Frozen

Northern Waste #1.5

by Eve Kenin, Eve Silver

Raina and Wizard are back, racing across the Northern Waste to outrun ice pirates as they follow a distress call to an isolated community that just might hold the answers to the mystery of Wizard's missing-and-presumed-dead, now-possibly-alive sister, Tatiana. But instead of answers, all they find are buried secrets and a truckload of trouble.


For those of you who've been missing the Northern Waste, FROZEN is a brand new novella that takes place between the events of DRIVEN and HIDDEN. It can be read as a stand-alone.

Warning: FROZEN includes non-stop action, Reavers, snowscooters, plasguns, frigid temperatures, rebels, a heroine who's a blond tsunami with a backbone of pure steel, and a smart, hot hero who has a little difficulty with emotion.

Genres: Romance, Science Fiction, Post Apocalyptic, Dystopia, Apocalyptic, Paranormal

93 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 29, 2016

About the author

Bestselling, award-winning author Eve Silver writes dark contemporary paranormals and historical suspense. As Eve Kenin she writes speculative romance. Her work has garnered starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and Library Journal, Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Awards, and was listed by Library Journal among its Best Books 2007.

Eve holds two post-secondary degrees. She is an instructor of human anatomy and microbiology. She lives with her husband and two sons, along with an energetic Airedale terrier and an enormous rabbit. Contact Eve through her website at http://www.evesilver.net

Reviews

[Beanbag Love · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this world that Eve Silver created. I would not want to live in it, but I love the story.

This story takes place between the first novel, "Driven", and the second, "Hidden". Raina and Wizard are sent out to investigate a distress call that may or may not be a trap. Naturally, things can't just go smoothly.

There's suspense and romance and I just really like these characters. I so hope Silver writes more books in this world. There's at least one more story set up and there are so many stories that could be told. My fingers are crossed she's percolating some new material at this very moment.

This is a post-apocalyptic world of ice and snow. There are the dangers of nature and the man-made dangers of corruption and tyranny. The author was inspired by the show, Firefly, so clearly those who are rebellious are the good guys.

IMO this series should be read in order, although this is mostly just an extra. It doesn't have to be read before the second book, but it wouldn't ruin anything if it was.

[Debrac2014 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good novella with Raina and Wizard! I can't wait for the next book!

[Monique · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review written: November 30, 2016
Star Rating: ★★★½☆
Heat Rating: ☀☀☼☼☼

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the author. This in no way impacted on my view.

I've been a fan of this series from the moment I picked up Driven. Raina and Wizard are a matched pair who just work in every way for me. Frozen can work as a stand-alone, but I highly recommend reading Driven first since it sets up the worldbuilding and the characters. Frozen is set between Driven and Hidden, the first and second books in this series and offers a bit of the life that Raina and Wizard have together as well as giving clues to events to come in Hidden.

In this post-apocalyptic dystopia of the Northern Wastes, Raina and Wizard (and Yuriko) must battle the Reavers, the truckers, the elements, and various bad guys while trying to live their lives and find their sister Tatiana. The Reavers, Raina's skillz (and yes, she has skillz), and Wizard's adorable "Affirmative" all feature heavily in this fast-paced (make that break-neck paced) and action-packed installment. While the focus is on the action - the fights, the missions, the danger - the real story for me was the "melt your heart" way Wizard falls in love with Raina.

I simply loved the opening and closing sequences of this book and what they said about Wizard and Raina. Those dream sequences plus Wizard's matter of fact way of telling Raina in a perlious moment that he was prepared to give his life for her, had indeed taken the steps necessary to do it if she didn't recover, really shows the evolution of the story. Despite this being an action and plot-based story, the emotional and romantic elements are not given short-shrift at all. Seeing the deeper emotional connections between Raina and Wizard blossoming is sweet and endearing (but then Wizard has always been that in his own way).

The plot takes the reader closer to Hidden via the mission. I've already read Hidden so it fit in with what I already knew and allowed for some other perspectives on a time I had only seen from Tatiana's perspective. If the installation and its inhabitants and their condition are intriguing, I strongly recommend reading Hidden to get the full story.

Overall, I really liked this addition to the Northern Wastes. I loved getting to see Raina and Wizard again and still hold out hope that Yuriko will get her story someday.

This review is ©November 2016 by Monique N. and has been crossposted to Amazon.com.

[Chappy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great little novella. Raina and Wizard are still looking for Tatiana. The rebel camp is going to move locations and they get a mysterious distress call.

Raina and Wizard's relationship gets stronger and is so damn sweet I could just cry.

[Bluebelle-the-Inquisitive (Catherine) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The threads of emotion cannot be picked apart. They are forever intertwined, all or none. Love, fear, anger, joy, frustration, terror…love. ... I will gladly keep the unpleasant emotions in order to be able to feel the one where my heart beats in time with yours. - Wizard

This is a gorgeous addition to Driven. Unlike Driven which is a couple finding each other, Frozen a developing relationship between two quite different people very much used to being alone. Wizard has to find out that Raina can fight for herself, Raina needs to remember how much she has to lose with him. Though like Driven it has something of a time issue, there really is no telling how long after the first book it is set or passage of time within the story itself. There are some beautiful passages in here, mostly Wizard being his quirkily romantic self, also really bad jokes. That said nothing of true significance happens. The base is moved Tatiana is confirmed alive (but readers knew that) and the loving couple discover a lab. It's short, I read it in about 90 mins but it does feel like a welcome addition. Definitely for fans, there is little to no situational explanation, it requires knowledge of at least Driven to make sense.

I think it's important to note that Frozen was published in 2016 some 10 years after Driven and it's sequel, Hidden. I find myself questioning why it was written, why an author would return to a book 10 years later and write a novella. The obvious answer I came to was fan demand. Frozen was Eve Kenin's way of giving fans something they wanted, more Raina and Wizard, something on Yuriko and Trey and more information on the mysterious Tatiana (if you're reading them in reading rather than publication order). While it does still leave the reader with more questions about some events it does act as a bridge between the Northern Waste books. It can help situate a reader, Hidden makes references to events in Frozen.

Unacceptable. He was used to compartments. Here was the place for memories. Here the place for calculation of probability. And here the place for a blond tsunami with a backbone of steel, a special place, a place only she could go. That place was blown open. Exposed. Hemorrhaging. - Wizard

My reading experience in a gif:

[LeeAnne Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having already read Driven and Hidden, I came prepared for Frozen. And by prepared I mean, I cuddled up in a blanket and had something warm to sip while reading. Eve Silver does such a wonderful job of absorbing the reader into the atmosphere, you can feel the surroundings and chill and girl it gets chilly!

Words can not express how excited I was to see Wizard and Raina again! I didn't think I could fall more in love with these characters but I was proven wrong. These two! These two! They are such complex and interesting characters always growing and adapting to their situations. And situations is putting it lightly. There were moments in this book that I was holding my breath not wanting to turn to the page because I was so caught up in what was going on. For a novella - dang is this book packed with story! You will not feel jilted at all! You will also have some moments that will melt that cold feeling =). .

I highly recommend Frozen. You will lose hours while reading but it is so worth it!

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the author. This in no way impacted on my view.

[Sara C. Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hot romance set in a world that's a cross between Ice Road Truckers and Mad Max. Full of danger and suspense. I just wish it was longer.

[Catheryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I didn't find this story necessary to the series, it was a nice set up to the next book.

Loved seeing Raina and Wizard again. Both coming to terms with new emotions and feelings.

[Karin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Northern Waste Book Two.

Raina Bowen and Wizard are back. This time they're on the trail of Wizard's sister, Tatiana. The first clue is a broken distress call from a remote, undefined village. Raina and Wizard set out to one of the three possible locations of the distress call, only to be delayed by an attack. Can they find Tatiana and the village in time?

If you're looking for more from this icy world and those who inhabit it, this is the book for you.

Audio Review:
The two narrators meshed well together in this duet narration. I didn't get pulled out of the story because they blended everything very smoothly.

[book-faery · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a novella/long extended epilogue with Wizard and Raina searching for the location of some scientists who sent out a garbled distress call... They are also looking for information on Wizards presumed dead sister Tatiana. There are several action scenes and some stressful nail biting moments that make this a excellent read....Best read before book 3 as it is a lead in story to Hidden... Again, I would like to see more books written by this author in this world. I would definitely buy them...Hint... Hint!

[MooseGirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this novella. I'm not sure there would be much point to it if you hadn't read Driven. There's not really a full storyline here. We're just treated to a little extra Raina and Wizard as they look for information and get into a spot of trouble. Nothing is really resolved at the end. Still, I enjoyed reading about this couple for a little longer.

[Georgia Tumbleweed McNabb · Rating 5 out of 5]

The world they are in is quite Artic from the description. Not sure where the story is going yet, but so far it is good. The main Characters are a woman and a genetically inhanced man who was raised by a Computer and there by speaks like a Computer when conversing. Narrator does a good job with the characters voices and Storyline.

