12 Magical Fantasy Books Set in Winter for a frosty adventure

Recently updated on June 7th, 2024 at 02:11 pm

You can’t beat curling up next to a fire with a good book. Here are 12 fantasy books set in Winter.

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Picture this. You’re curled up by the fire and transported to a magical, cold and snowy fantasy world

Books set in cold, snowy worlds are comforting and cozy. Warm fires, hot drinks and frost everywhere. And particularly when the weather is rubbish.

If you’re also looking for magical fantasy books set in Winter, I’ve got you covered. Whether you’re after winter fantasy romance books or cozy fantasy books, keep reading for the best winter fantasy books.

Read on for the best fantasy books set in Winter

The best fantasy books set in Winter

1. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

When I think fantasy books set in Winter, The Chronicles of Narnia instantly comes to mind. As a child, first reading this I was transported to the magical world of Narnia. The snow, ice and cozy imagery inside Mr Tumnus’ cottage made this such a cosy read.

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe is an endearing children’s classic with a magical concept. A Magical wintery world in a wardrobe. A classic winter fantasy book.

Four children are evacuated to a country house. And they find a magical kingdom called Narnia at the back of a wardrobe.

But the White Witch has enchanted Narnia, leaving it frozen in an eternal winter.

This childhood classic is nostalgic read. With a magical concept, cosy imagery and one of the best fantasy worlds. Who can forget the magical moment, Lucy crawls into Narnia.

2. A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin

Winter is coming.

One of the first phrases that comes to mind when you think Game of Thrones. How could I not include it in a post about fantasy books set in Winter?

Searching for an easy read? This series is not for you. A quick warning – this series is an undertaking. This is a long series with chunky books. Not suitable for beginners to fantasy.

Long ago, in a time forgotten, a preternatural event threw the seasons out of balance. Summers last for decades and winter a lifetime. And winter is returning.

In the frozen wastes to the north of Winterfell, sinister forces gather beyond the kingdom’s protective Wall.

To the south, the king’s powers are failing—his most trusted adviser dead under mysterious circumstances and his enemies emerging from the shadows of the throne.

At the centre of the conflict lie the Starks of Winterfell, a family as harsh and unyielding as the frozen land they were born to. Now Lord Eddard Stark is reluctantly summoned to serve as the King’s new Hand, an appointment that threatens to sunder not only his family but the kingdom itself.

For fantasy lovers, this series has some epic, brutal and brilliant winter worldbuilding. The politics, scheming and thrilling plot twists will keep you on the edge of your seat.

3. Bright and Pale by Jessica Rubinowski

I first received this book in a Fairyloot crate. I confess I’d never heard of this book or the author. But I adore it. This underappreciated book deserves more attention.

This is the perfect ya winter fantasy book. The world-building is enchanting. Inspired by Russian folklore, the winter setting adds a magical layer to the fictional world. The perfect book to curl up and read all day.

We follow 17-year-old Valeria. As a child, she lived near this magical mountain. One day, it unleashed a big freeze that trapped her family. Valeria is one of few survivors.

She flees and joins the thieves guild. And she does odd jobs to get by with her best friend Alik. Until he is murdered.

Or so she thinks. A year later, he turns up alive. And she must lead a group on a dangerous quest back to the mountain in exchange for Alik.

This fast-paced book will keep you on the edge of your seat. A thieves guild, a morally grey protagonist and a cute romance. Plus the two gods concept is both intriguing and creepy. Fan of Sarah J Maas, Holly Black or Leigh Bardugo? You need to pick this up.

4. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there when yesterday it was not. But it’s only open at night.

And behind the scenes, a fierce competition is underway between two rival magicians.

The Night Circus is about star-crossed magicians, a mysterious circus and a competition between age-old rivals. This standalone adult fantasy is perfect for fans of magic, carnival or circus-themed books.

This book has everything I want in a winter read – ethereal prose, elaborate world-building and beautiful descriptions of its surroundings.

Enjoy a fast-paced plot and a structured plotline? This isn’t the book for you. The Night Circus is perfect if you read books for the vibes. The pace is slow with a meandering plotline and descriptive writing.

5. The Shadow of Winterspell by Amy Wilson

I first picked up this book at a train station on a whim. Are you wintery forest imagery? Then you’ll love this magical fantasy book.

We follow Stella. She’s lived in a cabin in the forest for most of her life. And she survives through the magic of the forest. But she’s lonely and enrols at the local school.

But as she makes friends, she discovers that she’s more different than she thought. And Stella realises she must uncover her family secret to save the forest from dark magic.

The winter forest imagery is ethereal, whimsical and beautiful. This book also captures the importance of family and friendships. Stella has a great character arc with real moments of self-discovery. You could binge-read this because the writing is easy to read.

6. Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim

I kinda cheated with this one. While it doesn’t have winter-themed imagery throughout, the enchanting winter imagery later in the book compelled me to include it.

It follows Shiori. She is the only princess in Kiata. Shiori lives in a land where magic is banned. And demons are locked away inside a mountain. But forbidden magic runs through her veins.

Shiori normally conceals it. But on the morning of her betrothal ceremony, she loses control. And she attracts the attention of her stepmother Raikama.

Raikama possesses dark magic. She banishes the young princess. And turns her brothers into cranes. Shiori must speak of it to no one. For with every word that escapes her lips, one of her brothers will die.

The worldbuilding in this book is exquisite. Especially when Shiori is in Iro. The images of snow-capped mountains and eating hot buns in the snow is beautiful.

7. A Curse so Dark and Lonely By Brigid Kemmerer

An everlasting winter, a curse and a disabled main character make A Curse so Dark and Lonely a captivating read.

A Curse So Dark And Lonely is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast. Prince Rhen is the Heir of Emberfall.

Emberfall is under a curse and the kingdom is enchanted into an everlasting winter. How can they break the curse? Prince Rhen needs a girl to fall in love with him.

Harper has cerebral palsy. And she struggles to look after her dying mother. She tries to save a stranger and is pulled into the world of Emberfall.

A Curse so Dark and Lonely is an excellent retelling with an adorable romance. This thrilling retelling puts a modern spin on the original fairytale.

Buy on Amazon | Waterstones | 

8. The Golden Compass by Phillip Pullman

Searching for fantasy books set in winter? The Northern Lights series is a must-read. This is a classic winter fantasy book for young adults.

We follow Lyra, a small girl rushing to the cold North, where the Gobblers take the children they steal–including her friend Roger.  Where her uncle Asriel is trying to build a bridge to a parallel world. 

Can one small girl make a difference?  Lyra is as fierce and true a champion as either Roger or Asriel could want. But to help one of them she must betray the other.

The Golden Compass is full of beautiful winter imagery. From Polar Bear clans to Northern lights and snow. The plot is full of twists, turns and surprises.

9. The Bear and The Nightingale by Katherine Arden

I’ll be honest, I was unsure whether to include this. The Winternight trilogy is popular online. But I was left quite disappointed after reading. The slow pace and descriptive prose weren’t for me. However, if you like beautiful descriptive writing, atmospheric books and folklore-inspired plots, you’ll love this trilogy.

At the edge of the Russian wilderness, winter lasts most of the year and the snowdrifts grow taller than houses. But Vasilisa doesn’t mind. She spends the winter nights huddled around the embers of a fire with her beloved siblings, listening to her nurse’s fairy tales.

Above all, she loves the chilling story of Frost. The blue-eyed winter demon appears in the frigid night to claim unwary souls. Wise Russians fear him, her nurse says, and honor the spirits of house and yard and forest that protect their homes from evil.

After Vasilisa’s mother dies, her father goes to Moscow and brings home a new wife. Devout and city-bred, Vasilisa’s new stepmother forbids her family from honouring the household spirits. The family acquiesces, but Vasilisa is frightened, sensing that more hinges upon their rituals than anyone knows.

Does that description not scream winter? The winter-themed imagery in this book is stunning. Full of forest-inspired winter imagery and a cozy cabin.

 10. Emily Wilde’s Encylopedia of Fairies by Heather Fawcett

Searching for winter fantasy books? Emily Wilde’s Encylopedia of Faeries is a magical winter read. It has enchanting worldbuilding, a light romance and adorable friendships. It has the coziest winter vibes.

We follow Emily Wilde – a curmudgeonly academic and Cambridge professor. She is compiling world’s first encyclopaedia of faerie lore. She travels to a tiny, remote town in the far North to study fairies.

But she’s joined by her academic rival – the endlessly charming Wendell Bambleby.

And he inserts himself in the middle of her research, utterly frustrating her.

11. Midnight in Everwood by M.A. Kuzniar

I’ll be honest, this was a cover buy. When I saw the stunning, wintery cover I knew I had to buy it. This is a magical retelling of the Nutcracker that transports you to an enchanting wintery world.

We follow Marietta Stelle. She loves ballet. But after Christmas, her dreams will be over as she is obligated to take her place in Edwardian society.

While she is chafing against such suffocating traditions, a mysterious man purchases the neighbouring townhouse. Dr Drosselmeier is a charming but calculating figure. And he wins over the rest of the Stelle family with his enchanting toys and wondrous mechanisms.

When Drosselmeier constructs an elaborate set for Marietta’s final ballet performance, she discovers it carries a magic all of its own. On the stroke of midnight on Christmas Eve, she is transported to a snowy forest, where she encounters danger at every turn: ice giants, shadow goblins and the shrieking mist all lurk amidst the firs and frozen waterfalls and ice cliffs.  But all is not as it seems, as Marietta is soon trapped in this wintery world.

The world building in this book is stunning. Full of whimsical descriptions of confectionary and enchanting winter imagery. Searching for fantasy books set in winter? This is the book for you.

12. One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig

I picked this up when it was picked as monthly book for the fantasy book club I attend. And I’m glad this was recommended.

A high fantasy with a unique magic system, a gothic atmosphere and a romantic sub-plot. Set between Autumn Equinox and Winter Solstice, One Dark Window is an excellent winter fantasy read.

In Blunder all magic comes at a price. We follow Elspeth. She touches a magical providence card and is possessed by the Nightmare.

When Elspeth meets a mysterious highwayman on the forest road, her life takes a drastic turn. Thrust into a world of shadow and deception, she joins a dangerous quest to cure Blunder from the dark magic infecting it. 

This is such an atmospheric read. Spooky, nightmarish and gothic. The magic system is unique compared to other fantasy books and made for such interesting reading.

One Dark Window was marketed as an enemies-to-lovers romance but it’s much more than that. This is a must-read for fans of gothic fantasy books.

This post was all about fantasy books set in Winter

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