The Ice Queen

The Dark Queens #3

by Jovee Winters

Long ago, tragedy struck and turned a young woman into the ice queen of legend... Evil has come to Luminesa's forest. The Goblin has stolen three innocents and thrust them into a violent and terrible time loop - in her own lands. And the only way to save them is to go to them herself. But there's a problem, because the moment Luminesa steps foot inside that magicked place she too will get sucked into the Goblin's nefarious scheme. Freedom can only be had if she can figure out the riddle of the key, and she only has one month to try. Failure means death for them all. There is absolutely no time or room for romance, but that's exactly what happens when she first sets eyes on the centaur male, Alador. Luminesa's been burned in love before, nearly losing her life to the hands of a crazed male she'd once thought a friend. Since that night she's hated men, all men, no matter what form they come in. But Alador is different, kind, gentle...with soulful green eyes that seem to peer through the icy veil of her legend to see the real woman beneath. His touch makes her burn, and his kisses make her feel alive again. Luminesa will do everything in her power, to make sure they all leave there alive. Even if that means killing anything that stands in her way...

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Paranormal Romance, Paranormal, Fairy Tales, Retellings, Ebooks

126 pages, Paperback

First published December 16, 2015

About the author

Jovee Winters is the pen name for a USAT Bestselling author of twisted fairy tale romances.

Jovee Winters loves fairy tales. But she especially loves twisting up the fairy tales you thought you knew. You can visit her on the web at

https://www.facebook.com/joveewinters...

Reviews

[Alaina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Before diving into this book, I was wondering why I never dove into it. After, though, I can see why I hesitated...

The Ice Queen was okay. Not my favorite so far but it wasn't completely horrible either. Instead of reading the KU version, I was listening to the audiobook and I'm afraid to admit that it mostly felt like background noise. I mean, yeah the goblin tricked her and stuff. Yes, bad things were happening throughout the kingdom and her love life. Yet, I was just bored with everything..

I wanted to like Luminesa and her mate.. but I just wasn't feeling it this time around. Maybe if the pace was a bit better throughout the book then I would've enjoyed it more. It just seemed like a lore more happened in the last half of the book than anything.

Not sure if I will dive into the next book or not.. maybe it will get better maybe it won't.

[Amber J (Thereadingwitch) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, man. This book brought me to tears. There are some shocking things in here. And while it drags a bit at first, it does get better, and the love story is wonderful. Trigger warning - There are descriptions of rape in the story, so be aware.

[Candace Tidwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Be prepared for a frosty adventure that will melt your heart. Our queen of the hour, Luminessa ,is a diamond in the rough with a heart of ice. The storyline is full of riddles, treachery and so steamy you will be a puddle by the end. If you have read the previous books in the series then be sure to grab this one to continue the adventure.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Ice Queen, aka Luminesa, is tricked by the Goblin who has created a bubble within her kingdom, kidnapped 3 innocent people, and imprisoned them there with a bunch of nasty monsters. The Goblin has promised to never bother Luminesa again if she can figure out a riddle and save them from that prison. Turns out, one of the captives is Luminesa's mate and the Goblin is banking on them being to "busy" to solve the riddle - which more or less happens.

This one wasn't as good as the first two books in the series. The characters weren't as well developed and the plot? Eh, it was just alright too. I felt like we were given a first draft of the story - things were just a little too superficial.

[Shelby · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars that I'm rounding up because that ending got me just a little bit. I really enjoy this Dark Queens series as much as I enjoyed the earlier Kingdom series. Luminesa was really a lovely woman who's been hurt brutally in the past and because of it retreated from contact with anyone. She's content in her ice, but an old enemy is determined to get his just desserts. Man that Goblin was a jerk. Out to destroy any chance of happiness Luminesa could have for petty petty reasons.

Alador and the kids were all very sweet and it was easy to see they were going to reawaken Luminesa's chilled heart. I won't say cold, as she cared even before meeting the children. But, still finding her destined mate was not something she, or he, were expecting. All of them made the best of a horrible situation stuck in the Goblin's trap where even Luminesa's powers over ice and cold only had a limited effect.

I liked this story, but the inevitable ending still managed to rip my heart out a little. On to Baba Yaga's story. Ooooh I bet this one's going to be good.

