A Snowmonster for Midwinter

by Blaine D. Arden

Snow turns to sleet where monsters tread

As the resident sorcerers, Toren and his family protect their village from monsters—like the one they trapped in the mountains decades ago. But on the eve of the annual midwinter festival, it’s not a monster but a sudden eruption at the springs that threatens their lives.

With rescue spells failing and the danger of a second, more deadly eruption looming, Toren discovers that a monster responsible for his brother’s death holds the key to saving the village. When his family refuses to listen, Toren must make an impossible risk their wrath by seeking the monster’s help, or lose everything his brother died to protect.

Amidst swirling snow and fading spells, "A Snowmonster for Midwinter" tells a heartwarming tale of courage, unlikely alliances, and the transformative power of love.

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Content notes are available in the book's front matter and on the author's website.

Genres: Fantasy

88 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 10, 2024

About the author

Blaine D. Arden is an EPIC Award-winning author of Romantic Speculative Fiction. Non-binary and proud, ey sings eir way through life in platform boots and delights in creating magical worlds for queer heroes to bump into the loves of their lives at just the wrong—or right—moment. Ey believes in celebrating the transformative power of diversity and inclusivity in all aspects of life, and that our unique experiences and perspectives are what make us strong: “Our Difference is Our Strength.”

Born and raised in Zutphen, the Netherlands, Blaine spent eir youth immersed in books, daydreaming, and making up stories. Quite content in entertaining emself, ey evolved from telling stories to eir favourite doll, to acting them out with eir Barbies, and finally, putting pen to paper.

When not writing, Blaine enjoys singing, sewing, and indulging in building LEGO botanical sets. Ey lives in the Netherlands with eir supportive partner of over thirty years. Despite their differences—Blaine craves shade and doesn’t drink the beers he brews, he doesn’t read romance and loves soaking up the sun—they enjoy watching quiz shows during dinner and playing cooperative games.

From the award-winning Oren’s Right to Aliens, Smith and Jones, Blaine’s books offer readers a safe and enchanting escape into richly imagined worlds with a unique blend of adventure, emotional depth, and belonging.
______________________
Non-Binary / Asexual
ey/em/eir | she/her | Mx.

Reviews

[Shrike · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I enjoyed Toren and Vennik, I LOVED the world of this story. It's short, but there are so many little details that made me smile. In particular, the snow and ice-based  expressions. They're cute, intuitive, and add extra charm.

I would love to see this story expanded. Not only because I loved what I read, but also because I think it may help even the pacing. A few plot points and character introductions felt rushed.

Thanks so much to Arden for sending me an ARC for free. I'm leaving this review of my own accord.

[DLB2572 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Toren & Vennik

This is a quick but interesting story. I was very entertained by Toren and Vennik's story. I do wish it had been a bit longer.

I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion

[J. Coatsworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Boy meets monster. Monster saves boy. Monster gets shunned for a crime he didn’t commit. Boy turns to monster when his town is in danger. It’s a tale as old as time.

But seriously, this is a gorgeous little nugget of winter gay romance.

Toren is still scared from his brother’s death two decades earlier. He and his family have magical powers, which they use to both maintain the avalanche barrier that protects their little alpine town, and to keep the snowmonster caged up on the mountain above. The monster that had been a part of the gang that had killed his brother, even if it had mysteriously saved him.

Vennik is a misunderstood snowmonster. He wanted no part in the attack on the humans, and managed to save one of them, whose face now haunts him. Now the human’s village is in danger, but no one will listen to his howls of warning…

This is a novella-length romance, surprisingly sweet given that there’s a monster involved. There’s a dark plot to be unraveled, a series of misunderstandings to be overcome, and a snowmonster with a heart of gold and a very soft white pelt of fur.

I loved this little holiday monster romance, as much for the will they, won’t they back and forth of it all as for the lovely setting and worldbuilding, and the fascinating magic system. Toren and Vennik provide opposing viewpoints chapter by chapter, in intimate first person, and we get to see them sizing each other up as they meet again for the first time in twenty years. There are some great side characters too.

A great escapist romp through a winter wonderland, the perfect antidote for your cold weather blues.

[Lina Keit · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got an ARC to rate this book and I think that's the only reason I finished it. It's not bad, it's just... boring.
I usually like books from this author, even if they're not page turners I enjoy them, care about their characters and about the conflict.
I can't pinpoint to anything truly bad about the book. There are lots of nice things, too! The world is interesting, but lacks development. There are lots of nice depictions of winter celebrations, fitting for a Christmas story. I can really feel the cozy vibes. The MC is ftm and it's my favourite type of depiction: the character is ftm and no one cares. Stories about the troubles and rejection trans people face have their place, but my secret confession is that I prefer these calmer idealized ones, in which there's no problem or angst whatsoever about transexuality (or homosexuality). Just acceptance and moving forward with the plot. The conflict and it's resolution were underwhelming, but the good kind of underwhelming, the kind that greatly resembles real life, where most conflicts don't hace epic worldchanging resolutions.
The main character is a guard, protecting the village from sapient monsters. What is the problem with these monsters, why must they be kept appart, why are they a threat, that's never discussed. The incident that's part of the MC's backstory feels more like an isolated instance than a reocurring problem. The romance isn't convincing and frankly needs more time than it has, they only meet at about 2/3 of the book. It's a short story, but the concept and plot suffer greatly for it.
I'll keep reading from this author, but not from this series if this one ever gets a sequel.

