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The Winter Witching
"She shook with the burning rage of the old gods. Brimming with magic, the Waldwood sat watching. Waiting. Nature demanded balance, and the time would come when she would take what was owed."
The Rage of Women Burns Cold
As the king's executioner, Rialey Dagon is familiar with King Wineslowe's hatred of witches. In fact, Rialey carries out the weekly witching at the city center. But the blood on her hands is not as it seems.
A witch herself, Rialey works to help the prisoners escape the palace dungeons.
When Verena is left beyond the city walls, cold and frail from her time in the dungeons, she moves north. With the kingdom's constant winter, she finds herself on the brink of death, only to be saved by a stranger in the woods.
With their secrets revealed, both women are forced to escape and push north to the Waldwood forest, where magic thrums through the very soil.
King Wineslowe's army on their tails, Verena and Rialey are forced to choose. Fight the war that's been brewing for decades or see all they love burned to ash.
The Rage of Women Burns Cold
As the king's executioner, Rialey Dagon is familiar with King Wineslowe's hatred of witches. In fact, Rialey carries out the weekly witching at the city center. But the blood on her hands is not as it seems.
A witch herself, Rialey works to help the prisoners escape the palace dungeons.
When Verena is left beyond the city walls, cold and frail from her time in the dungeons, she moves north. With the kingdom's constant winter, she finds herself on the brink of death, only to be saved by a stranger in the woods.
With their secrets revealed, both women are forced to escape and push north to the Waldwood forest, where magic thrums through the very soil.
King Wineslowe's army on their tails, Verena and Rialey are forced to choose. Fight the war that's been brewing for decades or see all they love burned to ash.
465 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 11, 2025
16 people want to read
About the author
Emma Steinbrecher
12 books82 followersThis author is also published under Emmie J. Holland.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
November 9, 2025
The Winter Witching is a beautifully written, haunting novel that weaves politics and quiet rebellion into a story that moves so quickly it left me wanting more. For example, the characters are so interesting and deeply motivated that I found myself wishing they each had their own books so I could get to know each of them better.
The political arc is heartbreaking and brilliantly written. Honestly, it’s a sharp commentary on corruption, control, and the courage it takes to fight for change that isn’t unlike one we all can relate to today.
While the romance simmers in the background, it’s a slow burn worth waiting for. Personally, I need Faris to have his own love story iykyk.
This isn’t a typical romantasy. TWW focuses on resistance, resilience, and the quiet strength of those who dare to challenge the world they’ve been born into.
The political arc is heartbreaking and brilliantly written. Honestly, it’s a sharp commentary on corruption, control, and the courage it takes to fight for change that isn’t unlike one we all can relate to today.
While the romance simmers in the background, it’s a slow burn worth waiting for. Personally, I need Faris to have his own love story iykyk.
This isn’t a typical romantasy. TWW focuses on resistance, resilience, and the quiet strength of those who dare to challenge the world they’ve been born into.
November 14, 2025
I wish I was as adept at writing reviews as this book warrants, because this read was truly so enjoyable.
I was immediately drawn in and at no point did my attention wane. I will absolutely be reading more works from this author in the near future.
I received an advance copy of this book, but this review is being left voluntarily
I was immediately drawn in and at no point did my attention wane. I will absolutely be reading more works from this author in the near future.
I received an advance copy of this book, but this review is being left voluntarily
November 16, 2025
If I could give 20/5 I totally would.
From hearing the initial thoughts from Emma on this book to seeing the story come to life is amazing. This book was better than I could ever imagine.
I also didn’t let her tell me the ending because I wanted to see how it evolved.
This is definitely fantasy , SLOW SLOW burn. But it was everything. They will fiver live in my heart.
Now I might need an owl tattoo? 🫣
From hearing the initial thoughts from Emma on this book to seeing the story come to life is amazing. This book was better than I could ever imagine.
I also didn’t let her tell me the ending because I wanted to see how it evolved.
This is definitely fantasy , SLOW SLOW burn. But it was everything. They will fiver live in my heart.
Now I might need an owl tattoo? 🫣
October 29, 2025
The Winter Witching is a truly feminist novel that beautifully weaves atmospheric writing with the high stakes of an epic fantasy. Emma Steinbrecher delivers a story that tackles themes of oppression, rebellion, morality, and the overreach of an unjust government, all while keeping readers deeply invested in the characters’ journeys.
The main character, Rialey, is a compelling representation of someone from a marginalized group who finds themselves in a position of power by masking parts of themselves. Throughout the story, she grapples with the evil she has committed to maintain her position alongside her desire to make the world a better place. This internal struggle gives her depth and nuance that elevate the narrative beyond a typical fantasy tale.
Both of the female leads embody different forms of strength, which I found particularly refreshing. Rialey shows her resilience through determination, courage, and a fiery temperament, while Verena demonstrates a softer, quieter strength. Verena’s character arc, in particular, was one of my favorite aspects of the story, providing emotional depth and contrast to Rialey’s more forceful approach.
The book also explores romantic subplots with tension and a slow-burn intensity that is both engaging and satisfying. Importantly, the open-door scenes are handled naturally, adding to character development rather than feeling gratuitous. They enhance the story and the relationships without overshadowing the larger narrative.
Overall, The Winter Witching is a fantastic read. Its combination of rich world-building, strong character work, and thought-provoking themes make it a standout, and I am excited to explore more from Emma Steinbrecher.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The main character, Rialey, is a compelling representation of someone from a marginalized group who finds themselves in a position of power by masking parts of themselves. Throughout the story, she grapples with the evil she has committed to maintain her position alongside her desire to make the world a better place. This internal struggle gives her depth and nuance that elevate the narrative beyond a typical fantasy tale.
Both of the female leads embody different forms of strength, which I found particularly refreshing. Rialey shows her resilience through determination, courage, and a fiery temperament, while Verena demonstrates a softer, quieter strength. Verena’s character arc, in particular, was one of my favorite aspects of the story, providing emotional depth and contrast to Rialey’s more forceful approach.
The book also explores romantic subplots with tension and a slow-burn intensity that is both engaging and satisfying. Importantly, the open-door scenes are handled naturally, adding to character development rather than feeling gratuitous. They enhance the story and the relationships without overshadowing the larger narrative.
Overall, The Winter Witching is a fantastic read. Its combination of rich world-building, strong character work, and thought-provoking themes make it a standout, and I am excited to explore more from Emma Steinbrecher.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 12, 2025
“The rage of women burns cold.”
A truly feminist novel that beautifully weaves atmospheric writing with the high stakes of an epic fantasy.
The Winter Witching delivered in all areas. This narrative tackles themes of oppression, rebellion, morality, and the over reach of an unjust government.
The main character, Rialey, is a great representation of those in marginalized groups that somehow find themselves in positions of power by forsaking who they are or masking parts of themselves. Throughout the story, she grapples with the evil she’s done to maintain her position and the desire to make the world a better place.
I loved that both of the female main characters represented a different kind of strength. Rialey, being the more common female main character found in recent fantasy novels, reveals her strength through her hot temper and motivation. In contrast, Verena provides a softer image of strength. I loved her character arc most.
In the book, we follow two separate romantic sub-plots with delicious tension, and a slow burn I could die for. The open door scenes were in no way gratuitous. They added to the character development and felt natural to the characters.
A fantastic read. I cannot wait to see more from this new-to-me author.
I received my first ARC, and I’m leaving this review of my own volition.
A truly feminist novel that beautifully weaves atmospheric writing with the high stakes of an epic fantasy.
The Winter Witching delivered in all areas. This narrative tackles themes of oppression, rebellion, morality, and the over reach of an unjust government.
The main character, Rialey, is a great representation of those in marginalized groups that somehow find themselves in positions of power by forsaking who they are or masking parts of themselves. Throughout the story, she grapples with the evil she’s done to maintain her position and the desire to make the world a better place.
I loved that both of the female main characters represented a different kind of strength. Rialey, being the more common female main character found in recent fantasy novels, reveals her strength through her hot temper and motivation. In contrast, Verena provides a softer image of strength. I loved her character arc most.
In the book, we follow two separate romantic sub-plots with delicious tension, and a slow burn I could die for. The open door scenes were in no way gratuitous. They added to the character development and felt natural to the characters.
A fantastic read. I cannot wait to see more from this new-to-me author.
I received my first ARC, and I’m leaving this review of my own volition.
November 2, 2025
This book was a whirlwind from start to finish. We follow a couple different characters and getting their insight into the world, as well as the characters beside them, made the story more rich and deep. I loved the world building and magic element, it was beautifully constructed! I found myself pulled toward Rialey, but Verena’s quiet strength was awe inspiring as well. My emotions were pulled up down and all around during this story and I would expect nothing else from Emma!
November 25, 2025
Verena and Rialey Are intense. They’re both super powerful and when they work together they can overcome anything. All in all the story was top notch and their interactions kept me coming back for more. I really liked the intrigue of the kingdom and all the politics they had to overcome.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 19, 2025
What can I say, Emma has done it again. Her books never disappoint me. The fantasy, characters, plot, just everything about this book was perfect. It pulled me out of a reading slump and I could not be more grateful for that. I highly recommend this book to everyone!
November 10, 2025
Buckle up for the emotional journey. Twisty turny and delicious prose. Slow burn nation RISE UP
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews