Scan barcode
A review by wasauthor
Frostfire by Sam Thorne, Lauren Ivey
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.