About the Book
-
Author:
- Elly Blake
- Genre:
- Fantasy
- Voices:
- Cis Girl
- Straight
- White (Non-Specified)
Cover Story: Pretty Literal
BFF Charm: Yay
Talky Talk: Familiar Fantasy
Bonus Factor: Kickass Gramps(es)
Anti-Bonus Factor: Series Starter
Relationship Status: Let’s Be Friends
Cover Story: Pretty Literal
There’s frost, and there’s blood. And a bit of damask to give it a fancy vibe.
I’m not sure which is better—the cover we revealed early last year, or this one. Neither are terrible, but neither really give you any clue as to what the story within is about. The final cover certainly leans more fantasy than horror, however.
The Deal:
For most of her seventeen years, Ruby’s kept a secret: she’s a Fireblood, someone who can create, control, and fight with flame. Her kind is hated in her country, which is controlled by Frostbloods, people who can create, control, and fight with ice. When Ruby’s captured by the kings’ guards, she fears that her life is over before it’s really even begun—but then she’s rescued by a couple of Frostbloods with revolution and reconciliation on their minds.
BFF Charm: Yay
Ruby’s a fascinating young woman. She goes through some seriously crappy shizz, but keeps a decent sense of humor and self throughout the trials. She’s driven by the idea of vengeance, but doesn’t let it corrupt her. I’m also totally intrigued by her ability to command flame and wield it like a weapon. Y’all know how badly I’d love to have a BFF with superpowers.
Swoonworthy Scale: 5
There’s a heavy helping of enemistry in Frostblood that adds a delicious spice to the swoon, but it all sort of fizzles out in the last quarter of the book once Ruby and [REDACTED] have moved from enemies to mutually interested individuals.
Talky Talk: Familiar Fantasy
The themes of Frostblood aren’t new; if you’ve ever read a YA fantasy novel that features a girl with gifts who’s far more special than anyone realized, a warrior who’s closed-off but at heart a genuinely good guy, and a member of the nobility who’s drunk on power that might or might not be a demon in disguise—particularly this series—you’ll find Frostblood familiar. Elly Blake’s writing is good, though, and her storytelling kept me turning the pages past my bedtime. I also enjoyed her interesting use of a universe-specific origin story and involvement of gods and goddesses.
Bonus Factor: Kickass Gramps(es)
When Ruby is rescued, she’s taken to a monastery. There, she meets a couple of delightful older men who take her under their protection and tutor her in her powers.
Anti-Bonus Factor: Series Starter
It’s the first in a trilogy, natch.
Relationship Status: Let’s Be Friends
There’s really not anything more between us other than friendship, Book. But if you’re OK with that, I’m totally cool with getting together again just to hang.
FTC Full Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from Little, Brown Books, but got neither a private dance party with Tom Hiddleston nor money in exchange for this review. Frostblood is available now.