[Lakshmi C]

The Dark Queen series is a remix or alternate version of the fairy tales and myths we read in our childhood. Its a risk to try to improve classics but Jovee Winters has done a splendid job with this series. She builds an enchanting world with complex characters, layered plots, that are high on emotion and action. Her writing is as magical as the topics she writes about.

The Ice Queen is another incredible story by Jovee Winters and it was a delightful read.

The Under Goblin seeks vengeance and makes a deadly deal to achieve his goal. He wanted Luminesa once, but now all he craves is her pain and suffering. This character had many sides - he was cruel, sinister, patient and filled with pride.

Luminesa is a bogeyman of sorts, she is feared by the other creatures. She has lived in isolation, caring for the creatures in her forest and her social skills are rusty. The Under Goblin is her nemesis, she wants him gone for good but will she be able to pay the price for this desperate wish ?

The Under Goblin and Luminesa were friends once, she confided in him, he knew her better than anyone else. But when the mask slipped and his true nature was revealed, Luminesa breaks all ties with him.

The Under Goblin plays a game with Luminesa - He has trapped 3 prisoners in an arctic hell, Luminesa must save them in 30 days or watch them die.
Luminesa is shocked when she is not a mere spectator but trapped in the same Arctic hell...Can she find a way before the clock stops ticking?

Alador is a centaur snatched by The Under Goblin. Unlike other centaurs, he cares about the plight of others. He suspects that he is caught in a loop and he does not know his enemy.

Will The Under Goblin win? Will Luminesa ever be free of her nemesis? Where does Alador fit in with The Under Goblins plans? The answers are not what you expect and there is a surprise in every corner.

I received this ebook in exchange for an honest review.

[Laura..devouring books like crumpets · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of the snow queen it was nothing spectacular but it was a story i enjoyed the story itself was a 3 star

Shiromi Arserio however the narrator had a beautiful voice shes a 5 star narrator so im gunna say four star and look for more of this Narrators stuff!

[Beth Orsborn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Luminesa is an outcast. Lives in the deepest darkest, coldest parts of kingdom. She was once human, many, many, years ago, but she wishes to forget her past. You see she was a weak human who let herself be taken advantage of, and after one fateful night she was granted one wish, which she chose not to feel anymore. Thus she became the ice queen. Unfourtunately she still felt emotions, but could hide them with in her frozen shell, and fly away as a flurry of snow.
This story begins with the Under Goblin, going to Baba Yaga asking to her a favor, which cost him of course. He asked to make Luminesa pay for taking his land. With a trick up her sleeve Baba Yaga agrees but she knows how this situation will end and makes a slight warning. under Goblin ignores it because he wants to hurt the ice queen. He should have listened before send 3 innocents and Luminesa into a enchanted place for a month. But he does not care. He should though because this could be her chance for a happy ending.....or is it?
I absolutly love this series. I love all of her books, who am i kidding. Luminesa is so strong but still kind. I love how she wanted not to feel after her human life ended but she ended up feeling more then she ever did while she was human.

[Tiera McMillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75 for me. This one was definitely my least favorite of the series so far. For starters I could not identify what this was a retelling of and despite racking my brain all I could come up with was Frozen lol. This story did not seem to continue the underlying plot at all almost like it was a standalone. Dite and Calypso never made an appearance here which may have hurt my opinion some because I do love them lol.

This book was more like just a sweet, romance, standalone. Very fast read. It was just ok for me though I will say that I quite enjoyed the last 30% or so. I hope the next book gets back to the nitty gritty!

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series continues to be great. I really liked this one too, my only problem was that I kept seeing Elsa from frost before me as the ice queen 🙈 but a great book, looking very much forward to the next book.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another great retelling of an old story with a twist. I enjoyed Luminesa's story and have every intention of jumping right into the next book.

[Amber Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

We first met the Ice Queen a couple of books ago so I was excited to get to read her story. This story was good and I enjoyed the characters. I can’t wait for Baba Gaga’s story!

[Sonja · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars

After really enjoying the last one, I had higher hopes for this series but this book was just okay. This one never really had anything exciting happen. It was more low key and mellow with the romance sort of just being sweet happenstance.

