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The Black Ice Trilogy #2
Blizzard
Desperate to find her niece Neva is willing to do anything to get her back, but the path she follows unveils a dark past with volatile truths, and a present intertwined with unforgiving consequences. In a race against time and dire odds, Neva embarks on a journey that will forever change the lives of those she knows and loves, as well as her own.
430 pages, Paperback
First published April 27, 2018
12 people are currently reading
1833 people want to read
About the author
Mikayla Elliot
2 books101 followersMikayla Elliot is an avid reader and writer of fantasy novels. She is a single parent to two beautiful children and their pup Luna, a Miniature Schnauzer, living in the greater Houston, Texas. When Mikayla isn’t creating new worlds and adventures she spends her time working as a Planner in the energy industry, which has unveiled various landscapes in multiple states for site visits. Mikayla holds a Master’s in Management from the University of Phoenix, and feels the debt deep in her soul and pockets.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
September 17, 2018
This book started off really great - I enjoyed the strong characters and struggles in this middle age setting. For the first half of the book I was completely engaged!
Then there was a disconnect that very well may have been my fault. Important pieces of the story didn't seem to match and it lost some of the momentum for me. Regardless, I am interested to read the first book of the series.
Thanks to GoodReads and publishers for the free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Then there was a disconnect that very well may have been my fault. Important pieces of the story didn't seem to match and it lost some of the momentum for me. Regardless, I am interested to read the first book of the series.
Thanks to GoodReads and publishers for the free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
May 30, 2018
I must say this vampire tale enthralled me, it totally engrossed and captivated my attention, it is indeed like a boiling pot filled with steaming rage, deceit, steeped deep in treachery and betrayal. Imagine selling your twelve-year-old daughter into marriage on a guise of this joining would provide a means of protection and preserving you and your people way of life, only to be threatened by the very evil you sacrifice her to. Life is a bitch indeed sometimes karma is well deserving. A terrible ordeal for any child to endure, and mature real quick too. In my opinion, this twelve-year-old is our young heroine. Eliza is the heroine of this book to me she had no one she could trust or rely on except herself and Zachariah. Petty jealousy and envy caused a deep gulch and doubt in our young heroine’s mind now at the tender age of fourteen and forcibly impregnated by her monster of her husband all seem lost, but alas out of the ashes comes a tiny spark that ignited the flame of hope illuminating her way forward. A truly masterful storyline and an awesome crew of characters to back it, well written and induced with a lot of intrigues, a vampire tale that rivals others.
September 16, 2018
Blizzard picks up right where Snow left off, and Elliot definitely brought her A game with the story! Not only with the characters she shared in Snow, but with some amazingly well crafted new characters as well. The plot line is solid and the story flows from scene to scene. Even though this is a much longer book than Snow was, it still has a fast-read feel.
So why didn’t this get five stars? A few reasons. First, there are instances where Elliot’s normally tight yet fluid and somewhat poetic prose felt sluggish, as if the author tried to fit too much into one sentence, or was being too crafty with her words when a more simplified structure would have worked better. I found myself in several places having to go back and reread a sentence or two to clarify what Elliot was trying to say. It also took me longer to read this novel than other books of this size, as this sluggishness made the book less enjoyable.
There were also far too many instances where the same word was used multiple times in the same sentence. As far as I’m concerned, that’s not the authors fault, that should have been picked up by the editor. Once or twice over 400 pages, okay. But a couple dozen times? Too many. I hate to mark a book down for bad editing, but since I had such a strong reaction to this trend, I had to.
Bottom line - Elliot is an amazing author and is still by far one of my favorite self-published authors. Her prose can be magical when it is worked right, and her ability to lead the reader deep into her story and craft both characters and worlds that are creative and fresh is awesome to see. I will definitely get a copy of the next book in the series, and any other books Elliot might release.
So why didn’t this get five stars? A few reasons. First, there are instances where Elliot’s normally tight yet fluid and somewhat poetic prose felt sluggish, as if the author tried to fit too much into one sentence, or was being too crafty with her words when a more simplified structure would have worked better. I found myself in several places having to go back and reread a sentence or two to clarify what Elliot was trying to say. It also took me longer to read this novel than other books of this size, as this sluggishness made the book less enjoyable.
There were also far too many instances where the same word was used multiple times in the same sentence. As far as I’m concerned, that’s not the authors fault, that should have been picked up by the editor. Once or twice over 400 pages, okay. But a couple dozen times? Too many. I hate to mark a book down for bad editing, but since I had such a strong reaction to this trend, I had to.
Bottom line - Elliot is an amazing author and is still by far one of my favorite self-published authors. Her prose can be magical when it is worked right, and her ability to lead the reader deep into her story and craft both characters and worlds that are creative and fresh is awesome to see. I will definitely get a copy of the next book in the series, and any other books Elliot might release.
April 4, 2019
The exciting follow up to Snow that gives you more history, more hope, more despair, more angst, more love, more questions, a few more answers. As Neva learns more about the role she plays she also learns that she may have been played. Secrets swirl all around her as her gift shows her a disastrous and deadly outcome. More questions are answered and new questions remain plus the glimmer of love that is new and old and some that has been renewed. So much more than a regular vampire story, the vampire aspect is like eye color or hair color it is a trait but it doesn't determine how one behaves especially Neva. Hail cannot get here soon enough!
August 6, 2019
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(4.5) As a note, a copy of this novel was sent to me via NetGalley by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not effect my opinions in any way. You can also find my review here at Booked J.
WOW. Mikayla Elliot does it again with the next enthralling release of her The Black Ice trilogy: Blizzard. Just when you thought things couldn't get more thrilling, action-packed, or mysterious, Elliot makes the stakes at an all-time high, leaving readers grappling with where the story went and just what the implications will be for the third installment.
Where we left in Snow, there were a lot of questions left dangling just in front of us. The betrayal of Zachariah, the fact that Eliza is technically Neva's mother (in another lifetime), Neva is left reeling from the death of all but one member of her family, a niece who is presently missing and presumably in terrible danger, by the hands of her long-gone husband. Elliot packed a lot into the climax of Snow, leaving us all breathless and intrigued at one comes next--fortunately for readers, Blizzard is just as complex and richly written as its predecessor and will, once again, leave us longing for more.
Armed with a darkly unique take on the classic vampire plot, Blizzard picks up on very two different timelines; on one end, we see the origins of Eliza and Zachariah, the start of the vampires of their world, we get an idea on who Kareese was in that fateful first life, and we rotate back into the thick of where we left off in Snow.
Elliot shows no sign of slowing down. Not only do we get a artfully done backstory for many of the characters, we are introduced to many new plot-twists and characters. We get a glimpse of what other, let's call them, creatures are in this world--and we witness just a bit more worldbuilding.
Further, Blizzard maintains that beautifully suspenseful and magical feeling that Snow had in tone and prose; tying into the at times heart-wrenching and heart-warming series of events. There are so many emotions I felt while reading Blizzard. Elliot proves once again how much heart and soul she poured into the trilogy; captivating readers from the start in a way that is admirable and fully engrossing. If I am being unclear and appear to be babbling, just know this: you should be reading these books.
I went from intrigued, to surprised, to horrified, to all-swooned-out and flipped around in my many emotions. There were several twists and turns that even I didn't see coming straight away. If you're keen on surprises, there are at least three in this book that I can list off the top of my head.
This is a sign of not only a great series, but an incredible talent. Mikayla Elliot should be applauded for revitalizing the tired genre and creating something so fun.
My personal favourite parts of the novel were:
-Neva seeing more of not only her past life as Kareese, but also seeing Eliza's story. I think that the backstory between Eliza, Zachariah and Reegan (I may be spelling his name wrong?) may be my favourite part of Blizzard and I'd totally read more from their past in a heartbeat.
-One specific familial revelation that I will not mention for fear of spoiling.
-The rise of a new big bad.
-A little redemption.
That being said, I was completely blown away by Snow and even more so by Blizzard. This is truly a can't-miss-series by an exceptionally talented author. While many would argue that vampires are, like, so yesterday, Mikayla Elliot is here to remind what the genre could--and should--be.
Say hello to your next obsession!
(4.5) As a note, a copy of this novel was sent to me via NetGalley by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not effect my opinions in any way. You can also find my review here at Booked J.
WOW. Mikayla Elliot does it again with the next enthralling release of her The Black Ice trilogy: Blizzard. Just when you thought things couldn't get more thrilling, action-packed, or mysterious, Elliot makes the stakes at an all-time high, leaving readers grappling with where the story went and just what the implications will be for the third installment.
Where we left in Snow, there were a lot of questions left dangling just in front of us. The betrayal of Zachariah, the fact that Eliza is technically Neva's mother (in another lifetime), Neva is left reeling from the death of all but one member of her family, a niece who is presently missing and presumably in terrible danger, by the hands of her long-gone husband. Elliot packed a lot into the climax of Snow, leaving us all breathless and intrigued at one comes next--fortunately for readers, Blizzard is just as complex and richly written as its predecessor and will, once again, leave us longing for more.
Armed with a darkly unique take on the classic vampire plot, Blizzard picks up on very two different timelines; on one end, we see the origins of Eliza and Zachariah, the start of the vampires of their world, we get an idea on who Kareese was in that fateful first life, and we rotate back into the thick of where we left off in Snow.
Elliot shows no sign of slowing down. Not only do we get a artfully done backstory for many of the characters, we are introduced to many new plot-twists and characters. We get a glimpse of what other, let's call them, creatures are in this world--and we witness just a bit more worldbuilding.
Further, Blizzard maintains that beautifully suspenseful and magical feeling that Snow had in tone and prose; tying into the at times heart-wrenching and heart-warming series of events. There are so many emotions I felt while reading Blizzard. Elliot proves once again how much heart and soul she poured into the trilogy; captivating readers from the start in a way that is admirable and fully engrossing. If I am being unclear and appear to be babbling, just know this: you should be reading these books.
I went from intrigued, to surprised, to horrified, to all-swooned-out and flipped around in my many emotions. There were several twists and turns that even I didn't see coming straight away. If you're keen on surprises, there are at least three in this book that I can list off the top of my head.
This is a sign of not only a great series, but an incredible talent. Mikayla Elliot should be applauded for revitalizing the tired genre and creating something so fun.
My personal favourite parts of the novel were:
-Neva seeing more of not only her past life as Kareese, but also seeing Eliza's story. I think that the backstory between Eliza, Zachariah and Reegan (I may be spelling his name wrong?) may be my favourite part of Blizzard and I'd totally read more from their past in a heartbeat.
-One specific familial revelation that I will not mention for fear of spoiling.
-The rise of a new big bad.
-A little redemption.
That being said, I was completely blown away by Snow and even more so by Blizzard. This is truly a can't-miss-series by an exceptionally talented author. While many would argue that vampires are, like, so yesterday, Mikayla Elliot is here to remind what the genre could--and should--be.
Say hello to your next obsession!
June 25, 2018
This is the second book in the Black Ice trilogy and after reading the first one I was dying to get my hands onto this one. Thanks to the generosity of the author, the book is up to "read now" on Netgalley, so thank you for that.
Unfortunately I was a little disappointed after the first book. I found this one went more into details about Neva's past, and yet I found myself very bored through it. There was times I was skimming it altogether. This does not mean I will not be reading the third book--oh, on the contrary I would love to see how this series ends. I just wasn't as into this one as I was in Snow.
I biggest compliment of Snow was the author's flawless writing, and this praise is still true. Wow, it's so nice to read. So even when I wasn't into the actual storyline, the writing kept me going. Some of her phrases, and use of words are so beautiful and flawless that you can't help but be intrigued.
Thedryk and Neva's relationship takes more of a turn and they're getting closer. He is all-in with her, while Neva has a slight push-pull thing going on. She experiences jealousy and love for him, but also is sure to keep a bit of a distance until this is all over. There is a less of a slow build between them in this one like the first book (obviously, since now they are in the romance) but it still doesn't go full-blown onto the track or anything. The slow progression and growth of their romance is wonderful, but more so, the two of them together is just adorable.
Thanks to the author for putting this free on Netgalley. I enjoyed it, but didn't love it, but do look forward to reading how it ends.
Unfortunately I was a little disappointed after the first book. I found this one went more into details about Neva's past, and yet I found myself very bored through it. There was times I was skimming it altogether. This does not mean I will not be reading the third book--oh, on the contrary I would love to see how this series ends. I just wasn't as into this one as I was in Snow.
I biggest compliment of Snow was the author's flawless writing, and this praise is still true. Wow, it's so nice to read. So even when I wasn't into the actual storyline, the writing kept me going. Some of her phrases, and use of words are so beautiful and flawless that you can't help but be intrigued.
Thedryk and Neva's relationship takes more of a turn and they're getting closer. He is all-in with her, while Neva has a slight push-pull thing going on. She experiences jealousy and love for him, but also is sure to keep a bit of a distance until this is all over. There is a less of a slow build between them in this one like the first book (obviously, since now they are in the romance) but it still doesn't go full-blown onto the track or anything. The slow progression and growth of their romance is wonderful, but more so, the two of them together is just adorable.
Thanks to the author for putting this free on Netgalley. I enjoyed it, but didn't love it, but do look forward to reading how it ends.
July 11, 2018
While I was really not impressed with the first book, I found this one to be much better. This was kind of like two books in one. The first half was a prequel to the first book in a sense and told Eliza's story. I really enjoyed it and would rate that a 4-4 1/2 on its own. It was intriguing and captivating. The second half, was back in the present time for Neva, and I really did not enjoy it near as much. I would have rated that more like a 3 by itself. I find Neva/Kareese to be kind of boring and the story drags a bit. It is still better than the first, but it could have been better.
Overall, I would give this book a 3.5, but will round up to 4. In large part because I feel like this author has really improved from her debut novel and hope that her books will continue to improve.
The wording was still a bit awkward throughout. Some of the writing was still too wordy and some of the word choices just felt a little off, like one sat with a thesaurus and picked words that have the same meaning, yet did not feel right in certain sentences. Editing could have been improved as there were some issues with tenses, but overall, it was an enjoyable read.
I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Overall, I would give this book a 3.5, but will round up to 4. In large part because I feel like this author has really improved from her debut novel and hope that her books will continue to improve.
The wording was still a bit awkward throughout. Some of the writing was still too wordy and some of the word choices just felt a little off, like one sat with a thesaurus and picked words that have the same meaning, yet did not feel right in certain sentences. Editing could have been improved as there were some issues with tenses, but overall, it was an enjoyable read.
I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 19, 2018
While I enjoyed the first novel...this novel was so much more!
The writing was better, the plot was so interesting, and I loved the characters.
In blizzard, we get a past flash back for a good portion of the beginning novel as to how eliza, zachariah, thedryk and kareese came to be. It was such a different unique take on how vampires came to be and I love it so much. Neva also grows in the end of the novel becoming so much stronger and fighting for what she believes. I cant wait for the third novel! There be better a third novel anyways xD Ill post a full review soon here and on my blog also one spoiler/compliant below so look away if you havent read >.>
My only compliant about this book was I need Thedryk and Neva to stop being brats and love each other already!! Kiss damn itxD
The writing was better, the plot was so interesting, and I loved the characters.
In blizzard, we get a past flash back for a good portion of the beginning novel as to how eliza, zachariah, thedryk and kareese came to be. It was such a different unique take on how vampires came to be and I love it so much. Neva also grows in the end of the novel becoming so much stronger and fighting for what she believes. I cant wait for the third novel! There be better a third novel anyways xD Ill post a full review soon here and on my blog also one spoiler/compliant below so look away if you havent read >.>
My only compliant about this book was I need Thedryk and Neva to stop being brats and love each other already!! Kiss damn itxD
October 11, 2018
“Blizzard”, much like the first book in The Black Ice Trilogy, takes a twist on the gothic vampires that have become so commonplace in YA fantasy. I loved Snow for the risks it took in tweaking those vampire tropes, and Elliot’s lyrical, and often poetic, writing when it came to setting the scene and Neva’s emotions from a first person perspective. This installation kept true to all those things I enjoyed from the first book, but it does not pick up exactly where book 1 leaves off, instead, the reader is introduced to Neva’s original incarnation and we get the backstory that book 1 was missing.
The first half of the book is a bit like a prologue, it’s no longer in first person, and instead follows Eliza and how Neva and the vampires originally came to be, and sets up their ongoing conflict with Reegan and his demons. While I really enjoyed this section and learning more about this world—and filling in those gaps I had from the first novel—I do have to give a trigger warning for rape. It’s not graphic, but it is not subtle. While it is central to the story arc, just be forewarned that it is present, but thankfully the author moves on and doesn’t linger longer than necessary. While I enjoyed this section and getting to meet Neva and Thedryck when they were just “kids”, this was the first half of a very long book, so I was starting to forget what the main plot was that had been carried over from the books predecessor: finding Lucy and saving her from an evil entity.
The back story IS necessary though, because without it, there is too much left unanswered from the first book, and there would be no sense of urgency leading into the last book of the trilogy. So while it does feel a bit like a separate book, especially with the shift in POV, it was thoroughly enjoyable and, once again, Elliot’s writing is absolutely lovely. She really does have a great talent for prose, so even though it’s not an easy read, it’s a great one.
I will say that Eliza and Neva tended to have a similar voice, so at times they didn’t feel as distinct as they otherwise could have been. There are also a lot of new creatures and characters that get introduced—some pretty late in the novel. It can be a bit challenging at times to keep track of who is who and what they are, or their abilities. Hopefully there won’t be so many unnecessary characters in the next book (think Star Trek redshirts, they are just there to die) so the reader can better focus on those who matter. Zachariah still confuses me as a character and just what his motivations were, but that could be because of the break I took between reading the first and second book and I simply don’t remember what happened on that front. There were times when Neva’s stubbornness and her impulsive nature really bugged me, but at the same time, that also made her a well-rounded character, so I’m letting that go. The romance in this book, much like the vampires, does not follow the well-used tropes of the genre, either. That may be frustrating to some people, but I kind of liked that Neva and Thedryck weren’t completely besotted with each other, they frustrate each other and have to work on things, you know, like real people do. And, one of my biggest quips from the first book was that Thedryck never answered any of Neva’s questions. That’s not the case in this book! Which makes me a very happy camper.
All in all, I thought this book was a huge improvement from the first book, and I liked that book a lot! This book answered so many lingering questions I had from the first book, while simultaneously creating new tensions and problems—both big and small between Felicity, Reegan, Helsing and Neva and Eliza. I like the “powers” that each vampire has and how they are not only unique to the individual, but make sense with their personality and greatest desires. I love the added complexity to the characters and their relationships with each other. Also, and it can’t be stated enough, Elliot is an extremely talented writer with a clear vision for her characters and where they are going in the trilogy. Despite my minor qualms with the characters and my small issues with the first half of the book feeling like a separate prequel, this book and series has come so far that I would be remiss to give it anything less than 5 stars, I can’t wait for Neva and Reegan’s rematch! And thanks to the author for providing me a copy for review.
The first half of the book is a bit like a prologue, it’s no longer in first person, and instead follows Eliza and how Neva and the vampires originally came to be, and sets up their ongoing conflict with Reegan and his demons. While I really enjoyed this section and learning more about this world—and filling in those gaps I had from the first novel—I do have to give a trigger warning for rape. It’s not graphic, but it is not subtle. While it is central to the story arc, just be forewarned that it is present, but thankfully the author moves on and doesn’t linger longer than necessary. While I enjoyed this section and getting to meet Neva and Thedryck when they were just “kids”, this was the first half of a very long book, so I was starting to forget what the main plot was that had been carried over from the books predecessor: finding Lucy and saving her from an evil entity.
The back story IS necessary though, because without it, there is too much left unanswered from the first book, and there would be no sense of urgency leading into the last book of the trilogy. So while it does feel a bit like a separate book, especially with the shift in POV, it was thoroughly enjoyable and, once again, Elliot’s writing is absolutely lovely. She really does have a great talent for prose, so even though it’s not an easy read, it’s a great one.
I will say that Eliza and Neva tended to have a similar voice, so at times they didn’t feel as distinct as they otherwise could have been. There are also a lot of new creatures and characters that get introduced—some pretty late in the novel. It can be a bit challenging at times to keep track of who is who and what they are, or their abilities. Hopefully there won’t be so many unnecessary characters in the next book (think Star Trek redshirts, they are just there to die) so the reader can better focus on those who matter. Zachariah still confuses me as a character and just what his motivations were, but that could be because of the break I took between reading the first and second book and I simply don’t remember what happened on that front. There were times when Neva’s stubbornness and her impulsive nature really bugged me, but at the same time, that also made her a well-rounded character, so I’m letting that go. The romance in this book, much like the vampires, does not follow the well-used tropes of the genre, either. That may be frustrating to some people, but I kind of liked that Neva and Thedryck weren’t completely besotted with each other, they frustrate each other and have to work on things, you know, like real people do. And, one of my biggest quips from the first book was that Thedryck never answered any of Neva’s questions. That’s not the case in this book! Which makes me a very happy camper.
All in all, I thought this book was a huge improvement from the first book, and I liked that book a lot! This book answered so many lingering questions I had from the first book, while simultaneously creating new tensions and problems—both big and small between Felicity, Reegan, Helsing and Neva and Eliza. I like the “powers” that each vampire has and how they are not only unique to the individual, but make sense with their personality and greatest desires. I love the added complexity to the characters and their relationships with each other. Also, and it can’t be stated enough, Elliot is an extremely talented writer with a clear vision for her characters and where they are going in the trilogy. Despite my minor qualms with the characters and my small issues with the first half of the book feeling like a separate prequel, this book and series has come so far that I would be remiss to give it anything less than 5 stars, I can’t wait for Neva and Reegan’s rematch! And thanks to the author for providing me a copy for review.
May 10, 2018
I loved how this book is not for just mature readers. i also enjoyed that it was not a totally sappy book. It was a refreshing take on the vampire genre. I really enjoyed the wonderful world and its characters that the author has created. Can not wait to read more from this author.
June 4, 2018
** I received a free copy of this book through a Goodreads giveaway. **
This was a very interesting take on the vampire genre. I had not read book one before reading this but I didn't feel lost (which is a big plus) but I was intrigued enough by the hints and recaps of past events that I now feel the need to go buy book one and read them in order! The characters and world were well developed and I look forward to seeing where they go next.
This was a very interesting take on the vampire genre. I had not read book one before reading this but I didn't feel lost (which is a big plus) but I was intrigued enough by the hints and recaps of past events that I now feel the need to go buy book one and read them in order! The characters and world were well developed and I look forward to seeing where they go next.
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August 4, 2018
Blizzard by Mikayla Elliot is another fantastic display of Elliot’s talent and an absolutely awesome roller coaster of evolution. The way she weaves all of these various stories, main character Neva’s as well as all of the support characters and the history of all of the major supernatural species that exist in Auria, is an art form that is often lost in this genre. Maps at the start of the book show the transformation of Auria over centuries. Starkness and beauty, horror and romance all coalesce into a strikingly beautiful and tangible new world while the reader’s view of all of the characters from Book One, Snow, is transformed through the story. As Neva comes to know herself as Kareese, the characters from Snow begin an astonishing metamorphosis. Through visions of the past, the reader is completely reintroduced to characters from the first installment of The Black Ice Trilogy, and Zachariah, Eliza, and Xavier develop whole new emotional attachments to the reader’s heart strings. Zachariah’s is of most interest, but that secret will stay, tucked away from this review, safe in the bindings of Mikayla’s work.
