Frostblood by Elly Blake Book Review

I received a copy from the publisher and NetGalley. Thank you to them! This is a spoiler free review. [Spoilers are included in my Goodreads review, if you want to see]

Frostblood

Written by Elly Blake

Genre: Young Adult/Fantasy

Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers

Release Date: January 10, 2017

Pages: 384

Source: eArc from publisher and NetGalley. Thanks!

Places to Get this Book: Amazon Barnes and Noble Book Depository

Recommended Age: 13 and up!

Summary:

Seventeen-year-old Ruby is a fireblood who must hide her powers of heat and flame from the cruel frostblood ruling class that wants to destroy all that are left of her kind. So when her mother is killed for protecting her and rebel frostbloods demand her help to kill their rampaging king, she agrees. But Ruby's powers are unpredictable, and she's not sure she's willing to let the rebels and an infuriating (yet irresistible) young man called Arcus use her as their weapon.

All she wants is revenge, but before they can take action, Ruby is captured and forced to take part in the king's tournaments that pit fireblood prisoners against frostblood champions. Now she has only one chance to destroy the maniacal ruler who has taken everything from her and from the icy young man she has come to love.

Fast-paced and compelling, Frostblood is the first in a page-turning new young adult three-book series about a world where flame and ice are mortal enemies—but together create a power that could change everything.

Review:

I had already heard some things about this book when I pressed the button to request it from NetGalley but I went into this one mostly blind. As in, not browsing Goodreads for hours before requesting it. Overall, this was a really good book which is why I gave this five crowns. :)

COVER

This cover isn't my favorite but it isn't bad. I like how the background looks exactly like ice. It reminds me of the Red Queen book cover with the blood dripping from the crown thing. I like how it is all centered in the middle and it is overall aesthetically pleasing.

WORLD-BUILDING

The world-building was one of my favorite parts of the entire book. I like how she was able to create an entire new world while borrowing a couple elements from other books. It was interesting how there are two types of people and one type is really shunned by the other. There are the frostbloods and the firebloods. The frostbloods are the preferred type as the King is a frostblood. And I believe most of the land is covered in snow and ice and I really enjoyed it.

Then there are the characters.

RUBY

Ruby is not the typical flat YA heroine. She has flaws and yes they are actually talked about. Her story is emotional because she is put in prison [not a spoiler, I promise] and she is alone and scared and thinks she's going to die but she has the power of fire which can protect her and keep her warm. She is chosen to complete a task by monks who rescue her and she is not prepared at all so she trains. She is a smart, resourceful heroine as well as totally badass. She is a heroine who saves herself as well as others without submitting to others.

ARCUS

Arcus is the love interest who has secrets to hide. He does not start out lovable at all. In fact, I was kind of confused as to what his point was in the book at first but then I found out. And I did like him but not as much as some guys in books. He was loyal and had good characteristics but I wish he had had more page time because then I would have liked him more.

FRIENDSHIP/FAMILY

Family is an important concept, though it isn't front and center. She wants to get revenge for her mom but she also knows how important other people's families are which is why she hesitates to do a lot of stuff because of them.

PLOT

The plot was similar to Red Queen but it was still it's own book. I loved the scenes which were so vivid and interesting. Yes, the first half of the book it was kind of boring but keep going because it gets so so interesting. And you will want so much more from it. I did at least. I highly recommend it.

ROMANCE

The romance was slow-burn but later it was predictable but I still shipped it. Not as much as some ships but I still enjoyed it. The banter and sarcasm and all of it was so real and cute and I loved it. The romance really worked into the story and wasn't taking over the plot which is something I never like. But it was enjoyable and relaxing and not controlling at all.

WRITING

The writing itself wasn't something I focused on during the reading but it was not bad. It was in first person which was refreshing as I so often read in third person. I also really liked the font on the ebook. I don't know why. It's just pretty.

FINAL THOUGHTS

This was a good book and I will definitely go through with the series. I recommend it especially if you liked Red Queen. It has magic and political intrigue and great characters. Give it a try.

Quotes from the Book:

NONE AT THIS TIME

My Rating: 4 out of 5 Crowns

OTHER BOOKS YOU MIGHT LIKE:

 

WINTER 2017 MOST ANTICIPATED BOOKS!

Hey guys. 

