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dns24's review against another edition
4.0
Great book! I listened to the audio version and was so entranced I listened to it all in two days.
wendy327's review against another edition
2.0
I received a free copy from Blackstone Publishing through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
In Axaria, there is a beast afoot who is terrorizing the kingdom. Soldiers that have ventured out to destroy the menace have died and whole towns have been destroyed. Asterin Faelenhart, Princess of Axaria and heir to the throne, decides to use her fighting skills and magic for the benefit of her kingdom and defeat the beast. With a small, loyal crew, Asterin sets off into the wilder sections of her kingdom; however, what awaits them is not what they expected. As secrets are revealed, Asterin and her friends find that there is a plot that has been in motion for more than fifteen years and it threatens to kill them all and topple Axaria and the other kingdoms of the world. Putting the pieces together, the group opts to take on the mission of disrupting the plot, enduring countless dangers that may not allow everyone to survive.
In Shadow Frost, Coco Ma works to offer a fantasy-lover’s dream with a slate of memorable characters who wield elemental magic and engage in swordplay. While the characters are all offered motives for their participation in the hunt, these backstories are not given quite enough space to breathe. Much of this is also related to the world building, which, while present, doesn’t offer quite enough detail to boost the character backstories and plot. Because of this, the first three-quarters of the novel suffer from pacing challenges that plague the plot and the characters themselves.
As a YA novel, the instant love romance trope was well on display here. One character falls hopelessly in love with another upon first meeting. This was very apparent to the reader, if not to the character in question, so much so that at times I tended to forget that there wasn’t an established relationship between them. Most likely designed to be an instant-love, enemies-to-lovers, slow burn, it didn’t quite work in the way intended. What really didn’t work for me was the tough banter and nicknames. The dialogue came off a bit stilted and calling each other “brat” and “asshole” as pet names just didn’t land.
Overall, the tale was designed to have some unexpected twists; however, due to some heavy-handed foreshadowing and an omniscient narrator, many of these plot devices were predictable as the story picked up speed during the final quarter of the tale. That being said, the culmination of the novel was satisfying, if inevitable.
Much has been said about the fact that Ma will be a published author at the age of fifteen. I, like many others, believe this is commendable. My hope is that as Ma continues to mature her writing follows suit. I am curious where the story is headed and will read the sequel, and hope that like other series I have read, the writing grows with the author, characters, and story arc.
In Axaria, there is a beast afoot who is terrorizing the kingdom. Soldiers that have ventured out to destroy the menace have died and whole towns have been destroyed. Asterin Faelenhart, Princess of Axaria and heir to the throne, decides to use her fighting skills and magic for the benefit of her kingdom and defeat the beast. With a small, loyal crew, Asterin sets off into the wilder sections of her kingdom; however, what awaits them is not what they expected. As secrets are revealed, Asterin and her friends find that there is a plot that has been in motion for more than fifteen years and it threatens to kill them all and topple Axaria and the other kingdoms of the world. Putting the pieces together, the group opts to take on the mission of disrupting the plot, enduring countless dangers that may not allow everyone to survive.
In Shadow Frost, Coco Ma works to offer a fantasy-lover’s dream with a slate of memorable characters who wield elemental magic and engage in swordplay. While the characters are all offered motives for their participation in the hunt, these backstories are not given quite enough space to breathe. Much of this is also related to the world building, which, while present, doesn’t offer quite enough detail to boost the character backstories and plot. Because of this, the first three-quarters of the novel suffer from pacing challenges that plague the plot and the characters themselves.
As a YA novel, the instant love romance trope was well on display here. One character falls hopelessly in love with another upon first meeting. This was very apparent to the reader, if not to the character in question, so much so that at times I tended to forget that there wasn’t an established relationship between them. Most likely designed to be an instant-love, enemies-to-lovers, slow burn, it didn’t quite work in the way intended. What really didn’t work for me was the tough banter and nicknames. The dialogue came off a bit stilted and calling each other “brat” and “asshole” as pet names just didn’t land.
Overall, the tale was designed to have some unexpected twists; however, due to some heavy-handed foreshadowing and an omniscient narrator, many of these plot devices were predictable as the story picked up speed during the final quarter of the tale. That being said, the culmination of the novel was satisfying, if inevitable.
