The Warm Hands of Ghosts

A Novel

By: Katherine Arden

Narrated by: Michael Crouch, January LaVoy, Katherine Arden

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • During the Great War, a combat nurse searches for her brother, believed dead in the trenches despite eerie signs that suggest otherwise, in this hauntingly beautiful historical novel with a speculative twist, from the author of The Bear and the Nightingale.

“A wonderful clash of fire and ice—a book you won’t want to let go of.”—Diana Gabaldon, author of Outlander

“Spectacular—a tour de force, wonderful and deep and haunting.”—Naomi Novik, author of A Deadly Education

ONE OF BOOKPAGE’S TEN BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR

January 1918. Laura Iven was a revered field nurse until she was wounded and discharged from the medical corps, leaving behind a brother still fighting in Flanders. Now home in Halifax, Canada, Laura receives word of Freddie’s death in combat, along with his personal effects—but something doesn’t make sense. Determined to uncover the truth, Laura returns to Belgium as a volunteer at a private hospital, where she soon hears whispers about haunted trenches and a strange hotelier whose wine gives soldiers the gift of oblivion. Could Freddie have escaped the battlefield, only to fall prey to something—or someone—else?

November 1917. Freddie Iven awakens after an explosion to find himself trapped in an overturned pillbox with a wounded enemy soldier, a German by the name of Hans Winter. Against all odds, the two form an alliance and succeed in clawing their way out. Unable to bear the thought of returning to the killing fields, especially on opposite sides, they take refuge with a mysterious man who seems to have the power to make the hellscape of the trenches disappear.

As shells rain down on Flanders and ghosts move among those yet living, Laura’s and Freddie’s deepest traumas are reawakened. Now they must decide whether their world is worth salvaging—or better left behind entirely.

©2024 Katherine Arden (P)2024 Random House Audio

3.5 stars. Excellent narration.

I rated this book 3.5 stars. It was a good well-researched story, but I found it dragged in the middle. The imagery of WW1 was compelling, and the characters were well developed. I was happy with how the author ended the book, and the narrators were perfect. I would have rated it higher if it was less repetitive in the middle.

The Whimsy of War

Arden’s authors note at the end of the book perfectly summarizes the macabre enchantment of the era, as does her story as it unfolds with beautiful horror. That said, know that there is plenty of heart and love and hope holding this poetic, historical tale together.

Disturbing but worthwhile.

I loved the characters and wanted them to succeed. There were twists on right and wrong that make you think.

Historic with a touch of paranormal

If you like a book to rip you apart and leave you thinking about it forever, this is one for you. This story was beautiful, but so absolutely brutal, and that makes it such an accurate depiction of a war that destroyed minds as well as bodies. The use of two different voices helped tremendously with being able to follow two different story lines as they ran parallel, crossed over, converged and flew apart. I'll buy this again as a book for my home library.

Well written and researched

Well, written and researched, and sad. A little difficult to connect with any of the characters. A lot to take in. Very well narrated.

Loved the characters

Arden spent a great deal of time on several memorable characters that really made the novel enjoyable to listen to. I empathized with them all. Thanks for bringing this to life!

So original and unpredictable!

The book is a slow simmer, but once the pot starts to boil, it roils. Don’t try to guess what will happen, just go along for the sad, funny, poignant, romantic and horrific ride. There is no book quite like this one.

Substance and Violence

A really great combination of historical fact and literary license. I enjoyed every minute and finished it in 4 nights.

A weaving of harsh reality and imaginative wonders

This is fascinating and nail biting and imaginative. Unforgettable characters and story telling! Couldn’t stop reading it.

Katherine Arden simply doesn't miss

I bought this book without knowing anything simply because of the blind faith I have in the author. I couldn't have been more pleased. Katherine Arden weaves tales in a way that I haven't read before. I don't read war novels, but this was haunting and important and so so good. The narrators gave a stunning performance. A bad narrator ruins the audiobook experience, but these two enhanced it to the point where I'm just gonna buy some books they've read, cause I know they'll sound lovely even if the story isn't great.