Review - The Warm Hands of Ghosts by Katherine Arden

 

 

 Title: The Warm Hands of Ghosts

Author: Katherine Arden

Pages: 387

Publisher: Penguin

Release Date: 13th February 2024

 

Blurb from Goodreads:

The sweeping new novel from New York Times bestselling author Katherine Arden.

World War One, and as shells fall in Flanders, a Canadian nurse searches for her brother believed dead in the trenches despite eerie signs that suggest otherwise in this gripping and powerful historical novel from the bestselling author of The Bear and the Nightingale.

January 1918. Laura Iven has been discharged from her duties as a nurse and sent back to Halifax, Canada, leaving behind a brother still fighting in the trenches of the First World War. Now home, she receives word of Freddie's death in action along with his uniform - but something doesn't quite make sense. Determined to find out more, Laura returns to Belgium as a volunteer at a private hospital. Soon after arriving, she hears whispers about ghosts moving among those still living and a strange innkeeper whose wine gives soldiers the gift of oblivion. Could this have happened to Freddie - but if so, where is he?

November 1917. Freddie Iven awakens after an explosion to find himself trapped under an overturned pillbox with an enemy soldier, a German, each of them badly wounded. Against all odds, the two men form a bond and succeed in clawing their way out. But once in No Man's Land, where can either of them turn where they won't be shot as enemy soldiers or deserters? As the killing continues, they meet a man - a fiddler - who seems to have the power to make the hellscape that surrounds them disappear. But at what price?

A novel of breathtaking scope and drama, of compulsive readability, of stunning historical research lightly worn, and of brilliantly drawn characters who will make you laugh and break your heart in a single line, The Warm Hands of Ghosts is a book that will speak to readers directly about the trauma of war and the power of those involved to love, endure and transcend it.

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My Review:

*I received an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to Random House UK and NetGalley

A nurse in the First World War, Laura Iven is back home in Halifax, Canada after being discharged.

Laura's brother, Freddie, is still fighting as a soldier in the war, but one day Laura receives his uniform in the post.

Desperate for answers as to what happened to Freddie, Laura makes her way back to Belgium.

Laura hears whispered stories of ghosts walking alongside the living, and a man with a violin who can make people forget their troubles.

Will Laura find out what happened to Freddie?

The premise for this book really intrigued me, and I was excited to read it.

I really liked Laura as a protagonist - she was likeable and relatable. She had been through a tough time, but was still determined to help others despite still grieving herself.

Freddie, Pim, Winter and Jones were all characters that I liked, but Laura was my favourite.

Faland was an interesting character, and I liked the mystery surrounding him. He was quite a complex character, and I was never entirely sure how he would react.

The setting of Belgium in the First World War was interesting, and I thought the author did a good job of capturing some of the horror of what happened.

The plot was enjoyable and held my attention. I did find that my enjoyment dipped in the middle to second half, but only a little.

I enjoyed the split perspective narrative of Laura in her present, and then Freddie several months previous. It was interesting to see how they lined up/came together.

The writing style was easy to follow and I am interested to see what the author does next.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read that I would recommend.