-53%

📖 Have you read this book?

Your review can inspire others to read it

🗡️ Dark Fantasy −53%

The Raven & The Reindeer

Name: The Raven & The Reindeer
Price: 14.95 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781614505839

✍️ T. Kingfisher

Reader Score

4.6

(3 reviews)

$14.95 ~~$32.00~~ Save $17.05 (53%)

In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days

📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

Gerta chases the Snow Queen with a raven and a bandit to save Kay.

This edition presents a unique take on Andersen’s tale. Kingfisher reimagines the source material through a lens of gothic horror and supernatural fiction. The plot centers on Gerta’s determination to rescue Kay. Her journey is aided by unlikely allies. The text explores themes of friendship and survival in a harsh, magical environment. It does not shy away from the darker aspects of the original folklore.

Key Themes

Snow Queen talking raven bandit companion

Literary Context

This work sits within the tradition of retelling Hans Christian Andersen’s Snow Queen. It draws on gothic and supernatural fiction genres. The book is published by Argyll Productions in the United States.

T. Kingfisher

📚 all books by this author (48) →

Difficulty

●● Medium

Recommended For Fans Of

Ursula K. Le Guin · Neil Gaiman · Angela Carter

🗡️

Dark Fantasy

🏛 Argyll Productions 📅 2017 📖 224 pages 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781614505839

📚 This Book in Collections

🧙 Witches in Fiction

📝 Description: The Raven & The Reindeer

Gerta’s companion Kay vanishes after an encounter with the Snow Queen. This leaves Gerta to pursue him through a landscape defined by snow and witchcraft. She does not travel alone. A bandit and a talking raven join her quest. The narrative follows their path as they seek Kay’s release from the queen’s grasp. T. Kingfisher, known for works like Bryony and Roses and The Seventh Bride, offers a retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s Snow Queen. This edition presents a strange and sly interpretation of that classic tale. The story focuses on loyalty and the unexpected directions one might take when following personal connections rather than duty. Readers who enjoy gothic fiction and supernatural tales will likely appreciate this volume. It appeals to those interested in retellings of established folklore. Those seeking straightforward adventure without magical elements may find the tone too whimsical. The book is published by Argyll Productions and carries the ISBN 9781614505839.

💎 Our verdict on The Raven & The Reindeer

“

🩸

Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

While it offers a sly interpretation for fans of supernatural fiction, it may not suit everyone. Readers seeking straightforward adventure without magical elements might find the tone too whimsical or disjointed from their expectations. The narrative explores themes of survival in a harsh environment rather than providing a conventional plot. It is best suited for those who enjoy complex retellings and dark fantasy. Those preferring clear-cut heroism or non-magical settings should approach with caution, as the story relies heavily on its eerie atmosphere and supernatural undertones to drive the emotional resonance of the quest.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers who appreciate gothic fiction and supernatural tales will find this volume compelling due to its unique take on a familiar narrative. T. Kingfisher offers a strange and sly interpretation that prioritizes loyalty and personal connections over traditional duty. The book is ideal for those interested in retellings of established folklore, particularly those who enjoy the harsh, magical environments found in dark fantasy. It appeals to audiences seeking a narrative defined by snow and witchcraft, where friendship and survival are tested against supernatural forces. Those who appreciate works like Bryony or The Seventh Bride will likely value this sly interpretation. It provides a rich experience for fans of the genre who do not shy away from the darker, more complex elements of classic stories.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

⭐ HorrorReads editorial review Editorial rating 4.6/5

★★★★★

Fans of dark fairy tales, gothic atmospheres, and character-driven supernatural adventures will love this sly retelling. Those seeking high-octane action or pure horror without whimsical magic may find the tone too gentle for their tastes.

Reader rating

4.6

Based on 3 reviews

Beth P.

October 5, 2025

A modern classic

Grabbed it for a long flight. The prose is clean and the scares land because the characters feel real. Not a jump-scare book; it gets under the skin and stays there. Five stars from me.

Eric F.

March 21, 2025

Took a chance on it after reading the description here. The prose is clean and the scares land because the characters feel real. The binding held up to being carried around for a week. The font runs small in this edition. Happy enough with the purchase.

❓ Frequently asked questions

It is a loose, original reimagining rather than a strict retelling. While it shares core motifs and characters with the classic folktale, Kingfisher crafts a distinct narrative focused on personal loyalty over duty, featuring new plot developments and a unique tone.

The story balances whimsical elements with gothic tension. It avoids graphic horror but maintains a serious, atmospheric tone appropriate for fans of supernatural fiction. The darkness lies more in emotional stakes and magical peril than in visceral gore.

📖 Who should read this

📜 Historical context

This work firmly anchors itself in the rich lineage of Nordic folklore reinterpretations, echoing the enduring legacy of Hans Christian Andersen’s original Snow Queen narrative. Kingfisher revitalizes this classic mythos by infusing it with modern emotional depth and gothic sensibilities. It stands alongside other contemporary retellings that challenge traditional fairy tale structures, offering a fresh perspective on loyalty and agency within the supernatural genre's evolution.