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amym84's review
4.0
Originally posted at Vampire Book Club
While on an adventurous getaway in the artic Vale London and her foster sister, Nola, become separated from their guide. They end up stumbling upon a centuries-long battle known as the All War. When Vale inadvertently enters the War, she’ll end up fighting for more than her life, she’ll be fighting for the planet.
All Wars are fought by various realms when a new unclaimed land is discovered. When Terra (aka Earth) was discovered its resources make it extremely coveted. Knox of Iviland was born and bred to be a fighter. He’s won four All Wars in the past for his King, but Knox is tired of living as a slave, and his determination to win this particular All War is only masked by his plans to kill his King once he get back to Iviland in order to secure his true freedom.
When Vale lands in Knox’s crosshairs, he can’t bring himself to end her. In the end only one can win, and what starts out as an uneasy alliance between the pair, heats up into full-blown attraction neither of them will be able to resist.
There is a lot going on in Shadow and Ice, and from the way things progress, there’s so much more to come. To be honest the complicated start to the world-building is what brings this down a star for me. It took a bit before the story became consistent, not just with the mythology, but with the tone as well, volleying back and forth between tongue-in-cheek funny and too serious. Once things evened out a bit, and the story really found its legs, and I’m here for it 100%.
Gena Showalter has created this awesome almost perfect blend of the sci-fi and fantasy genres in Shadow and Ice as these warriors seemingly come from different realms, or as I saw it planets, and they tend to have some innate power, coupled with weapons or objects also imbued with powers. Think alien Vikings. It’s a very interesting premise and probably the thing I enjoyed most was learning about the different combatants and their powers. There are quite a few, however, and they tend to run together, but Showalter does a good job of highlighting certain warriors. I’m sure we’ll learn about more in upcoming books.
I liked the predicament in which Knox and Vale find themselves. Their attraction to one another tampered by the fact that, in the end, one of them will have to die. While Vale is pretty steadfast in her beliefs and is a survivor through and through, it’s Knox that undergoes the biggest transformation. He starts out as a hardened warrior who never makes alliances, or, if he does, quickly reneges. He has no family left, his one goal is just to win, and Vale comes along and throws all his beliefs out the window. I want to believe they can find a way to end the War with both of them still alive.
It seems, though, that this series will follow a separate couple in each book. The end is fitting for Knox and Vale, but it by no means signals the end of all their problems. I’ll be interested to see how Gena Showalter continues to solve the overall conflict while switching perspectives to different characters.
While on an adventurous getaway in the artic Vale London and her foster sister, Nola, become separated from their guide. They end up stumbling upon a centuries-long battle known as the All War. When Vale inadvertently enters the War, she’ll end up fighting for more than her life, she’ll be fighting for the planet.
All Wars are fought by various realms when a new unclaimed land is discovered. When Terra (aka Earth) was discovered its resources make it extremely coveted. Knox of Iviland was born and bred to be a fighter. He’s won four All Wars in the past for his King, but Knox is tired of living as a slave, and his determination to win this particular All War is only masked by his plans to kill his King once he get back to Iviland in order to secure his true freedom.
When Vale lands in Knox’s crosshairs, he can’t bring himself to end her. In the end only one can win, and what starts out as an uneasy alliance between the pair, heats up into full-blown attraction neither of them will be able to resist.
There is a lot going on in Shadow and Ice, and from the way things progress, there’s so much more to come. To be honest the complicated start to the world-building is what brings this down a star for me. It took a bit before the story became consistent, not just with the mythology, but with the tone as well, volleying back and forth between tongue-in-cheek funny and too serious. Once things evened out a bit, and the story really found its legs, and I’m here for it 100%.
Gena Showalter has created this awesome almost perfect blend of the sci-fi and fantasy genres in Shadow and Ice as these warriors seemingly come from different realms, or as I saw it planets, and they tend to have some innate power, coupled with weapons or objects also imbued with powers. Think alien Vikings. It’s a very interesting premise and probably the thing I enjoyed most was learning about the different combatants and their powers. There are quite a few, however, and they tend to run together, but Showalter does a good job of highlighting certain warriors. I’m sure we’ll learn about more in upcoming books.
I liked the predicament in which Knox and Vale find themselves. Their attraction to one another tampered by the fact that, in the end, one of them will have to die. While Vale is pretty steadfast in her beliefs and is a survivor through and through, it’s Knox that undergoes the biggest transformation. He starts out as a hardened warrior who never makes alliances, or, if he does, quickly reneges. He has no family left, his one goal is just to win, and Vale comes along and throws all his beliefs out the window. I want to believe they can find a way to end the War with both of them still alive.
It seems, though, that this series will follow a separate couple in each book. The end is fitting for Knox and Vale, but it by no means signals the end of all their problems. I’ll be interested to see how Gena Showalter continues to solve the overall conflict while switching perspectives to different characters.
mycatismybookmark's review
4.0
"I am the author of my own story. Today I'm writing myself a happy ending, and maybe possibly killing of the rest of the cast.
I am Vale Fricking London, and I've been through hell and back. I can overcome anything."
Suspenseful, sensual, and a wildly addictive mix of modern and mythical - you won't be able to turn the pages fast enough!
On an Arctic vacation gone horribly wrong, foster sisters Vale and Nola have unwittingly found themselves swept up in an a war of immortals, and must find a way to survive.
Combatants will stop at nothing to win. With alliances being formed and broken, new adversaries entering the war, and awakening to a world completely changed, it's hard to tell who is your true enemy and who is your frienemy.
The battle for survival and freedom just got a whole lot more complicated when the fate of the Earth rests in your hands and you find yourself falling for an immortal warrior.
"The warrior was a walking contradiction . . . He was a beast on the inside and a storybook prince on the outside."
I am Vale Fricking London, and I've been through hell and back. I can overcome anything."
Suspenseful, sensual, and a wildly addictive mix of modern and mythical - you won't be able to turn the pages fast enough!
On an Arctic vacation gone horribly wrong, foster sisters Vale and Nola have unwittingly found themselves swept up in an a war of immortals, and must find a way to survive.
Combatants will stop at nothing to win. With alliances being formed and broken, new adversaries entering the war, and awakening to a world completely changed, it's hard to tell who is your true enemy and who is your frienemy.
The battle for survival and freedom just got a whole lot more complicated when the fate of the Earth rests in your hands and you find yourself falling for an immortal warrior.
"The warrior was a walking contradiction . . . He was a beast on the inside and a storybook prince on the outside."
romancejunkie1025's review
5.0
OMG this series is so freaking interesting already and i am dying to see what happens next. For fans of Kresley Cole this will be like coming home. Similar true but definitely with the Showalter flare that makes her work all her own. Cannot wait for more!
sonja_ahrb's review
5.0
I was so excited when I saw that Gena Showalter was coming out with a new series and though I had to wait awhile before I could read it, Shadow and Ice was absolutely worth it! The book captured my attention from the get-go and I just fell deeper and deeper into it the more I read on. It was so intriguing from the characters and the plot to this Gods of War world and just everything — I couldn’t get enough. Shadow and Ice was totally amazeballs and while that word might not seem appropriate to describe this book, I can assure you that it is and that Vale would love it and that’s what matters!
Speaking of Vale, I loved, loved, loved her, she is a complete and utter BOSS! She’s fierce, tough, loyal to the people she cares about, and does it all with snark and sass — I could not have asked for a better heroine. I think Vale might have edged out Knox as to who’s my favorite, but I love them both so much and especially together — they were fire and passion and made my heart pound when it wasn’t melting.
Shadow and Ice was highly entertaining to read. It amused me, thrilled me, kept me engaged, and turning the pages to find out what would happen next. It made my heart ache at times, made me tear up, made me yell and laugh and just put a smile on my face. I wholeheartedly loved Shadow and Ice and I can’t wait to read Frost and Flame!
~ Sonja, 5 Stars
Speaking of Vale, I loved, loved, loved her, she is a complete and utter BOSS! She’s fierce, tough, loyal to the people she cares about, and does it all with snark and sass — I could not have asked for a better heroine. I think Vale might have edged out Knox as to who’s my favorite, but I love them both so much and especially together — they were fire and passion and made my heart pound when it wasn’t melting.
Shadow and Ice was highly entertaining to read. It amused me, thrilled me, kept me engaged, and turning the pages to find out what would happen next. It made my heart ache at times, made me tear up, made me yell and laugh and just put a smile on my face. I wholeheartedly loved Shadow and Ice and I can’t wait to read Frost and Flame!
~ Sonja, 5 Stars
erinremen's review
5.0
Edge of your seat action. Passion beyond this world!
Another roaring success for our Queen of the paranormal Gens Showalter! An ingenious storyline, coupled with a cast of characters as interesting and individual from all over the universe, creates a compelling read I have savored every word of. Storytelling at its finest.
Knox and Vale are both damaged and abandoned in way that creates nothing but mistrust and innate need to keep people at a distance. Knox though on a whole other level! Thrust into the world of immortality Vale will do anything to protect her sister, and earth. She never waivers, though it gets harder and harder when her passion and need for Knox only gets stronger and harder to ignore.
At the same time Knox fights with himself and what really matters most. Revenge and freedom, or the woman who is becoming everything to him.
