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Snowblooded
The Princess Bride meets Six of Crows in this uproarious fantasy debut set in 18th century Scandinavia full of assassins, magic potions, romance and rivalry.
Valour and Petrichor are esteemed members of the Order of Axsten, an assassin’s guild tasked with keeping order in the rough city of Vinterstock. Plucked from the streets as children and raised to compete for their guild’s approval, Valour uses her brawn to survive, while Petrichor strives to be a gentleman assassin. When they’re given their biggest job yet—to kill Brandquist, the mysterious leader of the city's illegal magic trade—it’s a recipe for disaster. If they can quell their rivalry long enough, the reward will be enough to settle their debts with the Order and start new lives.
If this job wasn’t dangerous enough, Valour is saddled with protecting the aristocrat, Ingrid Rytterdahl. Valour finds her dangerously attractive, but Petrichor can’t wait to be rid of them both. He begrudgingly accepts Ingrid’s knowledge and connections as they navigate the city’s criminal underbelly in pursuit of Brandquist.
As secrets bubble to the surface, the duo must outwit the thugs on their tail, keep Ingrid alive, and—hardest of all—work together without murdering each other.
Valour and Petrichor are esteemed members of the Order of Axsten, an assassin’s guild tasked with keeping order in the rough city of Vinterstock. Plucked from the streets as children and raised to compete for their guild’s approval, Valour uses her brawn to survive, while Petrichor strives to be a gentleman assassin. When they’re given their biggest job yet—to kill Brandquist, the mysterious leader of the city's illegal magic trade—it’s a recipe for disaster. If they can quell their rivalry long enough, the reward will be enough to settle their debts with the Order and start new lives.
If this job wasn’t dangerous enough, Valour is saddled with protecting the aristocrat, Ingrid Rytterdahl. Valour finds her dangerously attractive, but Petrichor can’t wait to be rid of them both. He begrudgingly accepts Ingrid’s knowledge and connections as they navigate the city’s criminal underbelly in pursuit of Brandquist.
As secrets bubble to the surface, the duo must outwit the thugs on their tail, keep Ingrid alive, and—hardest of all—work together without murdering each other.
460 pages, Hardcover
First published May 9, 2024
14 people are currently reading
1892 people want to read
About the author
Emma Sterner-Radley
28 books170 followersEmma Sterner-Radley spent far too much time hopping from subject to subject at university, back in her native country of Sweden. One day, she finally emerged with a degree in Library and Information Science. She thought libraries was her thing, because she wanted to work with books, and being an author was just an impossible dream, right? Wrong. She's now a writer and a publisher. (But still a librarian at heart, too.)
She lives with her wife and two cats in England. There is no point in saying which city, as they move about once a year. She spends her free time writing, reading, daydreaming, working out, and watching whichever television show has the most lesbian subtext at the time.
Her tastes in most things usually lean towards the quirky and she loves genres like urban fantasy, magic realism, and steampunk.
Emma is also a hopeless sap for any small chubby creature with tiny legs, and can often be found making heart-eyes at things like guinea pigs, wombats, marmots, and human toddlers.
She lives with her wife and two cats in England. There is no point in saying which city, as they move about once a year. She spends her free time writing, reading, daydreaming, working out, and watching whichever television show has the most lesbian subtext at the time.
Her tastes in most things usually lean towards the quirky and she loves genres like urban fantasy, magic realism, and steampunk.
Emma is also a hopeless sap for any small chubby creature with tiny legs, and can often be found making heart-eyes at things like guinea pigs, wombats, marmots, and human toddlers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
May 6, 2024
2.5 Stars (outliner)
One Liner: Too slow and clunky
Valour and Petrichor are young but esteemed members of the Order of Axsten, an assassin guild in Vinterstock, Sweden. They were with the guild as children and hated each other, which continues even to date.
The guild then gives them a job – to kill Brandquist, the mysterious leader of the city’s drug ring. No one knows who he is and how he looks. Valour and Petrichor are determined to deal with the job alone, but they may have to work together to stay alive.
As if that wasn’t hard enough, Valour has to babysit Ingrid Rytterdahl, the beautiful daughter of an aristocrat. With Valour in love (lust) with Ingrid and the mounting danger, can the assassins stay alive and finish the job?
The story comes in the Valour and Petrichor’s third-person POVs.
My Thoughts:
NGL, I requested the book mainly for the cover. Just look at it! So gorgeous! The premise was intriguing, too, though I admit the execution is less than satisfying.
First, the good points –
• The setting is dark, grim, and depressing. Given the premise, this works well to create a sense of doom, especially for the underprivileged. The snowy landscape adds to the atmosphere.
• I also love the interpretation of the title. That’s a great touch!
• Ingrid shines better than the main characters. There’s more to her than the mask she puts on.
• A few scenes where the characters introspect their lives are well done.
• I could guess one of the twists and like it.
• The romance between Ingrid and Valour is okay. It suits Valour’s arc, so can’t complain.
• A decent ending (and I could finally breathe a sigh of relief).
Now, the not-so-good points –
The characters are 20+ (around mid-20s) but act like teenagers and kids. They have been through so much trauma, but it feels hard to empathize due to their behavior. The scenes between Valour and Petrichor tend to be annoying, even when they are being nice to each other.
The narration is super slow. A lot seems to happen, but the % doesn’t move. And when you stop reading and consider the story that happened until then, it wouldn’t be much. There are many conversations; some are necessary, but some can be edited.
Looking back, it doesn’t feel like the two are as efficient assassins as they are portrayed. Yeah, they can fight well and stab, et al, but an assassin has to be focused and precise. We are told they are very good at the job, but I couldn’t see it anywhere in the book (except once in Petrichor’s case).
Instead, we get pages of hate-filled banter between V and P that’s supposed to be some sort of trauma-bonding sibling rivalry type thing (?) except on the extreme level. There are ten instances of V saying ‘stick up the arse’ with some variation.
The last section is better than the beginning in terms of action and drama. Yet, not much of it is due to the MCs’ efforts. It doesn’t seem realistic that the villain would so easily share everything. It works in cozy mysteries, but the stakes are high here (think kingdom-level).
And oh, that brings me to the vibes. Though this is historical, the feel is almost modern. Also, there really isn’t any magic or fantasy. While I appreciate the support for old gods and paganism, it is not well done. Make it a cohesive part of the plot (and not simply repeat the stuff in dialogues).
To summarize, Snowblooded has a worthy premise and an intriguing setting but is weighed down by extras. Toning down the excess will give the characters more space to show their true selves.
Thank you, NetGalley and Solaris, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #Snowblooded
One Liner: Too slow and clunky
Valour and Petrichor are young but esteemed members of the Order of Axsten, an assassin guild in Vinterstock, Sweden. They were with the guild as children and hated each other, which continues even to date.
The guild then gives them a job – to kill Brandquist, the mysterious leader of the city’s drug ring. No one knows who he is and how he looks. Valour and Petrichor are determined to deal with the job alone, but they may have to work together to stay alive.
As if that wasn’t hard enough, Valour has to babysit Ingrid Rytterdahl, the beautiful daughter of an aristocrat. With Valour in love (lust) with Ingrid and the mounting danger, can the assassins stay alive and finish the job?
The story comes in the Valour and Petrichor’s third-person POVs.
My Thoughts:
NGL, I requested the book mainly for the cover. Just look at it! So gorgeous! The premise was intriguing, too, though I admit the execution is less than satisfying.
First, the good points –
• The setting is dark, grim, and depressing. Given the premise, this works well to create a sense of doom, especially for the underprivileged. The snowy landscape adds to the atmosphere.
• I also love the interpretation of the title. That’s a great touch!
• Ingrid shines better than the main characters. There’s more to her than the mask she puts on.
• A few scenes where the characters introspect their lives are well done.
• I could guess one of the twists and like it.
• The romance between Ingrid and Valour is okay. It suits Valour’s arc, so can’t complain.
• A decent ending (and I could finally breathe a sigh of relief).
Now, the not-so-good points –
The characters are 20+ (around mid-20s) but act like teenagers and kids. They have been through so much trauma, but it feels hard to empathize due to their behavior. The scenes between Valour and Petrichor tend to be annoying, even when they are being nice to each other.
The narration is super slow. A lot seems to happen, but the % doesn’t move. And when you stop reading and consider the story that happened until then, it wouldn’t be much. There are many conversations; some are necessary, but some can be edited.
Looking back, it doesn’t feel like the two are as efficient assassins as they are portrayed. Yeah, they can fight well and stab, et al, but an assassin has to be focused and precise. We are told they are very good at the job, but I couldn’t see it anywhere in the book (except once in Petrichor’s case).
Instead, we get pages of hate-filled banter between V and P that’s supposed to be some sort of trauma-bonding sibling rivalry type thing (?) except on the extreme level. There are ten instances of V saying ‘stick up the arse’ with some variation.
The last section is better than the beginning in terms of action and drama. Yet, not much of it is due to the MCs’ efforts. It doesn’t seem realistic that the villain would so easily share everything. It works in cozy mysteries, but the stakes are high here (think kingdom-level).
And oh, that brings me to the vibes. Though this is historical, the feel is almost modern. Also, there really isn’t any magic or fantasy. While I appreciate the support for old gods and paganism, it is not well done. Make it a cohesive part of the plot (and not simply repeat the stuff in dialogues).
To summarize, Snowblooded has a worthy premise and an intriguing setting but is weighed down by extras. Toning down the excess will give the characters more space to show their true selves.
Thank you, NetGalley and Solaris, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #Snowblooded
February 12, 2024
Valour and Petrichor are two of the highest-ranking assassins in the city, brought up together in the Order of Axsten. However, their abrasive and opposite personalities has caused a feud between them as the youngest assassins in the Order.
They are set a a job together to kill the sly, unknown cut-throat who's been leader of the 'ness smugglers for decades. ‘Ness being illegal magic tinctures: shrewdness tonics, brawniness tonics, wellness tonics, etc.
Valour is also babysitting the sociable, socialite hotel heiress, Ingrid who is too curious for her own good.
Valour lives up to her name, and is one of the only assassins to occasionally refuse jobs if she feels they are wrong. However, the punishment for that is branding. She’s queer, quiet, analytical, and lonely. Oh, and she loves food and tea.
Petrichor is methodical and disciplined and I think he definitely represents neurodivergence and perhaps a sexuality. The way his mind works is reflected in this matter-of-fact, blunt perspective and interactions.
”Maybe we're both trapped, Valour. And the only way to survive is to pretend that you relish your cage."
Interestingly, this also has a Norse backdrop with allusions to the gods. In some sense, this almost felt contemporary but set in an alternative world.
This is started out strong and I was optimistic, but…
Occasionally, the writing and dialogue felt stilted and forced, and certain observations too cut and dry and telling instead of showing.
It was also fairly predictable in terms of villains and plot, and tended to be heavy-handed in morality and issues.
It became frustrating how many wide tangents there were that didn’t add anything to the story - conversations, entire chapters. Also, the repetition of certain jokes - Petrichor having a stick up his arse is something Valour reminds him of in nearly every interaction. And Valour thinking with her bodily lust.
Overall, this could have been about half the length and do with a lot less back-and-forth.
This probably deserves a high 2, or low 3 star🌟 rating, however, I felt so disappointed.
I think with more editing, this could be extremely promising!
Thank you to Solaris for providing an arc in exchange for a review!
Bookstagram
They are set a a job together to kill the sly, unknown cut-throat who's been leader of the 'ness smugglers for decades. ‘Ness being illegal magic tinctures: shrewdness tonics, brawniness tonics, wellness tonics, etc.
Valour is also babysitting the sociable, socialite hotel heiress, Ingrid who is too curious for her own good.
Valour lives up to her name, and is one of the only assassins to occasionally refuse jobs if she feels they are wrong. However, the punishment for that is branding. She’s queer, quiet, analytical, and lonely. Oh, and she loves food and tea.
Petrichor is methodical and disciplined and I think he definitely represents neurodivergence and perhaps a sexuality. The way his mind works is reflected in this matter-of-fact, blunt perspective and interactions.
”Maybe we're both trapped, Valour. And the only way to survive is to pretend that you relish your cage."
Interestingly, this also has a Norse backdrop with allusions to the gods. In some sense, this almost felt contemporary but set in an alternative world.
This is started out strong and I was optimistic, but…
Occasionally, the writing and dialogue felt stilted and forced, and certain observations too cut and dry and telling instead of showing.
It was also fairly predictable in terms of villains and plot, and tended to be heavy-handed in morality and issues.
It became frustrating how many wide tangents there were that didn’t add anything to the story - conversations, entire chapters. Also, the repetition of certain jokes - Petrichor having a stick up his arse is something Valour reminds him of in nearly every interaction. And Valour thinking with her bodily lust.
Overall, this could have been about half the length and do with a lot less back-and-forth.
This probably deserves a high 2, or low 3 star🌟 rating, however, I felt so disappointed.
I think with more editing, this could be extremely promising!
Thank you to Solaris for providing an arc in exchange for a review!
Bookstagram
March 14, 2024
3.5 stars. This was an enjoyable historical romp with a smattering of fantasy.It feels quite humorous despite being about assassins, and I enjoyed the setting. The pacing was a little off in places and overall the book felt longer than it needed to be. The relationship between Valour and Petrichor became a bit much after a while and felt pretty childish. Many thanks to Netgalley for an arc of this book.
April 24, 2024
Review originally on
JamReads
Snowblooded is a gaslamp fantasy novel, which represents the traditional debut of Emma Sterner-Radley, published by Solaris. A thrilling story about assassins and conspirations in a Scandinavian setting, with an excellent cast of characters and featuring queer romancing as part of the plot.
Valour and Petrichor are top members of the Order of Axsten, an assassins' guild under the orders of Vinterstock leader that is tasked with keeping the order in this cold city; both were raised in competition with the other, creating a strong sense of rivalry between them. Two different ways of act: Valour solves her task with brawn, while Petrichor leans toward a more gentleman approach.
Things get especially difficult when both are tasked with their biggest job: killing Brandquist, the leader of Vinterstock's illegal magic trade. A job whose reward is enough to allow them to pay their debt with their order and start new lives; but their rivalry is just the first obstacle on that path. At the same time, Valour is practically forced to protect Ingrid Rytterdahl, an attractive aristocrat whose father owns the hotel where Valour stays, putting the mission in a more precarious position.
Sterner-Radley takes this premise and elevates it to create a really entertaining story, with space for banter while not losing the seriousness of the task our characters are trying to deal with. Particularly, I find relatable how Valour and Petrichor can be described as different faces of the same coin: both raised by the guild, similar pasts, and always competing for the approval; however, as a consequence, both have developed different ways to cope with that trauma. Valour and Petrichor are prone to confront each other and often end insulting each other, bringing us many fun moments; but it is proven that, with time, they can grow over their differences, as most of them were just created by the influence of others.
While Ingrid seemed to be just a secondary character, she ends having a more prominent role than I expected in the plot; and honestly, her chemistry with Valour ends evolving into a dangerous romance which gifts us some steamy moments that certainly help us to keep with the glacial setting of Vinterstock.
Talking about Vinterstock, it is refreshing to have a gaslamp fantasy which is inspired by Scandinavia; idioms and expressions imported from them, and even in the mythology you can guess the inspiration. Said that, Vinterstock is a brutal city, where the power is corrupt and difficult to stop; the order of Axsten is just a reflection of what we could expect from the city.
The pacing is a bit slow for what you might expect for this kind of story, but that allows for a better character developing, warming our hearts and making us care about them; tension is well managed, and we are gifted some great action scenes, which creates a really enjoyable reading experience.
Snowblooded is a really powerful debut novel; a delight of read if you like ambitious characters, conspirations and complex plots with a touch of mystery. A standalone, but a world that I wouldn't mind to return again!
