Through the White Wood by Jessica Leake

The Bear and the Nightingale meets Frostblood in this romantic historical fantasy from the author of Beyond a Darkened Shore.

When Katya loses control of her power to freeze, her villagers banish her to the palace of the terrifying Prince Sasha in Kiev.

Expecting punishment, she is surprised to find instead that Sasha is just like her—with the ability to summon fire. Sasha offers Katya friendship and the chance to embrace her power rather than fear it.

But outside the walls of Kiev, Sasha’s enemies are organizing an army of people bent on taking over the entire world.

Together, Katya’s and Sasha’s powers are a fearsome weapon. But as their enemies draw nearer, will fire and frost be enough to save the world? Or will Katya and Sasha lose everything they hold dear?

Inspired by Russian mythology, this lushly romantic, intensely imaginative, and fiercely dramatic story is about learning to fight for yourself, even when the world is falling down around you.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40647067-through-the-white-wood

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My Review: 4/5 Stars

I'm a fan of all mythologies. My expertise may fall in with Greek and Roman. But my knowledge of others like, Egyptian, Norse, Celtic, and others isn't too bad. My Russian, is little but enough for me to really appreciate this story and what it had to offer. This story very much reminded me of the Snow Queen (and I guess even Frozen), in the sense that our main character Katya has the gift of ice but has trouble controlling it. I really enjoyed this story. When Katya's village banishes her to the prince in Kiev, she is sure she is going to be punished for her actions, despite them being an accident. Instead, she finds herself asked to help save Kiev from those who wish to harm the people. Reluctant, because not only does she not have control of her powers, she fears the prince only wants her as a weapon. However, that is far from the truth. As the story goes, she learns more about herself, the people who are loyal to the prince, and the prince himself. Beneath the doubt, she finds a place to belong. And she learns the truth about who she is really is. Action, romance, and adventure, Through the White Wood was an overall great story to read. And I realized at the introduction of some characters, that there was another book set in this world. Which of course now, I must read!