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wasauthor's review against another edition
3.0
I received an advance reader copy of Frostfire for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
If you like your fantasy dark, dealing with demons instead of elves, Frostfire presents a tale loaded with darkness and protagonists loaded with love.
Thanks to its designation of a dark fantasy, readers can expect some disturbing themes, imagery and violence; in this instance, dark fantasy is far more than a marketing term. But I need to add another warning to this list: a grisly rape scene. If this subject matter is likely to get to you, consider yourself forewarned. If you’re on the fence about it, it works well in the context of the book, and is deftly handled. It doesn’t feel the least bit exploitative, or as though it's included for shock value, nor does it feel like it was added to make this dark fantasy darker.
Also deftly handled are the LGBTQI+ aspects, and the are passionate about telling stories about diverse characters. For all of Frostfire’s fantastical elements, its violence and its demons, at its centre is a gay romance between Kyran and Barrett. This romance is treated exactly as it should be, like any other romance with a cisgender heterosexual couple. While a major component of the book, it doesn’t feel forced, nor does it make any overt points about inclusion. The romance feels honest and earned, and most importantly, as it remembers these characters are human, it’s told with humanity.
These characters form Frostfire’s heart. While the story fits within the epic fantasy mould and has a suitably large scope, the book focuses on these characters. Both are beautifully fleshed out, with their own wants, desires, and baggage. Both are likeable and feel realistic. Unfortunately, the dialogue doesn’t live up to the wonderful protagonists, and often feels flat. The characters sound similar to one another, aside from an “Islesman,” who sounds like a Scottish stereotype.
I don’t know how the authors went about co-writing the book, but the prose presents two different styles. Some chapters are written in an almost casual style; approachable, but feeling as though it's written for a YA audience, belying the book’s tone. The other chapters have a more matter-of-fact feel, without much character. I feel like the editing should have picked up on these styles, and worked to blend them together.
The prose’s style, combined with dialogue-heavy sections, makes the book feel quicker than its page count would suggest. It's not a short book, but it can be finished in less time than many similarly sized ones. It's a slow burn and paced accordingly. While the pacing is gradual, it feels a little too slow at points. At its core, it tells an entertaining story. But as its pacing slows, the plot becomes repetitive, with scenes that feel redundant, essentially repeating earlier events. The world feels distinct from others of its ilk, and the demons are a pulse-pounding threat, complicated by their intelligence. This is a great world, ripe for exploration in further books.
As the beginning of The Dark Inbetween, the plants seeds for further exploration, but stands well enough alone to be enjoyed on its own merits. While it doesn’t bring finality, it brings enough closure to feel as though you’ve read an entire story.
While it suffers from inconsistent prose and flat dialogue, and the plot sometimes feels like it’s repeating itself, this world that begs to be explored further. Underpinning this are two fantastic characters embarking on a wonderful romance.
My full review will be available on my website from 21 June, 2023. To read it, and a host of other reviews, click here.
If you like your fantasy dark, dealing with demons instead of elves, Frostfire presents a tale loaded with darkness and protagonists loaded with love.
Thanks to its designation of a dark fantasy, readers can expect some disturbing themes, imagery and violence; in this instance, dark fantasy is far more than a marketing term. But I need to add another warning to this list: a grisly rape scene. If this subject matter is likely to get to you, consider yourself forewarned. If you’re on the fence about it, it works well in the context of the book, and is deftly handled. It doesn’t feel the least bit exploitative, or as though it's included for shock value, nor does it feel like it was added to make this dark fantasy darker.
Also deftly handled are the LGBTQI+ aspects, and the are passionate about telling stories about diverse characters. For all of Frostfire’s fantastical elements, its violence and its demons, at its centre is a gay romance between Kyran and Barrett. This romance is treated exactly as it should be, like any other romance with a cisgender heterosexual couple. While a major component of the book, it doesn’t feel forced, nor does it make any overt points about inclusion. The romance feels honest and earned, and most importantly, as it remembers these characters are human, it’s told with humanity.
These characters form Frostfire’s heart. While the story fits within the epic fantasy mould and has a suitably large scope, the book focuses on these characters. Both are beautifully fleshed out, with their own wants, desires, and baggage. Both are likeable and feel realistic. Unfortunately, the dialogue doesn’t live up to the wonderful protagonists, and often feels flat. The characters sound similar to one another, aside from an “Islesman,” who sounds like a Scottish stereotype.
I don’t know how the authors went about co-writing the book, but the prose presents two different styles. Some chapters are written in an almost casual style; approachable, but feeling as though it's written for a YA audience, belying the book’s tone. The other chapters have a more matter-of-fact feel, without much character. I feel like the editing should have picked up on these styles, and worked to blend them together.
The prose’s style, combined with dialogue-heavy sections, makes the book feel quicker than its page count would suggest. It's not a short book, but it can be finished in less time than many similarly sized ones. It's a slow burn and paced accordingly. While the pacing is gradual, it feels a little too slow at points. At its core, it tells an entertaining story. But as its pacing slows, the plot becomes repetitive, with scenes that feel redundant, essentially repeating earlier events. The world feels distinct from others of its ilk, and the demons are a pulse-pounding threat, complicated by their intelligence. This is a great world, ripe for exploration in further books.
As the beginning of The Dark Inbetween, the plants seeds for further exploration, but stands well enough alone to be enjoyed on its own merits. While it doesn’t bring finality, it brings enough closure to feel as though you’ve read an entire story.
While it suffers from inconsistent prose and flat dialogue, and the plot sometimes feels like it’s repeating itself, this world that begs to be explored further. Underpinning this are two fantastic characters embarking on a wonderful romance.
My full review will be available on my website from 21 June, 2023. To read it, and a host of other reviews, click here.
jenamatic's review against another edition
4.0
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
This was REALLY good and I could not stop reading it! Much darker than I had anticipated but I enjoyed it a lot. I’m looking forward to seeing how the rest of the series develops! There were just enough unanswered questions at the end to whet your appetite for the next book without leaving you hanging completely. I can’t wait to see how Barrett, Kyran, and Effie’s stories progress!
Trigger warning for a sexual assault scene and one detailed scene of gore.
This was REALLY good and I could not stop reading it! Much darker than I had anticipated but I enjoyed it a lot. I’m looking forward to seeing how the rest of the series develops! There were just enough unanswered questions at the end to whet your appetite for the next book without leaving you hanging completely. I can’t wait to see how Barrett, Kyran, and Effie’s stories progress!
Trigger warning for a sexual assault scene and one detailed scene of gore.
meghanreadsmm's review against another edition
5.0
Excellent! My kind of fantasy novel! Focuses more on events, story, pacing, characters and doesn't get bogged down in details about everything in the world. I find that kind of thing boring. Instead this is a fast-paced adventure, horror fantasy with magic and demons and hunters.
There is a distinct first part and second part. Before and after one of the MC is tortured by a demon. It is violent, but the horror component is incorporated into the story well and doesn't feel gratuitous at all. The story is well-told through out. There are a number of loose threads that I believe the authors intend to resolve in the sequel. Despite those, the main plot for this book does have resolution.
There is a distinct first part and second part. Before and after one of the MC is tortured by a demon. It is violent, but the horror component is incorporated into the story well and doesn't feel gratuitous at all. The story is well-told through out. There are a number of loose threads that I believe the authors intend to resolve in the sequel. Despite those, the main plot for this book does have resolution.
enyra's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
becky_the_bookworm's review
5.0
Let me start by saying that I generally avoid fantasy novels as I can never get into them. But I read the description of this book and was intrigued, so I figured I'd give it a try and I am SO glad I did. It took a few chapters to understand the world, but once I grasped what was going on, my biggest struggle was putting this book down. It gripped me. Barrett and Kyran are both extremely deep, complex, and well-developed characters.
This book feels like two separate books in one; and I honestly don't know which one was better. The book as a whole was beautifully written. I have no clue what the authors will write next (either collaboratively or separately), but I am eagerly awaiting it and will be reading it when it's released.
This book feels like two separate books in one; and I honestly don't know which one was better. The book as a whole was beautifully written. I have no clue what the authors will write next (either collaboratively or separately), but I am eagerly awaiting it and will be reading it when it's released.
fellumhistane's review
5.0
My favorite indie read of the year!
