libraryofabibliotaph's review against another edition
4.0
From the very beginning of Frozen Hearts and Death Magic, you are immediately thrown into the story. Soon you are introduced to the main characters and get a general impression of how the world of Naia, Fel, Lea and Riven functions. I was intrigued by the story from the beginning and this feeling lingered throughout the book.
There are two things that bothered me a little in this book. The first one was the writing style and the way the story was told. I like the story itself, but the elaboration of it sometimes comes across as a bit blunt. Not that everything happens very unexpectedly and out of the blue, little by little clues are given that are then revealed later. Some things just escalate rather quickly and are taken for granted. A second flaw is how protective the daughters are treated in this story (and how badly some of the sons are raised). As if they are delicate little flowers that will break at any moment and that will all be ruined if they stay in the same room with a man for too long. The female main characters do seem to resist this a bit more towards the end of the book, I can only hope that this continues in book 2 and that they will be an example to others.
However, there are of course not 2 but 3 big plus points in contrast to this. On the one hand, I found the story really intriguing, I wanted to keep reading and am also really looking forward to book 2. There are also several events that make you sit on the edge of your seat for a while. On the other hand, I really liked the four main characters (they remain true to themselves and grow into their personalities at the same time. I’d like to see them grow even a little more in the next book). Especially Naia, who shows how strong and critical she is while also being very sensitive and quickly falling into a swoon for someone. I also liked the scenes in which Azir plays a bigger role, because that way you learn more about the previous generation and how everything in the present is connected to each other through the past.
Therefore, all in all, I am giving this book a score of 3.5 out of 5. The intriguing storyline in itself very much outweighs the writing style which was not quite my thing (but some character behaviour/education keeps me from giving 4 out of 5).
Ending my review with a lovely take-home-message/quote from Frozen Hearts and Death Magic: “Let tomorrow worry about itself, take care of itself. Worrying now won’t change anything”
I received an advanced copy of this book for review.
There are two things that bothered me a little in this book. The first one was the writing style and the way the story was told. I like the story itself, but the elaboration of it sometimes comes across as a bit blunt. Not that everything happens very unexpectedly and out of the blue, little by little clues are given that are then revealed later. Some things just escalate rather quickly and are taken for granted. A second flaw is how protective the daughters are treated in this story (and how badly some of the sons are raised). As if they are delicate little flowers that will break at any moment and that will all be ruined if they stay in the same room with a man for too long. The female main characters do seem to resist this a bit more towards the end of the book, I can only hope that this continues in book 2 and that they will be an example to others.
However, there are of course not 2 but 3 big plus points in contrast to this. On the one hand, I found the story really intriguing, I wanted to keep reading and am also really looking forward to book 2. There are also several events that make you sit on the edge of your seat for a while. On the other hand, I really liked the four main characters (they remain true to themselves and grow into their personalities at the same time. I’d like to see them grow even a little more in the next book). Especially Naia, who shows how strong and critical she is while also being very sensitive and quickly falling into a swoon for someone. I also liked the scenes in which Azir plays a bigger role, because that way you learn more about the previous generation and how everything in the present is connected to each other through the past.
Therefore, all in all, I am giving this book a score of 3.5 out of 5. The intriguing storyline in itself very much outweighs the writing style which was not quite my thing (but some character behaviour/education keeps me from giving 4 out of 5).
Ending my review with a lovely take-home-message/quote from Frozen Hearts and Death Magic: “Let tomorrow worry about itself, take care of itself. Worrying now won’t change anything”
I received an advanced copy of this book for review.
aly15's review against another edition
2.0
I’ve never understood the whole “show don’t tell” argument until I read this book. Everything was told to you. This was a sentence used…”the trees were dry and the forest was spooky.” A little bit of description would have been nice. The writing was demonstrative. The dialogue was staccato. The characters and world building was juvenile and simplistic. The final 10% of the book was just a big messy info dump. It’s also four POVs told in third person which was extremely difficult to follow. Two stars because the Frostlake queen told Azir to fuck off. Otherwise it would have been one star.
centrifugepolitics's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
lizanneyoung's review
3.5
⭐⭐⭐💫
CW
⚫ Death on Page
⚫ Abuse/Torture
TROPES
🖤 Miscommunication
🖤 Insta-Love?
