Frostblood

This book is conflicting for me. The book opens with this amazing story about a girl hiding who she is from everyone but her family. When that is taken away, it becomes a story of survival and a story of learning about herself. The first 75% or so of this book I loved. I loved the character development and all the self-discovery that was happening. I also loved the world and the prose Elly Blake used throughout. Up until the 75% mark this was probably going to be a 5 star, if not 4.5 star book for me, it was that good. However, the “climax” ended up ruining my enjoyment. I felt like it was out of place and rushed and I was really enjoying the story up until that point. There was also a twist that I hated. It did not fit in with my thoughts on the story and the characters.

So basically, I loved so much of this story and the characters, but then the reveal at the end happened and I'm annoyed. It could not have been more cliche if it tried. I'm getting a little tired of reading this same thing happen in countless YA books. This book was a fantastic read until that end. If you do not mind repeating YA tropes than I'm sure this book will not leave you feeling the same way I did after finishing. I still highly enjoyed and recommend this book, I just do not like the direction that was taken at the end. I will however continue this trilogy because I connected with the characters and want to see where Elly Blake takes them next.

eARC provided by publisher via NetGalley for review

Frostblood was certainly a pretty decent novel. I'm really glad that I started it when Akarnae was not so interesting for me at that moment. I was extremely astonished by how page-turning this book was. Well, I can't say that there was constant action, but still I was not bored by it at all.

The only really bad thing about this book is that there was nothing really unexpected in it (except for one or two small moments). But that still didn't prevent me from enjoying the book. Of course, some aspect of it were a bit childish, but I'm afraid that says very grown up me :)

As for main characters, I don't have anything bad to say about them. The narrator, Ruby, is quite a smart girl and I didn't have to suffer through a bunch of cringing decisions. I liked how on the one hand she is really powerful, but on the other hand, her power has its limitations. There is definitely room for developing her character and I do hope that author will do just that in the next books.

Well, of course I can't do this review without mentioning other main character - Arcus. I'm afraid, that the his real identity was not really a surprise for me. Because he had to be someone really important, didn't he? Anyway, I do like him too (or maybe just his sense of humor). I also hope to see more of him in the next books.

Of course, how can YA trilogy exist without romance in it? This series doesn't answer that question, because love is definitely present in the novel. However, it was neatly done (even if a bit fast for my taste), but still the amount of it was just right. And of course, there were no love triangles or other strange figures and I pray that it stays so.

All in all, I don't regret spending my time with the book, and I'm eager for the next one.

Fantasy is quickly becoming my favourite genre to read and I've had the opportunity to read some really amazing books this year in this genre. As soon as I saw the cover for Frostblood I was intrigued, the UK cover of the frozen rose is beautiful and drew me in immediately.

This book kicks off with an emotional chapter where we meet Ruby, a fireblood. Ruby can control heat and fire, she can make and manipulate fire. Ruby, however, lives in a world where she is an outlaw, in the kingdom where she resides Frostbloods rule and the most dangerous of all sits on the throne. In this opening chapter, Ruby's village is ambushed by the king's soldiers who are searching for her and her mother is killed by them whilst trying to protect her daughter. Ruby is captured and taken to prison where she is taunted and abused by the guards.

Ruby is helped to break out of prison by an unusual monk called Brother Thistle and a mysterious man named Arcus, who agree to help her in return for her help in killing the Frost King and destroying his throne. Ruby, who is still seeking revenge for the death of her mother agrees to help them and so begins her journey to learn more about how to use her Fireblood powers in preparation for her task to kill the king. Along the way she makes friends and finds a place she can feel safe and call home.

This book was all about the characters for me, I really liked Ruby but the people she meets along the way were brilliant. Brother Thistle and Brother Gamut and Sister Pastel were amazing. The way they cared for Ruby and helped her to find peace after the death of her mother was great. Arcus was wonderfully mysterious throughout the book and although my suspicions were proven correct in the big reveal later in the book he was strong and supportive to Ruby and a wonderful hero.

The book is split into two sections, the first is based fully on Ruby's preparation for her task to kill the Frost King whereas the second takes place in the court of the King where she must fight to the death to gain the respect and admiration of the ruler in order to get close enough to him to carry out her task to destroy his ice throne and remove the darkness which hangs over the kingdom.

I have heard some criticisms of this series that is offers nothing new in contrast to other books in this genre, however, this wasn't something I had an issue with. I liked the premise of the frostblood versus firebloods, it had a little reminiscence of Frozen with the Frostbloods having similar skills to Elsa. The really outstanding thing for me about this book is the warmth of the characters and the interactions of them together.

I really enjoyed Frostblood, the first part of a trilogy it has set up the storyline for the second book nicely and has left us characters we want to spend more time with. I gave this book a 4 out of 5 stars.

Seventeen-year-old Ruby is a Fireblood, which in her Frostblood-controlled country is a very dangerous thing to be. She has spent her life trying to hide her powers, so when she is discovered by the Frost King's soldiers she is unable to control her gift and is captured as her village is destroyed around her. She is dying in prison when she receives an offer from two mysterious strangers - help them kill the Frost King in exchange for her freedom. Ruby agrees and is taken to an abbey, where she convalesces and begins to learn how to control her power. She gradually learns more about the plot to defeat the Frost King, but all the careful plans fall apart when Ruby is captured and forced to fight against Frostbloods and beasts in the king's brutal tournaments. Will she be able to complete her mission and get her revenge against the cruel king?

While parts of the first half of the book are a bit slow, it does give the characters time to develop their relationships. Ruby is a realistic heroine, physically weak from her long months in prison but mentally tough and determined to grow her strength and control her abilities. Themes of acceptance and tolerance of differences are present throughout without being heavy-handed. The requisite romance is nicely plotted and has some literally sizzling moments. A great read for YA fantasy fans in general and in particular those who love Victoria Aveyard's Red Queen series.