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Ice & Smoke
Ariana never expected to care about the dragon that kidnapped her, but after five years together, they've grown to be close friends. He's truly as much a prisoner as she is, commanded by the mysterious "master" who orchestrated her abduction.
But when her dragon is abruptly torn away from her, Ariana is faced with a new guardian, the irksome and ill-tempered Braith. Is this new dragon a captor or a friend… or something else? How far should she go to protect him from her own would-be rescuers? And when his master is finally revealed, will it mean freedom at last, or only greater danger?
But when her dragon is abruptly torn away from her, Ariana is faced with a new guardian, the irksome and ill-tempered Braith. Is this new dragon a captor or a friend… or something else? How far should she go to protect him from her own would-be rescuers? And when his master is finally revealed, will it mean freedom at last, or only greater danger?
295 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 22, 2018
5 people are currently reading
41 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Belyeu
4 books17 followersI read, I write, I work in a library; books (and my daughter) are my life. I'm a forty-something lover of dragons, aliens, Marvel movies and colorful socks. I've been writing since second grade and will probably still be writing from my future nursing home!
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
March 23, 2018
Do you like brave, compassionate, stubborn, intelligent protagonists? Do you like intriguing supporting characters with lives and well-drawn personalities of their own? Do you like slow burn, enemies-to-friends-to-lovers romances?? Do you enjoy stories with a fairy-tale-like feel, with adventure and friendship and intrigue and loooove? Then I would absolutely recommend this book! In Ice & Smoke, Belyeu explores the "princess kidnapped by a dragon" trope in fresh and original ways and delivers an exciting, adventurous, heartfelt, romantic story that hit all of my buttons. I got so attached to the characters that I was sorry the story had to have an ending! Alas! The ending left me deeply satisfied though, so I suppose I can't complain too much. If anything in this review piqued your interest, I'd highly recommend giving this book a try!
April 22, 2020
I find myself confused about this book. It’s got dragons and princesses and fairytale creatures. It’s got adventure and romance (all good things). But unlike normal fairy tales the lines between good and bad are blurred. You cannot cheer for a victor. Indeed it is hard to define if anyone in this book will truly have a happily ever after.
June 12, 2019
Intelligent dragons that aren't evil + subverting of tropes = a really enjoyable standalone novel!
May 28, 2019
This book included several of my favorite fantasy tropes and carried them off so well.
April 2, 2018
Recommend without hesitation!
I don't usually reread many books, but I find this is one I can(and have) reread over and over. The relationships between the characters and the snarky, yet humorous dialogue between the characters makes me smile, while the dangers and the trials the characters face never fails to pull at my heartstrings.
I don't usually reread many books, but I find this is one I can(and have) reread over and over. The relationships between the characters and the snarky, yet humorous dialogue between the characters makes me smile, while the dangers and the trials the characters face never fails to pull at my heartstrings.
September 21, 2018
I love this author's ability to take such a common fairy tale and breathe such life into it. It really does drag you in! The characters are so real and full. You can honestly feel their pain and laughter. It's a beautifully woven story.
April 18, 2018
I loved this book, it's a new favorite of mine and defiantly will be rereading later. I hope there's more like this to come from this author.
April 28, 2019
A well-written comfort-read using lots of fun tropes and clever subversions of same!
July 29, 2020
A fairly quick read with a sense of humor. It takes a somewhat different approach to the traditional fairy tale tropes. Recommended for anyone who wants a simple, light read with a HEA.
October 28, 2020
Ice and Smoke is a fun, female-led young adult fantasy that has everything you could ever want. Dragons, mystery, romance, knights in shining armor—What more could you ask for?
Sure, there are a few clichés in this book—I mean, it’s based entirely on the “princess kidnapped and held in a tower” trope. But though it starts out like something you’ve probably read before, it really doesn’t continue along any typical vein.
There are lots of unexpected things in this story, but the thing I expected the least was the strong voice of the heroine. Ariana was someone I felt I knew by the end, and she was definitely someone I wanted to root for. I loved what a fierce, thoughtful, and intelligent character she was. The other characters were also equally relatable and enjoyable personas whom I grew attached to as well. I particularly loved the tiny, feisty fairy knight.
To be honest, it was hard to find fault anywhere in the story. It was well written with a strong narrative voice, and though it occasionally felt like it slipped out of the formal “royal” vernacular it distinguished itself with, it maintained a good tone throughout, and the pacing was very good.
I felt it also had the right balance of backstory, prelude, and prose, so it was easy to read and enjoy. I thought the storytelling was excellent as well. I honestly couldn’t stop myself from reading it; I think I read the last quarter of the book in one sitting.
I did feel that there were some parts of the climax that were slightly weak, but I won’t complain too much about them. As a whole, the story was really fun and thoroughly enjoyable, exactly the kind of story I loved as a young adult myself, and that I still enjoy today.
For those who love a simple, fun, romantic fantasy adventure, this is a great book to pick up. It was on sale for free on Amazon when I purchased it, but I wouldn’t hesitate to encourage anyone to pay money for it. This book goes on my favorites list for the year. Maybe it will go on yours, too!
Sure, there are a few clichés in this book—I mean, it’s based entirely on the “princess kidnapped and held in a tower” trope. But though it starts out like something you’ve probably read before, it really doesn’t continue along any typical vein.
There are lots of unexpected things in this story, but the thing I expected the least was the strong voice of the heroine. Ariana was someone I felt I knew by the end, and she was definitely someone I wanted to root for. I loved what a fierce, thoughtful, and intelligent character she was. The other characters were also equally relatable and enjoyable personas whom I grew attached to as well. I particularly loved the tiny, feisty fairy knight.
To be honest, it was hard to find fault anywhere in the story. It was well written with a strong narrative voice, and though it occasionally felt like it slipped out of the formal “royal” vernacular it distinguished itself with, it maintained a good tone throughout, and the pacing was very good.
I felt it also had the right balance of backstory, prelude, and prose, so it was easy to read and enjoy. I thought the storytelling was excellent as well. I honestly couldn’t stop myself from reading it; I think I read the last quarter of the book in one sitting.
I did feel that there were some parts of the climax that were slightly weak, but I won’t complain too much about them. As a whole, the story was really fun and thoroughly enjoyable, exactly the kind of story I loved as a young adult myself, and that I still enjoy today.
For those who love a simple, fun, romantic fantasy adventure, this is a great book to pick up. It was on sale for free on Amazon when I purchased it, but I wouldn’t hesitate to encourage anyone to pay money for it. This book goes on my favorites list for the year. Maybe it will go on yours, too!
January 31, 2022
This book is truly a hidden gem and a real treasure. Often times with enemies to lovers tropes (my favorite if I am being honest), the reviews or praise will attest to enjoyable “witty banter” between the two main interests.
Most often it is really just bickering which is still enjoyable and does serve purpose but NEVER have I read such fun and phenomenally quick, intelligent, unexpected, and utterly delightful back-and- Forth dialogue as I did in this book. And not just between the love interests! Elaysius is such a goddamn delight. I could not put this books down.
I really don’t write many reviews but I had to put words to why this book deserves every single star available!!
Most often it is really just bickering which is still enjoyable and does serve purpose but NEVER have I read such fun and phenomenally quick, intelligent, unexpected, and utterly delightful back-and- Forth dialogue as I did in this book. And not just between the love interests! Elaysius is such a goddamn delight. I could not put this books down.
I really don’t write many reviews but I had to put words to why this book deserves every single star available!!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews