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The Miraculous Sweetmakers #1
The Frost Fair
Perfect for fans of Serafina and the Black Cloak and The Night Gardener, this middle grade historical fantasy follows a girl who makes a dangerous wish in order to bring her brother back from the dead.
It's winter, 1683, and the Great Frost has swept into London.
By day, thirteen-year-old Thomasina and her friend Anne peddle sweets on the frozen river, hearing rumors of the magical Frost Fair that awakens there at night. They say if you can find it, Father Winter himself will grant any wish you have.
And Thomasina has an impossible wish: the return of her twin brother, whose death left her family fractured.
But once they discover Father Winter’s icy kingdom, Thomasina and Anne quickly realize the Frost Fair isn’t exactly what it seems… and that some wishes never come for free.
A heartwarming, moving journey and a magical adventure all in one, The Frost Fair is a dazzling historical fantasy perfect for fans of Frozen and The Real Boy.
It's winter, 1683, and the Great Frost has swept into London.
By day, thirteen-year-old Thomasina and her friend Anne peddle sweets on the frozen river, hearing rumors of the magical Frost Fair that awakens there at night. They say if you can find it, Father Winter himself will grant any wish you have.
And Thomasina has an impossible wish: the return of her twin brother, whose death left her family fractured.
But once they discover Father Winter’s icy kingdom, Thomasina and Anne quickly realize the Frost Fair isn’t exactly what it seems… and that some wishes never come for free.
A heartwarming, moving journey and a magical adventure all in one, The Frost Fair is a dazzling historical fantasy perfect for fans of Frozen and The Real Boy.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 2022
31 people are currently reading
3524 people want to read
About the author
Natasha Hastings
8 books64 followersNatasha Hastings is the bestselling author of fantasy books for adults and children. Her debut novel, The Frost Fair (the first in her magical-historical trilogy, The Miraculous Sweetmakers), was the Waterstones Children’s Book of the Month in November 2023, longlisted for the Branford Boase Award, Editor’s Choice in The Bookseller, and a Times Book of the Week. The second in the trilogy – The Sea Queen – was published in September 2024, and became a #1 Amazon bestseller.
Her debut regency romantasy for adults, How To Charm A Viscount, will be released in May 2025 under the name Natasha J. Hastings. All of her books are published by HarperCollins.
Her debut regency romantasy for adults, How To Charm A Viscount, will be released in May 2025 under the name Natasha J. Hastings. All of her books are published by HarperCollins.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 163 reviews
October 21, 2022
This book takes readers on a magical journey through the frost fair, accompanied by stunning illustrations by Alex T. Smith which are sprinkled in between the chapters. Surprisingly, the book did get quite tense and suspenseful towards the end with a couple of unexpected surprises. The writing is absolutely beautiful– long descriptive paragraphs that paint a picture of a winter wonderland, complete with the sights, sounds and even smells of the surroundings. I love when authors take the time to describe little details like the smell of gingerbread cookies, because I felt a sense of nostalgia as I was reading. I remember growing up and baking gingerbread cookies with my family during the Christmas season; however, as I got older Christmas became a busier time of year where everyone feels the need to do everything all at once. After reading this book, I felt an inkling to restart that tradition again.
I appreciate the fact that this book features a character with a disability– Thomasina and her brother both have the "wheeze", and asthma is a prevalent part of the story. It is always good to see disability representation in any forms of media; however, I cannot really offer any further insight as to whether it is accurate representation as I do not have any acknowledge or experience in the disability. I just feel like it is important to recognise, in the first place, that there is some available disability representation.
The theme of friendship features quite heavily in this book. Thomasina meets and befriends Anne Hawke, a young girl who recently moved to London and works at an apothecary shop. Together they form a friendship by baking and selling goods at the markets by the frozen Thames festival. Both characters have their own charms and quirks and I loved seeing how their friendship blossomed amidst Thomasina's own personal troubles. It's a gentle reminder that it is never too late to meet new friends, and in most cases, new friends come into our lives for a reason.
The magic of the world contained within this book is quite captivating and it was so easy to get lost in the setting and the characters. However, at the heart of it, this book tackles grief and the journey of acceptance in a sensitive and heartwarming way. This seems like a very relevant book to introduce to young readers because it weaves the difficult topic of grief and mental illness alongside brilliant and captivating storytelling without it becoming too overwhelming.
The book's winter cold setting contrasts the warm, heartfelt message of this story. It's like a warm hug on a cold day. A winter-ful debut novel.
4 stars.
Novelstorian (Blog) ✨ Instagram ✨ Twitter ✨
I appreciate the fact that this book features a character with a disability– Thomasina and her brother both have the "wheeze", and asthma is a prevalent part of the story. It is always good to see disability representation in any forms of media; however, I cannot really offer any further insight as to whether it is accurate representation as I do not have any acknowledge or experience in the disability. I just feel like it is important to recognise, in the first place, that there is some available disability representation.
The theme of friendship features quite heavily in this book. Thomasina meets and befriends Anne Hawke, a young girl who recently moved to London and works at an apothecary shop. Together they form a friendship by baking and selling goods at the markets by the frozen Thames festival. Both characters have their own charms and quirks and I loved seeing how their friendship blossomed amidst Thomasina's own personal troubles. It's a gentle reminder that it is never too late to meet new friends, and in most cases, new friends come into our lives for a reason.
The magic of the world contained within this book is quite captivating and it was so easy to get lost in the setting and the characters. However, at the heart of it, this book tackles grief and the journey of acceptance in a sensitive and heartwarming way. This seems like a very relevant book to introduce to young readers because it weaves the difficult topic of grief and mental illness alongside brilliant and captivating storytelling without it becoming too overwhelming.
The book's winter cold setting contrasts the warm, heartfelt message of this story. It's like a warm hug on a cold day. A winter-ful debut novel.
4 stars.
Novelstorian (Blog) ✨ Instagram ✨ Twitter ✨
December 20, 2022
The Miraculous Sweetmakers is the perfect winter read for middle-graders to young YA readers. The plot is filled with friendship, family, and an air of mystery when our main character Thomasina is invited to the frost fair.
The book opens on a sad note with Thomasina’s twin brother dying. We then move forward a few years and see how life has dramatically changed for the young girl after his death, with her mother unable to speak or leave her bed and her father hardly saying more than a grunt, plus now Thomasina is needed to help out with the family’s sweetshop.
Frustrated and saddened by the changes, Thomasina meets a strange man, Inigo, when the river Thames freezes over. He tells her that he can bring her brother back from the dead but she must do something for him over three nights. This is when she attends the other frost fair after midnight and sees all the mystical people and creatures that use the frozen river as their base. But is Inigo a friend or foe?
What I loved about The Miraculous Sweetmaker is how although it is set in 1683 how relatable to today this story is. This is a tale of a young girl who has gone through such sadness in her life and is willing to do anything to make things better again. She is lonely and feels like she doesn’t have anyone until she meets Anne, the apothecary apprentice who has just moved in with her uncle.
This is a story that is surrounded by magic and is so atmospheric with the cold and frozen Thames coming across perfectly making you shiver and requiring a nice fluffy blanket and a hot beverage whilst reading.
The characters are beautifully represented and the themes such as death, deception, mental illness, and asthma are handled with care and understanding. It is a touching story and will pull at your heartstrings. This is a book you will be invested in and one you won’t want to put down.
The book opens on a sad note with Thomasina’s twin brother dying. We then move forward a few years and see how life has dramatically changed for the young girl after his death, with her mother unable to speak or leave her bed and her father hardly saying more than a grunt, plus now Thomasina is needed to help out with the family’s sweetshop.
Frustrated and saddened by the changes, Thomasina meets a strange man, Inigo, when the river Thames freezes over. He tells her that he can bring her brother back from the dead but she must do something for him over three nights. This is when she attends the other frost fair after midnight and sees all the mystical people and creatures that use the frozen river as their base. But is Inigo a friend or foe?
What I loved about The Miraculous Sweetmaker is how although it is set in 1683 how relatable to today this story is. This is a tale of a young girl who has gone through such sadness in her life and is willing to do anything to make things better again. She is lonely and feels like she doesn’t have anyone until she meets Anne, the apothecary apprentice who has just moved in with her uncle.
This is a story that is surrounded by magic and is so atmospheric with the cold and frozen Thames coming across perfectly making you shiver and requiring a nice fluffy blanket and a hot beverage whilst reading.
The characters are beautifully represented and the themes such as death, deception, mental illness, and asthma are handled with care and understanding. It is a touching story and will pull at your heartstrings. This is a book you will be invested in and one you won’t want to put down.
May 11, 2024
3'5 YOUTUBE / INSTAGRAM
A pesar de que es un libro que se me atragantó un pelín (creo que no estaba del humor adecuado para leerlo, pero me lo había puesto en la TBR de invierno y soy de las que intentan cumplir sí o sí), la verdad es que creo que es una historia middle-grade con mucho mérito.
Para empezar, me ha encantado la representación del asma. No se llama tal cual por ese nombre porque es de ambientación histórica, pero está bastante claro que se trata de eso. Y claro, en aquella época no había remedio para el asma y de hecho se nos habla de las terribles consecuencias que puede tener cuando no hay tratamiento a mano. A pesar de ello, nuestra protagonista vive toda una aventura y sale adelante constantemente pese a las dificultades que le impone su enfermedad, y me parece muy guay que los lectores más pequeños puedan tener ejemplos y referentes así.
Por otro lado, este libro es fantásticamente invernal, y las descripciones de la autora de los paisajes nevados, del Támesis congelado, de los olores y colores y alimentos me han teletransportado por completo al interior del libro, así como las estupendas ilustraciones.
Debo decir que es un libro más oscuro y gris de lo que me esperaba y creo que ese ese el motivo de que se me atragantara un pelín. Por otro lado, me gusta mucho que este tipo de historias exploren también el duelo, la pena y la aceptación de la pérdida, y cómo pueden afrontarlo distintas personas de una misma familia.
Además de eso, por supuesto que toda la ambientación de la feria de hielo y las criaturas mágicas me ha gustado mucho, y también las amistades que se forjan en el libro y el espíritu de superación constante de Tomasina.
A pesar de que es un libro que se me atragantó un pelín (creo que no estaba del humor adecuado para leerlo, pero me lo había puesto en la TBR de invierno y soy de las que intentan cumplir sí o sí), la verdad es que creo que es una historia middle-grade con mucho mérito.
Para empezar, me ha encantado la representación del asma. No se llama tal cual por ese nombre porque es de ambientación histórica, pero está bastante claro que se trata de eso. Y claro, en aquella época no había remedio para el asma y de hecho se nos habla de las terribles consecuencias que puede tener cuando no hay tratamiento a mano. A pesar de ello, nuestra protagonista vive toda una aventura y sale adelante constantemente pese a las dificultades que le impone su enfermedad, y me parece muy guay que los lectores más pequeños puedan tener ejemplos y referentes así.
Por otro lado, este libro es fantásticamente invernal, y las descripciones de la autora de los paisajes nevados, del Támesis congelado, de los olores y colores y alimentos me han teletransportado por completo al interior del libro, así como las estupendas ilustraciones.
Debo decir que es un libro más oscuro y gris de lo que me esperaba y creo que ese ese el motivo de que se me atragantara un pelín. Por otro lado, me gusta mucho que este tipo de historias exploren también el duelo, la pena y la aceptación de la pérdida, y cómo pueden afrontarlo distintas personas de una misma familia.
Además de eso, por supuesto que toda la ambientación de la feria de hielo y las criaturas mágicas me ha gustado mucho, y también las amistades que se forjan en el libro y el espíritu de superación constante de Tomasina.
February 17, 2025
Bu kitabı yaklaşık 2 aydır okuyorum 😂 aslında biraz okuduktan sonra arkadaşımla devam etmek için ara vermiştim fakat havalar soğuyunca yine elime aldım! Tam kış günlerine uygun büyülü, tatlı ve hüzünlü bir hikayeydi. Bir çocuk kitabı fakat hem çocukları hem yetişkinleri derinden etkileyecek bir konuya sahip. Thomasina’nın dört yıl boyunca kardeşinin yokluğuyla tek başına baş etmeye çalışması çok üzücüydü. Annesi ve babası bir çocukları daha olduğunu unutmuş gibilerdi 😔 bu durum kalbimi gerçekten çok kırdı fakat hikayenin ilerleyişi maceralarla dolu olması ve güzel bir sona bağlanması beni tatmin etti. Bu kitabı düşündüğümde kalbimde buruk ama neşe dolu bir his oluşacağını biliyorum 🥺
April 5, 2024
Genç Timaş gerçekten çok güzel kitaplar seçiyor ya! İkiz kardeşinin kendisi yüzünden öldüğünü düşünen küçük bir kızın büyük kederini okuyoruz ama yine yas ve depresyonla başa çıkmanın, büyümenin güzel bir hikâyesi bu.
March 6, 2023
What a delightful, magical, highly atmospheric story with so much depth & meaning. I loved this so much. The core of this story is grief, but also family, & friendship. It handles all these topics beautifully, & weaves them with the magical superbly. 1600's London during a Great Frost, with a frozen Thames is so atmospheric all in itself. Then add the Frost Fair (both the daytime, & the magical night) & that atmosphere jumps even higher. Rich, vivid, magical writing bring everything into beautiful detail. So imaginative. Perfect read while snuggled cozy in a blanket with some hot chocolate. Amazing characters that pull at your heart. Our MC Thomasina has been dealt such a great loss, & carries so much guilt from it, & loneliness. Her dad has changed, & become distant & short. Her mother stays in bed, hasn't talked since the loss, & Thomasina has to take care of her along with helping her dad with the business stuff, taking care of the home/cooking the meals. So much on her young shoulders. It was so beautiful when she meets Anne, & watching the friendship grow & develop. Then another character we meet later who becomes their friend, & his connection to someone from the magical side, & THAT whole backstory. The backstory of the magical Frost Fair, & the man that Thomasina makes the dangerous wish with, are all so intriguing & gripping. Terrific pace, & love the way the story unfolds. When everything unknown comes to light, I was just so engrossed the more & more the truth unraveled. So good! That ending was phenomenal, & emotional in all the best ways. Every detail in here with the Frost Fair, Father Winter, Inigo, the Frost Folk, Grey-Cloaks, Frost Beasts, & so much more was so fascinating, & vivid. Honest beautifully touched on themes, like I've said, including:death, grief, loneliness, guilt, & even asthma & mental health. There is a great example how, especially women, in history like this were treated like they were insane (literally), & the places they were sent against their will, & how they were treated. Sickening. HIGHLY recommend this. Heartwarming, deeply moving, charming, magical adventure. Cannot wait for the next one. Stunning cover by Maxine Vee too. I also have the stunning UK edition illustrated by Alex T. Smith.💜
October 15, 2022
This reminds me of dark autumn Sunday evenings watching the BBC adaptations of The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe and The Box of Delights with my family.
The wintery setting is reminiscent of both of those tales too and there’s dark and spooky vibes right from the shocking end of the first chapter.
Thomasina is an appealing protagonist, her drive and ambition contrasted by the guilt and grief she carries. When she is made a miraculous offer we can see why she grasps at it.
Her friendships give her hope, and the story does really get quite bleak so it’s good that she has Henry, Anne, and their business idea, to cling to.
There was a very touching scene with the parsnip seller that made you root (lol) for Thomasina even more.
With discussions of female madness/‘hysteria’, representation of asthma and exploration of the multitudes of ways people deal with grief this is not a light middle grade but it is magical. Both the Frost Fair and the Other Frost Fair are exquisitely drawn and I would love to see this come to laugh as a Sunday BBC family series one day.
Thanks to TheWriteReads and the publisher for the eARC for the purposes of an honest review.
The wintery setting is reminiscent of both of those tales too and there’s dark and spooky vibes right from the shocking end of the first chapter.
Thomasina is an appealing protagonist, her drive and ambition contrasted by the guilt and grief she carries. When she is made a miraculous offer we can see why she grasps at it.
Her friendships give her hope, and the story does really get quite bleak so it’s good that she has Henry, Anne, and their business idea, to cling to.
There was a very touching scene with the parsnip seller that made you root (lol) for Thomasina even more.
With discussions of female madness/‘hysteria’, representation of asthma and exploration of the multitudes of ways people deal with grief this is not a light middle grade but it is magical. Both the Frost Fair and the Other Frost Fair are exquisitely drawn and I would love to see this come to laugh as a Sunday BBC family series one day.
Thanks to TheWriteReads and the publisher for the eARC for the purposes of an honest review.
April 19, 2023
An average wholesome middle grade fantasy.
October 25, 2022
Spent my morning finishing this, and what a lush story of ice, magic, friendship, some brilliant business-women and deception. Who doesn’t love a good wintry tale?! The kids did a brilliant job working together and that ending was delicious! I loved the ending - seeing how love truly can conquer evil! Can’t wait to see Alex T Smith’s illustrations!
August 6, 2022
Personal rating:
2.75🌟, rounded up to 3🌟
Oh wow do I feel guilty for this rating. The story is pretty good at first and I did enjoy my time initially. However, as the story progresses, the children's behaviours started feeling too grown-up for their age, which brought me out of the story multiple times and by the end I was just waiting for the story to be over.
Here are a couple examples of what I meant:
1) How does Henry own that much money on his own? Nearing the end I swear I started to feel like he has the magical Doraemon pocket somewhere on his body and the pocket is able to produce as much money as he wants whenever, wherever.
2) Plus he is also so independent. Does his parents/caretakers really have that much trust towards him? We don't know, and I feel like we're supposed to just accept and move along.
There are other instances as well but to keep my review as short as I can, I'm just going to highlight these two. My point, though, is that these small details definitely add up over time and there's only so much disbelief I can suspend in one story.
