The second I saw the comp of Frozen meets Mad Max, I knew I needed this book. But holy winter spirits I had no idea how badly I actually needed it.

Winter talks to Sylvi. Whispers to her, keeps her safe. And on an island cursed to ensure Winter eternally, having her on your side can’t be a bad thing. Especially when Sylvi drives a rig, delivering cargo and goods all across the island.

When her adopted sister runs off with the rebels, Sylvi has to make a deal with a dangerous smuggler to get her back. Except it’s late in the season, making the roads treacherous and she doesn’t trust Mars Dresden or his crew as far as she can throw them.

But the closer they get to the rebel camp, Winter’s ancient secrets threaten to come to light. And Sylvi will have to choose between the safety and favor of Winter, or the future of the people that call the island home.

There is so much to love here. Winter as an actual malignant spirit with moods and thoughts and agency all her own. Ice trucking. Rebels. Magic. Monsters. Found families and ragtag crews and tension that vibrates off the page.

From the very opening pages I was sucked into this world. And I mean fully immersed. I found myself thinking about it when I wasn’t reading it and now that I’m done, I crave going back.

The creativity of this world blew me away. I’ve mentioned Winter as a spirit, but this is an entire world of gods bringing forth the magic they wield. But the island itself is a sort of magic, made up of stone and a substance called kol that takes over people’s minds. There’s Winter’s wolves, the monstrous Abaki made up of the limbs torn apart by shipwrecks in the rocks, and the Shiv, people carved from the stone of the island who live with rock embedded in their skin.

For all the fantasy elements, this book also has a healthy helping of dystopian vibes. The island is ruled by the mysterious Majority, a group of powerful people who hold people in impossible indentured contracts to mine the kol, even while their sanity fails. They focus entirely on the future, refusing to allow history of any kind to be talked about or taught.

This is one aspect of the book I wish was explained a bit more. Who the Majority are and why they have these strange rules on forgetting history. But honestly, it’s only in the aftermath that I find myself wondering, so perhaps it isn’t really relevant to the story. It didn’t take away from my enjoyment.

And of course, we have the rebels. Here is where Dittemore’s command of the story shines. She is a master of knowing what hints to drop, how much information to give, and when to deliver a sucker punch reveal. They aren’t all unpredictable, but the tension combined with the uncertainty demands we keep turning the pages. With every mystery or clue that gets dropped, another one tangles at our feet. And this constant forward momentum makes this book a fast-paced thrilling ride.

The character dynamics are incredible. I love that Sylvi is her own person, and rather than turn her conflict with Mars into an enemies to lovers trope, Dittemore keeps their relationship platonic. The respect earned and half-truths discovered is a delicious journey, highlighting that not every difficult but attractive man needs to be swoon-worthy. Instead, we focus on the depth and complexity of how relationships build and grow. That bonds can be formed outside of romantic entanglements. Considering we will develop friendships and work-based relationships at a far greater rate than romantic ones, I appreciated the focus and vivid reality Dittemore placed on these.

Wrapped within the characters, Dittemore tackles the question of faith. There are gods and legends, histories and folklores. And in that aspect, the faith the characters struggle with is more straightforward. But she also writes the deep inner struggle many of us face regarding faith in ourselves, faith in humanity, faith in those we think we know best. It’s a complicated examination highlighted in Sylvi first and foremost, but touched on in each character in the small rebel crew she finds herself driving with. I think it’s a powerful message and is woven beautifully into both the story and the characters.

While I loved this book, and I mean LOVED, there are some trigger warnings readers should be aware of. This book is Dark––with a Capital D. It has copious amounts of violence, a heavy dose of gore, some animal violence, and non-graphic sexual assault. For readers who read a fair amount of dark fantasy, or dark fiction in general, the levels of these warnings are probably unnecessary. But as this is YA, and I often feel books are marketed under dark fantasy that aren’t dark fantasy, readers should be warned.

