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Seventeen-year-old Smitha has the wealth, status, and beauty that make her the envy of her town—until she rejects a strange man’s marriage proposal and disastrous consequences follow. Smitha becomes cursed, and frost begins to encompass everything she touches. Banished to the hills, hunted by villagers, and chilled to the very core of her soul, she finds companionship with Death, who longs to coax her into his isolated world. But Smitha’s desire for life proves stronger than despair, and a newfound purpose gives her renewed hope. Will regrets over the past and an unexpected desire for a man she cannot touch be enough to warm Smitha’s heart, or will Death forever still it?
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First published September 22, 2015
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About the author
Charlie N. Holmberg
54 books8,775 followersCharlie N. Holmberg is a Wall Street Journal and Amazon Charts bestselling author of fantasy and romance fiction, including the Paper Magician series, the Spellbreaker series, and the Whimbrel House series, and writes contemporary romance under C. N. Holmberg. She is published in over twenty languages and is a Goodreads Choice Award, ALA, and RITA finalist. Born in Salt Lake City, Charlie was raised a Trekkie alongside three sisters who also have boy names. A BYU alumna, she discovered in her thirties that she’s actually a cat person. She lives with her family in Utah. Visit her at www.charlienholmberg.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,139 reviews
April 7, 2023
Reread number 100ish - This must be the 100th time I have read this book and I adore it just as much each time. I just love it! I love how the main character develops, I love the romance, I LOVE THE STORYLINE!!! This book is my happy place!
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I cannot even express how much I loved this book. It has completely stuck with me in the 24 hours since I finished reading it. I keep going over and over it in my head! I have been extremely lucky finding good books this year, and this one is another one to add to the favourites list!
I think the first thing that captured me was the cover. It is beautiful. And having finished and reflected on this book - the cover really captures it perfectly.
I had no idea what to expect from this book, and that made it all the more beautiful. The synopsis peaked my interest - but gave nothing away as to the essence of the book, and I'm extremely glad because it was such a pleasant surprise.
This is predominantly a romance novel, and a beautiful one at that. I don't want to go into the plot much as to give anything away, as the romance somehow caught me unexpectedly and developed so beautifully I was left breathless. I really don't want to spoil it for anyone else by divulging too much, so I will sum it up very briefly. Smitha is 17 years old and is, quite frankly, a bit of a bitch. She is mean to people and thinks herself superior to others in personality and looks. She lives in a small village with her family and conspires with her best friend Ashlan. When a young man named Mordan makes his intentions clear that he wants to marry her, Smitha is absolutely disgusted and is absolutely horrible to him "Surely a toad could hold my interest longer, and be more pleasant to look at". OUCH!!! And turns out she pissed off the wrong man, because unbeknownst to her, Mordan is actually quite a powerful wizard and angrily puts a curse on Smitha, making her the bearer of eternal winter. She is forever cold, everything that she touches turns to ice, and everywhere she goes brings with her a horrible cloud of rain and snow. After people in her village start to die because of the freezing cold, Smitha is forced out to brave the cold alone. However she isn't totally alone, as death has taken an interest in her, and wants her to come with him to reign in the after world.
What a beautiful message this book has! Treat people as you would like to be treated, or perhaps you too will be cursed to brave an eternal winter. Smitha changes so much throughout the novel and it is lovely to see. She morphs from a spoiled brat into a beautiful selfless woman. It is about forgiveness and dealing with the cards in front of you. Not blaming others for the misfortunes in your life.
The writing in this book flows so easily, I absolutely loved it. The romance was just so beautiful. There is always something lovely about a romance where the main character has some problem and is unable to physically touch people. It is impossible, and it makes the tension all the more palpable. I was absolutely SWEPT up in it!
So many young adult novels have let me down lately, but THIS BOOK, Followed By Frost, is the reason I persevere. A beautiful book, with an amazingly beautiful message. I already want to read it again!
"For happiness has wings, and when burdened by the things a man should want, Garen could not reach it."
Many thanks to 47North via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Release Date 22nd September 2015
For more reviews check out my:
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I cannot even express how much I loved this book. It has completely stuck with me in the 24 hours since I finished reading it. I keep going over and over it in my head! I have been extremely lucky finding good books this year, and this one is another one to add to the favourites list!
I think the first thing that captured me was the cover. It is beautiful. And having finished and reflected on this book - the cover really captures it perfectly.
I had no idea what to expect from this book, and that made it all the more beautiful. The synopsis peaked my interest - but gave nothing away as to the essence of the book, and I'm extremely glad because it was such a pleasant surprise.
This is predominantly a romance novel, and a beautiful one at that. I don't want to go into the plot much as to give anything away, as the romance somehow caught me unexpectedly and developed so beautifully I was left breathless. I really don't want to spoil it for anyone else by divulging too much, so I will sum it up very briefly. Smitha is 17 years old and is, quite frankly, a bit of a bitch. She is mean to people and thinks herself superior to others in personality and looks. She lives in a small village with her family and conspires with her best friend Ashlan. When a young man named Mordan makes his intentions clear that he wants to marry her, Smitha is absolutely disgusted and is absolutely horrible to him "Surely a toad could hold my interest longer, and be more pleasant to look at". OUCH!!! And turns out she pissed off the wrong man, because unbeknownst to her, Mordan is actually quite a powerful wizard and angrily puts a curse on Smitha, making her the bearer of eternal winter. She is forever cold, everything that she touches turns to ice, and everywhere she goes brings with her a horrible cloud of rain and snow. After people in her village start to die because of the freezing cold, Smitha is forced out to brave the cold alone. However she isn't totally alone, as death has taken an interest in her, and wants her to come with him to reign in the after world.
What a beautiful message this book has! Treat people as you would like to be treated, or perhaps you too will be cursed to brave an eternal winter. Smitha changes so much throughout the novel and it is lovely to see. She morphs from a spoiled brat into a beautiful selfless woman. It is about forgiveness and dealing with the cards in front of you. Not blaming others for the misfortunes in your life.
The writing in this book flows so easily, I absolutely loved it. The romance was just so beautiful. There is always something lovely about a romance where the main character has some problem and is unable to physically touch people. It is impossible, and it makes the tension all the more palpable. I was absolutely SWEPT up in it!
So many young adult novels have let me down lately, but THIS BOOK, Followed By Frost, is the reason I persevere. A beautiful book, with an amazingly beautiful message. I already want to read it again!
"For happiness has wings, and when burdened by the things a man should want, Garen could not reach it."
Many thanks to 47North via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Release Date 22nd September 2015
For more reviews check out my:
Blog
September 15, 2015
Feminist Alert-
A woman who has been asked out repeatedly by an acquaintance finally turns the guy down roughly. His response? He follows her home from a club the next week and stabs her on the sidewalk outside of her apartment. Should she have said yes? Should she have been more polite? Would it have mattered either way?
In Followed by Frost, Smitha cruelly obliterates the advances of a young wizard who in his anger, curses her.
Did Smitha's punishment fit her crime? Mordan casts a spell on her that in anyone else should have sent her to her death. Smitha overcomes and lives with her curse by sheer will.
Can you see my problem? I can't separate the headlines that I see every week with the fairy tale. This is the moral we are feeding our girls. No wonder so many blame themselves when they are beaten, raped, or both.
Mordan did what many men do to women. This is the take away from Followed By Frost. You'd better be careful with men's feelings, ladies, because they could KILL YOU.
As I'm reading, I'm dealing with this grotesque, out date 1950s moral and then we're introduced the new and improved? Smitha. I am referring to the Smitha who is afraid of her own shadow. This Smitha not just humble, Which is what Holmberg was likely going for, but overly apologetic. This is not graciousness, this is pathetic. There's a difference between being a generous and selfless person and being a doormat.
When writing the new Smitha Holmberg rarely gets it right; mostly it's so wrong it makes my head spin.
A woman who has been asked out repeatedly by an acquaintance finally turns the guy down roughly. His response? He follows her home from a club the next week and stabs her on the sidewalk outside of her apartment. Should she have said yes? Should she have been more polite? Would it have mattered either way?
In Followed by Frost, Smitha cruelly obliterates the advances of a young wizard who in his anger, curses her.
Did Smitha's punishment fit her crime? Mordan casts a spell on her that in anyone else should have sent her to her death. Smitha overcomes and lives with her curse by sheer will.
Can you see my problem? I can't separate the headlines that I see every week with the fairy tale. This is the moral we are feeding our girls. No wonder so many blame themselves when they are beaten, raped, or both.
Mordan did what many men do to women. This is the take away from Followed By Frost. You'd better be careful with men's feelings, ladies, because they could KILL YOU.
As I'm reading, I'm dealing with this grotesque, out date 1950s moral and then we're introduced the new and improved? Smitha. I am referring to the Smitha who is afraid of her own shadow. This Smitha not just humble, Which is what Holmberg was likely going for, but overly apologetic. This is not graciousness, this is pathetic. There's a difference between being a generous and selfless person and being a doormat.
When writing the new Smitha Holmberg rarely gets it right; mostly it's so wrong it makes my head spin.
September 17, 2018
Since this book is currently discounted and I'm nothing if not petty, I figured it was as good a time as any to bump up this old and very salty review of mine.
I wish I had DNF'd this after reading the first 3 chapters. Doing so would've saved me a lot of anger. And time.
Let's back up. Why did Followed by Frost piss me off so much? Why am I even channeling more effort and time into writing an overly-salty review of a book I hated? Doesn't this just mean I'm a bitter, annoying shrew who can't just sit back and enjoy a work of fiction?
I'll attempt to answer the first two questions, at least. You can decide the answer to the third for yourself.
On a basic, structural level, Followed by Frost isn't terrible. I did find the pacing irregular in spots and the characterization weak, but it wasn't anything I'd quit a book over. No, what got my goat with this fairytale-esque fantasy was its messaging and its cloying moral tone. Here's an excerpt:
So. That dude in the above passage is Mordan, a mysterious (and seemingly-young) man who showed up one day in the hometown of Smitha Ronson, the protagonist, and who is employed by her father. For an indeterminate but lengthy amount of time, he's been infatuated with Smitha, hopelessly enamored with her (or with her looks), while she, spoiled teen that she is, is repulsed by his behavior. This exchange happens after Smitha finally rebuffs him openly, rather than simply avoiding him. It only gets more repulsive:
Let's unpack this. Smitha Ronson, a self-absorbed teen, rejects the advances of a creepy, persistent young man - and, unbeknown to her, a wizard. A dramatic, theater- and language-obsessed seventeen-year-old, Smitha not only denies his advances, she pours out what appears to be months of resentment and frustration on him. She wields her words as a weapon, intending to hurt him. From Mordan's reaction, the blows strike true. Does this, bratty as her behavior is characterized by the narration, entitle him to punish her with what would seem a lifelong curse?
