Fetch the fox is on his own.
Fetch is a weaver of magic, gifted with immense powers—but there is no one left to teach him how to master them. And no one to share his life with since the cruel Winter Queen, Celeste, cursed Fetch into a fox and abducted his beloved younger sister, Violet.
As Celeste awakens from her slumber to usher in Winter once more, she makes a stunning announcement: the Winter Palace—the very place where Violet is being held captive–will host a festival. With the palace’s spelled protections down for just one evening, the opportunity to save his sister might finally be in Fetch’s grasp. And so, with only Beckblade, a tiny yet fierce bone dragon, for company, he sets off on a treacherous rescue mission.
But what Fetch doesn’t realize is that a dark and mysterious secret lies buried within him, one that could unravel everything. Can Fetch discover what plagues him before it leads to his ruin, and he loses Violet and their magic forever?
The Beasts of Winter is a middle-grade high fantasy adventure and a companion to The Daggers of Ire, though it can easily be read as a standalone. This highly imaginative story includes all the hallmarks of adult high fantasy: compelling, well-developed characters, an intricate magic system, quirky companions, and high-stakes quests filled with obstacles and threats.
The story follows Fetch, a magically gifted and cursed fox, who’s heartbroken after his beloved sister, Violet, is kidnapped by the ruthless Winter Queen, Celeste. When Celeste announces a rare festival at her Winter Palace, Fetch sees a fleeting chance to rescue her. Alongside Beckblade, a tiny but mighty bone-dream dragon, Fetch’s journey carries him through perilous forests, frostbitten giants, and mysterious allies—all while a malevolent entity schemes behind the scenes.
Fetch is the heart of this story—brave, vulnerable, and fiercely loyal—and readers will find him utterly lovable. His inner monologues reveal the deep guilt he feels over his sister’s capture, but on his journey, he demonstrates true leadership, repeatedly guiding his companions out of perilous situations—and his heartfelt arc will tug readers’s heartstrings! Even more endearing is Beckblade, the bone-dream dragon Fetch conjures with his magic; his prophetic dreams and soulful, grounding presence bring both wonder and humor to the story. Along the way, characters like Hawthorn, the mysterious forest girl who can both kill and heal, and Garzo, a flamboyant, opinionated fairy, add to the cast to make it feel like a real “found family.” Their dialogue is engaging, and their relationships—full of loyalty, tension, and growth—make the story very immersive.
The pacing is one of the book’s strengths—starting with a slow-burn start that immerses readers in the characters, the world, Fetch’s thread magic, and the setup for the adventure to come. Once the journey begins, the pace quickens and never lets up, delivering pulse-racing action, captivating puzzles, and heartwarming moments of reflection. The climax features a high-stakes confrontation and several unexpected twists that will satisfy readers. While the ending feels slightly rushed, it still lands with emotional resonance and will leave readers smiling.
Overall, The Beasts of Winter is a standout middle-grade fantasy adventure, filled with memorable, quirky characters, a unique magic system, immersive worldbuilding, and a story that balances humor with heartfelt moments. It’s perfect for middle-grade readers—or anyone young at heart—who loves magical quests, found families, and protagonists who grow through epic adventures. If this sounds appealing, grab a copy, curl up with a warm drink and blanket, and dive in!
Narrator Performance
The Beasts of Winter audiobook is a magical, thrilling listen read by Michael Crouch, who’s renowned for his middle-grade storytelling and vivid, memorable character performances.
Crouch brings Fetch to life with a youthful, introspective voice that perfectly conveys the character’s intelligence, vulnerability, and determination. Scenes where Fetch discusses his thread magic are especially captivating, as Crouch conveys both the character’s passion for his craft and the intricacies of the magic in a way that is clear and engaging for listeners. The dialogue between Fetch, Beckblade, and Garzo is a major highlight of the audiobook—Crouch brings all three distinct personalities to life, making their exchanges dramatic, comedic, and utterly captivating. His performance makes it easy for listeners to picture each character and feel connected to them. In particular, his portrayal of the tiny bone-dream dragon Beckblade is spirited and playful, providing a charming contrast to the more anxious Fetch and offering relief from the story’s tension.
The story features a wide variety of supporting characters—from tree spirits to the mysterious forest girl Hawthorn to perilous giants to a malevolent dark entity. Crouch does a brilliant job not only giving each character a distinct voice and personality but also using a wide range of vocal acting skills to make them feel as well-developed and important to the story as the protagonist. The result is a cast of characters that listeners will not soon forget!
Crouch’s pacing fits the story perfectly, speeding up during action and slowing down for emotional moments. His performance really brings Fetch’s growth to life, capturing both his struggles and his triumphs as he transforms from a guilt-ridden boy into a brave leader.
Overall, Crouch’s expressive character portrayals and expert pacing bring the magic, danger, and heart of the story to life, keeping listeners engaged from start to finish. This audiobook is perfect for middle-grade listeners—or anyone who loves character-driven high fantasy with vivid voices and dynamic storytelling. If you haven’t experienced Michael Crouch’s narration before, this is a perfect introduction to his work, and it will make you want to explore his extensive backlist of middle-grade, YA, and other genre titles!
Narrator Performance
The Beasts of Winter audiobook is a magical, thrilling listen read by Michael Crouch, who’s renowned for his middle-grade storytelling and vivid, memorable character performances.
Crouch brings Fetch to life with a youthful, introspective voice that perfectly conveys the character’s intelligence, vulnerability, and determination. Scenes where Fetch discusses his thread magic are especially captivating, as Crouch conveys both the character’s passion for his craft and the intricacies of the magic in a way that is clear and engaging for listeners. The dialogue between Fetch, Beckblade, and Garzo is a major highlight of the audiobook—Crouch brings all three distinct personalities to life, making their exchanges dramatic, comedic, and utterly captivating. His performance makes it easy for listeners to picture each character and feel connected to them. In particular, his portrayal of the tiny bone-dream dragon Beckblade is spirited and playful, providing a charming contrast to the more anxious Fetch and offering relief from the story’s tension.
The story features a wide variety of supporting characters—from tree spirits to the mysterious forest girl Hawthorn to perilous giants to a malevolent dark entity. Crouch does a brilliant job not only giving each character a distinct voice and personality but also using a wide range of vocal acting skills to make them feel as well-developed and important to the story as the protagonist. The result is a cast of characters that listeners will not soon forget!
Crouch’s pacing fits the story perfectly, speeding up during action and slowing down for emotional moments. His performance really brings Fetch’s growth to life, capturing both his struggles and his triumphs as he transforms from a guilt-ridden boy into a brave leader.
Overall, Crouch’s expressive character portrayals and expert pacing bring the magic, danger, and heart of the story to life, keeping listeners engaged from start to finish. This audiobook is perfect for middle-grade listeners—or anyone who loves character-driven high fantasy with vivid voices and dynamic storytelling. If you haven’t experienced Michael Crouch’s narration before, this is a perfect introduction to his work, and it will make you want to explore his extensive backlist of middle-grade, YA, and other genre titles!
The Beasts of Winter audiobook is a magical, thrilling listen read by Michael Crouch, who’s renowned for his middle-grade storytelling and vivid, memorable character performances.
Crouch brings Fetch to life with a youthful, introspective voice that perfectly conveys the character’s intelligence, vulnerability, and determination. Scenes where Fetch discusses his thread magic are especially captivating, as Crouch conveys both the character’s passion for his craft and the intricacies of the magic in a way that is clear and engaging for listeners. The dialogue between Fetch, Beckblade, and Garzo is a major highlight of the audiobook—Crouch brings all three distinct personalities to life, making their exchanges dramatic, comedic, and utterly captivating. His performance makes it easy for listeners to picture each character and feel connected to them. In particular, his portrayal of the tiny bone-dream dragon Beckblade is spirited and playful, providing a charming contrast to the more anxious Fetch and offering relief from the story’s tension.
The story features a wide variety of supporting characters—from tree spirits to the mysterious forest girl Hawthorn to perilous giants to a malevolent dark entity. Crouch does a brilliant job not only giving each character a distinct voice and personality but also using a wide range of vocal acting skills to make them feel as well-developed and important to the story as the protagonist. The result is a cast of characters that listeners will not soon forget!
Crouch’s pacing fits the story perfectly, speeding up during action and slowing down for emotional moments. His performance really brings Fetch’s growth to life, capturing both his struggles and his triumphs as he transforms from a guilt-ridden boy into a brave leader.
Overall, Crouch’s expressive character portrayals and expert pacing bring the magic, danger, and heart of the story to life, keeping listeners engaged from start to finish. This audiobook is perfect for middle-grade listeners—or anyone who loves character-driven high fantasy with vivid voices and dynamic storytelling. If you haven’t experienced Michael Crouch’s narration before, this is a perfect introduction to his work, and it will make you want to explore his extensive backlist of middle-grade, YA, and other genre titles!
