Miraculous Sweetmakers: The Frost Fair
‘Absolutely stunning… Real emotional depth alongside a fast-paced plot. Fantastic’ A F Steadman
An amazing and captivating, curl-up-on-the-sofa debut about a magical frost fair and the lasting power of friendship, perfect for fans of Tamzin Merchant, Abi Elphinstone and Anna James.
The Great Frost of 1683 has London in its icy grip.
Thomasina and her best friend Anne sell sweets on the frozen Thames, amid rumours of the magical Frost Fair that awakens there at night. They say if you can find the fair, Father Winter himself will grant you any wish.
And Thomasina has an impossible wish: the return of her twin brother, Arthur.
But once they discover Father Winter’s kingdom, Thomasina and Anne quickly realize the Frost Fair is not what it seems – and that some wishes never come for free.
‘A heartwarming, wintry treat of a read perfect to snuggle up with on cold, snowy days’ Hannah Gold, bestselling author of The Last Bear
‘A lovely, frosty debut that combines cosy details and a pacy adventure with thoughtful explorations of grief and responsibility’ Anna James, bestselling author of the Pages & Co. series
‘This book is unputdownable’ Laura Noakes, author of Cosima Unfortunate Steals a Star
‘Deep and dark and full of atmosphere and food and so gorgeously written – everyone should pick up a copy and be whisked away to the Frost Fair’ Zohra Nabi, author of The Kingdom Over The Sea
‘Spooky and haunting’ Philippa Gregory
‘Exciting and mysterious’ The Bookseller
‘A gripping, atmospheric, fantastical tale’ Kirkus
‘Just PERFECT! A beautiful frosty tale … I loved it’ Emma Carroll
‘Absolutely stunning … Real emotional depth alongside a fast-paced plot. Fantastic’ A F Steadman
Natasha Hastings is the bestselling author of fantasy books for adults and children. Her debut novel, The Frost Fair, was Waterstones Children’s Book of the Month in November 2023, longlisted for the Branford Boase Award, Editor’s Choice in The Bookseller, and a Times Book of the Week. The second in the trilogy – The Sea Queen, published September 2024 – became a number 1 Amazon bestseller.
Her debut regency romantasy for adults, How To Charm A Viscount, will be released in 2025 under the name Natasha J. Hastings.
Natasha has a first class History degree from the University of Cambridge.
As well as reading and writing books, Natasha loves: going to the theatre, live music, peppermint tea, murder mysteries, travel, Greek food, attempting to knit her own jumpers, swimming, and befriending as many cats as she can.
Alex T. Smith is an award-winning illustrator of children’s books including the Claude series. He is a World Book Day Illustrator.