I don't know what any one person's answer to the question of the curse's justice would be, but I do imagine it'd reveal how likely they'd be to enjoy this tale. My own reaction - especially after the narration of the story grew more sympathetic to the poor, terribly bruised feelings of Mordan - was a resounding, horrified no.
Have you ever met a teenager? Have you ever been a teenager? Surprisingly enough, teens are still children. They're still developing and growing up. That leads to a fair degree of selfishness and - especially in a well-off, sheltered young girl's life - a lack of perspective. I'm not even going to get into the "likeability" of any of the characters. Honestly, the narration is so heavily skewed against Smitha that any judgment against her almost seems unfair.
Moving further into this messy analysis, there's the gender politics of this story and its world. From the glimpses readers get of the culture in Smitha's village and country, we can gather that her society's attitudes toward gender seem to correlate to earlier centuries' attitudes (and in some cases, current attitudes) toward gender in our own world. With some extrapolation, this would mean that in Smitha's world, society and its institutions would favor the words, actions, and authority of men over women, and that men would largely feel entitled to women's bodies and their labor (emotional and physical).
What's the point of all that verbiage? Well, in our own, very real world, countless women are shamed and blamed for being victims of crimes committed on them by men. When women are hurt through sexual violence or abuse, they face innumerable questions and societal hurdles in seeking even the barest form of justice. Even more horrifying, women are often blamed - whether directly or through insinuation - for causing the crimes committed against them. This leads to irrevocable harm for countless victims.
What the pivotal interaction between Smitha and Mordan and its fallout says is this: Women, be careful with men's feelings. No matter how uncomfortable they make you, pity and appease them. If you reject them, you're selfish and shameful. And if you reject them too harshly, the consequences - which are your own fault, mind you - could be deadly.
And yes, fairytales are often rife with heavy moralizing and not-so-subtle allegory. But this? It's actually kind of difficult for me to believe this got past an editor. And since the above interactions shape the message, themes, and plot of the novel, it's impossible for me to ignore (or forgive).
Also, bonus! In case the victim-blaming wasn't enough for you, there's this lovely tidbit in Smitha's internal monologue near the end (emphasis mine):
Okay. Gotta love that message - sex and childbearing as the elements of utmost importance in any heterosexual relationship - and what it says about the novel's attitudes toward lgbt, disabled, or infertile women. And by love, I mean that I wouldn't have been surprised if steam started to billow out of my ears as it escaped from my infuriated, overheated noggin.
TLDR: Please, if you respect yourself, give this novel a pass. I wish I had.
I wish I had DNF'd this after reading the first 3 chapters. Doing so would've saved me a lot of anger. And time.
Let's back up. Why did Followed by Frost piss me off so much? Why am I even channeling more effort and time into writing an overly-salty review of a book I hated? Doesn't this just mean I'm a bitter, annoying shrew who can't just sit back and enjoy a work of fiction?
I'll attempt to answer the first two questions, at least. You can decide the answer to the third for yourself.
On a basic, structural level, Followed by Frost isn't terrible. I did find the pacing irregular in spots and the characterization weak, but it wasn't anything I'd quit a book over. No, what got my goat with this fairytale-esque fantasy was its messaging and its cloying moral tone. Here's an excerpt:
He laughed―no, growled. The noise that escaped his lips sounded more animal than human. He stepped forward, and I stepped back, my back hitting the trunk of a green-needle pine.
“And to think I felt anything for a woman like you,” he whispered, his face contorting into a snarl. “How blind I have been. Your heart is ice.”
I opened my mouth for a retort, but his hand came down hard on the trunk beside my head. I winced. He leaned in close, a malicious smile on his face.
“If only you knew who I was,” he said, even quieter now. Gooseflesh rose on my arms unbidden. “Now I can see the soul that lies hidden behind your beauty. You are a horrid, selfish woman, Smitha.”
So. That dude in the above passage is Mordan, a mysterious (and seemingly-young) man who showed up one day in the hometown of Smitha Ronson, the protagonist, and who is employed by her father. For an indeterminate but lengthy amount of time, he's been infatuated with Smitha, hopelessly enamored with her (or with her looks), while she, spoiled teen that she is, is repulsed by his behavior. This exchange happens after Smitha finally rebuffs him openly, rather than simply avoiding him. It only gets more repulsive:
"I came her to get away from it, to leave it all behind," he growled. "But I have enough left for you."
"Enough what?" I asked, but his other hand came down on my throat, cutting off my last word. I clung to his wrist and dug my nails into his skin, but he didn't so much as flinch. He stared hard into my eyes, and my fear ignited so abruptly I felt I would turn to ash in his hold.
"Vladanium curso, en nadia tren'al," he murmured. "I curse you, Smitha Ronson, to be as cold as your heart."
...
"May winter follow you wherever you go," he said, "and with the cold, death."
Let's unpack this. Smitha Ronson, a self-absorbed teen, rejects the advances of a creepy, persistent young man - and, unbeknown to her, a wizard. A dramatic, theater- and language-obsessed seventeen-year-old, Smitha not only denies his advances, she pours out what appears to be months of resentment and frustration on him. She wields her words as a weapon, intending to hurt him. From Mordan's reaction, the blows strike true. Does this, bratty as her behavior is characterized by the narration, entitle him to punish her with what would seem a lifelong curse?
I don't know what any one person's answer to the question of the curse's justice would be, but I do imagine it'd reveal how likely they'd be to enjoy this tale. My own reaction - especially after the narration of the story grew more sympathetic to the poor, terribly bruised feelings of Mordan - was a resounding, horrified no.
Have you ever met a teenager? Have you ever been a teenager? Surprisingly enough, teens are still children. They're still developing and growing up. That leads to a fair degree of selfishness and - especially in a well-off, sheltered young girl's life - a lack of perspective. I'm not even going to get into the "likeability" of any of the characters. Honestly, the narration is so heavily skewed against Smitha that any judgment against her almost seems unfair.
Moving further into this messy analysis, there's the gender politics of this story and its world. From the glimpses readers get of the culture in Smitha's village and country, we can gather that her society's attitudes toward gender seem to correlate to earlier centuries' attitudes (and in some cases, current attitudes) toward gender in our own world. With some extrapolation, this would mean that in Smitha's world, society and its institutions would favor the words, actions, and authority of men over women, and that men would largely feel entitled to women's bodies and their labor (emotional and physical).
What's the point of all that verbiage? Well, in our own, very real world, countless women are shamed and blamed for being victims of crimes committed on them by men. When women are hurt through sexual violence or abuse, they face innumerable questions and societal hurdles in seeking even the barest form of justice. Even more horrifying, women are often blamed - whether directly or through insinuation - for causing the crimes committed against them. This leads to irrevocable harm for countless victims.
What the pivotal interaction between Smitha and Mordan and its fallout says is this: Women, be careful with men's feelings. No matter how uncomfortable they make you, pity and appease them. If you reject them, you're selfish and shameful. And if you reject them too harshly, the consequences - which are your own fault, mind you - could be deadly.
And yes, fairytales are often rife with heavy moralizing and not-so-subtle allegory. But this? It's actually kind of difficult for me to believe this got past an editor. And since the above interactions shape the message, themes, and plot of the novel, it's impossible for me to ignore (or forgive).
Also, bonus! In case the victim-blaming wasn't enough for you, there's this lovely tidbit in Smitha's internal monologue near the end (emphasis mine):
But no matter how strong his feelings for me, no man could be happy with a woman followed by frost, who could not be intimate with him or bear him children, who could not so much as sit down for tea without summoning the sharp winds and frigid snows of a deep-winter tempest.
Okay. Gotta love that message - sex and childbearing as the elements of utmost importance in any heterosexual relationship - and what it says about the novel's attitudes toward lgbt, disabled, or infertile women. And by love, I mean that I wouldn't have been surprised if steam started to billow out of my ears as it escaped from my infuriated, overheated noggin.
TLDR: Please, if you respect yourself, give this novel a pass. I wish I had.
November 17, 2015
3.5 Stars!
THIS. This is the book I've been waiting for.
A book I want to stay up all night reading.
A book I want to gush over as my chest burst with feelings.
A book of vivid settings and rich storytelling.
A book full of quirky and beautiful dialogs.
A book that is predominantly romance but reserves its right as a fantasy book.
Despite my high enjoyment level, if I look at this book from a critical view, I can't rate Followed by Frost more than four stars.
Now let's talk about the characters.
Unlike some people, I was able to tolerate Smitha's bratty and shallow attitude and I quite liked it. I just didn't even know how bad it was until she started describing the kind of person she used to be. Consider she was cursed by a wizard to have frost literally live in her heart and a storm to follow her everywhere, you can trust me that it was pretty bad. Living in years of solitude, she had all the time in the world to reflect on her past while scavenging for food and comfort where she could find it. She did become an insecure, biddable, and mushy girl, but it's reasonable, seeing the dire situation she was in. I can't argue with her character development, even if I don't happen to be a big fan of her character.
Death. From the moment Smitha was cursed, Death had designs on her soul and I got the impression that she would go live with him. However, it isn't the case and Smitha ended up on a journey to a different country; all the while, with Death tormenting her. Oh, what a truly wasted character. He had so much potential to be a great antagonist. Furthermore, his actions felt out of place when he became violent with the protagonist in the spur of a moment, but then in the end, he just happens to "help" save her (and himself) without acting on his desire to hit her again. Talk about getting your priorities straight. He was your typical antagonist who engaged you with charm and honesty but possesses no other dimensions. Maybe it was the author's purpose to keep Death one-dimensional, but I didn't care. I would very much like to get to know book antagonists too.
Smitha's love interest is a likable character. Too likable, perhaps. And guess what? No insta-love! Even though I saw it coming (because let's be honest, it's nothing new to me) the romance still sneaked into the cracks of my doubt and showed me the power of love.
ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange an honest review.
THIS. This is the book I've been waiting for.
A book I want to stay up all night reading.
A book I want to gush over as my chest burst with feelings.
A book of vivid settings and rich storytelling.
A book full of quirky and beautiful dialogs.
A book that is predominantly romance but reserves its right as a fantasy book.
Despite my high enjoyment level, if I look at this book from a critical view, I can't rate Followed by Frost more than four stars.
Now let's talk about the characters.
Unlike some people, I was able to tolerate Smitha's bratty and shallow attitude and I quite liked it. I just didn't even know how bad it was until she started describing the kind of person she used to be. Consider she was cursed by a wizard to have frost literally live in her heart and a storm to follow her everywhere, you can trust me that it was pretty bad. Living in years of solitude, she had all the time in the world to reflect on her past while scavenging for food and comfort where she could find it. She did become an insecure, biddable, and mushy girl, but it's reasonable, seeing the dire situation she was in. I can't argue with her character development, even if I don't happen to be a big fan of her character.
Death. From the moment Smitha was cursed, Death had designs on her soul and I got the impression that she would go live with him. However, it isn't the case and Smitha ended up on a journey to a different country; all the while, with Death tormenting her. Oh, what a truly wasted character. He had so much potential to be a great antagonist. Furthermore, his actions felt out of place when he became violent with the protagonist in the spur of a moment, but then in the end, he just happens to "help" save her (and himself) without acting on his desire to hit her again. Talk about getting your priorities straight. He was your typical antagonist who engaged you with charm and honesty but possesses no other dimensions. Maybe it was the author's purpose to keep Death one-dimensional, but I didn't care. I would very much like to get to know book antagonists too.
Smitha's love interest is a likable character. Too likable, perhaps. And guess what? No insta-love! Even though I saw it coming (because let's be honest, it's nothing new to me) the romance still sneaked into the cracks of my doubt and showed me the power of love.
ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange an honest review.
June 13, 2017
What a difference a chapter can make! I did NOT like this story at all in the very beginning. The protagonist, Smitha, was an unlikeable bitch (sorry, but that's the best way to describe her) with no heart and I was ready to throw this one in the DNF pile.
But then...
...her curse ended up being her blessing. And I ended up LOVING "Followed by Frost". Live long and prosper, Charlie N. Holmberg.
June 8, 2017
This is the second Holmeberg novel I've unwittingly wandered into, fooled by Branden Sanderson blurbs, hoping for a fantasy and getting a full fledged romance novel. But a very very chaste one, because just like Sanderson Holmeberg is very obviously operating on LDS "let's not get too sexy in here" standards.
This is fine for me with Sanderson who cannot write two characters with passable sexual chemistry for the life of him but manages deeply complicated fantasy and political intrigue with gusto. I even bought the sweet simple love story Holmeberg presents as all her characters work very hard to be absolutely perfect and inoffensive with their slow moving March towards happiness.
So. Why the low score?
Smitha is cursed to be as cold as her heart in the book's opening and while Holmeberg goes to lengths to portray to as bratty, what she's really cursed for is saying "No." to a man's persistent advances. How dare she! The horror!
Unfortunately real life women often get all sorts of similarly unpleasant but much less fictional things for this very act. We get insulted, spit on, followed, attacked, and sometimes killed by men who think that we owe them our bodies, time, attention and perpetual kindness.
We don't.
Neither did Smitha.
So in my version of this story, dear Smitha would not break her curse by living as an outcast at the whim and kindness of random men until she finally gives up every hope and desire to prove her heart has become less cold. Her heart was never cold to begin with, she may have been a brat, but she had every right to say no. Her heart and her body were Hers.
In my version, Smitha would become a walking snow storm that would hunt Mordan down and turn his guts into icicles. Because that's the kind of girl I am I guess. My story would not be a love story, it would be vengeance. And I suspect that the kind of person that would fall in love with me would be very different than the one who falls in love with the broken lonely thing Smitha becomes.
This is fine for me with Sanderson who cannot write two characters with passable sexual chemistry for the life of him but manages deeply complicated fantasy and political intrigue with gusto. I even bought the sweet simple love story Holmeberg presents as all her characters work very hard to be absolutely perfect and inoffensive with their slow moving March towards happiness.
So. Why the low score?
Smitha is cursed to be as cold as her heart in the book's opening and while Holmeberg goes to lengths to portray to as bratty, what she's really cursed for is saying "No." to a man's persistent advances. How dare she! The horror!
Unfortunately real life women often get all sorts of similarly unpleasant but much less fictional things for this very act. We get insulted, spit on, followed, attacked, and sometimes killed by men who think that we owe them our bodies, time, attention and perpetual kindness.
We don't.
Neither did Smitha.
So in my version of this story, dear Smitha would not break her curse by living as an outcast at the whim and kindness of random men until she finally gives up every hope and desire to prove her heart has become less cold. Her heart was never cold to begin with, she may have been a brat, but she had every right to say no. Her heart and her body were Hers.
In my version, Smitha would become a walking snow storm that would hunt Mordan down and turn his guts into icicles. Because that's the kind of girl I am I guess. My story would not be a love story, it would be vengeance. And I suspect that the kind of person that would fall in love with me would be very different than the one who falls in love with the broken lonely thing Smitha becomes.
May 13, 2018
So, the last couple of days I felt pretty crappy. I felt lonely and depressed. Since I'm not the greatest at expressing my feelings to my friends and family, I occasionally need another outlet. So, I was looking for a book that would make me cry but have a happy ending. Since I had already read the Paper Magician Trilogy by the same author I decided on Followed by Frost and boy did it deliver!
Followed by Frost is a first person narration by Smitha (not a great name choice, but there are always nicknames). She is a selfish, arrogant young girl who gets herself cursed. Said curse forces her to leave her village, her family, all human contact behind. All that is left to her is snow and ice … and her only companion is death himself.
The parts of the book that dealt with her loneliness and suicidal thoughts made me cry so much! It was exactly what I had wanted and needed at that moment. I really felt her devastation and helplessness.
Followed by Frost is in essence a fairy tale about a selfish girl redeeming herself and finding happiness. So, yes, there is a happy ending. And it's all about forgiveness and selflessness. It's cheesy as hell and certainly has some problems, for while Smitha finds her redemption and happiness the one to curse her basically gets away scot free. And Death isn't unproblematic either. But I just didn't care. I wanted to cry and smile by the end, I wanted tons of angst and romance that defeats everything and that's exactly what I got. It's not a masterpiece by any means, but it is a short and sweet read that made me happy … by making me cry. Yeah, I'm slightly emotionally repressed.
Followed by Frost is a first person narration by Smitha (not a great name choice, but there are always nicknames). She is a selfish, arrogant young girl who gets herself cursed. Said curse forces her to leave her village, her family, all human contact behind. All that is left to her is snow and ice … and her only companion is death himself.
The parts of the book that dealt with her loneliness and suicidal thoughts made me cry so much! It was exactly what I had wanted and needed at that moment. I really felt her devastation and helplessness.
Followed by Frost is in essence a fairy tale about a selfish girl redeeming herself and finding happiness. So, yes, there is a happy ending. And it's all about forgiveness and selflessness. It's cheesy as hell and certainly has some problems, for while Smitha finds her redemption and happiness the one to curse her basically gets away scot free. And Death isn't unproblematic either. But I just didn't care. I wanted to cry and smile by the end, I wanted tons of angst and romance that defeats everything and that's exactly what I got. It's not a masterpiece by any means, but it is a short and sweet read that made me happy … by making me cry. Yeah, I'm slightly emotionally repressed.
January 1, 2016
This book snuck up on me. I picked it up because Brandon Sanderson blurbed it, and anyone who knows my reading tastes will know that that's review enough for me. At first, I was feeling a little let down - the book starts slowly and a little unevenly - but by the end of the book, I found myself shying away from touching other people for fear I would freeze them. That's how far this book got into my head, and that in and of itself is a recommendation for it.
The strongest impression I was left with after I finished, from a writing standpoint, was that this is a fairy tale. It's not a fairy tale retelling, but it has the same resonance as one of those original classic stories. Ultimately, Smitha's story is a coming of age/maturation narrative, with a sidebar of romance as a reward for her personal growth. It makes for a beautiful, neatly wrapped up story and a deeply satisfying ending.
However, most of these elements only really come into play until nearly a third of the way into the book. Packed into that first third we get the cursing itself and its immediate aftermath (several chapters), Smitha learning to survive in the wilderness (generally skimmed over), and then relatively quickly she's been out on her own for three years. The detail given to some moments makes the abrupt skipping over long swathes of time more disorienting, and it does a particular disservice to her bizarre relationship with Death. They have scenes, and mentions of other encounters, but there's little sense of continuity or development; much of it is told rather than shown. Death himself is almost under-used as a character: he's a threat, but not a consistent one, and his actual impact is minimal. (The most under-used character is also most prominent in the first third of the book: Mordan, the wizard who curses Smitha. Apart from Smitha realizing that she treated him badly, he's not really relevant after casting his spell. On the one hand, fine - why should he be relevant, when the book is about her growth? But on the other hand - his pursuit of her was clearly out of line, and his decision to curse her seemed as much about bitterness related to his past as anything she actually did, so that felt like one loop the ending did not manage to close.)
While this book is a stand-alone, I'd personally be interested in seeing more of this world, and I can't help but hope that Holmberg's recently announced sale of Magic Bitter, Magic Sweet might be a companion novel of sorts. It probably isn't, but my fingers are crossed anyway. In the meantime, I'll settle for tracking down the Paper Magician books at some point, because Holmberg is definitely a writer I want to see more of.
The strongest impression I was left with after I finished, from a writing standpoint, was that this is a fairy tale. It's not a fairy tale retelling, but it has the same resonance as one of those original classic stories. Ultimately, Smitha's story is a coming of age/maturation narrative, with a sidebar of romance as a reward for her personal growth. It makes for a beautiful, neatly wrapped up story and a deeply satisfying ending.
However, most of these elements only really come into play until nearly a third of the way into the book. Packed into that first third we get the cursing itself and its immediate aftermath (several chapters), Smitha learning to survive in the wilderness (generally skimmed over), and then relatively quickly she's been out on her own for three years. The detail given to some moments makes the abrupt skipping over long swathes of time more disorienting, and it does a particular disservice to her bizarre relationship with Death. They have scenes, and mentions of other encounters, but there's little sense of continuity or development; much of it is told rather than shown. Death himself is almost under-used as a character: he's a threat, but not a consistent one, and his actual impact is minimal. (The most under-used character is also most prominent in the first third of the book: Mordan, the wizard who curses Smitha. Apart from Smitha realizing that she treated him badly, he's not really relevant after casting his spell. On the one hand, fine - why should he be relevant, when the book is about her growth? But on the other hand - his pursuit of her was clearly out of line, and his decision to curse her seemed as much about bitterness related to his past as anything she actually did, so that felt like one loop the ending did not manage to close.)
While this book is a stand-alone, I'd personally be interested in seeing more of this world, and I can't help but hope that Holmberg's recently announced sale of Magic Bitter, Magic Sweet might be a companion novel of sorts. It probably isn't, but my fingers are crossed anyway. In the meantime, I'll settle for tracking down the Paper Magician books at some point, because Holmberg is definitely a writer I want to see more of.
August 5, 2015
Magic.
Wizards.
Ice heart.
Love.
All wrapped up in FOLLOWED BY FROST.
I enjoyed this book! It was a different read than I've read in a long time. From the beginning I knew how the book would play out but I still liked reading it.
Smitha is not a nice person. She's mean and selfish; she has a cold heart. And that's what gets her in trouble with a wizard in disguise. He curses her to always be as cold as her heart. She cries ice, her spit is ice, and yes, all bodily fluids are ice. She's always cold. In a couple of scenes she plays with hot coals that don't burn or give her comfort in heat.
Wherever Smitha goes, storm clouds follow. If she stays too long in one place, it snows heavily. Which isn't great for her little town when spring is just beginning. After the townspeople talk about kicking her out, she saves them the trouble and leaves. Smitha wanders the woods and tries to stay away from villages and towns so as not to drop snow on them. Every so often a town sends men and dogs to kill her so has to run away. Again. She has no friends, no home and no bed. Smitha is utterly alone.
This is when Death finds her. Death is also part of the curse. He was an interesting character. That's all I'm going to stay about him.
One day soldiers come after her. She's terrified and runs but can't escape them. I can't tell you what happens next because it is an interesting twist and the love interest, Lo, is part of this twist.
While the moral story is obvious and out in front, reading Smitha's story is unique and intriguing enough to keep a reader reading. She goes from cruel to kind, self-centered to thinking of others. But it doesn't happen overnight. It takes her years to change and become a better person.
This is a good, clean read that I would recommend to anyway, especially those who enjoy fairytale type stories.
This story reminds me of Beauty and the Beast meets Winter Queen.
Thank you, Ms. Holmberg for following you passion and writing a great story!
Thanks to netgalley for the read!!
Wizards.
Ice heart.
Love.
All wrapped up in FOLLOWED BY FROST.
I enjoyed this book! It was a different read than I've read in a long time. From the beginning I knew how the book would play out but I still liked reading it.
Smitha is not a nice person. She's mean and selfish; she has a cold heart. And that's what gets her in trouble with a wizard in disguise. He curses her to always be as cold as her heart. She cries ice, her spit is ice, and yes, all bodily fluids are ice. She's always cold. In a couple of scenes she plays with hot coals that don't burn or give her comfort in heat.
Wherever Smitha goes, storm clouds follow. If she stays too long in one place, it snows heavily. Which isn't great for her little town when spring is just beginning. After the townspeople talk about kicking her out, she saves them the trouble and leaves. Smitha wanders the woods and tries to stay away from villages and towns so as not to drop snow on them. Every so often a town sends men and dogs to kill her so has to run away. Again. She has no friends, no home and no bed. Smitha is utterly alone.
This is when Death finds her. Death is also part of the curse. He was an interesting character. That's all I'm going to stay about him.
One day soldiers come after her. She's terrified and runs but can't escape them. I can't tell you what happens next because it is an interesting twist and the love interest, Lo, is part of this twist.
While the moral story is obvious and out in front, reading Smitha's story is unique and intriguing enough to keep a reader reading. She goes from cruel to kind, self-centered to thinking of others. But it doesn't happen overnight. It takes her years to change and become a better person.
This is a good, clean read that I would recommend to anyway, especially those who enjoy fairytale type stories.
This story reminds me of Beauty and the Beast meets Winter Queen.
Thank you, Ms. Holmberg for following you passion and writing a great story!
Thanks to netgalley for the read!!
February 8, 2021
9/7/20: 3.5 stars.
Took me too long to read this, but it was fun, though had certain problematic elements. RTC.
2/8/21: Finally sitting down to do this review. So overall, this was a pretty fun book. The main character's journey is painful but consistently engaging to follow, the world is AMAZING, the magical curse is fascinating, and the side characters are all really fun. I'd say my biggest issue with the book is probably pacing, because there were just large chunks of it that felt far too long and dragged—which is saying something because this book isn't even 300 pages long. Still, I had a really good time with it overall, and generally speaking it's 4 star quality. Nothing earth-shattering, but a fun story to sink into.
However, I had one major problem with the story, which knocked the story down half a star. The main character is essentially not a fantastic person when the story starts, and that is why she is cursed by this magical person. Classic set up, right? Except the issue that I took with the story was that it felt very much like the NARRATIVE agreed with this, that because the main character was not nice to people she deserved to have her life destroyed by this cruel man. And I really hate that, because that's a very slippery slope—where does it stop? Do people deserve to be beaten up for being mean? Do people deserve to be sexually assaulted when they're rude to people who are attracted to them? This whole way of thinking is immensely flawed to me, and I do not support it one bit. This theme really hurt my enjoyment enough that it ended up a 3.5 star book for me, and even now, 6 months later, I stand by that rating.
That being said, I do recommend it to people simply for the world, the interactions, the romance, the curse—all of those are impeccable. And it says something that this book made me feel enough things that I remember many details 6 months on.
Took me too long to read this, but it was fun, though had certain problematic elements. RTC.
2/8/21: Finally sitting down to do this review. So overall, this was a pretty fun book. The main character's journey is painful but consistently engaging to follow, the world is AMAZING, the magical curse is fascinating, and the side characters are all really fun. I'd say my biggest issue with the book is probably pacing, because there were just large chunks of it that felt far too long and dragged—which is saying something because this book isn't even 300 pages long. Still, I had a really good time with it overall, and generally speaking it's 4 star quality. Nothing earth-shattering, but a fun story to sink into.
However, I had one major problem with the story, which knocked the story down half a star. The main character is essentially not a fantastic person when the story starts, and that is why she is cursed by this magical person. Classic set up, right? Except the issue that I took with the story was that it felt very much like the NARRATIVE agreed with this, that because the main character was not nice to people she deserved to have her life destroyed by this cruel man. And I really hate that, because that's a very slippery slope—where does it stop? Do people deserve to be beaten up for being mean? Do people deserve to be sexually assaulted when they're rude to people who are attracted to them? This whole way of thinking is immensely flawed to me, and I do not support it one bit. This theme really hurt my enjoyment enough that it ended up a 3.5 star book for me, and even now, 6 months later, I stand by that rating.
That being said, I do recommend it to people simply for the world, the interactions, the romance, the curse—all of those are impeccable. And it says something that this book made me feel enough things that I remember many details 6 months on.
January 2, 2018
AUDIO READ # 1
My worst fucking nightmare
Cursed with a life of constant cold, the elements of snow and ice to comfort my icy soul. Smitha is cursed to roam the land in a blizzard of her own making for rejecting the love of a wizard. Death hounds her repeatedly and she mocks him. Finally she is welcomed by a country that sees rescue and healing in her powers.
I admit I was a bit bummed with the relationship with Death. I mean if Death asks, don't you gotta be friends??? But the narrator did a mediocre job of expressing distance and frustration. Smitha is a determined spirit with a strong will to live. She has her moments of depression (who wouldn't when your every touch turns people into popsicles), but honestly she shows the reader that it doesn't matter the obstacles in one's path. Just don't have a heart three sizes too small.
Also, I just realized this was written by the author of The Paper Magician, so there's that.
My worst fucking nightmare
Cursed with a life of constant cold, the elements of snow and ice to comfort my icy soul. Smitha is cursed to roam the land in a blizzard of her own making for rejecting the love of a wizard. Death hounds her repeatedly and she mocks him. Finally she is welcomed by a country that sees rescue and healing in her powers.
I admit I was a bit bummed with the relationship with Death. I mean if Death asks, don't you gotta be friends??? But the narrator did a mediocre job of expressing distance and frustration. Smitha is a determined spirit with a strong will to live. She has her moments of depression (who wouldn't when your every touch turns people into popsicles), but honestly she shows the reader that it doesn't matter the obstacles in one's path. Just don't have a heart three sizes too small.
Also, I just realized this was written by the author of The Paper Magician, so there's that.
April 16, 2018
***** 4 Stars *****
I had a difficult time reading this book in the beginning. The story started with the main character being vain, selfish, and self-absorbed. But all this was necessary to explain how Smitha received her curse.
Snow followed her, and everything she touched would frost. Eventually her curse kicked her out of her village, and her only choice was to live her days alone. For years, she thought about her actions in the past, and regretted some of the things she's done. But one group wants her help, and her decision leads her to an incredible journey.
I loved the overall plot and lesson of the story. It teaches the power of love and generosity. I also appreciated how the romance between the characters grew from just getting to know each other at an intellectual level. I highly recommend this book for young adults, and I can't wait to read more books by Charlie N. Holmberg.
I had a difficult time reading this book in the beginning. The story started with the main character being vain, selfish, and self-absorbed. But all this was necessary to explain how Smitha received her curse.
Snow followed her, and everything she touched would frost. Eventually her curse kicked her out of her village, and her only choice was to live her days alone. For years, she thought about her actions in the past, and regretted some of the things she's done. But one group wants her help, and her decision leads her to an incredible journey.
I loved the overall plot and lesson of the story. It teaches the power of love and generosity. I also appreciated how the romance between the characters grew from just getting to know each other at an intellectual level. I highly recommend this book for young adults, and I can't wait to read more books by Charlie N. Holmberg.
April 27, 2017
I really enjoyed this book! The main character, "Misa" went through such a transformation- in a positive way that it felt so redemptive in the end. I was literally on a journey with her. A very cold journey. It brought to mind so many valuable lessons- about having a purpose and being needed, forgiveness, sacrifice, facing your fears, kindness and love.
I loved that this book ended. No next book to keep me waiting, no cliff hanger. Just a good, solid, satisfying ending. I was really glad to have a warm blanket to snuggle into while reading this book. It seriously made me cold.
I picked this one up free on Amazon on recommendation from Kim! Thanks, Kim!
I'm going to check into more books by this author.
Content: some violence, some mild innuendo, kissing
I loved that this book ended. No next book to keep me waiting, no cliff hanger. Just a good, solid, satisfying ending. I was really glad to have a warm blanket to snuggle into while reading this book. It seriously made me cold.
I picked this one up free on Amazon on recommendation from Kim! Thanks, Kim!
I'm going to check into more books by this author.
Content: some violence, some mild innuendo, kissing
November 13, 2018
Holmberg proves herself as the master of imaginative and unique worlds over and over again. She writes some of the most crazily clever and awe-inspiring stories I have ever had the privilege of reading. I love that diving into her books means never knowing what is around the corner. She has a knack for keeping you on your toes while simultaneously engaging you so completely that it feel impossible to put her books down. I have no idea how she does but it is captivating and I bow to her skill. Honestly, whatever she writes will instantly be on my wishlist.
Followed by Frost was no exception. I have no idea what I thought it was about before going in but it was certainly not the story I got. What a ride! This story has this lush fairytale vibe to it which was perfect for the story it was weaving. At its heart, this story is almost completely character-driven. A lot of the story could be seen as repetitive since - to put it bluntly - the story focuses on how Smitha lives day-to-day life with her terrible curse. I was very worried at first that Smitha would prove to be a rather irritable protagonist. However, I failed to realise at that point that Smitha actually needed to be unlikable at first. The entire point of her being cursed was that she was a rude, selfish and judgemental person who needed to learn an important lesson - which is why her character development is the most central and important aspect of the story. The beauty of having a seemingly simplistic storyline is that it allowed us to see her character development more clearly. We got to really dive into her struggles and the way this challenged her thought processes and personality, forcing her to mature over the years. If you know me at all, you know how much I appreciate and adore character development, especially when it was so ingrained into the plotline. The entire premise of this book worked wonders for me, and I came to truly care for Smitha. In fact, I think she is one of my favourite female protagonists of the year.
Lo was also the perfect romantic interest for me. He was everything I love: kind, patient, loyal. Normally, the silent soldier type is synonymous with broody hot guy with an alpha male complex but Lo was not like that at all. He embodied everything that this character should be - thoughtful, introverted, serious, intelligent - and brought it to life. I absolutely came to adore him. He had the ability to see past the physical and understand a person as they truly were. People that can do that are a godsend in YA! Lo did make sure that Smitha was protected and safe but this was never done in a way that made me uncomfortable or was used to further any romantic tension between them. It was purely because he knew that Smitha didn’t want to be alone but didn’t know how to voice it. This level of thoughtfulness made me swoon! I wish we had more sweet ‘good guy’ types of LIs in NA. I honestly fell for Lo completely!
On top of all that positivity, I found the world-building perfect, the writing breathtakingly gorgeous and the story gets extra diversity points for having an interracial romance! The only negative thing I would say about this is that the storyline was a little bit slow-paced for the first quarter or so.
Overall?
Followed by Frost was a beautifully written fantasy that I did not expect to adore as much as I did. I fell in love with Smitha and Lo and their developing relationship. I thought the world and story were unique and clever. I don’t really have anything more to say other than it has my highest recommendation. Go read it!
Review copy provided by the publisher for an honest review.
Followed by Frost was no exception. I have no idea what I thought it was about before going in but it was certainly not the story I got. What a ride! This story has this lush fairytale vibe to it which was perfect for the story it was weaving. At its heart, this story is almost completely character-driven. A lot of the story could be seen as repetitive since - to put it bluntly - the story focuses on how Smitha lives day-to-day life with her terrible curse. I was very worried at first that Smitha would prove to be a rather irritable protagonist. However, I failed to realise at that point that Smitha actually needed to be unlikable at first. The entire point of her being cursed was that she was a rude, selfish and judgemental person who needed to learn an important lesson - which is why her character development is the most central and important aspect of the story. The beauty of having a seemingly simplistic storyline is that it allowed us to see her character development more clearly. We got to really dive into her struggles and the way this challenged her thought processes and personality, forcing her to mature over the years. If you know me at all, you know how much I appreciate and adore character development, especially when it was so ingrained into the plotline. The entire premise of this book worked wonders for me, and I came to truly care for Smitha. In fact, I think she is one of my favourite female protagonists of the year.
Lo was also the perfect romantic interest for me. He was everything I love: kind, patient, loyal. Normally, the silent soldier type is synonymous with broody hot guy with an alpha male complex but Lo was not like that at all. He embodied everything that this character should be - thoughtful, introverted, serious, intelligent - and brought it to life. I absolutely came to adore him. He had the ability to see past the physical and understand a person as they truly were. People that can do that are a godsend in YA! Lo did make sure that Smitha was protected and safe but this was never done in a way that made me uncomfortable or was used to further any romantic tension between them. It was purely because he knew that Smitha didn’t want to be alone but didn’t know how to voice it. This level of thoughtfulness made me swoon! I wish we had more sweet ‘good guy’ types of LIs in NA. I honestly fell for Lo completely!
On top of all that positivity, I found the world-building perfect, the writing breathtakingly gorgeous and the story gets extra diversity points for having an interracial romance! The only negative thing I would say about this is that the storyline was a little bit slow-paced for the first quarter or so.
Overall?
Followed by Frost was a beautifully written fantasy that I did not expect to adore as much as I did. I fell in love with Smitha and Lo and their developing relationship. I thought the world and story were unique and clever. I don’t really have anything more to say other than it has my highest recommendation. Go read it!
Review copy provided by the publisher for an honest review.
June 5, 2020
2015 Whitney Award Finalist for Speculative Young Adult Fiction. 2016 Rita Award Nominee for Best Young Adult Romance.
Why did I take so long to finally read this? This was one EPIC fable!!! There are many titles that I have rated 5 stars that I will probably never reread. This is one that I want to get a hardcopy of to put on my shelf that I will reread over and over again till it is worn down like the books the heroine in the novel has loved and read hundreds of times.
The book description totally does not prepare you for the amazing world building which soars even faster in awesome layout after the first third of the book. The plot turned out to be totally different and original to my surprise and not a retelling of any popular fable or fairytale, as I first thought it would be.
Smitha the heroine was a selfish conceited cruelly clueless teen at the beginning. The character arc transformation over four years to becoming the most selfless young woman willing to give and sacrifice all she possesses physically, psychologically, personal possessions/financially, and even the giving up of her own life if necessary for strangers and acquaintances alike was beautiful and believable. The journey of survival to her happily ever after is extremely physically and emotionally hard and harsh. It sometimes seems too cruel to live through, and not want to quit yet Smitha has a will to live. It made an happily ever after that is earned and deserved instead of just given easily. The additional romantic happily ever after that creeps up so gradually up on you the reader and the heroine during the novel is all the more super swoony and sigh worthy because of transformative journey of the heroine. The love between Smitha and her hero is magnifique and splendorous.
Sensuality content: Clean. The nature of the heroine's curse causing her touch to cause death kept it clean by default. Some kisses and embracing.
Source: My purchased library.
Why did I take so long to finally read this? This was one EPIC fable!!! There are many titles that I have rated 5 stars that I will probably never reread. This is one that I want to get a hardcopy of to put on my shelf that I will reread over and over again till it is worn down like the books the heroine in the novel has loved and read hundreds of times.
The book description totally does not prepare you for the amazing world building which soars even faster in awesome layout after the first third of the book. The plot turned out to be totally different and original to my surprise and not a retelling of any popular fable or fairytale, as I first thought it would be.
Smitha the heroine was a selfish conceited cruelly clueless teen at the beginning. The character arc transformation over four years to becoming the most selfless young woman willing to give and sacrifice all she possesses physically, psychologically, personal possessions/financially, and even the giving up of her own life if necessary for strangers and acquaintances alike was beautiful and believable. The journey of survival to her happily ever after is extremely physically and emotionally hard and harsh. It sometimes seems too cruel to live through, and not want to quit yet Smitha has a will to live. It made an happily ever after that is earned and deserved instead of just given easily. The additional romantic happily ever after that creeps up so gradually up on you the reader and the heroine during the novel is all the more super swoony and sigh worthy because of transformative journey of the heroine. The love between Smitha and her hero is magnifique and splendorous.
Sensuality content: Clean. The nature of the heroine's curse causing her touch to cause death kept it clean by default. Some kisses and embracing.
Source: My purchased library.
December 16, 2015
Reminiscent of Frozen and The Snow Queen -- the book that that popular children's movie is loosely based upon -- and featuring Death personified, I knew I was going to enjoy this novel. And I did...just maybe not as much as her other series about magicians.
This book kept me on the surface...I never felt the pull of the story. The characters and the romance were fine. It's basically the story of Smitha's redemption and it pretty much reminded me of the end of Frozen when Elsa realizes that love is the answer to thawing everything out. But this book wasn't nearly as endearing or heartwarming. It has its moments, but Smitha just started out as such a terrible, spoiled, spiteful girl that it was hard to form any attachment to her. Eventually, I did, but it made the first half of the book very slow. Even the promise of Death as a companion couldn't save it in the beginning, but I'm glad I stuck it out because Smitha's growth as a character is significant and worth the wait.
Followed by Frost was a fast listen and worth a shot if you've enjoyed the previous books by this author. Just don't expect it to surpass them.
This book kept me on the surface...I never felt the pull of the story. The characters and the romance were fine. It's basically the story of Smitha's redemption and it pretty much reminded me of the end of Frozen when Elsa realizes that love is the answer to thawing everything out. But this book wasn't nearly as endearing or heartwarming. It has its moments, but Smitha just started out as such a terrible, spoiled, spiteful girl that it was hard to form any attachment to her. Eventually, I did, but it made the first half of the book very slow. Even the promise of Death as a companion couldn't save it in the beginning, but I'm glad I stuck it out because Smitha's growth as a character is significant and worth the wait.
Followed by Frost was a fast listen and worth a shot if you've enjoyed the previous books by this author. Just don't expect it to surpass them.
November 13, 2022
Hands down one of my favorite books. It such a simple and heartfelt fairy tale. I would never say I'm a big fan of Ice Queen retellings, I don't even like Elsa, but I really like this one. I like our characters and the Middle Eastern setting.
February 9, 2017
***3.5 Stars***
Heads up! There may be some teensy spoilers in this review.
I think this could have been a solid 4 star read had it started a little differently, so let's get this part out of the way immediately. I had a hard time buying that a teenage girl refusing the attentions of a young man she barely spoke to was enough motive to warrant this curse. Yes Smitha was a brat, yes she could have been a little more compassionate, but seriously Mordan? Learn how to pick up on social clues you big dummy. You catch her sneaking/running away from the house when you are invited to dinner, she avoids you walking down the road. I mean, come on, you should not have been surprised at all that she stood you up when you invited her on a romantic rendezvous. And while Smitha was a bit of a prima dona, I don't think she was overly cold hearted. I mean, as soon as she found out a young boy was sick, presumably from her ever present winter storm, she rushed to check on him. And she tried to stay safely distanced from any villages so as not to cause any more harm. It just doesn't really fit with the "cold hearted" theme in my opinion.
And what of the mages and the mage war? They were mentioned in the first part of the book (obviously---curse, hello?) but then nothing. I thought eventually somehow it would come back to it, with it being mentioned that Mordan (the curse giver) was on the run from the north (the mage territory) for some mysterious reason. But no, that never really played another part in the story line. I thought that was a little loose ended, but maybe that was intentional.
Okay, now that that part is out of the way let me get to the things I liked/loved.
Smitha is absolutely a Daenerys/Elsa mash up.
I actually ended up really liking Smitha. I'm glad the author took the curse in a little different direction than I thought she would by having Smitha feel the terrible, ceaseless cold. It surrounded her always, for miles in either direction deep winter was her constant companion. She was unable to eat properly because food froze in her mouth, she was never able to bathe because the water turned to ice on her skin. Something as necessary as using the bathroom became a harrowing chore. Can imagine never being able to warm you hands or feet or nose? Never able to enjoy food again because it turned to icy slush in you mouth? Never being able touch another living person? Think of the misery that she must have endured. But Smitha bore it. She did think a few times about giving up, about throwing in the towel and letting Death take her, about shedding her curse and her life, but she found that her will to survive, to live was greater than any curse. I think she showed really great growth from beginning to end. Like I said previously, I don't think that Smitha was a bad person to begin with, just young and self centered, but she matured and grew into herself very nicely.
And speaking of Death, Sadriel greatly disappointed me in the end. Sadriel aka Death became Smitha's one companion for a time. Smitha, with her curse, was no longer quite mortal and because of that she was able to see Death in all of his creepy glory (I totally pictured him as Johnny Depp's Mad Hatter, only a little less whimsical.) Sadriel is lonely. Death has no friends other than the deceased so Smitha becomes something of an obsession to him. He wants to take her and keep her as his companion. He tempts her with finery beyond her imagination, he tempts her with a blessed relief from her curse, and while he nearly sways her after 3 years of suffering alone in the forest, she doesn't succomb to the allure of all that he has to offer. Instead, she finds a better offer. One that involves princes and heads of security. Death does not handle the rejection very well at all. I want to say that he redeemed himself a bit at the end but is there ever really any redemption for Death? I just don't know.
Back to princes and such.
Imad, a prince from the south has need of Smitha. Her curse could help save his people. So he hunts her down and offers to take her home with him, provide her shelter and whatever else she needs if only she'll help them. And while Imad is a very nice prince, it's his head of security Lo that ends up being the Hero of this story.
Lo, who is able to look past Smitha's curse and see a person worth knowing. He offers her friendship and books, because you know the way to every girl's heart is through books, and perhaps something more.
But could someone ever really love a person with a heart as cold as Smitha's, a person who could kill with a single touch?
Well, I think you may have to read it to find out...
PS. I don't always cast book characters but these were so clearly embedded in my brain while reading I had to share :)
Heads up! There may be some teensy spoilers in this review.
I think this could have been a solid 4 star read had it started a little differently, so let's get this part out of the way immediately. I had a hard time buying that a teenage girl refusing the attentions of a young man she barely spoke to was enough motive to warrant this curse. Yes Smitha was a brat, yes she could have been a little more compassionate, but seriously Mordan? Learn how to pick up on social clues you big dummy. You catch her sneaking/running away from the house when you are invited to dinner, she avoids you walking down the road. I mean, come on, you should not have been surprised at all that she stood you up when you invited her on a romantic rendezvous. And while Smitha was a bit of a prima dona, I don't think she was overly cold hearted. I mean, as soon as she found out a young boy was sick, presumably from her ever present winter storm, she rushed to check on him. And she tried to stay safely distanced from any villages so as not to cause any more harm. It just doesn't really fit with the "cold hearted" theme in my opinion.
And what of the mages and the mage war? They were mentioned in the first part of the book (obviously---curse, hello?) but then nothing. I thought eventually somehow it would come back to it, with it being mentioned that Mordan (the curse giver) was on the run from the north (the mage territory) for some mysterious reason. But no, that never really played another part in the story line. I thought that was a little loose ended, but maybe that was intentional.
Okay, now that that part is out of the way let me get to the things I liked/loved.
Smitha is absolutely a Daenerys/Elsa mash up.
I actually ended up really liking Smitha. I'm glad the author took the curse in a little different direction than I thought she would by having Smitha feel the terrible, ceaseless cold. It surrounded her always, for miles in either direction deep winter was her constant companion. She was unable to eat properly because food froze in her mouth, she was never able to bathe because the water turned to ice on her skin. Something as necessary as using the bathroom became a harrowing chore. Can imagine never being able to warm you hands or feet or nose? Never able to enjoy food again because it turned to icy slush in you mouth? Never being able touch another living person? Think of the misery that she must have endured. But Smitha bore it. She did think a few times about giving up, about throwing in the towel and letting Death take her, about shedding her curse and her life, but she found that her will to survive, to live was greater than any curse. I think she showed really great growth from beginning to end. Like I said previously, I don't think that Smitha was a bad person to begin with, just young and self centered, but she matured and grew into herself very nicely.
And speaking of Death, Sadriel greatly disappointed me in the end. Sadriel aka Death became Smitha's one companion for a time. Smitha, with her curse, was no longer quite mortal and because of that she was able to see Death in all of his creepy glory (I totally pictured him as Johnny Depp's Mad Hatter, only a little less whimsical.) Sadriel is lonely. Death has no friends other than the deceased so Smitha becomes something of an obsession to him. He wants to take her and keep her as his companion. He tempts her with finery beyond her imagination, he tempts her with a blessed relief from her curse, and while he nearly sways her after 3 years of suffering alone in the forest, she doesn't succomb to the allure of all that he has to offer. Instead, she finds a better offer. One that involves princes and heads of security. Death does not handle the rejection very well at all. I want to say that he redeemed himself a bit at the end but is there ever really any redemption for Death? I just don't know.
Back to princes and such.
Imad, a prince from the south has need of Smitha. Her curse could help save his people. So he hunts her down and offers to take her home with him, provide her shelter and whatever else she needs if only she'll help them. And while Imad is a very nice prince, it's his head of security Lo that ends up being the Hero of this story.
Lo, who is able to look past Smitha's curse and see a person worth knowing. He offers her friendship and books, because you know the way to every girl's heart is through books, and perhaps something more.
But could someone ever really love a person with a heart as cold as Smitha's, a person who could kill with a single touch?
Well, I think you may have to read it to find out...
PS. I don't always cast book characters but these were so clearly embedded in my brain while reading I had to share :)
September 22, 2015
Unfortunately, I think it's time for this author and I to break up.
As with her other books, while the ideas and concepts are fantastic, the execution really falls flat for me each time.
My first issue with the book is more of a personal peeve, however - and it's what I like to call the Ye Olde English style of the writing. Now I know almost all fantasies are written this way, particularly the more historical ones, but some authors seem to get it spot on, and with others it just sounds a little cheesy. In this case, for me, it was the latter.
The main character, initially, is an utter brat. She doesn't appear to have any good qualities, or if she did, they aren't visible to the reader. I'm all for flawed, imperfect characters, but not to the extent where they're one dimensional. She's super rude to the boy who likes her - instead of just telling him outright she wants nothing to do with him, she just makes bitchy comments and strings him along.
Enjoy this section of quotes to demonstrate my point:
I knew I was pretty, with a heart-shaped face free of blemishes, a small nose, and big green eyes.
I hoped she wouldn't butter them. Mother gained weight in the most unsightly of places.
She considered this for a moment but ultimately shook her head and returned to refining her mediocre talents as an artist. (In reference to her sister.)
He had not been the first man I had left waiting for me - I suppose it gave me a sense of power, even amusement, to push would-be lovers about as though they were nothing more than checkers on a board.
I did enjoy some aspects of the MC's travels to new lands, as well as the people she meets - although the desert culture she encounters is pretty much transplanted from our real word Middle Eastern cultures. I also liked how the author addressed the practicalities of being a person of ice who freezes everything around her - which makes eating, drinking, washing clothes and other activities very difficult indeed.
The ultimate redemption, though, turns our character a complete 180 degrees, and she ends up like some kind of martyr Mary Sue. Also, I was a tad disgruntled with the fact that pretty much the highest calling/aspiration/path to happiness for women in this story were babies and marriage.
So, overall, while the journey was absorbing, I had too many issues with the character development and writing style.
ARC received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Quotes taken from uncorrected proof and may differ from final publication.
As with her other books, while the ideas and concepts are fantastic, the execution really falls flat for me each time.
My first issue with the book is more of a personal peeve, however - and it's what I like to call the Ye Olde English style of the writing. Now I know almost all fantasies are written this way, particularly the more historical ones, but some authors seem to get it spot on, and with others it just sounds a little cheesy. In this case, for me, it was the latter.
The main character, initially, is an utter brat. She doesn't appear to have any good qualities, or if she did, they aren't visible to the reader. I'm all for flawed, imperfect characters, but not to the extent where they're one dimensional. She's super rude to the boy who likes her - instead of just telling him outright she wants nothing to do with him, she just makes bitchy comments and strings him along.
Enjoy this section of quotes to demonstrate my point:
I knew I was pretty, with a heart-shaped face free of blemishes, a small nose, and big green eyes.
I hoped she wouldn't butter them. Mother gained weight in the most unsightly of places.
She considered this for a moment but ultimately shook her head and returned to refining her mediocre talents as an artist. (In reference to her sister.)
He had not been the first man I had left waiting for me - I suppose it gave me a sense of power, even amusement, to push would-be lovers about as though they were nothing more than checkers on a board.
I did enjoy some aspects of the MC's travels to new lands, as well as the people she meets - although the desert culture she encounters is pretty much transplanted from our real word Middle Eastern cultures. I also liked how the author addressed the practicalities of being a person of ice who freezes everything around her - which makes eating, drinking, washing clothes and other activities very difficult indeed.
The ultimate redemption, though, turns our character a complete 180 degrees, and she ends up like some kind of martyr Mary Sue. Also, I was a tad disgruntled with the fact that pretty much the highest calling/aspiration/path to happiness for women in this story were babies and marriage.
So, overall, while the journey was absorbing, I had too many issues with the character development and writing style.
ARC received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Quotes taken from uncorrected proof and may differ from final publication.
March 10, 2018
I picked this book up as a palate cleanser while a Northeastern was raging outside. Turns out it was a quick read and very fitting for the weather. However, while I did quite enjoy the story I found myself waffling on how to rate the book because I have such mixed feelings.
Part of me wants to give this book a 1 for the message in the beginning. Smitha is brains and beauty, but because of this she is rather vain and sort of despicable in her attitude. Admittedly, I didn't like her, but I feel like she was a product of her environment. She really is no different than most teenage girls that are spoiled and popular. Smitha essentially gets stalked and put into an uncomfortable situation resulting in her lashing out and getting cursed. Could she have been nicer in her rejection? Yes, of course. But, did she actually deserve what happened to her? Hell no! At no time does it seem like the character gave mixed signals and while, she didn't directly say "I don't like you" her behavior certainly said it. This part of the book made me so angry, as I don't feel women have to be nice all the time and just because they aren't nice doesn't mean they should be met with violence. There are actually two times when Smitha experiences violence and the second time, she was much nicer and yet still the rejection is met with violence.
Aside from the cause of the curse, I did actually like Smitha's character development. I felt her despair, her loneliness, and ultimately, her change in attitude. I also very much enjoyed the storyline that got her there, which is why the other part of me wants to give this book 4 stars.
I ultimately settled on 3 stars because I did really enjoy the journey even if I didn't necessarily like the message. I appreciated the world building as well, even though I would've liked a little more on the magical aspect of the story and some resolution on the jilted person who caused the cursed.
Part of me wants to give this book a 1 for the message in the beginning. Smitha is brains and beauty, but because of this she is rather vain and sort of despicable in her attitude. Admittedly, I didn't like her, but I feel like she was a product of her environment. She really is no different than most teenage girls that are spoiled and popular. Smitha essentially gets stalked and put into an uncomfortable situation resulting in her lashing out and getting cursed. Could she have been nicer in her rejection? Yes, of course. But, did she actually deserve what happened to her? Hell no! At no time does it seem like the character gave mixed signals and while, she didn't directly say "I don't like you" her behavior certainly said it. This part of the book made me so angry, as I don't feel women have to be nice all the time and just because they aren't nice doesn't mean they should be met with violence. There are actually two times when Smitha experiences violence and the second time, she was much nicer and yet still the rejection is met with violence.
Aside from the cause of the curse, I did actually like Smitha's character development. I felt her despair, her loneliness, and ultimately, her change in attitude. I also very much enjoyed the storyline that got her there, which is why the other part of me wants to give this book 4 stars.
I ultimately settled on 3 stars because I did really enjoy the journey even if I didn't necessarily like the message. I appreciated the world building as well, even though I would've liked a little more on the magical aspect of the story and some resolution on the jilted person who caused the cursed.
August 15, 2017
I'm always curious as to how authors come up with different ways to spin such a beloved classic and in this case, it's Beauty and the Beast, but opposite. This story is definitely different and every enjoyable and I love that it has those few familiar components.
Smitha is the one who is cursed and her curse of being as cold as her heart is placed on her by a spurned magician. Can you imagine? Of course, it takes some time to humble Smitha and her journey is both heartbreaking and enlightening. I had so many questions while reading this and the outcome left me with even more (hence, the 4 stars). Death is an interesting aspect and her desire to live, even in a miserable and cursed state, is heartening.
This is my first book by Holmberg and I have to say that I was entranced by the imagery that popped into my mind through her vividly descriptive words. She can really tell a tale and paint mental pictures that explode off the pages.
Content: mild romance (passionate kissing, some light innuendo); mild language (2-3 words); mild violence.
Smitha is the one who is cursed and her curse of being as cold as her heart is placed on her by a spurned magician. Can you imagine? Of course, it takes some time to humble Smitha and her journey is both heartbreaking and enlightening. I had so many questions while reading this and the outcome left me with even more (hence, the 4 stars). Death is an interesting aspect and her desire to live, even in a miserable and cursed state, is heartening.
This is my first book by Holmberg and I have to say that I was entranced by the imagery that popped into my mind through her vividly descriptive words. She can really tell a tale and paint mental pictures that explode off the pages.
Content: mild romance (passionate kissing, some light innuendo); mild language (2-3 words); mild violence.
August 6, 2016
Sooooo good!!!
I LOVED this book!!!!!! I love how it was different than all the other books I've read in a long time. I enjoyed all the characters and how they developed throughout the story. I laughed and cried reading this book and I can't wait to read more from this author.
I LOVED this book!!!!!! I love how it was different than all the other books I've read in a long time. I enjoyed all the characters and how they developed throughout the story. I laughed and cried reading this book and I can't wait to read more from this author.
January 15, 2020
What a great read I loved how this author let the story flow and didn't waste my time trying to make the story bigger filling the book with unnecessary chapters for the sake of more pages it was perfect just the way it was great read loved it would read it again.
January 14, 2024
“I always saw novels as an outlet for which the mind can escape this world, not be tethered to it.”
This book, as all of Charlie’s books do, swept me away. There is something that is just so whimsical and magical about her writing.
I was instantly drawn into this story, to its characters, and the world. The plot is fascinating and I wasn’t sure where this story would lead. Towards the end, I was hopeful and Charlie did not disappoint.
This book should be a classic — fairytale, romance, and a redemption story all tied into one.
A beautiful story! Fantasy books will always be my go to. There is just something so special about them. ✨
My only complaint was how abrupt one of the scenes is near the last quarter of the book. I would have thought such a pivotal point in the plot would have been more in depth. I did like the suspense associated to this scene, I just craved a little more from it; a better transition! But a perfect ending, indeed!
I really enjoyed this book. Rounding up because this author is top notch to me. I love her writing; so whimsical and Charlie always sweeps me away to whatever world she creates. Pure magic.
“Happiness had wings; I could only hope to be the wind that helped him fly.”
This book, as all of Charlie’s books do, swept me away. There is something that is just so whimsical and magical about her writing.
I was instantly drawn into this story, to its characters, and the world. The plot is fascinating and I wasn’t sure where this story would lead. Towards the end, I was hopeful and Charlie did not disappoint.
This book should be a classic — fairytale, romance, and a redemption story all tied into one.
A beautiful story! Fantasy books will always be my go to. There is just something so special about them. ✨
My only complaint was how abrupt one of the scenes is near the last quarter of the book. I would have thought such a pivotal point in the plot would have been more in depth. I did like the suspense associated to this scene, I just craved a little more from it; a better transition! But a perfect ending, indeed!
I really enjoyed this book. Rounding up because this author is top notch to me. I love her writing; so whimsical and Charlie always sweeps me away to whatever world she creates. Pure magic.
“Happiness had wings; I could only hope to be the wind that helped him fly.”
July 26, 2015
Thanks NetGally for the opportunity to early review this Book. Lately I got few of this opportunities from Netgally, and I really had good surprises. This Book is one of this surprises.
The has this atmosphere of Folk legend - The Heroine - 17-year-old Smitha was very beautiful and too smart(for example, she had this talent for foreigner languages and even invented a hand sign one - this capability will be handy in the future) for her own good. In her pride (The sin of hubris), she used to look on every body in her village, Euwan, down her nose (nobody was more beautiful nor smarter then her). It really didn't matter if the person was family friend or other, he was there only to been used by her. Her cruelty, selfishness didn't know limits and she got her way because people loved her and tend to forgive her most of the time.But one day she took her treats too far and she got punished.
She succeed to anger a wizard.
Every body used to be afraid from wizards, even in this pats of her world, wizards were unseen. They supposedly to live far away in the unclaimed land in the north. They were know to be very capricious, people and very dangerous, so nobody want to meet one. To seek one considered very foolish, and it can lead that all the village can be cursed.
25 years old Mordan, appeared one day, during the fall harvest, in their Euwan, carrying only one filthy cloth bag. Nobody know where he came from and why he came. Smitha's father is wealthy wainwright and he took pity on Mordan and accept him to work at his tunery. Mordan was his single employee and he immediately fell for Smitha. Smitha didn't liked this at all. She tried to ignore him as much she can sending him all the sign that she is totally not interested. Mordan didn't got the message. When he started to hint that he want more from her, she got stressed.
She didn't want to give him a chance as she think that he is too ridiculous. She was harsh. She treated him and his love really meanly and none respectfully, she got cursed.
Mordan's cursed her to be as cold as her heart! that winter will follow her wherever she go and death will follow the cold.
She never felt so cold in her life and she will never be. She was so cold that that every thing she touched, freezed or covered by ice. Her own body and hair turned white, losing it's softness and flexibility. Her cloths turned stiff from cold on her body frame. Her tears froze on her face and her blood flow sluggishly in her veins. She couldn't touch anybody and she had to eat very fast before the food will freeze in her hands. Taking a shower was a real project - as the water freeze after awhile.In fact doing thing was almost impossible.
In her miserable tries to get warm she could put her hand into the fire without getting burned,but also, without getting warmed.
And Smitha become the Ice witch that every body afraid from. Her Cures created the heaviest snow falls in the history of Euwan. it make atmosphere so cold that people got sick. The snow struck the hard the crops and people started to afraid from famine. Some of them died too. Her curse griped her like a noose and spread outward from her. It expand all over Euwan. So the people of Euwan cast her out.
Also other people didn't took her in. She was completely by herself and totally alone.
There was only one thing that could lift this loneliness, because, in her unique state she could see, touch and talk with death - Sadriel. To her he had body - he wore a black coat,boots and a wide bream hat on his long dark hair, long nose and glowing amber eyes in smooth white ageless face. He was tall and lanky and the cold lured him to her. Sadriel, was lonely too and he wanted her to become his queen in his realm, where the law of magic can't be held like in the mortal realm. In almost forgotten language and honey like voice, he reminded her that he was also part of her curse. he told her that they suitable to each other because she is carrying death.
At the beginning she thought to go north and looking for another wizard and ask him to lift the curse. If one wizard can cursed her maybe another can cure her. Then she remember how capricious they are and had a second thoughts about it. So, maybe a different wizard will laugh at her plight, and maybe worsen it or even can kill her. And what if Mordan fled to the north to his own kind? How much more pain he will inflict on her?
Even though she still has hope and decided to go north. When she arrived to the mountain pass before their country, she discovered that wizards can kill and they do kill one another in a very fascinated ways.She had a hard core evidence of their horrors doings.
Wizards harvest manna from the bowls of hearth, scrap it from the bodies of dead beasts. They covet it and kill for it and eat it until their eyes turned glassy. Wizard's brain were filled with with other realms. Sometimes they die from too much manna, but this don't stop them from taking it.
So she flee without any destination in her mind. The only thing on her mind that she has to break the curse somehow all by herself. All along the Death was right on her trail trying to tempt her (you merely change, no sickness will come to you, no aging and no pain. He can make the transfer fun, just for her) to join him in his realm. When he told her that he can't make her warm again,and that she can't his the heart that he don't has, Smitha told him that she isn't dead yet. She still has heart even it is somewhat frozen one and she still cherished life.
One day in her endless roaming and fleeing from people, she got a request that she could not resist. The request cam from Imad of the people of the desert - he asked her to come and help the people of Zareed with the long time drought that they suffer from.This was her first opportunity to do some good with her curse.....
Very recommended!
The has this atmosphere of Folk legend - The Heroine - 17-year-old Smitha was very beautiful and too smart(for example, she had this talent for foreigner languages and even invented a hand sign one - this capability will be handy in the future) for her own good. In her pride (The sin of hubris), she used to look on every body in her village, Euwan, down her nose (nobody was more beautiful nor smarter then her). It really didn't matter if the person was family friend or other, he was there only to been used by her. Her cruelty, selfishness didn't know limits and she got her way because people loved her and tend to forgive her most of the time.But one day she took her treats too far and she got punished.
She succeed to anger a wizard.
Every body used to be afraid from wizards, even in this pats of her world, wizards were unseen. They supposedly to live far away in the unclaimed land in the north. They were know to be very capricious, people and very dangerous, so nobody want to meet one. To seek one considered very foolish, and it can lead that all the village can be cursed.
25 years old Mordan, appeared one day, during the fall harvest, in their Euwan, carrying only one filthy cloth bag. Nobody know where he came from and why he came. Smitha's father is wealthy wainwright and he took pity on Mordan and accept him to work at his tunery. Mordan was his single employee and he immediately fell for Smitha. Smitha didn't liked this at all. She tried to ignore him as much she can sending him all the sign that she is totally not interested. Mordan didn't got the message. When he started to hint that he want more from her, she got stressed.
She didn't want to give him a chance as she think that he is too ridiculous. She was harsh. She treated him and his love really meanly and none respectfully, she got cursed.
Mordan's cursed her to be as cold as her heart! that winter will follow her wherever she go and death will follow the cold.
She never felt so cold in her life and she will never be. She was so cold that that every thing she touched, freezed or covered by ice. Her own body and hair turned white, losing it's softness and flexibility. Her cloths turned stiff from cold on her body frame. Her tears froze on her face and her blood flow sluggishly in her veins. She couldn't touch anybody and she had to eat very fast before the food will freeze in her hands. Taking a shower was a real project - as the water freeze after awhile.In fact doing thing was almost impossible.
In her miserable tries to get warm she could put her hand into the fire without getting burned,but also, without getting warmed.
And Smitha become the Ice witch that every body afraid from. Her Cures created the heaviest snow falls in the history of Euwan. it make atmosphere so cold that people got sick. The snow struck the hard the crops and people started to afraid from famine. Some of them died too. Her curse griped her like a noose and spread outward from her. It expand all over Euwan. So the people of Euwan cast her out.
Also other people didn't took her in. She was completely by herself and totally alone.
There was only one thing that could lift this loneliness, because, in her unique state she could see, touch and talk with death - Sadriel. To her he had body - he wore a black coat,boots and a wide bream hat on his long dark hair, long nose and glowing amber eyes in smooth white ageless face. He was tall and lanky and the cold lured him to her. Sadriel, was lonely too and he wanted her to become his queen in his realm, where the law of magic can't be held like in the mortal realm. In almost forgotten language and honey like voice, he reminded her that he was also part of her curse. he told her that they suitable to each other because she is carrying death.
At the beginning she thought to go north and looking for another wizard and ask him to lift the curse. If one wizard can cursed her maybe another can cure her. Then she remember how capricious they are and had a second thoughts about it. So, maybe a different wizard will laugh at her plight, and maybe worsen it or even can kill her. And what if Mordan fled to the north to his own kind? How much more pain he will inflict on her?
Even though she still has hope and decided to go north. When she arrived to the mountain pass before their country, she discovered that wizards can kill and they do kill one another in a very fascinated ways.She had a hard core evidence of their horrors doings.
Wizards harvest manna from the bowls of hearth, scrap it from the bodies of dead beasts. They covet it and kill for it and eat it until their eyes turned glassy. Wizard's brain were filled with with other realms. Sometimes they die from too much manna, but this don't stop them from taking it.
So she flee without any destination in her mind. The only thing on her mind that she has to break the curse somehow all by herself. All along the Death was right on her trail trying to tempt her (you merely change, no sickness will come to you, no aging and no pain. He can make the transfer fun, just for her) to join him in his realm. When he told her that he can't make her warm again,and that she can't his the heart that he don't has, Smitha told him that she isn't dead yet. She still has heart even it is somewhat frozen one and she still cherished life.
One day in her endless roaming and fleeing from people, she got a request that she could not resist. The request cam from Imad of the people of the desert - he asked her to come and help the people of Zareed with the long time drought that they suffer from.This was her first opportunity to do some good with her curse.....
Very recommended!
September 19, 2015
I had the pleasure of reading an early draft of this book a few years ago, but in reading it now, I'm even more blown away by how marvelous this story is.
While not fast-paced by any means, Followed by Frost has the feeling of slowly falling under an enchantment. Fairytale aficionados will recognize many of the story's plot points, but nevertheless appreciate its fresh take on the nature of curses and true love. I'd also be remiss if I didn't mention the world-building which is subtle and consistent, as Holmberg pulls more and more of the curtain away from this world she's created. The writing itself is beautiful but never overwrought—almost as if spun out of the titular frost that haunts our main character—and the characters themselves don't disappoint.
Last but not least, LOVE Sadriel. I don't think I've ever encountered a Death persona quite as enjoyable.
If you were a fan of this author's The Paper Magician series, or of Martine Leavitt's Keturah and Lord Death, then I'd highly recommend checking out this book when it comes out next week.
I received this ARC via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
While not fast-paced by any means, Followed by Frost has the feeling of slowly falling under an enchantment. Fairytale aficionados will recognize many of the story's plot points, but nevertheless appreciate its fresh take on the nature of curses and true love. I'd also be remiss if I didn't mention the world-building which is subtle and consistent, as Holmberg pulls more and more of the curtain away from this world she's created. The writing itself is beautiful but never overwrought—almost as if spun out of the titular frost that haunts our main character—and the characters themselves don't disappoint.
Last but not least, LOVE Sadriel. I don't think I've ever encountered a Death persona quite as enjoyable.
If you were a fan of this author's The Paper Magician series, or of Martine Leavitt's Keturah and Lord Death, then I'd highly recommend checking out this book when it comes out next week.
I received this ARC via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
September 21, 2015
Followed by Frost is the fascinating story of Smitha, the girl with the cold heart. She is cursed by Mordan, the curse involves snow and frost, a lot of it. Smitha is essentially kicked out of her home and forced to retreat to the mountains where she wonders from place to place, trying not to leave too much snow in her wake. Death is her only companion, who relentlessly asks her to join him. At first, Smitha is a very hard character to care about. She is very vain and selfish, but her journey of self-discovery and forgiveness is amazing. I love the way the story is told, Smitha is telling the story, but also shares with the reader what she should have noticed, or should have done in a situation. I really enjoyed her journey in the Southlands, the people are in a drought and her snow is much needed. The Prince Imad, Lo, and Aamina were wonderful characters. Especially Lo. I loved how Smitha finds purpose there with her frosty life and possibly hope.
5 out of 5 stars. Fantastic story that reads quickly and the ending is so well done. I loved every page of this book!
I received a Kindle copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
5 out of 5 stars. Fantastic story that reads quickly and the ending is so well done. I loved every page of this book!
I received a Kindle copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 18, 2016
I adored this book. This kept me up all night, especially when I reached the last couple of chapters! The protagonist Smitha is a spoiled brat, in the beginning, and it was predictable that her experiences would make her turn over a new leaf, but even then the book was an excellent read. I liked the love interest and how the relationship was developed.
The curse was one of the most interesting ones I have ever come across. Sort of like Midas touch, except with ice! The repercussions of the curse over both Smitha and others around her fascinated me. The curse breaking is a little cliched, but that didn't bother me at all. The plot was perfectly paced and brilliantly written.
Overall, I am glad I picked this book up. And a big thanks to JoAnna for buddy reading this with me :)
The curse was one of the most interesting ones I have ever come across. Sort of like Midas touch, except with ice! The repercussions of the curse over both Smitha and others around her fascinated me. The curse breaking is a little cliched, but that didn't bother me at all. The plot was perfectly paced and brilliantly written.
Overall, I am glad I picked this book up. And a big thanks to JoAnna for buddy reading this with me :)
April 10, 2017
Five Stars!
I don't even know I want to go back and read The Master Magician after this! This was honestly the author's best book she's written because it actually feels like YA and not middle grade. Also who can blend "The Ice Queen" and " Beauty and the Beast" together and make it believable? Also making Smitha from a cold, unlikeable,cruel,vain, and selfish girl who didn't give a damn about anyone into a warm, kind- hearted,thoughtful, and selfless woman who found happiness,love and place that feels home after coming to terms with the things she have done and her curse. Who's journey to becoming a better person was so wonderful to read. Also the worldbuilding in this was amazing with such wonderful characters..
Lo is my new book boyfriend! mmm I like the Sadriel too to a certain extent. Imad can be my BFF! lol
So if you are having trouble reading the Paper Magician trilogy read this one because it's honestly the best one from this author.
I don't even know I want to go back and read The Master Magician after this! This was honestly the author's best book she's written because it actually feels like YA and not middle grade. Also who can blend "The Ice Queen" and " Beauty and the Beast" together and make it believable? Also making Smitha from a cold, unlikeable,cruel,vain, and selfish girl who didn't give a damn about anyone into a warm, kind- hearted,thoughtful, and selfless woman who found happiness,love and place that feels home after coming to terms with the things she have done and her curse. Who's journey to becoming a better person was so wonderful to read. Also the worldbuilding in this was amazing with such wonderful characters..
Lo is my new book boyfriend! mmm I like the Sadriel too to a certain extent. Imad can be my BFF! lol
So if you are having trouble reading the Paper Magician trilogy read this one because it's honestly the best one from this author.
September 30, 2015
I'm a fan of Charlie Holmberg's PAPER MAGICIAN series and so I was looking forward to her next book. Reading the description, I was afraid it was a take on the Disney movie Frozen. Thankfully...no. This is a Virtus story about a self-absorbed girl who jilts a man who turns out to possess otherworldly powers. Her curse is terrible, sudden, and forces to her wander from location to location as an outcast. It was a quick read with all the spices of self-sacrifice, compassion, and friendship that I love. Thumbs up!
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