Throughout the book, Neva relinquishes her timid, grief stricken life as a baker and widow to become a strong willed, combat ready female heroine. The tumultuous romantic relationship between Neva and Thedryk is a staunch contrast against the gruesome battle being waged on Reegan’s demonic forces, and it’s deliciously horrifying. The writing in Book Two mirrors the graceful writing in Book One that reminded me so much of Anne Rice – the riveting details, the sensory immersion, the vivid imagery. In Blizzard, the battle scenes played through my head like a scene from The Underworld intermingled with the garb and castles from classics like Dracula or Nosferatu. Although I’m still not completely certain what the titles are building into, why they are associated with snow aside from the series being titled The Black Ice Trilogy, I am absolutely thirsty for more, and this book receives a full five stars.
Throughout the book, Neva relinquishes her timid, grief stricken life as a baker and widow to become a strong willed, combat ready female heroine. The tumultuous romantic relationship between Neva and Thedryk is a staunch contrast against the gruesome battle being waged on Reegan’s demonic forces, and it’s deliciously horrifying. The writing in Book Two mirrors the graceful writing in Book One that reminded me so much of Anne Rice – the riveting details, the sensory immersion, the vivid imagery. In Blizzard, the battle scenes played through my head like a scene from The Underworld intermingled with the garb and castles from classics like Dracula or Nosferatu. Although I’m still not completely certain what the titles are building into, why they are associated with snow aside from the series being titled The Black Ice Trilogy, I am absolutely thirsty for more, and this book receives a full five stars.
August 29, 2018
This story gets more and more crazy! There's so many stories within the main story. At first I was confused and had a tough time getting going in this book. After a short intro by Neva, it suddenly switches to a third person flashback to Neva's parents' story. Then after a time goes back to first person, but it's Neva's first life. I have to admit I wasn't crazy about the opening of the book, but once the story really started flowing there was no stopping me! I was fascinated by her parents' story and all the events that lead to Neva's first death. I was so into the story that it took my brain a bit to switch back to her current life. Then my brain fog lifted and pieces all fell together.
Elliot brings back Helsing as a main character and introduces a whole new type of character. The more answers you get, the more questions you ask! How did he get there? How many types of character are there? How did Zachary go from being a great guy to the villain from the first novel? Who is this mystery woman Neva keeps seeing and how does she fit?
By the end of the book I was so on edge. I wanted to read more. I wanted to know what was going to happen to all these complicated people I loved and hated (and those aren't mutually exclusive!) I was so into it that I turned the last page looking for more. And was sorely disappointed to find the end. I can't wait to see what twists and turns Elliot throws at us in the final book!
Elliot brings back Helsing as a main character and introduces a whole new type of character. The more answers you get, the more questions you ask! How did he get there? How many types of character are there? How did Zachary go from being a great guy to the villain from the first novel? Who is this mystery woman Neva keeps seeing and how does she fit?
By the end of the book I was so on edge. I wanted to read more. I wanted to know what was going to happen to all these complicated people I loved and hated (and those aren't mutually exclusive!) I was so into it that I turned the last page looking for more. And was sorely disappointed to find the end. I can't wait to see what twists and turns Elliot throws at us in the final book!
August 3, 2018
Re-reading one's work is always an adventure. I, being biased here, loved this written work. There are things I made note of to correct, a revision will need to be provided (small grammatical errors sparse throughout, but present regardless), and enjoyed reading it entirely!
May 23, 2018
Ms. Elliot, I am even more impressed with this second book than I was with the first in the Black Ice Series!
1. This is SUCH an original world and story in general. I said this in my review of the first book and I'll say it again here: the vampire genre is so overdone and many of the stories seem to have been built off one another. Not so with this series! It is completely original and I LOVE IT because I totally cannot predict anything that happens.
2. THIS IS A CLEAN READ! Somewhere between Twilight and now, paranormal/fantasy books (ESPECIALLY VAMPIRES) are like reading soft porn. That's the status quo. It is refreshing to read something that still has enough in the romance department to satisfy that part of a reader's curiosity, but keeps it clean enough that I can share this series with my niece and know that it's appropriate for her as well.
3. Neva is a total rogue. I love that the heroine is not always all-knowing or instinctively, magically right about every decision she makes. There is a learning curve for her as she navigates new powers with old memories and attempts to put them all to good use.
Those items being addressed, there is a new element in this book that I can't wait to see play out....HELSING. There are a couple clues dropped that make me think the dynamic between Thedryk and Neva as star-crossed lovers may be changing to include a love triangle. And who doesn't love those?!? Will they or won't they? Hmmm...
Well done once again Ms. Eliot! Thank you for sharing your talents with us!
**I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review**
1. This is SUCH an original world and story in general. I said this in my review of the first book and I'll say it again here: the vampire genre is so overdone and many of the stories seem to have been built off one another. Not so with this series! It is completely original and I LOVE IT because I totally cannot predict anything that happens.
2. THIS IS A CLEAN READ! Somewhere between Twilight and now, paranormal/fantasy books (ESPECIALLY VAMPIRES) are like reading soft porn. That's the status quo. It is refreshing to read something that still has enough in the romance department to satisfy that part of a reader's curiosity, but keeps it clean enough that I can share this series with my niece and know that it's appropriate for her as well.
3. Neva is a total rogue. I love that the heroine is not always all-knowing or instinctively, magically right about every decision she makes. There is a learning curve for her as she navigates new powers with old memories and attempts to put them all to good use.
Those items being addressed, there is a new element in this book that I can't wait to see play out....HELSING. There are a couple clues dropped that make me think the dynamic between Thedryk and Neva as star-crossed lovers may be changing to include a love triangle. And who doesn't love those?!? Will they or won't they? Hmmm...
Well done once again Ms. Eliot! Thank you for sharing your talents with us!
**I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review**
June 21, 2020
Favourite Quote: “There was so much to learn in our world that I had not yet seen, things that tickled the edges of my distant memories, past lives, no doubt, that teased and whispered to me of what I knew of them, had seen and held, smelled and possibly even tasted, but they alluded me.”
I was able to receive a copy of Mikayla Elliot’s second Black Ice Trilogy ‘Blizzard’ through Netgallery for an honest review. Once again I would personally like to thank the author for this opportunity.
Our story carries on with our protagonist Neva and her search for her lost niece Lucy.
Eliza knows that Neva still has a lot to learn before going out into the world on her own so she sends Helsing and his men to search for Lucy knowing that they will not fail. With so many questions unanswered for Neva, Eliza knows she must continue her training by first learning where she came from and the battle that began before the vampires existed on earth. With Neva’s ability to look into the past, their minds travel back where Eliza grew up and first met Zachariah and his cousin Lord Reegan.
‘My temper snapped. “Since I have been changed, I was taken from my family, taken from my lands and forced to remain here. I didn’t ask questions; I didn’t doubt the cause because deep down I believed and knew there to be truth. But I should have! I should have asked more questions, pushed back, not been so… so damned accommodating. Maybe if I had been more of myself I could have saved my family.” I stood, tossing the heavy book of laws and other vampire knowledge across the table, listening to it slide and watching Eliza’s shocked expression shoot up to see me in my fit of rage.’
The first half of the book draws us into Eliza’s complicated past, betrothed at the age of 12 to secure her families situation, she finds herself whisked off to Lord Reegans’s castle to wed. Her mother, Janice, does not trust Lord Reegan or his means to marry her daughter so young, especially as he is 10 years older than she is. With the little time she has left with her daughter, Janice is allowed to spend two months at the castle to make sure Eliza settles in. This is where we discover that Janice is actually a priestess with generations of magic in their bloodline which will soon be passed onto Eliza when she hit womanhood. With little time for her to teach her what she’s about to go through, Janice spends as much time as possible teaching Eliza everything she needs to know without Lord Reegan finding out about their powers.
Lord Reegan commands Zachariah to train Eliza to use a sword in order to defend herself if necessary which he is not happy with but trains her all the same. We begin to see how this creates a bond between them over the years they fight together. Lord Reegan returns after a long time away from the castle and observes their fighting skills. He takes the opportunity to attack Zachariah for keeping secrets as well as his unmasked feelings for Eliza, which leaves Zachariah severely wounded. Eliza uses her powers to heal him infront of Lord Reegan and refuses to heal or return with him. He threatens to kill her family if they do not return to the castle, so they come up with a plan to get rid of Lord Reegan for good.
Without giving too much away, Eliza shows us the past up right until Kareese, who Neva is able to see the world through, turns 14 and her destiny is revealed. Still young and naive, Kareese is a typical teenager who is going through too many emotions including jealousy of the closeness between Thedryk and her mother. She’s brought up in war and bloodshed that still affects her until the very end. It’s good to get a glimpse in Kareese’s life to understand how young and innocent she really was but she still stood her ground when she needed too. It’s interesting to see how Thedryk reacts around Kareese when they are betrothed, there is only pain and jealousy on her side and duty on his.
In the second half of the book, Neva is brought back to the present day after experiencing her past life with Eliza and Zachariah and the war that occurred when she was young. Her older self is now experiencing visions of a full vampire that she is destined to fight against but cannot see what she looks like. Something is blocking her vision, but as her ability is getting more powerful, everyone in the castle is also able to see and experience her night terrors with her. With too many secrets still going around, Neva decides to leave the castle in search for her niece herself, of course with Thedryk by her side. Their feelings towards one another is still complicated with too many things left unsaid.
“I never asked for this life.” My chin was quivering. “And in all that time you didn’t change me, though you could have. Don’t tell me your sob story when you and this precious Council left me to live an endless stream of lives so I now have memories that suddenly appear. Dreams where I suddenly remember without warning, where the pain in my heart and mind is real and leaves me sick and exhausted. If you know the lives I lived then you know those horrors I experienced, and I have barely even cracked the surface of those experiences myself! Yes, I do have some right here. Everyone else determined my fate, from the last time I was born as Kareese to my death in this last life, now, as Neva. Not to mention, I was a child when I died as Karesse, a sacrifice made to save the world and even then, I did not understand what that meant. Foolish, naive, and desperate, and since my change other vampires have conspired against me. My entire family has been murdered, my niece missing, and you are shocked by my present behaviour?”
Thedryk hadn’t stepped away, but his face revealed the conflict within.’
The story is great, I loved the way it brought us into the past to experience Eliza’s own story, which just made you fall in love with Zachariah. Neva and Thedryk’s relationship is still up and down as trust is still an issue, especially when Thedryk has secrets he cannot share. You know it’s going to last a lifetime, that their love will never die, but the tension remains. It would have been nice for the to have shared a kiss at least once.
One thing I found difficult to understand is how Zachariah returned and everything was normal again. Not that you really minded after you witnessed his past and how heroic and in love his was with Eliza. I read back through but I still couldn’t get my head around it. After the last book introduced us to his new stolen title as Lord Vlad, it just created more confusion and felt unfinished. I hope the next book will provide us with more about what happened to him in that timeline.
I was able to receive a copy of Mikayla Elliot’s second Black Ice Trilogy ‘Blizzard’ through Netgallery for an honest review. Once again I would personally like to thank the author for this opportunity.
Our story carries on with our protagonist Neva and her search for her lost niece Lucy.
Eliza knows that Neva still has a lot to learn before going out into the world on her own so she sends Helsing and his men to search for Lucy knowing that they will not fail. With so many questions unanswered for Neva, Eliza knows she must continue her training by first learning where she came from and the battle that began before the vampires existed on earth. With Neva’s ability to look into the past, their minds travel back where Eliza grew up and first met Zachariah and his cousin Lord Reegan.
‘My temper snapped. “Since I have been changed, I was taken from my family, taken from my lands and forced to remain here. I didn’t ask questions; I didn’t doubt the cause because deep down I believed and knew there to be truth. But I should have! I should have asked more questions, pushed back, not been so… so damned accommodating. Maybe if I had been more of myself I could have saved my family.” I stood, tossing the heavy book of laws and other vampire knowledge across the table, listening to it slide and watching Eliza’s shocked expression shoot up to see me in my fit of rage.’
The first half of the book draws us into Eliza’s complicated past, betrothed at the age of 12 to secure her families situation, she finds herself whisked off to Lord Reegans’s castle to wed. Her mother, Janice, does not trust Lord Reegan or his means to marry her daughter so young, especially as he is 10 years older than she is. With the little time she has left with her daughter, Janice is allowed to spend two months at the castle to make sure Eliza settles in. This is where we discover that Janice is actually a priestess with generations of magic in their bloodline which will soon be passed onto Eliza when she hit womanhood. With little time for her to teach her what she’s about to go through, Janice spends as much time as possible teaching Eliza everything she needs to know without Lord Reegan finding out about their powers.
Lord Reegan commands Zachariah to train Eliza to use a sword in order to defend herself if necessary which he is not happy with but trains her all the same. We begin to see how this creates a bond between them over the years they fight together. Lord Reegan returns after a long time away from the castle and observes their fighting skills. He takes the opportunity to attack Zachariah for keeping secrets as well as his unmasked feelings for Eliza, which leaves Zachariah severely wounded. Eliza uses her powers to heal him infront of Lord Reegan and refuses to heal or return with him. He threatens to kill her family if they do not return to the castle, so they come up with a plan to get rid of Lord Reegan for good.
Without giving too much away, Eliza shows us the past up right until Kareese, who Neva is able to see the world through, turns 14 and her destiny is revealed. Still young and naive, Kareese is a typical teenager who is going through too many emotions including jealousy of the closeness between Thedryk and her mother. She’s brought up in war and bloodshed that still affects her until the very end. It’s good to get a glimpse in Kareese’s life to understand how young and innocent she really was but she still stood her ground when she needed too. It’s interesting to see how Thedryk reacts around Kareese when they are betrothed, there is only pain and jealousy on her side and duty on his.
In the second half of the book, Neva is brought back to the present day after experiencing her past life with Eliza and Zachariah and the war that occurred when she was young. Her older self is now experiencing visions of a full vampire that she is destined to fight against but cannot see what she looks like. Something is blocking her vision, but as her ability is getting more powerful, everyone in the castle is also able to see and experience her night terrors with her. With too many secrets still going around, Neva decides to leave the castle in search for her niece herself, of course with Thedryk by her side. Their feelings towards one another is still complicated with too many things left unsaid.
“I never asked for this life.” My chin was quivering. “And in all that time you didn’t change me, though you could have. Don’t tell me your sob story when you and this precious Council left me to live an endless stream of lives so I now have memories that suddenly appear. Dreams where I suddenly remember without warning, where the pain in my heart and mind is real and leaves me sick and exhausted. If you know the lives I lived then you know those horrors I experienced, and I have barely even cracked the surface of those experiences myself! Yes, I do have some right here. Everyone else determined my fate, from the last time I was born as Kareese to my death in this last life, now, as Neva. Not to mention, I was a child when I died as Karesse, a sacrifice made to save the world and even then, I did not understand what that meant. Foolish, naive, and desperate, and since my change other vampires have conspired against me. My entire family has been murdered, my niece missing, and you are shocked by my present behaviour?”
Thedryk hadn’t stepped away, but his face revealed the conflict within.’
The story is great, I loved the way it brought us into the past to experience Eliza’s own story, which just made you fall in love with Zachariah. Neva and Thedryk’s relationship is still up and down as trust is still an issue, especially when Thedryk has secrets he cannot share. You know it’s going to last a lifetime, that their love will never die, but the tension remains. It would have been nice for the to have shared a kiss at least once.
One thing I found difficult to understand is how Zachariah returned and everything was normal again. Not that you really minded after you witnessed his past and how heroic and in love his was with Eliza. I read back through but I still couldn’t get my head around it. After the last book introduced us to his new stolen title as Lord Vlad, it just created more confusion and felt unfinished. I hope the next book will provide us with more about what happened to him in that timeline.
Want to read
March 10, 2019**I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**
Thank you Netgalley, Mikayla Elliot, and Independent Book Publishers Association for letting me read and review this book!! ^_^
Before Thoughts:
I adored the first book so when Mikayla placed this book on Netgalley I just knew I had to grab it so I could continue this nice story about a vampire society arguing about Neva's powers that could change their very way of life.
And I'm so excited to figure out what Zachariah has been up to.
And I'm excited to see if Neva and Thedryk possibly create some sparks together.
I think I just really like this series and I just can't wait until I finally read through this book!!
Review:
Read on: _/_18
To be published on: 05/06/18
Plot:
Character(s):
Final Thoughts:
Recommends to:
Hope you enjoyed my review!! Thanks for reading!! ^_^
And go catch that good book!! ^_^
Blog site
Thank you Netgalley, Mikayla Elliot, and Independent Book Publishers Association for letting me read and review this book!! ^_^
Before Thoughts:
I adored the first book so when Mikayla placed this book on Netgalley I just knew I had to grab it so I could continue this nice story about a vampire society arguing about Neva's powers that could change their very way of life.
And I'm so excited to figure out what Zachariah has been up to.
And I'm excited to see if Neva and Thedryk possibly create some sparks together.
I think I just really like this series and I just can't wait until I finally read through this book!!
Review:
Read on: _/_18
To be published on: 05/06/18
Plot:
Character(s):
Final Thoughts:
Recommends to:
Hope you enjoyed my review!! Thanks for reading!! ^_^
And go catch that good book!! ^_^
Blog site
August 14, 2018
I won Blizzard in a goodreads giveaway. I started reading it and realized that the first book Snow was needed to understand what was going on in Blizzard. I read Snow and was thoroughly intrigued with the plot and characters. I highly recommend Snow and Blizzard if you are into vampires and the paranormal. You will be drawn in with the plot, the how and whys of how vampires came to be. And if you are like me, wanting Hail to be released soon, so you can find out how Neva's story ends.
May 13, 2018
The writing is much stronger in this book. I was skeptical of how the first half of the book was written pertaining to the past but it actually worked really well. It was so enjoyable I didn't notice just how long the book was this time around. So perfectly dark and atmospheric.👹👌🏻 I can't wait to see what happens next.
June 18, 2018
Continuing the story started in Snow, it is filled with great plot twists, unexpected characters and interesting action. I look forward to book 3 in December. I highly recommend this series if you enjoy magic, medieval times and vampires. Must be read in sequential order to make sense so read Snow first.