Snowblooded is a gaslamp fantasy novel, which represents the traditional debut of Emma Sterner-Radley, published by Solaris. A thrilling story about assassins and conspirations in a Scandinavian setting, with an excellent cast of characters and featuring queer romancing as part of the plot.
Valour and Petrichor are top members of the Order of Axsten, an assassins' guild under the orders of Vinterstock leader that is tasked with keeping the order in this cold city; both were raised in competition with the other, creating a strong sense of rivalry between them. Two different ways of act: Valour solves her task with brawn, while Petrichor leans toward a more gentleman approach.
Things get especially difficult when both are tasked with their biggest job: killing Brandquist, the leader of Vinterstock's illegal magic trade. A job whose reward is enough to allow them to pay their debt with their order and start new lives; but their rivalry is just the first obstacle on that path. At the same time, Valour is practically forced to protect Ingrid Rytterdahl, an attractive aristocrat whose father owns the hotel where Valour stays, putting the mission in a more precarious position.
Sterner-Radley takes this premise and elevates it to create a really entertaining story, with space for banter while not losing the seriousness of the task our characters are trying to deal with. Particularly, I find relatable how Valour and Petrichor can be described as different faces of the same coin: both raised by the guild, similar pasts, and always competing for the approval; however, as a consequence, both have developed different ways to cope with that trauma. Valour and Petrichor are prone to confront each other and often end insulting each other, bringing us many fun moments; but it is proven that, with time, they can grow over their differences, as most of them were just created by the influence of others.
While Ingrid seemed to be just a secondary character, she ends having a more prominent role than I expected in the plot; and honestly, her chemistry with Valour ends evolving into a dangerous romance which gifts us some steamy moments that certainly help us to keep with the glacial setting of Vinterstock.
Talking about Vinterstock, it is refreshing to have a gaslamp fantasy which is inspired by Scandinavia; idioms and expressions imported from them, and even in the mythology you can guess the inspiration. Said that, Vinterstock is a brutal city, where the power is corrupt and difficult to stop; the order of Axsten is just a reflection of what we could expect from the city.
The pacing is a bit slow for what you might expect for this kind of story, but that allows for a better character developing, warming our hearts and making us care about them; tension is well managed, and we are gifted some great action scenes, which creates a really enjoyable reading experience.
Snowblooded is a really powerful debut novel; a delight of read if you like ambitious characters, conspirations and complex plots with a touch of mystery. A standalone, but a world that I wouldn't mind to return again!
November 13, 2023
An atmospheric story set in a wintry, Scandinavian city, about a pair of assassins who can't stand each other, forced to work together to take down a drug-trafficking crime boss - Snowblooded is a brilliant fantasy adventure, equal parts fun and darkness. There was a lot to love about this novel: the setting, with its sinister crime underbelly but almost cosy winter atmosphere, with a dash of Norse myth and magic; the vividly painted group of characters, each with their own goals and well-developed personalities; the twists and turns of the plot, each more unexpected than the last.
One of my biggest pet peeves about books starring assassins is how rarely they, you know, actually assassinate. This was not the case in Snowblooded. Both our main characters have been pushed into the job by the circumstances of their childhoods, and they both wrestle with the moral implications of the things they have to do. I was particularly drawn to Valour, our brawny assassin with a heart of gold, who has repeatedly brought the Order of Assassins' wrath upon herself due to her refusal to murder anyone she believes doesn't deserve it. She's brash, impulsive, an unapologetic womanizer, and yet, beneath it all, sensitive and loyal. I loved her sibling-like relationship with Petrichor, our second POV character: the two grew up together, but couldn't have been more different. They constantly antagonised each other, but it was obvious they also cared about each other deeply.
This is a fun story that doesn't shy away from dark and difficult topics: it reminded me of other books I loved, like Six of Crows, The Lies of Locke Lamora, and Foundryside, with its vivid city setting full of corruption and scheming. I enjoyed every page.
One of my biggest pet peeves about books starring assassins is how rarely they, you know, actually assassinate. This was not the case in Snowblooded. Both our main characters have been pushed into the job by the circumstances of their childhoods, and they both wrestle with the moral implications of the things they have to do. I was particularly drawn to Valour, our brawny assassin with a heart of gold, who has repeatedly brought the Order of Assassins' wrath upon herself due to her refusal to murder anyone she believes doesn't deserve it. She's brash, impulsive, an unapologetic womanizer, and yet, beneath it all, sensitive and loyal. I loved her sibling-like relationship with Petrichor, our second POV character: the two grew up together, but couldn't have been more different. They constantly antagonised each other, but it was obvious they also cared about each other deeply.
This is a fun story that doesn't shy away from dark and difficult topics: it reminded me of other books I loved, like Six of Crows, The Lies of Locke Lamora, and Foundryside, with its vivid city setting full of corruption and scheming. I enjoyed every page.
October 8, 2024
4.5 Stars
Assassins with attitude! I really enjoyed reading this book because the main characters were male and female! But not romantically involved. Which is very much a plus. They are more like eternally bickering siblings who kill people as a job. And the quips are quite funny! Some making me LOL hard. It’s so refreshing.
The setting was quite different from other similar themed books, which was great for the story. The mysterious hit hooked me in which was probably why I didn’t feel like what others described the pace as - slow. It was just right for me and marking the author as one to follow now. And I just realised the author is married to another author I also follow, Amanda Radley. How cool.
Assassins with attitude! I really enjoyed reading this book because the main characters were male and female! But not romantically involved. Which is very much a plus. They are more like eternally bickering siblings who kill people as a job. And the quips are quite funny! Some making me LOL hard. It’s so refreshing.
The setting was quite different from other similar themed books, which was great for the story. The mysterious hit hooked me in which was probably why I didn’t feel like what others described the pace as - slow. It was just right for me and marking the author as one to follow now. And I just realised the author is married to another author I also follow, Amanda Radley. How cool.
January 11, 2024
3.5 Stars
I've greatly enjoyed Emma Sterner-Radley's Mapmaking Magicians series, so I was very excited to see another adventure book by her. I will admit that I wish I had read the limited reviews that were avaiable when I picked this up. I am a mood reader, and knowing in advanced and preparing can be essential to my enjoyment.
This book follows Valour and Petrichor, trained assassins working for the local govenment to dispatch of unrurly individuals. Valour and Petrichor are some of the best assassins and have been given a job to kill the elusive drug kingpin, Brandquist. Valour and Petrichor spends the first part of their mission not wanting to work together but then reluctantly find themselves working well. To Valours delight and Petrichors dismay, they are jooined by Ingrid, a local heiress seeking adventure.
The story was exciting, with some mystery, action, and plenty of banter between the characters. What I wish I had paid attention to in the reviews is that this world is grim. It takes place in Sweden and is in small provadence that is surviving heavily from improvish conditions. The characters, while affective at their jobs and surviving in it, still feel broken.Beacuse of this, t took me some time to get into the book. The unhappy setting and characters who who are aware of the condition of the world but not having a way to effect it, was hard to get into , in my current mood. But once the characters started working together and the mystery started to show itself, did I really get into it.
The book was well written and the charqacters had wonderful depths. I'm not certain but I am pretty sure this would be a historical fiction book, despite thinking it was a fantasy book like the Mapmaking Magicians books.
I am really glad I picked this up and would recommend this for fans of darker historical advnture stories.
Thank you to the author and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I've greatly enjoyed Emma Sterner-Radley's Mapmaking Magicians series, so I was very excited to see another adventure book by her. I will admit that I wish I had read the limited reviews that were avaiable when I picked this up. I am a mood reader, and knowing in advanced and preparing can be essential to my enjoyment.
This book follows Valour and Petrichor, trained assassins working for the local govenment to dispatch of unrurly individuals. Valour and Petrichor are some of the best assassins and have been given a job to kill the elusive drug kingpin, Brandquist. Valour and Petrichor spends the first part of their mission not wanting to work together but then reluctantly find themselves working well. To Valours delight and Petrichors dismay, they are jooined by Ingrid, a local heiress seeking adventure.
The story was exciting, with some mystery, action, and plenty of banter between the characters. What I wish I had paid attention to in the reviews is that this world is grim. It takes place in Sweden and is in small provadence that is surviving heavily from improvish conditions. The characters, while affective at their jobs and surviving in it, still feel broken.Beacuse of this, t took me some time to get into the book. The unhappy setting and characters who who are aware of the condition of the world but not having a way to effect it, was hard to get into , in my current mood. But once the characters started working together and the mystery started to show itself, did I really get into it.
The book was well written and the charqacters had wonderful depths. I'm not certain but I am pretty sure this would be a historical fiction book, despite thinking it was a fantasy book like the Mapmaking Magicians books.
I am really glad I picked this up and would recommend this for fans of darker historical advnture stories.
Thank you to the author and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 20, 2024
This was really enjoyable! The beginning had me interested right away, and I was intrigued to continue. I loved the characters, especially the sass of Valour! The way she quipped throughout the book was just delightful. I did find the pacing very slow at times, which made it hard for me to keep my focus. Still, I did enjoy it but had only wished for a better pacing.
February 5, 2024
@librisinetenebris
**Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for granting me and eARC in exchange for an honest review**
" 'People handle being broken in different ways. Some try to look for the light in the world and in themselves. Some lean into the dark.' She wiped her nose with her glove. 'Anything to keep from being hurt again.' "
After being raised in an elite order of assassins, Valour and Petrichor are tasked with tracking down —and killing— the drug lord that controls the city. To avoid being killed by mysterious attackers and locate their target, they must begrudgingly accept Ingrid's help, a hotel heiress.
This is the first time I've read a book that reminded me enough of Crooked Kingdom while masterfully maintaining its originality. It was a delightful tale of duty, identity and love (not just the romantic type) from start to finish.
Let's start off with the setting: an alternative-history-like Sweden plagued by magical tonic addicts and covered in several feet of snow. I haven't seen snow since I was a little girl, but reading this book made me feel like my toes were seconds away from getting frostbite (in the best way possible).
"If justice has to be served surreptitiously, and without set and checkable parameters, is it still justice?"
Despite the plot being on the slower end of the spectrum, it managed to keep me hooked, especially as soon as several twists went off like firecrackers. From the drug trade and Brandquist's identity to the ethical debate on social classes and duty to power, I enjoyed every word. Other topics such as queerness, feminism and bodily autonomy are discussed as well, but they do take the backseat.
"Ingrid Rytterdahl was too quick, too much, too close, too confusing, too magnificent for Valour. But gods, she was irresistible."
Now, onto my absolute favourite part: the characters. I was thrilled to read Ingrid and Valour's relationship as it developed, but I must admit that the dynamic that captured me the most was that of Valour and Petrichor's. It was heartwarming seeing the almost-but-not-quite siblings progress through their internal and external challenges and realise they were stronger as allies than as enemies.
" 'You know that it's alright, don't you?' 'What is?' 'What you do. What you are. You're so hard on yourself and there is no need. You are trying your best and that is more than enough, Valour. "
'Snowblooded' placed a lot of significance on names and identity, and I'd say that this is the main issue in the book, beyond drug lords and political intrigue. Valour and Petrichor must find who they are further than what they've been raised as, and the psychological limits their names have placed on them.
All in all, I loved 'Snowblooded'. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys fantasy, sapphic romances and excellent character development.
**Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for granting me and eARC in exchange for an honest review**
" 'People handle being broken in different ways. Some try to look for the light in the world and in themselves. Some lean into the dark.' She wiped her nose with her glove. 'Anything to keep from being hurt again.' "
After being raised in an elite order of assassins, Valour and Petrichor are tasked with tracking down —and killing— the drug lord that controls the city. To avoid being killed by mysterious attackers and locate their target, they must begrudgingly accept Ingrid's help, a hotel heiress.
This is the first time I've read a book that reminded me enough of Crooked Kingdom while masterfully maintaining its originality. It was a delightful tale of duty, identity and love (not just the romantic type) from start to finish.
Let's start off with the setting: an alternative-history-like Sweden plagued by magical tonic addicts and covered in several feet of snow. I haven't seen snow since I was a little girl, but reading this book made me feel like my toes were seconds away from getting frostbite (in the best way possible).
"If justice has to be served surreptitiously, and without set and checkable parameters, is it still justice?"
Despite the plot being on the slower end of the spectrum, it managed to keep me hooked, especially as soon as several twists went off like firecrackers. From the drug trade and Brandquist's identity to the ethical debate on social classes and duty to power, I enjoyed every word. Other topics such as queerness, feminism and bodily autonomy are discussed as well, but they do take the backseat.
"Ingrid Rytterdahl was too quick, too much, too close, too confusing, too magnificent for Valour. But gods, she was irresistible."
Now, onto my absolute favourite part: the characters. I was thrilled to read Ingrid and Valour's relationship as it developed, but I must admit that the dynamic that captured me the most was that of Valour and Petrichor's. It was heartwarming seeing the almost-but-not-quite siblings progress through their internal and external challenges and realise they were stronger as allies than as enemies.
" 'You know that it's alright, don't you?' 'What is?' 'What you do. What you are. You're so hard on yourself and there is no need. You are trying your best and that is more than enough, Valour. "
'Snowblooded' placed a lot of significance on names and identity, and I'd say that this is the main issue in the book, beyond drug lords and political intrigue. Valour and Petrichor must find who they are further than what they've been raised as, and the psychological limits their names have placed on them.
All in all, I loved 'Snowblooded'. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys fantasy, sapphic romances and excellent character development.
Want to read
July 14, 2024The Princess Bride meets Six of Crows in this uproarious fantasy debut set in 18th century Scandinavia full of assassins, magic potions, romance and rivalry.
March 16, 2024
thank you to the publisher for an arc of this book!
DNF @ 71%
this book started of well and seemed like it had a great premise — two assassins who can’t stand each other going on a mission to find a drug lord. at first, i really enjoyed the banter between the two mcs, but it slowly got quite boring. it felt like they were continuously arguing childishly, and it felt like the story was not developing at all. they just kept moving from place to place and talking loads about nothing.. i feel like things only really started happening about 60% into the book, but by that time my attention was no longer in the book.
i was excited for this book because it’s been compared to six of crows, but it is honestly not like soc at all. the only similar thing is that one of the mcs, petrichor, sometimes has panic attacks. apart from that, there was no tension and excitement or any heist like features that exist in soc so i'm not even sure why the comparison has been made.
another thing. initially, the relationship between the mc, valour and another character, ingrid was quite fun, but after a while it got a little boring - there were so many endless chapters of them just talking and wanting to have sex, and it felt really mundane after a while.
overall, it was so repetitive and boring and nothing was happening that by the time the big twist came, i just was no longer interested at all. i had to force myself to keep reading this book and i just couldn't keep going. i’m so disappointed cos it was an anticipated release for me. there was just no flow to anything and none of it really made sense. 😭
DNF @ 71%
this book started of well and seemed like it had a great premise — two assassins who can’t stand each other going on a mission to find a drug lord. at first, i really enjoyed the banter between the two mcs, but it slowly got quite boring. it felt like they were continuously arguing childishly, and it felt like the story was not developing at all. they just kept moving from place to place and talking loads about nothing.. i feel like things only really started happening about 60% into the book, but by that time my attention was no longer in the book.
i was excited for this book because it’s been compared to six of crows, but it is honestly not like soc at all. the only similar thing is that one of the mcs, petrichor, sometimes has panic attacks. apart from that, there was no tension and excitement or any heist like features that exist in soc so i'm not even sure why the comparison has been made.
another thing. initially, the relationship between the mc, valour and another character, ingrid was quite fun, but after a while it got a little boring - there were so many endless chapters of them just talking and wanting to have sex, and it felt really mundane after a while.
overall, it was so repetitive and boring and nothing was happening that by the time the big twist came, i just was no longer interested at all. i had to force myself to keep reading this book and i just couldn't keep going. i’m so disappointed cos it was an anticipated release for me. there was just no flow to anything and none of it really made sense. 😭
June 13, 2024
Valour and Petrichor are rival assassins, working under the assassin’s guild in charge of keeping order in the city of Vinterstock. When they’re both given the job of killing the leader of the city’s illegal magic trade, it’s a recipe for disaster. To add to the problem, Valour is tasked with protecting an aristocrat, Ingrid Rytterdahl. The pair of assassins must complete their mission and keep Ingrid alive, all without killing each other in the process.
I selected this book the instant I saw the comparison to The Princess Bride which is one of my favourite stories ever. It has not lived up to this comparison at all.
The premise and general plot of Snowblooded are both good. Two assassins attempting to take down a drug lord and persistently arguing while a flirtatious aristocrat tries to keep them in check – nothing to complain about there. However, it’s trying too hard. The language used is clunky and doesn’t flow well, while Valour and Petrichor’s constant bickering becomes repetitive and old very quickly. On top of that, the romance between Valour and Ingrid takes up too many pages and is unnecessarily explicit for an adventure novel. The arguing and the flirting slow the plot down massively and left me pretty bored.
Unlike The Princess Bride which is fast-paced and exciting throughout, this book had me skim-reading to get to the end.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I selected this book the instant I saw the comparison to The Princess Bride which is one of my favourite stories ever. It has not lived up to this comparison at all.
The premise and general plot of Snowblooded are both good. Two assassins attempting to take down a drug lord and persistently arguing while a flirtatious aristocrat tries to keep them in check – nothing to complain about there. However, it’s trying too hard. The language used is clunky and doesn’t flow well, while Valour and Petrichor’s constant bickering becomes repetitive and old very quickly. On top of that, the romance between Valour and Ingrid takes up too many pages and is unnecessarily explicit for an adventure novel. The arguing and the flirting slow the plot down massively and left me pretty bored.
Unlike The Princess Bride which is fast-paced and exciting throughout, this book had me skim-reading to get to the end.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
June 1, 2024
Set in a Scandinavian inspired city of Vinterstock, with intertwined Norse mythology, Valor and Petrichor are Assassins for the Order of Axsten. Raised there from when they were children and both have known little else
The two are rivals, after always pitted against each other to deter the kids from forming connections, they are now tasked with the same job.... assassinating the leader of the cities biggest magic/drug trade
Both try to work together to complete this massive job, but they are so different and don't know how to deal with the other without sniping and putting the other down. Also, add in the added tension of Valors current charge, protecting an Aristocrats daughter, Ingrid
However, they all can accept that the others have skills that would be useful in catching Brandquist and putting an end to the cities drug trade, whilst also maybe allowing Valor and Petrichor the chance of a new life outside the order... but can they work together with a common goal....
I really enjoyed this book, I found some of the plot points a little predictable but am never sure in my guesses sometimes and it was fun to keep reading to find out and shout 'I knew it' at the book when I was right
Thanks to NetGalley and Solaris books for the review copy, was out in May so you can pick this up now!
The two are rivals, after always pitted against each other to deter the kids from forming connections, they are now tasked with the same job.... assassinating the leader of the cities biggest magic/drug trade
Both try to work together to complete this massive job, but they are so different and don't know how to deal with the other without sniping and putting the other down. Also, add in the added tension of Valors current charge, protecting an Aristocrats daughter, Ingrid
However, they all can accept that the others have skills that would be useful in catching Brandquist and putting an end to the cities drug trade, whilst also maybe allowing Valor and Petrichor the chance of a new life outside the order... but can they work together with a common goal....
I really enjoyed this book, I found some of the plot points a little predictable but am never sure in my guesses sometimes and it was fun to keep reading to find out and shout 'I knew it' at the book when I was right
Thanks to NetGalley and Solaris books for the review copy, was out in May so you can pick this up now!
March 25, 2024
Thank you to Netgalley and Rebellion Publishing for this E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
DNF.
Unfortunately, I'm having to DNF this book. It has a really strong concept - rival assassins being forced to work together, sapphic side plots - everything I usually love, but I'm really not enjoying this book.
From the start, I found the characters incredibly unlikeable. I don't think the characters are intended to be perfect - and nor would I expect them to be early on in a novel - but I found absolutely no attachment to either of them and found them to be quite two dimensional, with Valour's only defining trait being her lust for women, and Petrichor's only defining trait being his grumpiness.
I also found the writing to be incredibly heavy-handed. I love a book that will address political and social topics, but this book is just too heavy-handed and blunt with it, it takes away from the immersion of the story. The prose could definitely benefit with more polishing and better editing. I found the dialogue incredibly forced too, and that only made the characters more unlikeable, and again, took away from the immersion.
This book definitely wasn't for me, and unfortunately definitely needs some more reworking and editing.
DNF.
Unfortunately, I'm having to DNF this book. It has a really strong concept - rival assassins being forced to work together, sapphic side plots - everything I usually love, but I'm really not enjoying this book.
From the start, I found the characters incredibly unlikeable. I don't think the characters are intended to be perfect - and nor would I expect them to be early on in a novel - but I found absolutely no attachment to either of them and found them to be quite two dimensional, with Valour's only defining trait being her lust for women, and Petrichor's only defining trait being his grumpiness.
I also found the writing to be incredibly heavy-handed. I love a book that will address political and social topics, but this book is just too heavy-handed and blunt with it, it takes away from the immersion of the story. The prose could definitely benefit with more polishing and better editing. I found the dialogue incredibly forced too, and that only made the characters more unlikeable, and again, took away from the immersion.
This book definitely wasn't for me, and unfortunately definitely needs some more reworking and editing.
October 9, 2023
I was lucky enough to read an early copy of this book and I really enjoyed it! This is a great wintery read with all the vibes that come with it, but I enjoyed reading it during an unseasonably warm autumn too!
There is so much to love about this book. The twisty intrigue, fascinating worldbuilding and of course the loveable characters. It is the central two protagonists, Valour and Petrichor who stole the show for me. They are both very well developed and interesting, with their own individual struggles, eccentricities and worries, but it is watching them trying to work together that was the most entertaining. Their banter is some of the best i've ever read and I laughed out loud on multiple occasions. Watching their developing (begruding) partnership was so enjoyable, and compliments some of the heavier elements of the plot really well.
Also shout out to all the queer rep in this! <3
There is so much to love about this book. The twisty intrigue, fascinating worldbuilding and of course the loveable characters. It is the central two protagonists, Valour and Petrichor who stole the show for me. They are both very well developed and interesting, with their own individual struggles, eccentricities and worries, but it is watching them trying to work together that was the most entertaining. Their banter is some of the best i've ever read and I laughed out loud on multiple occasions. Watching their developing (begruding) partnership was so enjoyable, and compliments some of the heavier elements of the plot really well.
Also shout out to all the queer rep in this! <3
February 21, 2024
I went into this one with no expectations whatsoever, and it blew me away in all the best ways. I felt like I got to understand the characters in this one really well and saw their stories unfold throughout the book. I’m definitely a character driven person so I loved seeing how main characters interact with each other and forge relationships throughout the book.
I loved the Scandinavian setting for a fantasy world because everything seems so much more magical when the world is covered in snow. There’s just something about hearty meals, assassins and atmospheric settings that really make a great story for me.
If you’re looking for your next sapphic assassin fantasy story then definitely give one this a preorder. I’ll be going back over the authors back catalogue now to see what other gems I’ve missed out on.
Thank you to Solaris books for sending me a proof of this one.
I loved the Scandinavian setting for a fantasy world because everything seems so much more magical when the world is covered in snow. There’s just something about hearty meals, assassins and atmospheric settings that really make a great story for me.
If you’re looking for your next sapphic assassin fantasy story then definitely give one this a preorder. I’ll be going back over the authors back catalogue now to see what other gems I’ve missed out on.
Thank you to Solaris books for sending me a proof of this one.
February 3, 2024
Unfortunately, this book was a disappointment for me.
It didn't work for many reasons: all 3 main characters speak in an unnaturally odd way, the action scenes are severly lacking, there are weird intervals feeling like therapy sessions, the protagonists are barely competent at what they do (they are really not smart), the climax scenes feels silly with the evil character monologue, the romance I did not bring myself to be invested at all...the comaprison to Six of Crows is unfortunate, it has nothing to do with it in every sense.
It didn't work for many reasons: all 3 main characters speak in an unnaturally odd way, the action scenes are severly lacking, there are weird intervals feeling like therapy sessions, the protagonists are barely competent at what they do (they are really not smart), the climax scenes feels silly with the evil character monologue, the romance I did not bring myself to be invested at all...the comaprison to Six of Crows is unfortunate, it has nothing to do with it in every sense.
March 31, 2024
4.25*. One of the MCs is asexual and the other is a raging lesbian, and combined with the atmosphere of Six of Crows, I couldn't not love Snowblooded.
This was by no means a perfect book, but it had a great balance of plot and relationship-building, with subtle magical elements were nicely interwoven into the story. Though predictable at times, the plot was fun and had the sort of fantasy/adventure flair that I love in the genre.
Going into this, I really expected to love Valour and Petrichor's dynamic but it fell slightly flat for me, mostly because Petrichor was so unnecessarily awful to her at the start. Also, I guess I'm just a sucker for angst because I was living for Petrichor and Halcyon's relationship.
Thank you to NetGalley and Rebellion Publishing for providing a copy of this book for review. All opinions are my own.
This was by no means a perfect book, but it had a great balance of plot and relationship-building, with subtle magical elements were nicely interwoven into the story. Though predictable at times, the plot was fun and had the sort of fantasy/adventure flair that I love in the genre.
Going into this, I really expected to love Valour and Petrichor's dynamic but it fell slightly flat for me, mostly because Petrichor was so unnecessarily awful to her at the start. Also, I guess I'm just a sucker for angst because I was living for Petrichor and Halcyon's relationship.
Thank you to NetGalley and Rebellion Publishing for providing a copy of this book for review. All opinions are my own.
May 4, 2024
There’s snow and there’s blood so this book is perfectly titled. I loved the action scenes with the assassins and the Norse mythology woven into the world. The actual characters were ok, I felt they weren’t complex enough to really understand. I did like some of the banter and wit between the pair but at times it felt forced. After reading the book I still don’t really know how old the characters are? Did I miss something? Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC. This is a voluntary review of my own thoughts.
February 28, 2024
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
What a wonderfully enjoyable book this was. I'll admit the twists were maybe a bit easy to spot in advance, but that doesn't change the fact this is a reall wel told story with some delightful characters to fall in love with. It gets a bit spicy in places, but spicy is good in the right circumstances.
All in all a great book, and one I'd happily recommend to lovers of queer-friendly Skandi fantasy, assassins, and snarky characters.
What a wonderfully enjoyable book this was. I'll admit the twists were maybe a bit easy to spot in advance, but that doesn't change the fact this is a reall wel told story with some delightful characters to fall in love with. It gets a bit spicy in places, but spicy is good in the right circumstances.
All in all a great book, and one I'd happily recommend to lovers of queer-friendly Skandi fantasy, assassins, and snarky characters.
May 7, 2024
thank you so much to the publishers for providing me with a review copy!
this was a fun read and i enjoyed following our two main characters, Valour and Petrichor, who are both trained assassins working for the local government. they are forced to work together to kill Brandquist, a drug kingpin. both of them are very against the idea of working together (so we've got reluctant allies and forced proximity right here hehe), but then they're joined by Ingrid, who is the local heiress.
i quite enjoyed Emma's writing style and it made the banter and dynamics that much more fun to read about. i really enjoyed the Scandinavian setting and had a great time learning about the magic system, as well as the Norse mythology.
this was a fun read and i enjoyed following our two main characters, Valour and Petrichor, who are both trained assassins working for the local government. they are forced to work together to kill Brandquist, a drug kingpin. both of them are very against the idea of working together (so we've got reluctant allies and forced proximity right here hehe), but then they're joined by Ingrid, who is the local heiress.
i quite enjoyed Emma's writing style and it made the banter and dynamics that much more fun to read about. i really enjoyed the Scandinavian setting and had a great time learning about the magic system, as well as the Norse mythology.
April 19, 2024
This was an interesting read for me. I think there were some things that were done really well, namely the development of the relationships between the characters and their coming to terms with their pasts and deciding how they want to live their lives. I especially liked seeing the relationship between the two main protagonists develop as they realised their similarities were more meaningful than their differences. I also liked the characters learning to be 'snowblooded' as opposed to 'coldblooded'.
On the other hand, some things didn't work as well for me. Some of the dialogue felt unnatural. The pacing was also strange, it really dragged at times. At one point they spent like 3 chapters slowly walking home in a snowstorm. This did serve to develop their relationship, but I constantly felt like each 'scene' dragged on in service of the character development/dialogue. I think it could have been edited down a bit.
The blurb compares this to six of crows, but I feel this story in comparison really lacks a competent protagonist, the two assassins seemed to stumble into every development in the plot and I didn't get the sense they had much agency in solving the mystery which felt frustrating.
Some really great character work and interesting plot points but ultimately didn't work for me overall unfortunately!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC.
On the other hand, some things didn't work as well for me. Some of the dialogue felt unnatural. The pacing was also strange, it really dragged at times. At one point they spent like 3 chapters slowly walking home in a snowstorm. This did serve to develop their relationship, but I constantly felt like each 'scene' dragged on in service of the character development/dialogue. I think it could have been edited down a bit.
The blurb compares this to six of crows, but I feel this story in comparison really lacks a competent protagonist, the two assassins seemed to stumble into every development in the plot and I didn't get the sense they had much agency in solving the mystery which felt frustrating.
Some really great character work and interesting plot points but ultimately didn't work for me overall unfortunately!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC.
May 17, 2024
I picked this up the other day and it was really good. I enjoyed so many elements of it and I’m glad I got to read it early!
As someone who’s only just read six of crows, this had some high expectations from me as I read the description which promises “six of crows meets princess bride“.
We love a magic heist, and this gives just that and a new world to dive into. Excited to see more of Emma’s work 💜
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for the vibes to be honest
If you liked these, you’ll like Snowblooded:
- Six of Crows
-Throne of Glass
- Gilded Wolves
Release date: 9th May 2024
Thank you to Solaris and Emma (ily) for the ARC of this one
As someone who’s only just read six of crows, this had some high expectations from me as I read the description which promises “six of crows meets princess bride“.
We love a magic heist, and this gives just that and a new world to dive into. Excited to see more of Emma’s work 💜
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for the vibes to be honest
If you liked these, you’ll like Snowblooded:
- Six of Crows
-Throne of Glass
- Gilded Wolves
Release date: 9th May 2024
Thank you to Solaris and Emma (ily) for the ARC of this one
December 30, 2023
A truly wonderful read, this book has mystery, intrigue, romance, and so much more. It features a whole host of interesting characters, each shrouded in a mystery that gradually unwinds as the story progresses, and seeing the relationships evolve between them makes the book even more engaging.
This is a very welcome addition to the LGBT+ fantasy genre, and I hope there are many more to come from Emma Sterner-Radley.
This is a very welcome addition to the LGBT+ fantasy genre, and I hope there are many more to come from Emma Sterner-Radley.
April 6, 2024
Thank you to Netgalley for this e-arc.
The story of Snowblooded follows two assassins, Valour and Petrichor as they are tasked to hunt down and kill a powerful drug lord dealing in a dangerous tonic. This, however, isn’t your average run-of-the-mill assassin story, Valour and Petrichor are a part of the Order of Axsten, a state-approved guild made to keep their city of Vinterstock clean.
I first rated this book a 3.5, but after taking time away from it, I decided to up the rating. I enjoyed this book, and the story was very interesting. I adored the relationship between Valour and Petrichor and their split point of view. The rating comes about because of a few small things and the pacing of the first half of the book.
To finish, Snowblooded is a gorgeously dark Scandinavian story about love, loss, and what you truly want out of life and living it. It’s about friendship, moving on from the past and most importantly; being the change you want to see in the world. With incredible storytelling and the ability to visualise scenes easily, Snowblooded is a perfect read if you want something cunning, dangerous and something a little sexy.
The story of Snowblooded follows two assassins, Valour and Petrichor as they are tasked to hunt down and kill a powerful drug lord dealing in a dangerous tonic. This, however, isn’t your average run-of-the-mill assassin story, Valour and Petrichor are a part of the Order of Axsten, a state-approved guild made to keep their city of Vinterstock clean.
I first rated this book a 3.5, but after taking time away from it, I decided to up the rating. I enjoyed this book, and the story was very interesting. I adored the relationship between Valour and Petrichor and their split point of view. The rating comes about because of a few small things and the pacing of the first half of the book.
To finish, Snowblooded is a gorgeously dark Scandinavian story about love, loss, and what you truly want out of life and living it. It’s about friendship, moving on from the past and most importantly; being the change you want to see in the world. With incredible storytelling and the ability to visualise scenes easily, Snowblooded is a perfect read if you want something cunning, dangerous and something a little sexy.
April 27, 2024
3.5 stars
I was really excited to find a book set in Scandinavia - it’s not a setting I’ve read often so it was a fun change! The setting was done well and the world building was easy to digest and rounded out the story well. The magic system is minimal - they don’t really have magic in anything but ‘ness tonics but I really liked the concept and that they were a key part of the plot.
I also really liked the idea of the assassins order being owned by the city’s greve and assassin guilds are always a trope i enjoy! We slowly learn what it was like for both Valour and Petrichor growing up un such a brutal environment and I really loved the characters arcs they both had. I initially didn’t like either of them much but they did really grow on me and by the end I was invested in them and seeing them learn to be the best versions of themselves and break their old habits and chains. Also can I just say, I hated that he was called Petrichor because that’s not a name but since he also hated it, I let it go 😂
Valour and Petrichor’s dynamic was not what was I expecting but it was very amusing and I really liked the rivals to friends relationship. Their sniping occasionally got on my nerves but for the most part I liked the pseudo sibling relationship and that they eventually tried to be nicer to each other. I also really appreciated how it ended.
The plot was entertaining and whilst I did guess the twist early on I still enjoyed the slow progression towards the end as they searched for their mark. It had action, sapphic romance, character development and a city in need of help.
I did, however, struggle with the dialogue. The heart of the dialogue was good but I found it often stilted and formal with excessive use of words like nigh, deuced, betwixt, nay and Ye Gads. It felt like this type of language was used to make it feel old timey and it didn’t work for me. Also it was very tell instead of showing, Petrichor always over explained things and whilst some of that was his personality the dialogue still felt clunky and overdone. But it’s a writing style, I know everyone will have different experiences with it.
The best part was definitely the depth of the characters and slowly understanding them and their motivations and past and seeing them connect with one another. The romance was really sweet but I mostly loved that they all got what they needed and that the ending didn’t force anything into being. It felt very found family vibes even if the family don’t get on. Definitely a unique dynamic that I won’t forget!
Thank you to Solaris for the arc copy!
I was really excited to find a book set in Scandinavia - it’s not a setting I’ve read often so it was a fun change! The setting was done well and the world building was easy to digest and rounded out the story well. The magic system is minimal - they don’t really have magic in anything but ‘ness tonics but I really liked the concept and that they were a key part of the plot.
I also really liked the idea of the assassins order being owned by the city’s greve and assassin guilds are always a trope i enjoy! We slowly learn what it was like for both Valour and Petrichor growing up un such a brutal environment and I really loved the characters arcs they both had. I initially didn’t like either of them much but they did really grow on me and by the end I was invested in them and seeing them learn to be the best versions of themselves and break their old habits and chains. Also can I just say, I hated that he was called Petrichor because that’s not a name but since he also hated it, I let it go 😂
Valour and Petrichor’s dynamic was not what was I expecting but it was very amusing and I really liked the rivals to friends relationship. Their sniping occasionally got on my nerves but for the most part I liked the pseudo sibling relationship and that they eventually tried to be nicer to each other. I also really appreciated how it ended.
The plot was entertaining and whilst I did guess the twist early on I still enjoyed the slow progression towards the end as they searched for their mark. It had action, sapphic romance, character development and a city in need of help.
I did, however, struggle with the dialogue. The heart of the dialogue was good but I found it often stilted and formal with excessive use of words like nigh, deuced, betwixt, nay and Ye Gads. It felt like this type of language was used to make it feel old timey and it didn’t work for me. Also it was very tell instead of showing, Petrichor always over explained things and whilst some of that was his personality the dialogue still felt clunky and overdone. But it’s a writing style, I know everyone will have different experiences with it.
The best part was definitely the depth of the characters and slowly understanding them and their motivations and past and seeing them connect with one another. The romance was really sweet but I mostly loved that they all got what they needed and that the ending didn’t force anything into being. It felt very found family vibes even if the family don’t get on. Definitely a unique dynamic that I won’t forget!
Thank you to Solaris for the arc copy!
April 30, 2024
I really enjoyed this one. She is a chunky gal, so I fully expected this to take me just under a week to read. I read it in two days; I just couldn't get enough and needed to just keep reading and reading.
The story follows the two youngest members of an order of assassins who have been tasked with killing the big drug empire honcho in their town. They're not friends and actively do not like each other, but have to team up and work together to complete the mission.
I really enjoyed the dynamic between Valour and Petrichor; they really were like siblings who hated each other and found each other annoying. I can see that their bickering might get on your nerves after a while, but I enjoyed it. It loosened some of the tension in the book. I also think that neither were allowed a childhood, both had a rough early life and were taken in by the assassins pretty young, so I think it's understandable that they might regress a little. Valour was a fantastic badass assassin who lived how she liked and spoke how she liked. I really liked her as the female main character; she was strong and confident. I also VERY much enjoyed Ingrid's presence in the novel; she was both very different to the two assassins, yet also so similar. And very easily slipped into their little gang. I also adored her relationship with Valour so, so much 🥹. More of the two of them please!
I also REALLY enjoyed the Scandinavian aspect of the book. It was really interesting to me the little bits of folklore and history drizzled in; even just the swearing by Valour I found fascinating. I also appreciated that the Norse mythology didn't overshadow the book; there was a healthy amount referenced.
Generally, it was pretty fast-paced. There was lots of action and adventure; lots of brutal and violent fighting too. To balance this out however, there was also a lot of good-natured humour and some lovely romance too!
My main criticism, and the reason that it was not a five star read for me, is that I think it's too long. There were some (very few) parts that felt like they dragged a little, and could have been removed or shortened.
Having said that, I really enjoyed this book and cannot wait to see what Emma writes next!
The story follows the two youngest members of an order of assassins who have been tasked with killing the big drug empire honcho in their town. They're not friends and actively do not like each other, but have to team up and work together to complete the mission.
I really enjoyed the dynamic between Valour and Petrichor; they really were like siblings who hated each other and found each other annoying. I can see that their bickering might get on your nerves after a while, but I enjoyed it. It loosened some of the tension in the book. I also think that neither were allowed a childhood, both had a rough early life and were taken in by the assassins pretty young, so I think it's understandable that they might regress a little. Valour was a fantastic badass assassin who lived how she liked and spoke how she liked. I really liked her as the female main character; she was strong and confident. I also VERY much enjoyed Ingrid's presence in the novel; she was both very different to the two assassins, yet also so similar. And very easily slipped into their little gang. I also adored her relationship with Valour so, so much 🥹. More of the two of them please!
I also REALLY enjoyed the Scandinavian aspect of the book. It was really interesting to me the little bits of folklore and history drizzled in; even just the swearing by Valour I found fascinating. I also appreciated that the Norse mythology didn't overshadow the book; there was a healthy amount referenced.
Generally, it was pretty fast-paced. There was lots of action and adventure; lots of brutal and violent fighting too. To balance this out however, there was also a lot of good-natured humour and some lovely romance too!
My main criticism, and the reason that it was not a five star read for me, is that I think it's too long. There were some (very few) parts that felt like they dragged a little, and could have been removed or shortened.
Having said that, I really enjoyed this book and cannot wait to see what Emma writes next!
February 28, 2024
On my list of reading goals for this year was one goal I was worried about. Read a book set in Scandinavia. Now you might think this would have been easy, there’s so many books set there, right? I could have gone with “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo” or “Let the Right One In”. Or gone for a children’s classic, like “Moomins in Midwinter” or “Pippi Longstocking”. But none of them appealed.
Then, “Snowblooded” came across my radar and I knew I had to read it the second I saw the synopsis. Not out until May?! But I want it NOW, I thought. So I took a risk, and applied for an ARC, fully intending to just buy the hardback if I wasn’t accepted. But blow me down with a feather, I got the ARC. And OH. MY. GOD.
DO NOT SLEEP ON THIS BOOK.
Set in 1700’s Sweden, in the town of Vinterstock, two assassins, Petrichor and Valour, are tasked with assassinating the city’s number one drug smuggler, Brandquist. But hear me out, the drugs are MAGIC. Literally. Magic potions. To make one shrewd, brawny, or simply healthier. Known as ‘Ness Potions.
Slight problem though, Valour & Petrichor do NOT get along. At all. Like, not even a little bit. Add onto that Valour has also been asked to keep an eye on Ingrid, a hoteliers daughter who’s father believes she’s headed down the wrong path in life.
How, for all the Gods in Asgard, are these three supposed to co-exist?! Well, you’ll have to read Snowblooded to find out. And I urge you to read Snowblooded, because it is brilliant.
Emma Sterner-Radley has written a stunning romantacy, with a thrilling, fast paced story full of magic, intrigue, political drama, incredible settings, and brilliantly fleshed out characters. Again, do not sleep on this book. I have a feeling it’s going to be huge.
5 stars.
Out everywhere on May 9th 2024 in hardcover, e-book, and audiobook.
“Trained to kill and ready for everything. Except teamwork”.
“On the command of the Assassins of Axten, and the Greve of Vinterstock, you are hereby axed.”
I was kindly provided with an ARC by Pride Book Tours in return for my honest review.
Then, “Snowblooded” came across my radar and I knew I had to read it the second I saw the synopsis. Not out until May?! But I want it NOW, I thought. So I took a risk, and applied for an ARC, fully intending to just buy the hardback if I wasn’t accepted. But blow me down with a feather, I got the ARC. And OH. MY. GOD.
DO NOT SLEEP ON THIS BOOK.
Set in 1700’s Sweden, in the town of Vinterstock, two assassins, Petrichor and Valour, are tasked with assassinating the city’s number one drug smuggler, Brandquist. But hear me out, the drugs are MAGIC. Literally. Magic potions. To make one shrewd, brawny, or simply healthier. Known as ‘Ness Potions.
Slight problem though, Valour & Petrichor do NOT get along. At all. Like, not even a little bit. Add onto that Valour has also been asked to keep an eye on Ingrid, a hoteliers daughter who’s father believes she’s headed down the wrong path in life.
How, for all the Gods in Asgard, are these three supposed to co-exist?! Well, you’ll have to read Snowblooded to find out. And I urge you to read Snowblooded, because it is brilliant.
Emma Sterner-Radley has written a stunning romantacy, with a thrilling, fast paced story full of magic, intrigue, political drama, incredible settings, and brilliantly fleshed out characters. Again, do not sleep on this book. I have a feeling it’s going to be huge.
5 stars.
Out everywhere on May 9th 2024 in hardcover, e-book, and audiobook.
“Trained to kill and ready for everything. Except teamwork”.
“On the command of the Assassins of Axten, and the Greve of Vinterstock, you are hereby axed.”
I was kindly provided with an ARC by Pride Book Tours in return for my honest review.
Read
March 12, 2024This title was on my radar for a few months, the delight I felt when my ARC request got approved ! Described as "The princess bride" met "Six of Crows", Snowblooded is a tale of assassin who doesn't shy away from the darkness and grittiness of the world, without being overwhilming in said darkness. The story is centered on Valour and Petrichor, assassins of Vinterstock Assassin Guild (a city in Sweden, the delight to have a change of scenery in a fantasy !) and who can't stand each other, having been raised against each other. They have to work together (or not) to complete an order, which revealed itself to be harder and with more ramification that expected, especially with Valour entangling herself with Ingrid, an aristocrat.
I enjoyed the world created with this story, the 'ness dealing, the winter vibe and the realities of a world where the wealthy strive and the poors struggle. It's a nice canva to reveal more about Valour and Petrichor past, see their relationship unravel and become less tense. It is, I think, the core of the story, what kept me going the most, since I guessed a few twist ahead of time. The mystery is still an interesting one, interspersed with action and emotional relief moment, while maintaining that darkish element. Valour relationship with Ingrid was quite well manage to my taste, present, driving some part of the story but not all of it.
I love the queernormative setting and how easily Valour and Petrichor can live their life in that regard. After all, their lifes are already hard, no need to add another layer.
All in all, an enjoyable story, with well built characters, interesting world and intrigue !
,
I enjoyed the world created with this story, the 'ness dealing, the winter vibe and the realities of a world where the wealthy strive and the poors struggle. It's a nice canva to reveal more about Valour and Petrichor past, see their relationship unravel and become less tense. It is, I think, the core of the story, what kept me going the most, since I guessed a few twist ahead of time. The mystery is still an interesting one, interspersed with action and emotional relief moment, while maintaining that darkish element. Valour relationship with Ingrid was quite well manage to my taste, present, driving some part of the story but not all of it.
I love the queernormative setting and how easily Valour and Petrichor can live their life in that regard. After all, their lifes are already hard, no need to add another layer.
All in all, an enjoyable story, with well built characters, interesting world and intrigue !
,
April 30, 2024
Plucked from the streets, two children are raised to compete for their guild masters approval. Valour and Petrichor rise to be esteemed members of the Order of Axsten. An assassins guild tasked with keeping order in the city of Vinterstock. Now, they are given their biggest job yet, to kill the mysterious leader of the city's illegal magic trade.
This book had so much promise, assassins, magic, illicit gangs, and remnants of norse mythology all set in an Edwardian style adventure but felt like it didn't really carry this idea. The plot was good and really picked up when the assassins got to the tipping point of their mission but I found so much of the book was filled with the two assassins squabbling with each other, throwing each other insults to annoy the other and not that much work on the mission itself. The two assassins are described as the elite of their group but consistently seemed haphazard, clumsy, and not very believable as the elite assassins they are described as.
For me, the redeeming factor was the last 150ish pages where there was fighting, reconnaissance, and some plot twists, all things you'd expect from an assassin novel with high stakes.
Overall, I found it an okay novel but could have done with more drama and tension to show the severity of the mission and fewer scenes with what felt like childish behaviour. There were some badass characters that could have been so much more with a little more development. I would have loved to have seen more about the Assassin order and the leader of the group. There were definitely some interesting points that could have been expanded on that would have really made this book something.
Thank you NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book had so much promise, assassins, magic, illicit gangs, and remnants of norse mythology all set in an Edwardian style adventure but felt like it didn't really carry this idea. The plot was good and really picked up when the assassins got to the tipping point of their mission but I found so much of the book was filled with the two assassins squabbling with each other, throwing each other insults to annoy the other and not that much work on the mission itself. The two assassins are described as the elite of their group but consistently seemed haphazard, clumsy, and not very believable as the elite assassins they are described as.
For me, the redeeming factor was the last 150ish pages where there was fighting, reconnaissance, and some plot twists, all things you'd expect from an assassin novel with high stakes.
Overall, I found it an okay novel but could have done with more drama and tension to show the severity of the mission and fewer scenes with what felt like childish behaviour. There were some badass characters that could have been so much more with a little more development. I would have loved to have seen more about the Assassin order and the leader of the group. There were definitely some interesting points that could have been expanded on that would have really made this book something.
Thank you NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
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