Not interested in watching my video review of The Warm Hands of Ghosts? Then look below for the major bullet points.
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Rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Historical Fiction
Hello friends!
In this blog, I’m reviewing The Warm Hands of Ghosts by Katherine Arden. As usual, the first half of the review will be spoiler-free, and more about my overall thoughts. The second half will contain spoilers, so look away if you haven’t read the book yet.
The Warm Hands of Ghosts wasn’t the book for me. I should have trusted my gut when I first saw it, but this is the author of The Bear and the Nightingale, a series that I adore.
I appreciate the fantastical twist. It harkens back to Arden’s previous work. However, I didn’t see enough originality. There wasn’t enough backstory to explain the magic either.
The writing would fit on a literary fiction shelf. Word choice overshadowed the emotions. It came across as trying too hard. I also struggled with The Bear and the Nightingale and had to read it twice to enjoy Arden’s writing. The Warm Hands of Ghosts won’t be getting a second read through.
Arden said this was a hard book to write. I can see that. From an emotional sense and a plotting sense.
I don’t see how this book is any different from the other WW1 books.
I started to skim the book at the end. I could skip chunks and still follow what was happening. There was too much pomp and circumstance.
Arden provided concise descriptions. She was able to cover a wide setting.
Now look away if you don’t want spoilers.
Back to the fantastical twist… Faldan turns memories into heart breaking music, the act of most tortured artists. It’s not a new idea.
I want to understand Faldan better. Is he the devil? Is he a tortured musician that was granted this power? Is he a random demon? In The Bear and the Nightingale Arden relied on folklore for her creature. Here she doesn’t.
Where do the ghosts fit in? They were so fleeting, I began to question the title. What made Laura special? Why did she see the ghosts? Is this a common accuracy in the world? Again, a convenient plot point that didn’t lend to the story. From the title alone, I thought I was reading a different book.
Is this book a bad judge of the industry or poorly timed?
I hate convenient endings. All three women happened to die at the same time?
The Warm Hands of Ghosts kept me wanting a lot more. I didn’t have a book hangover.
Happy Reading!
Love,
Kait