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Frozen in Amber
Amber Treganis constantly reinvents herself. New clothes, new hairstyle, new car—anything she can do to exert a level of control over her life. What she can't control is her shape-shifting other self: the WerCougar that sinks its claws into her brain during the three nights surrounding the full moon.
Though she is a natural-born shifter from a prominent WerCougar family, Amber has been unwilling to change into her cat form ever since a terrible tragedy cost her the man she loved. And she has little patience with Wers of any species who embrace their otherness more than their humanity. She focuses on her life as a defense attorney in Mt. Hood, and stays out of Wer politics.
But after a blurry night of hunting, Amber begins to notice changes in her transformation. When she hears rumors of research to discover a treatment for shifting, she suspects she may have been unknowingly given the experimental therapy.
With the help of Adler, a WerEagle active in community politics, Amber tries to hunt down the truth about this cure, while staying off the radar of the FBI, which tracks and manages Wer communities in secret.
But Amber doesn't realize how much she depends on her Wer sense until, one by one, they begin to fade. And Amber is left increasingly ill—and increasingly human. Can shifter who is losing her abilities survive for long in either human or Wer society?
Though she is a natural-born shifter from a prominent WerCougar family, Amber has been unwilling to change into her cat form ever since a terrible tragedy cost her the man she loved. And she has little patience with Wers of any species who embrace their otherness more than their humanity. She focuses on her life as a defense attorney in Mt. Hood, and stays out of Wer politics.
But after a blurry night of hunting, Amber begins to notice changes in her transformation. When she hears rumors of research to discover a treatment for shifting, she suspects she may have been unknowingly given the experimental therapy.
With the help of Adler, a WerEagle active in community politics, Amber tries to hunt down the truth about this cure, while staying off the radar of the FBI, which tracks and manages Wer communities in secret.
But Amber doesn't realize how much she depends on her Wer sense until, one by one, they begin to fade. And Amber is left increasingly ill—and increasingly human. Can shifter who is losing her abilities survive for long in either human or Wer society?
390 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 4, 2015
4 people are currently reading
87 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
August 13, 2015
Reviewed by: Rabid Reads.
I agreed to review this novel entirely on a whim; Phyllis Ames is a new-to-me author, and standalone Urban Fantasy is rare, so of course I said gimme. The wolf on the cover may have helped cinch the deal, but make no mistake, this story is about a cougar. Attorney and heroine are practically oxymorons, however Amber made it work, and if that wasn’t enough to cause FROZEN IN AMBER to standout, the protagonist was also a vegetarian kitty.
The structure of the law firm, and of WerCougar politics in general were similar to Kelley Armstrong’s sorcerer run cabals, and miss Treganis’ place in the hierarchy was kinda like Lucas Cortez’s, so if you enjoy that type of set-up (which I do) then you’re sure to dig the feline version. Solo installments do have their downfalls though, the author had to cram all of the crucial UF elements into one book, and consequently some areas were stronger than others.
Amber was a pretty kooky character what with her dietary choices, refusal to shift unless absolutely necessary and her overall reluctance to live as most Wers do. I’d expected more humour considering the lead’s numerous personality quirks, but the tone was a little too serious for my tastes. Yet, that didn’t stop Treganis from falling madly deeply in love with Adler after a measly three weeks. It contradicted her otherwise straight arrow demeanour in my opinion.
The plot seemed like it was building up to something big given the experimental therapy, moles within the firm, Grampy’s secrets, and so on and so forth. Wrapping up a large scope story in 400 pages is a feat enough in itself, however incorporating a HEA as well is asking for trouble. The solution to Amber and Adler’s pickle was entirely too cleanly executed. Again, there are pros and cons to series vs. single works. By and large, Ames did good.
FROZEN IN AMBER was a break from the norm, and the minimal commitment was nice. A summer read through and through! ~ 3.5 Stars
I agreed to review this novel entirely on a whim; Phyllis Ames is a new-to-me author, and standalone Urban Fantasy is rare, so of course I said gimme. The wolf on the cover may have helped cinch the deal, but make no mistake, this story is about a cougar. Attorney and heroine are practically oxymorons, however Amber made it work, and if that wasn’t enough to cause FROZEN IN AMBER to standout, the protagonist was also a vegetarian kitty.
The structure of the law firm, and of WerCougar politics in general were similar to Kelley Armstrong’s sorcerer run cabals, and miss Treganis’ place in the hierarchy was kinda like Lucas Cortez’s, so if you enjoy that type of set-up (which I do) then you’re sure to dig the feline version. Solo installments do have their downfalls though, the author had to cram all of the crucial UF elements into one book, and consequently some areas were stronger than others.
Amber was a pretty kooky character what with her dietary choices, refusal to shift unless absolutely necessary and her overall reluctance to live as most Wers do. I’d expected more humour considering the lead’s numerous personality quirks, but the tone was a little too serious for my tastes. Yet, that didn’t stop Treganis from falling madly deeply in love with Adler after a measly three weeks. It contradicted her otherwise straight arrow demeanour in my opinion.
The plot seemed like it was building up to something big given the experimental therapy, moles within the firm, Grampy’s secrets, and so on and so forth. Wrapping up a large scope story in 400 pages is a feat enough in itself, however incorporating a HEA as well is asking for trouble. The solution to Amber and Adler’s pickle was entirely too cleanly executed. Again, there are pros and cons to series vs. single works. By and large, Ames did good.
FROZEN IN AMBER was a break from the norm, and the minimal commitment was nice. A summer read through and through! ~ 3.5 Stars
August 11, 2015
I can't lie, the cover for FROZEN IN AMBER did not draw me in and make me want to read the story, thankfully the blurb did a better job of that. It took me a little bit to get into the story as it started with a lot of legal drama that wasn't a huge interest to me, but the characters grew on me and the storyline picked up and kept me reading.
I liked Amber as a main character, she's a shifter, but doesn't want to be one. I enjoyed the way she thought and was happy with her growth throughout the story. There is a lot of soul searching for her and in the end she is finally happy with herself. There is some romance, but it was very much in the background with the storyline and world taking the front spot in the readers mind.
I enjoyed the world building. Ames provided a lot of information on how the wers come to be and how the world works. There are a lot of different characters to get to know and it was fun finding out about the creatures they turned into. The mystery wasn't as mysterious as I wanted it to be. There were a lot of dead giveaways to who the bad guys were and although one managed to evade my suspicion for a while, I still figured it out before it was revealed.
So in the end I did end up enjoying FROZEN IN AMBER, however I am glad that it was a standalone novel with an ending storyline because I am not sure that I would have been interested enough to come back for more. Have some extra time on your hands? FROZEN IN AMBER is worth the read.
* This book was provided free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I liked Amber as a main character, she's a shifter, but doesn't want to be one. I enjoyed the way she thought and was happy with her growth throughout the story. There is a lot of soul searching for her and in the end she is finally happy with herself. There is some romance, but it was very much in the background with the storyline and world taking the front spot in the readers mind.
I enjoyed the world building. Ames provided a lot of information on how the wers come to be and how the world works. There are a lot of different characters to get to know and it was fun finding out about the creatures they turned into. The mystery wasn't as mysterious as I wanted it to be. There were a lot of dead giveaways to who the bad guys were and although one managed to evade my suspicion for a while, I still figured it out before it was revealed.
So in the end I did end up enjoying FROZEN IN AMBER, however I am glad that it was a standalone novel with an ending storyline because I am not sure that I would have been interested enough to come back for more. Have some extra time on your hands? FROZEN IN AMBER is worth the read.
