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Frozen Fire
Not yet published
Expected 7 Sep 26338 pages, Paperback
Expected publication September 7, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
Having had the privilege of receiving an advanced reader copy of Frozen Fire, I’ve had a front-row seat to Darian Grigsby’s dedication to her craft. Watching her refine this project—even down to the thoughtful iterations of the cover art based on community feedback—makes seeing the final product all the more rewarding.
The Premise
The story follows Sunnvia, a protagonist who has spent her life cloaked in secrecy. Her world is upended when her true identity is accidentally revealed to Bylur—the boy she loves, who also happens to be the heir to a tyrannical ruler. It’s a high-stakes setup: Bylur’s father would like nothing more than to see Sunnvia’s kind executed.
Driven by a need for survival and justice, Sunnvia joins an underground resistance dedicated to smuggling persecuted individuals to safety. However, her dual loyalty to her mission and her complicated connection to Bylur creates a friction that threatens to undo everything she’s fighting for.
Why It Works
Masterful Trope Execution: Grigsby leans into beloved tropes like enemies-to-lovers, forbidden romance, and espionage. The political intrigue is woven seamlessly into the plot, making the stakes feel personal and global simultaneously.
Atmospheric World-Building: The setting is richly realised, particularly regarding the elemental magic system. The mechanics of the magic feel fresh and integral to the plot rather than just window dressing.
Surprising Twists: Just when you think you’ve mapped out the trajectory of the revolution, the story throws a curveball. The twists are well-earned and kept me turning the pages.
Tight Pacing: For a standalone novel, the pacing is spot-on. It avoids the "middle-book slump" often found in fantasy series, delivering a concise, high-octane narrative that hits all the necessary emotional beats. The slower chapters provide much needed pauses. Knuckle down for a long read.
The dual first person engages you with both Sunnvia's and Bylur's POV.
Final Thoughts
Sunnvia is a compelling lead—brave, flawed, and willing to risk her life to "make things right" after her secrets are bared. Her journey from a girl in hiding to a woman at the centre of a political firestorm is deeply satisfying.
Frozen Fire is a must-read for fans of romantic fantasy who want a story that balances a simmering forbidden romance with the grit of a political dystopian. Darian Grigsby is definitely an author to watch.
The Premise
The story follows Sunnvia, a protagonist who has spent her life cloaked in secrecy. Her world is upended when her true identity is accidentally revealed to Bylur—the boy she loves, who also happens to be the heir to a tyrannical ruler. It’s a high-stakes setup: Bylur’s father would like nothing more than to see Sunnvia’s kind executed.
Driven by a need for survival and justice, Sunnvia joins an underground resistance dedicated to smuggling persecuted individuals to safety. However, her dual loyalty to her mission and her complicated connection to Bylur creates a friction that threatens to undo everything she’s fighting for.
Why It Works
Masterful Trope Execution: Grigsby leans into beloved tropes like enemies-to-lovers, forbidden romance, and espionage. The political intrigue is woven seamlessly into the plot, making the stakes feel personal and global simultaneously.
Atmospheric World-Building: The setting is richly realised, particularly regarding the elemental magic system. The mechanics of the magic feel fresh and integral to the plot rather than just window dressing.
Surprising Twists: Just when you think you’ve mapped out the trajectory of the revolution, the story throws a curveball. The twists are well-earned and kept me turning the pages.
Tight Pacing: For a standalone novel, the pacing is spot-on. It avoids the "middle-book slump" often found in fantasy series, delivering a concise, high-octane narrative that hits all the necessary emotional beats. The slower chapters provide much needed pauses. Knuckle down for a long read.
The dual first person engages you with both Sunnvia's and Bylur's POV.
Final Thoughts
Sunnvia is a compelling lead—brave, flawed, and willing to risk her life to "make things right" after her secrets are bared. Her journey from a girl in hiding to a woman at the centre of a political firestorm is deeply satisfying.
Frozen Fire is a must-read for fans of romantic fantasy who want a story that balances a simmering forbidden romance with the grit of a political dystopian. Darian Grigsby is definitely an author to watch.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Frozen Fire by Darian Grigsby is an absolute standout and easily one of my top reads of the year. Grigsby’s attention to detail is exceptional—every scene feels vivid, every setting immersive, and every character fully realized. She has a rare talent for building a world that pulls you in completely, making it impossible not to become emotionally invested in both the story and the people within it.
