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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
adventurous
mysterious
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Following after the very abrupt and dull ending of Frostfire, I found it once again slow and painful to really get into this book. It again took me over 100 pages to really feel the want to keep reading it, purely just to see where it goes.
I had the same problems with this book as I did the first one, with how shallow all the relationships are and the characters being underdeveloped. I was hoping that Ice Kissed would help build up the relationships more for me to feel more intrigued and longing for certain characters to get together, but I didn't feel anything for any of them.
Bryn did seem a bit more independent to me this time round, and wasn't as annoying with her back and forth "I should but I shouldn't" nonsense with Ridley. And in all honesty, I was highly disappointed how little Ridley was in this book. He's meant to be her main love interest, and with everything that went on between the two of them, they probably shared less than 50 pages together. I feel like their relationship is very forced and just doesn't feel natural, but I guess that comes back to me not liking the little details we get of the characters to begin with.
Konstatin was hardly even in the book, which I found disappointing as I thought that he was meant to be a strong point in the series, but he was maybe in 20 pages of this book all up? Sure, he was mentioned, but he wasn't actually in the flesh for much of it.
As for Kennet, boy did he piss me off. From the moment he was first introduced I hated him. With his sexual remarks and his cocky attitude, it just made me mad. And I hated that Bryn even had the slightest bit of interest in him.
I can't say that I was surprised by the ending of the book, I could see it coming. I didn't expect the death that had occurred, but the big reveal wasn't all that shocking. I must say the ending this time though definitely has me wanting to start the next one, so that's at least something the book has going for it.
Overall, the book once again left me feeling frustrated and unfulfilled. I feel like the author could have done so much better if she just developed the character and relationships better! It's the one main flaw and it's really what is holding me back from really liking this series.
Let's see how the final book goes.
I had the same problems with this book as I did the first one, with how shallow all the relationships are and the characters being underdeveloped. I was hoping that Ice Kissed would help build up the relationships more for me to feel more intrigued and longing for certain characters to get together, but I didn't feel anything for any of them.
Bryn did seem a bit more independent to me this time round, and wasn't as annoying with her back and forth "I should but I shouldn't" nonsense with Ridley. And in all honesty, I was highly disappointed how little Ridley was in this book. He's meant to be her main love interest, and with everything that went on between the two of them, they probably shared less than 50 pages together. I feel like their relationship is very forced and just doesn't feel natural, but I guess that comes back to me not liking the little details we get of the characters to begin with.
Konstatin was hardly even in the book, which I found disappointing as I thought that he was meant to be a strong point in the series, but he was maybe in 20 pages of this book all up? Sure, he was mentioned, but he wasn't actually in the flesh for much of it.
As for Kennet, boy did he piss me off. From the moment he was first introduced I hated him. With his sexual remarks and his cocky attitude, it just made me mad. And I hated that Bryn even had the slightest bit of interest in him.
I can't say that I was surprised by the ending of the book, I could see it coming. I didn't expect the death that had occurred, but the big reveal wasn't all that shocking. I must say the ending this time though definitely has me wanting to start the next one, so that's at least something the book has going for it.
Overall, the book once again left me feeling frustrated and unfulfilled. I feel like the author could have done so much better if she just developed the character and relationships better! It's the one main flaw and it's really what is holding me back from really liking this series.
Let's see how the final book goes.
Can't say this book was all that memorable, nor was it stellar in the writing department, but it was a good enough sequel for the first novel, and I do intend to read the third installment. Some of the twists at the end were predictable while others were just what the book needed to keep the plot moving, so it's not a bad read at all. Just could be better.
Review on my blog The Fictional Reader
So, a while ago I review the first book in this trilogy, Frostfire. It’s no secret that I absolutely loved it. I flew through it in only a few hours. It was the start to a really interesting YA fantasy trilogy. And I’m glad to report that book #2 didn’t disappoint either!
WORLD
So the first reason I really loved this was that it went further than just the Kanin tribe! You get to meet the Skojare, which is so exciting. The different tribes and cultures is one of the reasons I love the trilogy so much. But in the first book, your main interaction is with the Kanin -which is kind of obvious if you look at the trilogy name. However, in this book the Skojare are involved too, and Bryn travels to their capital. I am definitely a water-person. I love the sea, the beach, a pool, anything water related. So the Skojare are so interesting to me!
PLOT
The second reason is that this series is kind of a fantasy mixed with mystery? There is this grand scheme happening, and Bryn is trying to figure out what’s happening. I do love me some political drama, and I feel like this series definitely has some of that. As each tribe has royalty, there obviously is some political scheming. This whole book, I was trying to figure out who was the backstabber, who was the schemer, WHO IS DOING ALL OF THIS? It definitely kept me engrossed.
Also, by the end of the book all hell broke loose. Like, I’m not kidding. WHAT HAPPENED. And I’m telling you, you might want to order the third book before starting this one, because this ending. This ending was everything.
CHARACTERS
As the trilogy progresses, you get to know the characters better. I have to admit that Ridley is probably one of my favorite characters of this series. He just seems like such a good guy! He’s smart, accomplished, sweet and loyal. Doesn’t that just say it all? So it was nice to get to see more of him in Ice Kissed.
Obviously, we can’t forget about Bryn. She is progressing so much, in my opinion. She has some amazing friends who aren’t afraid to tell her when she’s wrong or behaving badly. Sometimes, someone just has to point out to you that you’re not as right as you think you are! And while she is stubborn, she isn’t afraid to admit that she was wrong.
Some of my other favorites are Ember, Tilda and Kaspar. Kaspar is sort of a “new” addition, but he was such an interesting character! He’s part of the Hogdragen, which has always been Bryn’s dream. But he’s not afraid of telling her that her dream may not be like she imagined. That being part of the elite guard may mean having to make choices against your moral code. Because you were ordered to do so. Which I found really interesting! I mean, we all like to think we would do the right thing. But if you’ve sworn an oath and it is your job, would you choose the oath or your morals?
Obviously, there is still the mysterious Konstantin… I feel like you still know so little about him after this book! So curious to find out more though.
Overall, I highly enjoyed this sequel. It was an incredible continuation of the story, and kept me engrossed from page one until the end. I'm really looking forward to book 3 because I just need to know what has been going on. If you haven't read this trilogy, I'd higly recommend it. They are action-packed, mysterious and the fantasy world is incredibly intriguing.
So, a while ago I review the first book in this trilogy, Frostfire. It’s no secret that I absolutely loved it. I flew through it in only a few hours. It was the start to a really interesting YA fantasy trilogy. And I’m glad to report that book #2 didn’t disappoint either!
WORLD
So the first reason I really loved this was that it went further than just the Kanin tribe! You get to meet the Skojare, which is so exciting. The different tribes and cultures is one of the reasons I love the trilogy so much. But in the first book, your main interaction is with the Kanin -which is kind of obvious if you look at the trilogy name. However, in this book the Skojare are involved too, and Bryn travels to their capital. I am definitely a water-person. I love the sea, the beach, a pool, anything water related. So the Skojare are so interesting to me!
PLOT
The second reason is that this series is kind of a fantasy mixed with mystery? There is this grand scheme happening, and Bryn is trying to figure out what’s happening. I do love me some political drama, and I feel like this series definitely has some of that. As each tribe has royalty, there obviously is some political scheming. This whole book, I was trying to figure out who was the backstabber, who was the schemer, WHO IS DOING ALL OF THIS? It definitely kept me engrossed.
Also, by the end of the book all hell broke loose. Like, I’m not kidding. WHAT HAPPENED. And I’m telling you, you might want to order the third book before starting this one, because this ending. This ending was everything.
CHARACTERS
As the trilogy progresses, you get to know the characters better. I have to admit that Ridley is probably one of my favorite characters of this series. He just seems like such a good guy! He’s smart, accomplished, sweet and loyal. Doesn’t that just say it all? So it was nice to get to see more of him in Ice Kissed.
Obviously, we can’t forget about Bryn. She is progressing so much, in my opinion. She has some amazing friends who aren’t afraid to tell her when she’s wrong or behaving badly. Sometimes, someone just has to point out to you that you’re not as right as you think you are! And while she is stubborn, she isn’t afraid to admit that she was wrong.
Some of my other favorites are Ember, Tilda and Kaspar. Kaspar is sort of a “new” addition, but he was such an interesting character! He’s part of the Hogdragen, which has always been Bryn’s dream. But he’s not afraid of telling her that her dream may not be like she imagined. That being part of the elite guard may mean having to make choices against your moral code. Because you were ordered to do so. Which I found really interesting! I mean, we all like to think we would do the right thing. But if you’ve sworn an oath and it is your job, would you choose the oath or your morals?
Obviously, there is still the mysterious Konstantin… I feel like you still know so little about him after this book! So curious to find out more though.
Overall, I highly enjoyed this sequel. It was an incredible continuation of the story, and kept me engrossed from page one until the end. I'm really looking forward to book 3 because I just need to know what has been going on. If you haven't read this trilogy, I'd higly recommend it. They are action-packed, mysterious and the fantasy world is incredibly intriguing.
I liked this book. Was waiting for what was going to happen next and the author did a good job of not being predictable and having me knocked on the floor with the surprises. Good read!