The All Was rages and surprises leap out of the woodwork to ripple down onto them all, no one left untouched.
How will it all play out? This is seriously not a story to be missed. Definitely some of her best work!
Five stars are truly well deserved. I am impatiently awaiting the nest in this brilliant new series!
I will mention that I loved the 'town' they are from reference 😀
Another roaring success for our Queen of the paranormal Gens Showalter! An ingenious storyline, coupled with a cast of characters as interesting and individual from all over the universe, creates a compelling read I have savored every word of. Storytelling at its finest.
Knox and Vale are both damaged and abandoned in way that creates nothing but mistrust and innate need to keep people at a distance. Knox though on a whole other level! Thrust into the world of immortality Vale will do anything to protect her sister, and earth. She never waivers, though it gets harder and harder when her passion and need for Knox only gets stronger and harder to ignore.
At the same time Knox fights with himself and what really matters most. Revenge and freedom, or the woman who is becoming everything to him.
The All Was rages and surprises leap out of the woodwork to ripple down onto them all, no one left untouched.
How will it all play out? This is seriously not a story to be missed. Definitely some of her best work!
Five stars are truly well deserved. I am impatiently awaiting the nest in this brilliant new series!
I will mention that I loved the 'town' they are from reference 😀
sk24's review
4.0
3.5/5 stars.
This review and more: Sharing Inspired Kreations
This was my first time reading an Adult book by Gena Showalter and I’m pumped to have read it as part of this tour! I thought Shadow and Ice was good. It didn’t blow my mind like my past experiences with Gena Showalter’s books (the White Rabbit Chronicles – LOVED that series), but it was still good. The book kept me mostly captivated. There were a few times where my mind wandered while reading, but for the most part I was completely invested in the story.
The story was quite good. There was some back-and-forthness with a couple different things that I wasn’t the hugest fan of. Especially because there wasn’t much time between the back-and-forthness if that makes sense. So it was almost like, what’s the point of even having that as part of the story. Some things just seemed a little too easy. I would love to explain better what I mean, but I can’t without spoiling some major plot points.
The characters were quite good as well. They were well developed and relatable (even though most of them are immortal).
I am a fan of Gena Showalter’s writing style and am looking forward to reading more of her books in the future. I was a bit bummed to learn that the second book in this series is from different perspectives. I’m not a fan of series that go that route because I spent a whole book getting super attached to these characters, and then all of a sudden in the next book they’re secondary characters. Not cool (in my opinion).
This review and more: Sharing Inspired Kreations
This was my first time reading an Adult book by Gena Showalter and I’m pumped to have read it as part of this tour! I thought Shadow and Ice was good. It didn’t blow my mind like my past experiences with Gena Showalter’s books (the White Rabbit Chronicles – LOVED that series), but it was still good. The book kept me mostly captivated. There were a few times where my mind wandered while reading, but for the most part I was completely invested in the story.
The story was quite good. There was some back-and-forthness with a couple different things that I wasn’t the hugest fan of. Especially because there wasn’t much time between the back-and-forthness if that makes sense. So it was almost like, what’s the point of even having that as part of the story. Some things just seemed a little too easy. I would love to explain better what I mean, but I can’t without spoiling some major plot points.
The characters were quite good as well. They were well developed and relatable (even though most of them are immortal).
I am a fan of Gena Showalter’s writing style and am looking forward to reading more of her books in the future. I was a bit bummed to learn that the second book in this series is from different perspectives. I’m not a fan of series that go that route because I spent a whole book getting super attached to these characters, and then all of a sudden in the next book they’re secondary characters. Not cool (in my opinion).
naomilane's review
5.0
Being a long time reader of Gena and a big fan of her Lords of the Underworld series, I was looking forward to read Shadow and Ice, the first book in Showalter's brand new paranormal series, Gods of War.
Gena ventured into something a little different and she rocked it. While still being a paranormal book, Shadow and Ice is not like her other series at all. Think hardcore Hunger Games with blood thirsty immortals from different planets, killing each other to conquer Earth. This book was freaking awesome! Bloody, violent, funny, sexy, Showalter went all in, nothing held back and wrote a one of a kind, not-so-typical, love story.
Knox is a powerhouse of an immortal, able to control shadows with his mind, he has already won four All Wars for his king and wants to win his fifth and finally gain his freedom. Nothing will get in his way, until him and his fellow combatants get imprisoned in ice for centuries. Vale is a city girl traveling with her sister in the Arctic before going home and opening their bakery. The girls get lost one day and end up in a cave full of frozen immortals, inadvertently freeing them and starting the war again.
It's simply impossible to get bored while reading this book. First of all, you can't be immune to all the blood and gory details, which I loved because, as I've said, Gena went there. The witty heroine and clueless hero made this for me. Knox knows absolutely nothing about this new Earth, left in ice for centuries, none of the immortals have any idea about the new technology and even their translators are outdated. New technology + bad translators = hilarious moments.
Knox is her total opposite. Already in the war and a veteran at that, he is not ready to lose no matter how many centuries passed since his imprisonment. He finds himself in a new situation though, being attracted by his enemy. Knox is definitely right up Gena's alley, powerful, not afraid to die, determined to win, tattooed, well hung, arrogant, protective yet supportive. You'll love him. Like Vale, he adapted to his new circumstances fast and he was ready to kill in no time.
Gena ventured into something a little different and she rocked it. While still being a paranormal book, Shadow and Ice is not like her other series at all. Think hardcore Hunger Games with blood thirsty immortals from different planets, killing each other to conquer Earth. This book was freaking awesome! Bloody, violent, funny, sexy, Showalter went all in, nothing held back and wrote a one of a kind, not-so-typical, love story.
Knox is a powerhouse of an immortal, able to control shadows with his mind, he has already won four All Wars for his king and wants to win his fifth and finally gain his freedom. Nothing will get in his way, until him and his fellow combatants get imprisoned in ice for centuries. Vale is a city girl traveling with her sister in the Arctic before going home and opening their bakery. The girls get lost one day and end up in a cave full of frozen immortals, inadvertently freeing them and starting the war again.
It's simply impossible to get bored while reading this book. First of all, you can't be immune to all the blood and gory details, which I loved because, as I've said, Gena went there. The witty heroine and clueless hero made this for me. Knox knows absolutely nothing about this new Earth, left in ice for centuries, none of the immortals have any idea about the new technology and even their translators are outdated. New technology + bad translators = hilarious moments.
"She’d also insisted he “buckle up,” willingly restricting his movements. When he’d flat-out refused, she’d said, “I’m going to give you a hands-on demonstration about car safety, and when I’m done, you’ll want to curse me, but you’re going to thank me instead.” She’d then sped up only to slam on the brakes. After his forehead had introduced itself to the dashboard, he’d decided the seat belt buckle wasn’t so bad, after all. And yes, he had thanked her."Vale is a funny, tough but insecure heroine who gets sucked into a crazy, scary and bloody war full of massive immortals who want her dead. I liked how she panicked but still took it all in stride and went with it because she didn't have a choice and chose to fight for her life and her planet. Her love for her sister is a fierce thing and I think Gena did a wonderful job with that, it's not the whole focus of the book but it does play a significant part in the story and it promises more to come. Vale is far from stupid, she adapted to her new life quickly and never back down. I loved that about her, finally a heroine who thought about things before doing something completely stupid and irrational.
Knox is her total opposite. Already in the war and a veteran at that, he is not ready to lose no matter how many centuries passed since his imprisonment. He finds himself in a new situation though, being attracted by his enemy. Knox is definitely right up Gena's alley, powerful, not afraid to die, determined to win, tattooed, well hung, arrogant, protective yet supportive. You'll love him. Like Vale, he adapted to his new circumstances fast and he was ready to kill in no time.
"He was a beast on the inside and a storybook prince on the outside, hot enough to send her hormones into overdrive."Their relationship was explosive. In and out of bed. I think this might be one of Gena's hottest book to date. She went gory but she also went steamy, like a lot. Far from complaining because I loved it, the sex scenes were everything. Close your door when you read it, make yourself comfortable and enjoy the ride. Vale sure did.
"What do you want to be when you're free?"It was sexy but not only. Vale and Knox made it work, it wasn't easy because in this war betrayal is easier than love and love is dangerous but Gena wrote a great romance. I absolutely loved seeing their feelings develop, especially with Knox because being who he is, he never got to have someone for himself and seeing him realize that he could, that love always finds a way no matter your circumstances, was amazing and so satisfying.
"I...don't know. Do it. Tell her. "I only know I want every inch of my shaft buried inside you."
"He'd lost the war the second they'd met."But you don't just get romance and great main characters in Shadow and Ice. As I may have mentioned, you get blood, lot of blood, heads too and some body parts but also some very intriguing secondary characters, I can already imagine all the new stories we're going to get. Don't get too attached though, it is a war after all, you never know who might get killed. In addition, Gena pulled some twists that made the story ten times more interesting and promise to make for a kickass book two. I already cannot wait.
charmipatel's review
5.0
Okay, what can I say?
I freaking loved this book! It has the perfect amount of action, romance, and humor. I LOVED KNOX! The way his character developed *chef's kiss*
I freaking loved this book! It has the perfect amount of action, romance, and humor. I LOVED KNOX! The way his character developed *chef's kiss*