Frozen Hearts and Death Magic follows four teens as they try to understand the world around them, their ancestry, and how they can stop a war brewing while protecting the ones they love.
It took me a hot second to understand the world-building going on. At around ~30%, I feel the book hit its stride and things moved at a great pace. I easily went from that point to being nearly done in a single sitting. I enjoy the world and the magic system going on, especially when it seems like even the characters aren’t sure of where they fall within that system. I am excited to see how the second book continues to explore that.
I liked this as a fantasy with solid romantic subplots. I particularly enjoyed Naia and River’s story, and look forward to seeing where they end up at the end of the second book and if their relationship can stand the test of whatever is coming next. In terms of Leah and Fel’s, I am hopeful that they can come together despite the change in Fel’s life in the final pages.
The main thing keeping me from rating this book a touch higher is the number of POVs used. What started as two POVs quickly became five, and it was a bit much to follow, especially with how quickly the plot was moving. Not necessarily a bad thing, I just found it took me out of the story a bit with how quickly we shifted between POVs.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Physical abuse and Torture
jordanwrightauthor's review against another edition
4.0
This book hit all the spots you want in a fantasy romance novel.
Mysterious Fae ✅
Powerful Underdog ✅
Badass Female Leads ✅
Twists and Turns ✅
I love the dynamic that @day_leitao_ya has created between all the characters, and you find yourself rooting for them every step of the way.
The antagonists in this book made my skin crawl- which is always a sign of amazing writing.
I can’t wait to read the second.
Mysterious Fae ✅
Powerful Underdog ✅
Badass Female Leads ✅
Twists and Turns ✅
I love the dynamic that @day_leitao_ya has created between all the characters, and you find yourself rooting for them every step of the way.
The antagonists in this book made my skin crawl- which is always a sign of amazing writing.
I can’t wait to read the second.
selenamarie22's review
adventurous
dark
hopeful
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? It's complicated
4.5
ARC reviee
To say this book was a rollercoaster is an understatement. I'm so happy there's a second book because there's a lot going on and a lot happened in those last 5 chapters. I really liked the magic system of this book, it kind of encompasses all things fantasy. You have dragons, you have fae, you have necromancers, something called deathbringers and so much more. Idk about you all but books with dragons sign me up.
The love, the betrayal, adopted children rep, disabled but not letting that disability define you rep. There's a lot going on in this series and you really don't want to miss out on it.
To say this book was a rollercoaster is an understatement. I'm so happy there's a second book because there's a lot going on and a lot happened in those last 5 chapters. I really liked the magic system of this book, it kind of encompasses all things fantasy. You have dragons, you have fae, you have necromancers, something called deathbringers and so much more. Idk about you all but books with dragons sign me up.
The love, the betrayal, adopted children rep, disabled but not letting that disability define you rep. There's a lot going on in this series and you really don't want to miss out on it.
daninj's review against another edition
4.0
This was full of all of my favorite comfort things!
✔️Fantasy
✔️Romance
✔️Multi POV
✔️Mystery
✔️Hot/badass characters
I devoured this book! It fit right in with my current fantasy era kick I’m on. Amazing world building and magic system.
Usually not a fan of following two different timelines in books, but this was done really well and I wasn’t confused at all. It definitely added a whole new element to the story.
Looking forward to book 2!
mrs_elliott19's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, Violence, Sexual violence, Pregnancy, Physical abuse, Murder, Kidnapping, Grief, and Emotional abuse
rat_queen's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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? It's complicated
3.0