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kriscq's review against another edition
4.0
I was dying to read this book from the very moment I stumbled upon it on NetGalley. You can’t imagine how much I wished I could move it up my review list but I didn’t. Now that I’ve finally read it I feel a sense of fulfilment. The story wasn’t exactly what I thought it would be. It’s not so much about raising the dead as much as it’s about the protagonist dealing with many complicated emotions. I found it refreshing and saddening but at the same time I wished it had focused a little more on the undead and how he felt. And what his reactions were. I felt like the author took a shortcut so she could explore the emotional upheaval of her protagonist. Despite this, I enjoyed the book and was very satisfied by the time I reached the last page.
Full review at Words That Fly
Full review at Words That Fly
theawkwardbookw's review against another edition
3.0
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Have you ever lost a loved one and wished you could bring them back to you? That is exactly what Wren does when her boyfriend, Danny, dies in a car crash. She soon realizes that the boy she brought back is not the fun-loving, happy boy she remembers.
I really liked Wren as a character. She was very opinionated and although often acted impulsively and idioticly, I couldn't help but love her.I like how she began to accept her responsibility in the situation and admitted she was wrong in her actions. The insta love ticked me off though, why must there always be insta love?! WHY!?
Have you ever lost a loved one and wished you could bring them back to you? That is exactly what Wren does when her boyfriend, Danny, dies in a car crash. She soon realizes that the boy she brought back is not the fun-loving, happy boy she remembers.
I really liked Wren as a character. She was very opinionated and although often acted impulsively and idioticly, I couldn't help but love her.I like how she began to accept her responsibility in the situation and admitted she was wrong in her actions. The insta love ticked me off though, why must there always be insta love?! WHY!?
whatsheread's review against another edition
How many people, when faced with the devastating loss of a loved one, wish that they could bring said loved one back? That death was not the final barrier it appears to be? Now, what if one could actually bring someone back from the dead? In Amy Garvey’s Cold Kiss, Wren has the ability to put into action what most people fervently wish in their hearts when facing the death of a beloved. The far-reaching and unforeseen consequences of her actions make for one of the more compelling YA novels of 2011.
To really get to the heart of Cold Kiss, one must ignore the fact that Wren has witchy powers. When that element is removed from the picture, a reader can concentrate on the emotional trauma Wren continues to face after the death of her first love. Readers of any age can relate to her inability to let go and refusal to move on. They can appreciate her need to right her own wrongs without relying on the proffered help that would make the entire situation more bearable. More importantly, they can recognize her sense of abandonment that goes all the way back to her parents’ separation. This underlying grief only ratchets up the tension.
Amy Garvey excels at presenting Wren as teen with a broken heart. With the entrance of Gabriel, her warring desires to move on with her life versus fear of what others will think versus the horrific thoughts of putting Danny to rest figuratively and literally make the reader ache for her. More importantly, in showcasing this struggle, Ms. Garvey is highlighting the fact that Wren is still young and has her entire life before her. More importantly, she is not meant to pine after her first great love forever. It is a refreshingly common sense approach to growing up, something that the paranormal YA genre tends to gloss over in lieu of a happily-ever-after ending.
Cold Kiss is a beautiful story of love and loss. The premise is simple, while the heart of the novel lies in Wren’s pain and her touching struggle to right a terrible wrong. Wren’s need – for Danny, for her friends, for feeling better – is almost palpable. This poignant powerhouse brilliantly captures Wren’s feelings perfectly, and the reader is brought along for the ride. The whole power as-a-metaphor-for-her-surging-emotions supernatural element, while done way too often these days, is nicely balanced with the more realistic aspects of the story. Wren’s plight gets under the reader’s skin and firmly lodges there until the emotionally draining end. Readers will long remain haunted by Wren’s situation and this novel about the power of love to unite and to destroy.
To really get to the heart of Cold Kiss, one must ignore the fact that Wren has witchy powers. When that element is removed from the picture, a reader can concentrate on the emotional trauma Wren continues to face after the death of her first love. Readers of any age can relate to her inability to let go and refusal to move on. They can appreciate her need to right her own wrongs without relying on the proffered help that would make the entire situation more bearable. More importantly, they can recognize her sense of abandonment that goes all the way back to her parents’ separation. This underlying grief only ratchets up the tension.
