Book Details
Cailleach, goddess of winter, was not born to be a blight on humanity, but she became one. She would say with scorn that it was their own fault: mortals were selfish, thoughtless, and destructive, bringing harm to each other and the earth without cause or qualms.
One day, Cailleach goes too far. Thousands die, lost to her brutal winter. In punishment, her mother Danu, queen of the gods, strips the goddess of her powers and sends Cailleach to earth, to live and die as the mortals she so despises, until she understands what it is to be one of them. Though determined to live in solitude, Cailleach finds that she cannot help but reach for the people she once held in such disdain. She loves and mourns in equal measure, and in opening herself to humanity, hears tales not meant for immortal ears—including a long-buried secret that will redefine what it means to be a god.
Book Review: The Winter Goddesss
Genre: Fairy Tales
Hello Book Friends,
Today I’m review The Winter Goddess by Megan Barnard, who reimagines Irish mythology in this story of a goddess punished, only to discover what it means to love and to be alive.
The story is broken up into parts by seasons and the many lives of the winter goddess. Cailleach lives her life as most gods and goddesses do with no consequence or remorse for their actions. It isn’t until she is punished for bringing on a deadly winter that she begins to slowly over time understand what she has done, what she has lost, and how she can atone.
Barnard deftly weaves a story about humanity over the course of seven lifetimes and how, in each passing life, Cailleach comes closer to the truth of her existence and what she wants, more than being a goddess.
The Winter Goddess is out now!
Happy Reading ~ Cece
RATING: 
– Satisfyingly Inked
About the Author
Megan Barnard is the author of novels born from an obsession with ancient myths, powerful women, and forgotten voices. When she’s not writing, she’s falling down rabbit holes of research and can share many a random fact, some of which occasionally even inform her writing. She lives in Maryland with her husband and her pup, Pippin.
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publication details
| Pub Date | ISBN | Page Count | Publisher | Age Group | Source & Format | Review Posted Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11-Mar-25 | 978-0143137689 | 304 | Penguin Books | Adult | NetGalley, Digital ARC | April 16, 2025 |
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Welcome Reader!
I’m Cecelia and I’m so glad you’re here! You’ll find honest reviews, book recommendations, along with other bookish essentials. So happy you stopped by!
– C
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ABOUT THE CREATOR
CECE BECKMAN
Cece holds a Bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing from California State University, Long Beach. She lives in California with her husband and children. When she’s not reading or writing reviews she can be found wandering book aisles at local bookshops, drinking iced cold lattes with cold cream foam, or passing the time with her cats.
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