The Winter Goddess - by Megan Barnard (Paperback)

About the Book

"A goddess is cursed to endlessly live and die as a mortal until she understands the value of human life, in this inventive, moving reimagining of Gaelic mythology. Cailleach, goddess of winter, was not born to be a blight on humanity, but she became it. If anyone asked her, she would say with scorn that it was their own fault: humans 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, the 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 a human. 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-and a secret long-buried, that will redefine what it means to be a god. From the author of the "stunning...riveting" historical re-envisioning Jezebel (Library Journal), a vividly imagined and arresting story of a goddess punished--and a goddess reborn, as she discovers what it means to be alive and divines for herself a new purpose"--

Book Synopsis

"The Winter Goddess is a gripping, bittersweet tale that explores love, loss, and the price of power and immortality. . . a perfect read for cold winter nights. I couldn't put it down." --Genevieve Gornichek, bestselling author of The Weaver and the Witch Queen

"Utterly bewitching. . . Barnard's novel pairs the beauty and fragility of the human experience with the sharp bite of winter. The result is an enthralling and emotional saga mythology lovers everywhere won't want to miss!" --A.D. Rhine, author of Daughters of Bronze

A goddess is cursed to endlessly live and die as a mortal until she understands the value of human life, in this inventive, moving reimagining of Irish mythology.

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.

From the author of the "stunning . . . riveting" historical reenvisioning Jezebel (Library Journal), a vividly imagined and arresting story of a goddess punished--and a goddess reborn, as she discovers the importance of a life ephemeral...and what it means to truly be alive.

Review Quotes

"The Winter Goddess is a gripping, bittersweet tale that explores love, loss, and the price of power and immortality. Megan Barnard's sophomore novel is a perfect read for cold winter nights. I couldn't put it down." --Genevieve Gornichek, bestselling author of The Weaver and the Witch Queen

As enchanting as Barnard's debut, this retelling of Irish mythology is a compelling exploration of transformation, mortality, and the delicate balance between humankind and the divine." --Library Journal, *starred review*

"Utterly bewitching. The Winter Goddess draws the reader deep into the realm of Irish mythology through the unforgettable perspective of Cailleach, a goddess cursed to live as a human. Offering gorgeous prose, complex relationships, and keen insight in equal measure, Barnard's novel pairs the beauty and fragility of the human experience with the sharp bite of winter. The result is an enthralling and emotional saga mythology lovers everywhere won't want to miss!" --A.D. Rhine, author of Daughters of Bronze

"A beautiful, vivid fable, which shows us--like all the best tales of the gods and goddesses of our ancient past--what it is to be human. Told in sparkling prose, with rich and resonant layers, this is a moving and meaningful retelling of Irish mythology." --Nikki Marmery, author of Lilith

"An exciting and fantastical take on ancient Irish mythology. In this page turning novel, Barnard examines the power of Ireland's goddesses and mortal women, spinning a world of high imagination. She is skilled at bringing women of legend alive on the page. The perfect read for lovers of Juliet Mariellier and The Mists of Avalon." --Molly Aitken, author of Bright I Burn

"A beautiful, thoughtful retelling about finding meaning in every season of life. With storytelling this enchanting and immersive, I didn't just read about Cailleach, I became her." --Lauren J. A. Bear, author of Mother of Rome

Praise for Jezebel

"In Megan Barnard's debut novel, "Jezebel," the titular wicked queen of biblical lore gets a spirited makeover... Redeeming the novel from well-worn tropes of female disempowerment is Barnard's subversive counternarrative... This audiobook is a homage to the innate right to be heard." --New York Times Book Review

"[A] stunning first novel...A riveting story reinforcing the notion that there are two sides to every story. Barnard's eloquently written debut is perfect for fans of Madeline Miller's Circe or The Song of Achilles." --Library Journal, *starred review*

"Rich with historical detail and a fresh and convincing perspective...Like so many strong women, Jezebel is loved, feared, and hated, especially by the men she rules. Megan Barnard's Jezebel is also strong, determined, and resourceful...historical fiction at its finest." --Louisa Morgan, author of A Secret History of Witches

"Ambitious...a provocative concept." --Publisher's Weekly

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.