Another most anticipated list because the wrap up to 2016 posts just go on for eternity. These are the books that I am so so excited for during the months of January and February of 2017. These are the books that I am most excited for. There are more that I will probably read. 

Let's get into it. 

JANUARY BOOK RELEASES

    

1.  The Continent by Keira Drake ~ January 3, 2017

I don't know much about this but there was apparently a lot of controversy surrounding it last year so they edited it some and moved the release date to this year. From what I gather, it's about a girl who receives a once in a lifetime chance on her birthday to go to a place called the continent. This is a cold place where two nations are at war. Citizens tour the continent to see the spectacle as in the Spire [where they live] there is no such thing as war anymore. And she wants to improve on her maps of the place. But her life changes and she is stranded there.  It sounds so interesting and I will pick it up even though people have said awful things about it. 

2. The Alchemists of Loom by Elise Kova ~ January 10, 2017

I'm not really familiar with this book at all but it looks so interesting that I will be picking it up nonetheless. It's about a girl whose life changed when the Dragon King took the throne and she wants revenge. I'm not quite sure but I am excited. First I have to read the Air Awakens books. 

3. RoseBlood by A.G. Howard ~ January 10, 2017

This is a Phantom of the Opera retelling and I AM READY! It's about a girl named Rune who has a mistake to hide and her mom sends her to a French arts conservatory in an opera house for her senior year. It apparently is connected to the Phantom of the Opera. She befriends a masked violinist named Thorn and ugh I am ready. It sounds so good. Plus I love A.G. Howard's books so far. 

4. Carve the Mark by Veronica Roth ~ January 17, 2017

I never finished the Divergent trilogy but I have hope for this book. I have heard both bad and good things but I will keep an open mind and read it. This is set in space and sounds like it has a lot of political stuff. 

5. Caraval by Stephanie Garber ~ January 31, 2017

I have heard nothing but good things and I want to read it. There are two sisters who enter a dangerous game. People have said fantastic things about it. 

6. Wires and Nerve Volume 1 by Marissa Meyer ~ January 31, 2017

The Lunar Chronicles are some of my favorite books of all time and this is the first graphic novel about Iko and everyone else will be in it and the pictures and I am so ready. Finally I can see how the author thinks the characters look like. 

FEBRUARY BOOK RELEASES

 

1.  The Burning World by Isaac Marion ~ February 7, 2017

This is the sequel to Warm Bodies which I own and have never read. Yay me. But honestly, I am excited for this because I know that when I finish the first book I will be able to read the second. 

2. To Catch a Killer by Sheryl Scarborough ~ February 7, 2017

This is a Contemporary Thriller about a girl whose mother was murdered so she was taken in by a friend's family. This was a long time ago and now she finds another body and is wrapped up in the mystery and soon people are pointing fingers at her and it sounds so interesting and creepy. I'm ready. 

3. King's Cage by Victoria Aveyard ~ February 7, 2017

This will be an auto buy for me because I need this book. It sounds so intriguing. Mare is captured by Maven and is powerless and her rebels are plotting without her and I am ready for this. [kinda but more Maven = happy heart for me]

4. The Last of August by Brittany Cavalaro ~ February 14, 2017

This is the sequel to A Study in Charlotte and I did not read that one yet but I will get to it within the next couple of months. I am excited for this one because Sherlock Holmes. 

5. The Valiant by Lesley Livingston ~ February 14, 2017

This is about a female gladiator which is something I've never seen before. Lesley Livingston is such a good author and I am ready for this because gladiators and history and female empowerment. I'm ready. 

6. Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller ~ February 28, 2017

Pirate books are something that I never see. I literally only have like five pirate books on my shelves which is sad. But this is about, a seventeen year old female pirate captain. I am ready [I keep repeating that. Whoops]

7. Lifeblood by Gena Showalter ~ February 28, 2016

This is the sequel to Firstlife which ended on a massive cliffhanger and I read it last year. I need this book. It continues and she's gonna be in the afterlife which will be interesting. 

8. Wanted by Betsy Schow ~ February 7, 2016

I actually got an eArc of this and I am currently reading it. I loved the first book which was a retelling of the Wizard of Oz and I read it so long ago that I can't remember anything but I am still enjoying this one. The sass is so real in this. 

That is it for this blogpost. It took a lot longer than I thought it would. I'll see you in a little bit with a book review.