The Warm Hands of Ghosts by Katherine Arden - Book Review

Publication Date: 13th Feb 2024

Genre: Historical Fiction, WWI, Paranormal 

2.7 stars 

One Liner: Umm… tries too hard 

Jan 1918: Laura Iven is an efficient field nurse even after an explosion left her wounded. Back home in Halifax, Canada, she continues to volunteer at a local hospital. However, the news of her brother’s death in war results in too many questions and not enough answers. Laura decides to travel to Belgium as a volunteer at a hospital to find out the truth. 

Nov 1917: Freddie Iven thinks he is dead until he realizes he is alive, but the clock is ticking fast. He and a German soldier (the enemy), Hans Winter, have survived. However, life is uncertain and dangerous with the war around them. What happens when the new acquaintances have to decide their next step?  

With the brother and sister haunted by the ghosts of the past and present, can they find a way to save others and themselves? 

The story comes in the third-person POV of Laura and Freddie (Wilfred) in alternate timelines (1918 and 1917). 

My Thoughts: 

After many recommendations for the author’s famous trilogy, I was delighted to see a standalone work by her. It’s easier to read a single book than three (that too, big ones). Alas, the result is disappointing. 

The bare bones are intriguing- World War 1, PTSD, soldiers, nurses, healing, hope, and a touch of paranormal. What’s not to like? But why is the book like this? 

Laura should have been a terrific character. She is an efficient nurse, someone capable, assertive, decisive, and determined. The character is exactly the kind I like to read. Yet, there wasn’t a single instance I could empathize with her. 

Freddie gets more of my support. He also has some intense emotions to display. His vulnerability has the pull to connect with the readers. Winter is decent, too, in a grumpy, wounded hero kind of way (he is not a hero here). 

The desolate and bleak side of war comes across very well and is the highlight of the book. Can’t say it’s something new, but still, the desired impact is achieved.  

Now, I love paranormal touches in books. But this one almost went over my head. I’m not a Christian, nor do I know much about the theories like ‘end of the world’ or the Book of Revelation. I could guess who the fiddler was, but there’s nothing new/ unique about the concept. (Moreover, my go-to expert on the topic has yet to read the book, so I couldn’t ask and spoil it for her.)

There’s some love inserted in the last section. Not sure whose idea it was, but the book would have been better without it. Or, the concept could have been explored in detail. Healing is different from trauma bonding. And can we please respect platonic friendships for what they are without forcefully turning them into romantic tracks? Also, given the period, the lack of self-exploration on certain aspects is unrealistic. 

The ending is hopeful. But then, everything so easily falls into place! In fact, the same happens almost throughout for Laura. She puts in 1x effort, and others clear the path for the rest. 

The author’s note helped me understand a few things. It reminded me of when I spent extra time and care on a project in college because the topic was a favorite. However, the final result was an average piece and not something I could call my best in any manner. I gave it a lot more than what was necessary. 

To summarize, The Warm Hands of Ghosts has its moments but fails to impress as a package. The slow pacing doesn't help either. Maybe readers with more knowledge about religious concepts will understand and like it better. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Random House Publishing (Del Ray), for the eARC.  

#NetGalley #TheWarmHandsOfGhosts

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P.S.: I skimmed a few reviews after drafting mine. Apparently, the chapter titles are biblical quotes from the Book of Revelation.