Ice kissed. Amanda hocking
Thanks Netgalley for an ARC to read and review.
Beautiful cover! I hadn't read book one which may or may not have a part in my rating, and when I went to buy it....well it was practically full price for a kindle copy. So I negated buying it and stuck with reading book two. I feel if a series is good enough it will make me go back and read book one. Well, I won't be doing that but I felt the book rated okay. The books starts good, and the plot is feasible but it dragged a bit. Bryn and Ridley let the bad guys get away in book one so they slink home with there tails tucked between there legs. They locate the missing queen and then Bryn takes her home where she will be training the guard to protect the scared queen. I felt a pull but didn't get quite sucked in so I'm keeping my rating at average. I probably wouldn't read more of this series because trolls aren't the most interesting. Overall entertainment is three stars.
Thanks Netgalley for an ARC to read and review.
Beautiful cover! I hadn't read book one which may or may not have a part in my rating, and when I went to buy it....well it was practically full price for a kindle copy. So I negated buying it and stuck with reading book two. I feel if a series is good enough it will make me go back and read book one. Well, I won't be doing that but I felt the book rated okay. The books starts good, and the plot is feasible but it dragged a bit. Bryn and Ridley let the bad guys get away in book one so they slink home with there tails tucked between there legs. They locate the missing queen and then Bryn takes her home where she will be training the guard to protect the scared queen. I felt a pull but didn't get quite sucked in so I'm keeping my rating at average. I probably wouldn't read more of this series because trolls aren't the most interesting. Overall entertainment is three stars.
4/5
I have so much to say about this book. I'm writing this not knowing my rating but hoping that getting all my thoughts out will help decide it. Really strong second book and I liked it better than the first.
+1
Usually middle books will run into the problem of being kind of a filler book but I felt like this was a really strong story. You still had what was going on in the first book be a problem but then you had other conflicts that were more up front in this book and I just really liked it.
+1
This was very quick to start off and the mystery had me a little bent out of shape. I also just wanted to keep reading to find out what was going to happen next.
+1
Romance. Angst. Sexy Scenes. What more do I need to say.
+.5
If you give me any story with kings/queens/royalty of any sort there is a high chance I'm going to like it.
+1
This ending wasn't weird! I mean it was a bit predictable which I feel like I should take points off for but I don't want to. (fight me) But the ending was the cliffhanger I needed to get me to want to read the next book, something the first book did not have.
-.5
Sadly this book was not without fault because although I did feel like the main character made the right choices she was a little oblivious to the people around her. I just wanted to reach into the book sometimes, shake her, and say OPEN YOUR EYES WOMAN!
Overall this books was a 4/5. It didn't amaze me but I did appreciate it very much and the whole troll story keeps me very interested. I cannot wait to pick up the next and final book (which lucky me is sitting on my bed)!
I have so much to say about this book. I'm writing this not knowing my rating but hoping that getting all my thoughts out will help decide it. Really strong second book and I liked it better than the first.
+1
Usually middle books will run into the problem of being kind of a filler book but I felt like this was a really strong story. You still had what was going on in the first book be a problem but then you had other conflicts that were more up front in this book and I just really liked it.
+1
This was very quick to start off and the mystery had me a little bent out of shape. I also just wanted to keep reading to find out what was going to happen next.
+1
Romance. Angst. Sexy Scenes. What more do I need to say.
+.5
If you give me any story with kings/queens/royalty of any sort there is a high chance I'm going to like it.
+1
This ending wasn't weird! I mean it was a bit predictable which I feel like I should take points off for but I don't want to. (fight me) But the ending was the cliffhanger I needed to get me to want to read the next book, something the first book did not have.
-.5
Sadly this book was not without fault because although I did feel like the main character made the right choices she was a little oblivious to the people around her. I just wanted to reach into the book sometimes, shake her, and say OPEN YOUR EYES WOMAN!
Overall this books was a 4/5. It didn't amaze me but I did appreciate it very much and the whole troll story keeps me very interested. I cannot wait to pick up the next and final book (which lucky me is sitting on my bed)!
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
There is no real flow and I don't connect with the main character. She's kind of annoying and has 0 growth. The side characters are all right and the plot is just so drawn out there is not building it's just random tidbits here and there. Not as good as the first series.
Actual rating 3.5
While still enjoyable, with a kick-ass, awesome heroine, it didn't pack the punch that Frost Fire did. I didn't care so much for any of the secondary characters and I kinda guessed what would happen half way through. I was however reading like crazy and did enjoy it.
While still enjoyable, with a kick-ass, awesome heroine, it didn't pack the punch that Frost Fire did. I didn't care so much for any of the secondary characters and I kinda guessed what would happen half way through. I was however reading like crazy and did enjoy it.