Luminesa had a horrible back story and it was what had happened to her that has made her into the ice queen she is today. She hates all humans, but does have a soft spot for children because they're still innocent. When she claimed her land there was nobody around, but now a goblin has been making her life hell because he says she stole his land and he wants it back. This goblin has gone to Baba Yaga for her help to end this once and for all. And with their plan in place, he goes back to Luminesa to make a deal with her. She knows she should never play the goblin's game, but when Luminesa sees that he has trapped children inside a nightmare of ice and snow she is compelled to try and save them. She knew there was also an adult male trapped there, but she had no idea he was actually a centaur.

Alador put up one hell of fight when the goblin came for him, but still managed to get captured and trapped with the children. He had grown up his whole life hearing the stories of the evil ice queen and how she is cruel and uncaring. So when Luminesa shows up, he doesn't want to trust her. But it doesn't take long for him to start changing his mind about her the more that he watches her and learns about her.

In fact, the two of them immediately feel a connection that they don't understand. So during the day they search for the key to their freedom, and at nights before they must fight off creatures to protect the children, they get to know each other more and more.

And that's pretty much what we get here. Their low key romance and the fighting off of the goblin's creatures. It's not a surprise when we find out where the key is and Luminesa is forced to make a horrid choice. She loses with either choice she makes, but with Alador's words she's convinced she can still find happiness after.

The epilogue was actually my favorite part. Luminesa tried for years to do what Alador told her to do and nothing ever worked. She just suffered more and more after each attempt. Thankfully, Alador had his sister to snap him out of it before it was too late.


I'm probably not going to be continuing this series. I only had these three books and I honestly have no interest in buying more. While the stories are interesting, it doesn't seem like enough to really pull me in. Plus, I've read what happens in the future books and that's not a plot twist I care for.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Long ago, tragedy struck and turned a young woman into the ice queen of legend...
Evil has come to Luminesa's forest. The Goblin has stolen three innocents and thrust them into a violent and terrible time loop - in her own lands. And the only way to save them is to go to them herself. But there's a problem, because the moment Luminesa steps foot inside that magicked place she too will get sucked into the Goblin's nefarious scheme. Freedom can only be had if she can figure out the riddle of the key, and she only has one month to try. Failure means death for them all.
There is absolutely no time or room for romance, but that's exactly what happens when she first sets eyes on the centaur male, Alador. Luminesa's been burned in love before, nearly losing her life to the hands of a crazed male she'd once thought a friend. Since that night she's hated men, all men, no matter what form they come in. But Alador is different, kind, gentle...with soulful green eyes that seem to peer through the icy veil of her legend to see the real woman beneath. His touch makes her burn, and his kisses make her feel alive again.
Luminesa will do everything in her power, to make sure they all leave there alive. Even if that means killing anything that stands in her way..
Another good installment to this series. I always like JW retelling of fairytales. I really like the "evil" queens getting a happy ending. I will be continuing this series.

[lebedeva · Rating 4 out of 5]

+ complex heroine
+ beautifully written fairytale
+ feminism
+ CENTAURS


The writing and this story is so beautiful it took my breath away.

I mean the cover ! This enchanting story ! The Queen and her name ! This is all so gorgeous.
The Ice Queen tells the story of Luminesa. I was suprised and very happy when it turned out she is not another heroine, she's a powerful villainess.

She's a very complex and interesting character. Often misunderstood, she loves her power more than anything and she would rather die than lose it.

She loathes men and as it turns out later she has a very good reason for it. She's a victim of sexual assault.

Events that transpire in the book and characters she met changed Luminesa.

After such a long time in her life, Luminesa met a man she felt incredible connection with, a man she could trust.

Alador helped her understand that an assault is never a woman's fault and that she should never feel ashamed for feeling sexual and being vocal about her needs.

I also really loved the centaurs in this book, their whole culture and lore.

[Dome · Rating 1 out of 5]

I started reading a fairytale spinoff and ended reading one of those erotic novels for women. I don't want to seem close minded here, there was a good plot, simple but OK, the whole thing with the key, the whole soulmate stuff and the alternate universe, but it got stuck in the love part of the story, I never felt we reached the climax of the story. Sometimes it was repetitive (specially when it was not "the centaur way").

The way it's written is really good, except when some words seem oddly out of place, like trying too make an easygoing and simple writing into something more proficient by adding some complex words here and there. I must say I enjoyed more the way is written than the story itself.

Just not my kind of spinoff.

