"A rare mix of equal parts lushly mysterious world-building and heart-pounding action. It will give you all the feels."
author of The Accidental Bad Girl and Wench Maxine Kaplan
This magical story, teeming with grim lore, grotesque monsters, and gripping mysticism, swept me up like a winter gale and wouldn’t let me go. It was a privilege to meet Sylvi—a heroine as fierce and boundless as an arctic tundra—and to witness the thawing of her icy heart as she learns the value of friendship, found-family, and faith. Winter, White and Wicked transported me on a gritty, action-packed, and atmospheric journey across a wickedly glacial landscape, and I can’t wait to return again!
#1 New York Times and international bestselling au A. G. Howard
"Winter, White and Wicked is a story that'll sink into your bones. The world is wholly unique, imaginative, and dangerous, the magic beautiful, but with bite. Dittemore offers a fresh, adventurous tale set in a frozen landscape, complete with a truck that's a character in its own right. I could not turn the pages fast enough."
author of Woven in Moonlight Isabel Ibañez
09/01/2020
Gr 7 Up— When her best friend disappears to join the rebels, rig driver Sylvi agrees to a dangerous job in exchange for bringing her home safely. Hauling cargo across Layce—a land perpetually ravaged by Winter—isn't easy at the best of times, but hauling illegal wares for a smuggler during the dangerous season is perilous even for one as favored by Winter as is Sylvi, who has white hair and pale gray eyes. Hazardous roads, corrupt Rangers, zealous societies, and even monsters stand between the teenager and the hidden rebel camp. But with the contractual help of the smuggler and his crew, Sylvi is determined to pull it off. Elaborate creation stories and warring political powers govern daily life for the diverse islanders on Layce and immerse readers in Sylvi's world from page one. Winter, anthropomorphized as a female spirit, is a main character in her own right, setting the scene, creating the mood, maintaining the atmosphere, and manipulating the plot in her own favor. Sylvi is a resilient though conflicted character, and the changing relationship between the two drives the nonstop action throughout the book. In addition to Winter, Sylvi's shifting ties to the crew of smugglers provide readers an emotional pause between adventures. VERDICT A truly unique tale that will leave readers shivering with anticipation for the next installment.—Maggie Mason Smith, Clemson Univ., SC
2020-08-12
Winter—a sentient and sometimes spiteful force first used by the Kerce refugees against the native half-rock, half-flesh Shiv and their god, Begynd, three centuries ago—rules Layce. White-haired, sylver-eyed 17-year-old Sylvi Quine considers Winter a friend, not a foe, talking to the sentient season and relying on the frozen roads to haul goods with her big ice rig, the Sylver Dragon. When her friend Lenore runs away, Sylvi pursues her with a mysterious cargo in tow and three unwanted guests riding along: the smuggler and magician Mars; noble Paradyian warrior-woman Hyla; and friendly Shiv mechanic Kyndel. En route to the rebel camp, Sylvi faces hostile Shiv, reanimated monsters, wrathful Winter, and the omnipresent but dangerous magical kol that taints the air and waters. Dittemore succeeds more at the cinematic science-fiction dystopian elements than the intermittent and somewhat trite fantasy subplot. At times, the Kerce’s oppression of the Shiv reads as an extended rumination on colonialism, though without a conclusive critique or remedy. With Sylvi at the wheel, more concerned with mechanics and money than revolution, this reads as Ice Road Truckers meets generic chosen one coming-of-age. Relentless action sequences propel the tale through plot-heavy patches, but an abrupt cliffhanger ending necessitates a sequel. Some characters read as White; the cast's various skin tones are less of a factor than their magical abilities or mythical origins.
Both mystical and mundane, a typical tale via unusual transportation. (map) (Fantasy. 12-18)
"The mythology of Layce and Winter is uniquely crafted, and the vivid descriptions could bring frost to the pages. Readers will want hitch onto this propulsive, adrenaline-fueled ride through a dangerously thrilling and chilling landscape."
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"Winter, White and Wicked is a story that'll sink into your bones. The world is wholly unique, imaginative, and dangerous, the magic beautiful, but with bite. Dittemore offers a fresh, adventurous tale set in a frozen landscape, complete with a truck that's a character in its own right. I could not turn the pages fast enough."
author of Woven in Moonlight Isabel Ibañez
A fresh, compelling fantasy that will keep you captivated from start to finish! I didn't know I needed a story that was half Mad Max: Fury Road and half Frozen -meets-Ice Road Truckers , but I did, and so do you.
New York Times bestselling author of The Shadow Qu C. J. Redwine
"Shannon Dittemore has constructed a wholly unique world in Winter, White and Wicked that you won't find traces of in any other fantasy. This refreshing read takes you down the treacherous ice roads of Layce, and stays with you long after the journey."
New York Times bestselling author of Sky in the De Adrienne Young
"Shannon Dittemore has constructed a wholly unique world in Winter, White and Wicked that you won't find traces of in any other fantasy. This refreshing read takes you down the treacherous ice roads of Layce, and stays with you long after the journey."—Adrienne Young, New York Times bestselling author of Sky in the Deep and The Girl the Sea Gave Back Winter, White and Wicked transported me on a gritty, action-packed, and atmospheric journey across a wickedly glacial landscape, and I can’t wait to return again!”—A. G. Howard, #1 New York Times and international bestselling author of the Splintered series Winter, White and Wicked is a story that'll sink into your bones. The world is wholly unique, imaginative, and dangerous, the magic beautiful, but with bite. Dittemore offers a fresh, adventurous tale set in a frozen landscape, complete with a truck that's a character in its own right. I could not turn the pages fast enough."—Isabel Ibañez, author of Woven in Moonlight Maxine Kaplan, author of The Accidental Bad Girl and Wench Mad Max: Fury Road and half Frozen -meets-Ice Road Truckers , but I did, and so do you.”—C. J. Redwine, New York Times bestselling author of The Shadow Queen Kirkus Reviews School Library Journal Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books Booklist
