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Duet of Snow and Silver #1
On Silver Winds
A reluctant Heir. A vengeful King. An alliance that could ruin them both.
Adeline never wanted the crown, yet she remains bound by it. A daughter of the Snow Queen, she must uphold the sparkling reputation of her kingdom until she earns the right to campaign for the throne - or the right to concede it.
But when royal tensions split the frozen lake at the heart of the kingdom, a dark King claws his way free of its icy depths.
And history is rewritten.
Kai has spent an eternity beneath the ice, with nothing but his rage to keep him warm. Now his only path to freedom lies in a false alliance with the descendants of his enemy. Deceiving them might be simple, even satisfying - if it weren’t for the lovely, roguish Princess Adeline and the warmth in her eyes when looks at him. As though she wants him. As though she trusts him. As though he could want and trust her too.
With loyalties divided and secrets buried in ancient ice, Adeline and Kai must decide how far they’ll go to protect the futures of their people. Is a kingdom worth the price of a frozen heart?
On Silver Winds is a fantasy romance with fairytale themes and a dash of spice. This is book one in the Duet of Snow and Silver.
Adeline never wanted the crown, yet she remains bound by it. A daughter of the Snow Queen, she must uphold the sparkling reputation of her kingdom until she earns the right to campaign for the throne - or the right to concede it.
But when royal tensions split the frozen lake at the heart of the kingdom, a dark King claws his way free of its icy depths.
And history is rewritten.
Kai has spent an eternity beneath the ice, with nothing but his rage to keep him warm. Now his only path to freedom lies in a false alliance with the descendants of his enemy. Deceiving them might be simple, even satisfying - if it weren’t for the lovely, roguish Princess Adeline and the warmth in her eyes when looks at him. As though she wants him. As though she trusts him. As though he could want and trust her too.
With loyalties divided and secrets buried in ancient ice, Adeline and Kai must decide how far they’ll go to protect the futures of their people. Is a kingdom worth the price of a frozen heart?
On Silver Winds is a fantasy romance with fairytale themes and a dash of spice. This is book one in the Duet of Snow and Silver.
427 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 10, 2023
22 people are currently reading
459 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
October 22, 2023
I had the honor of beta reading On Silver Winds and I was hooked from the start. I was enthralled, I couldn’t stop thinking about these characters and their stories. I’m so grateful for this opportunity and I absolutely loved working with Ava Smiddy!
“Every story. It’s all about love, one way or another. If you want to understand someone’s character, Adeline, look to what they love the most.”
On Silver Winds is the first book in the Duet of Snow and Silver. You will find:
❄️ Irish Folklore
🌬️ Romantasy
❄️ Dual POV/Third person
🌬️ Tourney
❄️ Family drama
🌬️ Royal politics
❄️ Secrets & betrayal
🌬️ Heated sparring sessions
❄️ Strong & sassy FMC
🌬️ Broody & blushing MMC
The Silver Kingdom of Eisalaan thrives in its everwinter. Celebrating yet another Winter is how this story begins, following Adeline Beira, our FMC, who has enough reasons to dread the closeness of her 22nd Winter. Despite her standoffish mother’s – the Snow Queen herself – insistence, Ade’s never had the urge to become an Heir, let alone a queen someday. Much to her sister’s delight who, on the other hand, has always dreamed about inheriting their mother’s crown.
The winds start to change when the Drowned Prince resurfaces and Eisalaan is on the verge of thawing. Kai Cumhaill, our MMC, has spent what feels like forever trapped in ice and lost his home in the process. Kai sees himself once again surrounded by Beiras and more at their mercy than ever. On his journey to reacclimate (quite literally) to a new reality, although facing the same prejudices as before, he is to be helped by Adeline, who’s more than willing to stir him up.
I love how Ade and Kai’s relationship was built and all the layers involved, especially for Kai. While Ade is spontaneous and unapologetic, trying to be herself despite where she was born, Kai is fearful and strategic, considering he has his own people to care for. They can be complete opposites in some senses, but at their core, they’re both leaders and they definitely bond over that. It’s a delicious slow burn, filled with stolen glances and touches, and so much pining. It also delivered many swoon-worthy moments.
On Silver Winds is a captivating debut novel with lovable side characters (I’m looking at you Ger) and twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page. It has the perfect ratio between political intrigue and romance. It’ll have you laughing, crying, and fanning yourself.
On Silver Winds comes out on November 10th and it’ll be available on Kindle Unlimited.
“Every story. It’s all about love, one way or another. If you want to understand someone’s character, Adeline, look to what they love the most.”
On Silver Winds is the first book in the Duet of Snow and Silver. You will find:
❄️ Irish Folklore
🌬️ Romantasy
❄️ Dual POV/Third person
🌬️ Tourney
❄️ Family drama
🌬️ Royal politics
❄️ Secrets & betrayal
🌬️ Heated sparring sessions
❄️ Strong & sassy FMC
🌬️ Broody & blushing MMC
The Silver Kingdom of Eisalaan thrives in its everwinter. Celebrating yet another Winter is how this story begins, following Adeline Beira, our FMC, who has enough reasons to dread the closeness of her 22nd Winter. Despite her standoffish mother’s – the Snow Queen herself – insistence, Ade’s never had the urge to become an Heir, let alone a queen someday. Much to her sister’s delight who, on the other hand, has always dreamed about inheriting their mother’s crown.
The winds start to change when the Drowned Prince resurfaces and Eisalaan is on the verge of thawing. Kai Cumhaill, our MMC, has spent what feels like forever trapped in ice and lost his home in the process. Kai sees himself once again surrounded by Beiras and more at their mercy than ever. On his journey to reacclimate (quite literally) to a new reality, although facing the same prejudices as before, he is to be helped by Adeline, who’s more than willing to stir him up.
I love how Ade and Kai’s relationship was built and all the layers involved, especially for Kai. While Ade is spontaneous and unapologetic, trying to be herself despite where she was born, Kai is fearful and strategic, considering he has his own people to care for. They can be complete opposites in some senses, but at their core, they’re both leaders and they definitely bond over that. It’s a delicious slow burn, filled with stolen glances and touches, and so much pining. It also delivered many swoon-worthy moments.
On Silver Winds is a captivating debut novel with lovable side characters (I’m looking at you Ger) and twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page. It has the perfect ratio between political intrigue and romance. It’ll have you laughing, crying, and fanning yourself.
On Silver Winds comes out on November 10th and it’ll be available on Kindle Unlimited.
November 8, 2023
***Thank you to the author for an Advance Reading Copy in exchange for an honest review***
Adeline, a princess of Eisalaan, doesn't want the crown. She has every right to campaign as an Heir but her older sister, Mareda, has been the obvious choice their whole lives. Mareda respects their Snow Queen mother and her wishes above all else, while Adeline struggles to follow her orders.
Everything changes when a mythical King name Kai emerges from the frozen lake that acts as the hub of their city. Suddenly, Adeline must make difficult choices about who to protect and how to do so. Questions of loyalties, secrets, and threats surround her.
I loved this book. It's my favourite ARC I've ever read from a debut author - and I used to work in a bookshop so I've read quite a few!
It's cosy fantasy at its best, with realistic, in-depth portrayals of romantic and familial love. The plot is unique, clever, and well-paced. Spice is included, so it's certainly for adults. I'm not usually a fan of those scenes, as they usually read like BookTok swoon pandering to me, but I can't deny that these ones were well-written. The side characters were well-drawn and intriguing in their own right (Ceri/Ger - love you, Imogen - I need to know more?!).
I guessed a few plotlines and could guess a few more that might occur in the next books of the series, but it didn't bother me while reading. Those moments managed to be "ahey, I knew it" rather than "ugh, obviously".
The only critiques I would include was that it occasionally read like an earlier draft rather than the finished novel. For example, there's an early scene where Adeline's wrist is hurt too much to use, but then seconds later she carries her younger sister with one arm, and pulls her other sister over with her spare hand. I also found a twist towards the end confusing to follow in the way that it was written (plot happens off-book and we're introduced at the beginning of the chapter with a slight jump, right into the action). That just didn't work for me. Beyond that scene, there's a few times where I felt things were implied rather than stated outright and with a complicated magical system, sometimes the 'show don't tell' rule shouldn't be followed.
Otherwise, I really loved this book. The world and its uniqueness really captured me. The characters speak and act like we do, even though they're in a more medieval-feeling setting, which I enjoyed. Adeline is also a great protagonist. She's hot-headed and flighty and can drive you crazy at times as a reader (just COMMUNICATE, stop keeping things in!), but she's also brave, kind, and generous. Her flaws make her interesting for plot.
I would recommend this to any adult who loves fantasy, but particularly those who are fans of the Throne of Glass series, the Red Queen series, the Cruel Prince series, or The Selection.
4.25/5
Adeline, a princess of Eisalaan, doesn't want the crown. She has every right to campaign as an Heir but her older sister, Mareda, has been the obvious choice their whole lives. Mareda respects their Snow Queen mother and her wishes above all else, while Adeline struggles to follow her orders.
Everything changes when a mythical King name Kai emerges from the frozen lake that acts as the hub of their city. Suddenly, Adeline must make difficult choices about who to protect and how to do so. Questions of loyalties, secrets, and threats surround her.
I loved this book. It's my favourite ARC I've ever read from a debut author - and I used to work in a bookshop so I've read quite a few!
It's cosy fantasy at its best, with realistic, in-depth portrayals of romantic and familial love. The plot is unique, clever, and well-paced. Spice is included, so it's certainly for adults. I'm not usually a fan of those scenes, as they usually read like BookTok swoon pandering to me, but I can't deny that these ones were well-written. The side characters were well-drawn and intriguing in their own right (Ceri/Ger - love you, Imogen - I need to know more?!).
I guessed a few plotlines and could guess a few more that might occur in the next books of the series, but it didn't bother me while reading. Those moments managed to be "ahey, I knew it" rather than "ugh, obviously".
The only critiques I would include was that it occasionally read like an earlier draft rather than the finished novel. For example, there's an early scene where Adeline's wrist is hurt too much to use, but then seconds later she carries her younger sister with one arm, and pulls her other sister over with her spare hand. I also found a twist towards the end confusing to follow in the way that it was written (plot happens off-book and we're introduced at the beginning of the chapter with a slight jump, right into the action). That just didn't work for me. Beyond that scene, there's a few times where I felt things were implied rather than stated outright and with a complicated magical system, sometimes the 'show don't tell' rule shouldn't be followed.