Amy Garvey excels at presenting Wren as teen with a broken heart. With the entrance of Gabriel, her warring desires to move on with her life versus fear of what others will think versus the horrific thoughts of putting Danny to rest figuratively and literally make the reader ache for her. More importantly, in showcasing this struggle, Ms. Garvey is highlighting the fact that Wren is still young and has her entire life before her. More importantly, she is not meant to pine after her first great love forever. It is a refreshingly common sense approach to growing up, something that the paranormal YA genre tends to gloss over in lieu of a happily-ever-after ending.
Cold Kiss is a beautiful story of love and loss. The premise is simple, while the heart of the novel lies in Wren’s pain and her touching struggle to right a terrible wrong. Wren’s need – for Danny, for her friends, for feeling better – is almost palpable. This poignant powerhouse brilliantly captures Wren’s feelings perfectly, and the reader is brought along for the ride. The whole power as-a-metaphor-for-her-surging-emotions supernatural element, while done way too often these days, is nicely balanced with the more realistic aspects of the story. Wren’s plight gets under the reader’s skin and firmly lodges there until the emotionally draining end. Readers will long remain haunted by Wren’s situation and this novel about the power of love to unite and to destroy.
bookbriefs's review against another edition
3.0
This was a really unique book. I have not read many books about bringing back the dead. I liked it! I genuinely had no idea how everything was going to get resolved(or not resolved), so I had no problem staying interested in the story.
It was strange because the character that I connected most with was not the main girl, Wren. Instead, I connected with Gabriel. I loved Gabriel. He was patient and helpful and really kind. Way more understanding than I would have been in his situation. My feelings for wren were kind of all over the place. There were times that I felt bad for her, and just as many(if not more) times when I was annoyed with her. And my annoyance level ranged from slight to overwhelming. I can understand that she missed him and didn't know how to deal with her loss, but then the way she would treat Danny would rub me the wrong way. I know she didn't know what to do or how to react, but she felt like the cold one at times. And then when Gabriel was being so nice and trying to help, she got too snippy in my opinion.
I warmed up to her slightly in the end, but it was mostly because of how much Gabriel liked her. I liked him so much that some of my fondness for him rubbed off on Wren. I'm not sure if this is going to be a series or not, but I kind of want to know what is going to happen with Gabriel and Wren. I think there could be a really cool book about them and about Wren's powers.
Cold Kiss was a really good read. I enjoyed it- I just think my annoyance with Wren prevented me from full out falling in love with it. However, Amy Garvey's writing was Wren's saving grace. The situation was what really annoyed me about her, but the really beautiful writing in Cold Kiss got me to see past that (most of the time) and it was almost enough for me to be on team Wren. She still bugged me though. Danny and Gabriel were the stars of the book for me. Which in a way, is a good thing- two hot guys. Can't go wrong with that! I would recommend this book to others, it is definitely worth checking out!
It was strange because the character that I connected most with was not the main girl, Wren. Instead, I connected with Gabriel. I loved Gabriel. He was patient and helpful and really kind. Way more understanding than I would have been in his situation. My feelings for wren were kind of all over the place. There were times that I felt bad for her, and just as many(if not more) times when I was annoyed with her. And my annoyance level ranged from slight to overwhelming. I can understand that she missed him and didn't know how to deal with her loss, but then the way she would treat Danny would rub me the wrong way. I know she didn't know what to do or how to react, but she felt like the cold one at times. And then when Gabriel was being so nice and trying to help, she got too snippy in my opinion.
I warmed up to her slightly in the end, but it was mostly because of how much Gabriel liked her. I liked him so much that some of my fondness for him rubbed off on Wren. I'm not sure if this is going to be a series or not, but I kind of want to know what is going to happen with Gabriel and Wren. I think there could be a really cool book about them and about Wren's powers.
Cold Kiss was a really good read. I enjoyed it- I just think my annoyance with Wren prevented me from full out falling in love with it. However, Amy Garvey's writing was Wren's saving grace. The situation was what really annoyed me about her, but the really beautiful writing in Cold Kiss got me to see past that (most of the time) and it was almost enough for me to be on team Wren. She still bugged me though. Danny and Gabriel were the stars of the book for me. Which in a way, is a good thing- two hot guys. Can't go wrong with that! I would recommend this book to others, it is definitely worth checking out!
bookmaddie's review against another edition
3.0
Not quite sure how I felt about this book, but at least all the characters had normal names.
The idea was interesting, I love a good zombie book, but a lot of the book was running away from the problem and having complete breakdowns. :l I wish there was more to it, more action, I got sick of all the thoughts and philosophical thoughts by the end.
The idea was interesting, I love a good zombie book, but a lot of the book was running away from the problem and having complete breakdowns. :l I wish there was more to it, more action, I got sick of all the thoughts and philosophical thoughts by the end.
airaseem's review
4.0
made you love ever word its an awesome read and learning how to let go with each page made you you want to shed a tear :)
astoryuntold's review
3.0
I so wanted to love Cold Kiss but unfortunately it fell kinda flat for me :(
It's not like I hated it or anything, far from it. It was a good book to read but it was not as exciting or world-rocking as I wanted/expected it to be.
Story is pretty straightforward: devastated girl (Wren) loses beloved boyfriend (Danny) in a car accident and brings him back from the dead, only to realise that he isn't the same person he used to be.
That's my perpetual problem with zombie/resurrection books. While I completely get the reason people chose to bring back their loved ones from the dead, I really don't understand how can they even think these guys would be the same after they claw their way out of a freaking grave! That changes a person, one would think. Evidently, not heroes in books!
So on top of the dead boyfriend problems, Wren is also attracted to the new guy at school (Gabrielle) who seems to know right from the start about Wren's powers. Now, while I was totally convinced about Wren and Danny's chemistry, unfortunately Wren and Gabrielle together didn't convince me at all. Maybe it was the lack of history of which she had plenty with Danny, I don't know. And while they were pretty much OK as individual characters, together they were very "meh" to me.
I really liked the last scene, though. The one with Danny(not saying anymore!). I think it was very well thought out and had the perfect amount of sensitivity without being sappy.
Overall, Cold Kiss was an OK read. Story dragged a little bit and it was tiring at parts. However, it had its bright moments and those being mostly Danny-centered. The writing was good and despite not being my cup of tea after all, all in all it was a good enough debut novel.
It's not like I hated it or anything, far from it. It was a good book to read but it was not as exciting or world-rocking as I wanted/expected it to be.
Story is pretty straightforward: devastated girl (Wren) loses beloved boyfriend (Danny) in a car accident and brings him back from the dead, only to realise that he isn't the same person he used to be.
That's my perpetual problem with zombie/resurrection books. While I completely get the reason people chose to bring back their loved ones from the dead, I really don't understand how can they even think these guys would be the same after they claw their way out of a freaking grave! That changes a person, one would think. Evidently, not heroes in books!
So on top of the dead boyfriend problems, Wren is also attracted to the new guy at school (Gabrielle) who seems to know right from the start about Wren's powers. Now, while I was totally convinced about Wren and Danny's chemistry, unfortunately Wren and Gabrielle together didn't convince me at all. Maybe it was the lack of history of which she had plenty with Danny, I don't know. And while they were pretty much OK as individual characters, together they were very "meh" to me.
I really liked the last scene, though. The one with Danny(not saying anymore!). I think it was very well thought out and had the perfect amount of sensitivity without being sappy.
Overall, Cold Kiss was an OK read. Story dragged a little bit and it was tiring at parts. However, it had its bright moments and those being mostly Danny-centered. The writing was good and despite not being my cup of tea after all, all in all it was a good enough debut novel.
reader_fictions's review
3.0
I definitely expected to hate this book. Perhaps that's not something I should admit, but that's how it was. Partly, it's the cover. It's pretty on one level, but it just really creeps me out. Plus, there's the quote on the cover by Lauren Kate, whose books I'm pretty sure I'm going to hate as well, from what I've heard in the blogosphere. I believe I'd also read some less than flattering reviews of Cold Kiss. Well, this is one of the rare situations in which I am okay with being wrong.