In all, this was an incredible rush of a read. I loved Sylvi. Loved how she grew to face her inner demons. And I loved how characters didn’t let her off the hook when she made awful decisions. It’s a lesson in boundaries. How to set them and how to respect them and I am here for all of it. I don’t know if there’s more in this world, but if there is, I’ll be first in line to read it.

Five icy stars.

I will be honest and say that the only reason I requested this in the first place was that the comp 'Mad Max: Fury Road meets Frozen' made me laugh out loud. I was delighted to find that WINTER, WHITE AND WICKED was a swift and compelling read from a new-to-me author. I think it suffers a bit from first-in-series issues (some info-dumps, minor pacing problems), but I still enjoyed it and would certainly read any sequels.

So much WOW. Winter, White and Wicked was so unique and so wonderful! I am blown away. I couldn't put this book down. Absolutely amazing.

Thank you NetGalley and Abrams for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Winter is my favourite season, and to have book that features a place permanently stuck in a frozen land with the addition of a high-speed adventure I knew I needed the book. Winter, White and Wicked was a fast read with a unique setting and worldbuilding. I find that if read in winter you could almost feel yourself there. Sylvi was an okay main character and I liked her but some of the things she did or wouldn’t question or deal with was quite baffling. If your looking for romance Winter white and Wicked does not have any. So, this would be good recommendation who want t break from angsty teen romances. Overall, Winter, White and Wicked was a good read but not great, I think my love for Winter(season) falsified my overall enjoyment of the book.

I really tried to like this one but I couldn't , I was confused and couldn't understand what is happening most of it.It didn't grap my attention and I couldn't connect with the characters.Hopefully others will love it more than I did.

An initial slow burn that became a wild ride! Sylvi had wonderful character development and the world building felt earned rather than spoon-fed,definitely the kind where you have to finish the book in order to understand everything. Looking forward to a sequel!

At first I thought I wasn't going to enjoy this, then the flashback to the past opened up a little about the world this was set in, and things got interesting, but then I went back to not enjoying it, finding the trucking/ rig driving adventure not to my liking.

I felt that there could have been more world building, because I still felt there was technologies I wasn't understanding, and I never really cared for the story or the characters. On the other hand, it felt like there was just too much smooshed together that made for a confusing and overwhelming experience.

It took me ages to read. It was my lunch time read at work, but I'm generally quite good at zoning out, however I got so distracted all the time when reading this.

I doubt I'll be picking up any sequels set in this world, unfortunately.

I don't know how I feel about Winter, White and Wicked. I had really high hopes because it had everything I love: monsters and icy spirits, a strong female friendship (which at the end might not have been that strong and bit condescending), and a dangerous journey in a frozen land.

However, as the story went by, I found myself re-reading passages because I was so confused! What's happening to the Dragon? Who is fighting who? Most importantly, why are all these people (who seem to have common goals) fighting? What's the story behind the evil political system? There were moments I felt I wasn't grasping anything of what was going on!

But yes, I did finish the book because I wanted to know if Lenore was okay and who Sylvi really was.

3.5 Stars

I liked Winter, White and Wicked, but I didn’t love it.

Sylvi is a strong protagonist. She’s smart and ingenious. She knows what she’s doing and can adapt, except when it comes to loss. Sylvi doesn’t like change, and when her friend leaves to join the rebels, the sense of loss is immediate and profound. Sylvi’s laser-eyed focus is what drives her but also what hinders her. She struggles to see beyond what she knows, and once she does, her world crumbles.

What makes Sylvi unique, though, is her relationship with Winter itself. Winter speaks directly to her. Winter is the only constant in Sylvi’s life. Winter’s conversations, feelings and actions are bold and quiet, outrageous and understated. It’s this back and forth that makes the book work.

Where Winter, White and Wicked falls short is the backstory. Yes, author Shannon Dittemore offers a prologue that sets things in motion, but I never really figured out who/what the Majority was. The rebel cause is clearer, but without and understanding of the Majority, even that’s muddled.

There’s a lot of action in Winter, White and Wicked, yet the pacing doesn’t match. Some sections just drag while others are all encompassing. It would be nice to see the author address this in the follow-up.

And there must be a follow-up. The ending is not a satisfying end. It’s not really an end. It’s the explosion of new information and a setup for at least one more novel. But here’s the thing. Even with my issues, I still want to know what happens next. Dittemore has caught me in her web, and I want more.

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.

What I Liked:

Setting:

This novel is set in a snowy, dystopian landscape filled with monsters (many of which are human), terrible road conditions, and characters filled with secrets. The area where Sylvi lives is in the control of The Majority, an oppressive regime who controls all the resources and keep people addicted to Kol, in order to manipulate them. The region is in a perpetual winter. But winter isn't just a season, it's a character in itself. And she uses all her powers to manipulate and control Silvi. But why...?

Characters:

Sylvi is a survivor. She leaves a very abusive parent and is taken in by Lenore and her father. She finally feels safe. But when Lenore's father dies, and Lenore leaves to join the Rebels, her world (once again) is turned upside-down. And she will do anything to regain that sense of security. As the story progresses, you learn why she feels this way (trigger warning for sexual abuse). In a world filled with people who want to use her, I don't blame her for her choices.

I loved Sylvi's companions on her road trip to find Lenore. There is Hyla, a strong soldier who takes duty seriously. I loved how she teaches all the characters about ethics, and sacrifice, while also kindness. Mars Dresden, the rebel leader, is charasmatic, and persuasive. But Sylvi can tell he's hiding something. He wants Silvi to become a true believer in the rebel cause. And he is trying, with all his might, to turn Sylvi against Winter.

Winter is an actual character. She has befriended Sylvi and protected her when no one else has. This created a strong bond between Sylvi and Winter. If Sylvi betrays Winter, will she be all alone? Will she be in danger?

Road Trip:

I love a good road trip book. But this is the road trip from Hell! There are monsters, scary locals, and the ever-present thaw that could make driving the roads impossible. Plus, as her "cargo" are rebels, they are on the run from military patrols who will kill them. Everywhere they turn, someone wants them dead. I loved how Silvi uses everything The Dragon has to keep the group going toward the rebel camp. It was very Mcgyver as Sylvi pieces together spare parts in new ways to drive, fight, and fix machines.

TRIGGER WARNING FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT!

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.

Winter, White and Wicked has been constantly described as “Mad Max” meets “Frozen”. And while I can’t attest to the Mad Max aspect, I can without a doubt say that this book definitely exudes a Frozen-esque dystopian vibe that just worked. Winter, White and Wicked was exhilarating, page-turning, and full of non-stop action.

Shannon Dittermore is a very talented author, there is absolutely no question about that. I was hooked early on and the story’s forward moving-plot and non-stop action kept me reading page after page. The clear descriptions and vivid imagery throughout easily transported me into the book’s setting. I could almost feel the icy wind biting my cheek, see the snowy backdrop, hear the engine of the rig as it made it’s treacherous way through the mountainous path. One of the best parts of reading is getting lost in the world, and Winter, White and Wicked did not disappoint.

The mythology that the plot and story centers around was very clever and well-written. It was detailed, and contained just the right amount of magic to feel both believable and whimsy. And I really appreciate how the information was given to readers: just enough was introduced in the prologue to pull you in, and then more is gradually added as the evolves. I found this pace perfect. I was able to get grasp of the story and then build upon my knowledge.

Winter, White and Wicked was an excellent story. The kind of book that will transport you to another world to get lost in for awhile. From the creative mythology to the vivid descriptions, it was easy to fall into the book and be captivated by the pages. I definitely recommend for anyone looking for a dystopian-esque fantasy full of grit, great characters, and magic.

I enjoyed this fast-paced fantasy about a girl named Sylvi who’s a rig driver. She is an independent and successful woman but she is also flawed. She is strong willed but she is selfish, bitter and lots of anger within her that can make you not really like her. You do see her grow throughout the book and at the end of the book you can see how much she grows.

Also we are introduced to other characters in the book and you get have some information and their histories about them. I thought it was nice to get their background and find out their stories throughout the book.

Overall, it was good fantasy book with lots of adventure and very fast-paced.

Winter, White and Wicked thrusts you into a world that is somewhat familiar, but vastly different than our own. Dittemore’s descriptions of the environment and the inhabitants of Layce helps you to envision the fantastical and deadly world that she has created and how unforgiving it can be. This, paired with the original and descriptive religion of the island, does a great job of preparing you for the epic story that the author is telling. I loved Sylvi and how independent she was. She just wanted to have a set life for herself and Lenore and I could definitely relate to her situation. There was also never a dull moment in this book. The action paired with the suspenseful moments made taking a break from reading this story nearly impossible. I had to know the answers to all of the questions that Dittemore poses with Winter. The friendships formed within this story will also warm your heart. Sylvi is not the warmest person, and given her background this is understandable. But, being able to see Sylvi develop and grow in this story added to the depth of this wonderful world that we have delved into. The author doesn’t put a perfectly neat bow on the end of this story, but it creates a nice segue into there being a second book. All in all, I really enjoyed this story and the originality that came with it and would definitely recommend it being read during the winter, snowy months.

This year was full with stunning covers and Winter, white and wicked is on the list! How you can’t buy this book just to admire the cover every time you look at your bookshelves? It looks like Sylvi’s eyes are looking in yours while she is reading your soul!

But about the story… Mad Max: Fury Road and Frozen sound like the best idea for a book. And it really is. The world building is captivating, especially with all the stories about its creation. Stories that for some are history and for some are just myths and legends. But there is a grain of truth in every legend!

For me the beginning was slow, it took me sometime to get caught by the story. But when the action started, I wanted to find more about Winter and her true intentions.

Thank you TBR and Beyond and Shannon Dittemore for the opportunity to read Winter, white and wicked in exchange for an honest review.

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.

Winter, White, and Wicked is one of those debuts that is equally captivating and gorgeously crafted. I was glued to the story and the characters and I was blown away by the beautiful prose.

This book took me by surprise. Winter, White, and Wicked was such a fun roller coaster ride of a story! It’s fast-paced and intriguing, brimming with exquisite writing and exceptional characters. It’s a story I couldn’t put down.

I was captivated and fascinated with the world building. Distemper has created a truly compelling world, and it’s a world that is not afraid to illustrate its harshness. It’s a world left in an eternal winter, and the people on this island are just as cold and deadly. The history behind the world and why it’s cursed was really fascinated and I felt that Dittemore executed it all really well. It’s easily a world that many will find unique.

The characters were by far amazing and beyond mysterious. Sylvi was an interesting main character and one I could easily connect with. I loved her relationship with Winter and I was eager to find out why an icy spirit was traveling with Sylvi. She’s a character that’s brave and determined but also cautious. She doesn’t want to take too many chances, but she also wants to save her friend. She has the help of the one and only Mars Dresden, who I absolutely loved. I loved his fierceness and loyalty and determination. I devoured almost all the scenes between Sylvi and Mars. I do wish there was a bit more romance (I’m a sucker for romance), but the storyline was still enjoyable without the romance aspect.

With how Winter, White, and Wicked ended, the author could easily travel back into this world with a sequel, which I would easily devour. Overall, I was very pleased with this debut and I’m looking forward to reading more from Dittemore.

Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher for TBR and Beyond Tours. Thanks! All opinions are my own.

Book: Winter, White and Wicked

Author: Shannon Dittemore

Book Series: Standalone

Rating: 3/5

Recommended For...: fantasy, found family

Publication Date: October 13, 2020

Publisher: Harry N. Abrams

Pages: 384

Recommended Age: 16+ (drugs, smugglers, monsters)

Synopsis: 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.

Review: I thought this was a good read. The book had excellent character development and the plot was great. The book is so creepy and it's perfect for the winter and mystery reads.

However, the writing in this book is bad. The book is wrote so weird that I had issue reading it and had to reread numerous chunks of the book. The book is super confusing and doesn't show the readers what is happening, only telling what is going on. The books characters also speak weirdly in this book and there's not a lot of world building.

Verdict: It’s good, but it was a hard read for me.

I read this book as part of the blog tour hosted by TBR & Beyond Tours. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review. 3.5 stars

This was an interesting fast-paced fantasy that had some unique elements I haven't come across in the YA I've read. Since finishing the book I've waffled on my rating as there were parts I really enjoyed, but others that I wished had been much better developed. However, it was the ending that ultimately kicked it up to 3.5 stars for me and I'm very keen to see what happens in the sequel! Also, this cover is so gorgeous and I love it! 😍

CW/TW: torture, mentions of drug use and addiction, animal death, attempted rape of a child (flashback scene)

We follow Sylvi's perspective and honestly? I really struggled with her. Sylvi thrives in the independence that rig driving gives her and that was a unique element that surprised me. I loved that she was a rig driver and it's definitely something I've never seen in YA before. It takes a lot to be a successful young woman in a field that is solely dominated by men, and I admired her courage her solid abilities to so effortlessly handle a beast like the Dragon in such treacherous conditions. It was fantastic! That said, Sylvi is selfish and full of bitterness (so much of it!), rage and contempt that I had a lot of trouble understanding. Some of it is explained later and I understood it to an extent, but her contempt and need to rebel against those who tried to help her, just didn't make sense to me. She's flawed and I'm okay with flawed characters if their actions make sense, but I really struggled with Sylvi! She does experience growth by the end though, and although it's slow and at the same time, kind of abrupt, it was a relief to watch her accept the changes and finally arrive at the realisation that maybe she has been played.

We also get to learn a bit about the side characters: Mars, Kyn, and Hyla. Although they were at times baffling and frustrating (Mars especially) I did get attached to them. I loved how their stories and histories unfolded as the story went on. I felt their pain, anger, frustration and I was 100% rooting for the rebels by the end! I'm really keen to see how their characters will further develop. Another character we learn a lot about is Winter. She was a unique element to the story and I really liked how Dittemore breathed life into her character. Winter is a malevolent spirit that has turned the island of Layce into a snow-covered frozen "wonderland" out of jealousy and loneliness. She was definitely an interesting entity and nemesis and a well-formed character overall. There was no doubting her wickedness, but there were times I also pitied her because I understand how consuming loneliness can be.

While I didn't think the writing was bad, the main issue I struggled with was the world-building. The introduction to various elements of the world, the magic, and the histories and mythology felt very patchy; you would only get very small bits and pieces at a time and it made it difficult to form a cohesive understanding of the world. I'm still not 100% sure how the magic really works and I also don't really have much of a clue about who the Majority are. From what I gather they're the ruling class and biggest threat aside from Winter, but where did they come from? Why are they so powerful? How come Winter doesn't control them? I kept hoping that things would be further explained, and while I did understand some things better by the end, I still wished it was done better.

3.5/5 stars

I decided not to continue reading this after the 3-quarter mark. Funny I should drop a book when I'm already so far in, it's just that I'd already felt like stopping much earlier and simply wanted to give the story more chances. It's not a bad book, I just felt bored by the events happening, especially the history lessons on the mythology. I did enjoy some of the scenes while they were on the road though. Another reason why I decided to quit was because of the annoying MC. At one point she did an incredibly irritating thing that I, personally, wouldn't be so quick to forgive(unlike some of the characters in the story). Mind you, she's already made many small annoying actions up to then. Let it be known that I'm not against having unrelatable or flawed characters, they're just not for me as I read books mainly for enjoyment. So, if I was not enjoying it, why was I even pushing myself through it, right?

Anyway, it's got quite an original premise but didn't have the best execution. Not only did I care less about the history lessons, I couldn't keep up with it either. It got confusing and ended up going in a cliche direction(from the spoilers I read in other reviews). I think this story can very easily get lost amongst all the other books out there, so only a select few would enjoy this immensely.