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A review by edarcys
Shadow Frost by Coco Ma
3.0
Good plot. I liked the story, the worldbuilding. It follows the basic idea of any other YA feisty princess tale but in an enjoyable way.
Great descriptions. Initially, in the first few chapters, I though this would be an overly flowery style: "Gusts of snow lashed at barren rock, the bitter wind howling with the fury of a thousand souls forever damned." Descriptive and lyrical but SO hyperbolic. Fortunately that calmed as the story progressed, but stayed descriptive enough to be easily visualized and lushly imagined.
Painful interactions. Possibly because this book was the product of a 15 year old with minimal life experience? The characters didn't seem to know how to interact with each other. Flirting was awkwardly depicted, sometimes as violence, sometimes with sudden and jarringly anachronistic pet names. Major characters developments, like Orion's possible love interests, were thrown out in a single, seemingly unnecesary sentence. Conceptually great, meh implementation.
Regressive character development. I started out liking the first two main characters, Asterin and Orion, and enjoyed their interactions. But as soon as the conflict and other characters were introduced, both seemed to become petty and angry and childish versions of themselves. Later scenes showed abrupt or uncharacteristic actions, with little or no exposition to lead up to the choices the character makes ie Orion's interest, Quinian's interest, Harry's loyalty, Asterin's attack on her teammate, Asterin's "impossible" choice, Luna's anger. Overall, there doesn't seem to be much buildup to the character's passionate actions.
Overall it was an easy and enjoyable to read but I felt the characters stopped developing emotionally as soon as they were first introduced, and all actions were driven by plot or physical/magical growth. Any emotional ups or downs - often important in a hero's journey, an angsty YA, and a budding romance - were stilted at best. Although the story contained into a lot of good issues like loss, abuse, loyalty, betrayal, and same sex relationships, they were mostly glossed over or thrown in between action scenes.
Generally I'm underwhelmed. I'm willing to continue reading, just to see where the plot might go. I don't feel compelled to immediately pick up the next book, though.
Great descriptions. Initially, in the first few chapters, I though this would be an overly flowery style: "Gusts of snow lashed at barren rock, the bitter wind howling with the fury of a thousand souls forever damned." Descriptive and lyrical but SO hyperbolic. Fortunately that calmed as the story progressed, but stayed descriptive enough to be easily visualized and lushly imagined.
Painful interactions. Possibly because this book was the product of a 15 year old with minimal life experience? The characters didn't seem to know how to interact with each other. Flirting was awkwardly depicted, sometimes as violence, sometimes with sudden and jarringly anachronistic pet names. Major characters developments, like Orion's possible love interests, were thrown out in a single, seemingly unnecesary sentence. Conceptually great, meh implementation.
Regressive character development. I started out liking the first two main characters, Asterin and Orion, and enjoyed their interactions. But as soon as the conflict and other characters were introduced, both seemed to become petty and angry and childish versions of themselves. Later scenes showed abrupt or uncharacteristic actions, with little or no exposition to lead up to the choices the character makes ie Orion's interest, Quinian's interest, Harry's loyalty, Asterin's attack on her teammate, Asterin's "impossible" choice, Luna's anger. Overall, there doesn't seem to be much buildup to the character's passionate actions.
Overall it was an easy and enjoyable to read but I felt the characters stopped developing emotionally as soon as they were first introduced, and all actions were driven by plot or physical/magical growth. Any emotional ups or downs - often important in a hero's journey, an angsty YA, and a budding romance - were stilted at best. Although the story contained into a lot of good issues like loss, abuse, loyalty, betrayal, and same sex relationships, they were mostly glossed over or thrown in between action scenes.
Generally I'm underwhelmed. I'm willing to continue reading, just to see where the plot might go. I don't feel compelled to immediately pick up the next book, though.