Apart from that I don't think I have any other complaints. The language used is suitable for middle grade kids to enjoy and oh, I do love the little talks about mental health that we got regarding to Thomasina's mom.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a free digital copy of this in exchange for an honest review.
2.75🌟, rounded up to 3🌟
Oh wow do I feel guilty for this rating. The story is pretty good at first and I did enjoy my time initially. However, as the story progresses, the children's behaviours started feeling too grown-up for their age, which brought me out of the story multiple times and by the end I was just waiting for the story to be over.
Here are a couple examples of what I meant:
1) How does Henry own that much money on his own? Nearing the end I swear I started to feel like he has the magical Doraemon pocket somewhere on his body and the pocket is able to produce as much money as he wants whenever, wherever.
2) Plus he is also so independent. Does his parents/caretakers really have that much trust towards him? We don't know, and I feel like we're supposed to just accept and move along.
There are other instances as well but to keep my review as short as I can, I'm just going to highlight these two. My point, though, is that these small details definitely add up over time and there's only so much disbelief I can suspend in one story.
Apart from that I don't think I have any other complaints. The language used is suitable for middle grade kids to enjoy and oh, I do love the little talks about mental health that we got regarding to Thomasina's mom.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a free digital copy of this in exchange for an honest review.
March 18, 2023
Sevdiğimiz birinin ölümüyle baş etmek hangi yaşta olursak olalım hiç kolay değil. Bu kitap yas tutmak nasıl bir şey, ne kadar kişiden kişiye değişen bir süreç o kadar güzel anlatıyor ki. Büyülü bir kış masalının altında yatan kederi, çocuk, genç, yetişkin ayırt etmeksizin hepsinin gözünden okumak şahaneydi. Bir yandan ağlattı, bir yandan iç ısıttı.
October 2, 2022
Originally posted on Just Geeking by.
I reviewed this book as part of GeekDis 2022 an event discussing disability representation in pop culture from the perspective of the disabled and neurodivergent community.
Content warnings:
The Frost Fair by Natasha Hastings came to my attention on Twitter when I saw Hastings talking about her debut novel and writing a book with asthma representation. I was finally diagnosed with asthma when I was ten after years of struggling with respiratory issues. Since then the only representation I’ve seen in pop culture is people having asthma attacks with them desperately grabbing for their inhaler (usually during a dramatic moment). The day-to-day moments of living with asthma are rarely ever shown and until reading The Frost Fair I had not come across a protagonist with asthma.
Using her own lived in experience Hastings has created a story about a young girl, Thomasina, who lost her twin brother, Arthur, to an asthma attack one cold winter when they are out playing. She urges him on, telling him to keep running, not realising that the wheezing in his chest has become dangerous. The wheeze is something they were both born with, and at nine years old she had no idea they both needed to be careful.
Arthur’s death affects Thomasina and her parents in different ways. She blames herself, her father becomes cold and distant and her mother has a mental breakdown. When Thomasina is approached by a mysterious man who claims he can do magic and bringing Arthur back from the dead within his talents, she’s not sure what to believe even when he proves he can do magic by summoning monsters from beneath the frozen waters of the Thames. Gradually she becomes swayed by her grief and the desire to see her parents back to how they were before his death.
All she has to do is go with the mysterious gentleman, Inigo, to visit a secret fair that is being hosted every night and give away some of her memories of Arthur, memories that she will get back when Arthur is returned to her. A small cost for what she will get in return, she decides. The Thames has frozen over and during the day a faire is being held on it, but at night The Other Frost Fair is open only for special guests. At first Thomasina is amazed by the grandeur and the magic, but she becomes wary of a strange figure called Father Winter who seems to be changing every time she sees him.
As Thomasina continues to visit the Other Frost Fair she helps her father sell their sweets and biscuits on at the Thames Frost Fair, befriending Anne Hawke a young woman who has just moved to London with her uncle to open an apothecary. Anne dreams of opening her own shop and as their friendship grows the girls develop a business plan which combines both their talents; Anne’s apothecary skills and knowledge of herbs and Thomasina’s sweet making and baking. Together they make a range of medicinal sweets which they are given permission by Thomasina’s father and Anne’s uncle to sell at the Frost Faire once their normal duties are done. Their sweets sell incredibly well, and they start to develop more products.
Eventually Thomasina confides in Anne about Inigo, the Other Frost Fair, and her worries that something isn’t quite right about Father Winter. Their partnership becomes a trio when a mysterious young man appears out of nowhere and explains that he knows what is going on. Drawn into a mystery that goes back hundreds of years, the three youngsters fight ice monsters and terrifying odds to save all of London from a danger no one else sees coming.
It’s the 1680s and health information is limited at best and asthma is not the only disability representation present in The Frost Fair. No one understands what is happening with Thomasina’s mother and neighbours band together to have her institutionalised. I applaud Hastings for such a well written storyline about mental health and including it in a children’s book.
The Frost Fair is a lovely tale that tackles some difficult subjects and shows that while the loss of a loved one is difficult and grief is all encompassing, there are people in our life who will be there for us and support us. Even when things seem bleak and impossible, there is light and joy and new beginnings. That is the message of The Frost Fair, and it’s wrapped up in a beautiful story of magic and fantasy in the wintery London of the 17th Century. This is a perfect story for all the family and will make a great gift this holiday season.
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I reviewed this book as part of GeekDis 2022 an event discussing disability representation in pop culture from the perspective of the disabled and neurodivergent community.
Content warnings:
The Frost Fair by Natasha Hastings came to my attention on Twitter when I saw Hastings talking about her debut novel and writing a book with asthma representation. I was finally diagnosed with asthma when I was ten after years of struggling with respiratory issues. Since then the only representation I’ve seen in pop culture is people having asthma attacks with them desperately grabbing for their inhaler (usually during a dramatic moment). The day-to-day moments of living with asthma are rarely ever shown and until reading The Frost Fair I had not come across a protagonist with asthma.
