blend of fantasy and sci-fi elements in this story are brilliantly done, and Qin Shi Huang is (by far) my favourite character. Snarky, flawed, scheming, yet so much more than what you’d expect the first emperor of China to be like. His character works so perfectly I now couldn’t imagine him being written any other way. A fantastic book to accompany you through the winter season. 

Ice Apprentices and Ice Apprentices, the Frozen Curse by Jacob North are available now.