Monday, December 17, 2018

Advent Reads Day 17: The Winter Riddle by Sam Hooker

Read for: Netgalley/ Requested Review


Synopsis: ""Will it bring an end to the world as we know it?" This is the most basic test to distinguish a good idea from a bad one.

Bad ideas have a way of wrecking solitude, and that's all she wants. When the Winter Witch can't get a moment's peace in the North Pole, she'll try anything: swearing at the top of her lungs to convince people to leave her alone, or casting a spell to become nearly invisible; or, if those don't do the trick, she'll forge an alliance with Santa (a retired warrior who's anything but jolly) and save the world from a riddle devised by the daftest pair of libertines ever to have lived.

Hopefully, the swearing works. She knows some good swear words she's been dying to try out.

Will the Vikings of Midgard take up arms against the rising darkness? Will the White Queen see through the treachery of an evil necromancer? Can reindeer be made to fly, and can everyone who isn't the Winter Witch please stop meddling with dark forces beyond mortal comprehension for a bit?"

My Review: I saw this book and the synopsis sounded like an interesting take on the Santa origin story. I did really enjoy the fantasy influence as well as the various myths that are pulled into the book. Unfortunately, I did struggle with this one, it is a slow and cumbersome read, which I don't always mind but during the busy holiday season, it was a bit much for my liking. I also struggled with the satire humor, I have said this before that I struggle with this in books and this one had a lot of it. I think a lot of readers who enjoy that humor influence in their books will really enjoy it.

My Rating: I did really enjoy several elements in this story, particularly Santa being a Viking-like warrior.  This was just not the right book for me at the right time.  I still give it a rating of Two Paws and a Stump Wag.


I received a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley, the above is my honest opinion.

If you would like to find out more about Sam Hooker and his books you can visit his Goodreads Page or Website.

If this sounds like a book for you, you can obtain your own copy in print format from Barnes & Noble or in print or digital format from Amazon or request it at your local library or bookstore.

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