Using her own lived in experience Hastings has created a story about a young girl, Thomasina, who lost her twin brother, Arthur, to an asthma attack one cold winter when they are out playing. She urges him on, telling him to keep running, not realising that the wheezing in his chest has become dangerous. The wheeze is something they were both born with, and at nine years old she had no idea they both needed to be careful.
Arthur’s death affects Thomasina and her parents in different ways. She blames herself, her father becomes cold and distant and her mother has a mental breakdown. When Thomasina is approached by a mysterious man who claims he can do magic and bringing Arthur back from the dead within his talents, she’s not sure what to believe even when he proves he can do magic by summoning monsters from beneath the frozen waters of the Thames. Gradually she becomes swayed by her grief and the desire to see her parents back to how they were before his death.
All she has to do is go with the mysterious gentleman, Inigo, to visit a secret fair that is being hosted every night and give away some of her memories of Arthur, memories that she will get back when Arthur is returned to her. A small cost for what she will get in return, she decides. The Thames has frozen over and during the day a faire is being held on it, but at night The Other Frost Fair is open only for special guests. At first Thomasina is amazed by the grandeur and the magic, but she becomes wary of a strange figure called Father Winter who seems to be changing every time she sees him.
As Thomasina continues to visit the Other Frost Fair she helps her father sell their sweets and biscuits on at the Thames Frost Fair, befriending Anne Hawke a young woman who has just moved to London with her uncle to open an apothecary. Anne dreams of opening her own shop and as their friendship grows the girls develop a business plan which combines both their talents; Anne’s apothecary skills and knowledge of herbs and Thomasina’s sweet making and baking. Together they make a range of medicinal sweets which they are given permission by Thomasina’s father and Anne’s uncle to sell at the Frost Faire once their normal duties are done. Their sweets sell incredibly well, and they start to develop more products.
Eventually Thomasina confides in Anne about Inigo, the Other Frost Fair, and her worries that something isn’t quite right about Father Winter. Their partnership becomes a trio when a mysterious young man appears out of nowhere and explains that he knows what is going on. Drawn into a mystery that goes back hundreds of years, the three youngsters fight ice monsters and terrifying odds to save all of London from a danger no one else sees coming.
It’s the 1680s and health information is limited at best and asthma is not the only disability representation present in The Frost Fair. No one understands what is happening with Thomasina’s mother and neighbours band together to have her institutionalised. I applaud Hastings for such a well written storyline about mental health and including it in a children’s book.
The Frost Fair is a lovely tale that tackles some difficult subjects and shows that while the loss of a loved one is difficult and grief is all encompassing, there are people in our life who will be there for us and support us. Even when things seem bleak and impossible, there is light and joy and new beginnings. That is the message of The Frost Fair, and it’s wrapped up in a beautiful story of magic and fantasy in the wintery London of the 17th Century. This is a perfect story for all the family and will make a great gift this holiday season.
BLOG | REVIEWS | REVIEW SCHEDULE | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST |
March 13, 2024
Thank you to The Write Reads, the publisher, and Netgalley for providing me with a free e-book in exchange for an honest review! All opinions contained within are my own.
There’s something about a good middle grade story that is just magical. It can carry you away and make you forget about the real world for a few hundred pages. Though this book dealt with some heavy topics, it still managed to provide that escape that I love about middle grade books!
In The Frost Fair, we’re following the story of a girl named Thomasina. She is the daughter of a sweetmaker and a rather competent sweetmaker of her own accord. A family tragedy in the past, however, has put a pallor over her world. Then she meets two very different people: a young girl named Anne who she hopes to turn into a friend and a mysterious conjuror that promises her heart’s biggest desire. Thomasina finds herself pulled into the magical world of the Other Frost Fair, but not everything is as it seems.
This book does such an excellent job of mixing whimsy with some real world topics. The Other Frost Fair is filled with magic and wonder and it’s incredible getting to experience it through Thomasina’s eyes. At the same time, we get to see how grief affects different people in different ways. We also take a look at the unfairness of how women and girls were treated in the 1600s. I loved how the author mixed discussions of these topics into the story in a way that strengthened the tale and made it that much more captivating. I think it’s important to broach difficult topics like those in middle grade stories. I think the author did a fantastic job of doing so while also creating a magical world that was easy to get lost in.
I think part of the reason why this worked so well is because Natasha Hastings did an great job of writing relatable characters that just make you want to root for them. Thomasina, Anne, and Henry are the best! I love those kids with my whole heart and I loved watching their friendship develop. The more peripheral characters were equally well-written which made the whole reading experience that much more delightful. Even Father Winter was an incredible character in his perfectly creepy way.
Hastings also does an incredible job of creating atmosphere. This is a book I’m going to be recommending as a winter read for years to come, I’m sure, because you can just feel the cold and the winter vibes. It makes you want to bundle up with a nice cup of cocoa! I also loved her descriptions of the Other Frost Fair, with it’s strange magic and fantastical creatures.
Overall, this was a magical adventure that swept me up and didn’t let me go until I turned the last page! It deals with some heavier topics, like grief, and I appreciate that it did so in a way that feels really accessible to the target audience. The atmosphere is pitch perfect and the characters will make you want to root for them as soon as you meet them. All in all, I truly enjoyed this book and am eagerly awaiting the next in the series!
There’s something about a good middle grade story that is just magical. It can carry you away and make you forget about the real world for a few hundred pages. Though this book dealt with some heavy topics, it still managed to provide that escape that I love about middle grade books!
In The Frost Fair, we’re following the story of a girl named Thomasina. She is the daughter of a sweetmaker and a rather competent sweetmaker of her own accord. A family tragedy in the past, however, has put a pallor over her world. Then she meets two very different people: a young girl named Anne who she hopes to turn into a friend and a mysterious conjuror that promises her heart’s biggest desire. Thomasina finds herself pulled into the magical world of the Other Frost Fair, but not everything is as it seems.
This book does such an excellent job of mixing whimsy with some real world topics. The Other Frost Fair is filled with magic and wonder and it’s incredible getting to experience it through Thomasina’s eyes. At the same time, we get to see how grief affects different people in different ways. We also take a look at the unfairness of how women and girls were treated in the 1600s. I loved how the author mixed discussions of these topics into the story in a way that strengthened the tale and made it that much more captivating. I think it’s important to broach difficult topics like those in middle grade stories. I think the author did a fantastic job of doing so while also creating a magical world that was easy to get lost in.
I think part of the reason why this worked so well is because Natasha Hastings did an great job of writing relatable characters that just make you want to root for them. Thomasina, Anne, and Henry are the best! I love those kids with my whole heart and I loved watching their friendship develop. The more peripheral characters were equally well-written which made the whole reading experience that much more delightful. Even Father Winter was an incredible character in his perfectly creepy way.
Hastings also does an incredible job of creating atmosphere. This is a book I’m going to be recommending as a winter read for years to come, I’m sure, because you can just feel the cold and the winter vibes. It makes you want to bundle up with a nice cup of cocoa! I also loved her descriptions of the Other Frost Fair, with it’s strange magic and fantastical creatures.
Overall, this was a magical adventure that swept me up and didn’t let me go until I turned the last page! It deals with some heavier topics, like grief, and I appreciate that it did so in a way that feels really accessible to the target audience. The atmosphere is pitch perfect and the characters will make you want to root for them as soon as you meet them. All in all, I truly enjoyed this book and am eagerly awaiting the next in the series!
January 8, 2023
Thank you to the author Natasha Hastings for sending me a proof copy in exchange for an honest review.
After losing her twin brother Arthur to an asthma attack when they were only 9 years old, Thomasina will do anything to bring him back and make their family whole again. So when a kindly conjurer by the name of Inigo appears at the Sweetshop one night promising to revive Arthur in exchange for 4 visits to the mysterious Other Frost Fair, Thomasina agrees. But when people and animals start to go missing, and Thomasina engages more with the Frost Folk, she starts to suspect the Other Frost Fair is not as safe as it seems…
Hastings’ debut novel is a beautiful exploration of grief, friendship and family, set against the frosty streets of London in the 1600s. From chapter 1, I quickly fell in love with the writing style. The frequent use of apt metaphors and personification particularly stood out to me, in a way I’ve never noticed in other books. Each time, the perfect comparison was used, whether evoking the huge lumbering mass of the River Thames or the harsh bite of the cold winds, Hastings’ writing perfectly created the promised whimsical and wintery atmosphere; I found myself immediately enveloped in the chilling air, wandering the great city of London alongside Thomasina.
“The monstrous bulk that glistened black at night, grey in winter and brown in summer – the beast that had always forced itself through London – was an expanse of crystallised white, glinting in the sunshine”
“The River Thames had frozen to death in its sleep.”
Thomasina, strong and determined, was a joy to read about. Her love for her family was so strong, her grief for her brother seeping through the pages, that you had no choice but to carve out a piece of your heart to let her in. The different manifestations of grief, portrayed through her father, mother and herself were handled beautifully. Introducing the ‘doctor’ made for some very powerful scenes, sadly reflecting people’s views towards mental health in those times. In addition to the lovely familial relationships, I loved Thomasina steadfast friendships with Anne and Henry. Inigo’s character was fantastic! The mystery around him was handled so well, I didn’t know what to think of him for the longest time and in the end, he was my favourite character!
“You don’t have to be the same as you always were. People change when things happen to them. It isn’t a bad thing.”
The plot progressed at a rapid pace, uncovering mystery and mystery, exploring more and more of the Other Frost Fair, keeping me hooked throughout. It had been a while since I’d read a book so quickly. And the twists! So good! I didn’t see any of the plot twists coming, and the ending few scenes were so well done, playing out vividly in the head, the emotions running high.
All in all, I was enamoured by this book and can’t wait to see what Natasha Hastings writes next!
After losing her twin brother Arthur to an asthma attack when they were only 9 years old, Thomasina will do anything to bring him back and make their family whole again. So when a kindly conjurer by the name of Inigo appears at the Sweetshop one night promising to revive Arthur in exchange for 4 visits to the mysterious Other Frost Fair, Thomasina agrees. But when people and animals start to go missing, and Thomasina engages more with the Frost Folk, she starts to suspect the Other Frost Fair is not as safe as it seems…
Hastings’ debut novel is a beautiful exploration of grief, friendship and family, set against the frosty streets of London in the 1600s. From chapter 1, I quickly fell in love with the writing style. The frequent use of apt metaphors and personification particularly stood out to me, in a way I’ve never noticed in other books. Each time, the perfect comparison was used, whether evoking the huge lumbering mass of the River Thames or the harsh bite of the cold winds, Hastings’ writing perfectly created the promised whimsical and wintery atmosphere; I found myself immediately enveloped in the chilling air, wandering the great city of London alongside Thomasina.
“The monstrous bulk that glistened black at night, grey in winter and brown in summer – the beast that had always forced itself through London – was an expanse of crystallised white, glinting in the sunshine”
“The River Thames had frozen to death in its sleep.”
Thomasina, strong and determined, was a joy to read about. Her love for her family was so strong, her grief for her brother seeping through the pages, that you had no choice but to carve out a piece of your heart to let her in. The different manifestations of grief, portrayed through her father, mother and herself were handled beautifully. Introducing the ‘doctor’ made for some very powerful scenes, sadly reflecting people’s views towards mental health in those times. In addition to the lovely familial relationships, I loved Thomasina steadfast friendships with Anne and Henry. Inigo’s character was fantastic! The mystery around him was handled so well, I didn’t know what to think of him for the longest time and in the end, he was my favourite character!
“You don’t have to be the same as you always were. People change when things happen to them. It isn’t a bad thing.”
The plot progressed at a rapid pace, uncovering mystery and mystery, exploring more and more of the Other Frost Fair, keeping me hooked throughout. It had been a while since I’d read a book so quickly. And the twists! So good! I didn’t see any of the plot twists coming, and the ending few scenes were so well done, playing out vividly in the head, the emotions running high.
All in all, I was enamoured by this book and can’t wait to see what Natasha Hastings writes next!
October 14, 2022
The year is 1683 and London has been swept by a Great Frost. We follow the main characters – Thomasina Burgees and her brother Arthur Burgees. Their father owns the A Sweet shop. Brother and sister duo are the best of buds, until a heart breaking tragedy strikes and one of the sibling drops dead. Life doesn’t remain the same until one day a ray of hope frosts in the form of an enigmatic conjuror, who promises something to bring back the sibling to life…..Back from the dead…
Which sibling drops dead?
Who is this mysterious conjuror?
What happens at the Frost Fair?
Do the siblings ever reunite?
Rating – 5/5 Stars
Recommendation – Very High
This was a beautifully delightful fall read y’all. As the plot thickens, the characters pace quickens which makes it a wonderful page turner. Surrounded by mystery and magic, it’s a frosty affair with the frost fair indeed. I love children’s fiction books since I have been a reader all my life and my journey started with children’s books.
Natasha Hastings has done a fine job in piecing together the characters brilliantly well to bring it to life. I was utterly hooked to his book right from the start and actually finished this in one sitting. Loved the read.
December 22, 2023
Looking at the cover and reading the synopsis.. This book isn't what I was expecting. I was expecting a cute Christmasy book about sweet makers and what I got was quite a dark tale and I'm for it. It sent me crying in the very first chapter, I was so unprepared
December 21, 2022
Got better towards the end
February 5, 2023
A magical, gripping story of a girls love for her family. Full of mystery, friendship, and characters you will fall in love with.
November 21, 2023
A surprisingly dark and emotional yet whimsically magical story about loss, family, friendship and entrepreneurship! Stakes were quite high and dangerous, felt quite Narnia like in terms of what was at risk. But the characters and their story were lovely and really rugged on the heartstrings.
Definitely 9+
Definitely 9+
November 30, 2023
I really enjoyed this, the characters - while sometimes frustrating - were really cute and the story was intriguing and kept me entertained. I will definitely pick up the next book in this series.
December 29, 2024
4.5 ⭐️
February 7, 2025
My daughter really liked this book. The sequel has a married pair of lesbian mermaids.
June 29, 2025
A lovely book that I would have loved as a kid and still enjoyed as an adult
January 1, 2023
4.5 stars ⭐️
May 29, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Children’s Books for the opportunity to read an advanced reader's copy of this book for an honest review. (Publish Date: November 1, 2022)
“The Frost Fair” by Natasha Hastings had a heart wrenching beginning, fascinating middle, and a happy ending. The author kept me guessing throughout the story with vivid imagery and magical details sprinkled throughout.
Thomasina Burgess is a troubled character dealing with the heavy loss of her twin brother Arthur. Her father barely acknowledges her, and her mother is suffering from depression that’s so severe that she won’t speak or even leave her bed. Thomasina is doing her best to care for her mother while also taking over her duties – like running the household, cooking meals, and keeping everything tidy. If this doesn’t sound exhausting enough for a 13-year-old, Thomasina also has to make the sweets for the family business: Burgess & Son’s: Sweetmakers.
Just when things seem to be at an all-time low for Thomasina and her family, a magical stranger shows up and offers to grant her an impossible wish – to bring her brother back from the dead! There are rules she must follow for the wish to be granted, but Thomasina will do anything to bring her brother back to fix all the problems with her family and their business.
When everything seems too good to be true, Thomasina starts questioning the rules and things take an unexpectedly dark turn. Thankfully, with the help of new friends, Thomasina realizes her strength and makes some brave decisions to help save herself and her family.
I loved how this story took place in London during the winter of 1683. It was fascinating to learn how people lived turning that time – wildly different and yet familiar in many ways. I also loved how clever Anne and Thomasina were to create medicinal sweets to sell on the river!
Since this book was the first in The Miraculous Sweetmakers series, I’m hoping the next book will focus on Thomasina’s friend Anne – who was incredibly likeable and interesting. I'm eager to learn more about Anne and her background.
Overall, I would recommend this book to teens and adults who are looking for a magical wintery tale of historic fiction. I would not recommend this book to children due to some dark scenes, but it's a magical adventure worth discovering.
“The Frost Fair” by Natasha Hastings had a heart wrenching beginning, fascinating middle, and a happy ending. The author kept me guessing throughout the story with vivid imagery and magical details sprinkled throughout.
Thomasina Burgess is a troubled character dealing with the heavy loss of her twin brother Arthur. Her father barely acknowledges her, and her mother is suffering from depression that’s so severe that she won’t speak or even leave her bed. Thomasina is doing her best to care for her mother while also taking over her duties – like running the household, cooking meals, and keeping everything tidy. If this doesn’t sound exhausting enough for a 13-year-old, Thomasina also has to make the sweets for the family business: Burgess & Son’s: Sweetmakers.
Just when things seem to be at an all-time low for Thomasina and her family, a magical stranger shows up and offers to grant her an impossible wish – to bring her brother back from the dead! There are rules she must follow for the wish to be granted, but Thomasina will do anything to bring her brother back to fix all the problems with her family and their business.
When everything seems too good to be true, Thomasina starts questioning the rules and things take an unexpectedly dark turn. Thankfully, with the help of new friends, Thomasina realizes her strength and makes some brave decisions to help save herself and her family.
I loved how this story took place in London during the winter of 1683. It was fascinating to learn how people lived turning that time – wildly different and yet familiar in many ways. I also loved how clever Anne and Thomasina were to create medicinal sweets to sell on the river!
Since this book was the first in The Miraculous Sweetmakers series, I’m hoping the next book will focus on Thomasina’s friend Anne – who was incredibly likeable and interesting. I'm eager to learn more about Anne and her background.
Overall, I would recommend this book to teens and adults who are looking for a magical wintery tale of historic fiction. I would not recommend this book to children due to some dark scenes, but it's a magical adventure worth discovering.
August 11, 2022
Thank you for the ARC from HarperCollins. This was a very good read and I didn’t want it to end, Thomasina the main character will stay with me for a long time as will the enchanted frost bear and the wonderful world of the other frost fair that she slips away to. I liked the friendship between her and Anne as well as the relationship she had with her mother.
November 11, 2023
I really really wanted this is to be a 5* read, and whilst it was definitely sparkly and magical and fun, it wasn’t quite as good as I was expecting sadly.
February 26, 2024
Such a cosy, heartwarming wintery read❄️🤍
November 12, 2022
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
In London in the 1683, Thomasina is dealing with the Great Frost that has overtaken London. Her family runs a bakery and sweet shop, but ever since the death of her twin brother Arthur, her mother has been completely out of commission because of grief, and even her family barely acknowledges her existence. When a strange man, Inigo, appears to her and claims that is she goes to the Frost Fair with him four times and surrenders all of her memories of her brother to him, Thomasina thinks this is a solid plan, even when snowflakes start to appear on her skin, and she sees a number of creepy people with similar skin lurking in the area. Along with her new friend Anne, whose family runs an apothecary, she tries to sell medicinal sweets to improve the income of the shop. When she meets a boy her age who is a descendant of Inigo, she starts to realize that there is something very creepy and possibly nefarious about Inigo's attempts at taking her to the Frost Fair. Will she be able to save her mother... or herself?
Strengths: This has a great cover, and an interesting setting. I was hoping that this would be similar to Hooper's fantastic 2003 At the Sign of the Sugared Plum. The idea of a sweet shop combining with an apothecary is great, and Thomasina and Anne are great characters. The book moved along quickly and was pretty scary at times.
Weaknesses: The historic details of this seemed half a bubble off. Most women during that time would have lost at least one child; Thomasina's mother would not have had the luxury of not getting out of bed. As nice as it was to see Anne portrayed as a person of color, I'm not sure how historically accurate that is, either. Some of the language seemed too modern as well.
What I really think: This was really more of a horror book than a history or fantasy novel, but I think I would have trouble convincing my students of this. Since this looks to be a series, I think I will pass for now.
In London in the 1683, Thomasina is dealing with the Great Frost that has overtaken London. Her family runs a bakery and sweet shop, but ever since the death of her twin brother Arthur, her mother has been completely out of commission because of grief, and even her family barely acknowledges her existence. When a strange man, Inigo, appears to her and claims that is she goes to the Frost Fair with him four times and surrenders all of her memories of her brother to him, Thomasina thinks this is a solid plan, even when snowflakes start to appear on her skin, and she sees a number of creepy people with similar skin lurking in the area. Along with her new friend Anne, whose family runs an apothecary, she tries to sell medicinal sweets to improve the income of the shop. When she meets a boy her age who is a descendant of Inigo, she starts to realize that there is something very creepy and possibly nefarious about Inigo's attempts at taking her to the Frost Fair. Will she be able to save her mother... or herself?
Strengths: This has a great cover, and an interesting setting. I was hoping that this would be similar to Hooper's fantastic 2003 At the Sign of the Sugared Plum. The idea of a sweet shop combining with an apothecary is great, and Thomasina and Anne are great characters. The book moved along quickly and was pretty scary at times.
Weaknesses: The historic details of this seemed half a bubble off. Most women during that time would have lost at least one child; Thomasina's mother would not have had the luxury of not getting out of bed. As nice as it was to see Anne portrayed as a person of color, I'm not sure how historically accurate that is, either. Some of the language seemed too modern as well.
What I really think: This was really more of a horror book than a history or fantasy novel, but I think I would have trouble convincing my students of this. Since this looks to be a series, I think I will pass for now.
September 2, 2022
When faced with danger, the greatest magic is friendship.
The year is 1683, and the River Thames is transformed almost over night by the Great Frost which sees what is usually a route for trade, become something all the more magical, wondrous and perhaps with more than a hint of bite to the ice….
Thomasina lost someone she loved so much and the burden of that loss has, and never will leave her, for surely it must have been her fault that led to such a tragedy, or that is what she believes as her mother will not speak a word and her father is always dismissive, keeping her at more than an arms length and whatever she does, she cannot seem to be good enough.
One day Thomasina hears someone at the front door, someone who can promise her the seemingly impossible of bringing back her brother but only if she accompanies him to the enchanted Frost Fair that only comes alive when those of the living are lost to slumber and dreams.
Thomasina is quick to agree to these terms and what appears to be enchanted and whimsical, soon loses its gilding and starts to rust into something far more dark and dangerous, threatening everything that she holds dear.
Thomasina must turn to Anne, her best friend, to stop this mysterious conjurer from taking more than just her memories of her brother should she ever truly wish to unburden herself and be able to move on from her past. Will she succeed or will the siren song of the other Frost Fair and the possible reconciliation with her brother prove too alluring to resist?
A truly spellbinding, magical, and heartwarming read with a hint of darkness glittering in the shadows!
The year is 1683, and the River Thames is transformed almost over night by the Great Frost which sees what is usually a route for trade, become something all the more magical, wondrous and perhaps with more than a hint of bite to the ice….
Thomasina lost someone she loved so much and the burden of that loss has, and never will leave her, for surely it must have been her fault that led to such a tragedy, or that is what she believes as her mother will not speak a word and her father is always dismissive, keeping her at more than an arms length and whatever she does, she cannot seem to be good enough.
One day Thomasina hears someone at the front door, someone who can promise her the seemingly impossible of bringing back her brother but only if she accompanies him to the enchanted Frost Fair that only comes alive when those of the living are lost to slumber and dreams.
Thomasina is quick to agree to these terms and what appears to be enchanted and whimsical, soon loses its gilding and starts to rust into something far more dark and dangerous, threatening everything that she holds dear.
Thomasina must turn to Anne, her best friend, to stop this mysterious conjurer from taking more than just her memories of her brother should she ever truly wish to unburden herself and be able to move on from her past. Will she succeed or will the siren song of the other Frost Fair and the possible reconciliation with her brother prove too alluring to resist?
A truly spellbinding, magical, and heartwarming read with a hint of darkness glittering in the shadows!
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