Otherwise, I really loved this book. The world and its uniqueness really captured me. The characters speak and act like we do, even though they're in a more medieval-feeling setting, which I enjoyed. Adeline is also a great protagonist. She's hot-headed and flighty and can drive you crazy at times as a reader (just COMMUNICATE, stop keeping things in!), but she's also brave, kind, and generous. Her flaws make her interesting for plot.
I would recommend this to any adult who loves fantasy, but particularly those who are fans of the Throne of Glass series, the Red Queen series, the Cruel Prince series, or The Selection.
4.25/5
November 14, 2023
Reading this gave me the same feeling as sitting next to a frosted window with candles flickering all around me. Or the feeling I get walking through a Christmas market, a steaming mug of hot chocolate or cider in hand, the sounds of my steps muted by the freshly fallen snow. In other words, the aesthetic of this book reminded me of the elated, warm, and innocent feeling winter used to inspire in me as a child. It was like jumping into a fairytale.
But beyond the aesthetic, I was also charmed by the characters. I absolutely love when fantasy books have societies in which there are no gender roles. To me, the characters become so much more multi-dimensional and relatable that way.
Adeline is easy to root for. She's a bit quick-tempered, but so full of love for everyone around her -- even those who have wronged her. She's a natural ruler, despite her early intentions not to be, simply because she's one with the people.
Kai. Gentle, composed, (ready-to-be-corrupted) Kai. He is such a sweetheart. I wasn't sure about him at first, since his sole personality trait for the first few chapters was to be vengeful and angry. But as time passes, he reveals himself to be quiet and unsure, desperate to do right by his people but also a man *quietly* yet passionately obsessed with Adeline. Despite his brooding nature early on, he never mistreats Adeline or her countrymen. I loved his character arc, and watching him come to terms with the new world he finds himself in, slowly learning to accept love. And once he does, he grows his confidence, going from constantly blushing to constantly making *her* blush.
And special mention to Ger, who is easily in my top-ten favorite book characters ever. It's honestly embarrassing how unreasonably giddy I'd get every time his name would be appear on-page, even if he wasn't in the scene I was currently reading. He's such a loveable dork.
Ger and Adeline are the definition of platonic soulmates! Their chemistry, their banter, the way they know each other better than they know themselves, loving each other audaciously...
I'd love to include some quotes, but I don't want to spoil anything! Just be certain that I've highlighted almost every interaction between these two.
I also loved reading about the sisters' relationships with each other and their parents. As someone who has a handful of little sisters, some of which have different fathers and even different mothers than I, I felt this portrayal of Adeline and her family's dynamic was really realistic.
Okay, plot. First of all, I'd like to emphasize that if you enjoy characters over plot, this is the book for you. There is an interesting plot here, but it is slow-going. Basically, Adeline's kingdom is almost entirely derived from a fairytale of their past. The very foundations of their society, religion, economy -- everything -- functions based on this fairytale. Well, what happens when the truth isn't quite how the storybooks say? Naturally, things start to fall apart. Who are the heroes and who are the villains? It's not always obvious.
The plot actually reminded me of Disney movie plots in that the princess must save her kingdom by following her heart. But what is she to do if her heart is torn?
But rest assured, this is an adult book. There are a few spicy scenes which are described in detail. They aren't gratuitous, and only appear after sufficient build-up.
Some gripes. There were a few plot points that I guessed early on, but their predictability didn't ruin my enjoyment. I didn't like Adeline's lack of communication, but I know this is an intentionally-given character trait of hers. There were a few times when I wished the characters would reflect a bit more on new information they receive before we move on to the next plot point. I also personally would have liked the romantic slow-burn to be dragged out a bit more. Overall, though, none of these small gripes deter me from giving this 5-stars.
I'd recommend this book to any adult who loves the nostalgic feeling that fairytales can give them. It reminds me a lot of Disney's Frozen, and a bit of winter Barbie movies I watched as a kid. But, like, in adult-version. If that sounds like your vibe, pick this up!!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
But beyond the aesthetic, I was also charmed by the characters. I absolutely love when fantasy books have societies in which there are no gender roles. To me, the characters become so much more multi-dimensional and relatable that way.
Adeline is easy to root for. She's a bit quick-tempered, but so full of love for everyone around her -- even those who have wronged her. She's a natural ruler, despite her early intentions not to be, simply because she's one with the people.
Kai. Gentle, composed, (ready-to-be-corrupted) Kai. He is such a sweetheart. I wasn't sure about him at first, since his sole personality trait for the first few chapters was to be vengeful and angry. But as time passes, he reveals himself to be quiet and unsure, desperate to do right by his people but also a man *quietly* yet passionately obsessed with Adeline. Despite his brooding nature early on, he never mistreats Adeline or her countrymen. I loved his character arc, and watching him come to terms with the new world he finds himself in, slowly learning to accept love. And once he does, he grows his confidence, going from constantly blushing to constantly making *her* blush.
And special mention to Ger, who is easily in my top-ten favorite book characters ever. It's honestly embarrassing how unreasonably giddy I'd get every time his name would be appear on-page, even if he wasn't in the scene I was currently reading. He's such a loveable dork.
Ger and Adeline are the definition of platonic soulmates! Their chemistry, their banter, the way they know each other better than they know themselves, loving each other audaciously...
I'd love to include some quotes, but I don't want to spoil anything! Just be certain that I've highlighted almost every interaction between these two.
I also loved reading about the sisters' relationships with each other and their parents. As someone who has a handful of little sisters, some of which have different fathers and even different mothers than I, I felt this portrayal of Adeline and her family's dynamic was really realistic.
Okay, plot. First of all, I'd like to emphasize that if you enjoy characters over plot, this is the book for you. There is an interesting plot here, but it is slow-going. Basically, Adeline's kingdom is almost entirely derived from a fairytale of their past. The very foundations of their society, religion, economy -- everything -- functions based on this fairytale. Well, what happens when the truth isn't quite how the storybooks say? Naturally, things start to fall apart. Who are the heroes and who are the villains? It's not always obvious.
The plot actually reminded me of Disney movie plots in that the princess must save her kingdom by following her heart. But what is she to do if her heart is torn?
But rest assured, this is an adult book. There are a few spicy scenes which are described in detail. They aren't gratuitous, and only appear after sufficient build-up.
Some gripes. There were a few plot points that I guessed early on, but their predictability didn't ruin my enjoyment. I didn't like Adeline's lack of communication, but I know this is an intentionally-given character trait of hers. There were a few times when I wished the characters would reflect a bit more on new information they receive before we move on to the next plot point. I also personally would have liked the romantic slow-burn to be dragged out a bit more. Overall, though, none of these small gripes deter me from giving this 5-stars.
I'd recommend this book to any adult who loves the nostalgic feeling that fairytales can give them. It reminds me a lot of Disney's Frozen, and a bit of winter Barbie movies I watched as a kid. But, like, in adult-version. If that sounds like your vibe, pick this up!!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 12, 2023
”Every story. It’s all about love, one way or another. If you want to understand someone’s character, Adeline, look to what they love the most.”
This was beautifully written. I loved how easily the story flowed and how captivating this story became.
This was filled with Irish lore and fairytales and it was thrilling. I did feel like it was a slow start and it did take me time to really become captivated by the story. By the halfway mark I was obsessed.
”And if it’s not obvious by now; I’m yours, Adeline.” He shrugged, helplessly. “Heart, breath, all of it belongs to you. Everything.”
What I truly loved about this book was how real and complicated the relationships were portrayed. The characters felt real and were complex with wounds and complicated emotions. It made it so easy to connect, especially with our FMC, Adeline and our mmc Kai. Adeline is honestly my top 3 heroines of all the books I’ve read. She’s amazing. Not only were Adeline and Kai a whirlwind romance, but their connection and chemistry was so beautiful and thrilling- the tension was hot af! They had me laughing and giggling, and fanning myself. Their banter was refreshing and their longing for each other was a thrill!
There were so many wonderful characters I fell in love with. Ger was amazing! I can’t wait to get to know him more in the next installment. One of my favorite parts of this book was Adeline’s relationship with her mother, the Queen. The journey they took was absolutely heartbreaking and so beautiful. It absolutely broke my heart. They had some of the most beautiful moments and my heart broke for Adeline towards the end of this book.
I’m so excited to read the next installment because I’m obsessed! I need to know what happens next!
Congratulations, Ava, on a wonderfully and captivating debut!
This was beautifully written. I loved how easily the story flowed and how captivating this story became.
This was filled with Irish lore and fairytales and it was thrilling. I did feel like it was a slow start and it did take me time to really become captivated by the story. By the halfway mark I was obsessed.
”And if it’s not obvious by now; I’m yours, Adeline.” He shrugged, helplessly. “Heart, breath, all of it belongs to you. Everything.”
What I truly loved about this book was how real and complicated the relationships were portrayed. The characters felt real and were complex with wounds and complicated emotions. It made it so easy to connect, especially with our FMC, Adeline and our mmc Kai. Adeline is honestly my top 3 heroines of all the books I’ve read. She’s amazing. Not only were Adeline and Kai a whirlwind romance, but their connection and chemistry was so beautiful and thrilling- the tension was hot af! They had me laughing and giggling, and fanning myself. Their banter was refreshing and their longing for each other was a thrill!
There were so many wonderful characters I fell in love with. Ger was amazing! I can’t wait to get to know him more in the next installment. One of my favorite parts of this book was Adeline’s relationship with her mother, the Queen. The journey they took was absolutely heartbreaking and so beautiful. It absolutely broke my heart. They had some of the most beautiful moments and my heart broke for Adeline towards the end of this book.
I’m so excited to read the next installment because I’m obsessed! I need to know what happens next!
Congratulations, Ava, on a wonderfully and captivating debut!
February 2, 2024
I absolutely LOVED this book. I loved it so much I read it in less than a day and stopped reading another book I was already halfway through with…
If you’re a fan of The Snow Queen, the Celtic myth about the Cailleach/Beira, the Queen or goddess of Winter, with the vibes of the Norse myth of the marriage of Skadi & Njord (though, I hope Ade & Kai have a happier ending than those two…) this book is for you.
I really was hooked from the very first page. The Snow Queen is one of my favorite fairytales and I love Celtic mythology & folklore, so I may have read into the names a bit too much on that account, but it made the storyline even more interesting to me knowing what I know in terms of the specific names used.
Ava’s writing is extremely descriptive but not in a tedious way. I was completely transported to a cold, snowy, icy (personal hell) landscape, all while sitting here on my couch in southern Texas (where it’s still in the 60s and 70s).
Character wise, I love the fact that we have such vastly different female characters, yet each one can all fend for herself. None of them are damsels in distress. While I don’t have sisters, the cutthroat sibling rivalry seems pretty accurate to what I’ve witnessed between my friends with sisters.
I absolutely loved the dynamic between Ade and Ger and am so glad that he’s not still pining after her… because the story between her and Kai is beautiful and definitely won’t be smooth sailing… especially after that ending. I will say that I quite enjoyed the build up and tension to Ade and Kai’s relationship. I’m glad they didn’t go zero to smut within a matter of pages. There’s was a natural build up done with taste.
There was a lot that happened in this book and a lot of stuff that was just touched upon that I think will come up again further down the line. While I did see some of the plot twists coming and I think I see or potentially see some future plot twists arising, others surprised me.
With everything that went done at the end of the book, I cannot wait until we get the next installment! It seems like there are people that know way more about what is and what has been going on this entire time…
So yeah, this was an absolutely fantastic book. It *almost* made me miss living in a snowy, cold climate. I’m now going to go buy a copy of this book for my collection because I loved it that much!
If you’re a fan of The Snow Queen, the Celtic myth about the Cailleach/Beira, the Queen or goddess of Winter, with the vibes of the Norse myth of the marriage of Skadi & Njord (though, I hope Ade & Kai have a happier ending than those two…) this book is for you.
I really was hooked from the very first page. The Snow Queen is one of my favorite fairytales and I love Celtic mythology & folklore, so I may have read into the names a bit too much on that account, but it made the storyline even more interesting to me knowing what I know in terms of the specific names used.
Ava’s writing is extremely descriptive but not in a tedious way. I was completely transported to a cold, snowy, icy (personal hell) landscape, all while sitting here on my couch in southern Texas (where it’s still in the 60s and 70s).
Character wise, I love the fact that we have such vastly different female characters, yet each one can all fend for herself. None of them are damsels in distress. While I don’t have sisters, the cutthroat sibling rivalry seems pretty accurate to what I’ve witnessed between my friends with sisters.
I absolutely loved the dynamic between Ade and Ger and am so glad that he’s not still pining after her… because the story between her and Kai is beautiful and definitely won’t be smooth sailing… especially after that ending. I will say that I quite enjoyed the build up and tension to Ade and Kai’s relationship. I’m glad they didn’t go zero to smut within a matter of pages. There’s was a natural build up done with taste.
There was a lot that happened in this book and a lot of stuff that was just touched upon that I think will come up again further down the line. While I did see some of the plot twists coming and I think I see or potentially see some future plot twists arising, others surprised me.
With everything that went done at the end of the book, I cannot wait until we get the next installment! It seems like there are people that know way more about what is and what has been going on this entire time…
So yeah, this was an absolutely fantastic book. It *almost* made me miss living in a snowy, cold climate. I’m now going to go buy a copy of this book for my collection because I loved it that much!
November 21, 2023
“Every story. It’s all about love, one way or another. If you want to understand someone’s character, Adeline, look to what they love the most.”
5 big ❄️/5
2.5 🌶/ 5
I had the honour of getting to arc read On Silver Winds before release and while the world right now is a horrible scary place I found immense comfort in being able to escape into the wonderful, magical frozen winter wonderland Aoife has created in her book.I was completely hooked from the first page and whilst I could have easily devoured her book I didn't want it to end. A cozy fantasy with amazing descriptions and world building, a strong witty yet also compassionate FMC , our MMC is a noble Merrow King and 🥵, there is some spice, it's slow burn but definitely worth the wait , sister rivalry and let's not forget the most lovable side characters especially Ger who I absolutely adored. My only fault with this book is that it had to end and now I don't know what to do with myself while I wait for book 2 😭 but I know it will be worth the wait and I'm beyond excited 💙
5 big ❄️/5
2.5 🌶/ 5
I had the honour of getting to arc read On Silver Winds before release and while the world right now is a horrible scary place I found immense comfort in being able to escape into the wonderful, magical frozen winter wonderland Aoife has created in her book.I was completely hooked from the first page and whilst I could have easily devoured her book I didn't want it to end. A cozy fantasy with amazing descriptions and world building, a strong witty yet also compassionate FMC , our MMC is a noble Merrow King and 🥵, there is some spice, it's slow burn but definitely worth the wait , sister rivalry and let's not forget the most lovable side characters especially Ger who I absolutely adored. My only fault with this book is that it had to end and now I don't know what to do with myself while I wait for book 2 😭 but I know it will be worth the wait and I'm beyond excited 💙
December 20, 2023
Thank you to Book Sirens and Ava Smiddy for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
☼ 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 4/5 ️
☼ 𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞: 2.5/5
☼ 𝐅𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬: multiple POV, fairy tale-esque fantasy, royal family + political intrigue, complex family relationship, sibling love/rivalry, witty banter, slow burn romance, angst/tension, spirited fmc, broody cinnamon roll mmc, ancient magic, betrayal, cliffhanger ending
☼ 𝐓𝐖: grief, child neglect, violence, death
Queen Selma Beira, known as the Ice Queen, has ruled with a cold heart for as long as Adeline can remember. Adeline Beira, the second eldest daughter to the throne, has never cared for the title of Heir - but coming upon her 22nd birthday, the decision to campaign is looming ever still. But she's more than content to leave the Beira dynasty to her older sister Mareda, who loves her country and has dreamed of serving their people ever since she was a young girl.
The Beira monarchy has presided over the Kingdom of Eisalaan for centuries. One of the few kingdoms in Adhlas that still has ties to magic. Lake Laune, a body of water nestled between the Silver Palace and the Queen's Capital, was said to have been teeming with magic and mystical beings called the Merrow. Before the frost took hold. Before the kingdom turned to a state of ever-winter and the lake froze solid forever encapsulating the legendary Merrow people in its depths.
Until one New Winter's day, the lake shuddered and a dark chasm cleaved across the solid center. That splinter echoed through the cold black, awaking a long forgotten race. And King Kai Cumhaill will do whatever it takes to free what's left of his people. Including allying himself with the descendants of his enemy.
━━━━━━━
"𝑬𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒚. 𝑰𝒕'𝒔 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆, 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒚 𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓. 𝑰𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒐𝒏𝒆'𝒔 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒓, 𝑨𝒅𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒆, 𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒕𝒐 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒐𝒔𝒕"
Well, if you’re looking for a book that contains winter wonderland fairy tale vibes with romance, royal + political intrigue, and drama, this is a pretty good place to start.
Adeline Beira is a feisty little thing, born into nobility yet wanting nothing more than to be her own person. She's not afraid to stand up for the little guy and tussle with men who are twice her size. Evidence provided from the first chapter alone when she gets into a bar brawl. I quite enjoyed her antics... not afraid to sling profanity or say what was on her mind. To an extent, anyway, as much as being a royal allowed her in the presence of a certain coldhearted mother. I found her relationships with her siblings, father, and mother to be quite powerful pieces to the story. Especially as events unfolded and tensions either grew or abated.
Kai Cumhaill was first introduced as a rage filled, vengeful king but ended up more along the line of a very broody cinnamon bun. But also a king without a kingdom and with quite a few secrets to boot. After waking up entrapped in ice and then escaped into a whole new era and reality, you really can't help but feel for the guy. He starts out with a mission to essentially reclaim his homeland for what's left of his people, which isn't as easy as he hoped and he kind of... allows it to fall by the wayside. Which, I suppose, is what giving up hope feels like. I can't blame that either.
But then he meets Adeline and begins to fall for her. Giving him an entirely new sense of hope. Their relationship starts off on the wrong foot, in an opposites attract kind of way, but increases to fondness rather organically. The angst and tension is felt throughout their story with many stolen glances, or pining moments, and the slowburn buildup unveils nicely. I do wish a few of their moments together would've been a tad longer because that slowburn was on the slow side and didn't happen until the latter half of the book. But the chemistry was definitely achieved beforehand and I can also appreciate that.
And while Adeline and Kai's relationship is a bolster and main aspect, the relationships that unfold amongst the side characters also makes the book shine a little brighter. Gerard, the comedic relief, the best friend confidant, is a gem on his own. He is such a delight whenever he graces the page.
"𝑩𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒃𝒆𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒊𝒐𝒓," 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒏𝒆𝒅 𝑮𝒆𝒓. "𝒀𝒐𝒖'𝒍𝒍 𝒈𝒆𝒕 𝒎𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒃𝒍𝒆."
"𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒕'𝒔 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒆𝒕𝒆𝒍𝒚 𝒖𝒏𝒇𝒂𝒊𝒓. 𝑰 𝒍𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒈𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒃𝒍𝒆, 𝑨𝒅𝒆. 𝑨𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆."
And Adeline's relationship with her mother ends up being another key element to the story that left me pretty emotional and I appreciated that aspect and how it was developed. Even if it was a bit difficult to read at the beginning. The discourse between Adeline and Mareda was another interesting feature. We didn't really get to see much of her older sister after certain events which led to a bit of disconnect for me towards the end... but I'm curious to see how that unfolds in the second book. But overall I really enjoyed the interactions with the side characters as a whole, even with some of the more minor characters that didn't really contribute to the overall story progression.
And I think that speaks to the general feel of the book. There's world building and underlying plots like Kai's mission and secrets, the past of the Beira monarchy, the ancient magic of the lake... but the characters take most of the spotlight. I would've loved to have more of an insight into the lore and magic that was briefly described and alluded to...it was such an interesting secondary plot point. But ultimately, what brought the story together (personal preferences aside) is the writing and prose, which I found enjoyable to say the least. It made the story, for me, feel a bit nostalgic yet elegant with a dash of whimsy. I was pretty immersed from the get go and had my heart strings tugged on a few times. And with that quick ending... I'm definitely looking forward to book 2!
☼ 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 4/5 ️
☼ 𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞: 2.5/5
☼ 𝐅𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬: multiple POV, fairy tale-esque fantasy, royal family + political intrigue, complex family relationship, sibling love/rivalry, witty banter, slow burn romance, angst/tension, spirited fmc, broody cinnamon roll mmc, ancient magic, betrayal, cliffhanger ending
☼ 𝐓𝐖: grief, child neglect, violence, death
Queen Selma Beira, known as the Ice Queen, has ruled with a cold heart for as long as Adeline can remember. Adeline Beira, the second eldest daughter to the throne, has never cared for the title of Heir - but coming upon her 22nd birthday, the decision to campaign is looming ever still. But she's more than content to leave the Beira dynasty to her older sister Mareda, who loves her country and has dreamed of serving their people ever since she was a young girl.
The Beira monarchy has presided over the Kingdom of Eisalaan for centuries. One of the few kingdoms in Adhlas that still has ties to magic. Lake Laune, a body of water nestled between the Silver Palace and the Queen's Capital, was said to have been teeming with magic and mystical beings called the Merrow. Before the frost took hold. Before the kingdom turned to a state of ever-winter and the lake froze solid forever encapsulating the legendary Merrow people in its depths.
Until one New Winter's day, the lake shuddered and a dark chasm cleaved across the solid center. That splinter echoed through the cold black, awaking a long forgotten race. And King Kai Cumhaill will do whatever it takes to free what's left of his people. Including allying himself with the descendants of his enemy.
━━━━━━━
"𝑬𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒚. 𝑰𝒕'𝒔 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆, 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒚 𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓. 𝑰𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒐𝒏𝒆'𝒔 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒓, 𝑨𝒅𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒆, 𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒕𝒐 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒐𝒔𝒕"
Well, if you’re looking for a book that contains winter wonderland fairy tale vibes with romance, royal + political intrigue, and drama, this is a pretty good place to start.
Adeline Beira is a feisty little thing, born into nobility yet wanting nothing more than to be her own person. She's not afraid to stand up for the little guy and tussle with men who are twice her size. Evidence provided from the first chapter alone when she gets into a bar brawl. I quite enjoyed her antics... not afraid to sling profanity or say what was on her mind. To an extent, anyway, as much as being a royal allowed her in the presence of a certain coldhearted mother. I found her relationships with her siblings, father, and mother to be quite powerful pieces to the story. Especially as events unfolded and tensions either grew or abated.
Kai Cumhaill was first introduced as a rage filled, vengeful king but ended up more along the line of a very broody cinnamon bun. But also a king without a kingdom and with quite a few secrets to boot. After waking up entrapped in ice and then escaped into a whole new era and reality, you really can't help but feel for the guy. He starts out with a mission to essentially reclaim his homeland for what's left of his people, which isn't as easy as he hoped and he kind of... allows it to fall by the wayside. Which, I suppose, is what giving up hope feels like. I can't blame that either.
But then he meets Adeline and begins to fall for her. Giving him an entirely new sense of hope. Their relationship starts off on the wrong foot, in an opposites attract kind of way, but increases to fondness rather organically. The angst and tension is felt throughout their story with many stolen glances, or pining moments, and the slowburn buildup unveils nicely. I do wish a few of their moments together would've been a tad longer because that slowburn was on the slow side and didn't happen until the latter half of the book. But the chemistry was definitely achieved beforehand and I can also appreciate that.
And while Adeline and Kai's relationship is a bolster and main aspect, the relationships that unfold amongst the side characters also makes the book shine a little brighter. Gerard, the comedic relief, the best friend confidant, is a gem on his own. He is such a delight whenever he graces the page.
"𝑩𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒃𝒆𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒊𝒐𝒓," 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒏𝒆𝒅 𝑮𝒆𝒓. "𝒀𝒐𝒖'𝒍𝒍 𝒈𝒆𝒕 𝒎𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒃𝒍𝒆."
"𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒕'𝒔 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒆𝒕𝒆𝒍𝒚 𝒖𝒏𝒇𝒂𝒊𝒓. 𝑰 𝒍𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒈𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒃𝒍𝒆, 𝑨𝒅𝒆. 𝑨𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆."
And Adeline's relationship with her mother ends up being another key element to the story that left me pretty emotional and I appreciated that aspect and how it was developed. Even if it was a bit difficult to read at the beginning. The discourse between Adeline and Mareda was another interesting feature. We didn't really get to see much of her older sister after certain events which led to a bit of disconnect for me towards the end... but I'm curious to see how that unfolds in the second book. But overall I really enjoyed the interactions with the side characters as a whole, even with some of the more minor characters that didn't really contribute to the overall story progression.
And I think that speaks to the general feel of the book. There's world building and underlying plots like Kai's mission and secrets, the past of the Beira monarchy, the ancient magic of the lake... but the characters take most of the spotlight. I would've loved to have more of an insight into the lore and magic that was briefly described and alluded to...it was such an interesting secondary plot point. But ultimately, what brought the story together (personal preferences aside) is the writing and prose, which I found enjoyable to say the least. It made the story, for me, feel a bit nostalgic yet elegant with a dash of whimsy. I was pretty immersed from the get go and had my heart strings tugged on a few times. And with that quick ending... I'm definitely looking forward to book 2!
November 13, 2023
It was kind of lame. I picked this up because the premise sounded really cool and I think it would've made for an excellent story, but the execution was very bleh, it fell very flat. I had to dnf by chapter 18, it just wasn't really capturing my interest and i wasn't loving the way the author wrote certain scenes. It felt like they were trying too hard to make characters seem fun and light-hearted, the supposed humor was awfully overperformed. Mareda was also really getting on my nerves, the sister's relationship was just so bad. It's kinda annoying how the mc values her relationship with her sister so much even though it's extremely toxic. She was constantly tiptoeing around trying to accommodate her sister's feelings and insecurities and that's just not how healthy friendships operate. It really made me wonder why Adeline thinks so warmly of her when their relationship is always balancing on a fraying thread, it just seemed like the author was trying to make us think they were closer than they actually are. And don't even get me started on Kai, he's supposedly the mmc of this book but he's rarely in it, even his pov chapter's are brief and not particularly revealing of his thoughts and feelings, they just make him seem like a one dimensional caveman focused on revenge or whatever the hell he wanted, I honestly couldn't even tell.
The final complaint I wanted to talk about is the magic, we don't actually see any magic it's just vaguely talked about. Like how can a book go 18 whole chapters without any on-page display of magic in this so called magical world. This barely even felt like a fantasy book, it was boring.
The final complaint I wanted to talk about is the magic, we don't actually see any magic it's just vaguely talked about. Like how can a book go 18 whole chapters without any on-page display of magic in this so called magical world. This barely even felt like a fantasy book, it was boring.
November 13, 2023
Thank you Ava Smiddy for giving me the possibility to read an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!❤️
Once upon a time, there was a faraway kingdom that combined the charm of Ireland with the not-so-charming weather of Greenland. Perhaps the island is only a few hectares in size, because we only see the castle, the lake and the village - and the town, which is not really far away? Anyway, the enchanting kingdom has been buried under an enchanted blanket of ice for centuries, the seasons are called cold and colder and there's a sweet Christmas market on the frozen lake.
Adeline is the second eldest daughter of the "Ice Queen" Selma and lives a wild, frivolous life in the city until she is summoned home for an unhappy family gathering at Christmas (who hasn't been there). Ade deals with her patchwork family of three fathers, three daughters and a perpetually frosty mother with a lot of mulled wine, a couldn't-care-less facade and a pronounced mother complex. All in all, your typical Christmas suburban RomCom, until suddenly on Christmas morning the ice cover of the Laune (the lake with the market) breaks open and the also somewhat frozen Kai is on the mat. Turns out: quasi-mermaids used to live in the lake, until a magically gifted princess who was deeply in love froze the entire kingdom to spite her father.
Kai, king of the mermaids, is welcomed into the family (after a rather unfriendly greeting) as king without a kingdom, and no one at all seems to mind that hundreds to thousands of his people are still frozen in the lake like frozen veggies in the supermarket. Kai would like to change this, but since we live in capitalism and the ice sculpture sellers would go bankrupt if the eternal winter stopped, he gives up relatively quickly and falls for the charms of the lovely Adeline instead. Meanwhile, she is in the process of overcoming her mother complex and is instead drawn into a power struggle for the succession to the throne. She doesn't really want the crown, but she can't let her almost-perfect sister's xenophobic tendencies get the better of her.
We meet more mermaids who also like to drink mulled wine and have resealable gills! There are parties! And everything melts, except the fancy clothes, which are obviously also made of ice.
The story is a beautiful winter fairy tale with romance, balls, families finding each other again and also found-family. The plot is not particularly deep, rather predictable, but it carries itself and instead you enjoy the very slow burn romance between Kai and Adeline. A cosy read for the cold season, with a few spicy scenes that make the mulled wine unnecessary to warm yourself up.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Spoiler Alert!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Overall, I liked the constellations of the patchwork family and the found family and would have liked more cozy everyday scenes. The mermaids with Silas at brunch. And what has Imogen done to stop Mareda talking to her? Spill the tea!
Once upon a time, there was a faraway kingdom that combined the charm of Ireland with the not-so-charming weather of Greenland. Perhaps the island is only a few hectares in size, because we only see the castle, the lake and the village - and the town, which is not really far away? Anyway, the enchanting kingdom has been buried under an enchanted blanket of ice for centuries, the seasons are called cold and colder and there's a sweet Christmas market on the frozen lake.
Adeline is the second eldest daughter of the "Ice Queen" Selma and lives a wild, frivolous life in the city until she is summoned home for an unhappy family gathering at Christmas (who hasn't been there). Ade deals with her patchwork family of three fathers, three daughters and a perpetually frosty mother with a lot of mulled wine, a couldn't-care-less facade and a pronounced mother complex. All in all, your typical Christmas suburban RomCom, until suddenly on Christmas morning the ice cover of the Laune (the lake with the market) breaks open and the also somewhat frozen Kai is on the mat. Turns out: quasi-mermaids used to live in the lake, until a magically gifted princess who was deeply in love froze the entire kingdom to spite her father.
Kai, king of the mermaids, is welcomed into the family (after a rather unfriendly greeting) as king without a kingdom, and no one at all seems to mind that hundreds to thousands of his people are still frozen in the lake like frozen veggies in the supermarket. Kai would like to change this, but since we live in capitalism and the ice sculpture sellers would go bankrupt if the eternal winter stopped, he gives up relatively quickly and falls for the charms of the lovely Adeline instead. Meanwhile, she is in the process of overcoming her mother complex and is instead drawn into a power struggle for the succession to the throne. She doesn't really want the crown, but she can't let her almost-perfect sister's xenophobic tendencies get the better of her.
We meet more mermaids who also like to drink mulled wine and have resealable gills! There are parties! And everything melts, except the fancy clothes, which are obviously also made of ice.
The story is a beautiful winter fairy tale with romance, balls, families finding each other again and also found-family. The plot is not particularly deep, rather predictable, but it carries itself and instead you enjoy the very slow burn romance between Kai and Adeline. A cosy read for the cold season, with a few spicy scenes that make the mulled wine unnecessary to warm yourself up.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Spoiler Alert!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Overall, I liked the constellations of the patchwork family and the found family and would have liked more cozy everyday scenes. The mermaids with Silas at brunch. And what has Imogen done to stop Mareda talking to her? Spill the tea!
November 15, 2023
“On Silver Winds” by Ava Smiddy is a fantasy reimagining of the classic tale of the Snow Queen with major “Frozen” vibes. The story follows Princess Adeline Beira, in the everwinter kingdom of Eisalaan, as she prepares for her 22nd birthday - a point where she will need to declare her intentions of pursuing her mother’s (the Snow Queen’s) throne or abdicate her title as Heir. Adeline’s older sister, Mareda, has already declared her intentions and is thrilled at the idea of Adeline - having no ambitions to follow in her cold mother’s (Queen Selma’s) footsteps - wanting to pursue a more quiet life outside of the palace.
However, the kingdom is thrown into upheaval when the 600-year-old King Kai emerges from the depths of the frozen lake. Adeline and her family quickly learn that Eisalaan is beginning to thaw, and her kingdom’s way of life is being threatened. As King Kai and his people are accepted into the throws of Queen Selma’s court, it seems that the lake is not the only thing that is beginning to thaw; Queen Selma begins to show a side of herself that has Adeline questioning her decision to bow out as an Heir.
Amidst the family drama and the secrets King Kai is keeping, Adeline is tasked with training with the King. You know how things go from here - they train daily, getting to know each other, and the foundation of their feelings are cemented.
Things come to a head when Adeline must decide where she fits in the grand scheme of things - and where she is going to make a difference with her people…even if that means it’s not by King Kai’s side.
This book was such a unique retelling of a beloved fairytale and was incredibly well-written for a first-time novel. I loved the court politics and the family drama - although I felt Mareda’s character could have been a little more front and center and developed.
I absolutely love the slow burn romance between King Kai and Adeline. He falls in love with her and wants to protect her from the harms of the court (at the risk of his own kingdom and people), but also realizes she must stand on her own feet (and doesn’t try to damselize her). I did feel that their break-up scene was entirely forced and not necessary.
The pacing was pretty decent - until the end. I reached the final chapters and I feel like a lot happened all at once…and that there wasn’t much in the way of closure for Adeline and the events that unfolded. Like, a decision is made and suddenly it’s the epilogue. I get that the epilogue provided some set-up for the next book in the duet, but I wish there had been more fight at the end.
Overall, I really enjoyed the book - so much so that I probably would have given it five stars had it not been for the breakneck speed of the ending. If you enjoy books that are steeped in folklore, examine royal politics and family drama, have its fair share of secrets and betrayal, and give the perfect amount of spice to thaw a frozen heart, you will want to check out Ava Smiddy’s “On Silver Winds.”
[Thank you to Ava Smiddy and BookSirens for providing me with a copy of “On Silver Winds” for which I am providing a voluntary and honest review.]
However, the kingdom is thrown into upheaval when the 600-year-old King Kai emerges from the depths of the frozen lake. Adeline and her family quickly learn that Eisalaan is beginning to thaw, and her kingdom’s way of life is being threatened. As King Kai and his people are accepted into the throws of Queen Selma’s court, it seems that the lake is not the only thing that is beginning to thaw; Queen Selma begins to show a side of herself that has Adeline questioning her decision to bow out as an Heir.
Amidst the family drama and the secrets King Kai is keeping, Adeline is tasked with training with the King. You know how things go from here - they train daily, getting to know each other, and the foundation of their feelings are cemented.
Things come to a head when Adeline must decide where she fits in the grand scheme of things - and where she is going to make a difference with her people…even if that means it’s not by King Kai’s side.
This book was such a unique retelling of a beloved fairytale and was incredibly well-written for a first-time novel. I loved the court politics and the family drama - although I felt Mareda’s character could have been a little more front and center and developed.
I absolutely love the slow burn romance between King Kai and Adeline. He falls in love with her and wants to protect her from the harms of the court (at the risk of his own kingdom and people), but also realizes she must stand on her own feet (and doesn’t try to damselize her). I did feel that their break-up scene was entirely forced and not necessary.
The pacing was pretty decent - until the end. I reached the final chapters and I feel like a lot happened all at once…and that there wasn’t much in the way of closure for Adeline and the events that unfolded. Like, a decision is made and suddenly it’s the epilogue. I get that the epilogue provided some set-up for the next book in the duet, but I wish there had been more fight at the end.
Overall, I really enjoyed the book - so much so that I probably would have given it five stars had it not been for the breakneck speed of the ending. If you enjoy books that are steeped in folklore, examine royal politics and family drama, have its fair share of secrets and betrayal, and give the perfect amount of spice to thaw a frozen heart, you will want to check out Ava Smiddy’s “On Silver Winds.”
[Thank you to Ava Smiddy and BookSirens for providing me with a copy of “On Silver Winds” for which I am providing a voluntary and honest review.]
October 27, 2023
Where to begin... this book was incredible. Wow. Potentially my new favorite fantasy/romance of all time.
From page one, I immediately fell in love with the adult-Narnia vibes. Silver Winds immediately transported me to a magical winter wonderland. This book would be a fantastic atmospheric read for winter, or anytime for those of us winter-lovers who miss snow and hot chocolate during the other seasons. The descriptions of food and beverages were mouthwatering. The descriptions of garments were dazzling. The descriptions of scenery were lush and picturesque.
I found myself wanting to highlight beautiful snippets of prose on nearly every other page. I was absolutely captivated by this world, and suffered an immediate book hangover when I finished reading (which was quickly, because I couldn't put it down).
The characters were beyond lovable. Every relationship was well thought-out and realistic, from parents, to siblings, to friends, to exes, lovers, and everything else in between. It was obvious how much work Ava Smiddy put into understanding every single character, no matter how minor. They felt real, their motivations made sense, and they were all intriguing to read about in their own right.
I absolutely adored Adeline. Her spunk, her heart, her relatability. I think she may be the only princess character I have ever fallen head-over-heels for. Kai was clearly an excellent complement to her, and it was so pleasantly refreshing to see a hero who was stoic without being aggressive and possessive. I hate so many third-act conflicts, but theirs made perfect sense given who these characters were and what they were fighting for – plus, I loved that the tension they went through never felt contrived or melodramatic.
Which brings me to the world-building. I’m in love with matriarchal societies when they feel natural and not pander-y. Royalty that actually behaves like royalty, instead of like a bunch of hormonal, vindictive teenagers? Sign me the heck up. Selma was such an interesting and well fleshed out queen from the very start, and the motivations for her heirs and everyone in her court were understandable and sometimes sympathetic.
The romance? Adorable. Slow-burning. Sexy. All at the same time. This book delivered on absolutely everything I look for in a romance plotline. Characters I can root for, cheeky banter, burning chemistry, and real struggles that tug on my heartstrings. My heart melted at so many of the moments the two MCs shared.
I am eagerly awaiting the next installment. I can’t wait to devour the conclusion to this incredible series and see what Ava Smiddy puts out next! Ava – you’ve earned yourself a diehard fan.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
From page one, I immediately fell in love with the adult-Narnia vibes. Silver Winds immediately transported me to a magical winter wonderland. This book would be a fantastic atmospheric read for winter, or anytime for those of us winter-lovers who miss snow and hot chocolate during the other seasons. The descriptions of food and beverages were mouthwatering. The descriptions of garments were dazzling. The descriptions of scenery were lush and picturesque.
I found myself wanting to highlight beautiful snippets of prose on nearly every other page. I was absolutely captivated by this world, and suffered an immediate book hangover when I finished reading (which was quickly, because I couldn't put it down).
The characters were beyond lovable. Every relationship was well thought-out and realistic, from parents, to siblings, to friends, to exes, lovers, and everything else in between. It was obvious how much work Ava Smiddy put into understanding every single character, no matter how minor. They felt real, their motivations made sense, and they were all intriguing to read about in their own right.
I absolutely adored Adeline. Her spunk, her heart, her relatability. I think she may be the only princess character I have ever fallen head-over-heels for. Kai was clearly an excellent complement to her, and it was so pleasantly refreshing to see a hero who was stoic without being aggressive and possessive. I hate so many third-act conflicts, but theirs made perfect sense given who these characters were and what they were fighting for – plus, I loved that the tension they went through never felt contrived or melodramatic.
Which brings me to the world-building. I’m in love with matriarchal societies when they feel natural and not pander-y. Royalty that actually behaves like royalty, instead of like a bunch of hormonal, vindictive teenagers? Sign me the heck up. Selma was such an interesting and well fleshed out queen from the very start, and the motivations for her heirs and everyone in her court were understandable and sometimes sympathetic.
The romance? Adorable. Slow-burning. Sexy. All at the same time. This book delivered on absolutely everything I look for in a romance plotline. Characters I can root for, cheeky banter, burning chemistry, and real struggles that tug on my heartstrings. My heart melted at so many of the moments the two MCs shared.
I am eagerly awaiting the next installment. I can’t wait to devour the conclusion to this incredible series and see what Ava Smiddy puts out next! Ava – you’ve earned yourself a diehard fan.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 8, 2023
How long do I have to wait for book two?
I loved this book. I feel genuinely lucky to have come across this frozen world Ava Smiddy has created. About a quarter of the way through reading I had to stop and check that this was in fact Smiddy's debut novel. The writing is just that good. The story is well crafted, the pacing is solid, the characters compelling and distinct. The world building - and lore building - means that there is so much more to explore and the conclusion (I was shocked) has me dying to find out how it will all work out.
I really liked Adeline as a FMC. She's confident and knows her own mind, while also mindful of her responsibilities to her family and kingdom. She has been dealt a difficult hand, but she plays it well and in a way that feels very believable. I also really liked Kai, the MMC, although my one criticism is that I would have liked to have read more from his perspective - especially early on when he was escaping the ice. There's an implied horror in how that scene would have unfurled that I would liked to have read, and I think it would have given more weight to the decisions he later makes. The romance between the two of them felt very organic, and oh the slow burn. There are dances, fight scenes, careful touches, pining, everything we love to read. I feel like if I say too much I'll ruin the journey, so just trust me when I say it is good.
This is a story of courtly intrigue - and magic gone wrong - as well as romance, and I was really impressed with how these were balanced. As much as I was desperate for Ade and Kai to get together, I needed to know why things were going south the way that they were. While we get some answers by the end of the book, I feel like there are a lot more secrets to be unveiled and tensions to be resolved (what happened between Imogen and Mareda?). Things have gone badly wrong in Eisalaan and it's unclear how - or if - they can be put to rights.
I'll be following Ava Smiddy's writing career with interest - this book is a fantastic start. I received an advanced reader copy of this book for free, and this review is voluntary and entirely my own.
I loved this book. I feel genuinely lucky to have come across this frozen world Ava Smiddy has created. About a quarter of the way through reading I had to stop and check that this was in fact Smiddy's debut novel. The writing is just that good. The story is well crafted, the pacing is solid, the characters compelling and distinct. The world building - and lore building - means that there is so much more to explore and the conclusion (I was shocked) has me dying to find out how it will all work out.
I really liked Adeline as a FMC. She's confident and knows her own mind, while also mindful of her responsibilities to her family and kingdom. She has been dealt a difficult hand, but she plays it well and in a way that feels very believable. I also really liked Kai, the MMC, although my one criticism is that I would have liked to have read more from his perspective - especially early on when he was escaping the ice. There's an implied horror in how that scene would have unfurled that I would liked to have read, and I think it would have given more weight to the decisions he later makes. The romance between the two of them felt very organic, and oh the slow burn. There are dances, fight scenes, careful touches, pining, everything we love to read. I feel like if I say too much I'll ruin the journey, so just trust me when I say it is good.
This is a story of courtly intrigue - and magic gone wrong - as well as romance, and I was really impressed with how these were balanced. As much as I was desperate for Ade and Kai to get together, I needed to know why things were going south the way that they were. While we get some answers by the end of the book, I feel like there are a lot more secrets to be unveiled and tensions to be resolved (what happened between Imogen and Mareda?). Things have gone badly wrong in Eisalaan and it's unclear how - or if - they can be put to rights.
I'll be following Ava Smiddy's writing career with interest - this book is a fantastic start. I received an advanced reader copy of this book for free, and this review is voluntary and entirely my own.
November 8, 2023
From the moment i began reading, it captivated me. Smiddy’s writing is very prosaic and quotable. A cozy wintertime read for sure! I had no problem picturing myself in Princess Adeline’s rooms snuggled under a heavy fur throw lazing on a brocade fainting couch with a steaming mug of tea, listening to the sisters chatter the night Iseult arrived for New Winter. I felt the heart-tugging of the oldest sister, Mereda, toward her sisters and both hers and Adeline’s mounting frustrations as court politics made them see the path forward in different ways.
With the introduction of Kai, a very real and not fairy-tale King in their midst, so much more chaos ensues. With his old-fashioned customs and his own reality of the fairy-tale confronting the current court and their inhabitants, it really throws a wrench into the usual happenings in the castle.
Of course it’s understandable, having escaped from the harrowing effects of a curse, that he’s very wary in general. And also to be expected that he is genuinely touched by the kindness of Princess Adeline, considering the disbelief and unsupportive nature of most of the court. Truth be told, there are a lot of people in the kingdom who are totally suspicious of everything to do with the king and his people. They didn’t think that fairytale was even real, and now they are faced with new people, a re-writing of their history, and the thawing of the snow kingdom, upending everyone and everything.
There are so many layers to this story. The familial relationships, the mother daughter tension, the sibling love and rivalry, political intrigue, hidden agendas, it’s all just so well woven together. I’m very much looking forward to book two!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 27, 2023
On silver winds - Ava Smiddy
3⭐️/5 ~🇪🇸
•Ante todo agradecer a la autora por la copia anticipada de libro para hacer una reseña honesta•
~Si os soy sincera no he llegado a terminar el libro, me he quedado al 80%; y realmente no está mal, está bien escrito y tiene coherencia, pero me parece muuuy lento y no me ha llamado la atención.
~Una cosa que no me ha gustado es que no sé en qué momento histórico se encuentra ambientada la historia, a veces parece estar en el siglo XIX y otras veces en el siglo XXI, así que no me ha quedado muy claro😅.
~La relación amorosa… meh, tampoco me atrae mucho, aunque el MMC es muy mono, también hay que decirlo.
~La trama no sé, sé que es el primer libro de una saga, y tener trama tiene, pero como he dicho va demasiado lento para mi gusto y no ocurre nada emocionante.
~En definitiva este libro no era para mí🥺
•••••
3⭐️/5 ~🇬🇧
~If I'm honest, I haven't finished the book, I'm only 80% of the way through; and it's not bad, it's well written and has coherence, but it seems very slow and it hasn't caught my attention.
~One thing that I didn't like is that I don't know in which historical moment the story is set, sometimes it seems to be in the 19th century and other times in the 21st century, so it wasn't very clear to me😅.
~The love relationship... meh, it doesn't really appeal to me either, although the MMC is very cute, it has to be said.
~The plot I don't know, I know it's the first book of a saga, and it has a plot, but as I said it's too slow for my taste and nothing exciting happens.
~In short this book was not for me🥺
3⭐️/5 ~🇪🇸
•Ante todo agradecer a la autora por la copia anticipada de libro para hacer una reseña honesta•
~Si os soy sincera no he llegado a terminar el libro, me he quedado al 80%; y realmente no está mal, está bien escrito y tiene coherencia, pero me parece muuuy lento y no me ha llamado la atención.
~Una cosa que no me ha gustado es que no sé en qué momento histórico se encuentra ambientada la historia, a veces parece estar en el siglo XIX y otras veces en el siglo XXI, así que no me ha quedado muy claro😅.
~La relación amorosa… meh, tampoco me atrae mucho, aunque el MMC es muy mono, también hay que decirlo.
~La trama no sé, sé que es el primer libro de una saga, y tener trama tiene, pero como he dicho va demasiado lento para mi gusto y no ocurre nada emocionante.
~En definitiva este libro no era para mí🥺
•••••
3⭐️/5 ~🇬🇧
~If I'm honest, I haven't finished the book, I'm only 80% of the way through; and it's not bad, it's well written and has coherence, but it seems very slow and it hasn't caught my attention.
~One thing that I didn't like is that I don't know in which historical moment the story is set, sometimes it seems to be in the 19th century and other times in the 21st century, so it wasn't very clear to me😅.
~The love relationship... meh, it doesn't really appeal to me either, although the MMC is very cute, it has to be said.
~The plot I don't know, I know it's the first book of a saga, and it has a plot, but as I said it's too slow for my taste and nothing exciting happens.
~In short this book was not for me🥺
November 5, 2023
First I’d like to start by saying this is a powerhouse of a debut novel. It had everything I enjoy about a book in this genre; magic, world-building and a little bit of spice.
I was immediately sucked into the world of Adeline’s frozen kingdom. There were so many unique and interesting elements to the areas that the author built up. I was thoroughly impressed with how she managed to keep the balance between forwarding the plot and developing the characters, too. The concept of a frozen world beginning to thaw and the ice queen who sits on the throne had my interest almost immediately.
Ava, the author, is able to set the tone of Adeline’s relationship with the people around her and is also able to allow them to change and develop naturally. It was easy to see how things could develop into more between her and Kai, and also how things could sour between her and her sister (without saying anything else to prevent spoilers).
I loved the idea of the Morrow and the story behind them; it was unique and created with great attention to detail. It is very easy to see that the author spent a long time fine-tuning plot points and characters to fit the story perfectly.
Overall, I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone looking for a new fantasy read. It is intriguing, action-packed, and full of interesting and engaging characters. I have no problem giving it 5 stars!
I would like to say thank you to Ava Smiddy and Book Sirens for the ARC!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I was immediately sucked into the world of Adeline’s frozen kingdom. There were so many unique and interesting elements to the areas that the author built up. I was thoroughly impressed with how she managed to keep the balance between forwarding the plot and developing the characters, too. The concept of a frozen world beginning to thaw and the ice queen who sits on the throne had my interest almost immediately.
Ava, the author, is able to set the tone of Adeline’s relationship with the people around her and is also able to allow them to change and develop naturally. It was easy to see how things could develop into more between her and Kai, and also how things could sour between her and her sister (without saying anything else to prevent spoilers).
I loved the idea of the Morrow and the story behind them; it was unique and created with great attention to detail. It is very easy to see that the author spent a long time fine-tuning plot points and characters to fit the story perfectly.
Overall, I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone looking for a new fantasy read. It is intriguing, action-packed, and full of interesting and engaging characters. I have no problem giving it 5 stars!
I would like to say thank you to Ava Smiddy and Book Sirens for the ARC!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 31, 2024
Such a lovely read!
Do yourself a favor right now and get this book! It is so stinking good! I fell absolutely in love with Adeline & Ger right away. The banter and rapport Ava
Smiddy somehow instantly builds is incredible, & and it only builds from there! As each new character is introduced, the found family dynamic grows ever more comfortable & effervescent. I also have to say that I’m obsessed with Ger not only because he’s hilarious, but also because it was so wonderful to see a male bi character so completely comfortable in their skin, & for his sexuality to be an absolute non-issue in this magical, fictional world. The way Smiddy depicts how Adeline’s complicated relationships change & grow within her own family is masterful. Smiddy navigates heavy emotional topics with ease, & there were many parts of this book that were cathartic to read as a mother & and daughter. The magic system & interwoven lore are an intriguing & refreshing mix. The spice is HOT hot. 3 words. The library scene. Iykyk. Kai is the perfect MMC & your new book boyfriend. The dual POV is so fun, especially in the beginning when Kai was super broody. I am absolutely entrance by this book & the wonderful characters that now feel like flesh & blood friends. I am so sad to say goodbye to them for now. I know I will be rereading when book 2 comes out, especially after the shocking twist at the end that left me gasping! Seriously, go get this book right now!
Do yourself a favor right now and get this book! It is so stinking good! I fell absolutely in love with Adeline & Ger right away. The banter and rapport Ava
Smiddy somehow instantly builds is incredible, & and it only builds from there! As each new character is introduced, the found family dynamic grows ever more comfortable & effervescent. I also have to say that I’m obsessed with Ger not only because he’s hilarious, but also because it was so wonderful to see a male bi character so completely comfortable in their skin, & for his sexuality to be an absolute non-issue in this magical, fictional world. The way Smiddy depicts how Adeline’s complicated relationships change & grow within her own family is masterful. Smiddy navigates heavy emotional topics with ease, & there were many parts of this book that were cathartic to read as a mother & and daughter. The magic system & interwoven lore are an intriguing & refreshing mix. The spice is HOT hot. 3 words. The library scene. Iykyk. Kai is the perfect MMC & your new book boyfriend. The dual POV is so fun, especially in the beginning when Kai was super broody. I am absolutely entrance by this book & the wonderful characters that now feel like flesh & blood friends. I am so sad to say goodbye to them for now. I know I will be rereading when book 2 comes out, especially after the shocking twist at the end that left me gasping! Seriously, go get this book right now!
November 8, 2023
* Actual rating is 4.25 stars*
On Silver Winds is a well-written cosy fantasy set in a winter world where two, not quite, enemies become something more. The story follows Adeline, a princess of Eisalaan who is more than pleased to just do her own thing rather than being the picture perfect princess. But things change when Kai, a king from legends, emerges from the frozen lake. This sets off a series of events that results in Adeline having to deal with difficult choices about loyalties, secrets and deciding who is actually a threat to her kingdom.
Adeline was a bit of a hit and miss character for me. There were parts of the story where I absolutely adored her, and others where I got frustrated by her choices. Like how she has a big change of heart half-way through the book. Not to mention that some of the other characters seem to have a complete new personality. This isn’t bad in itself, I just wish it had been foreshadowed more. I found Kai to be my favorite character, and I wished he had more space in the story. His entire side-plotline just seemed so interesting, and I would have loved to get a deeper understanding of his plans. Also he sounds super cute, so I don’t blame Adeline for liking him.
The writing style and the pacing was great, it was easy to read and follow along. The world building was also amazing and the world was a perfect place to escape reality in. There’s magic, spice and a whole gang of lovable side-characters. If you’re an fantasy lover who enjoyed The Selection and the Red Queen, and is looking for something like that but more adult - then On Silver Winds is for you.
—
Thank you to the author for an e-arc of the book in exchange for an honest review.
On Silver Winds is a well-written cosy fantasy set in a winter world where two, not quite, enemies become something more. The story follows Adeline, a princess of Eisalaan who is more than pleased to just do her own thing rather than being the picture perfect princess. But things change when Kai, a king from legends, emerges from the frozen lake. This sets off a series of events that results in Adeline having to deal with difficult choices about loyalties, secrets and deciding who is actually a threat to her kingdom.
Adeline was a bit of a hit and miss character for me. There were parts of the story where I absolutely adored her, and others where I got frustrated by her choices. Like how she has a big change of heart half-way through the book. Not to mention that some of the other characters seem to have a complete new personality. This isn’t bad in itself, I just wish it had been foreshadowed more. I found Kai to be my favorite character, and I wished he had more space in the story. His entire side-plotline just seemed so interesting, and I would have loved to get a deeper understanding of his plans. Also he sounds super cute, so I don’t blame Adeline for liking him.
The writing style and the pacing was great, it was easy to read and follow along. The world building was also amazing and the world was a perfect place to escape reality in. There’s magic, spice and a whole gang of lovable side-characters. If you’re an fantasy lover who enjoyed The Selection and the Red Queen, and is looking for something like that but more adult - then On Silver Winds is for you.
—
Thank you to the author for an e-arc of the book in exchange for an honest review.
April 10, 2025
This book flourishes with the essence of a wintery fairytale and I really enjoyed the unique family dynamics. Just when you think the story was heading one way, there would be a subtle twist that would draw you off course. Eisalaan is such a wintery scape and the world building really made you feel like bundling up with a hot chocolate!
The story centres around Adeline, her strong-willed character and brazen attitude was refreshing. Also the attention paid to the character development of her family members really added authenticity and built enough intrigue to keep you reading before the introduction of Kai.
You could genuinely feel the indecision in Kai’s character which was also a great reflection of his true age. Trapped for centuries beneath the ice, his emergence into this altered world was gradual, his place amongst the new royalty tentative and his agenda for his own people kept the pace steady. The slow burn romance and initial shyness of Kai’s character against Adeline’s was fun to read and the spicy scenes not overpowering to the storyline.
Overall this was a great read, with a subtle but no less wondrous magic system that delved into politics, family relationships and love and I look forward to seeing how the next instalment unfolds after that unexpected ending!
The story centres around Adeline, her strong-willed character and brazen attitude was refreshing. Also the attention paid to the character development of her family members really added authenticity and built enough intrigue to keep you reading before the introduction of Kai.
You could genuinely feel the indecision in Kai’s character which was also a great reflection of his true age. Trapped for centuries beneath the ice, his emergence into this altered world was gradual, his place amongst the new royalty tentative and his agenda for his own people kept the pace steady. The slow burn romance and initial shyness of Kai’s character against Adeline’s was fun to read and the spicy scenes not overpowering to the storyline.
Overall this was a great read, with a subtle but no less wondrous magic system that delved into politics, family relationships and love and I look forward to seeing how the next instalment unfolds after that unexpected ending!
November 15, 2023
ARC Review
3.5/5 stars
3/5 🌶🌶🌶
Overall, I enjoyed this book. It was cozy fantasy and a great winter read! The story was interesting and I really loved some of the characters (Ger, Imogen, Cer). The romance was pretty good and I liked getting to know Kai better as the story progressed. The spice was 🔥 (especially the library scene 🙃). I also really enjoyed how the family dynamics played out for Adeline, particularly her relationship with her mother. I appreciate how post partum depression was shown in her story. I really want to know more about what happened with her mother and the pendant! I am also interested in how things will play out with Adeline and her sister, especially after the Edward situation.
I will say that this book felt about 100 pages too long. It was VERY slow to start and took me quite a while to get into the story. I felt that I was getting more interested at around the 40% mark. The beginning was pretty boring and monotonous. It seemed like the author was really trying to do a lot of set up/world building, but it just feel too long.
I look forward to the next book in this series!
3.5/5 stars
3/5 🌶🌶🌶
Overall, I enjoyed this book. It was cozy fantasy and a great winter read! The story was interesting and I really loved some of the characters (Ger, Imogen, Cer). The romance was pretty good and I liked getting to know Kai better as the story progressed. The spice was 🔥 (especially the library scene 🙃). I also really enjoyed how the family dynamics played out for Adeline, particularly her relationship with her mother. I appreciate how post partum depression was shown in her story. I really want to know more about what happened with her mother and the pendant! I am also interested in how things will play out with Adeline and her sister, especially after the Edward situation.
I will say that this book felt about 100 pages too long. It was VERY slow to start and took me quite a while to get into the story. I felt that I was getting more interested at around the 40% mark. The beginning was pretty boring and monotonous. It seemed like the author was really trying to do a lot of set up/world building, but it just feel too long.
I look forward to the next book in this series!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 19, 2023
On Silver Winds is a delightful, character-driven fantasy book. This exciting debut is the perfect winter read and I was completely captivated by the wonderfully crafted world and characters. Ava Smiddy has a gorgeous writing style that flowed so beautifully.
Despite the book starting off rather slow paced, I found that is merely enhance the suspense as well as giving the reader the opportunity to learn of important backstories.
Kai isn't a stereotypical fantasy love interest, which I found to be extremely refreshing. He is the complete opposite of what I'd expected and I loved him all the more for it. He is chivalrous, bashful and deeply caring, especially for Adeline. I absolutely adored their slow burn romance and it was definitely a highlight of the book for me. I can't wait to see more of them in the sequel!
Also, quick shout out the Adeline's father, Silas, who was so incredibly kind and caring, which seems to be a rarity when it comes to father's in the fantasy genre. I absolutely adored the interactions between father and daughter and I will riot if anything happens to Silas!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Despite the book starting off rather slow paced, I found that is merely enhance the suspense as well as giving the reader the opportunity to learn of important backstories.
Kai isn't a stereotypical fantasy love interest, which I found to be extremely refreshing. He is the complete opposite of what I'd expected and I loved him all the more for it. He is chivalrous, bashful and deeply caring, especially for Adeline. I absolutely adored their slow burn romance and it was definitely a highlight of the book for me. I can't wait to see more of them in the sequel!
Also, quick shout out the Adeline's father, Silas, who was so incredibly kind and caring, which seems to be a rarity when it comes to father's in the fantasy genre. I absolutely adored the interactions between father and daughter and I will riot if anything happens to Silas!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 21, 2023
ARC received.
Charmingly fairy tale-like, but not too simplistic. Ade is refreshingly straight-forward female lead pursuing the mysterious King Kai, who in return is a bit old-fashioned and more reserved - in his time, the girls were definitely not like Adeline - and this makes for a nice flirtatious slow burn romance. Overall very nice, and my rating is more like 3.5 stars, though I did have some issues that lowered the rating.. but keep in mind that your mileage may vary. For one, the world-building, while cute, was quite confusing: how many Wielding types are there and what is the source of magic? Just winds and water? How come there are so many fresh produce types in a kingdom of eternal snow? Is no one interested in summer? These could well be answered in the next installment, but for now I remain confused. Secondly, while I understand that this is a fairytale, the characters could have used some variation, instead of being charmingly merry and laughing all the time - looking at you, Ceri and Ger (also, Ger could have used a bit more background, at least in relation to Adeline). But overall, I enjoyed reading this - but note that it ends in a cliffhanger!
Charmingly fairy tale-like, but not too simplistic. Ade is refreshingly straight-forward female lead pursuing the mysterious King Kai, who in return is a bit old-fashioned and more reserved - in his time, the girls were definitely not like Adeline - and this makes for a nice flirtatious slow burn romance. Overall very nice, and my rating is more like 3.5 stars, though I did have some issues that lowered the rating.. but keep in mind that your mileage may vary. For one, the world-building, while cute, was quite confusing: how many Wielding types are there and what is the source of magic? Just winds and water? How come there are so many fresh produce types in a kingdom of eternal snow? Is no one interested in summer? These could well be answered in the next installment, but for now I remain confused. Secondly, while I understand that this is a fairytale, the characters could have used some variation, instead of being charmingly merry and laughing all the time - looking at you, Ceri and Ger (also, Ger could have used a bit more background, at least in relation to Adeline). But overall, I enjoyed reading this - but note that it ends in a cliffhanger!
June 11, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
Ice Queen meets Frozen but adult version ❄️🌬️
I really enjoyed this book!! The magic and the frozen kingdom elements were so refreshing. I honestly haven’t read a fantasy book that revolved around a frozen kingdom- so this was a first for me!! And honestly I loved it.
Adeline was such a great FMC! I loved her sass. She always kept me entertained during her chapters. There were times that her POV seemed to drag on BUT there’s a lot of build up so stick with it!!