An exciting debut into a world I am eager to read more about, featuring deep multi-dimensional characters I really hope we get to see more of.
This was a thrilling read I had trouble putting down, with intriguing plots and at times horrifically shocking moments. It all wrapped together nicely with some very touching moments. The characters' qualities glow like lanterns in their perfectly drawn up dark fantasy world. It's rare I come across characters so relatable and that I want to stand behind. Barrett and Kyran's budding relationship feels genuine, adding just the right dose of attachment to otherwise a story about demons, magic, and prejudice.
Bravo to Thorne and Ivey!
An exciting debut into a world I am eager to read more about, featuring deep multi-dimensional characters I really hope we get to see more of.
This was a thrilling read I had trouble putting down, with intriguing plots and at times horrifically shocking moments. It all wrapped together nicely with some very touching moments. The characters' qualities glow like lanterns in their perfectly drawn up dark fantasy world. It's rare I come across characters so relatable and that I want to stand behind. Barrett and Kyran's budding relationship feels genuine, adding just the right dose of attachment to otherwise a story about demons, magic, and prejudice.
Bravo to Thorne and Ivey!
momto7nc's review
5.0
Wow, just wow!!! This book pulled me right in! The two main characters have such different personalities in the beginning, but as you near the end they truly aren't that much different. It had me going through all kinds of emotions! Angry, sad, happy, and even anxious! The authors are very talented and know how to capture an image into writing!!! Powers and demons and so much more!!! Amazing book all together!!!
bookish_realms's review
5.0
Full disclosure, I am not a dark fantasy person. I’ve never really given it a chance, until Frostfire.
That being said, this book is disgustingly incredible. The world building feels like an MMORPG, and the magic system is unique, and the characters feel like real people. The story is an incredible telling of a world where not all magic is equal, and have both political and interpersonal struggles that stem from it.
I will admit that this book sometimes was so descriptive and detail oriented I almost felt sick to my stomach. I have never had an author write so well to make me have nausea in real life.
That being said, this book is disgustingly incredible. The world building feels like an MMORPG, and the magic system is unique, and the characters feel like real people. The story is an incredible telling of a world where not all magic is equal, and have both political and interpersonal struggles that stem from it.
I will admit that this book sometimes was so descriptive and detail oriented I almost felt sick to my stomach. I have never had an author write so well to make me have nausea in real life.
vampqueen8905's review against another edition
3.0
*TW* Sexual assault
*Received a free copy in exchange for an honest review *
I had a hard time getting into this book, the first few chapters felt quite bland, the dialogue wasn't the greatest and I couldn't really connect with the characters. This did improve as the story went on, the characters became a lot more 'real', the complex wordiness and info dumping started to balance out and the story started to flow more smoothly. I did end up enjoying the story overall, especially the magical elements of this world, the character development throughout and the LGBTQIA representation. My main issues with this book are the lack of trigger warning for sexual assault (I went back and checked, I didn't find any in the digital copy I received) and poor editing in places. I found myself getting distracted from the story often because of a random word in the middle of sentences that didn't correlate to what was being said.
*Received a free copy in exchange for an honest review *
I had a hard time getting into this book, the first few chapters felt quite bland, the dialogue wasn't the greatest and I couldn't really connect with the characters. This did improve as the story went on, the characters became a lot more 'real', the complex wordiness and info dumping started to balance out and the story started to flow more smoothly. I did end up enjoying the story overall, especially the magical elements of this world, the character development throughout and the LGBTQIA representation. My main issues with this book are the lack of trigger warning for sexual assault (I went back and checked, I didn't find any in the digital copy I received) and poor editing in places. I found myself getting distracted from the story often because of a random word in the middle of sentences that didn't correlate to what was being said.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault
evensong's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Fascinating magic system and wonderful world-building. This dark fantasy really draws you in. Well written and inventive with LGBTQ+ representation. The fire magic descriptions are enthralling. With many twists and turns, and emotional ups and downs, it puts you through the wringer before the satisfying conclusion. I felt absolutely invested in the characters, and I'm looking forward to Book Two.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Body horror
Minor: Sexual assault
Contains scenes of sexual abuse, graphic violence, and mutilation.
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