Much has been said about the fact that Ma will be a published author at the age of fifteen. I, like many others, believe this is commendable. My hope is that as Ma continues to mature her writing follows suit. I am curious where the story is headed and will read the sequel, and hope that like other series I have read, the writing grows with the author, characters, and story arc.
seemadyal50's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
someonetookit's review against another edition
4.0
For around the first 30-40%, this book was kind of bad. Basically it can be summed up as ‘girl goes questing with her friends, they fight a demon in a town and then hang out in a cottage for 100 pages’. It took me… wait for it… 3 MONTHS to read the first 150 pages. Yep, this was a read a chapter and then ignore it for a few weeks type book. But tonight, I finally got to a point where something interesting happened and I binged the rest of it.
Which leads me to the second half. Let me tell you, it’s good. Like super amazing good. So fantastic in fact that it kind of reads like someone swooped in ghost writer style and wrote the second half. Either that or Ma suddenly worked out what the hell her plot was going to be and frantically typed until she could type no more. This section is full of magic and mayhem and lots of gasping as ALL THE THINGS happen as you enthusiastically flip the pages. Let me tell you, there is actually a twist WITHIN a twist and if you aren’t like me and able to pick it, you will be retrieving your jaw from the floor. Alas, I read too much and picked the identity of The Woman within 5 pages of her popping up (this is not Ma’s fault, its mine for reading too much).
Most of the characters were a little take-it-or-leave-it for the first half, except for that of Luna. For some reason, I kept envisaging her as a child, although it’s not possible because she is a chamber maid/lady in waiting. Even when she had her big reveal, I still saw her as having a meek and mild exterior with a raging flame of a soul inside.
So, as I said earlier, the first half has its issues but the second half is amazing. The pacing for a large majority of the novel felt just a little off; while it speeds up and gets really interesting, it goes from being bland to super fast paced within a few pages. Inevitably I have missed something within the narrative which left me confused in parts. This may have also been actual plot holes, I am actually not sure…
Lastly I want to talk about the romantic interests within Shadow Frost. Because there are so fricking many of them. For the most part, they are well done. Everyone has their perfect mate or is quietly pining after whomever. Luna and her love interest are ultimate goals, going above and beyond to make sure each other are safe. But then there is the M-M relationship that could have blossomed. But instead it felt a little forced and only included to give this book some LGBT+ rep. While others have tender moments, this relationship is all missed opportunities and longing stares until the end when someone goes missing. Honestly, either fully explore the relationship or just leave it out – if it wasn’t meant to be there, dont include it just for rep because it leaves you looking like a toss.
Basically its a good read so long as you can get over its pacing issues and poor treatment of certain characters. Its fun and magical and feels very finished despite it having a sequel coming in the future. Perfect for those who loved Grace and Fury and Ash Princess.
Which leads me to the second half. Let me tell you, it’s good. Like super amazing good. So fantastic in fact that it kind of reads like someone swooped in ghost writer style and wrote the second half. Either that or Ma suddenly worked out what the hell her plot was going to be and frantically typed until she could type no more. This section is full of magic and mayhem and lots of gasping as ALL THE THINGS happen as you enthusiastically flip the pages. Let me tell you, there is actually a twist WITHIN a twist and if you aren’t like me and able to pick it, you will be retrieving your jaw from the floor. Alas, I read too much and picked the identity of The Woman within 5 pages of her popping up (this is not Ma’s fault, its mine for reading too much).
Most of the characters were a little take-it-or-leave-it for the first half, except for that of Luna. For some reason, I kept envisaging her as a child, although it’s not possible because she is a chamber maid/lady in waiting. Even when she had her big reveal, I still saw her as having a meek and mild exterior with a raging flame of a soul inside.
So, as I said earlier, the first half has its issues but the second half is amazing. The pacing for a large majority of the novel felt just a little off; while it speeds up and gets really interesting, it goes from being bland to super fast paced within a few pages. Inevitably I have missed something within the narrative which left me confused in parts. This may have also been actual plot holes, I am actually not sure…
Lastly I want to talk about the romantic interests within Shadow Frost. Because there are so fricking many of them. For the most part, they are well done. Everyone has their perfect mate or is quietly pining after whomever. Luna and her love interest are ultimate goals, going above and beyond to make sure each other are safe. But then there is the M-M relationship that could have blossomed. But instead it felt a little forced and only included to give this book some LGBT+ rep. While others have tender moments, this relationship is all missed opportunities and longing stares until the end when someone goes missing. Honestly, either fully explore the relationship or just leave it out – if it wasn’t meant to be there, dont include it just for rep because it leaves you looking like a toss.
Basically its a good read so long as you can get over its pacing issues and poor treatment of certain characters. Its fun and magical and feels very finished despite it having a sequel coming in the future. Perfect for those who loved Grace and Fury and Ash Princess.
tazisbooked's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 -- I think the author is exceptionally talented (she wrote this at age 15!!) but I couldn't quite wrap my head around how the older characters (like ages 21+) were acting/conversing until I looked up her bio... and everything clicked into place.