While I am not completely in love with Cold Kiss, I definitely enjoyed it and I really appreciated how different the messages about love and romance are from so many of the most popular YA novels. As you can see in my favorite quote down at the bottom, this book is all about the misconceptions and fairy tale perfect romances not being as portrayed by pop culture.
The focus of this book is not on love overcoming death. That's what I thought it would be. I loved that she really considered the dark consequences of Wren's actions. I expected this to be a romance, but it's really not. That made a refreshing change.
I'm not sure how I feel about Gabriel. On the one hand, I would have preferred for Wren not to have a romantic interest in someone besides Danny - not forever, but while she's dealing with this. Still, I can kind of see why Garvey included him, and that he might be a necessary impetus. Wren certainly wasn't happy with her relationship with Danny before Gabriel entered the scene, but Gabriel serves to remind her of all that she's missing: a warm guy who she can be seen in public with. Gabriel can be a partner; Danny is nothing but deadweight. Still, Gabriel is too attached and to protective for someone who just met her.
The paranormal aspects are interesting, but not perhaps as well-defined as I would have liked. It seems a bit as though Gabriel's abilities were thrown in as a plot point to force Wren to open up to him, rather than being something natural. Other than that, I just don't know why he had them.
Another plus was the theme of family, and of how Wren's family dealt with the magical powers. This aspect, as well as the whole what-will-we-do-with-this-undead-dead-guy part, reminded me a lot of Practical Magic. Wren's mom does not want to teach her daughters how to use their power, which is what lets Wren get so out of control. She's made up her own rules and boundaries.
Cold Kiss is deeper and more thoughtful than I anticipated, making it a nice counterpoint to all of the paranormal, instalove romances out there. I will definitely be giving book two, Glass Heart, a try. I'm definitely curious to see what will happen next, and hope that Garvey will continue to deviate from the standard YA romance tropes.
While I am not completely in love with Cold Kiss, I definitely enjoyed it and I really appreciated how different the messages about love and romance are from so many of the most popular YA novels. As you can see in my favorite quote down at the bottom, this book is all about the misconceptions and fairy tale perfect romances not being as portrayed by pop culture.
The focus of this book is not on love overcoming death. That's what I thought it would be. I loved that she really considered the dark consequences of Wren's actions. I expected this to be a romance, but it's really not. That made a refreshing change.
I'm not sure how I feel about Gabriel. On the one hand, I would have preferred for Wren not to have a romantic interest in someone besides Danny - not forever, but while she's dealing with this. Still, I can kind of see why Garvey included him, and that he might be a necessary impetus. Wren certainly wasn't happy with her relationship with Danny before Gabriel entered the scene, but Gabriel serves to remind her of all that she's missing: a warm guy who she can be seen in public with. Gabriel can be a partner; Danny is nothing but deadweight. Still, Gabriel is too attached and to protective for someone who just met her.
The paranormal aspects are interesting, but not perhaps as well-defined as I would have liked. It seems a bit as though Gabriel's abilities were thrown in as a plot point to force Wren to open up to him, rather than being something natural. Other than that, I just don't know why he had them.
Another plus was the theme of family, and of how Wren's family dealt with the magical powers. This aspect, as well as the whole what-will-we-do-with-this-undead-dead-guy part, reminded me a lot of Practical Magic. Wren's mom does not want to teach her daughters how to use their power, which is what lets Wren get so out of control. She's made up her own rules and boundaries.
Cold Kiss is deeper and more thoughtful than I anticipated, making it a nice counterpoint to all of the paranormal, instalove romances out there. I will definitely be giving book two, Glass Heart, a try. I'm definitely curious to see what will happen next, and hope that Garvey will continue to deviate from the standard YA romance tropes.
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