What truly sets this book apart is how seamlessly it blends the familiar with the fantastical. Set against a modern-day backdrop, the integration of magic into everyday life feels both natural and enchanting, adding a layer of whimsy without ever losing relatability. While marketed as a romantasy, I would argue that fans of dystopian fiction will find just as much to love here. The tension, atmosphere, and underlying themes give it a broader appeal that goes beyond genre labels. Frozen Fire is a captivating, beautifully crafted novel that absolutely earns its place on my favorites shelf.
What truly sets this book apart is how seamlessly it blends the familiar with the fantastical. Set against a modern-day backdrop, the integration of magic into everyday life feels both natural and enchanting, adding a layer of whimsy without ever losing relatability. While marketed as a romantasy, I would argue that fans of dystopian fiction will find just as much to love here. The tension, atmosphere, and underlying themes give it a broader appeal that goes beyond genre labels. Frozen Fire is a captivating, beautifully crafted novel that absolutely earns its place on my favorites shelf.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Sunniva lives in a world where she must hide who she is. Her very existence is dangerous, and falling in love could destroy the fragile life she has built. When the truth is revealed, she goes on the run to save her life.
Frozen Fire is a friends-to-enemies-to-lovers fantasy romance set in modern times. The forbidden magic and love tropes are strong. It's very fast-paced because this doesn't appear to be a series. Usually, books like these become trilogies, so this one is good for people who enjoy standalones. I personally love a good series. More conflict, character development, and twists and turns.
Frozen Fire is a friends-to-enemies-to-lovers fantasy romance set in modern times. The forbidden magic and love tropes are strong. It's very fast-paced because this doesn't appear to be a series. Usually, books like these become trilogies, so this one is good for people who enjoy standalones. I personally love a good series. More conflict, character development, and twists and turns.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I ate this up! So glad I got to read this before everyone else as it’s easily one of my best reads for 2026.
Sunnvia is forced to hide her powers out of the fear of being killed. The circle are after all the pryromancers (I did have to google what that meant) and Lucas, Lisa and Bylur can either support her or turn her in.
It doesn’t have a lot of spice but it really doesn’t need it!
I’m go glad I wasn’t left on a cliff hanger waiting for the next book. The ending was perfect! I would have loved to read some more of Milly and Ash’s relationship as she seem so cute together.
Sunnvia is forced to hide her powers out of the fear of being killed. The circle are after all the pryromancers (I did have to google what that meant) and Lucas, Lisa and Bylur can either support her or turn her in.
It doesn’t have a lot of spice but it really doesn’t need it!
I’m go glad I wasn’t left on a cliff hanger waiting for the next book. The ending was perfect! I would have loved to read some more of Milly and Ash’s relationship as she seem so cute together.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I really enjoyed Frozen Fire. The world felt well developed without becoming overwhelming, and I found myself invested in Sunnvia's journey almost immediately. The relationships felt genuine, and I especially liked how the emotional moments were balanced with the larger fantasy storyline.
There were a few places where the pacing slowed because of longer internal reflections, but overall I stayed engaged and wanted to keep reading. If you enjoy character driven fantasy with strong emotions, interesting magic, and believable relationships, this is definitely worth picking up.
There were a few places where the pacing slowed because of longer internal reflections, but overall I stayed engaged and wanted to keep reading. If you enjoy character driven fantasy with strong emotions, interesting magic, and believable relationships, this is definitely worth picking up.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Frozen Fire had me staying up late into night! Such an enjoyable read. Sunnvia’s character is so well done and the romance is beautiful in how much it grows and matures, filled with “will they/won’t they” suspense that keeps you turning pages. This is a beautiful story of two young lovers in a broken nation set to keep them apart. Their story challenges generational beliefs and questions why their world is the way it is—and what can do they to change it. Highly recommend!
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June 12, 2026I REALLY LOVED THIS BOOK. IT HAD ACTION, BETRAYAL, AND LOVE WHAT MORE COULD YOU ASK FOR RIGHT? WELL THIS BOOK HAS A HEALTHY DOSE OF REALITY CHECK TOO AND THATS MY FAVORITE PART THE MAIN MALE CHARACTER GOES THROUGH A HEART CHANGE THAT IS PAINFUL BUT ITS WORTH IT IN THE END. IT IS A BIT OF A TEAR JERKER IN SPOTS I CANT LIE. BUT THE SPICE LEVEL IS LOW. ITS A GREAT READ.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book is so well written. The slow burn, will they/won’t they, and character development is unreal! I was hooked and couldn’t put it down. Would 100% read it again and recommend it to others. This was easily my favorite fantasy/forbidden romance book I’ve read this year!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews