Starred review from February 14, 2025
Barnard follows up her debut novel, Jezebel, with the story of Cailleach, the Celtic goddess of winter. When Cailleach shows disdain for mortals by unleashing an unending winter that kills thousands, her mother, the leader of the gods, punishes her to repeatedly live and die as a mortal until she learns what it truly means to be human. Stripped of her immortality and connection to winter, Cailleach initially plans to remain at a distance from the humans she so abhors. With each successive life and death, however, her need for companionship and her understanding of humanity grows. From her brief connection to Siobhan to her deeper ones with Failinis, �ine, Dagda, M�r, and Fionn, Cailleach not only comes to understand the depths of human love, loss, and resilience, but also gains insight into the true nature of the gods--their power, their indifference, and the choices that set them apart from mortals. VERDICT As enchanting as Barnard's debut, this retelling of Irish mythology is a compelling exploration of transformation, mortality, and the delicate balance between humankind and the divine.--Lucinda Ward
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