[Urban Fairy Godmother aka... Jolene · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Kingdom books are like candy to me, candy that I can't get enough of or stop eating. Marie Hall's/ Jovee Winters' The Ice Queen didn't disappoint. Another beautiful tale about a notoriously misunderstood bad girl. It was even a bit of a tear jerker to boot! I don't think I cried as much over a Kingdom book since Jinni's Wish. It was a beautiful story with references to characters that I've grown to know and love from past Kingdom tales. I hope to see more of Luminesa and Alador in the Dark Queen (and Dark King) books to come.

[Lizzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, loss, regret and reawakening

This is not your typical love story. Just when you think you know what's going on, the story takes another turn and leaves you in the dusty snow. As the Ice Queen melts, the Under Goblin waits. He knows that he will win, but never imagines that he could have been betrayed. The awakening of love leaves the Ice Queen and her Centaur in awe but the ultimate decision will leave you breathless. It's a book that you must read. Can't wait to get onto the next because if it's anything like this one I'm in for a real treat.

[Tiffany · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointed

I'm really glad this book was the 3rd in the series instead of the 1st, otherwise I probably wouldn't have continued with the series. I realize the author had to fit a month's time in just a few chapters, but it was so dull in parts. The ending was very frustrating as well (without giving spoilers). I'm really hoping the next book better matches the first 2.

[S.J. Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t know what I love more, the stories themselves or her writing style. This was another winner for me, although I still think the Sea Queen was my favourite so far. She just had the opposite personality of the Red Queen and the Ice Queen. A little more silly and nonsensical which was a nice contrast to the male counterparts.

Can’t wait to start the next book!

[Camella Wade · Rating 5 out of 5]

I definitely recommend it!

I found this book to be more emotional than the previous dark queen books. Something about the way this one was written pulled me in more, and I found myself upset for it to be over. I definitely recommend it!

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ending brought me to tears!!!

It was such a great story! It was heartbreaking and amazing. The last couple of chapters had me in tears all the way to the end!
Can't wait to start the next book!!

[Amanda Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good, more detail needed

I don’t know the story of the ice queen, at least not it’s entirety. More details would’ve been nice. I do like how it went back and summarized how she became the ice queen because I couldn’t remember tho.

[Mallory · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked it

It was great! I like that we finally know the rest of luminesca's story. I really enjoyed her story. I can't wait to read the next one! I hope her story pops up in a later book as well!

[Victoria Pring · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not my favorite book in this series but still one of the best Ice queen retellings I've read. Luminessa is flawed, scarred and has been through more than anyone should be expected to deal with. It was nice to see her grow as a charachter and learn that softness does not always mean weakness.

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute. A nice winter themed book for Christmas. As aways a fast read and it doesn't take much time to set up the world buildin.

[Jewlsbookblog · Rating 4 out of 5]

Luminesa has walled herself off emotionally and physically from everyone after a nasty event in her youth. Unfortunately, she picked the only plot of land in all of Wonderland the Under Goblin claimed as his and he wants it back. The book opens with the goblin asking Baba Yaga for her assistance in ridding his land of Luminesa once and for all. She agrees for a price he's thinks he won't have to pay, and so the tale begins.

THE ICE QUEEN gives a different spin on a classic tale showcasing the queen with more feeling than she's normally attributed. Luminesa and Alador are individual misfits looking to find someplace they could be unequivocally accepted as themselves.

Originally, I thought the centaur Alador a bit odd as a love interest, yet he worked out better than I expected. (After reading Rumple's tale, I have no idea why I even questioned this one!) Reading Luminesa and Alador's love story and the odds stacked against them..Winters did a wonderful job spinning the yarns for this one!

It's always fun to come back and revisit the magical world Winters has created. I've followed the original Kingdom series written for quite some time and LOVE her spin on villains, and this story is just as good as the rest! THE ICE QUEEN is book three in the Dark Queen series and while they read well as standalones, it's worth going back and picking up the rest of the series. If you love fantasy or fairy tale reboots, this is one series I highly recommend diving into!

[Kristel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the ending. The 1st and the middle part was just meh.

[Jessica Chavez · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book more than the others, the premise of being trapped in purgatory with a family after a century of self imposed isolation. I would have enjoyed reading a longer version of this.

[Kelly Robyck · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book it The characters were great. It was heart warming