Kai. MY MAN. Such a good man he is. He’s not a shadow daddy or a tall brood that is out of this world handsome. He’s a normal guy trying to find his place in this world. And I kinda loved how he was a little more down to earth at times. Everything he did was for his people and Adeline. He was definitely swoon worthy and giving Anthony Bridgerton vibes IMO.
Selma😭-okay I had to just add this. I’m not gonna say anything else.
And found family??? I mean who can say no to that, I always live this trope in books.
Overall this was a solid start to the duology! I’m hoping the second book wraps everything together. My only problems with this book was how slow it was at times. But once you get to the 50% point it’s hard to put down!!
🌶️🌶️
Ice Queen meets Frozen but adult version ❄️🌬️
I really enjoyed this book!! The magic and the frozen kingdom elements were so refreshing. I honestly haven’t read a fantasy book that revolved around a frozen kingdom- so this was a first for me!! And honestly I loved it.
Adeline was such a great FMC! I loved her sass. She always kept me entertained during her chapters. There were times that her POV seemed to drag on BUT there’s a lot of build up so stick with it!!
Kai. MY MAN. Such a good man he is. He’s not a shadow daddy or a tall brood that is out of this world handsome. He’s a normal guy trying to find his place in this world. And I kinda loved how he was a little more down to earth at times. Everything he did was for his people and Adeline. He was definitely swoon worthy and giving Anthony Bridgerton vibes IMO.
Selma😭-okay I had to just add this. I’m not gonna say anything else.
And found family??? I mean who can say no to that, I always live this trope in books.
Overall this was a solid start to the duology! I’m hoping the second book wraps everything together. My only problems with this book was how slow it was at times. But once you get to the 50% point it’s hard to put down!!
February 20, 2026
my feelings towards this book sit somewhere in the middle. there were several aspects i really appreciated, particularly the world-building, the author’s immersive writing style, and the creation of believable, well-written characters.
that said, while the characters felt realistic on the page, i personally didn’t form as strong an emotional connection to them as i would have liked. i also found the pacing slower than my preference, with stretches where the story felt more meandering than driven. because of this, the stakes never fully escalated for me, and the climax felt somewhat rushed after a long build-up.
overall, this book didn’t quite deliver the emotional impact i was hoping for, nor did it leave a lasting impression for me personally. however, this feels more like a matter of execution than concept. the writing itself is solid, and with some refinement, this story could truly shine.
that said, while the characters felt realistic on the page, i personally didn’t form as strong an emotional connection to them as i would have liked. i also found the pacing slower than my preference, with stretches where the story felt more meandering than driven. because of this, the stakes never fully escalated for me, and the climax felt somewhat rushed after a long build-up.
overall, this book didn’t quite deliver the emotional impact i was hoping for, nor did it leave a lasting impression for me personally. however, this feels more like a matter of execution than concept. the writing itself is solid, and with some refinement, this story could truly shine.
November 17, 2023
*** ARC Review ***
At first, I was a little confused by this book. I think the introductions to the characters and their relationships with each other was a little unclear in the early chapters. I do think it has a slower start and took a little time to get into.
However, once I got further into the story, which had the most BEAUTIFUL descriptions of both characters and settings, I was drawn in.
We follow Adeline throughout her journey of coming into her own and deciding whether to prioritize what her heart wants or the expectations others have for her. She has to navigate complicated relationships with her family, the kingdom’s people, and forgotten enemies. As Adeline falls in love, there is an entirely new, complex, and SPICY dynamic to the story.
Overall, it was a good (and very wintery/cozy) read, and I am hoping for a second book.
At first, I was a little confused by this book. I think the introductions to the characters and their relationships with each other was a little unclear in the early chapters. I do think it has a slower start and took a little time to get into.
However, once I got further into the story, which had the most BEAUTIFUL descriptions of both characters and settings, I was drawn in.
We follow Adeline throughout her journey of coming into her own and deciding whether to prioritize what her heart wants or the expectations others have for her. She has to navigate complicated relationships with her family, the kingdom’s people, and forgotten enemies. As Adeline falls in love, there is an entirely new, complex, and SPICY dynamic to the story.
Overall, it was a good (and very wintery/cozy) read, and I am hoping for a second book.
January 10, 2024
I really enjoyed this story. I'm already excited to see where the next book will go. The world building was really nice so far and I'm interested to see how the other countries are described.
The characters are pretty well flushed out as well. I thought that they were all interesting in their own ways and made to be believable in their world. I loved how each character progressed in their story and even though some of the characters stories made me sad with how they progressed, they were extremely well written.
I felt really connected to the main characters and hoped for things to work out with them.
There were a few typos and weird spacing issues occasionally that felt odd, but I don't think they took me away from the story too much.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The characters are pretty well flushed out as well. I thought that they were all interesting in their own ways and made to be believable in their world. I loved how each character progressed in their story and even though some of the characters stories made me sad with how they progressed, they were extremely well written.
I felt really connected to the main characters and hoped for things to work out with them.
There were a few typos and weird spacing issues occasionally that felt odd, but I don't think they took me away from the story too much.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 28, 2025
Ava wtf was that ending? Ma'am? Excuse me?
I will anxiously be waiting for book 2 because, honestly, now I'm just starting at the ceiling.
First, Ava's writing is lush and immersive. I found myself tearing up multiple times over the way we were plunged into the emotion of the story.
Kai and Adeline's romance was slow burning and absolutely delicious 😏 We love a proper man who loses all decorum around her (when he cursed for the first time, I SWOONED OK).
I honestly thought this was going to be a fairytale ending for them BUT IT WASNT and now I'm shooketh (but in the best way).
Read this if you love:
Political intrigue
Slow burn romance (king & princess hehehe)
BEST SIDE CHARACTERS
An fmc whose relatable, faults and all
A spicy library scene 👀
Secrets & reveals
Ok off to yell *lovingly* at Ava
I will anxiously be waiting for book 2 because, honestly, now I'm just starting at the ceiling.
First, Ava's writing is lush and immersive. I found myself tearing up multiple times over the way we were plunged into the emotion of the story.
Kai and Adeline's romance was slow burning and absolutely delicious 😏 We love a proper man who loses all decorum around her (when he cursed for the first time, I SWOONED OK).
I honestly thought this was going to be a fairytale ending for them BUT IT WASNT and now I'm shooketh (but in the best way).
Read this if you love:
Political intrigue
Slow burn romance (king & princess hehehe)
BEST SIDE CHARACTERS
An fmc whose relatable, faults and all
A spicy library scene 👀
Secrets & reveals
Ok off to yell *lovingly* at Ava
November 25, 2023
'If it’s not obvious by now; I’m yours, Adeline...Heart, breath, all of it belongs to you. Everything.'
This book is like FROZEN x A Court of Frost & Starlight ❄️
It's the perfect roman-tasy read to warm you up on a winter's evening.
If the Laune had not cracked and caused the Thaw, I'm pretty sure the chemistry between Kai and Adeline would have melted it anyway! 😍
Their relationship is a nice blend of instant attraction meets slow burn which I really enjoyed.
I also loved the:
- LGBT+ rep
- Matriarchal Society (and princesses who wear pretty dresses yet still have to quite literally FIGHT in an arena for their crown.) ⚔️
- Intricate worldbuilding and folklore
- Complex families and sibling rivalry
- A King without a Kingdom 👑
This book is like FROZEN x A Court of Frost & Starlight ❄️
It's the perfect roman-tasy read to warm you up on a winter's evening.
If the Laune had not cracked and caused the Thaw, I'm pretty sure the chemistry between Kai and Adeline would have melted it anyway! 😍
Their relationship is a nice blend of instant attraction meets slow burn which I really enjoyed.
I also loved the:
- LGBT+ rep
- Matriarchal Society (and princesses who wear pretty dresses yet still have to quite literally FIGHT in an arena for their crown.) ⚔️
- Intricate worldbuilding and folklore
- Complex families and sibling rivalry
- A King without a Kingdom 👑
January 13, 2024
Adeline doesn’t want the crown, thinks it belongs to her oldest sister. But when Kai emerges from the frozen lake and the land starts to thaw, she rethinks her position.
The first few chapters were a little slow for me, but it quickly captured my attention. I love the relationship between Adeline and Kai. The catching glimpse of each other, forced proximity, and pining for each other made me feel giddy. I also love the side characters Ceri and Ger. Ger is so funny, I would love more info and back story on him.
It’s such a cozy read with magic, familial love, some spice, and a little mystery. It has duel POV between Adeline and Kai and ends on a small clifhanger. Overall I really enjoyed it and look forward to book 2!
The first few chapters were a little slow for me, but it quickly captured my attention. I love the relationship between Adeline and Kai. The catching glimpse of each other, forced proximity, and pining for each other made me feel giddy. I also love the side characters Ceri and Ger. Ger is so funny, I would love more info and back story on him.
It’s such a cozy read with magic, familial love, some spice, and a little mystery. It has duel POV between Adeline and Kai and ends on a small clifhanger. Overall I really enjoyed it and look forward to book 2!
March 18, 2024
Adeline's journey, torn between duty and desire, unfolds in a mesmerizing tale of royal intrigue and icy magic. The tension between tradition and rebellion grips you from the first page, as Adeline navigates the weight of her lineage against the allure of freedom.
Enter Kai,, adding layers of complexity and forbidden attraction. The intricate world-building and rich character development make every twist and turn feel like a revelation. A must-read for fantasy enthusiasts craving a fresh take on timeless themes of love, sacrifice, and the price of power.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Enter Kai,, adding layers of complexity and forbidden attraction. The intricate world-building and rich character development make every twist and turn feel like a revelation. A must-read for fantasy enthusiasts craving a fresh take on timeless themes of love, sacrifice, and the price of power.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 14, 2024
I really enjoyed this book! The main character has a kind of "princess of the people" thing going on that was a lot of fun to read, and the love story was sweet as can be. More than one character is petty as well, and I absolutely loved it. I lived for people making the pot-stirring decisions! My main issue with it was some inconsistencies with details and characterization. I can’t say much about the characterization without spoilers, but the motivations for shifts in character just didn’t seem to match up for me. It wasn’t clear that the magic worked in such a way that it could have explained changes in character, and that just made the character(s) read as poorly written for me. I also wish that there had been more of the political drama involved. It’s definitely a factor to the plot, but it was almost like in an attempt to make the plot about romance and political intrigue, that they both kind of fell short a few times.
Overall, I had a lot of fun reading this book and I cannot wait for the next one to come out!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Overall, I had a lot of fun reading this book and I cannot wait for the next one to come out!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
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