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openmypages's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this YA debut novel from Coco Ma, it featured a deeply developed magical world with enough complexity for 10 novels! The story features strong characters with well developed emotional motives and backstories that are revealed with several twists I didn't see coming. I won't give any specific details but I loved the development of the characters finding their strengths and overcoming their weaknesses.
It gets a 4 rather than a 5 for me for two reasons. One, the writing style relied on switching character POVs to dump large chunks of info about the world and characters. I felt like this could have done with a little more finesse as generally I love switching POVs in a novel. Two, (no spoilers) but the ending left me slightly confused. I wish it had ended a few chapters earlier. The last couple of chapters felt like they were added to keep you hanging til book 2.
It gets a 4 rather than a 5 for me for two reasons. One, the writing style relied on switching character POVs to dump large chunks of info about the world and characters. I felt like this could have done with a little more finesse as generally I love switching POVs in a novel. Two, (no spoilers) but the ending left me slightly confused. I wish it had ended a few chapters earlier. The last couple of chapters felt like they were added to keep you hanging til book 2.
booksandpops4000's review against another edition
3.0
* I got this book for review from the publisher for my honest thoughts*
I overall thought the world building was super fun. I really liked the general plot of the book and found it to be super interesting. I did not feel as connected to the characters as I wanted and it was hard to become invested. I thought the book had some pacing issues but it was enjoyable read. I loved the elements that were introduced at the end and found that to be super compelling. I liked the various POV that we got but wish they were made more clearer in the format. I will def be reading book 2!
I overall thought the world building was super fun. I really liked the general plot of the book and found it to be super interesting. I did not feel as connected to the characters as I wanted and it was hard to become invested. I thought the book had some pacing issues but it was enjoyable read. I loved the elements that were introduced at the end and found that to be super compelling. I liked the various POV that we got but wish they were made more clearer in the format. I will def be reading book 2!
dinipandareads's review against another edition
2.0
Special thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. 2.5 stars
Before kicking off my review, I have to say that I am impressed by the fact that Coco Ma wrote this when she was 15! I can't fathom writing something like this now let alone when I was a teenager, so major props to her for creating this intriguing world of magic!
Check out my review up on the blog!
TL;DR: Shadow Frost is a book that younger me would’ve devoured and unquestionably loved but older me is feeling quite conflicted about it. Coco Ma has created a vast world with interesting deity lore, an elemental magic system and a huge cast of characters. That said, the world-building was haphazard, the pacing was choppy, and the characters were one-dimensional. I think this book suffered from trying to do too much at one time and it uses a lot of very typical YA tropes about royal families, their bodyguards and friends. There’s a nice found family element which I always love but ultimately, the combination of everything just didn’t work for me.
Before kicking off my review, I have to say that I am impressed by the fact that Coco Ma wrote this when she was 15! I can't fathom writing something like this now let alone when I was a teenager, so major props to her for creating this intriguing world of magic!
Check out my review up on the blog!
TL;DR: Shadow Frost is a book that younger me would’ve devoured and unquestionably loved but older me is feeling quite conflicted about it. Coco Ma has created a vast world with interesting deity lore, an elemental magic system and a huge cast of characters. That said, the world-building was haphazard, the pacing was choppy, and the characters were one-dimensional. I think this book suffered from trying to do too much at one time and it uses a lot of very typical YA tropes about royal families, their bodyguards and friends. There’s a nice found family element which I always love but ultimately, the combination of everything just didn’t work for me.
bookarina's review against another edition
4.0
Welcome to this book review,
I received a copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.
This book was a wild and amazing ride.
There are so many great things about this book, multiple POV's, great magic, intriguing world and elemental magic which I am always a big fan of.
I loved all the different point of views, which is unusual for me since I am usually really annoyed or have a growing hate for a character. There were strong woman who weren't presented as weak or lesser because of the problems and dilemmas the had or were facing. The writing style was also really enjoyable.
While those aspects were great, there were a couple of things that made bottered me, the way the relationships developed so quickly felt un-organic to me, I was also annoyed with the way the story completely changed directions in the middle of the story, And while I really enjoyed most of the plot twist, a lot of them felt like fillers to a story that wasn't sure where it was going. I didn't see how some of the plot twist added to the story, it seemed as if it didn't matter when or if they happened at all.
That being said, it was a great debut novel and I am definitely curious to see where the next book in this series will take us.
Recommended for sure, it has a very unique take on elemental magic and strong characters that really help you discover the world at a lovely pace,
-Bookarina
I received a copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.
This book was a wild and amazing ride.
There are so many great things about this book, multiple POV's, great magic, intriguing world and elemental magic which I am always a big fan of.
I loved all the different point of views, which is unusual for me since I am usually really annoyed or have a growing hate for a character. There were strong woman who weren't presented as weak or lesser because of the problems and dilemmas the had or were facing. The writing style was also really enjoyable.
While those aspects were great, there were a couple of things that made bottered me, the way the relationships developed so quickly felt un-organic to me, I was also annoyed with the way the story completely changed directions in the middle of the story, And while I really enjoyed most of the plot twist, a lot of them felt like fillers to a story that wasn't sure where it was going. I didn't see how some of the plot twist added to the story, it seemed as if it didn't matter when or if they happened at all.
That being said, it was a great debut novel and I am definitely curious to see where the next book in this series will take us.
Recommended for sure, it has a very unique take on elemental magic and strong characters that really help you discover the world at a lovely pace,
-Bookarina
enbyenglish's review against another edition
4.0
Great book!! Really enjoyed it!!! I will say wtf to Asterin for that choice at the end! Who chooses a boy over their best friend?!
ktame001's review against another edition
4.0
I’m going to say 3.75 rounded up. I’m glad I stuck with it because it ended up surprising me and being quite good.
thereaderdownunder's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-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? No
4.5
rhappe13's review against another edition
4.0
I was hesitant to start this book because of some negative reviews I saw on Goodreads but I was very pleasantly surprised! I ended up loving the characters, the conflicts, the magic, and the relationships in this book. There were some fun plot twists in there that kept me turning the pages even after I had vowed to stop reading and move on to the boring things I needed to get done. There are some things throughout the book that I didn't love, but I'd still recommend this book.
Big thanks to NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!
Big thanks to NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!
myfavoritefiction's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-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
4.0
sarahlynn827's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
I really love Quintan!!