[Linda C · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novella continues the story of Raina and Wizard as they search for traces of Tatiana, Wizard's sister. There are rumors of a lab doing genome and DNA experiments and viral development. And Tatiana's name is linked. They set out to find the truth. Story is nice in that it gives more incite into them as a couple but unsatisfactory as much of an advancement to the overarching plot.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do like this series and I did enjoy this short novella. What I didn't enjoy was the cost for what you get. Luckily, I had a Barnes & Noble credit so I shouldn't be upset, but I am. Read the full length books in series but avoid this unless you find a deal.

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story. It's like mad max.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read all 3 of the "Northern Waste" books and really enjoyed them. The characters are engaging and I easily got lost in a really good read.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novella was packed with action (and a little lovin'). Love Raina and Wizard and would read ten more books in this series if they existed.

[Rita · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like the characters. This one had a real horror atmosphere to it. More than a bit too creepy for my tastes.

[Jeanette Bean · Rating 4 out of 5]

An extension of the first book - felt it could have been incorporated there and not needed to be a separate item. Still enjoyed the story but would have preferred not to have the extra cost.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series. Loved the story.

[Bev Bridges · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fantastic book, I listened to this book via audiobooks.
Both narrators do fantastic job 👏🏾
Looking forward to the rest of series 😀 👌 👍🏾

[Brenda Allen]

This is different than I usually read but is a Just as good as the first book. Now on to book 3

[David Pospisil · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting little novella to connect book 1 and 2

[Penelope · Rating 4 out of 5]

MY RATING GUIDE: 4.5 stars. FROZEN is a great sequel novella based on bk#1 DRIVEN (which I quite enjoyed). The setting is Gripping, brutal with life or death choices. Survival is at its most basic.

1= dnf/What was that?; 2= Nope, not for me; 3= Yes, it was Ok; 4= I LIKED IT A LOT! 5= A favorite, IT WAS GREAT!!

UPDATE ~
After recently reading the conclusion of this 3 book series (HIDDEN), I decided to return to the beginning with book 1 (DRIVEN) and then continued with the next, FROZEN, to recall how this series began. FROZEN again features the MCs from bk1/HIDDEN while book 3 features a sibling. I actually enjoyed FROZEN more than bk 1 as it seemed to concentrate more on the difficult situation of the protagonists and their response to it rather than the sexual attraction between them (having done that in bk 1). ;). I don’t usually read dystopian novels but I find the setting of this series gripping and chilling (no pun intended), and the tenacity and resiliency of the main characters admirable.

ORIGINAL POST~
Raina Bowen/FMC was once an independent trucker working and living in the deadly, bitter cold dystopian Siberian Northern Wasteland alone. The harsh man who fathered and raised her was killed less than a year ago, in a brief moment sacrificing his life for hers when they were attacked by Ice Pirates. Sam had never been a loving father but he’d taught her everything she knew; everything she required to survive in their brutal and dangerous world of scarcity where people killed for food, housing, and sometimes - simply for pleasure. Raina learned from her father’s hard hand as a child that only the quick, the smart, the prepared, and the lucky survived. He had taught her to trust no one; so she had always been a loner. But she was now part of a rebel group.

Wizard/MMC is also a survivor - a tall, well built, exceedingly fast, muscular, lethal man geo-engineered before birth and then raised by computers. Wizard comprehends words absolutely literally and (until recently) had been exceptionally good at compartmentalizing his emotions. For the past few months however Raina and Wizard have begun melding into a unified team of two. They met through brutal circumstances (DRIVEN, #1) shortly after Raina’s father died. While Raina had been surviving on her own, together they were a stronger, more lethal, better defensive unit. In addition, Wizard had the strength and loyalty of the rebel camp that Raina lacked alone.

FROZEN: A NORTHERN WASTE, #2 - a Dystopian short novella by Eve Silver. In FROZEN, Wizard and Raina separate from their rebel group when it is decided that Wizard and Raina will respond to a distress call as the others flee to a new location. As luck would have it, from the onset Wizard and Raina are chased by groups of thieving pirates/Reavers who kill and rape anyone unable to protect themselves. Both Wizard and Raina are seriously injured in the fierce battle that ensues and whether or not either will survive is questionable. I live in a frozen tundra 5-6 mos of the year. It is not too dissimilar to the Northern Wasteland setting portrayed in Silver’s Northern Wasteland series. There are wicked ways to die in the cold and the imagery in FROZEN moves my imagination to those very places. FROZEN is a quick reading suspense-filled, edge of your seat thriller in which the brutal environment is as present and biting as a character. FROZEN kept my attention fixed, turning pages quickly from beginning until the end. This was an especially refreshing read when presently it’s nearly a balmy 100F outside. 😉

I very much enjoyed FROZEN but, IMO, FROZEN would be best enjoyed by readers who have previously read DRIVEN, #1 first. The 3rd title in the NORTHERN WASTE series, HIDDEN, features Wizard’s missing younger sister, Tatiana, and Raina and Wizard’s quest to locate her. I plan to read it soon.