* This book was provided free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
August 4, 2015
4.5 Stars
'Frozen in Amber' is a fantastic urban fantasy novel that centers on our main character - Amber - who is also a WerCougar. After a terrible tragedy that happened several years before, Amber only shifts into her other form when absolutely necessary. She places all of her time, energy, and focus into her human life as a lawyer. During one of the rare occasions when Amber shifts into her cougar form, she has terrifying glimpses of her memory from that night. Things were very different than normal. Amber was being hunted by humans, and she remembers a sharp pain followed by her body being paralyzed and being hurt by hands grabbing at her. After hearing that one of her firm's clients has developed a possible Wer cure, Amber begins to piece together the mysteries of that night in the woods - and comes to the conclusion that she was targeted and given this treatment without her knowledge. Teaming up with Adler, a WerEagle, Amber goes on a mission to learn more about this so-called cure - all while staying off the FBI's radar. As time passes, Amber begins to lose more and more of her Wer abilities and senses, causing her to realize just how much she actually relies on them. Not only are her Wer attributes disappearing, but Amber is becoming more ill each day along with turning more human as well. Will Amber and Adler be able to figure out what this cure really is before it's too late? Does Amber hate her Wer self enough to let the treatment turn her completely human?
It's been a really long time since I've read any books about shifters. I was a bit wary of this book before reading it - I've never been a huge fan of shifter fiction. Don't get me wrong, I like to read it - but I prefer other paranormal beings to shifters and tend to gravitate towards those kinds of books. I'm glad that I decided to give this book a shot, because it was nothing short of amazing. You'd think it would be hard to slip inside a world where there are all types of Wer creatures hiding among humans - but somehow that's precisely what the author managed to accomplish. I found myself transported into Amber's world from the very beginning of the book and I didn't emerge until after I had read the final words. There's something about the author's writing style that made it so easy to fall into this alternate world. The story had vivid imagery and incredibly detailed descriptions that seriously brought this world - and novel - to life. I could easily close my eyes and see myself alongside Amber as she experiences everything in the book. There was another aspect to the writing that I can't quite put my finger on - I don't know how to describe it. All I can say is that the fast pace of the story coupled with the author's intricate writing style made this book feel so natural to read. It felt like it flowed naturally - not hurrying along, although there was lots going on and the pace was fast. There's just something about it that immediately caused me to integrate myself into the story and it all felt so amazingly natural. That's some serious talent - if you can create a world full of paranormal creatures and then have the reader just slip inside of it without really knowing that it happened.
The writing style was definitely a huge part of my experience with the book, maybe even more so than the plot itself. I think the author could have written the weirdest science fiction/dystopian novel ever - and I would have happily immersed myself inside of that world without even knowing it was happening. Another major aspect of the book and writing was the point of view that it's told in. It's written in the first person from Amber's perspective - and I honestly don't think it could have been done any better. I sound like a broken record when I talk about the importance point of view and my belief that first person is almost always the best choice. The reader gets to know the narrator on such a deep and personal level this way, which only heightens the realism of the characters and the book itself. I loved getting to experience the everything that happens through Amber's perspective. We also get a peek inside of the main character that is normally inaccessible to us - we learn so much about them, from their hopes and dreams to their fears and weaknesses, emotions, memories, and so much more. I loved getting to watch Amber's character change and grow throughout the book, and being able to see it happen from her own perspective was fascinating.
The plot of the book was pretty original - as far as I know. It was something new to me, but I'm not a huge reader of the genre - so I don't know if this has been done before or not. The idea of a treatment that had the power to change shifters back into human form permanently was intriguing and I wanted to know as much about it as I could. Along with this aspect of the story comes the underlying topics such as ethics, being able to choose who you are/want to be, and lots of political concepts too. I loved that there was a deeper level to the novel - the main story line would have been great on it's own, but the addition of these more serious topics that apply to us as a society created a whole new tangent that makes the reader stop and ponder things over a bit. The plot was enjoyable and I was reading as fast as I could to see what was going to happen next and what was going to become of Amber and this cure. The author blends several genres to create a riveting novel that I couldn't stop reading until I finished. Once I was in Amber's world - I wasn't coming back out until I read the final words. I very highly recommend this book to fans of shifter novels and urban fantasy - as well as those who enjoy fantasy, paranormal fiction, action, adventure, and some suspense!
Disclosure: I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
'Frozen in Amber' is a fantastic urban fantasy novel that centers on our main character - Amber - who is also a WerCougar. After a terrible tragedy that happened several years before, Amber only shifts into her other form when absolutely necessary. She places all of her time, energy, and focus into her human life as a lawyer. During one of the rare occasions when Amber shifts into her cougar form, she has terrifying glimpses of her memory from that night. Things were very different than normal. Amber was being hunted by humans, and she remembers a sharp pain followed by her body being paralyzed and being hurt by hands grabbing at her. After hearing that one of her firm's clients has developed a possible Wer cure, Amber begins to piece together the mysteries of that night in the woods - and comes to the conclusion that she was targeted and given this treatment without her knowledge. Teaming up with Adler, a WerEagle, Amber goes on a mission to learn more about this so-called cure - all while staying off the FBI's radar. As time passes, Amber begins to lose more and more of her Wer abilities and senses, causing her to realize just how much she actually relies on them. Not only are her Wer attributes disappearing, but Amber is becoming more ill each day along with turning more human as well. Will Amber and Adler be able to figure out what this cure really is before it's too late? Does Amber hate her Wer self enough to let the treatment turn her completely human?
It's been a really long time since I've read any books about shifters. I was a bit wary of this book before reading it - I've never been a huge fan of shifter fiction. Don't get me wrong, I like to read it - but I prefer other paranormal beings to shifters and tend to gravitate towards those kinds of books. I'm glad that I decided to give this book a shot, because it was nothing short of amazing. You'd think it would be hard to slip inside a world where there are all types of Wer creatures hiding among humans - but somehow that's precisely what the author managed to accomplish. I found myself transported into Amber's world from the very beginning of the book and I didn't emerge until after I had read the final words. There's something about the author's writing style that made it so easy to fall into this alternate world. The story had vivid imagery and incredibly detailed descriptions that seriously brought this world - and novel - to life. I could easily close my eyes and see myself alongside Amber as she experiences everything in the book. There was another aspect to the writing that I can't quite put my finger on - I don't know how to describe it. All I can say is that the fast pace of the story coupled with the author's intricate writing style made this book feel so natural to read. It felt like it flowed naturally - not hurrying along, although there was lots going on and the pace was fast. There's just something about it that immediately caused me to integrate myself into the story and it all felt so amazingly natural. That's some serious talent - if you can create a world full of paranormal creatures and then have the reader just slip inside of it without really knowing that it happened.
The writing style was definitely a huge part of my experience with the book, maybe even more so than the plot itself. I think the author could have written the weirdest science fiction/dystopian novel ever - and I would have happily immersed myself inside of that world without even knowing it was happening. Another major aspect of the book and writing was the point of view that it's told in. It's written in the first person from Amber's perspective - and I honestly don't think it could have been done any better. I sound like a broken record when I talk about the importance point of view and my belief that first person is almost always the best choice. The reader gets to know the narrator on such a deep and personal level this way, which only heightens the realism of the characters and the book itself. I loved getting to experience the everything that happens through Amber's perspective. We also get a peek inside of the main character that is normally inaccessible to us - we learn so much about them, from their hopes and dreams to their fears and weaknesses, emotions, memories, and so much more. I loved getting to watch Amber's character change and grow throughout the book, and being able to see it happen from her own perspective was fascinating.
The plot of the book was pretty original - as far as I know. It was something new to me, but I'm not a huge reader of the genre - so I don't know if this has been done before or not. The idea of a treatment that had the power to change shifters back into human form permanently was intriguing and I wanted to know as much about it as I could. Along with this aspect of the story comes the underlying topics such as ethics, being able to choose who you are/want to be, and lots of political concepts too. I loved that there was a deeper level to the novel - the main story line would have been great on it's own, but the addition of these more serious topics that apply to us as a society created a whole new tangent that makes the reader stop and ponder things over a bit. The plot was enjoyable and I was reading as fast as I could to see what was going to happen next and what was going to become of Amber and this cure. The author blends several genres to create a riveting novel that I couldn't stop reading until I finished. Once I was in Amber's world - I wasn't coming back out until I read the final words. I very highly recommend this book to fans of shifter novels and urban fantasy - as well as those who enjoy fantasy, paranormal fiction, action, adventure, and some suspense!
Disclosure: I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
December 20, 2021
I'm not much into law stuff but for whatever reason this book had me reading and interested before I really knew what was happening. I loved the whole wer community concept and the different types of wer. The plot was intriguing. I did have one little complaint about the wrap up of the ending. I think I almost want a sequel actually.
August 1, 2015
4 stars
After a rough start, I started to enjoy Frozen in Amber. Lots of intrigue, corporate politics, and a sweet romance. Loved the ending.
After a rough start, I started to enjoy Frozen in Amber. Lots of intrigue, corporate politics, and a sweet romance. Loved the ending.
August 5, 2015
Review Originally Posted At: FictionForesight
In accordance with current FTC Guidelines, please let it be known this book was received through NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Objection…2.5 Stars!
Frozen In Amber is an interesting mix of lawyers, shapeshifters and betrayals, that come together to make quite the read.
A Quick Summary:
Our protagonist, Amber Treganis, is a prominent lawyer with one of the most successful law firms around. She also happens to be a WerCougar, a species of Wer that transforms, obviously, into a cougar. For 3 days surrounding the full moon, Amber loses control and transforms into her “other”.
When she was younger, Amber accidentally killed her boyfriend while in cougar form. As as a result, she elects to stay secluded from the Wer community; preferring to maintain as much of her humanity as possible. She doesn’t kill, is a vegetarian and hardly ever transforms into her other.
However, despite her every intention, the rumors of gene therapy and discovery of a betrayal drag her in deep. If that wasn’t bad enough, she also has to deal with threats to herself and her family, and issues with her professional life only serve to complicate things further. Will Amber’s professional life survive? Or is that the least of her worries?
(By-the-by, was it just me who thought that the lawyer would be a wolf? I’m glad to see Miss Ames didn’t fall into that cliché.)
The Good:
So, from my rating it would seem that I really didn’t like this book; And while that is accurate, I wouldn’t ever go so far as to say there wasn’t anything that I enjoyed. I truly believe that even if you hate a book, you can always find some positive, somewhere.
In this case, it really wasn’t that hard because I honestly didn’t hate this book. Really, its true. There were things that annoyed me to no end, but I didn’t actually hate it. I just… nothinged it. (more on this later).
So, what did I enjoy?
Well for starters, I really enjoyed the lore and descriptions of the Wer characters. I loved the fact that there were so many different Wers that existed, each with their own unique traits, strengths and weaknesses. For example, learning about the WerWolves was pretty cool. The idea that the individual who sired (bite / created) the Wer was subsequently its leader; that submission is automatically ingrained in their blood so that they can’t disobey their creator. I found that pretty interesting.
I also really enjoyed all the background mythology. How Ames took that information and wove it into the story, revealing the bits and pieces and how they connected to what was going on. It was almost like I was on a treasure hunt, and the clues were there for the taking. I think I’d honestly rather read something by her more akin to a straight mythology book, rather than urban-fantasy.
Surprisingly, I actually thoroughly enjoyed all of the legal banter and back-and-forth that went along with the fact that the main character is a lawyer. Having worked professionally in the criminal justice system, I thought I was going to be bombarded with CSI and Law and Order type arguments. Instead, I actually got some pretty interesting realistic situations. I mean don’t misunderstand, this is still fantasy, but there is some realism in the way the law firm works, it’s structure, the paperwork, etc. It may seem like a small detail to some, but having that extra bit of realism helps to make fantasy that much better. Plus it was kind of fun to have the lawyer be the good guy (gal)!
The Bad:
Oh boy, let’s take it slow.
Ah that reminds me, pacing. Pacing is normally a minor issue for me. If the story is interesting I don’t mind if it goes slow, so long as my attention is held to the book. Unfortunately that just wasn’t the case here. I found the pace of the story to drag on quite a bit, and I feel like the same story could have easily been told with about 100 fewer pages. Being brutally honest, it’s not like the character detail was that crazy. There were just some things that didn’t need to be said. Better to leave something for the audience to infer. Otherwise it’s like giving a presentation and having the person read everything word-for-word!
While I enjoyed the clues that the lore created, I really disliked the ridiculously un-subtle, tapping on my shoulder, smacking me upside the head, finger-pointing to give away who the “bad guy(s)” are. I mean, I almost felt like treating this like a mystery book. It had that sort of vibe. You wanted to know who-dun-it. I thought it was going to be a bit of a challenge to find out, seeing as we have quite a number of potential bad dudes. Sadly though, it didn’t work out that way. It got that so by the end I was like “yep, alright, you finally figured it out. Yeah you”. I think that’s one of the main reasons I was bored with it, there was nothing left to discover.
Well I will make one amendment to that statement. It turns out there was something left to discover. The ending! While I will not get into details, because I don’t want to ruin the book for anyone, I will say that it was WAY too convenient. I mean everything wrapped up so picturesque, you were only missing the fancy red bow-tie on top to seal the deal. Where’s the conflict? Where’s the heartbreak. I mean I get that it’s not a series, but come on. Not everything should work out. Throw a little realism into the fantasy.
And really, the actual end of the ending…. Just, no. I mean come on, really? It was cute, but almost in that “makes me want to throw up” kind of way.
Finally, I disliked the inconsistencies in character personalities. I mean it gets a bit confusing and frustrating when characters do complete 180’s all the time as to how they feel, and how they act. In the case of the intern, I get it. She was trying to fit in (sort of). But what about Amber? Why did I feel like she was a high schooler half the time and an ancient hard-ass grandma the other. Why was she so back-and-forth? Was it because she didn’t know her role in life? I’m honestly curious. Really the same can be said for quite a few of the characters. Maybe it was the lack of depth in their personality. Maybe it was supposed to be like that. Hell maybe that’s a part of being a “Wer”. It would have been nice to know either way.
Overall:
Frankly, this book just wasn’t for me. The cover and synopsis drew me in, but the execution was rather lackluster. I found myself constantly watching the clock while reading, which is something I never do. It’s a shame too because I feel like this could have been something really special. The sad truth is, I really can’t say it was any one thing in particular that ruined the book for me either. More like a culmination of let-downs.
Being brutally honest, I’m actually rather glad this isn’t a series. Similar to how I don’t DNF (did not finish) books, I try my hardest not to give up on a series. For me, it feels the same as not finishing a book. You really can’t say it’s bad, or it’s not for you, if you don’t finish it. Granted, I probably would have set it aside for several years, read a bunch of other books, and forgotten all about the first one. Then I’d be going through this all over again, and I just don’t think I could.
All that being said, I still say give this a shot. The writing wasn’t bad, and the concept is pretty cool. There wasn’t anything horribly off with this, it just didn’t make me feel anything. However, just because it didn’t work for me, doesn’t mean it won’t for you!
(www.FictionForesight.com)
In accordance with current FTC Guidelines, please let it be known this book was received through NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Objection…2.5 Stars!
Frozen In Amber is an interesting mix of lawyers, shapeshifters and betrayals, that come together to make quite the read.
A Quick Summary:
Our protagonist, Amber Treganis, is a prominent lawyer with one of the most successful law firms around. She also happens to be a WerCougar, a species of Wer that transforms, obviously, into a cougar. For 3 days surrounding the full moon, Amber loses control and transforms into her “other”.
When she was younger, Amber accidentally killed her boyfriend while in cougar form. As as a result, she elects to stay secluded from the Wer community; preferring to maintain as much of her humanity as possible. She doesn’t kill, is a vegetarian and hardly ever transforms into her other.
However, despite her every intention, the rumors of gene therapy and discovery of a betrayal drag her in deep. If that wasn’t bad enough, she also has to deal with threats to herself and her family, and issues with her professional life only serve to complicate things further. Will Amber’s professional life survive? Or is that the least of her worries?
(By-the-by, was it just me who thought that the lawyer would be a wolf? I’m glad to see Miss Ames didn’t fall into that cliché.)
The Good:
So, from my rating it would seem that I really didn’t like this book; And while that is accurate, I wouldn’t ever go so far as to say there wasn’t anything that I enjoyed. I truly believe that even if you hate a book, you can always find some positive, somewhere.
In this case, it really wasn’t that hard because I honestly didn’t hate this book. Really, its true. There were things that annoyed me to no end, but I didn’t actually hate it. I just… nothinged it. (more on this later).
So, what did I enjoy?
Well for starters, I really enjoyed the lore and descriptions of the Wer characters. I loved the fact that there were so many different Wers that existed, each with their own unique traits, strengths and weaknesses. For example, learning about the WerWolves was pretty cool. The idea that the individual who sired (bite / created) the Wer was subsequently its leader; that submission is automatically ingrained in their blood so that they can’t disobey their creator. I found that pretty interesting.
I also really enjoyed all the background mythology. How Ames took that information and wove it into the story, revealing the bits and pieces and how they connected to what was going on. It was almost like I was on a treasure hunt, and the clues were there for the taking. I think I’d honestly rather read something by her more akin to a straight mythology book, rather than urban-fantasy.
Surprisingly, I actually thoroughly enjoyed all of the legal banter and back-and-forth that went along with the fact that the main character is a lawyer. Having worked professionally in the criminal justice system, I thought I was going to be bombarded with CSI and Law and Order type arguments. Instead, I actually got some pretty interesting realistic situations. I mean don’t misunderstand, this is still fantasy, but there is some realism in the way the law firm works, it’s structure, the paperwork, etc. It may seem like a small detail to some, but having that extra bit of realism helps to make fantasy that much better. Plus it was kind of fun to have the lawyer be the good guy (gal)!
The Bad:
Oh boy, let’s take it slow.
Ah that reminds me, pacing. Pacing is normally a minor issue for me. If the story is interesting I don’t mind if it goes slow, so long as my attention is held to the book. Unfortunately that just wasn’t the case here. I found the pace of the story to drag on quite a bit, and I feel like the same story could have easily been told with about 100 fewer pages. Being brutally honest, it’s not like the character detail was that crazy. There were just some things that didn’t need to be said. Better to leave something for the audience to infer. Otherwise it’s like giving a presentation and having the person read everything word-for-word!
While I enjoyed the clues that the lore created, I really disliked the ridiculously un-subtle, tapping on my shoulder, smacking me upside the head, finger-pointing to give away who the “bad guy(s)” are. I mean, I almost felt like treating this like a mystery book. It had that sort of vibe. You wanted to know who-dun-it. I thought it was going to be a bit of a challenge to find out, seeing as we have quite a number of potential bad dudes. Sadly though, it didn’t work out that way. It got that so by the end I was like “yep, alright, you finally figured it out. Yeah you”. I think that’s one of the main reasons I was bored with it, there was nothing left to discover.
Well I will make one amendment to that statement. It turns out there was something left to discover. The ending! While I will not get into details, because I don’t want to ruin the book for anyone, I will say that it was WAY too convenient. I mean everything wrapped up so picturesque, you were only missing the fancy red bow-tie on top to seal the deal. Where’s the conflict? Where’s the heartbreak. I mean I get that it’s not a series, but come on. Not everything should work out. Throw a little realism into the fantasy.
And really, the actual end of the ending…. Just, no. I mean come on, really? It was cute, but almost in that “makes me want to throw up” kind of way.
Finally, I disliked the inconsistencies in character personalities. I mean it gets a bit confusing and frustrating when characters do complete 180’s all the time as to how they feel, and how they act. In the case of the intern, I get it. She was trying to fit in (sort of). But what about Amber? Why did I feel like she was a high schooler half the time and an ancient hard-ass grandma the other. Why was she so back-and-forth? Was it because she didn’t know her role in life? I’m honestly curious. Really the same can be said for quite a few of the characters. Maybe it was the lack of depth in their personality. Maybe it was supposed to be like that. Hell maybe that’s a part of being a “Wer”. It would have been nice to know either way.
Overall:
Frankly, this book just wasn’t for me. The cover and synopsis drew me in, but the execution was rather lackluster. I found myself constantly watching the clock while reading, which is something I never do. It’s a shame too because I feel like this could have been something really special. The sad truth is, I really can’t say it was any one thing in particular that ruined the book for me either. More like a culmination of let-downs.
Being brutally honest, I’m actually rather glad this isn’t a series. Similar to how I don’t DNF (did not finish) books, I try my hardest not to give up on a series. For me, it feels the same as not finishing a book. You really can’t say it’s bad, or it’s not for you, if you don’t finish it. Granted, I probably would have set it aside for several years, read a bunch of other books, and forgotten all about the first one. Then I’d be going through this all over again, and I just don’t think I could.
All that being said, I still say give this a shot. The writing wasn’t bad, and the concept is pretty cool. There wasn’t anything horribly off with this, it just didn’t make me feel anything. However, just because it didn’t work for me, doesn’t mean it won’t for you!
(www.FictionForesight.com)
August 18, 2015
It’s been a while since I’ve read an Urban Fantasy with a were protagonist that has really been able to speak to me. When I read the blurb for this story, I thought it might be reminiscent of Mercy Thompson or something similar. It sounded smart, with good world building, and a chance at romance. Unfortunately, it had some very serious issues and it left me unsatisfied and a little bit irritated.
Our heroine is Amber, a cougar-shifter who has turned away from who she is as much as she possibly can. Something Bad happened while she was in her cat form years ago and now she rarely hunts, and never eats meat in her human form. Every once in a while, though, she has to change. It’s what she is. And during her latest hunt, she was targeted by a group of hunters who have done something to her that she doesn’t understand.
Meanwhile, Amber is working as a junior partner in her grandfather’s law firm. She’s representing a questionable client who is developing a serum that can revert a changed-were back to human. It’s a really big deal for the were-council and his acquittal ensures his cooperation. So she is working on his case, navigating some gnarly inter-office politics, while learning more about her own history, and falling for an were-eagle courier.
Like I said, there are big problems: the first being my inability to connect to Amber. She is in her mid-30s and a smart lawyer, but she felt immature. She went through something terrible, yes, but she is petulant. She is self-centered, never bothering to question who the people in her life truly are. She calls her grandfather, Grumpy, for goodness sakes.
There were string of glaring plot devices and heavy handed foreshadowing, that spoiled the mystery. The villain raised Amber’s hackles from their first meeting. (Actually, there are multiple villains and they are almost caricatures, rather than anything fleshed out, or with any deep motivations.) The advice she got about dealing with her affliction made no sense. Her doctor treated it like a big deal, but then he wouldn’t come in town for a week to look at it. Amber KNEW something was seriously wrong with her and just ignored it over and over again. It was stupid.
Then there was the romance, though to call it that would be a lie. It’s insta-shifter love. There is no relationship development. No passion. Just literally mating at first sight.
And finally, the ending. Ugh. It’s utterly convenient and doesn’t really make any sense.
Most of the book, I spent drifting from kind of bored to rolling my eyes. I wish I had better news, but this one was not for me.
Rating: C-/D+
*ARC provided by publisher
Our heroine is Amber, a cougar-shifter who has turned away from who she is as much as she possibly can. Something Bad happened while she was in her cat form years ago and now she rarely hunts, and never eats meat in her human form. Every once in a while, though, she has to change. It’s what she is. And during her latest hunt, she was targeted by a group of hunters who have done something to her that she doesn’t understand.
Meanwhile, Amber is working as a junior partner in her grandfather’s law firm. She’s representing a questionable client who is developing a serum that can revert a changed-were back to human. It’s a really big deal for the were-council and his acquittal ensures his cooperation. So she is working on his case, navigating some gnarly inter-office politics, while learning more about her own history, and falling for an were-eagle courier.
Like I said, there are big problems: the first being my inability to connect to Amber. She is in her mid-30s and a smart lawyer, but she felt immature. She went through something terrible, yes, but she is petulant. She is self-centered, never bothering to question who the people in her life truly are. She calls her grandfather, Grumpy, for goodness sakes.
There were string of glaring plot devices and heavy handed foreshadowing, that spoiled the mystery. The villain raised Amber’s hackles from their first meeting. (Actually, there are multiple villains and they are almost caricatures, rather than anything fleshed out, or with any deep motivations.) The advice she got about dealing with her affliction made no sense. Her doctor treated it like a big deal, but then he wouldn’t come in town for a week to look at it. Amber KNEW something was seriously wrong with her and just ignored it over and over again. It was stupid.
Then there was the romance, though to call it that would be a lie. It’s insta-shifter love. There is no relationship development. No passion. Just literally mating at first sight.
And finally, the ending. Ugh. It’s utterly convenient and doesn’t really make any sense.
Most of the book, I spent drifting from kind of bored to rolling my eyes. I wish I had better news, but this one was not for me.
Rating: C-/D+
*ARC provided by publisher
August 7, 2015
Review courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy:
FROZEN IN AMBER is part legal drama, and part were-cougar coming of age story, with a little bit of family craziness and gene-splicing mixed in. But if you add in very few moments of levity and what felt like an artificially drawn-out plot, and you have a potentially interesting book that misses the mark. And then there is the end, which I had to read twice to make sure I actually got.
There are a lot of characters, but they are interesting characters. Were-creatures can either be bitten or born, and it made for an interesting class-structure, where born weres had better control over their shifting abilities and are therefore of more value to the society. Readers are also treated to a glimpse of other were-creatures, like eagles, who I found way cooler and smooth than their snarly, growly counterparts. The cat/dog interactions were often interesting, and although there were what I felt was many plot holes, the overall plot came to an okay ending.
The main thing that got on my nerves was that most of the plot was fabricated or lengthened by the fact that Amber refused to tell anyone about major issues or her suspicions before everything went to hell. For example. multiple times Amber thinks to herself "that secret new evil wolf we are hearing about couldn't actually be that annoying new, aggressive character who has just popped up, acting all entitled and suspicious. I'll just demote her and not think of her any more." As a reader it was such an obvious giveaway that it took away the power of all the foreshadowing. I just wanted to shake her.
On the flip side, her desire to be private does work with the character and with the general lore of the world. Wolves work in packs, and are loyal to the wolf who bites them. Cougars are solitary, rarely knowing their extended family or even their own fathers. They work alone, are highly territorial and private. You don't sit in a cougar's chair unless you want to start a fight.
The conflict between their animal natures and their human relationships drives this book, with different characters reacting one way or another depending both on their animal and on the level of socialisation. Amber is constantly held up as an example of ideal humanisation, but even she reverts to her instincts of secrecy for most of the book.
Even with some good lore, and a romantic plot that was actually fun to follow, FROZEN IN AMBER just didn't do it for me.
FROZEN IN AMBER is part legal drama, and part were-cougar coming of age story, with a little bit of family craziness and gene-splicing mixed in. But if you add in very few moments of levity and what felt like an artificially drawn-out plot, and you have a potentially interesting book that misses the mark. And then there is the end, which I had to read twice to make sure I actually got.
There are a lot of characters, but they are interesting characters. Were-creatures can either be bitten or born, and it made for an interesting class-structure, where born weres had better control over their shifting abilities and are therefore of more value to the society. Readers are also treated to a glimpse of other were-creatures, like eagles, who I found way cooler and smooth than their snarly, growly counterparts. The cat/dog interactions were often interesting, and although there were what I felt was many plot holes, the overall plot came to an okay ending.
The main thing that got on my nerves was that most of the plot was fabricated or lengthened by the fact that Amber refused to tell anyone about major issues or her suspicions before everything went to hell. For example. multiple times Amber thinks to herself "that secret new evil wolf we are hearing about couldn't actually be that annoying new, aggressive character who has just popped up, acting all entitled and suspicious. I'll just demote her and not think of her any more." As a reader it was such an obvious giveaway that it took away the power of all the foreshadowing. I just wanted to shake her.
On the flip side, her desire to be private does work with the character and with the general lore of the world. Wolves work in packs, and are loyal to the wolf who bites them. Cougars are solitary, rarely knowing their extended family or even their own fathers. They work alone, are highly territorial and private. You don't sit in a cougar's chair unless you want to start a fight.
The conflict between their animal natures and their human relationships drives this book, with different characters reacting one way or another depending both on their animal and on the level of socialisation. Amber is constantly held up as an example of ideal humanisation, but even she reverts to her instincts of secrecy for most of the book.
Even with some good lore, and a romantic plot that was actually fun to follow, FROZEN IN AMBER just didn't do it for me.
August 11, 2015
Amber Treganis is a reluctant shifter, she does everything in her power to keep her OTHER self contained. She lives alone and rarely runs or hunts with other shifters. She is a very successful lawyer in her grandfather’s firm, and she loves her life and job.
After waking up from a previous shift and hunt, Amber begins to notice changes in her appearance and abilities. There is also an unremembered mark on her body. (She thinks she may have been attacked, but isn’t 100% sure). After getting over a cold,(she wouldn’t shift to get rid of it), Amber returns to work. Her latest client is an interesting case and character.
Jonathan Bergman becomes Ambers client when he is accused of murdering his wife. His wealth is immense,and the gene therapy he claims to be inventing will cure the shifters. He claims they can have a normal life with his cure. He is a very strong and arrogant character, does he have an ulterior motive in “helping” the shifters become “normal”? And how did he find out about the secret society of shifters?
The setting for the book was well researched, and in parts I almost felt i was in a court room. In this story if your bitten your loyalty is to your maker.
I loved how she called her grandfather “grumpy”. They have a special bond. We find out that he raised her from the age of 12, after her mother died. He also wants her to earn her place in the law firm, not just because she is his granddaughter.
I also enjoyed Amber’s background, as we find out about her first hunt, and we also learn why she hates to hunt, and give herself over to the cougar.
Alder is our hero, he is a WerEagle. He is a bike courier, and Amber finds his tall good looks, and nice strong thighs pleasing. He has a wicked sense of humour, and he is interested in Amber, but she doesn’t “do” other shifters, if she wants some action, then she stays with other cougars.
Once Alder and Amber begin to investigate the truth about the miracle drug, the pace moves at a good pace.
We wonder about the FBI, and what is their game plan? They know about the “Wer’s” do they want the entire population to know about the “others” or do have they a more sinister agenda ?
The interaction between Alder and Amber wasn’t scorching, and to be honest I didn’t really miss it, the story was holding it’s own. Frozen in Amber was a stand alone novel, and if Phyllis Ames writes more books, I would definitely read them.
After waking up from a previous shift and hunt, Amber begins to notice changes in her appearance and abilities. There is also an unremembered mark on her body. (She thinks she may have been attacked, but isn’t 100% sure). After getting over a cold,(she wouldn’t shift to get rid of it), Amber returns to work. Her latest client is an interesting case and character.
