Cassie James's Blog: Itz All About Books!! - Posts Tagged "ice"

Frostblood by Elly Blake

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Thanks to the publisher for providing an ARC for me in exchange for an honest review, this doesn't in any way affect my thoughts and opinion on the book.




I loved everything about Frostblood before I read it, the cover, synopsis, even the title. And when I did read it, this love transformed into a deeper connection. Frostblood is amazing especially coming from a debut author. This is definitely going to be one of the best YA Fantasy books 2017 has got to offer. Ruby (aka Lady Firebrand, Thorn in my Backside, Plague of The Gods, Fireling) is a very strong character. Despite all the horrible hardships she went through, I am impressed she could still be defiant and witty.
The worldbuilding of Frostblood is very very impressive, I am amazed at the well crafted plans. Elly Blake is a pleasant surprise I didn't see coming, I can totally compare her work to that of other major writers out there. The characters are superb, I am hopelessly in love with everyone in it. Ruby is very funny, her adventures are delightful despite the prejudice people have against the Firebloods.
“Before you came here, you were a tool to be used, a weapon to be wielded at our choosing. After all, you were slated for death anyway. If you died in the completion of our plan, it would be a worthy sacrifice. But now . . . please believe this is hard for me. You are a kind, feisty, headstrong, impulsive, generous young woman. I have grown quite fond of you.”
That just about sums her up. Her journey from being the lone and beaten prisoner to the strong woman she is at the end of Frostblood is highly fascinating, I gushed throughout the whole book.

I really got into it and I am very certain anyone who loves fantasy will see this book becoming a favorite of theirs. Some of the moments I enjoyed was when she bickered with Arcus, practiced using her powers, interacted with the others in the Abbey, fought with the Champions, kisses Arcus. Ruby's relationship with Arcus is one of my highlight points of the book, I absolutely loved their awe inspiring romance. The build up of their feelings and relationship us something I felt and followed. Every important event that transpired between them was something I could easily understand. Arcus is another character I very much love, he is full of surprises and he can be quite romantic and charming of he wants to be. He has his secrets but I still love him anyway.

In the vast world of YA Fantasy, Frostblood is definitely going to carve it's own corner and have an impact. Frostblood has all the impressive elements that made books like Red Queen and Shadow and Bone a fan favorite along with great writing. There is definitely more great things to come in this book, it boasts an impressive villain(s) that would probably take a lot of time to defeat.
One of my many favorite things about this book is the display of powers, I always watch the way author's portray the use of powers or magic and I definitely love this one. There is never a dull moment throughout the book, it's always thrilling and enthralling in its fast pace. Before the ending there are many things that happened that left me gasping in shock and marveling at the brilliance of the author. Expect twist and turns to come out of nowhere and shock you to your core. It had a great ending that befits it's level of awesomeness, the ending certainly left me thirsting for more. I have definitely found a new favorite author in Elly Blake, I wait with bated breath for the next amazing book from her.
Quotes:
“Breathing is optional. Looking beautiful is not.””
“You deny it, but killing gives you pleasure. It allows the darkness to seep in further, merging with you more with each death.”
Couldn't help but share those two.

P.S: Isn't that cover just divine?? It would look so good in my library where I can feast my hungry gaze on it whenever I feel like.



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Crown of Ice by Vicki L. Weavil

My rating: 5 of 5 stars




The plot of Crown of Ice was what attracted me to the book because this is a twist to the Snow Queen story I have never seen before. I hoped it will be as interesting as its blurb and it was. I enjoyed Thyra's tale more than I thought I would. There are so many twists and turns that makes it totally differ from the main fairy tale.
Thyra's attempts at freeing herself from Mael Voss makes quite an interesting tale. I find her character very fascinating because I can't really call her a villain, she is who she is because of her circumstances. Trapped in a frosted castle by an evil magician while being used to fulfill his machinations is truly a terrible situation to be in. That's why I love that underneath all that ice is a girl who is vulnerable and loving and just wants to be free. I loved the other characters a lot, all their different perspectives made the book so good. The ending was very satisfying as it closed of the story in an epic manner.
Filled with magic, adventure, action, romance, brilliant writing and great characters, Crown of Ice is a wonderful YA Fantasy retelling everyone has to read. I happily await the next book in the series.

P.S: That new cover is so beautiful!!.



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Through the White Wood by Jessica Leake

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



I received an ARC of this book from the publisher but this doesn't influence my opinion of it.




Through the White Wood by Jessica Leake is a splendid continuation of this series. I was really excited to get into it because the premise sounds amazing and it did not disappoint.
It's set in the same world as the first book but with different main characters.
Katya has lived all her life in fear. Fear of letting go and unleashing her deadly power over ice on the spiteful people in their village. She was abandoned as a babe and raised by an elderly couple who brought her up as their granddaughter despite the consternation of the villagers.
Named the Ice Witch, she's ostracised and barely tolerated. Her life came tumbling down when an attack on her grandfather by some randy fools led to her destroying half of her village and killing a lot of people her grandfather included.
Condemned, Katya is sent to the palace of the Prince of Rus' who is said to gather people with abilities for nefarious reasons.
Scared by her power and believing herself a monster, Katya accepts the sentence and leaves expecting to arrive to her doom.
She is surprised when the Prince is not as devilish and evil as the rumors portray. Prince Sasha is only gathering people with powers to aid him in the upcoming war that will leave Runs massacred in the hands of their enemies whose army is filled with earth elementals that have vast control over it.
Katya might be Rus' only hope if she can learn to control the deadly and delicious power contained within her.
The Prince also has secrets of his own as he's a fire elemental.
Their meeting leads to many revelations about their various origins.
The main antagonists the Drevlian and Novgorodian Princes (the rulers of the kingdoms in cahoots) are dangerous because not only are they desperate for more power but they are rumored to be the most powerful earth elementals alive.
Only Fire and Ice can hold back the earth.
One of the things I adore about Through The White Wood is the lush and rich Russian folklore. From the fearsome creatures (Russalka, Baba Yaga etc), to the kingdoms and the descriptions, it's all brilliant.
As the world is something we've had a feel from in the first book, it was easy to assimilate to. The main characters from the first book makes a significant appearance to, I so love sort of crossovers. The camaraderie is just sweet.
The secondary characters such as Kharan, Boris, Ivan etc with their own powers and stories are also quite intriguing.
The pace is fast and makes for an easy read. The romance between Sasha and Katya is expected but still welcome and I like the way he brings her out of her shell and makes her blossom.
The ending has me really excited for the next things this series has to offer, I commend Jessica Leake for weaving this entrancing world.

P.S: There's a part of the book that gave MD Frozen feels!! Loved that.



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