I think this would be a fantastic read for younger YA readers - like incredibly exceptional. It just wasn't for me. It's not that I disliked it the plot or even the writing style, it simply felt like the content of the book was too juvenile for me to relate to.
That being said, I really look forward to reading Coco's next installments. It'll be interesting to see how her writing evolves as she ages.
I think this would be a fantastic read for younger YA readers - like incredibly exceptional. It just wasn't for me. It's not that I disliked it the plot or even the writing style, it simply felt like the content of the book was too juvenile for me to relate to.
That being said, I really look forward to reading Coco's next installments. It'll be interesting to see how her writing evolves as she ages.
gaboria's review
First time with audiobooks and noticed it was not my cup of coffee. But the story sounds interesting, so will pick up again in another format, just not audiobook.
booksandladders's review against another edition
3.0
See this review and more on Books and Ladders!
This was really interesting as a plot and I liked the fantasy elements but I felt as though the characters shifted at about 60-70% to fit the narrative at the end rather than to be true to themselves or who we had seen. I am interested to see where this goes as a series but I'm not fully invested as I thought I would be. I'll have more thoughts up on the blog soon!
This was really interesting as a plot and I liked the fantasy elements but I felt as though the characters shifted at about 60-70% to fit the narrative at the end rather than to be true to themselves or who we had seen. I am interested to see where this goes as a series but I'm not fully invested as I thought I would be. I'll have more thoughts up on the blog soon!
cnewby927's review against another edition
1.0
DNF 18%
I tried really hard with this one. I picked it up just to put it down again. I love the cover and I really wanted to love the book as well. I thought I would with all the glowing reviews but I just couldn't get past the writing. The banter between the characters was annoying at times and I just struggled to care. Therefore I have decided to stop trying to push myself to read this when there are other books I want to read.
I tried really hard with this one. I picked it up just to put it down again. I love the cover and I really wanted to love the book as well. I thought I would with all the glowing reviews but I just couldn't get past the writing. The banter between the characters was annoying at times and I just struggled to care. Therefore I have decided to stop trying to push myself to read this when there are other books I want to read.
justanothernerdling's review against another edition
5.0
Hey, all!
I just finished reading Shadow Frost, by Coco Ma! This was sent to me by Blackstone Publishing via Netgalley as an eARC. This will be published in October 2019. The fact that this is an arc does not alter my opinions.
Before I even start reviewing this, take 2 minutes and pre-order this. It is worth it, I promise.
The first thing you should know about this book, is that it's written by Coco when she was 15, and is being published just a year after she graduated high school. I've spoken with her and she is SUCH a ball of human sunshine! I am honoured to be able to share this book! I'll also be getting a physical ARC, so I'll be all over sharing this!
Shadow Frost was such a smooth read. The writing made sense for the story, and the characters felt real. There was confusion and name-calling and stubbornness and laziness and none of them felt like a holier-than-thou Mary Sue. Even Asterin just felt like a normal teenager who just so happened to be able to control various elements. It was really refreshing to read characters like this - it was somewhat akin to Percy Jackson. Characters were relatable, which made it all the more fun!
One of my favourite characters was Harry. I won't spoil a thing aside from the fact that he's a cinnamon roll and I wanna go in the book and hug him.
Coco also did a good job depicting all kinds of relationships! There was a great cousin dynamic, a series of strong friendships, a (sorta insta-lovey but I shipped it right away so I can't judge) romance, and no love triangles! I thought there would be for a bit, but it ended up being something I couldn't anticipate.
I loved the magic in this book - it had relatively clear rules, straightforward abilities and creative detours. Nobody overused their magic - it was simply a part of who these characters were, and I was all in for that!
Shadow Frost has a plot that keeps moving, almost dancing with the reader. When you believe it to go one way, it takes you another, that only feels more clever. It's also super well-organised: a detail I liked was that, at times, shifting POVs described one thing, from two points of view. It gave a 3D feel to the plot, if that makes sense!
And that ending! Shadow Frost punched me in the feels at the end - so many bombs were dropped! I always thought I knew what was happening, and it would shift! Aaa so good!
There were a few things I would just tweak - Quinlan's overuse of the word 'brat' is one I can think of now. He's not the best insulter, but it also does add to his charm.
That's it for now! I could keep talking about this for a long time - I can't wait to meet other people who have read the book!
I'm giving it 4.5/5 stars!