A Burden of Ice and Bone

by Kyra Whitton

Everything Dira Cloon loves, and all she has ever learned in her village of ice and darkness, depends upon her pulling the trigger. But something about the white bear shakes her aim.
It’s stronger than her love for her family who believe the only safe polar bear is a dead one. It’s deeper than the village legends of a lost world, a vanished civilization, and the whispered magic of an ursine king. It’s more broken, more alone, than Dira’s own heart.
If she pulls the trigger, the life she knows will take her back, the cost a piece of herself and her dreams. But if she puts down the gun and follows the bear into a vast, frozen kingdom of snow, she may change her people and their lust for blood. And for herself, find a cursed life more beautiful than the one she leaves behind.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult, Romantasy, Fantasy Romance

358 pages, Paperback

Published April 9, 2024

Reviews

[Marquise · Rating 2 out of 5]

Whilst I'm theoretically the target audience, because this has strong East of the Sun and West of the Moon vibes, the dragging pace and characters didn't endear the story to me, and I don't think it's ultimately a book that's easy to get into unless you do enjoy slow-paced romances.

I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Mbhabibti · Rating 2 out of 5]

The polar bears are a unique fantasy premise I haven't read before, and I always enjoy a Beauty & the Beast situation.

There weren't really any special plot lines that set it apart and everything moved along a bit slowly. But if you want a quick and easy fairytale to read this fits the bill.

Thank you to Netgalley, author Kyra Whitton, and Sword & Silk Books for this eARC!

[WellEndowedPenguin · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️4 amazing, heart-wrenching stars⭐️

First and foremost I want to thank Netgalley for the oppurtunity to review this Earch.

Without further ado.

This story was one that I will never forget. I have never read a book that made me feel what thks book did.

We have all the tropes that you can need; forced-proximity, curse breaking, second-chance and so much much more.

Dira will forever covet a special place in my heart. She was such a relatable character with her earnest, pain and hunger for belonging.

This book takes you on an emotional and frustrating ride from the start to the finish. It encapsulates the desperation one feels when confronted with what you've been yearning for your whole life.

And Valemon, omg !! I think i have gotten so accustomed to the "loud" and sometimes obnoxious love of MMC's that his quiet version almost felt underwhelming, but the more I read, the more I fell for this man. His pain and his yearning for longing ripped my heart to absolute shreds.

The only thing that left me unbalanced was how rushed the ending of it all felt. I was reading and then I was on the acknowledgement page? That's my only gripe about it, that we didn't spend enough time in that final arc of the book.

*chefs kiss*

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

When fantasy meets conservation (with a side of romance of course) you get A Burden of Ice and Bone by Kyra Whitton. This story follows Dira, a girl who dares to think differently than her people and value life over tradition, through her journey to save Polar Bears and her people. Along the way she finds love, and leads her people to a new way of life.
Thanks, #NetGalley for the great read! I'll be sharing this one with friends and family on release day.

[Clodagh · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book to be an enjoyable read but I had a few issues with it. I really liked the premise of this story, the setting was immersive and I did want Dira to succeed in her mission. However, the pacing was off at times, sometimes it was very slow going and it felt like not much happened, and then I found the ending to be quite rushed, I would have preferred it to be developed more. I also found Dira a very irritating main character, although I was rooting for her at times, she spent most of the book convinced she never did anything wrong and everyone just treated her unfairly. While at times she was right, she was also a very flawed character who refused to accept advice from anyone else, which I found frustrating to read. I preferred the side characters to the two main characters in this book, I feel like I would have liked them more if they had communicated with each other properly instead of being cryptic and keeping their thoughts to themselves. Overall, I found this book interesting to read, it had a unique storyline, well developed locations and a twist I didn't see coming. Despite the issues, I still enjoyed the book.
3.5 stars rounded down.
Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this eArc in exchange for an honest review.

[Tracy Banghart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Atmospheric and beautifully written. Loved the vibes, loved Dira's evolution as a character, loved the twist at the end.

[Chloe · Rating 3 out of 5]

a medium 3/5

this is a cute little polar bear beauty and the beast style story (with a little of psyche and eros thrown in). Dira is an eco-warrior at heart and desperate to prove polar bears are not human killing machines.

the wintery setting is interesting but could have been leaned on a little more. the plot and characters here are a little lacking and i was hoping for some quality prose to stand out instead, but alas, it was not to be. any description was half-hearted and while i understood vaguely what buildings were meant to look like i definitely wasn’t immersed in the world.

there were moments at the beginning where i was very confused about when exactly this book takes place. there’s rifles and walkie-talkies but seeing machines are some relic of the past? it is eventually explained a little better but i still fail to see how all modern technology just suddenly became useless.

to start with, Dira is selfish and impulsive and does not seem to realise her actions have consequences that she must deal with, and thinks no one else will back her on anything because they just don’t understand. at the end of the book… dira is selfish and impulsive and does not understand consequences but she’s ✨in love✨ apparently.
i’d love a smidge of character development, this felt too short and rushed.

Valemon also utters about 7 words the whole time and is bare minimum nice and it works?? give me his torment over living with creatures he once despised. give me apathy now that he’s lived so long. give me ennui. give me hatred of the woman who made him this way. give me SOMETHING.

given that i still regularly feel heart broken over a different beauty and the beast retelling i know they can be done well, but i think this missed the mark. the beast is by far the more interesting character to explore, but in order for his redemption to be satisfying i need to know how far he’s fallen.

[Faye Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Burden of Ice and Bone is a standalone fantasy novel set in an icy, harsh world. Dira Cloon has always been fascinated by the polar bears, even when everyone around her is determined to kill them to protect the town. There is one polar bear in particular that she's drawn to, and one day she decides to follow him and to try and change the minds of the townsfolk.

I really liked the setting of this book - it was original and harsh, and not what it first appeared to be. So that was a refreshing change for a fairytale reimagining. It also had a gentle, closed door romance in it. I found the book really easy to read, and liked the protagonist, Dira. She did tend to throw herself into situations without thinking but I liked that she had a backbone and stood up for herself, and she had agency rather than letting the story just happen to her.

I wish that the ending of the book had been a little longer, and more detailed. Without giving away any spoilers, I thought that everything happened very quickly in the last 35 pages and I would have liked a bit more time in that section to understand what Dira was feeling. I lost track of the time periods a bit, and didn't get a sense for how much time had passed and how Dira spent both her days and nights.

I enjoyed the book, particularly the different setting, and thought it was a very easy read, but I would have liked to spend a bit more time in that final section of the book before everything was wrapped up so neatly. I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy fairytale retellings with a clean and gentle romance.

Disclaimer: I received an ARC from NetGalley, but this is my voluntary and honest review.

[BAM xo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know where to begin, this book has so many exciting parts that I can't possibly be expected to cram them all into words. Though I shall certainly try.

This book was beautifully written, I felt like I had been targeted when I was reading it. I adore anything with bears in. I adore fantasy fiction. When those two worlds collided for me, it opened up a whole new chapter and I now require this to be made into a film for me to binge watch repeatedly, so I can swoon.
All the hearts for Val. 🤍
The rich world Whitton has developed is the very same idea of what I imagined polar bear environments to be like. I watched this show once where this village shares its border with polar bears, they just wander amongst the snow, not coming to close.
I swear I could imagine the very setting Whitton describes thanks to this prior glimpse. Frosty mornings, polar bears keeping their distance but being inquisitive due to sounds and smells, but not meaning harm. Just like the FMC thought of them. It was so vivid, I want to observe and visit their secret relaxation spots, but obviously I know better than to not get close to a wild animal. But one can dream...
The story in this tale revolves around the fear of bears, seeking power, a curse, being true to yourself, acceptance, and overcoming ones fear to find the balance in the fight against the wild.
The understanding I had for the FMC feeling out of place, outcast, always responsible for whatever goes wrong, always failing. Those who have been there, can feel that disappointed feeling coming towards you in waves. It's hard to ignore and really does build up to the point you want to escape and try to prove you were right. Whenever I read these parts my heart squeezed just a little, because I can feel it with her, I feel even for imaginary characters who suffer.

I absolutely ADORE this book, the fantastic characters through to the witty dialogue.
I will recommend this to all, it's got a slow burn romance with some lukewarm intimacy. PG 15?
But it is just such a cute book! Just remember, bears and fantasy. What else do you need??

This book has a beauty and the beast style vibe. With a strong, gripping journey with bears and a happy ending. I love those. I'm giving this a totally well deserved 5* snowy stars!
'Don't dwell in the in between' because this book deserves to be read!

[Adreanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

First and foremost thank you to the publisher Sword and Silk Books along with NetGalley for providing the eARC. My opinions are my own and given freely and honestly.

I wanted to love this book so much after reading the description it sounded very interesting and the cover caught my eye as well. Unfortunately, I found A Burden of Ice and Bone to be lackluster and snail-paced slow. I am one to love a slow burn romance but this book took it to a new level of slow burn. The book in its whole was very well written and descriptive of the world around the MFC. It just wasn't for me in the end.

[Chelsea Knight · Rating 3 out of 5]

The setting was beautifully described and I could imagine the icy world perfectly. This book has shapeshifters, curses, romance, violence, you name it. I felt the ending was too quick paced though. But I loved Dira and rooted for her throughout the story.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!

[GONZA · Rating 2 out of 5]

In some ways, this was a story familiar to me, perhaps an old Norse myth, revised from a dystopian perspective, in which the men fighting over territory with white bears are those who have survived pandemics and famines. I did not like the characters all that much, however, and somehow the ending seemed rather rushed.

Per qualche verso, questa era una storia a me nota, forse un vecchio mito nordico, rivisto in un'ottica distopica, in cui gli uomini che si combattono il territorio con gli orsi bianchi, sono quelli che sono sopravvissuti a pandemie e carestie. I personaggi non mi sono peró piaciuti tantissimo e in qualche modo il finale mi é sembrato piuttosto affrettato.

I received from the Publisher a complimentary digital advanced review copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.

[Gwen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book follows Dira, who lives in a vaguely Scandinavian setting. Her village fears and hunts polar bears, but Dira wants to prove to her family that the bears are not something to be feared. She comes into contact with one of these bears and ends up on a bit of an unexpected adventure.

This book felt pretty unique! The setting was not like one I have read before, and I liked some aspects quite a lot.

Things I liked:
The atmosphere. The cold, desolate vibes of this snowy landscape were really cool and I felt like the writing really drew me in and made me feel like I was right there in this coldness with the characters.

I also liked that our MC, Dira, was quite unapologetically herself (though at times it led to some genuine stupidity that made it a little harder to sympathize with her).

The family dynamics. Dira has a complicated relationship with her family, and it felt very real. She loves them deeply and they love her deeply as well, but they clash in ways that make her doubt that love (even though we as the audience can see that they mean everything to each other).



What I didn’t like as much:
The ending felt incredibly rushed. The conflict wrapped up in like 30 pages, and it felt super thrown together. I would’ve liked more expansion on the ending here. This is the main reason I am deducting stars, as it just all felt too convenient and easy.

The writing felt a little simple at times. I felt like a lot of things were told, not shown.


Overall, a unique and interesting read. I think I would definitely try future books by this author.


Thanks to NetGalley for providing a copy for an honest review!

[The Bookish Chimera - Pauline · Rating 5 out of 5]

A burden of ice and broken bone
“Fear always brings out the worst in us all.”

A tale about bears, strangers, all forms of love and climate change.
This story and its accents of Beauty & Beast retelling caught me from the beginning. It was a quick and short read, though very meaningful. I have to admit, I was charmed by the cover first and didn’t know what to expect, apart from the bears. I loved that story. Between fantasy and dystopia, with a subtle –and brilliant– world building that leaves us in the expectation, we follow Dira, a young headstrong girl, who’s the only one to see something other than cold killers in the polar bears who circle the town where she lives.
I loved her character and all the mistakes she makes, all the long way she’ll have to come until the end. It’s a true coming of age story, where the MC realizes how grey life is, how no one is truly evil or good. Everyone is deeply human, and we learn that the one we were taught to fear the most might not be the most dangerous. Maybe should we see enemies in more alike people, or even within ourselves. I adored all the characters (I don’t want to reveal too much here), the love story (stories) how the love interest fights his protective instincts (tries) to empower Dira, and the pinch of magic (and, of course, the crow’s cameo!). The twist was remarkable (for once, I didn’t see anything coming!), and I only regret that the last part wasn’t a bit longer. I would definitely have loved to stay a few more chapters within these pages.

Rate 4 5/5

Thank you Netgalley, Kyra Whitton and Sword and Silk Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Kristie Wagner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was steeped in folklore and a desperate search for belonging. Dira has struggled to fit in with what her family and village has wanted from her since she was a small girl. Her reluctance to kill the polar bears they share the land with has gotten her into more trouble than she could have imagined. Being held responsible for something so horrible at such a young age has shaped her entire world with a sense of tolerance rather than acceptance. A betrayal from her best friend and brother, on top of the loss of an entire family is enough to make her want to run.

Dira follows the polar bear she saw as a child, and that she saved by the beach...because somehow, he's a man in a polar bear skin cloak, and he's beckoning her to follow. She's taken miles across the ice by her polar bear and wakes up alone in a strange place. Looking for her bear, she finds the man, Valemon, bringing her food and clothes.

As they live along side one another, Dira is desperate for answers, and she keeps pushing until she gets them, good or bad. Valemon is secretive, for good reason. As time goes on, they begin to depend on one another for company and a need to be seen so deep that Dira can't believe how much she needs this man she just met to just stay with her.

Dira has opportunities to go home and doesn't take them, which sets into motion a series of events that will lead them both to discovery, love, and a seemingly unbreakable curse. I could not put this down. It was so enthralling and magical from the start.

[Heather Mynx · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75 ⭐ / 5.

I loved this book! It started out a bit slow, but once it started to pick up I devoured it. It is a retelling that gives a combo of so many different fairy tale or myth vibes (East of the Sun West of the Moon, White Bear King Valemon, Cupid and Psyche, or Beauty and the Beast to name a few). It takes place in a dystopian like world where the cold and frost has taken over and most technology no longer works.

Dira was relatable with her desire to fit in and looking for someone who truly accepts her to spend her life with. She is also brave and values life over tradition which is something I found admirable. She does make kind of impulsive decisions, but I didn't really mind that as those were usually what drove the plot and relationships forward a bit. Her journey over the course of the book was insightful into how we can sometimes be blinded by the hurt others cause us. Valemon is quiet but protective and at first I didn't know how I felt about him or the romance, but the more we got to know him the more I really liked him. His pain and all that he's endured made for a heartbreaking addition to a world that's already harsh and hard to survive in.

My one and only complaint was the ending felt a little bit rushed. I would have liked to see a bit more building up to the final conflict than we got. It just felt like it was over too fast.

I picked up this ARC from Netgalley, but this is my honest review of the book. Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the opportunity to read this!

[Madison Vessels · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, thank you for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

I really wanted to read this as growing up, I loved The Polar Bear King movie. There were definitely a lot of similarities between the two.

First, the most obvious being a man cursed to be a bear and no one can know who he truly is. Second, ice setting of course. Third, a female falls in love with him but right before the curse is lifted, looks at his face, thus setting off something terrible instead of breaking it. In bith, she ultimately breaks the curse.

Differences however, were plenty. In this book, it isn't set in the past or even in the present, but rather a much further future after an apocalypse. I actually like the setting more as it has a fresh feel to it. Another difference is that polar bears play a huge part in this book, not just the main love interest. The entire book is about a village that constantly is at war with the polar bears, defending the people and keeping the village safe. Another fun twist is that when she looks upon his face, she becomes cursed. I actually really liked this twist.

Some complaints I have are with pacing and communication. I think there were times the book is rather slow and then large chunks were just absolutely rushed. The ending was rushed, the beginning was rushed. If have liked to see more of the village, the people, and the interactions. Communication sometimes seemed forced and unrealistic.

Overall, it was enjoyable but not my favorite version of the polar bear king

[Aston Carr · Rating 3 out of 5]

The narrative follows Dira Cloon, whose life in the village hinges on her ability to wield a trigger. However, when confronted with a majestic white bear, Dira's convictions waver, unleashing a force within her that transcends the village's tales of magic and the enigmatic ursine king's enchantment.

Whitton's storytelling is rich, creating a mesmerizing world filled with secrets and wonders. The exploration of a lost world and a vanished civilization, coupled with the haunting whispers of magic, adds depth to the narrative. The conflict between Dira's duty to her family and the newfound force resonating within her heart sets the stage for a profound journey of self-discovery.

The novel is not without its challenges, as some readers might find the plot a bit slow to unfold in the initial chapters. The story takes its time to establish the setting and characters, and it's only around the halfway point that the plot truly begins to pick up momentum.

Despite the initial pacing, "A Burden of Ice and Bone" gradually reveals itself as a compelling narrative that explores the complexities of sacrifice and transformation. Dira's decision to either adhere to tradition or follow the call of her heart leads readers on a breathtaking journey into a frozen realm of snow, where the beauty of a cursed life awaits discovery.

[Geneva Roa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and author Kyra Whitton for the copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

"In the village of ice and darkness, Dira Cloon's entire existence relies on her ability to pull the trigger. But when she faces a majestic white bear, her resolve falters. The bear's presence stirs something deep within her - a force stronger than her love for her family, who believe that the only safe polar bear is a dead one.

It goes beyond the village legends of a lost world and a vanished civilization, the whispered tales of magic, and the ursine king's enchantment. This force resonates with Dira's heart, shattered and lonely. If she shoots the bear, her life will continue as it always has, with a piece of her soul and dreams forever lost. But if she lays down her weapon and follows the bear into the vast, frozen realm of snow, she may transform her people and their bloodlust.

Embark on a breathtaking journey with Dira as she uncovers a cursed life more beautiful than the one she leaves behind. In Kyra Whitton's mesmerizing novel, "A Burden of Ice and Bone," readers will find a gripping tale of self-discovery, courage, and love in the heart of a magical, frozen world."

Though this have unique fantasy theme. I enjoy reading this book.

[Bertha Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Burden of Ice and Bone is a wonderful, moving love story that is impossible to put down until you reach the end and even then, you are left wanting to read more.
Dira Cloon is a girl who loves nature, especially the polar bears that visit her village and are seen by everyone as a threat that must be eliminated. Her greatest wish is to change the way of thinking of her people so that they accept and live peacefully with the bears, to the point of risking her life.
Valemon is a mysterious man who comes into Dira's life to change it in an unexpected and unusual way.
A special novel, a retelling of Beauty and the Beast, set in the tundra and with an abandoned military base instead of a palace, which calls for respect and protection of fauna, and which will hardly leave the reader with dry eyes.
Excellent writing style, a perfect setting, well-developed characters and we must not forget the elegantly designed cover. A story that will accompany the reader long after reaching the last page.
I thank the author and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
The opinion I have expressed above is based solely on what I think and feel about this book.

[Sara Reyes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for a copy in exchange for my honest review :)

4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rounded up to 5.

Wow. Just wow. This was such a unique story. There were times it made me think of beauty and the beast and that’s one of my favorite Disney movies/stories so I loved that connection I made in my head.

There was one thing that I just found very confusing though while reading this. The way things were explained, I.e. specific phrases used, is where I thought some things just needed to be reworked. A specific example would be “a panicked tattoo”. Every time I read a sentence that included that phrasing I just did not know what was actually trying to be conveyed as the reader because it just completely disrupted the flow of what was being said and I think if you’re gonna use phrases that are very niche to specific cultures that needs to be better explained either at the beginning of the book before it starts or within the text itself.

Outside of that, I truly loved this story. I do also wish the ending didn’t feel as rushed since it was like the very last couple chapters we had so much action happening.

[Johnsnowwasright · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Sword and Silk Books for this Arc :)

This was a delightful and sweet romance book, with a touch of a coming of age story.

I will say that I found the opening 1/3 of the book weaker than the second 2/3. I also thought that the final conflict wrapped up a bit too quickly and could have been expanded upon further to strengthen the book.

However I did really like Dira as a main character and I appreciate the representation of cry babies in literature. Thank you Kyra Whitton for making me feel seen lol. I loved seeing Dira grow as a person without sacrificing the core of who she was and what she believed in.

Our love interest Valemon was also great and not problematic (for the most part). Could she have educated Dira on the risks of wandering out alone, yes but he didn't become violent or abusive so hey!

The building of the romance was well done and again, sweet. If you are looking for spice, this does fade to black.

Overall, not the most ground breaking of works but an enjoyable read all the same.

[Fedythereader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much to the author and the publisher, Sword and Silk Books, for sharing an ARC of this book with me on NdtGalley!!!

"Sometimes, the hardest step is the one most needed."

I really liked this fantasy romance book. A journey through ice and bears and snow. A journey through self discovery, curses, love, loss, friendship and complicated family dynamics. The fantasy aspect of it all was more than intriguing and the FMC, despite her moments of frustration, was a good lead for this story. I really liked the MMC, even though he had his own irritating traits, but overall he was someone I could easily fall for (as in fact I did). The pain, suffering and emotional journey Dira goes through was one I really liked and enjoyed getting through!!! The family relationship and the mystery behind the bears and their connection with the story and the people was fascinating. I have to admit that it took me a while to get into the book but I can’t complain because overall I had a good time.

"Fear always brings out the worst in us all."

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

So I received this book early from NetGalley and I was so intrigued by the cover and the description of the book.

I thought that the book was slow at times but that being said I thoroughly enjoyed the book. It is as far as I know a stand-alone book not in a series or duology. It wasn’t my typical fantasy books that I read. Very minimal fantasy if I’m being honest but it’s done in such a fun way.

The story itself gives me kind of beauty and the beast but also and it pains me to say it but shrek vibes. So the male main character is cursed and changes during the day and turns back at night. Unlike the curse in beauty and the beast and shrek this isn’t truly broken with true love. By the end of the book I was crying it was such a cute sweet happy ever after. I loved the main character she was so relatable and I felt for her throughout the book. It’s a nice easy enjoyable book, I would highly recommend it.

[Katell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Upon finishing the book I felt really good about it and gave it 4 stars. When came the time to gather my thoughts I actually realized how frustrated I truly felt about the story.
The pros? The premise. I really enjoyed the environmentalist back bone of the story. The reader assumes the usually setting and time period of most fantasy
/folkloric tales, but this one is actually set in a post second ice age distance future. Quite clever along with the concept of human relearning a way to peacefully cohabit with animals.
The cons? The plot, the MMC, and the rushed ending. There’s a pretty good - not do much of a twist- but more of a confirmation I’d say for the reader, in the middle of the story. After that nothing but redecorating and barely observing polar bears happens, until the end when there’s a twist and everything is resolved wishing 1 or 2 chapters.
It’s not a bad story, I’m pretty I’ll keep on thinking about it but the pace unbalanced and the relationship/romance between a very dull man and an immature young woman isn’t enough to make us forget that.

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Firstly, I loved the Artic world of this book. All I wanted to do was cosy up in blanket with a hot coffee and read a bunch of chapters. It is the ultimate world for winter vibes. I could picture the whole village in my mind perfectly. The world was built easily without overwhelming the reader with tons of information.

However, this book was a little slow at the start. It took me till around 25% of the way through to feel fully submerged in the story.

I did root for the FMC Dira, who I think is around 16. She felt a little young for me to personally connect too. (Im 26) So keep that in mind if you’re an older reader. But I did love that she chose to go against her peoples views to follow her own path. It did have romantic touches as it’s a loose retelling of Beauty & the Beast.

Thank you to NetGalley, Sword & Silk books & Kyra Whitton for allowing me to read the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[BookwormCVT · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5 ⭐
0/5 🌶️

Thank you to NetGalley and Kyra Whitton for the ARC of A Burden of Ice and Bone.

This book I feel can best be described as a fleshed out folktale. A man is cursed, a woman flees from her society as an outcast, and it is meant to teach a lesson about how humans can live with the top predator in their environment.

The FMC was somewhat unlikeable. She seemed to vacillate between self-pity and entitlement, with a side of no sense of self-preservation. The MMC felt a little flat at times, which I think was mostly due to him attempting not to reveal too much or form a bond with the FMC.

Despite these flaws, I enjoyed the story itself and the world the author built. Instead of a "Mad Max"-like desert wasteland, this environmental apocalypse led to a frozen tundra. The romance was sweet. I think this could be read as YA, though I don't believe it is marketed as such.

If you enjoy folktales and a slow burn, closed-door romance, this may be for you.

[Adrianna Heaney-velu · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Don’t dwell in the in-between.”

“A Burden of Ice and Bone,” by Kyra Whitton

In the village of ice, the people depend on their skill of shooting the dangerous polar bears. Dira has never wanted to ever shoot or kill a polar bear. She has always felt that there was more to them than everyone else sees. There is a legend of the ursine King’s enchantment that has been intertwined with the polar bear lore and Dira is determined to find him and break it.

I absolutely loved this book. It is a great stand alone and the whole polar bear aspect was very unique. The post-apocalyptic frozen land was so interesting and was fun to read about. The romance is slow burn and light but that made the book feel like an old school Disney story. I loved every second. 5 out of 5 stars.

Thank you for the ARC, Netgalley.

[Rain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley for this e-ARC!

The book’s plot kind of reminds me of Cupid and his lover, especially when she was staying with him.

I loved that the main character really stuck to her guns (lol) till the very end. The twist was interesting to say the least. I don’t really have much to say except for the fact that I was so disappointed that the last chapter was the last chapter—not because I never wanted the book to end, but it just suddenly cut to the epilogue and I was so confused because it didn’t seem like there was a real ending??? It just felt like it was cut off too fast.

The epilogue was done well, don’t get me wrong, I just think that there should have been a better ending before the epilogue.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought the premise of this story was really interesting. I liked the mix of post apocalypse/dystopian elements with the fantasy aspects and the message of conservation and living in harmony with nature and animals. I wish there had been more on page about the polar bears or Dora observing them.

I ended up caring a lot more about Dora’s goals of protecting the polar bears than I did about the romance at all. For me, Beauty and the Beast retellings can be really hit or miss, and I think what made this a miss for me was the lack of character development. I really didn’t get to know any of the characters well enough to be invested in their relationships.

Overall I thought this was a cute story but the characters were a bit lacking for me. The romance is very slow burn, which some people prefer, but I didn’t feel like the romance made much sense.

Thank you NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to read this early.