Scan barcode
kistireads's review against another edition
5.0
Thank you so much to Entangled Publishing and Netgalley for a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Honestly, 5 stars, and what a ride.
I had seen this title floating around and had been intrigued by both the synopsis & title. I don't think I thought I'd enjoy it or fly through it as much as I did. I finished this book in 3 days and that includes travel that I had.
This novel just gripped my from the start, the worldbuilding was done really nicely. There wasn't the feeling of an info dump and important points in the world were revealed at a great pace throughout the novel. Of course, much more was revealed towards the 60-65% mark towards the end but until then, the pace was held nicely. Generally, in first novels, I always feel that we are learning about the world up front, but that it doesn't open up as much. In Omen of Ice we kept uncovering small parts of the world that kept it very interesting for me.
The plot was very fun, there was so much uncovered and many twists that I didn’t see coming. I was fully immersed the entire time and the pace moved along evenly, but also to the point where I flew through the novel. I will say, the end may leave some disheartened, but there is hope! And I hope we find that in the next novels of this series!
The atmosphere of the novel was great too. It changed depending on where our characters were or what/who they were dealing with, but it was there and it was appropriate with each scene. It helped keep me immersed in the novel.
The novel was in first person, dual POV of our two MCs, and even though I’m not usually a fan of novels written in first person, I really enjoyed this writing.
I enjoyed both our characters, they were both well done/created and different from each other but you could also understand how they meshed and got along. I appreciated that each character was unique in this world, but also flawed and extreme at some times. For me, this makes them more relatable and easier to believe. Tania was strong, stubborn, reliable, wanted to play by the rules and was pretty much a great student. Whereas Valen is dealing with difficult on the inside but charming, handsome, quirky/flirtatious and generally considered a lazy party-goer, but he does have depth which comes out as the novel moves along.
Between these two characters, I enjoyed some of their banter, but at the same time some of it didn’t land for me though. They had great tension and moments of collaboration, so it was an even rollercoaster from the start - they had tough moments and really beautiful moments which lended itself well to the story and the relatability of the relationship. Through the novel, I really enjoyed our two MCs, how they uncovered the world, its secrets and each other.
Overall, I really enjoyed my time in Derriga with Valen & Tania and all the other characters we met along the way. I enjoyed all the twists & turns and am very intrigued to see how the story plays out in future novels of this world! I would highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys YA fantasy with romance filled with Fae, Druids, magic & secrets that are uncovered along the way!
Honestly, 5 stars, and what a ride.
I had seen this title floating around and had been intrigued by both the synopsis & title. I don't think I thought I'd enjoy it or fly through it as much as I did. I finished this book in 3 days and that includes travel that I had.
This novel just gripped my from the start, the worldbuilding was done really nicely. There wasn't the feeling of an info dump and important points in the world were revealed at a great pace throughout the novel. Of course, much more was revealed towards the 60-65% mark towards the end but until then, the pace was held nicely. Generally, in first novels, I always feel that we are learning about the world up front, but that it doesn't open up as much. In Omen of Ice we kept uncovering small parts of the world that kept it very interesting for me.
The plot was very fun, there was so much uncovered and many twists that I didn’t see coming. I was fully immersed the entire time and the pace moved along evenly, but also to the point where I flew through the novel. I will say, the end may leave some disheartened, but there is hope! And I hope we find that in the next novels of this series!
The atmosphere of the novel was great too. It changed depending on where our characters were or what/who they were dealing with, but it was there and it was appropriate with each scene. It helped keep me immersed in the novel.
The novel was in first person, dual POV of our two MCs, and even though I’m not usually a fan of novels written in first person, I really enjoyed this writing.
I enjoyed both our characters, they were both well done/created and different from each other but you could also understand how they meshed and got along. I appreciated that each character was unique in this world, but also flawed and extreme at some times. For me, this makes them more relatable and easier to believe. Tania was strong, stubborn, reliable, wanted to play by the rules and was pretty much a great student. Whereas Valen is dealing with difficult on the inside but charming, handsome, quirky/flirtatious and generally considered a lazy party-goer, but he does have depth which comes out as the novel moves along.
Between these two characters, I enjoyed some of their banter, but at the same time some of it didn’t land for me though. They had great tension and moments of collaboration, so it was an even rollercoaster from the start - they had tough moments and really beautiful moments which lended itself well to the story and the relatability of the relationship. Through the novel, I really enjoyed our two MCs, how they uncovered the world, its secrets and each other.
Overall, I really enjoyed my time in Derriga with Valen & Tania and all the other characters we met along the way. I enjoyed all the twists & turns and am very intrigued to see how the story plays out in future novels of this world! I would highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys YA fantasy with romance filled with Fae, Druids, magic & secrets that are uncovered along the way!
mirandaria's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
wrapmeupinplastic's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
neytsabe's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
kelceyxreads's review against another edition
3.0
This book was thoroughly enjoyable, and an easy read. While a little simple in some ways, I loved reading about a druid — sigils and nature-based magic are fairly under-explored these days (at least in my experience). I found it to be a refreshing addition to yet another fae tale, even if I wish it had been fleshed out a bit more.
Please don’t get me wrong — I love fae tales. I just think it made the book more unique. As did the addition of kelpies, creatures I hope we see more of as the series continues!
I do think this book is likely a better fit for younger readers. I read a lot of YA and find much of it enjoyable even as an adult, but this errs on the more juvenile side of that line, save for a few mildly spicy scenes. That said, I’ll probably continue it.
My edition of the book is gorgeous, courtesy or OwlCrate.
Please don’t get me wrong — I love fae tales. I just think it made the book more unique. As did the addition of kelpies, creatures I hope we see more of as the series continues!
I do think this book is likely a better fit for younger readers. I read a lot of YA and find much of it enjoyable even as an adult, but this errs on the more juvenile side of that line, save for a few mildly spicy scenes. That said, I’ll probably continue it.
My edition of the book is gorgeous, courtesy or OwlCrate.
ignited_redqueen75's review against another edition
3.0
I listened to the audible and I gave it an overall 3 star rating for the following reasons, I feel like somewhere along my listening time I may have got distracted and lost pace of what was going on, I don't know maybe I just got a bit bored or maybe I just wasn't in it, which is weird because at first I was really liking it and towards the end it got really interesting but whatever, I will definitely listen to it again or maybe read the physical book. I did like the narrators however whenever either of the narrators actually did the laughing it sounded so force and fake that it literally made me cringe, I wish they didn't laugh at all just say they did other than that I would definitely listen to anything else they narrate.
If you like fantasy you would enjoy this.
I wouldn't say it's an enemies to lovers but it does involve fae and human bonding/connection
Betrayal
Ruler drama
If you like fantasy you would enjoy this.
I wouldn't say it's an enemies to lovers but it does involve fae and human bonding/connection
Betrayal
Ruler drama
jeannelynne24's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
devynbrown's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Love my girl Keltania, love her growth and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for her and Valen