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Immortal Brothers #2
Cursed by Ice
From New York Times bestselling author Jacquelyn Frank comes the smoothly sensual second book in an exciting new series featuring four immortal warrior brothers who must stake their hearts against their fate.
As punishment for plotting with his brothers to steal immortality, Garreth is suffering a freezing torment until the end of time. Again and again, his fierce fighter’s physique is frozen into a chiseled ice sculpture, his heart hardening like a diamond in his chest—only to thaw and resume the chilling torture. Until, like his older brother Dethan, he is offered a reprieve from a goddess—in exchange for his allegiance in a celestial civil war.
Garreth lives to fight and fights to live. But while laying siege to an embattled city, he finds another reason to go on—a beautiful warrior woman named Sarielle, who commands a mythic beast through a mysterious and powerful bond. Terrified of her strength, the city rulers have kept her captive, and now she refuses to submit to a new master. As Garreth seeks to unleash her passion and melt the icy resistance of her heart, will he become her ultimate salvation—or lead them both to greater destruction?
From the Paperback edition.
As punishment for plotting with his brothers to steal immortality, Garreth is suffering a freezing torment until the end of time. Again and again, his fierce fighter’s physique is frozen into a chiseled ice sculpture, his heart hardening like a diamond in his chest—only to thaw and resume the chilling torture. Until, like his older brother Dethan, he is offered a reprieve from a goddess—in exchange for his allegiance in a celestial civil war.
Garreth lives to fight and fights to live. But while laying siege to an embattled city, he finds another reason to go on—a beautiful warrior woman named Sarielle, who commands a mythic beast through a mysterious and powerful bond. Terrified of her strength, the city rulers have kept her captive, and now she refuses to submit to a new master. As Garreth seeks to unleash her passion and melt the icy resistance of her heart, will he become her ultimate salvation—or lead them both to greater destruction?
From the Paperback edition.
354 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 31, 2015
34 people are currently reading
1306 people want to read
About the author
Jacquelyn Frank
85 books3,428 followersI live in Asheville NC and have written a book...or two...or is it ten?
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
October 3, 2017
A very fun book of make-believe!!! The writing is amazing. I’m glad my BFF convinced me to start this series.
May 24, 2015
3 - ”A comfortable cage is still a cage.” Stars.
Cursed by Ice is the second book in Jacquelyn Frank’s Immortal Brothers series, I liked the characters a little more in this one, but I am still not blown away by it all, and I am not really sure why to be honest. The writing, pacing and plot are all pretty good, there is just something not quite hitting the spot for me in the overall scheme of things.
Things have moved on a bit since the first book, Dethan (book 1) has now found his place back in the world, and in exchange for his own immortality has managed to persuade the Goddess, to partially release his youngest brother Garreth. Where Dethans curse was fire, Garreth’s is ice.
The world in which these characters reside in is vividly described and easy to imagine, Garreth and Dethan find themselves at the walls of the City of Kith at the beginning of this book, and the action and adventure takes off from there. More mythical creatures and unique characters become involved in things as the story progresses. I really took a shine to Garreth, he came across as an honorable and noble guy who gives his all for those he cares about and the causes he believes in.
Sarielle was a little easier to like than the heroine in the first book in the series in that she wasn’t looking to others to get her out of the situations she was in. I liked her spark and the fact that she kept fighting throughout the book for herself and her family, a little naïve and unsure in some areas, but together with Garreth they made a great pairing.
This series is growing on me, two brothers left, and I wonder what adventures the author has in store for them, and the women that will inevitably tame them.
ARC generously provided via Netgalley, in exchange for the above honest review.
Cursed by Ice is the second book in Jacquelyn Frank’s Immortal Brothers series, I liked the characters a little more in this one, but I am still not blown away by it all, and I am not really sure why to be honest. The writing, pacing and plot are all pretty good, there is just something not quite hitting the spot for me in the overall scheme of things.
Things have moved on a bit since the first book, Dethan (book 1) has now found his place back in the world, and in exchange for his own immortality has managed to persuade the Goddess, to partially release his youngest brother Garreth. Where Dethans curse was fire, Garreth’s is ice.
The world in which these characters reside in is vividly described and easy to imagine, Garreth and Dethan find themselves at the walls of the City of Kith at the beginning of this book, and the action and adventure takes off from there. More mythical creatures and unique characters become involved in things as the story progresses. I really took a shine to Garreth, he came across as an honorable and noble guy who gives his all for those he cares about and the causes he believes in.
Sarielle was a little easier to like than the heroine in the first book in the series in that she wasn’t looking to others to get her out of the situations she was in. I liked her spark and the fact that she kept fighting throughout the book for herself and her family, a little naïve and unsure in some areas, but together with Garreth they made a great pairing.
This series is growing on me, two brothers left, and I wonder what adventures the author has in store for them, and the women that will inevitably tame them.
ARC generously provided via Netgalley, in exchange for the above honest review.
November 21, 2025
Garreth been cursed by the gods to freeze over and over again till the end of time. As a reprieve, a goddess offers him a boon; serve me by fighting for me in the war between the gods and I will only freeze you at night.
Sarielle was a slave in the city Garreth and his brother Dethan are trying to over throw for their goddess. Sarielle has a special bond with a wyren and is forced by the city rulers to use her wyren to protect the city.
When Garreth finally takes the city, Sarielle refuses to be a slave any longer. Its a battle of wills with a heavy dose of undeniable chemistry.
Secrets, betrayals and heartache keeps you dedicated to this plot.
Garreth is a great characters, extremely relatable...besides the freezing every night and being immortal and all.
Sarielle was wonderfully protective and showed an incredible amount of devotion to those she loves.
Ok, I wasn't a big fan of Dethan, his action made him a total asshat.
I was entertained, loved the wyren twist and completely pulled in by Sarielle's devotion to her sisters.
Delightfully enchanting, Cursed by Ice is sure to be a hit with paranormal romance fans.
I received this ARC copy of Cursed by Ice from Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine in exchange for a honest review. This book is set for publication March 31, 2015.
Sarielle was a slave in the city Garreth and his brother Dethan are trying to over throw for their goddess. Sarielle has a special bond with a wyren and is forced by the city rulers to use her wyren to protect the city.
When Garreth finally takes the city, Sarielle refuses to be a slave any longer. Its a battle of wills with a heavy dose of undeniable chemistry.
Secrets, betrayals and heartache keeps you dedicated to this plot.
Garreth is a great characters, extremely relatable...besides the freezing every night and being immortal and all.
Sarielle was wonderfully protective and showed an incredible amount of devotion to those she loves.
Ok, I wasn't a big fan of Dethan, his action made him a total asshat.
I was entertained, loved the wyren twist and completely pulled in by Sarielle's devotion to her sisters.
Delightfully enchanting, Cursed by Ice is sure to be a hit with paranormal romance fans.
I received this ARC copy of Cursed by Ice from Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine in exchange for a honest review. This book is set for publication March 31, 2015.
March 13, 2015
I adore this authors work but did feel slightly let down by the first book in this series Cursed by Fire but was sufficiently engaged that I wanted to read the follow up and I'm so glad I persevered. This book made a lot more sense to me and the world building has really settled down and of course this time we even get a Weyvern ( Dragon type creature) . Much more of a fantasy type setting than the paranormal books Ms Frank is known for but we still get magic and of course more than a dash of romance.
Garreth is the youngest of the four brothers cursed by the Gods and now he is aiding his eldest brother Dethan in finding support for some of the warring Gods. Cursed to suffer excruciating pain as he freezes in torment every night he nevertheless remains steadfast and honourable. When their quest leads them to the city of Kith he meets Sarielle a slave with a unique bond to a powerful creature that has constantly been exploited. These two people are each carrying a burden and hiding secrets but somehow Garreth starts to convince Sarielle that she is more than a captive and their romance begins. Unfortunately not all are happy to see this blooming relationship and betrayal of the most painful kind is about to come knocking at the door!
You just have to like Garreth, he's such a noble decent sort and although he lives to fight he has his own code and I really liked that about him. That's not to say he doesn't make mistakes but there's nothing wrong with a slightly flawed hero. Sarielle is the perfect foil for him with her devout loyalty and even her naïveté made her seem more real. She really grows as the story progresses and I found the romance between them worked very well. I love it when the characters are sympathetic and could understand the reasons for so much that happens. I particularly enjoyed seeing more of the Gods and learning more about them and how they interact and look forward to finding out what the author has planned for these characters next.
I was gifted a copy of this in exchange for an honest review
Garreth is the youngest of the four brothers cursed by the Gods and now he is aiding his eldest brother Dethan in finding support for some of the warring Gods. Cursed to suffer excruciating pain as he freezes in torment every night he nevertheless remains steadfast and honourable. When their quest leads them to the city of Kith he meets Sarielle a slave with a unique bond to a powerful creature that has constantly been exploited. These two people are each carrying a burden and hiding secrets but somehow Garreth starts to convince Sarielle that she is more than a captive and their romance begins. Unfortunately not all are happy to see this blooming relationship and betrayal of the most painful kind is about to come knocking at the door!
You just have to like Garreth, he's such a noble decent sort and although he lives to fight he has his own code and I really liked that about him. That's not to say he doesn't make mistakes but there's nothing wrong with a slightly flawed hero. Sarielle is the perfect foil for him with her devout loyalty and even her naïveté made her seem more real. She really grows as the story progresses and I found the romance between them worked very well. I love it when the characters are sympathetic and could understand the reasons for so much that happens. I particularly enjoyed seeing more of the Gods and learning more about them and how they interact and look forward to finding out what the author has planned for these characters next.
I was gifted a copy of this in exchange for an honest review
March 20, 2015
Originally Reviewed For: Tea and Book
Cursed by Fire is book two in Jacquelyn Frank's Cursed Brothers Series and it kept the passion and power going..
Four Brothers, the world's greatest warriors, convinced that they deserved more than mortality. Convinced that if they found the fountain of immortality they would become gods. Instead, they found the fountain and chose to drink from it, yes they found immortality but they were also cursed for eternity. Each brother sent to endure endless torment. Where Cursed by Fire told the story of the oldest brother, Dethan. Cursed by Ice tells the story of the youngest brother, Garreth.
When Dethan found love and mortality another brother was called to serve the gods. Dethan has promised to fight in the summers but will be allowed to return to his wife in the winters. The gods need a full time champion. So they called Garreth out from the ice. He too must suffer the punishment every night but during the day? He will be whole and healthy. All he needs to do is conquer towns and yes convert them.
Garreth was the true knight of all the brothers, always wanting to right wrongs, defend the undefended and fight for what he believed in. I wouldn't say he was a gentle soul but he was a pure one. When he and his brothers chose to seek the fountain to gain immortality, Garreth questioned their choice.. all the way to the top. Until he almost froze and his brothers chose for him, literally pouring the rejuvenating water down his throat. His punishment to be frozen to death over and over again. Yes, he will live forever but will he ever again be warm?
Sarielle is a servant but a powerful one. She has managed to merge with a dragon and commands his power. Only the ruler of their town holds her family hostage and Sarielle must serve as a battle mage as opposed to a woman with her own power. Cosseted though she may be, Sarielle is as much a prisoner as any other. When an army comes to lay siege to their town, Sarielle is forced to send her dragon out. A blessing in disguise because by sending out the dragon Sarielle is brought to Garreth's attention and passion reigns..
Cursed by Ice has some interesting parts to.. Race and racism play a huge part and Sarielle is part of those who are subjugated, it seems they are a darker purple than the lavender ruling class.. I liked that there was more to Sarielle than just a beautiful woman totally controlled by a powerful man. Initially, Sarielle was conditioned by her community and culture to believe herself less worthy, so even though she fights for what she believes in, she must also fight the values that have been ingrained in her and her neighbors.
A thing I didn't like.. Dethan. He was a total jerk through most of this book. While he found his HEA, he was constantly harping on Garreth to focus, to turn away from love and to put his family first. I know his concern for his brothers was real but his selfishness totally astounds me. He was given his heart's desire but he tried to manipulate his brother into walking away from the same chance. It really made me angry.. But it made for a great secondary story. It made me think.. and made Dethan and Garreth seem more real. I mean they have flaws..
Altogether, a wonderful book.
Shauni
This review is based on the ARC of Cursed by Ice, provided by netgalley and is scheduled to be released on March 31, 2015
Cursed by Fire is book two in Jacquelyn Frank's Cursed Brothers Series and it kept the passion and power going..
Four Brothers, the world's greatest warriors, convinced that they deserved more than mortality. Convinced that if they found the fountain of immortality they would become gods. Instead, they found the fountain and chose to drink from it, yes they found immortality but they were also cursed for eternity. Each brother sent to endure endless torment. Where Cursed by Fire told the story of the oldest brother, Dethan. Cursed by Ice tells the story of the youngest brother, Garreth.
When Dethan found love and mortality another brother was called to serve the gods. Dethan has promised to fight in the summers but will be allowed to return to his wife in the winters. The gods need a full time champion. So they called Garreth out from the ice. He too must suffer the punishment every night but during the day? He will be whole and healthy. All he needs to do is conquer towns and yes convert them.
Garreth was the true knight of all the brothers, always wanting to right wrongs, defend the undefended and fight for what he believed in. I wouldn't say he was a gentle soul but he was a pure one. When he and his brothers chose to seek the fountain to gain immortality, Garreth questioned their choice.. all the way to the top. Until he almost froze and his brothers chose for him, literally pouring the rejuvenating water down his throat. His punishment to be frozen to death over and over again. Yes, he will live forever but will he ever again be warm?
Sarielle is a servant but a powerful one. She has managed to merge with a dragon and commands his power. Only the ruler of their town holds her family hostage and Sarielle must serve as a battle mage as opposed to a woman with her own power. Cosseted though she may be, Sarielle is as much a prisoner as any other. When an army comes to lay siege to their town, Sarielle is forced to send her dragon out. A blessing in disguise because by sending out the dragon Sarielle is brought to Garreth's attention and passion reigns..
Cursed by Ice has some interesting parts to.. Race and racism play a huge part and Sarielle is part of those who are subjugated, it seems they are a darker purple than the lavender ruling class.. I liked that there was more to Sarielle than just a beautiful woman totally controlled by a powerful man. Initially, Sarielle was conditioned by her community and culture to believe herself less worthy, so even though she fights for what she believes in, she must also fight the values that have been ingrained in her and her neighbors.
A thing I didn't like.. Dethan. He was a total jerk through most of this book. While he found his HEA, he was constantly harping on Garreth to focus, to turn away from love and to put his family first. I know his concern for his brothers was real but his selfishness totally astounds me. He was given his heart's desire but he tried to manipulate his brother into walking away from the same chance. It really made me angry.. But it made for a great secondary story. It made me think.. and made Dethan and Garreth seem more real. I mean they have flaws..
Altogether, a wonderful book.
Shauni
This review is based on the ARC of Cursed by Ice, provided by netgalley and is scheduled to be released on March 31, 2015
January 30, 2015
I'm not familiar with this series, but as a standalone I thoroughly enjoyed it. Nice and sexy with plenty of action, and a satisfying ending even if it did leave plenty open for the next book.
Very entertaining, and I can't wait for the next installment.
4/5 stars, full review to follow
Very entertaining, and I can't wait for the next installment.
4/5 stars, full review to follow
September 10, 2024
Garreth & Sarielle
Garreth was a character worth reading about as was Sarielle. Similar backgrounds don’t necessarily create similar characters. Although, they do emphasize with each other. Garreth is an honorable likable character. Sarielle is loyal and true. They compliment each other in the best of ways. A very enjoyable read.
Garreth was a character worth reading about as was Sarielle. Similar backgrounds don’t necessarily create similar characters. Although, they do emphasize with each other. Garreth is an honorable likable character. Sarielle is loyal and true. They compliment each other in the best of ways. A very enjoyable read.
June 1, 2018
A bit simplistic, preachy and whiney by turns. No particularly endearing characters. I could have done without the Gods. I did absolutely love the dragon, he was a dear, made me miss Naomi Novik’s "His Majesty’s Dragon".
On the whole I guess I just got the impression that this could have been so much more. It had good bones, one could say, but was barely sketched out to meet it's potential.
On the whole I guess I just got the impression that this could have been so much more. It had good bones, one could say, but was barely sketched out to meet it's potential.
March 19, 2015
As the youngest of the brothers who dared to defy the gods and seek out the secret to immortality, Garreth’s punishment was to feel eternally cold, to be frozen and thawed out repeatedly, until the end of time. A deal made by one of his brothers sets him partially free, providing he does the bidding of the gods until his penance is complete. Until then, every night he would experience the torture of being frozen again. On a mission to conquer over realms, he comes upon a beautiful woman, who has the gift of communicating with a wyvern. Her master holds her heart hostage to do his bidding by keeping her twin sisters captive. Both of their worlds are lived as slaves to another, but the fierceness of Sarielle has Garreth longing for a life that includes more than being a warrior, but she cannot know his secret, of what he suffers every night. As Garreth brings out the independent spirit lying within this slave girl, he risks his own heart and his very life as they fall in love. As they learn to trust, they slowly open up about the secrets they carry, except for one, which may cost Garreth the woman of his dreams. Is love worth the risk of eternal torment or even death?
Jacquelyn Frank’s Cursed by Ice brings out more of the story of the brothers who dared to go against the gods as she has created a world of magic, myth and fantasy is straddles the line between darkness and light. The tension of a new love grows slowly between two well-matched characters, and it feels right, good and sigh-worthy as this tale goes on.
I received this ARC edition from Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine in exchange for my honest review.
Series: The Immortal Brothers - Book 2
Publication Date: March 31, 2015
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Publication Date: March 31, 2015
ISBN-10: 0553393413
ISBN-13: 978-0553393415
Genre: Fantasy | Paranormal Romance
Print Length: 352 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Reviewed for: http://tometender.blogspot.com
Jacquelyn Frank’s Cursed by Ice brings out more of the story of the brothers who dared to go against the gods as she has created a world of magic, myth and fantasy is straddles the line between darkness and light. The tension of a new love grows slowly between two well-matched characters, and it feels right, good and sigh-worthy as this tale goes on.
I received this ARC edition from Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine in exchange for my honest review.
Series: The Immortal Brothers - Book 2
Publication Date: March 31, 2015
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Publication Date: March 31, 2015
ISBN-10: 0553393413
ISBN-13: 978-0553393415
Genre: Fantasy | Paranormal Romance
Print Length: 352 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Reviewed for: http://tometender.blogspot.com
January 17, 2015
Let me start off by saying that this book was a lot better, to me, that Cursed by Fire.
I liked Garreth and he was definitely more likeable than Dethan was. Garreth's curse is to freeze to death over and over again, but never allowed to die because of his immortality. Garreth is brought back by the Goddess to be her full time warrior. Here he meets Sariella, a slave, much like himself.
Sariella has a rare gift and is currently being used by the lord to control, Koro, a mythical beast. Sarielle is in charge of caring for her two siblings and they being held by the lord as leverage against her so that she has to use her gift to control the beast for him.
I liked that Garreth and Sariella were both slaves to somebody else, so they kind of knew what each other was going through. Garreth and Sarielle's journey to was wonderful and their love story gives the book a very good ending.
I am so glad that I didn't give up on the series after Cursed by Fire, because this one was really, really a lot better.
ARC was provided by Netgalley for an honest review.
I liked Garreth and he was definitely more likeable than Dethan was. Garreth's curse is to freeze to death over and over again, but never allowed to die because of his immortality. Garreth is brought back by the Goddess to be her full time warrior. Here he meets Sariella, a slave, much like himself.
Sariella has a rare gift and is currently being used by the lord to control, Koro, a mythical beast. Sarielle is in charge of caring for her two siblings and they being held by the lord as leverage against her so that she has to use her gift to control the beast for him.
I liked that Garreth and Sariella were both slaves to somebody else, so they kind of knew what each other was going through. Garreth and Sarielle's journey to was wonderful and their love story gives the book a very good ending.
I am so glad that I didn't give up on the series after Cursed by Fire, because this one was really, really a lot better.
ARC was provided by Netgalley for an honest review.
April 9, 2015
Book 1 was better. In this book, the brother and the king's ex-mistress conspire to break up the hero and the heroine.
Then the heroine forgives this mistress and asks her to be the nanny for her kids. Ridiculous.
Then the heroine forgives this mistress and asks her to be the nanny for her kids. Ridiculous.
October 12, 2017
I liked the fighting and the battles and conquering cities...I just wish there would have been a little more of this. I feel like the majority of the book focused more on their relationship which is fine, I simply would have enjoyed a bit more plot.
Still looking forward to book 3.
Still looking forward to book 3.
July 7, 2015
I won this book through Goodreads in a First Reads drawing.
Ok, first things first. According to goodreads, this book is only 288 pages long. It's actually (the mass market copy I won) 327 pages of story. Just had to clarify that. It means nothing as far as the story itself was concerned.
Ultimately I'd say I liked this story. The characters were pretty decent, the story was reasonably well told. But, it didn't jump off the page. I'm not closing the book, wondering what happens next with Sarielle and Garreth. They were just ok characters. They never got beyond two dimensional. I want to close a book and feel sorry that these PEOPLE won't be in my life again until I reread their story, instead I found myself feeling like these were just characters, not real people. It's hard to explain, but when I read a well written character (Gabaldon's Clare and Jamie Fraser are two that come to mind!) I feel like they're friends whom I'll miss till I read the next letter from them (book about them). That never happened here, and I'm sorry it didn't. I felt like Jacquelyn Frank was on the right track, it just didn't work out. Perhaps part of that is because so many of the actions and reactions felt.... untrue. Not like outright lies, just like prettied up versions of how a person might act in that situation. It never felt honest, or real.
I did appreciate that the author never dumped a word or concept on us without explaining it. I've read books that dump a whole lot of foreign words or concepts on the reader without giving the reader a reason, explanation or definition. J. Frank didn't do that. She started off with new words such as "wrena" but quickly followed it with enough detail that I wasn't lost as far as what a "wrena" was. It never felt like she over-detailed, but she'd start with a basic definition, then let the story carry more definition gradually.
I'll probably pic up the next book (Jaykun's story) if I come across it at my local library, and I'll probably chit-chat with other romance readers about the book, but it's not on my list of favorite books that I think I'll want to reread.
Ok, first things first. According to goodreads, this book is only 288 pages long. It's actually (the mass market copy I won) 327 pages of story. Just had to clarify that. It means nothing as far as the story itself was concerned.
Ultimately I'd say I liked this story. The characters were pretty decent, the story was reasonably well told. But, it didn't jump off the page. I'm not closing the book, wondering what happens next with Sarielle and Garreth. They were just ok characters. They never got beyond two dimensional. I want to close a book and feel sorry that these PEOPLE won't be in my life again until I reread their story, instead I found myself feeling like these were just characters, not real people. It's hard to explain, but when I read a well written character (Gabaldon's Clare and Jamie Fraser are two that come to mind!) I feel like they're friends whom I'll miss till I read the next letter from them (book about them). That never happened here, and I'm sorry it didn't. I felt like Jacquelyn Frank was on the right track, it just didn't work out. Perhaps part of that is because so many of the actions and reactions felt.... untrue. Not like outright lies, just like prettied up versions of how a person might act in that situation. It never felt honest, or real.
I did appreciate that the author never dumped a word or concept on us without explaining it. I've read books that dump a whole lot of foreign words or concepts on the reader without giving the reader a reason, explanation or definition. J. Frank didn't do that. She started off with new words such as "wrena" but quickly followed it with enough detail that I wasn't lost as far as what a "wrena" was. It never felt like she over-detailed, but she'd start with a basic definition, then let the story carry more definition gradually.
I'll probably pic up the next book (Jaykun's story) if I come across it at my local library, and I'll probably chit-chat with other romance readers about the book, but it's not on my list of favorite books that I think I'll want to reread.
March 23, 2016
Jacquelyn Frank's world building in all of her books is top notch and Cursed by Ice is no different. She does a magnificent job of combining paranormal, fantasy, sci-fi to create captivating stories.
Cursed by Ice is the second installment within the Immortal Brothers series. Garreth is a sensible with a strict honor code. He kind of reminded me of a Robin Hood character – championing the underdog.
Like his brothers, Garreth has been cursed by the Gods for stealing immortality. Every night he is magically whisked away to freeze to death again and again, but by day he is a warrior fighting to reclaim territory and subjects for a Goddess, who has have the power to end his and his brother’s torment.
It is during a siege that he meets Sarielle, a beautiful woman who is bound to and commands a wyren (a bird/dragon like creature). Sarielle has been kept as a slave and is forced to use her wyren to do the bidding of the king. But now that Garreth and his brother, Dethan, everything the citizens within the castle know is about to change.
The plot was well thought out and there is action from beginning to end – with a few predictable plot twists. The main characters are sweet together, but I just didn’t feel the spark, the passion, the burning lust that generally comes along with this genre. I also was very annoyed with Dethan’s character. I understand that he is the eldest of the cursed brothers and wants what’s best for everyone (especially his youngest brother, Garreth) but he’s a bit of an idiotic-ass in this story.
I’m seriously interested in finding out what happens to the next brother in line – I’ve already hit up Barnes and Noble and have the titles sitting on my To Be Read Shelf. If you enjoy paranormal romance with a touch of sci-fi and urban fantasy, Jacquelyn Frank is the perfect author.
Cursed by Ice is the second installment within the Immortal Brothers series. Garreth is a sensible with a strict honor code. He kind of reminded me of a Robin Hood character – championing the underdog.
Like his brothers, Garreth has been cursed by the Gods for stealing immortality. Every night he is magically whisked away to freeze to death again and again, but by day he is a warrior fighting to reclaim territory and subjects for a Goddess, who has have the power to end his and his brother’s torment.
It is during a siege that he meets Sarielle, a beautiful woman who is bound to and commands a wyren (a bird/dragon like creature). Sarielle has been kept as a slave and is forced to use her wyren to do the bidding of the king. But now that Garreth and his brother, Dethan, everything the citizens within the castle know is about to change.
The plot was well thought out and there is action from beginning to end – with a few predictable plot twists. The main characters are sweet together, but I just didn’t feel the spark, the passion, the burning lust that generally comes along with this genre. I also was very annoyed with Dethan’s character. I understand that he is the eldest of the cursed brothers and wants what’s best for everyone (especially his youngest brother, Garreth) but he’s a bit of an idiotic-ass in this story.
I’m seriously interested in finding out what happens to the next brother in line – I’ve already hit up Barnes and Noble and have the titles sitting on my To Be Read Shelf. If you enjoy paranormal romance with a touch of sci-fi and urban fantasy, Jacquelyn Frank is the perfect author.
March 31, 2015
Review:
***I received an ARC from Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine through NetGalley for an honest review***
Let me start out by saying that I LOVE Jacquelyn’s books. I have from the very first Nightwalker book I picked up from the library. I have since voraciously devoured everything she has written and when I discovered she wrote under the name JAX, well I did one of those giddy happy dances. After reading and reviewing Cursed by Fire, I wondered how Ms. Franks could write Cursed by Ice without it being a carbon copy of the previous book. Did I find out my answer!
Another wow in The Immortal Brothers series. In this installment we meet Garreth who had been cursed by the Gods and Goddesses to suffer the debilitating pain of being frozen over and over again without reprieve. Until, that is, his brother sacrificed his immortality for Garreth. Now Garreth leads a great army in Weysa’s name. The Goddess of Conflict is growing in power due to the brother’s achievements, but perhaps only Hella, the Goddess of Fate could have foreseen what would happen when Wesya’s army conquered Kith.
A land of the haves and have nots, masters and slaves, Kith relied on the wyvern to keep its walls safe. A bad choice when confronted with someone like Garreth. Now that he has conquered the city, he finds himself conquered by the former Slave Sarielle.
Face with insurmountable odds, the Wyrena losses her heart and her innocence to the strong, immortal Warrior. However, the HEA is not as easy as all that. Ms. Frank has introduced us to twists and turns that I did not see coming and found myself reading one more page, just one more chapter to discover what happened next. A must read for old and new fans of Jacquelyn Frank.
***I received an ARC from Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine through NetGalley for an honest review***
Let me start out by saying that I LOVE Jacquelyn’s books. I have from the very first Nightwalker book I picked up from the library. I have since voraciously devoured everything she has written and when I discovered she wrote under the name JAX, well I did one of those giddy happy dances. After reading and reviewing Cursed by Fire, I wondered how Ms. Franks could write Cursed by Ice without it being a carbon copy of the previous book. Did I find out my answer!
Another wow in The Immortal Brothers series. In this installment we meet Garreth who had been cursed by the Gods and Goddesses to suffer the debilitating pain of being frozen over and over again without reprieve. Until, that is, his brother sacrificed his immortality for Garreth. Now Garreth leads a great army in Weysa’s name. The Goddess of Conflict is growing in power due to the brother’s achievements, but perhaps only Hella, the Goddess of Fate could have foreseen what would happen when Wesya’s army conquered Kith.
A land of the haves and have nots, masters and slaves, Kith relied on the wyvern to keep its walls safe. A bad choice when confronted with someone like Garreth. Now that he has conquered the city, he finds himself conquered by the former Slave Sarielle.
Face with insurmountable odds, the Wyrena losses her heart and her innocence to the strong, immortal Warrior. However, the HEA is not as easy as all that. Ms. Frank has introduced us to twists and turns that I did not see coming and found myself reading one more page, just one more chapter to discover what happened next. A must read for old and new fans of Jacquelyn Frank.
April 1, 2015
***A gifted copy was provided by Net Galley for an honest review***
This is book two in the Cursed series. Garreth been cursed by the gods to freeze over and over again till the end of time. BUT As a reprieve, a goddess offers him a possble boon; serve her by fighting for her in the war between the gods and she will only freeze him at night. Then we meet Sarielle, who is a slave in the city Garreth and his brother Dethan are trying to over throw for their goddess. Sarielle has a special connection with a wyren and due to her having the wyren, she is forced by the city rulers to use her wyren to protect the city.
When Garreth finally takes the city, Sarielle now refuses to be a slave any longer. It’s a battle of the wills with a strong dose of sexual chemistry. They fall for each other with high passion. However the betrayal of others will tear them apart. Do they get back together or will the other keep them apart?
I liked that Garreth and Sariella were both slaves to somebody elses’ agenda, so they knew what each other was going through. Garreth and Sarielle's journey too was fantastic and their love story gives the book a very lovely ending. I am glad that I didn’t allow myself to stop reading when it looked like their love story was over mid-way thru the book. Another great story by Ms. Frank –I cant wait to see what book 3 will be like.
My rating: 4.2 stars ****
This is book two in the Cursed series. Garreth been cursed by the gods to freeze over and over again till the end of time. BUT As a reprieve, a goddess offers him a possble boon; serve her by fighting for her in the war between the gods and she will only freeze him at night. Then we meet Sarielle, who is a slave in the city Garreth and his brother Dethan are trying to over throw for their goddess. Sarielle has a special connection with a wyren and due to her having the wyren, she is forced by the city rulers to use her wyren to protect the city.
When Garreth finally takes the city, Sarielle now refuses to be a slave any longer. It’s a battle of the wills with a strong dose of sexual chemistry. They fall for each other with high passion. However the betrayal of others will tear them apart. Do they get back together or will the other keep them apart?
I liked that Garreth and Sariella were both slaves to somebody elses’ agenda, so they knew what each other was going through. Garreth and Sarielle's journey too was fantastic and their love story gives the book a very lovely ending. I am glad that I didn’t allow myself to stop reading when it looked like their love story was over mid-way thru the book. Another great story by Ms. Frank –I cant wait to see what book 3 will be like.
My rating: 4.2 stars ****
December 14, 2016
Garreth had to suffer freezing every night for centuries now all because he wanted to steal immortality for himself. With his opportunity to be freed he pledge to a goddess to fight in her name. He never wanted to go on the quest to being with. Garreth lives to fight and fights to live.
While following through on his promise to fight for his goddess. He finds a beautiful warrior woman named Sarielle, who commands a beast and has a powerful bond to it. She was but a slave to the people of the city that Garreth was working to take over. Things only get more complicated for Garreth as he moves forward. He wants to help. Help he will and uncover that there was more going on than was presented to his eyes. He had to learn that there was more to life and this time taking something from the gods was not always a bad thing.
While following through on his promise to fight for his goddess. He finds a beautiful warrior woman named Sarielle, who commands a beast and has a powerful bond to it. She was but a slave to the people of the city that Garreth was working to take over. Things only get more complicated for Garreth as he moves forward. He wants to help. Help he will and uncover that there was more going on than was presented to his eyes. He had to learn that there was more to life and this time taking something from the gods was not always a bad thing.
February 23, 2015
Book 2 in a supernatural romance, although this novel can be read as a stand-alone. The plot is appealing and the dragon-like creature is an excellent addition to the list of characters. I am interested in finding out what happens next with the third brother, but the writing did not flow as well as usual in Jacquelyn Frank's work. If you do enjoy this series, I suggest her Nightwalkers and World of Nightwalkers series. There's a bit more polish in those stories. Overall, this novel is a decent weekend read for fans of supernatural romance.
Net Galley Feedback
Net Galley Feedback
December 28, 2014
Jacquelyn Frank is one of my favorite authors, so when I was asked to review her new books. I was honored.
Cursed by Ice (Immortal Brothers, #2) is about Garreth who has been cursed by the gods to freeze to death over and over again. Until he was chosen to conquer for Hella. While fighting to gain control of the city of Kith.
Sarielle is a slave who controls a wyvern to fight back the invaders.
They fall for each other with passion. However the betrayal of others will tear them apart. Will true love win.
Cursed by Ice (Immortal Brothers, #2) is about Garreth who has been cursed by the gods to freeze to death over and over again. Until he was chosen to conquer for Hella. While fighting to gain control of the city of Kith.
Sarielle is a slave who controls a wyvern to fight back the invaders.
They fall for each other with passion. However the betrayal of others will tear them apart. Will true love win.
March 14, 2015
CURSED BY ICE by Jacqueline Frank is book two in the Immortal Brothers series. I've been a longtime fan of Frank's stories, but Frank's writing has been hit or miss for me with her more recent books. I was thrilled with Cursed by Fire, book 1 in this series, and hoped that the old Frank was back. Alas, Cursed by Ice left me feeling tepid.
See my full review at Fresh Fiction:
http://freshfiction.com/review.php?id...
See my full review at Fresh Fiction:
http://freshfiction.com/review.php?id...
May 29, 2015
*I received a free ARC of Cursed by Ice from Ballantine Books via Netgalley in exchange of an honest and unbiased review*
Cursed by Ice is better than Cursed by Fire, but it still didn't totally make me weak in the knees :) Full review to come soon.
This and all my other reviews are originally posted on my blog (un)Conventional Bookviews
Cursed by Ice is better than Cursed by Fire, but it still didn't totally make me weak in the knees :) Full review to come soon.
This and all my other reviews are originally posted on my blog (un)Conventional Bookviews
February 10, 2018
DNF at 50%. I tried hard to get into this book and very much enjoyed the developing story between Gareth and Sarielle, but as the book progressed Dethan was becoming more and more annoying and I didn't like where the manipulative Davine was taking things either. Not my idea of a fun read, but might suit others.
October 13, 2020
Once again I have decided to read a series out of order, or rather just this one book. It was interesting, to say the least. I liked the main hero and the heroine but there was something missing. I got this book a few years ago and it has been wasting away on my TBR shelf since then. It needed to be read, and that shelf needs to be knocked down.
So we have 4 brothers who ticked off their idols after searching and finding some fountain of immortality. Yes, the gods were pissed. So pissed that they cursed each of the brothers WAAAYY too harshly in my opinion. One was chained to a star, one buried alive, one chained to a mountain, and the last one cast in the 8th layer of hell. All for drinking from a fountain that promises immortality.
This book focuses on Garreth, who now holds a spot in the Book Boyfriend's Hall of Fame along with few others. Garreth's curse is to freeze to death every night while in the day he fights for some goddess named Weysa. Now the book says he meets a beautiful warrior woman who commands a mythic beast and he falls for her. However, loving her may jeopardize the pact he made with Weysa.
The book was actually nicely written, not cringy, and the sauna scenes were nice and not over the top or crude. The story did not drag out, kept me interested, and I actually liked 3 characters. The only reason I gave this book 3 stars was because it just didn't leave a soft spot on my heart. It was a quick, easy read that helped me forget that we are in a pandemic and I now have a mortgage to pay. Will I read the other books? Eh, maybe? Depends. Let's be honest, my TBR ain't getting smaller and I gotta put a dent in that thing. Still, it's a nice read to kill time.
Keep Reading for spoilers located in my rant....
So we have 4 brothers who ticked off their idols after searching and finding some fountain of immortality. Yes, the gods were pissed. So pissed that they cursed each of the brothers WAAAYY too harshly in my opinion. One was chained to a star, one buried alive, one chained to a mountain, and the last one cast in the 8th layer of hell. All for drinking from a fountain that promises immortality.
This book focuses on Garreth, who now holds a spot in the Book Boyfriend's Hall of Fame along with few others. Garreth's curse is to freeze to death every night while in the day he fights for some goddess named Weysa. Now the book says he meets a beautiful warrior woman who commands a mythic beast and he falls for her. However, loving her may jeopardize the pact he made with Weysa.
The book was actually nicely written, not cringy, and the sauna scenes were nice and not over the top or crude. The story did not drag out, kept me interested, and I actually liked 3 characters. The only reason I gave this book 3 stars was because it just didn't leave a soft spot on my heart. It was a quick, easy read that helped me forget that we are in a pandemic and I now have a mortgage to pay. Will I read the other books? Eh, maybe? Depends. Let's be honest, my TBR ain't getting smaller and I gotta put a dent in that thing. Still, it's a nice read to kill time.
Keep Reading for spoilers located in my rant....
December 21, 2019
3.5 stars
Here the youngest of the four brothers has been released in order to continue the fight between the gods in a world that has mostly forgotten them.
As he fights unerringly, he meets his match in a walled city protected by a wyvern. How can he win against such a foe?
Here the youngest of the four brothers has been released in order to continue the fight between the gods in a world that has mostly forgotten them.
As he fights unerringly, he meets his match in a walled city protected by a wyvern. How can he win against such a foe?
July 7, 2018
Didn't like that Dethan interfered with Garreth's relationship with Sarielle. Otherwise it was a good story.
May 31, 2020
The writing was good and the story idea awesome, but I just struggled with this book. It felt like something wasn’t there for me.
Garreth is the second brother released from his constant torment to fight for a god. He’s still cursed to freeze nightly, but he’s more free than he’s been in hundreds of years.
He and his brother conquer a city in the name of their god, but injure a wyvern keeper in the process. Sarielle is a slave and is soul bound to a wyvern meaning she can control him in battle. She and Garreth fall for each other, but his curse, and his silence about it, keep them apart.
I felt like I should have loved this book. It was good, but I think it’s a case of it being a me problem.
Garreth is the second brother released from his constant torment to fight for a god. He’s still cursed to freeze nightly, but he’s more free than he’s been in hundreds of years.
He and his brother conquer a city in the name of their god, but injure a wyvern keeper in the process. Sarielle is a slave and is soul bound to a wyvern meaning she can control him in battle. She and Garreth fall for each other, but his curse, and his silence about it, keep them apart.
I felt like I should have loved this book. It was good, but I think it’s a case of it being a me problem.
March 28, 2015
3.75 stars
ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 31, 2015
As punishment for plotting with his brothers to steal immortality, Garreth is suffering a freezing torment until the end of time. Again and again, his fierce fighter’s physique is frozen into a chiseled ice sculpture, his heart hardening like a diamond in his chest—only to thaw and resume the chilling torture. Until, like his older brother Dethan, he is offered a reprieve from a goddess—in exchange for his allegiance in a celestial civil war.
Garreth lives to fight and fights to live. But while laying siege to an embattled city, he finds another reason to go on—a beautiful warrior woman named Sarielle, who commands a mythic beast through a mysterious and powerful bond. Terrified of her strength, the city rulers have kept her captive, and now she refuses to submit to a new master. As Garreth seeks to unleash her passion and melt the icy resistance of her heart, will he become her ultimate salvation—or lead them both to greater destruction?
~~
REVIEW: 3.75 stars--CURSED BY ICE is the second installment in Jacquelyn Frank’s adult Immortal Brothers fantasy series focusing on four brothers cursed, by the gods and goddesses, in their search for immortality. This is Garreth and Sarielle’s storyline. Although CURSED BY ICE is the second in the series, it can be read as a stand alone but I suggest reading the series in order as background information and world building continues to develop throughout each successive storyline.
Two hundred years earlier, four brothers went in search of the waters of Immortality and upon the discovery drank from the forbidden streams. The gods and goddesses were angered and cursed each brother to suffer eternal damnation and pain. Garreth’s punishment was to suffer the endless cycle of freezing and defrosting, and the accompanying pain that follows. When Garreth’s brother Dethan found love and was forgiven, Garreth was released from bondage to take over the command of the army of the gods. Although free during the daylight hours, Garreth would return to the same suffering each sundown only to be granted the same freedom several hours later.
Weysa, the goddess of conflict, continues to demand obedience from Dethan and Garreth, and as such the brothers are commanded to continue their battle against an enemy of the gods. Conquering the city of Kith, the brothers discover a town dependent upon slavery and a woman who controls a dangerous beast. Enter Sarielle, a young woman who is soul-bonded to a wyvern and the woman who will melt Garreth’s frozen heart.
The slow building storyline is similar in context to Jacquelyn’s CURSED BY FIRE. Weysa, the goddess of conflict, has commanded Garreth to enter into battle and secure the outlying cities, towns and villages in her name. As it pertains to Garreth's never ending curse, it was not as large of a plot point as was Dethan's fiery burn in CURSED BY FIRE. Garreth's nightly pain and suffering was almost an afterthought in the storyline. Sarielle, a former slave, will become Garreth’s captive; her soul-bond with the wyvern reveals an intimate connection at a physical and visceral level. Garreth is ever the protector; his attraction and need for Sarielle continues to build throughout the story. He is a cursed man, who has fallen in love, but knows that he will not claim Sarielle when he is tied to the gods for all time. The $ex scenes are intimate and revealing.
The secondary characters include Davine, a young house maiden who will both befriend and betray Garreth and Sarielle. Dethan, Garreth’s eldest brother, returns as Garreth’s companion in battle but also becomes Garreth’s greatest threat to his relationship with Sarielle. I had a difficult time liking Dethan in his own storyline CURSED BY FIRE because of his attitude and cold demeanor, and with Garreth’s tale my animosity towards Dethan increases with his ill-conceived notions about Sarielle and his brother. Dethan is a threat to his brother’s happiness and is determined to destroy Garreth’s relationship with Sarielle, hurting his own brother in the process.
Jacquelyn Frank’s mythological world building continues as the all powerful and all knowing gods and goddesses battle for the rights to control the humans, and in doing so, punish those responsible for defying the gods. As Garreth honors his debt to the goddess of conflict, yet another brother, will be freed from perpetual bondage only to return each evening to suffer the same fate as his brothers’ before. CURSED BY ICE introduces a series of mythological creatures including mages, wyverns, were-dragons and the Fae.
CURSED BY ICE is an interesting and detailed storyline of fantasy and myth, the supernatural, and a happily ever after-for now. As each brother is granted a temporary freedom to serve and protect, he will come face to face with his future in yet another battle to prove allegiance to the gods.
Copy supplied by Edelweis
www.thereadingcafe.com
ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 31, 2015
As punishment for plotting with his brothers to steal immortality, Garreth is suffering a freezing torment until the end of time. Again and again, his fierce fighter’s physique is frozen into a chiseled ice sculpture, his heart hardening like a diamond in his chest—only to thaw and resume the chilling torture. Until, like his older brother Dethan, he is offered a reprieve from a goddess—in exchange for his allegiance in a celestial civil war.
Garreth lives to fight and fights to live. But while laying siege to an embattled city, he finds another reason to go on—a beautiful warrior woman named Sarielle, who commands a mythic beast through a mysterious and powerful bond. Terrified of her strength, the city rulers have kept her captive, and now she refuses to submit to a new master. As Garreth seeks to unleash her passion and melt the icy resistance of her heart, will he become her ultimate salvation—or lead them both to greater destruction?
~~
REVIEW: 3.75 stars--CURSED BY ICE is the second installment in Jacquelyn Frank’s adult Immortal Brothers fantasy series focusing on four brothers cursed, by the gods and goddesses, in their search for immortality. This is Garreth and Sarielle’s storyline. Although CURSED BY ICE is the second in the series, it can be read as a stand alone but I suggest reading the series in order as background information and world building continues to develop throughout each successive storyline.
Two hundred years earlier, four brothers went in search of the waters of Immortality and upon the discovery drank from the forbidden streams. The gods and goddesses were angered and cursed each brother to suffer eternal damnation and pain. Garreth’s punishment was to suffer the endless cycle of freezing and defrosting, and the accompanying pain that follows. When Garreth’s brother Dethan found love and was forgiven, Garreth was released from bondage to take over the command of the army of the gods. Although free during the daylight hours, Garreth would return to the same suffering each sundown only to be granted the same freedom several hours later.
Weysa, the goddess of conflict, continues to demand obedience from Dethan and Garreth, and as such the brothers are commanded to continue their battle against an enemy of the gods. Conquering the city of Kith, the brothers discover a town dependent upon slavery and a woman who controls a dangerous beast. Enter Sarielle, a young woman who is soul-bonded to a wyvern and the woman who will melt Garreth’s frozen heart.
The slow building storyline is similar in context to Jacquelyn’s CURSED BY FIRE. Weysa, the goddess of conflict, has commanded Garreth to enter into battle and secure the outlying cities, towns and villages in her name. As it pertains to Garreth's never ending curse, it was not as large of a plot point as was Dethan's fiery burn in CURSED BY FIRE. Garreth's nightly pain and suffering was almost an afterthought in the storyline. Sarielle, a former slave, will become Garreth’s captive; her soul-bond with the wyvern reveals an intimate connection at a physical and visceral level. Garreth is ever the protector; his attraction and need for Sarielle continues to build throughout the story. He is a cursed man, who has fallen in love, but knows that he will not claim Sarielle when he is tied to the gods for all time. The $ex scenes are intimate and revealing.
The secondary characters include Davine, a young house maiden who will both befriend and betray Garreth and Sarielle. Dethan, Garreth’s eldest brother, returns as Garreth’s companion in battle but also becomes Garreth’s greatest threat to his relationship with Sarielle. I had a difficult time liking Dethan in his own storyline CURSED BY FIRE because of his attitude and cold demeanor, and with Garreth’s tale my animosity towards Dethan increases with his ill-conceived notions about Sarielle and his brother. Dethan is a threat to his brother’s happiness and is determined to destroy Garreth’s relationship with Sarielle, hurting his own brother in the process.
Jacquelyn Frank’s mythological world building continues as the all powerful and all knowing gods and goddesses battle for the rights to control the humans, and in doing so, punish those responsible for defying the gods. As Garreth honors his debt to the goddess of conflict, yet another brother, will be freed from perpetual bondage only to return each evening to suffer the same fate as his brothers’ before. CURSED BY ICE introduces a series of mythological creatures including mages, wyverns, were-dragons and the Fae.
CURSED BY ICE is an interesting and detailed storyline of fantasy and myth, the supernatural, and a happily ever after-for now. As each brother is granted a temporary freedom to serve and protect, he will come face to face with his future in yet another battle to prove allegiance to the gods.
Copy supplied by Edelweis
www.thereadingcafe.com
March 31, 2015
Received an arc from publisher/NetGalley in exchange for an honest review; original post can be found at:
http://mnonmklreviews.blogspot.com/20...
When ICE opens, we learn that not only is Garreth the youngest brother, but he's also the one who didn't want to go on this journey to the fountain. He went along because his older brothers essentially told him to.
We learned in FIRE that Dethan's hell was to burn over and over and over again, and when the goddess released him to put together an army, he would still burn over and over at night. At the very end of FIRE, Garreth's frozen form was sent to Dethan, and that is where chapter one begins. When Garreth is thawed, we next learn that, similar to Dethan, Garreth is to freeze over and over again at night -- the pain of the freezing and thawing continuing on and on through the night.
As with it's predecessor, Jacquelyn explains the different gods, goddesses, and 'worlds' that are part of this series. She does a good job of painting a picture for the reader, as this is a world unlike any other I've read about. Where in FIRE the world was pretty 'normal' and I pictured it in an almost medeival way, I almost saw the city of ICE as an Avatar-ish land. You know, those blue people? Because in ICE, the people we meet are lavender -- the lighter tones signifying the person to be a slave. Who else would our book's hero fall for but for a slave?
Yet Serielle is no ordinary slave -- she controls a beast (dragon?). Yet when it hurts, she hurts; when she bleeds, it bleeds, and so on and so forth.
This series is most definitely different. Not in a bad way -- it just is. To read it, you need to have an open mind and a willing imagination. Jacquelyn paints the scene well for you, you just have to be open to see it and hear it. The language is a bit different, the names are sometimes hard to follow (I always forget which god or goddess goes with what heaven or hell or ailment), but when you're a romance reader and focusing on the romance aspect, all the other stuff is just background noise.
I liked the parallels this book had with our world -- skin color a determinant in the slave world being the most prominent.
I love that he calls her Fira -- meaning fire, which he dubs her for her hair.
However, I was saddened by Sarielle's disbelief that he could want her and only her. When Davine starts in with her ways -- the close talking, the slightly taunting ways (at the word of Dethan, nonetheless) -- Sarielle overthinks things. One moment she's positive that what she and Garreth have will last past the season, and the next, she thinks he has someone else. So she leaves him --
And it nearly breaks him.
I rather enjoyed the romance aspect of Garreth and Sarielle's story. I felt it tugged more at the heart strings than Dethan and Selinda.
http://mnonmklreviews.blogspot.com/20...
When ICE opens, we learn that not only is Garreth the youngest brother, but he's also the one who didn't want to go on this journey to the fountain. He went along because his older brothers essentially told him to.
We learned in FIRE that Dethan's hell was to burn over and over and over again, and when the goddess released him to put together an army, he would still burn over and over at night. At the very end of FIRE, Garreth's frozen form was sent to Dethan, and that is where chapter one begins. When Garreth is thawed, we next learn that, similar to Dethan, Garreth is to freeze over and over again at night -- the pain of the freezing and thawing continuing on and on through the night.
As with it's predecessor, Jacquelyn explains the different gods, goddesses, and 'worlds' that are part of this series. She does a good job of painting a picture for the reader, as this is a world unlike any other I've read about. Where in FIRE the world was pretty 'normal' and I pictured it in an almost medeival way, I almost saw the city of ICE as an Avatar-ish land. You know, those blue people? Because in ICE, the people we meet are lavender -- the lighter tones signifying the person to be a slave. Who else would our book's hero fall for but for a slave?
Yet Serielle is no ordinary slave -- she controls a beast (dragon?). Yet when it hurts, she hurts; when she bleeds, it bleeds, and so on and so forth.
This series is most definitely different. Not in a bad way -- it just is. To read it, you need to have an open mind and a willing imagination. Jacquelyn paints the scene well for you, you just have to be open to see it and hear it. The language is a bit different, the names are sometimes hard to follow (I always forget which god or goddess goes with what heaven or hell or ailment), but when you're a romance reader and focusing on the romance aspect, all the other stuff is just background noise.
I liked the parallels this book had with our world -- skin color a determinant in the slave world being the most prominent.
I love that he calls her Fira -- meaning fire, which he dubs her for her hair.
However, I was saddened by Sarielle's disbelief that he could want her and only her. When Davine starts in with her ways -- the close talking, the slightly taunting ways (at the word of Dethan, nonetheless) -- Sarielle overthinks things. One moment she's positive that what she and Garreth have will last past the season, and the next, she thinks he has someone else. So she leaves him --
And it nearly breaks him.
I rather enjoyed the romance aspect of Garreth and Sarielle's story. I felt it tugged more at the heart strings than Dethan and Selinda.
March 13, 2016
After a first book that I liked very much, who had completely involved me in this new particular universe of Jacquelyn Frank, I was in a hurry to discover the second released brother of his imprisonment. And once more again, I was agreeably surprised by the diversity of the action and the characters proposed who look further into even more complexity of the universe of The Immortal Brothers.
Garreth is different from his brother, but we already suspected that considering the way in which Dethan spoke about him. He is before all a strategist serious and careful, that which balanced the madnesses of his brothers, but unfortunately he failed at the time of the search of the immortality's source. He is a sure man who trust in himself, his charisma, his charm and being a brilliant general. He is much softer and tender that we believe him to be, but once again, we expected it. This character does not have surprised me much, which did not prevent me to adore him!
Sarielle on her side was the completely unknown data. She is an young woman, slave during all her life because of her skin color (purple), she was forced by the force of the things to become a warlike, a magician feared of all. Behind her image of cold and powerful maiden warrior hides a soft young lady, honest and magnetizes, who had to grow well too quickly, all to sacrifice for those which she loves. She is also a character extremely attaching and her point of view is refreshing.
What I really liked in this new intrigue, it is that although we takes again the things where they had stopped previously, a year passes rather quickly with several changes. We discover new powers, new cities, new beliefs, new creatures. We realize that the world described is enormous and which we did nothing but skim one small portion. The battle between the Gods still evolved, as well as the intrigues of the brothers. The policy goes from pair with the strategy, the two warriors never resting.
Although we discover new characters intriguing and interesting, that which holds our attention is without any possible doubt Dethan. New facets of his personality are discovered, which are not very flattering, we even come to the point to hate him. The end was concluded once more on a large twist, partly unexpected which leaves us at the same time excited and perplexed for the continuation. This second book assure me that this series is worth to be followed.
Garreth is different from his brother, but we already suspected that considering the way in which Dethan spoke about him. He is before all a strategist serious and careful, that which balanced the madnesses of his brothers, but unfortunately he failed at the time of the search of the immortality's source. He is a sure man who trust in himself, his charisma, his charm and being a brilliant general. He is much softer and tender that we believe him to be, but once again, we expected it. This character does not have surprised me much, which did not prevent me to adore him!
Sarielle on her side was the completely unknown data. She is an young woman, slave during all her life because of her skin color (purple), she was forced by the force of the things to become a warlike, a magician feared of all. Behind her image of cold and powerful maiden warrior hides a soft young lady, honest and magnetizes, who had to grow well too quickly, all to sacrifice for those which she loves. She is also a character extremely attaching and her point of view is refreshing.
What I really liked in this new intrigue, it is that although we takes again the things where they had stopped previously, a year passes rather quickly with several changes. We discover new powers, new cities, new beliefs, new creatures. We realize that the world described is enormous and which we did nothing but skim one small portion. The battle between the Gods still evolved, as well as the intrigues of the brothers. The policy goes from pair with the strategy, the two warriors never resting.
Although we discover new characters intriguing and interesting, that which holds our attention is without any possible doubt Dethan. New facets of his personality are discovered, which are not very flattering, we even come to the point to hate him. The end was concluded once more on a large twist, partly unexpected which leaves us at the same time excited and perplexed for the continuation. This second book assure me that this series is worth to be followed.
April 11, 2015
Cursed by Ice is the second book in the Immortal Brothers series by Jacquelyn Frank. It is currently scheduled for release on March 31 2015. while each story can stand on its own, I think it works better if the books are read in order. As punishment for plotting with his brothers to steal immortality, Garreth is suffering a freezing torment. Every night he is frozen into a chiseled ice sculpture only to thaw and resume the chilling torture. Until, like his older brother Dethan, he is offered a reprieve from a goddess in exchange for his allegiance in a celestial civil war. While laying siege to an embattled city he meets a beautiful warrior woman named Sarielle, who commands a mythic beast through a mysterious and powerful bond. Can Gareth earn her trust, and should he, when he will have to leave again to do battle in service to a goddess?
Cursed by Ice is a good follow up to Cursed by Fire, it had the same drive and pace as the first book, and the same level of emotional depth. I liked that Garreth and Sarielle each had their own problems and complications through out the story, and that for the most part they did actually talk about them. One of me biggest issues with romance novels is when a very simple conversation could have avoided the story in its entirety. I could feel for each of the characters, even the secondary characters, and understand why they made they choices they made even when I did not agree with them. Frank held true to my expectations and gave readers strong, intelligent characters facing huge obstacles and finding their way through. Garreth has more honor and emotion through out this story than characters in some other stories display through an entire series, which makes him awesome. Sarielle is generally strong, with a few exceptions, but her heart and honor are her most enduring attributes throughout the story. I am eager to see how the third brother overcomes the odds in the next book.
Cursed by Ice is a good follow up to Cursed by Fire, and I think fans of Frank will enjoy it and be as eager for the third book as I am. I am hoping that I can get my hands on the ARC of the next installment soon, like tonight, but I do not even see a title yet on Goodreads so I suppose I will have to wait.
Cursed by Ice is a good follow up to Cursed by Fire, it had the same drive and pace as the first book, and the same level of emotional depth. I liked that Garreth and Sarielle each had their own problems and complications through out the story, and that for the most part they did actually talk about them. One of me biggest issues with romance novels is when a very simple conversation could have avoided the story in its entirety. I could feel for each of the characters, even the secondary characters, and understand why they made they choices they made even when I did not agree with them. Frank held true to my expectations and gave readers strong, intelligent characters facing huge obstacles and finding their way through. Garreth has more honor and emotion through out this story than characters in some other stories display through an entire series, which makes him awesome. Sarielle is generally strong, with a few exceptions, but her heart and honor are her most enduring attributes throughout the story. I am eager to see how the third brother overcomes the odds in the next book.
Cursed by Ice is a good follow up to Cursed by Fire, and I think fans of Frank will enjoy it and be as eager for the third book as I am. I am hoping that I can get my hands on the ARC of the next installment soon, like tonight, but I do not even see a title yet on Goodreads so I suppose I will have to wait.
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