What do you think?
Rate this book
Fae of Snow & Ice #2
Thorns of Frost
Being entered into the Rising Queen Trial is equivalent to death. If I win, I’ll marry my enemy. If I lose, I’ll marry another fae of the king’s choosing. Either way, my freedom is lost unless I find a way to escape.
Intent on fleeing, I train my new affinities and learn what’s needed to survive while pretending to vie for the throne. With my sister at my side, I know we’ll find a way to prevent my enslavement to the Court of Winter.
But the Crown Prince has other ideas. As Prince Norivun’s interest in me grows, I’m determined to avoid his allure, until he reveals sides of himself he’d kept hidden—sides that make me want to succumb to the innate need burning inside me.
Now that his secrets are laid bare, devastating consequences loom for me and him. Consequences that not even the powerful prince could have foreseen.
Thorns of Frost is book two in Fae of Snow & Ice , a four-book enemies-to-lovers fae fantasy romance series that takes place in Krista Street’s Supernatural World . This series contains steamy romance, a strong female fae who refuses to bow, a morally gray prince whose brutality knows no bounds, and a deadly tangle of royal strife and intrigue.
Intent on fleeing, I train my new affinities and learn what’s needed to survive while pretending to vie for the throne. With my sister at my side, I know we’ll find a way to prevent my enslavement to the Court of Winter.
But the Crown Prince has other ideas. As Prince Norivun’s interest in me grows, I’m determined to avoid his allure, until he reveals sides of himself he’d kept hidden—sides that make me want to succumb to the innate need burning inside me.
Now that his secrets are laid bare, devastating consequences loom for me and him. Consequences that not even the powerful prince could have foreseen.
Thorns of Frost is book two in Fae of Snow & Ice , a four-book enemies-to-lovers fae fantasy romance series that takes place in Krista Street’s Supernatural World . This series contains steamy romance, a strong female fae who refuses to bow, a morally gray prince whose brutality knows no bounds, and a deadly tangle of royal strife and intrigue.
386 pages, Paperback
First published October 26, 2023
4633 people are currently reading
19466 people want to read
About the author
Krista Street
45 books1,852 followersKrista Street loves writing about coming of age characters who fight to find their place in this world while also finding their one true mate.
Krista Street is a Minnesota native but has lived throughout the U.S. and in another country or two. She loves to travel, read, and spend time in the great outdoors. When not writing, Krista is either chasing her children, spending time with her husband and friends, sipping a cup of tea, or enjoying the hidden gems of beauty that Minnesota has to offer.
To connect with Krista more, you can join her newsletter at www.kristastreet.com/contact
You can also find her on:
Facebook (@authorkristastreet)
Instagram (@authorkristastreet)
Bookbub
Krista Street is a Minnesota native but has lived throughout the U.S. and in another country or two. She loves to travel, read, and spend time in the great outdoors. When not writing, Krista is either chasing her children, spending time with her husband and friends, sipping a cup of tea, or enjoying the hidden gems of beauty that Minnesota has to offer.
To connect with Krista more, you can join her newsletter at www.kristastreet.com/contact
You can also find her on:
Facebook (@authorkristastreet)
Instagram (@authorkristastreet)
Bookbub
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,114 reviews
December 6, 2023
Officially OBSESSED. I really enjoyed Court of Winter, but Thorns of Winter consumed me. And yes, it was a little predictable, but that didn’t affect my enjoyment of the story one bit. In fact, it helped me to immerse myself in the story even easier. I FLEW through this book in less than a day.
I loved loved LOVED this book and I’m desperate to read Wings of Snow now. I was happy before starting the series when I saw that the first two books were already published and that WOS would come out in just a few weeks, but now I’m devastated that I have to wait that long 😂.
I loved loved LOVED this book and I’m desperate to read Wings of Snow now. I was happy before starting the series when I saw that the first two books were already published and that WOS would come out in just a few weeks, but now I’m devastated that I have to wait that long 😂.
January 1, 2024
DNF at 42% could not stand to read about FMC saying “but he killed my parents and my brother every other page…then the naive FMC that just put a huge target on her back…sometimes you gotta let stupid win and kill off the character and hope one of the side characters steps up and runs the show. This book has the usual cliche tropes, mean high school girls, fate mates, possessive, and everyone wants her, outcast who is oh so powerful blah blah….read this story 20 or 30 times by other authors who wrote it better. It’s like this author was late to the genre theme of the month game and was left behind piecing together scraps.
January 5, 2024
And then there were DRAGONS. I was not expecting to get shifters in a world of winged fae but holy moly! I loved the continuation of the story and the payoff of the slow burn!
Overall I really enjoyed the second book in this series. There were a few things that annoyed me but not enough to make a big issue.
Overall I really enjoyed the second book in this series. There were a few things that annoyed me but not enough to make a big issue.
April 30, 2025
3.5/5⭐️ good…but not great 🤨 this is the second book in the Fae of Snow & Ice series. This book tells the story of Ilara navigating her affinity and the dreaded queen trial that she must participate in. Prince Norivun carried this entire book on his back. His vibes were immaculate. 👩🏻🍳💋
But I have to say, I didn’t love this one as much as the first book. The first half was a total snooze fest 💤 It felt really dragged out to me. I kept wanting them to get to the point faster. Once we got to the actual trial, the pace started to pick up; but the trial didn’t start until there was only 100 pages left 😐 Yeah overall it was a little bit of a disappointment, especially since I rated the first book so high.
Oh well, you win some, you lose some. 🤷🏻♀️📖
But I have to say, I didn’t love this one as much as the first book. The first half was a total snooze fest 💤 It felt really dragged out to me. I kept wanting them to get to the point faster. Once we got to the actual trial, the pace started to pick up; but the trial didn’t start until there was only 100 pages left 😐 Yeah overall it was a little bit of a disappointment, especially since I rated the first book so high.
Oh well, you win some, you lose some. 🤷🏻♀️📖
April 8, 2024
I rate completely based on vibes and enjoyment. Whatever she wrote in this story has me needing all the answers even when I call twists before they happen lol
I also just want to see georgyannas downfall. She is a c u next Tuesday.
I also just want to see georgyannas downfall. She is a c u next Tuesday.
July 23, 2025
⋆·˚ ༘ * 🤍┆ post-read!
rtc<3
⋆·˚ ༘ * 🤍┆ pre-read!
book 1 was good- i’m looking forward to this!! fantasy books just hit different🫶🏻
rtc<3
⋆·˚ ༘ * 🤍┆ pre-read!
book 1 was good- i’m looking forward to this!! fantasy books just hit different🫶🏻
December 21, 2023
Juvenile read
Characters are flat, repetitive and frankly boring. Each one had one function in the story, the evil one, mysterious, sexy, sisterly and so on. This is all they are. No other facets. At every step the author tells you what to see, feel and know. Nothing is revealed thru the characters interaction - just narrative. Very boring. It like a child telling a story. I would not recommend.
Characters are flat, repetitive and frankly boring. Each one had one function in the story, the evil one, mysterious, sexy, sisterly and so on. This is all they are. No other facets. At every step the author tells you what to see, feel and know. Nothing is revealed thru the characters interaction - just narrative. Very boring. It like a child telling a story. I would not recommend.
March 16, 2024
I am devouring this series. It’s soo good.
Edit: I couldn’t even finish book 3. Don’t waste your time. The first 2 books are good but the rest is absolutely a joke.
Edit: I couldn’t even finish book 3. Don’t waste your time. The first 2 books are good but the rest is absolutely a joke.
September 2, 2024
This series just keeps getting better and better 🤯😍
November 15, 2024
My Rating: 3 and a half stars
Ok so I'm glad I infered the twist with the MMC! He's not as mortally black as we'd like to think of him, which depending on who you are can be a great find or a disappointment. For me, it was fine! Though a murder happy MMC is fun to read about!
I'm still invested enough to where I want to know what happens next. I'm not sure how far this feeling will string me along. I hope the next book makes this one worthwhile for me!
Ok so I'm glad I infered the twist with the MMC! He's not as mortally black as we'd like to think of him, which depending on who you are can be a great find or a disappointment. For me, it was fine! Though a murder happy MMC is fun to read about!
I'm still invested enough to where I want to know what happens next. I'm not sure how far this feeling will string me along. I hope the next book makes this one worthwhile for me!
February 15, 2024
Thorns of Frost (Court of Winter Book 2): The Bachelor meets The Triwizard Tournament
Once again, we follow Illara as she navigates the worlds of the Solis court and her Situationship with Prince Norivun. Can she save her people from starvation? Will she admit her feelings for the Prince? Will she deck the resident Mean Girl? Will readers choke on tropes?
I’m starting to notice a few patterns here. First, Street tends to overthink her dialogue in the beginning of her books only to say “screw it” by the end. I’m rooting for her to trust herself more in the future because there’s only so much pseudo-flowery speech a girl can take.
Most of this book is a training montage for the female lead to hone her powers. Understandable, since she’s about 10 years behind everybody else. Street uses this time to really bring on the high school mean girl antics and I just cannot get behind that decision. If this were a YA or even set in a high school type setting, sure, why not? But all these characters are full-fledged adults vying to take the throne in some capacity. No way in any hell are adults resorting to schoolyard style antics to further their ambitions. Does the female lead need to have some opportunities for growth to develop self-confidence? Sure, but when you spend the entire first book detailing how she doesn’t fall prey to petty schemes and bullying, it negates any true growth to have her get riled up constantly.
Regarding character growth: Having an overpowered male lead does not mean that should be his only personality trait. Norivun shows no growth whatsoever—to the point where we seldom see his name, just his title. He seems to have three modes at all times: apathetic, angry, aroused (on second thought, maybe this is a high school romance). His screentime is barely a blip on the radar as far as the plot is concerned. I literally just finished the book, and I can’t remember anything he does beyond the bare minimum to support Illara. He’s hardly discernable from his guard, and they might as well just have numbers instead of names. I had to go back and remind myself who was who repeatedly. The bar could be considered a tripping hazard in hell and yet Norivun refuses to go over it.
The plot seemed to be all over the place. There’s a rushed timeline because of the impending starvation of the entire populace, but that can all be put on the backburner because of a tournament deciding who marries the prince? Every time we inch closer to the main plot we’re dragged back to the set of The Bachelor. Having stakes and an established clock is important—but mass casualties are a bit higher stakes and deserve more screentime than who gets the damned rose. There are serious reveals throughout the book that we just glide right over, never to be seen again, because “omigod, what if they don’t end up together?”
Thorns of Frost was very slow going for about 90% of the book. It felt like a lot of the scenes were repeated and shifted a little to the left each time to add some variety, but nevertheless it was much of the same structure. Maybe if a little more time was dedicated to the main storyline and not the pageantry the tournament would have had more weight. As it stands, it feels a little hollow because the main characters didn’t really abide by the terms of said tournament anyway. What was the purpose of it really? It gave a sense of conflated stakes that got in the way of the real problems.
I must give it a 2/5 because I finished it, but I’m getting concerned that the series is going to continue to chase trends and not trust the strength of its own story. Here’s to hoping book 3 will prove me wrong. I’m determined to see this series through in hopes it’ll turn itself around.
Once again, we follow Illara as she navigates the worlds of the Solis court and her Situationship with Prince Norivun. Can she save her people from starvation? Will she admit her feelings for the Prince? Will she deck the resident Mean Girl? Will readers choke on tropes?
I’m starting to notice a few patterns here. First, Street tends to overthink her dialogue in the beginning of her books only to say “screw it” by the end. I’m rooting for her to trust herself more in the future because there’s only so much pseudo-flowery speech a girl can take.
Most of this book is a training montage for the female lead to hone her powers. Understandable, since she’s about 10 years behind everybody else. Street uses this time to really bring on the high school mean girl antics and I just cannot get behind that decision. If this were a YA or even set in a high school type setting, sure, why not? But all these characters are full-fledged adults vying to take the throne in some capacity. No way in any hell are adults resorting to schoolyard style antics to further their ambitions. Does the female lead need to have some opportunities for growth to develop self-confidence? Sure, but when you spend the entire first book detailing how she doesn’t fall prey to petty schemes and bullying, it negates any true growth to have her get riled up constantly.
Regarding character growth: Having an overpowered male lead does not mean that should be his only personality trait. Norivun shows no growth whatsoever—to the point where we seldom see his name, just his title. He seems to have three modes at all times: apathetic, angry, aroused (on second thought, maybe this is a high school romance). His screentime is barely a blip on the radar as far as the plot is concerned. I literally just finished the book, and I can’t remember anything he does beyond the bare minimum to support Illara. He’s hardly discernable from his guard, and they might as well just have numbers instead of names. I had to go back and remind myself who was who repeatedly. The bar could be considered a tripping hazard in hell and yet Norivun refuses to go over it.
The plot seemed to be all over the place. There’s a rushed timeline because of the impending starvation of the entire populace, but that can all be put on the backburner because of a tournament deciding who marries the prince? Every time we inch closer to the main plot we’re dragged back to the set of The Bachelor. Having stakes and an established clock is important—but mass casualties are a bit higher stakes and deserve more screentime than who gets the damned rose. There are serious reveals throughout the book that we just glide right over, never to be seen again, because “omigod, what if they don’t end up together?”
Thorns of Frost was very slow going for about 90% of the book. It felt like a lot of the scenes were repeated and shifted a little to the left each time to add some variety, but nevertheless it was much of the same structure. Maybe if a little more time was dedicated to the main storyline and not the pageantry the tournament would have had more weight. As it stands, it feels a little hollow because the main characters didn’t really abide by the terms of said tournament anyway. What was the purpose of it really? It gave a sense of conflated stakes that got in the way of the real problems.
I must give it a 2/5 because I finished it, but I’m getting concerned that the series is going to continue to chase trends and not trust the strength of its own story. Here’s to hoping book 3 will prove me wrong. I’m determined to see this series through in hopes it’ll turn itself around.
January 4, 2024
I have to wait till March for the next audiobook. Something tells me I'm gonna end up reading it on Kindle because holy cow that ending!!
Ugh this series is so fun. I love a good fae story.
What to expect
✅ Trials
✅ Secret powers
✅ Mates
✅ Enemies to lovers
I really liked this sequel - despite the hilariously bad names the author chose to give characters in this book. Honestly, *lord featherington* barf...
Overall
Story ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice 🌶️🌶️
Audio 🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧
Ok go away. I gotta recap and spoilers are below!
SPOILERS BEWARE
Okay so the recap here is as followings ... Illara is now being forced to compete in these queen trials. She's pretty upset because fuck being told who to marry, even if she is oddly attracted to the deadly prince. Who is, by the way, acting suspiciously protective and possessive. Weird...
Anyways. Illara sister is at the castle now too and she's like, "he killed our family, he's gross. Let's run away." And illara is like, "oh right, yeah so gross. Uhh so about that escape plan. Maybe I should learn to master my powers before we run away." So they do. Illara trains with a grump old woman who apparently taught all the royals how to master their powers. She basically grumbles at her and swats her on the rump multiple times and illara is like, OMG I am so good at this magic stuff! And so she is mastering her powers now and is basically stronger than the prince, go figure. Then illara starts noticing this strange pull between her and the prince. She fights it and fights it and the one day is like, "omg only mated males act like that. *Gasp* I'm his mate!" Because obviously males realize the mate bond is there before females because scenting or hormones or something... And she's mad because he killed her family. Like, how could she EVER love this male even though he's hot as sin and she's ready to go. But then he's all, "JK lolz family's alive and I saved them along with one of other family and I put them in this safe glass ball on a cliff so my dad can never find them." So illara is like oh thank God and decides she's cool with the whole mate thing and she wants to win the trials and marry the guy almost instantly.
Illara wins the first trial but loses the second and finally the third trial. She loses the third trial because some dark magic is blocking her power which came from her sticking her fingers in the dirt for too long. One of her fields died suddenly and it took a dark power blanketing her magic within her for her to be like, omg maybe someone else is poisoning the land!?! So obviously the king is killing the land on purpose. Or the counsel bros who suck balls want war.
Illara is forced to marry a pedophile when she loses the trial and the prince is being married off to a viper who is a poor loser. Oh and she has manipulation magic which makes her a giant cunt. Illara leaves before she is wed and goes to the sea fae who cryptically welcome her home by basically saying she's adopted (not really, it's my guess) and not who she thought she was. Meanwhile the prince gets a letter from his lady saying don't be a pussy and fight. So now he's all fired up too. She's gonna get rid of the magic suppressing hers and maybe gain a new power or two all so she can go back; fuck the prince so they can be officially mated then kill the king and free her family. Ta da! Recap.
Ugh this series is so fun. I love a good fae story.
What to expect
✅ Trials
✅ Secret powers
✅ Mates
✅ Enemies to lovers
I really liked this sequel - despite the hilariously bad names the author chose to give characters in this book. Honestly, *lord featherington* barf...
Overall
Story ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice 🌶️🌶️
Audio 🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧
Ok go away. I gotta recap and spoilers are below!
SPOILERS BEWARE
Okay so the recap here is as followings ... Illara is now being forced to compete in these queen trials. She's pretty upset because fuck being told who to marry, even if she is oddly attracted to the deadly prince. Who is, by the way, acting suspiciously protective and possessive. Weird...
Anyways. Illara sister is at the castle now too and she's like, "he killed our family, he's gross. Let's run away." And illara is like, "oh right, yeah so gross. Uhh so about that escape plan. Maybe I should learn to master my powers before we run away." So they do. Illara trains with a grump old woman who apparently taught all the royals how to master their powers. She basically grumbles at her and swats her on the rump multiple times and illara is like, OMG I am so good at this magic stuff! And so she is mastering her powers now and is basically stronger than the prince, go figure. Then illara starts noticing this strange pull between her and the prince. She fights it and fights it and the one day is like, "omg only mated males act like that. *Gasp* I'm his mate!" Because obviously males realize the mate bond is there before females because scenting or hormones or something... And she's mad because he killed her family. Like, how could she EVER love this male even though he's hot as sin and she's ready to go. But then he's all, "JK lolz family's alive and I saved them along with one of other family and I put them in this safe glass ball on a cliff so my dad can never find them." So illara is like oh thank God and decides she's cool with the whole mate thing and she wants to win the trials and marry the guy almost instantly.
Illara wins the first trial but loses the second and finally the third trial. She loses the third trial because some dark magic is blocking her power which came from her sticking her fingers in the dirt for too long. One of her fields died suddenly and it took a dark power blanketing her magic within her for her to be like, omg maybe someone else is poisoning the land!?! So obviously the king is killing the land on purpose. Or the counsel bros who suck balls want war.
Illara is forced to marry a pedophile when she loses the trial and the prince is being married off to a viper who is a poor loser. Oh and she has manipulation magic which makes her a giant cunt. Illara leaves before she is wed and goes to the sea fae who cryptically welcome her home by basically saying she's adopted (not really, it's my guess) and not who she thought she was. Meanwhile the prince gets a letter from his lady saying don't be a pussy and fight. So now he's all fired up too. She's gonna get rid of the magic suppressing hers and maybe gain a new power or two all so she can go back; fuck the prince so they can be officially mated then kill the king and free her family. Ta da! Recap.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 4, 2025
₊˚🏰꒱˚₊ 5 stars .ᐟ
➤ OMG this book had me crashing out. I was 100% convinced Ilara was going to win the trial. I almost threw my kindle across the room when Georgyanna won. Girl you better watch your back because when Ilara returns it won’t be all fun and games. And I need to jump in this book and beat up the king myself! What a nasty individual. I hope queen Lissandra takes him out herself!
➤ I’m SOOOO obsessed with this story and these characters! All I want is Ilara and Norivun to live happily ever after. When the truth was revealed that her parents and brother were alive because of Norivun I was so surprised. (Is it super toxic of me to wish he was actually a murderer? Probably. Sorry.) Their love for each other is everything to me! I adore them. I’m also loving the found family with all the guards, servants, and Ilara’s friends. They’re truly rooting for Ilara and Norivun! I’m scared for anybody who even tries to come between the two of them.
➤ Ilara working on her magic and finding out who she truly is in the next book should be interesting. Can’t wait for the king’s and Georgyanna’s downfall!
➤ I had so much fun reading this and yapping about it with my bff Jess. Time to read the next one and try to catch up to her!!! 🩶
‧₊˚ ꒰🖇️꒱ ⁺˖ ⸝⸝ favorite quotes ₊ ⊹ 𓂃
this little inside joke between them which is a nod to the first book: “Well, perhaps you shouldn’t ask such asinine questions then, and my tongue would stay still.”
“You’re strong. You’re powerful. And you’re mine. Don’t forget any of that.”
I called upon the bond that tethered us, the unbreakable cord that the gods had placed between our souls.
“I ache for you, Ilara.” 🧎🏻♀️
“Because even though you’ve been doing an impressive job of ignoring me, I’ve been doing the opposite with you.”
“Why didn’t you do that sooner?” “Maybe I like whispering in your ear.”
“I was going to say exotic dance,” Nuwin replied, which got a glare from his brother. 🤣 Nuwin I love you.
Because one day we would be reunited, and I would be ready for her. My mate. My queen.
Fight for me, Prince Norivun. Fight for us until we can find a way to defeat him.
◞ ◞ ⟡ ◞ ◞
꒰ 🔖 ๑ ⋆˚. post-read: I want to bite my kindle I’ll write a review later I’m crashing out 😭
︵‿୨ ♡ ୧‿︵
˖ ࣪ ⊹ ( ❄️ ) 𝒫𝓇𝑒-𝑅𝑒𝒶𝒹.ᐟ
⤿ buddy read pt2 with my bff <3
❝ You’re not a monster, Norivun.
⠀ I see that. I see you. ❞
❝ I’ve waited so long to find you. ❞
➤ OMG this book had me crashing out. I was 100% convinced Ilara was going to win the trial. I almost threw my kindle across the room when Georgyanna won. Girl you better watch your back because when Ilara returns it won’t be all fun and games. And I need to jump in this book and beat up the king myself! What a nasty individual. I hope queen Lissandra takes him out herself!
➤ I’m SOOOO obsessed with this story and these characters! All I want is Ilara and Norivun to live happily ever after. When the truth was revealed that her parents and brother were alive because of Norivun I was so surprised. (Is it super toxic of me to wish he was actually a murderer? Probably. Sorry.) Their love for each other is everything to me! I adore them. I’m also loving the found family with all the guards, servants, and Ilara’s friends. They’re truly rooting for Ilara and Norivun! I’m scared for anybody who even tries to come between the two of them.
➤ Ilara working on her magic and finding out who she truly is in the next book should be interesting. Can’t wait for the king’s and Georgyanna’s downfall!
➤ I had so much fun reading this and yapping about it with my bff Jess. Time to read the next one and try to catch up to her!!! 🩶
‧₊˚ ꒰🖇️꒱ ⁺˖ ⸝⸝ favorite quotes ₊ ⊹ 𓂃
this little inside joke between them which is a nod to the first book: “Well, perhaps you shouldn’t ask such asinine questions then, and my tongue would stay still.”
“You’re strong. You’re powerful. And you’re mine. Don’t forget any of that.”
I called upon the bond that tethered us, the unbreakable cord that the gods had placed between our souls.
“I ache for you, Ilara.” 🧎🏻♀️
“Because even though you’ve been doing an impressive job of ignoring me, I’ve been doing the opposite with you.”
“Why didn’t you do that sooner?” “Maybe I like whispering in your ear.”
“I was going to say exotic dance,” Nuwin replied, which got a glare from his brother. 🤣 Nuwin I love you.
Because one day we would be reunited, and I would be ready for her. My mate. My queen.
Fight for me, Prince Norivun. Fight for us until we can find a way to defeat him.
◞ ◞ ⟡ ◞ ◞
꒰ 🔖 ๑ ⋆˚. post-read: I want to bite my kindle I’ll write a review later I’m crashing out 😭
︵‿୨ ♡ ୧‿︵
˖ ࣪ ⊹ ( ❄️ ) 𝒫𝓇𝑒-𝑅𝑒𝒶𝒹.ᐟ
⤿ buddy read pt2 with my bff <3
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 23, 2025
The ending. I’m not okay.
February 27, 2024
You know when you were like 11 and you had a favorite book that made you want to be a writer so you decided to write your own book and then proceeded write what was basically just a Worse Version of your favorite book? This and ACOTAR.
I don’t know how I ended up reading two of these; pre-midterm stress must be getting to me. Whatever the case, I am certain drugs would have been a more constructive coping mechanism than whatever this book was.
I don’t know how I ended up reading two of these; pre-midterm stress must be getting to me. Whatever the case, I am certain drugs would have been a more constructive coping mechanism than whatever this book was.
December 21, 2025
Loved it! The burning tension between Nori and Lara is all consuming! Why wait Lara?! Life is too short! I was stoked that her family are still alive! I like that the writing is so easy going, easy to follow but with enough depth so it doesn't feel lack lustre and boring. Can't wait for the 3rd book!
February 9, 2025
4.2 😏😏😏😏
October 29, 2023
2.5 STARS
The addition of a one dimensional, high school mean girl trope into an already simple plot really took away from the seriousness and tension that had been built up from the events of the previous book.
The addition of a one dimensional, high school mean girl trope into an already simple plot really took away from the seriousness and tension that had been built up from the events of the previous book.
June 9, 2024
I devoured this book! So well written I cant wait to pick up the third book to this great adventure!
December 17, 2023
Ok, so now this has turned into the Bachelor with a triwizard tournament twist. Boring. What is also boring is that we have another possessive man. I don’t care how it’s motivated. I’m tired of it.
I thought the first book was extremely predictable but ok. But this couldn’t keep my interest going and I skimmed through a lot of it. Which it somehow feels the story itself does as well. For example, the bad guy is bad because we’re told he is in bypassing. We don’t really get any displays of it.
I wish I knew before I started it that it’s supposed to be four books. I thought it would end with this one.
I thought the first book was extremely predictable but ok. But this couldn’t keep my interest going and I skimmed through a lot of it. Which it somehow feels the story itself does as well. For example, the bad guy is bad because we’re told he is in bypassing. We don’t really get any displays of it.
I wish I knew before I started it that it’s supposed to be four books. I thought it would end with this one.
January 3, 2024
DNF at 86%. I couldn’t stand to read this book anymore. There is a difference between being naive and just plain stupid. Lara, unfortunately is the latter.
June 4, 2024
pls if they say mate one more time ✋🏼
October 13, 2025
He can shift into a DRAGON!
SAY. NO. MORE.✋️
SAY. NO. MORE.✋️
November 13, 2025
Is this what heartbreak feels like?? cause holy fucking shit, it's excruciating.
August 1, 2024
“I wasn’t cut out for cunning court politics or games of power play. I was just a farm girl from Mervalee who, until a month ago, had been magicless, wingless, and lacked any desirable Solis strengths.”
So it’s already been established that this series is cliché (all of the time) but still intriguing, but there were a couple scenes where I was like w h a t…and that’s when you know the book is diving into strange, strange territory. But you know what, I actually ended up loving it by the end.
For starters, I’d like to mention what this book has gone back on. You didn’t actually believe Prince Norivun killed Ilara’s brother and parents despite Ilara mentioning it repeatedly the entirety of the first book and half of this one, right? Turns out they're alive! Not only are they alive, but they’re living in a village-like compound Prince Norivun created in the Cliffs of Sarum (aka in desolate nothingness).
And of course, Prince Norivun couldn’t tell Ilara this until after she realized they were mate bonded, which is essentially like a soulmate but much, much weirder. It’s like a caveman primordial urge takes over, I guess. But actually, Prince Norivun can’t tell her because he’s being forced into doing his father’s (the King) dirty work by using his ‘death affinity’ to murder and silence innocent Solis fey who raise concerns and cause dissent regarding the state of the Solis continent. The King uses the prince’s mother, the Queen, being abused via being beaten, starved, or forced into isolation if Prince Norivun tries to disobey his orders or tries to use his stronger affinities against him (aka keeping him in line for the sake of his mother).
I will say, some characters are more written out than others. Some are just kinda…flat. Prince Nuwin, for example. Yes, he’s one for theatrics. But what else? What does he provide to the story besides being an annoyance to his brother? Is he scheming? He feels like he’s just there, and if his character was removed from the entirety of the story it wouldn’t change anything. And Georgyanna falls flat as well, despite playing the role of antagonist to Ilara, and the Ilara/Norivun’s love story. She’s just evil? There’s no explanation why, she just is. She desires to be Queen one day, is powerful, and will hurt Ilara to do so, even Ilara being potentially SA’d by Lord Waterline when she used her manipulation affinity on him. But why? What are her motivations? Even if she’s just power hungry and finds Norivun hot or whatever, what drives her?
Something I do give the author kudos for is the writing of Ilara and Norivun's relationship and as it develops throughout the series. I mean, it’s going on book three and there’s been no true sex scene. People obsessed with smut would be punching the air rn with this series. But also, the scene of lives rent free in my mind.
Questions as of the end of this book: Who’s kidnapping fey and servants from the castle? What is Prince Norivun’s sixth affinity? What is within Ilara (described as “slumbering abilities”) that Matron Olsander felt? Does Michas Crimsonale have good or bad intentions? Is someone sabotaging their land and intentionally trying to create a famine? What or who tried to kidnap Ilara in the castle when the lights turned off?
----
review to come. starting book three in the series now <3
----
pre-read: idky but as someone who loved, i mean LOVED, the disney movie 'frozen' as a kid this book series just sits so right with me. there's like no similarities at all between them, outside of the cold climate they're based in, and i guess but my brain has just made that connection and won't stop now-
December 10, 2023
Just… wow. This book was even better than the first. I seriously CANNOT WAIT for December 26th when the third book comes out!! The plot twists were insane, the world building & character dynamic was amazing, everything was yet again perfect. This is officially a new favorite series of mine! 👑🤍⚔️
November 27, 2024
4.5⭐️ - so I had moments when I wasn’t sure if I liked this series after all but I ended up thoroughly engaged. The strange dating setup (felt kind of like if The Bachelor met Survivor kind of thing) was interesting and I certainly wasn’t sold on it at first but it grew on me. I think the “trials” were very tense and done well. This is not a spicy series but there are few moments of passion. There so much tension, mystery, yearning and frustration with this so going into book 3 my interest is super high!!
December 21, 2025
4.5⭐️
Génial! Encore plus rythmé et plein de tension que le tome 1 qui posait le cadre.
Ilara se révèle vraiment dans ce tome, et prend la mesure de sa force, qu’elle soit magique, ou de caractère.
J’ai aussi adoré voir la relation évoluer avec Norivum.
Les concurrentes et autres prétendants restent au second plan mais apportent leur lots de surprises.
Et les épreuves… je m’attendais pas à ça !!!!
J’aurai du attendre le tome 3 pour le lire 🥹
Génial! Encore plus rythmé et plein de tension que le tome 1 qui posait le cadre.
Ilara se révèle vraiment dans ce tome, et prend la mesure de sa force, qu’elle soit magique, ou de caractère.
J’ai aussi adoré voir la relation évoluer avec Norivum.
Les concurrentes et autres prétendants restent au second plan mais apportent leur lots de surprises.
Et les épreuves… je m’attendais pas à ça !!!!
J’aurai du attendre le tome 3 pour le lire 🥹
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,114 reviews