May 5, 2018
World Building: A+
Mythology: A++
Plot-Twists: A+
Villains: A
Girl Power: A+
Guy-Hero: A
Love-Interests: A+
Suspense: A+
Feels: A++
For you clean-readers: this book does not have mature content.
Mythology: A++
Plot-Twists: A+
Villains: A
Girl Power: A+
Guy-Hero: A
Love-Interests: A+
Suspense: A+
Feels: A++
For you clean-readers: this book does not have mature content.
May 6, 2018
4.25/5 STARS Review coming soon.
August 17, 2018
Great read
August 30, 2018
Loved the book. This author has become one of my favorites. Good story building and great characters.
October 22, 2018
Engaging, vivid, and engaging — a perfect mixture of elements for readers young and old. My students would gobble this one up.
October 9, 2019
Blizzard is a very well written book by Mikayla Elliot. I enjoyed the first book a tremendously so I had to read the second one. I have to admit, I was completely lost for a good part of the book. It was very confusing since there were abrupt changes in time it seemed like it and it took a while to catch up to the where the author was taking you. There were 2 changes like that which really confused me, but once you get to the actual part of the book, the real focus, the story was excellent. The plot was intricate and well developed from then on and you were kept guessing where the story would take you.The pace of this book was a little bit all over the place. There were parts where it felt a little dragged out and others rushed, but the overall pace was pretty good I felt.
I this book the author spent more time developing the characters which is great. You really get to know Neva more and also Thedryk, who are both strong characters. I also enjoyed reading more about Helsing who is an interesting character. Although Eliza and Zachary ended up being more side characters, they did play integral parts in this story.
There are a couple of neat twists and secrets unveiled that came as quite the surprised and I for one am curious to see what will come next!
I this book the author spent more time developing the characters which is great. You really get to know Neva more and also Thedryk, who are both strong characters. I also enjoyed reading more about Helsing who is an interesting character. Although Eliza and Zachary ended up being more side characters, they did play integral parts in this story.
There are a couple of neat twists and secrets unveiled that came as quite the surprised and I for one am curious to see what will come next!
January 16, 2020
What a rush! I had the pleasure of Beta Reading this novel and I cannot praise it enough! I am so in love with the world that Mikayla has built to encompass her characters. As this tale delves deeper into the mysteries of the vampires, it captures attention by being adventurous and addicting. I had such a hard time putting it down. Enjoy a rich world fraught with secrets and incredible twists! I was in awe.
What would you do to save your niece? What demons would you be willing to encounter? Neva is facing this dilemma and it's a race against the clock to learn all she needs to become the force she was meant to be! But to move forward, one must learn to understand the past.
One of the amazing things that was accomplished in this book is the fact that it's 2 complete stories in one. I remember reading through and being almost caught off guard at the continuation of the original story only because I was so immersed in the world of the past! Oh, to be so drawn in was such a delight!
The maps were an excellent touch. ;-)
*I received a Beta copy from Mikayla and have voluntarily left this review.*
What would you do to save your niece? What demons would you be willing to encounter? Neva is facing this dilemma and it's a race against the clock to learn all she needs to become the force she was meant to be! But to move forward, one must learn to understand the past.
One of the amazing things that was accomplished in this book is the fact that it's 2 complete stories in one. I remember reading through and being almost caught off guard at the continuation of the original story only because I was so immersed in the world of the past! Oh, to be so drawn in was such a delight!
The maps were an excellent touch. ;-)
*I received a Beta copy from Mikayla and have voluntarily left this review.*
May 14, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley, IBPA, and Mikayla Elliot for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is the second novel in the Black Ice Trilogy, preceded by Snow, with no news regarding the third installment (Blizzard was published in 2018 and the time of this review is 2024).
I thought the prose of the first novel was a bit slow, and yet somehow still gave it a 4/5.
This novel feels a little more immersive in the history we get with Eliza and her story. I mean, who is Neva? We barely get her until way later, and by then I was more invested in Eliza and seeing her as the main character.
Some vampire history, blah, blah. I just had a really hard time investing in this book. I was considering DNFing at 14%, but I am not a DNFer and was already committed, and if I haden't, I wouldn't have had the intriguing tale of Eliza, Zachariah, and Reegan.
I feel like readers who really love vampires, vampiric lore, and paranormal romance will really enjoy this one, but I personally don't need to finish this series.
This is the second novel in the Black Ice Trilogy, preceded by Snow, with no news regarding the third installment (Blizzard was published in 2018 and the time of this review is 2024).
I thought the prose of the first novel was a bit slow, and yet somehow still gave it a 4/5.
This novel feels a little more immersive in the history we get with Eliza and her story. I mean, who is Neva? We barely get her until way later, and by then I was more invested in Eliza and seeing her as the main character.
Some vampire history, blah, blah. I just had a really hard time investing in this book. I was considering DNFing at 14%, but I am not a DNFer and was already committed, and if I haden't, I wouldn't have had the intriguing tale of Eliza, Zachariah, and Reegan.
I feel like readers who really love vampires, vampiric lore, and paranormal romance will really enjoy this one, but I personally don't need to finish this series.
February 8, 2019
In my opinion, this one was way better than the first one. I really liked Eliza’s story and i’m so curious about Zachariah now. I feel like the third one will be so great!
I didn’t give five stars because the main character was so annoying. I understand why she’s frustrated but she’s always doing something stupid! Also, i really like the writing, but in some of the action scenes, i don’t feel like the characters are in danger. I’m like: oh a battle. That’s it. The last chapters were intense, i must admit. But before that, i don’t feel emotionally involved in the story.
I won a copy pf this book in a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review and i’m so happy about it. Thanks to them to send me this one. I’m excited to see how this story is going to end.
I didn’t give five stars because the main character was so annoying. I understand why she’s frustrated but she’s always doing something stupid! Also, i really like the writing, but in some of the action scenes, i don’t feel like the characters are in danger. I’m like: oh a battle. That’s it. The last chapters were intense, i must admit. But before that, i don’t feel emotionally involved in the story.
I won a copy pf this book in a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review and i’m so happy about it. Thanks to them to send me this one. I’m excited to see how this story is going to end.
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