The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey - review

What's The Snow Child about?

Alaska in the 1920s, Jack and Mabel have staked everything on a fresh start in a remote homestead, but the wilderness is a stark place and Mabel is haunted by the baby she lost many years before. When a little girl appears mysteriously on their land, each is filled with wonder, but also foreboding - is she what she seems, and can they find room in their hearts for her?

goodtoknow says: It's hard to describe exactly what it is about The Snow Child that makes it so very special. There is a real sense of magic that lies on every page, that captures your imagination and with tales of snow and ice, warms the very inch of your being.

Eowyn Ivey's perfect description of the bleak Alaskan landcape positions you right there, in front of Mabel's fire, plowing the fields with Jack and Garrett and chasing Faina's snow trails through the woods. With her words, Ivey transforms what you instantly feel is a bleak and solitary land into something magical and inviting, taking you on a journey with Mabel and Jack in their new surroundings, growing to love their new home along with them.

Gripped from the very beginning, we truly loved this book. We'll admit, from the cover and the description on the back, we weren't sure it would be our cup of tea, but we adored it! The perfect winter read curled up on the sofa.

Rating: 9/10

Publisher: Headline Review

Publish date: 30/8/2012

If you like this, you'll love: Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

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Where to next?

- The Girl You Left Behind by JoJo Moyes

- The Red House by Mark Haddon

- See the latest titles in goodtoknow's 2013 Book Club