In January 1918, recovering war nurse Laura Iven is reeling from the death of her parents in a local disaster when she learns her brother is missing in action. Months earlier, Freddie finds himself trapped in a bunker in No Man's Land with a German soldier. Forging a lasting bond from the near-death experience, Freddie and Winter can't bear to be separated until they find a man who promises to take them out of this hellscape. Searching for answers, Laura volunteers at a private hospital in Belgium, where she hears whispers of a fiddler who can make soldiers forget in this historical fantasy novel.

The Warm Hands of Ghosts is five-star historical fiction dragged down by a three-star fantasy. Katherine Arden's impeccable World War 1 research shines throughout the novel. She beautifully describes the horrors of the war while also sharing interesting historical events I didn't know. Even better, I loved Laura and Freddie and wanted even more of most of the supporting characters. Unfortunately, the "Devil Went Down to Georgia" fantasy story didn't hold much force for me. I would have preferred a straight historical fiction novel instead.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Del Rey. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.