Readers who enjoy fast, action-driven plots with gripping suspense created by chilling settings and lethal antagonists in a (lightly) dystopian setting, or readers who enjoy suspense-thriller novels may find DRIVEN and FROZEN as captivating as I did. The setting in both reminded me of WHITEOUT by Ariana Anders (although the latter isn’t dystopian) - bitter, intensely & realistically cold. WHITEOUT being another gripping read.

*READER CAUTIONS -
VIOLENCE - PG/PG-13. Dystopian thriller with predatory & sadistic antagonists; thankfully not depicted in great detail nor particularly dark (which I avoid).
PROFANITY - Yes. Strong language is used rarely.
SEXUAL SITUATIONS - Yes. Detailed on-scene intimacy occurs between the MCs on 2 occasions (door open).

*Due to the aforementioned, YA readers and those who prefer Clean fiction may choose to look elsewhere.

[Maggie Boyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short story was a wonderful addition to the Northern Waste novels.

[Gloria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart Pounding Perfection!

By: Eve Silver
Narrated by: Lillian Yves and Vincent Lee Grayson

Overall: 5 of 5 stars Performance: 5 of 5 stars Story: 5 of 5 stars
Reviewed: 07-07-22

Wizard and Raina are back in this heart pounding thrill ride of adventure! The writing is fabulous, the plot intricate, interesting, exciting perfection! No spoilers, but know that my heart was in my throat, my butt at the edge of my seat, and my tears flowing! Eve Silver’s writing is clear, engaging and leaves no question unanswered. I love that the dialogue is always magnificently fitting to plot scenarios! Now the narration, WOW, a thousand WOWS! Lillian Yves and Vincent Lee Grayson bring these characters to stunning life! One hundred percent character driven, on point perfection! What do I mean by that? Listen and all will be revealed! Going into detail would be playing plot spoiler. Just trust me, this narration is stunning in it’s perfection! Frozen is a five star across the board listen! I loved it! I loved everything about it! I know there has to be more coming in this magnificent series and I for one can’t wait!

Merged review:

Heart Pounding Perfection!

By: Eve Silver
Narrated by: Lillian Yves and Vincent Lee Grayson

Overall: 5 of 5 stars Performance: 5 of 5 stars Story: 5 of 5 stars
Reviewed: 07-07-22

Wizard and Raina are back in this heart pounding thrill ride of adventure! The writing is fabulous, the plot intricate, interesting, exciting perfection! No spoilers, but know that my heart was in my throat, my butt at the edge of my seat, and my tears flowing! Eve Silver’s writing is clear, engaging and leaves no question unanswered. I love that the dialogue is always magnificently fitting to plot scenarios! Now the narration, WOW, a thousand WOWS! Lillian Yves and Vincent Lee Grayson bring these characters to stunning life! One hundred percent character driven, on point perfection! What do I mean by that? Listen and all will be revealed! Going into detail would be playing plot spoiler. Just trust me, this narration is stunning in it’s perfection! Frozen is a five star across the board listen! I loved it! I loved everything about it! I know there has to be more coming in this magnificent series and I for one can’t wait!

[Pamelia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice short continuation from where Driven left off.

[Pamela Gramlisch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still going strong.

Even though this book seemed shorter than the first one it was still a great story. The romance and sex of the two main characters seems believable and you can actually feel their closeness. Can't wait to finish this series and check out other books by this author.

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are more skirmishes leading to a life threatening battle with Reavers when Raina and
Wizard once again venture out into the frozen wasteland to investigate a distress call. You don't want to miss this fast-paced novella filled with the adventures of this gritty and completely awesome couple. Very Entertaining!!!!!

[♔Ms. Devotee Reviews♔ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Too short!

I know, this was a Novella, but I just really love Raina and Wizard. I want more of them together! They make such a great team.

I'm not that invested to read about Tatiana tbh, so I'm probably skipping the next book. Shame there wasn't more of the duo I like instead.