Jonathan Bergman becomes Ambers client when he is accused of murdering his wife. His wealth is immense,and the gene therapy he claims to be inventing will cure the shifters. He claims they can have a normal life with his cure. He is a very strong and arrogant character, does he have an ulterior motive in “helping” the shifters become “normal”? And how did he find out about the secret society of shifters?
The setting for the book was well researched, and in parts I almost felt i was in a court room. In this story if your bitten your loyalty is to your maker.
I loved how she called her grandfather “grumpy”. They have a special bond. We find out that he raised her from the age of 12, after her mother died. He also wants her to earn her place in the law firm, not just because she is his granddaughter.
I also enjoyed Amber’s background, as we find out about her first hunt, and we also learn why she hates to hunt, and give herself over to the cougar.
Alder is our hero, he is a WerEagle. He is a bike courier, and Amber finds his tall good looks, and nice strong thighs pleasing. He has a wicked sense of humour, and he is interested in Amber, but she doesn’t “do” other shifters, if she wants some action, then she stays with other cougars.
Once Alder and Amber begin to investigate the truth about the miracle drug, the pace moves at a good pace.
We wonder about the FBI, and what is their game plan? They know about the “Wer’s” do they want the entire population to know about the “others” or do have they a more sinister agenda ?
The interaction between Alder and Amber wasn’t scorching, and to be honest I didn’t really miss it, the story was holding it’s own. Frozen in Amber was a stand alone novel, and if Phyllis Ames writes more books, I would definitely read them.
October 4, 2015
An awesome first novel. Terrific world building, I look forward to seeing other books in this universe. The main character, Amber, was well fleshed out and likable, despite her angst. The potential is there for a terrific series, especially if future novels focus on other characters such as Eugene, Medford or Springfield, who were on the periphery of this novel.
I was disappointed in the ending, tidy though it was. It makes it virtually impossible to continue as a series with Amber as the main character, unless the focus is on her hunt for the antagonists, and issues arising from events in the initial book, especially the ending.
I was disappointed in the ending, tidy though it was. It makes it virtually impossible to continue as a series with Amber as the main character, unless the focus is on her hunt for the antagonists, and issues arising from events in the initial book, especially the ending.
July 6, 2017
Meh. This could have been a lot better than it was. As it is, the author tried to fit too much storyline into too few pages, resulting in gaps that could have been better explained or expanded upon. The plot line is slightly erratic as well, jumping around without clear connection. At the same time, it seems the author tries to compensate for this lack of cohesion, by inserting redundantly long-winded descriptions of surroundings such as buildings/rooms.
October 18, 2019
This book has me a little stumped. While I definitely enjoyed the interesting take on the Wer’s (yes, they aren’t Were’s in this world), the dynamics of the characters and their relationships and interactions, I found said characters a little flat. Sadly, Amber and Co. suffered from an ambitious storyline - which was very absorbing to read - and with all the plot twists and machinations of the numerous characters, something had to give, and it was fully fleshed out and three dimensional characters that drew the short straw.
However, while I lament on that, don’t let it put you off reading this story if the synopsis sounds interesting. I did enjoy the legal setting, and the twists and turns while Amber tries to untangle herself from the numerous (metaphorical) chains trying to pull her this way and that, and as her uneasiness grows, so to does the paranoia. The subplot with the gene therapy ties into the main story, and her backstory plays a large part in her choices as the story progresses. The other secondary thread regarding the “Black B*tch” wasn’t all that hard to decipher, but the finer details were very interesting, and of course, tie in with the original premise.
Was quite happy with how things were wrapping up, and then BOOM! The twist in the tale. The ending was a complete surprise, and I’ve never encountered this particular device in any other UF story. A fresh take on shifter lore (or whatever you’d like to call it).
I’m hoping there will be a follow up book to tie off the loose threads that were left like tantalizing crumbs.
3.5 stars ⭐️
However, while I lament on that, don’t let it put you off reading this story if the synopsis sounds interesting. I did enjoy the legal setting, and the twists and turns while Amber tries to untangle herself from the numerous (metaphorical) chains trying to pull her this way and that, and as her uneasiness grows, so to does the paranoia. The subplot with the gene therapy ties into the main story, and her backstory plays a large part in her choices as the story progresses. The other secondary thread regarding the “Black B*tch” wasn’t all that hard to decipher, but the finer details were very interesting, and of course, tie in with the original premise.
Was quite happy with how things were wrapping up, and then BOOM! The twist in the tale. The ending was a complete surprise, and I’ve never encountered this particular device in any other UF story. A fresh take on shifter lore (or whatever you’d like to call it).
I’m hoping there will be a follow up book to tie off the loose threads that were left like tantalizing crumbs.
3.5 stars ⭐️
August 15, 2022
Frozen in Amber is a standalone Urban Fantasy novel by Phyllis Ames. It has a somewhat unique storyline about the existence of Weres and how they coexist with normal humans.
This one is about Amber Treganis, who is a reluctant WerCougar. She only changes when she just can't put it off any longer. She rarely hunts and never mates. She instead concentrates on her human self as a lawyer in one of Portland's top law firms. She represents human as well as Wer clients. After a blurry night of hunting, she begins to notice changes in herself and the loss of some of her Wer abilities. She soon discovers a sinister conspiracy involving Wers and humans that will affect the future of all Werkind. With new friends and newfound family, she must find the culprits behind this dark conspiracy.
Fans of Patricia Briggs' Mercy Thompson and Alpha & Omega series should enjoy the book.
This one is about Amber Treganis, who is a reluctant WerCougar. She only changes when she just can't put it off any longer. She rarely hunts and never mates. She instead concentrates on her human self as a lawyer in one of Portland's top law firms. She represents human as well as Wer clients. After a blurry night of hunting, she begins to notice changes in herself and the loss of some of her Wer abilities. She soon discovers a sinister conspiracy involving Wers and humans that will affect the future of all Werkind. With new friends and newfound family, she must find the culprits behind this dark conspiracy.
Fans of Patricia Briggs' Mercy Thompson and Alpha & Omega series should enjoy the book.
December 7, 2018
It is not clear if this UF is the 1st in a series or a standalone. Either way, despite some unusual ideas, this book did not work for me. It's one of those that seems to be going towards a grand conclusion but just fizzles out.
The writing is not well done; there are major pacing problems, the world-building is vague and confusing, and the obvious history between the major characters is not explored. The villains are easily identified, even if their motives are not. Minor events of no import are over-described in painstaking detail while major events are sketchy at best.
Amber Treganis is a WerCougar shifter. Here, "Wer" is pronounced "Ver", with Germanic roots. All Shifters - of various types: wolves, rats, eagles - are from Old Europe. There are Born and Bitten Wer. Both can use the adrenaline boost from an Epi-Pen to force a Change between moon cycles. This was an interesting idea, and it's too bad it wasn't better developed.
Belonging to an illustrious clan headed by one of the very first Bitten Wer, Amber denies her inner cat as much as she can. A traumatic event in her past (which the community views as collateral damage from interacting with humans but which she thinks makes her a monster) has resulted in her keeping an ironclad control on her cat instincts - or so she constantly says. She hunts only when she has to - two or three times a year - and refuses to eat any meat, especially red meat.
Outside of a small coffee klatch group of acquaintances, she lives only to work. A lawyer in her Grandfather's prestigious law company, she is a walking contradiction. Overly concerned about outward appearances - especially designer clothes - she is terribly unprofessional, especially since she persists in calling her Grandfather "Grumpy" - a childhood mispronunciation that might have been a cute in-joke between less reserved characters - even in front of his employees.
On one of her rare hunts, she's shot in the flank with a dark. As the lump on her hip gets infected, Amber becomes ill but refuses to Change to get rid of the infection. Relying on the obviously unreliable advice of a suspiciously-acting physician she's known since childhood, she does not remove the implant despite her own reservations.
As she gets sicker, it's harder for her to fight her Cat instincts. The major obstacle to solving the "mystery" is her own stubborn refusal to pull her head out the sand. Amber may think she's big on self-control, but she's really the master of self-denial.
Other Wer are getting sick, but don't tell each other because they don't want to show weakness (?!). A cult of new Wer bucking the establishment rules brings secrets about the Wer to light.
Thrown on top of all this is a very strange Insta-love relationship. Amber has admired a hunky blonde bike messenger who runs documents for the law firm for a few years. When she gets sick, suddenly this guy - who is a WerEagle - is all up in her business, following her home, insisting she eat salmon. And the salmon? We learn later that his catching and cooking a salmon for her is basically marriage among his people. Which Amber did not know when she ate it. His behaviour borders on creepy stalker and he's really possessive, speaking for her when she's too ill to speak for herself - without really knowing her at all.
All because WerEagles mate for life, and know their mate at first sight. But here's the thing - if Amber has seen him around for years, he's seen her. She's the hotshot grand-daughter of the law firm's founder. But he's never acted on it until now? When she's in a vulnerable position? Also, WerEagles usually only mate with other WerEagles. Amber is a Cougar. This little quibble is magically resolved by the absurd ending
This one would be unintentionally funny if it wasn't for the dragging pace and weirdness. Points to Ames for trying to do something different with the origin and nature of were-creatures, but nothing here works and I won't be reading her writing again.
The writing is not well done; there are major pacing problems, the world-building is vague and confusing, and the obvious history between the major characters is not explored. The villains are easily identified, even if their motives are not. Minor events of no import are over-described in painstaking detail while major events are sketchy at best.
Amber Treganis is a WerCougar shifter. Here, "Wer" is pronounced "Ver", with Germanic roots. All Shifters - of various types: wolves, rats, eagles - are from Old Europe. There are Born and Bitten Wer. Both can use the adrenaline boost from an Epi-Pen to force a Change between moon cycles. This was an interesting idea, and it's too bad it wasn't better developed.
Belonging to an illustrious clan headed by one of the very first Bitten Wer, Amber denies her inner cat as much as she can. A traumatic event in her past (which the community views as collateral damage from interacting with humans but which she thinks makes her a monster) has resulted in her keeping an ironclad control on her cat instincts - or so she constantly says. She hunts only when she has to - two or three times a year - and refuses to eat any meat, especially red meat.
Outside of a small coffee klatch group of acquaintances, she lives only to work. A lawyer in her Grandfather's prestigious law company, she is a walking contradiction. Overly concerned about outward appearances - especially designer clothes - she is terribly unprofessional, especially since she persists in calling her Grandfather "Grumpy" - a childhood mispronunciation that might have been a cute in-joke between less reserved characters - even in front of his employees.
On one of her rare hunts, she's shot in the flank with a dark. As the lump on her hip gets infected, Amber becomes ill but refuses to Change to get rid of the infection. Relying on the obviously unreliable advice of a suspiciously-acting physician she's known since childhood, she does not remove the implant despite her own reservations.
As she gets sicker, it's harder for her to fight her Cat instincts. The major obstacle to solving the "mystery" is her own stubborn refusal to pull her head out the sand. Amber may think she's big on self-control, but she's really the master of self-denial.
Other Wer are getting sick, but don't tell each other because they don't want to show weakness (?!). A cult of new Wer bucking the establishment rules brings secrets about the Wer to light.
Thrown on top of all this is a very strange Insta-love relationship. Amber has admired a hunky blonde bike messenger who runs documents for the law firm for a few years. When she gets sick, suddenly this guy - who is a WerEagle - is all up in her business, following her home, insisting she eat salmon. And the salmon? We learn later that his catching and cooking a salmon for her is basically marriage among his people. Which Amber did not know when she ate it. His behaviour borders on creepy stalker and he's really possessive, speaking for her when she's too ill to speak for herself - without really knowing her at all.
All because WerEagles mate for life, and know their mate at first sight. But here's the thing - if Amber has seen him around for years, he's seen her. She's the hotshot grand-daughter of the law firm's founder. But he's never acted on it until now? When she's in a vulnerable position? Also, WerEagles usually only mate with other WerEagles. Amber is a Cougar. This little quibble is magically resolved by the absurd ending
This one would be unintentionally funny if it wasn't for the dragging pace and weirdness. Points to Ames for trying to do something different with the origin and nature of were-creatures, but nothing here works and I won't be reading her writing again.
November 25, 2016
After reading the blurb and a couple of the pages in the intro. I thought this book would be my jam as I love urban fantasy and I've recently gotten into lawyer procedural tv shows. This book did not live up to being my jam.
I could not relate to Amber at all. She actually grated on my nerves quite a lot. Also, she refers to her grandfather as "Grumpy," which I did not find endearing at all. Most of the time, I found her to be a bit immature and couldn't believe that this was a woman in her 30s. I found myself completely bored by the plot and reading the book was a complete chore.
I could not relate to Amber at all. She actually grated on my nerves quite a lot. Also, she refers to her grandfather as "Grumpy," which I did not find endearing at all. Most of the time, I found her to be a bit immature and couldn't believe that this was a woman in her 30s. I found myself completely bored by the plot and reading the book was a complete chore.
July 16, 2021
This book was not what I expected, and so I was disappointed. The Wer politics and variety of shifters was interesting--however, the pace was slow and it was really easy for me to figure out who the antagonists were (even if Amber was, somehow, oblivious). I also found it difficult to root for Amber, as her personality was all over the place.
September 7, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. The beginning was a bit jarring as we're thrown headlong into this main character being both a werecougar and a high-powered lawyer, and there are times when it seems on the face of it that that might not be a great combination. But as the worldbuilding and character development comes together, it becomes clear that it makes a lot of sense for a family of shapeshifters to establish a firm command of the law and an imposing reputation for wielding it.
Amber is an especially interesting character as a werecougar who doesn't want to be one. Her backstory is horrifying and compelling, and her approach to coping with it makes her sympathetic despite her hardened lawyer exterior.
The glimpse of what an entire sub-society of shapeshifters looking out for each other might look like is gratifying, as is the way Ames dabbles in archaeology, folklore, and biology to determine how her weres work.
I'll admit I would be interested in seeing more from this universe. It hints at a tantalizing history and several characters and settings that could be interesting to see more of.
Amber is an especially interesting character as a werecougar who doesn't want to be one. Her backstory is horrifying and compelling, and her approach to coping with it makes her sympathetic despite her hardened lawyer exterior.
The glimpse of what an entire sub-society of shapeshifters looking out for each other might look like is gratifying, as is the way Ames dabbles in archaeology, folklore, and biology to determine how her weres work.
I'll admit I would be interested in seeing more from this universe. It hints at a tantalizing history and several characters and settings that could be interesting to see more of.
December 3, 2018
had a hard time finishing it
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 10, 2015
Amber Treganis is a successful lawyer in her grandfather's firm and a shifter, although she tries to relegate her cougar to the background. She lives alone and rarely runs or hunts with other shifters. Jonathan Bergman is a client accused of murdering his wife. His wealth is persuasive, but more so is the gene therapy he has been developing - a possible cure for shifters. The transferral of his case to Amber coincides with a mysterious attack on her while hunting.
Bergman is charismatic but clearly dangerous. At the same time a mysterious black alpha has been recruiting new shifters - untrained shifters whose sole allegiance is to their creator, dangerously upsetting the delicate balance in the shifter community and bringing them unwanted attention.
Frozen in Amber is an urban fantasy that entertains but does not push the genre in new directions.
Like many heroines in urban fantasy, Amber is a reluctant shifter who prefers to ignore her heritage as much as possible. Lack of information and being unwilling to ask for help puts her in troubles path. At the same time, even though she is an attorney, she doesn't apply a lawyer's systematic approach to her problems.
The characters are broadly drawn, with little detail or complexity. It is too easy to see who the villains are and guess what they are doing and why. The reader knows everything long before Amber becomes aware of even the smallest part of the overall picture. It makes reading tedious at times.
Even though it is predictable, Frozen in Amber is a decent novel. If you love shifter novels, you probably will find Frozen in Amber entertaining but not memorable.
3/5
Frozen in Amber is available for preorder and will be released August 4, 2015.
I received a copy of Frozen in Amber from the publisher and netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
--Crittermom
Shifters, Lawyers, and Gene Therapy - Frozen in Amber
http://muttcafe.com/2015/07/Frozen-in...
Bergman is charismatic but clearly dangerous. At the same time a mysterious black alpha has been recruiting new shifters - untrained shifters whose sole allegiance is to their creator, dangerously upsetting the delicate balance in the shifter community and bringing them unwanted attention.
Frozen in Amber is an urban fantasy that entertains but does not push the genre in new directions.
Like many heroines in urban fantasy, Amber is a reluctant shifter who prefers to ignore her heritage as much as possible. Lack of information and being unwilling to ask for help puts her in troubles path. At the same time, even though she is an attorney, she doesn't apply a lawyer's systematic approach to her problems.
The characters are broadly drawn, with little detail or complexity. It is too easy to see who the villains are and guess what they are doing and why. The reader knows everything long before Amber becomes aware of even the smallest part of the overall picture. It makes reading tedious at times.
Even though it is predictable, Frozen in Amber is a decent novel. If you love shifter novels, you probably will find Frozen in Amber entertaining but not memorable.
3/5
Frozen in Amber is available for preorder and will be released August 4, 2015.
I received a copy of Frozen in Amber from the publisher and netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
--Crittermom
Shifters, Lawyers, and Gene Therapy - Frozen in Amber
http://muttcafe.com/2015/07/Frozen-in...
September 7, 2015
Frozen in Amber is set in a world where Weres live unknown in the midst of normal people. Only a few chosen normal people are in on the secret. A special branch of the FBI is in charge of keeping it that way and of maintaining the list of all the Weres in the US. Amber is a were-mountain lion, but where most of her people revealing their animal side, she fears hers, even to the extreme of eating a vegan diet in human form. On one of the rare time she hunts the mountains in cat form, she is hunted and something implanted in her hip.
For the first time in her life should gets sick, but she has no time to worry. She has a major case dropped in her lap defending a murder suspect who happens to be working on a cure for being Were. Add in a very sexy bike courier, her grandfather's odd behavior and a possible rogue group of We're and Amber has a lot more on her plate than she can handle.
I thoroughly enjoyed a new slant on Weres. In this world there are a wide variety and the animal side shows up as part of the human personality. That particular piece of genius makes for a mystery which is intense, thoughtful and a great ride through an interesting world. I'm hoping this is not the last we see of Amber.
For the first time in her life should gets sick, but she has no time to worry. She has a major case dropped in her lap defending a murder suspect who happens to be working on a cure for being Were. Add in a very sexy bike courier, her grandfather's odd behavior and a possible rogue group of We're and Amber has a lot more on her plate than she can handle.
I thoroughly enjoyed a new slant on Weres. In this world there are a wide variety and the animal side shows up as part of the human personality. That particular piece of genius makes for a mystery which is intense, thoughtful and a great ride through an interesting world. I'm hoping this is not the last we see of Amber.
July 21, 2015
Frozen in Amber is formulaic urban fantasy featuring shifters.
Amber is the typical self loathing protagonist of the genre, hates her "monster" self due to a "mystery" incident that went horribly wrong and cost her the man she loved.
She lives and works in the shifter world but wants as little to do with it as possible, which means she never reaches out for help or approaches her family with questions. Her stubbornness leaves her in the dark and vulnerable to the danger surrounding her.
She hates her Wer self and changes into Cougar form as little as possible. She learns of a possible cure to make shifters human and decides she wants to track it down- but has she already received the treatment unknowingly? When her senses start to fade she realizes how much she relied on them- and how much she needs them to keep her safe.
Mystery, intrigue, conspiracies, secrets and lies abound in this book but unfortunately don't provide anything new to the genre.
Strong premise, good characters, the overall story is predictable but not awful. If you like shifter urban fantasies you may enjoy Frozen in Amber.
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September 30, 2015In FROZEN IN AMBER, we’re introduced to Amber Treganis who is a member of a powerful WerCougar family. However, Amber doesn’t revel in her Wer identity, instead choosing to shift only when required after a traumatic event while she was in college. Now, she’s a lawyer working at her grandfather’s firm and tries her best to stay out of Wer politics and away from the Wer community as much as possible. Since her most recent hunt, Amber isn’t feeling like herself and seems to be losing her Wer abilities. FROZEN IN AMBER left me feeling ambivalent. I loved the new Wer mythos the author created and the legal aspects of the story as well. Some of the characters resonated with me, but there wasn’t a lot of character development throughout the story. The story was bogged down with minutiae, which severely slowed down the pace of the novel and gave away a lot of the plot ‘twists’ too early. The ending was a classic deus ex machina, which didn’t help matters either. The concept and synopsis drew me in, but FROZEN IN AMBER didn’t completely deliver.
August 20, 2015
Phyllis Ames walks the path between were and human with a sure step. Frozen in Amber (paper from DAW). Amber Treganis is a were-cougar who was raised by her grandfather, a very expensive lawyer. His law firm is filled with werewolf and werecougar associates, and right now is defending a wealthy industrialist, Jonatghon Bergman accused of murdering his wife. The were council wants Bergman’s gene therapy treatment to reverse the effects of a were bite. Amber only turns cougar when she has to because of a horrible incident at college, but something happened during her last hunting trip in the mountains. The problem is that evidence is disappearing, but she is sick for the first time in her life. There’s also a werewolf illegally turning others. Then her Grandfather is sick for the first time in a century and she is falling for a were Eagle. Fun, but the ending is a bit too convenient.Review printed by Philadelphia Weekly Press
February 25, 2016
Liked the premise of the story and most of the characters, even though there were a few inconsistencies in places. But the ending wrapped up far too quickly and was a bit too "perfect" to be entirely believable. It really should have been drawn out more ... Amber recovered almost immediately after being treated, whereas the other two (Grumpy and Joe) took far longer ... and her change from one animal to another would have been more believable if she had been very ill for several days, and then recovered with the new animal having replaced her cougar.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 21, 2016
Loved the world-building, but the story did drag a bit. Dragging mainly because Amber was thinking, thinking, thinking through the entire story and kept trying to handle things on her own. Nothing got done because she kept going round in circles.
The romance was practically non-existent. They spent almost all of the book apart, yet knew each other as "the one" just because eagles happen to just know who their mate is... riiiight...
I'm looking forward to reading more books by this author. In fact, I was disappointed not to find more.
The romance was practically non-existent. They spent almost all of the book apart, yet knew each other as "the one" just because eagles happen to just know who their mate is... riiiight...
I'm looking forward to reading more books by this author. In fact, I was disappointed not to find more.
January 2, 2016
The world building in Frozen in Amber was solid, but while the first half of the plot was fairly decent, the second half got meandering and long. I felt like it could have been trimmed down and the pacing a little snappier. I'd read something else by Ames, but it'd be a library selection for me.
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May 24, 2017A nice fantasy and romance starring a reluctant were-cougar lawyer.
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