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A review by isabelthearcher
A Breath of Frost by Alyxandra Harvey
4.0
This book was so enjoyable and such a fast read. It had a few tropes sprinkled throughout, however the plot, characters and writing made it so fun! I could barely put the book down and I think I read it in four sittings.
The story follows Emma Day, a debutant in Regency London who during one season finds out that she’s part of the Lovegrove Legacy - something which has been hidden from her. With her new identity in the supernatural world, threats follow her and her cousins and they have to find a way to stop everything before it ruins their world.
Emma is such a great protagonist, she has the basic ‘girl finds new world’ stereotype, however the new world is also so deeply rooted in her family and the London world that it makes it so lovely to read. Family dynamics are explored and also the different classes from Keepers, Madcaps to Debutants. I love the relationship Emma has with her two cousins; Penelope and Gretchen; they are both so humorous. Emma is also the perfect mix of being aware of situations however also being so overwhelmed with all the new information that she is being exposed to. Information is given at a great pace, during the first 100 pages you are as confused as Emma is however throughout the novel small bits of information are either given to Emma or she finds them out herself. It wasn’t spoon fed and it also wasn’t overloading, which is rare to find in a fantasy world.
There was a character called Daphne and Emma’s cousin called Penelope… so set in Regency Era London I could see a little bit of similarity to the Duke and I by Julia Quinn. However their character arcs were completely different to that book, but it’s just a note.
Cormac like Emma had the male stereotype of ‘I get with so many girls, but you’re different’ trope, but honestly I can’t find a single bloody romance without this idea now. When he did pull out that line I did cringe and curl up my body shuddering with what the author put down. Aside from that his character arc is pretty interesting, we are introduced to him at the start of the book and he is one of the only constants in Emma’s life. The relationship develops well and I thought that Cormac’s backstory was super interesting and pivotal to the interactions between Cormac and Emma.
The plot developed well, enough for there to be substance but also gave space for Emma’s personal investigations into her Family line. Overall I think the book is more middle-grade but enjoyable as is! I would have never picked it up by myself but I found it so fun and heartwarming nonetheless.
The story follows Emma Day, a debutant in Regency London who during one season finds out that she’s part of the Lovegrove Legacy - something which has been hidden from her. With her new identity in the supernatural world, threats follow her and her cousins and they have to find a way to stop everything before it ruins their world.
Emma is such a great protagonist, she has the basic ‘girl finds new world’ stereotype, however the new world is also so deeply rooted in her family and the London world that it makes it so lovely to read. Family dynamics are explored and also the different classes from Keepers, Madcaps to Debutants. I love the relationship Emma has with her two cousins; Penelope and Gretchen; they are both so humorous. Emma is also the perfect mix of being aware of situations however also being so overwhelmed with all the new information that she is being exposed to. Information is given at a great pace, during the first 100 pages you are as confused as Emma is however throughout the novel small bits of information are either given to Emma or she finds them out herself. It wasn’t spoon fed and it also wasn’t overloading, which is rare to find in a fantasy world.
There was a character called Daphne and Emma’s cousin called Penelope… so set in Regency Era London I could see a little bit of similarity to the Duke and I by Julia Quinn. However their character arcs were completely different to that book, but it’s just a note.
Cormac like Emma had the male stereotype of ‘I get with so many girls, but you’re different’ trope, but honestly I can’t find a single bloody romance without this idea now. When he did pull out that line I did cringe and curl up my body shuddering with what the author put down. Aside from that his character arc is pretty interesting, we are introduced to him at the start of the book and he is one of the only constants in Emma’s life. The relationship develops well and I thought that Cormac’s backstory was super interesting and pivotal to the interactions between Cormac and Emma.
The plot developed well, enough for there to be substance but also gave space for Emma’s personal investigations into her Family line. Overall I think the book is more middle-grade but enjoyable as is! I would have never picked it up by myself but I found it so fun and heartwarming nonetheless.