The Raven and The Reindeer
By T Kingfisher
- The Raven and The Reindeer
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Author: T Kingfisher
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Publisher: Titan Books
- ISBN: 9781835413739
- Published: September 2026
- Pages: 266
- Format reviewed: Paperback
- Review date: 11/09/2026
- Language: English
Disney would make you think that Fairytales are all singalongs and happy endings but go back to the originals and you are more likely to have your feet chopped off or be pushed into an oven. Modern retellings are often softer, and maybe a little dull. It takes a good author to breathe life into a well-worn story and T Kingfisher have proven that they are more than simply good. The Raven and the Reindeer is the author’s retelling of the Snow Queen.
Gerta is not the typical hero of a Fairytale, not fine of hair or slim of body, but she is loyal and persistent. Therefore, when her neighbours and unrequited love Kay is taken by the Snow Queen, she sets out on an adventure to find him. Rather than arrive at the Snow Palace in a straight line, Gerta stumbles into disaster after disaster. Ensnared by witches, caught by bandits, making friends with a crow. Will Gerta save her childhood friend before his heart freezes?
There is a talent in making a classic retelling interesting. A straight rehash is not adding anything new but going too far from the original means you might as well just have written something new. There is a balance, and one that Kingfisher hits well. I have a general idea of the tale, but there is plenty of scope for the author to add their own spin and this starts with the creation of character.
A great character can inform how the story progresses, get that right and some of the scenarios will start to write themselves. Gerta is so well realised that I feel Kingfisher did just this. What would Greta do if she found herself bewitched or taken by a group of flesh eating bandits? Early in the story Kingfisher informs us of Greta’s character, which is not your typical hero, but as the story progresses, she becomes one. Her lack of magic becomes an asset.
The book has that classic fairytale feel to it in the magic that Greta meets along the way. We discover why the title has reindeer and raven in it; they are integral to the story. It also has a modern quality through the character of Greta and the way that she portrayed truthfully. Kingfisher has not placed a modern character in a historic setting (a mistake/choice that often happens), instead Kingfisher still uses a historic character, but uses a more modern perspective. What happens when we focus on a character who would not normally star in a novel? The way in which Kingfisher writes means that this is plenty enough to make Raven an enjoyable read, especially for fans of classic feeling fantasy who like their interesting characters.
Written on 11th September 2026 by Sam Tyler .
Topics and themes
Key Tropes
Tone & Pace
Themes
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