7 Fantasy Books Set During Winter Solstice
The Winter Solstice—the longest night of the year—is a time of both mystery and wonder. Across folklore and legend, it’s the moment when the veil between worlds is at its thinnest, when ancient magic stirs beneath the frozen ground, and when destinies are rewritten in the glow of flickering candlelight.
If you love fantasy drenched in snow, filled with ancient rituals, and wrapped in the eerie beauty of the solstice, these seven books will transport you to worlds where winter’s magic is at its most powerful. So light a candle, grab a warm drink, and let the longest night begin.
1. A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas
For Fans of: Courtly intrigue, high-stakes romance, and magical politics
Set in the wake of war, A Court of Frost and Starlight takes readers back to the mystical land of Prythian, where the Winter Solstice brings a new chance for celebration… and secrets. Feyre and Rhysand, the power couple of the series, face an uncertain future as old wounds are healed and new challenges emerge. The solstice celebration serves as a backdrop for deep emotional reckoning, old loyalties, and an intense, simmering romance that never quite cools off.
❄️ Why It’s Compelling: The chemistry between Feyre and Rhysand is off the charts, but it’s the deeper themes of healing and finding hope after devastation that truly make this one unforgettable. The wintery solstice setting adds an extra layer of magic and mystery to this tale.
2. The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden
For Fans of: Russian folklore, forbidden magic, and haunting romance
Set during the harsh Russian winter, The Bear and the Nightingale follows Vasya, a young girl with the rare ability to see and communicate with the spirits that lurk in the shadows of the forest. As the Winter Solstice approaches, the divide between the old pagan ways and the new Christian beliefs becomes more perilous. Vasya is forced to embrace her powers to save her people—and face the forbidden love that grows between her and the enigmatic winter demon, Morozko.
🦊 Why It’s Compelling: The stunning, atmospheric world of Russian folklore, combined with Vasya’s fierce independence and the electric tension between her and Morozko, makes this a tale that lingers in the heart long after the last page. The Winter Solstice serves as a beautiful, haunting backdrop for their love story—equal parts magical and tragic.
3. Wintersong by S. Jae-Jones
For Fans of: Enchanted realms, labyrinths, and dangerous liaisons
Wintersong is a darkly magical retelling of the classic Labyrinth story, where the heroine, Liesl, must navigate the treacherous relationship between herself and the Goblin King. Set against the wintery backdrop of the Solstice, Liesl’s music and passion are tested as she delves into the labyrinthine world of faeries, magic, and forbidden desire. The coldest night of the year is the perfect moment for a dangerous romance to bloom.
🎶 Why It’s Compelling: The interplay between beauty and darkness in this book is intoxicating. Liesl’s internal struggle between duty and desire, coupled with her growing attraction to the Goblin King, pulls you in like an icy wind—relentless and irresistible. The winter solstice theme adds an enchanting, melancholic atmosphere that lingers.
4. The Winter’s Tale by William Shakespeare
For Fans of: Classic drama, impossible love, and magical redemption
Though more a classic play than a fantasy novel, The Winter’s Tale deserves a spot on this list for its blend of romance, magic, and the season of winter. Leontes, the king of Sicilia, is consumed by jealousy, leading to his family’s undoing. A prophecy and a long winter’s journey later, redemption and love arrive during the Winter Solstice, culminating in one of the most dramatic, tender reunions in literature.
🌨️ Why It’s Compelling: Shakespeare’s tale is a tempest of emotion—jealousy, despair, and ultimately, hope. The mystical elements of prophecy, magic, and rebirth align perfectly with the solstice, offering a deeply emotional resolution that leaves you with a bittersweet sense of wonder.
5. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
For Fans of: Enchanting circuses, forbidden love, and mesmerizing mystery
Set in a magical circus that only opens at night, The Night Circus unfolds as two magicians, Celia and Marco, engage in a competition that spans years—and an entire lifetime. The circus itself is a symbol of the solstice: a place of duality, of light and dark, where time seems to stand still. Their forbidden romance blooms amid this enchanted world, and the winter solstice marks a turning point in their fates.
✨ Why It’s Compelling: Morgenstern’s writing is lush, dreamlike, and spellbinding, pulling you into a world where time bends, love is both a blessing and a curse, and magic is as much a part of the air as the winter frost. The solstice, in this case, becomes not just a time of year, but a pivotal moment in a story that feels timeless.
6. The Girl Who Saved Christmas by Matt Haig
For Fans of: Christmas magic, whimsical adventure, and heartwarming tales
When Amelia, a young girl living in the bleak town of Oldham, stumbles into the magical world of Father Christmas, she discovers that Christmas itself is at risk. As the Winter Solstice approaches, she must help save the magic of Christmas from the forces of darkness. It’s a tale of courage, love, and the transformative power of believing in something greater than yourself.
🎄 Why It’s Compelling: The story captures the pure magic of the season—hope, wonder, and love—wrapped in a tale that’s equal parts whimsical and heartfelt. The winter solstice serves as a moment of reckoning, where all seems lost, only for Christmas magic to shine through.
7. The Winter King by C.L. Wilson
For Fans of: Epic fantasy, forbidden love, and war-torn kingdoms
In The Winter King, the first book in C.L. Wilson’s The Winter King series, a kingdom at war is on the brink of collapse. The titular Winter King, a ruler of icy realms, is drawn to a woman of fire and warmth—an alliance that could either save or destroy both of their worlds. Their love is forbidden, tangled in politics, magic, and the fate of kingdoms. And with the Winter Solstice looming, their romance will be tested in ways neither of them could have foreseen.
🔥 Why It’s Compelling: The slow-burn romance between the Winter King and his fiery counterpart crackles with tension, and the epic fantasy world Wilson has built is rich with magic, betrayal, and danger. The Winter Solstice symbolizes the pivotal point in their story, where love and destiny collide in a way that will leave you breathless.
Which Winter Solstice Tale Will You Fall Into?
From mystical fae realms to high-stakes royal dramas, these seven fantasy books set during the Winter Solstice capture the enchanting beauty of this magical time of year. Each one brings a unique blend of romance, danger, and mystical wonder, making them perfect companions for cozy nights by the fire.
Which one will you curl up with next? Or do you have a favorite solstice-inspired fantasy novel that didn’t make the list? Share your thoughts—and let’s keep the magic of the season alive with books that transport us to realms where anything is possible. ❄️✨