[Becca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Toren and his family are sorcerers who protect the village from monsters but now eruptions in the spring threaten their lives. Toren hears howls from the mountain where twenty years ago a monster responsible for killing his brother is prisoner. Toren believes the howls indicate a warning that something is wrong, but he is the only one who believes that.



Spells are not working and Toren turns to the monster hoping he will have an answer to stop the danger. Toren knows that seeking his families help after they believe he killed their son is impossible, but the village is in danger and spells are not working. When all attempts fail Toren hopes a monster can come up with answers.

This was a short story filled with second chances and betrayal.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me start by saying, I read a lot of books and short stories to review. Which means I end up reading a lot of work that falls under the romance category. They tend to blur together most of the time. This is not one of those.
Also, I do not get legitimately excited about discovering a new-to-me author very often, but this is going on my short list. Hoping to look into Blaine's work and find that this world is expended elsewhere.
Enough of that. About the actual story. I absolutely LOVE it. The fantasy and romance elements are woven together perfectly without overwhelming each other and rich enough detail to picture it playing out in my head while I read it. It doesn't get better than that. Could only have asked for more to make this one better.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nina Diab · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Tomorrow, we’d face the village. Tomorrow, there’d be questions, accusations— everything waiting to tear us apart. But tonight, with his warmth around me and my name on his lips… tomorrow didn’t matter.'

I really enjoyed this book. Great world building and wonderful characters. I loved both Toren and Vennik- especially Vennik. I'm always drawn to the misunderstood characters, and poor Vennik was misunderstood- blamed, ignored, and imprisoned by a spell. Yes he was kind and patient and had a good heart. This story was an adventure and had mystery to what was happening. I liked the way Toren began to trust Vennik and their relationship developed.

This is the first book I've read by this author and I would read more. 4 stars.

[C.B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice story. I would have liked more background on the worldbuilding, and the history. Toren and his family, protected their village with grit and spells. They feared Vennick, who they considered a monster who needed ot be caged. Toren, senses something wrong, but his Father wouldn't listen. When Toren meets Vennick, things are confusing and explosive. The problem, the mystery the conflicts are absolutely intriguing. The supporting characters are great but not much time was spent on development. I would be interesting in reading more about the characters teased. I would have liked to know more about Toren and Vennick. Nicely done. I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ellie Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was drawn into this absorbing Christmas story by the author's lyrical writing and astonishing breadth of worldbuilding. For a relatively short story, Blaine D. Arden conveys a complete magical world with particular customs and constructions.

Within this richly detailed world, we meet Toren, a villager who has responsibilities for guarding the perimeter of the village and Vennik, an apparently criminal 'monster' confined to a section of the mountain. I got caught up in the sense of urgency of a threat to the village that flung these two together, made them realise they were on the same side and brought about an opportunity for healing acceptance and love. A really gorgeous story.

[L H · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a short story with a powerful message. Toren and his family do their best to protect the village with their magic but when it is not enough Toren realizes that Vennick, the monster trapped on the mountain that is believed to be a menace is not really. Toren realizes that asking for Vennick's help makes sense despite the objections of his family and frankly his own reservations because of the beliefs about Vennick. This one made me think. I wish it had been longer.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[DC · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok but I felt like I was missing too much. Other reviewers mentioned how much they liked the world building. I don’t see it. Other than there being a bunch of crusty old sorcerers and a snowmonster, I really can’t tell you anything about their world. Even the deaths that started events in motion for this story remain mostly a mystery. Only a brief exchange beween Vennick and his mother sheds a bit of light on that. Vennick is a very sweet and very misunderstood character and he is the one who really holds this story together.

[LA FITCH · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good magical romance. Toren is a spellcaster who was saved by a monster who was with the wrong people at the wrong time. Vennik is the monster who chose being a prisoner on the peak of a mountain overlooking Toren's village instead of going to a prison where they would find out he could do magic as well. This HEA is a must-read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Deb Kel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very well written magical storyline set in a great fantasy world. Loved the MC's Toren, a spellcaster who goes against his judgement to befriend Vennik, the monster after he saves him. A great relationship development ensued between them. My only negative is that I wish it was longer. Thoroughly enjoyable.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Saskia Veldhuis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very charming shorter read. The world building was excellent, including specific phrases used by the people, which made complete sense (glossary at the back in case of need). The magic system was well thought out. I would certainly have enjoyed a full-length book, but this felt very complete.

[Sarah☀️ Somerville · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not particularly interesting.