What do you think?
Rate this book
Winter's Queen #1
Touch of Frost
The Queen of Winter is out of control.
When Beira, the Cailleach Bheur of legend, was stripped of her crown it was accepted that Anya would be the new Queen of Winter. Anya was Beira's only daughter and the only one who could safely see Scotland through the coming chill, but as the cold season drew near Anya's burgeoning abilities spiraled out of control, freezing anything—and anyone—she touched.
There were two things Chris never doubted: his love for Anya, and that she could handle her new role as Winter's Queen. As for everything else in his life, that was another matter. He was a teacher who couldn't teach, because Carson University had been wrecked by warring gods. He was a bestselling author who couldn't publish his next book, because of an ongoing legal battle sparked by his ex-fiancée. And try as he might he still couldn't live down having once been the Seelie Queen's lover.
With Anya's powers threatening to destroy everyone around her, Chris turned to his sister and her partner, the gallowglass, for help. Together they learned that Anya had more enemies than she ever knew, and they'd followed her out of Elphame and to Scotland itself.
As Chris frantically searched for a way to help Anya, she went to her mother for guidance. Living in the rebuilt Winter Palace, Beira no longer had the strength to hold Anya's gifts in check—but what she did have was a secret passage into the Unseelie Court. There, Anya learned a secret so big it would shake the very foundations of Elphame. But would these secrets matter if Anya froze the realm solid?
When Beira, the Cailleach Bheur of legend, was stripped of her crown it was accepted that Anya would be the new Queen of Winter. Anya was Beira's only daughter and the only one who could safely see Scotland through the coming chill, but as the cold season drew near Anya's burgeoning abilities spiraled out of control, freezing anything—and anyone—she touched.
There were two things Chris never doubted: his love for Anya, and that she could handle her new role as Winter's Queen. As for everything else in his life, that was another matter. He was a teacher who couldn't teach, because Carson University had been wrecked by warring gods. He was a bestselling author who couldn't publish his next book, because of an ongoing legal battle sparked by his ex-fiancée. And try as he might he still couldn't live down having once been the Seelie Queen's lover.
With Anya's powers threatening to destroy everyone around her, Chris turned to his sister and her partner, the gallowglass, for help. Together they learned that Anya had more enemies than she ever knew, and they'd followed her out of Elphame and to Scotland itself.
As Chris frantically searched for a way to help Anya, she went to her mother for guidance. Living in the rebuilt Winter Palace, Beira no longer had the strength to hold Anya's gifts in check—but what she did have was a secret passage into the Unseelie Court. There, Anya learned a secret so big it would shake the very foundations of Elphame. But would these secrets matter if Anya froze the realm solid?
- GenresFantasy
248 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 30, 2021
42 people are currently reading
665 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Allis Provost
54 books671 followersBe sure to follow Jenn on BookBub for the latest on sales and new releases: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/jenni...
Looking for exclusive content, including the prequel to Poison Garden? Follow her on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=143069...
Jennifer Allis Provost is a native New Englander who lives in a sprawling colonial along with her beautiful and precocious twins, a dog, two birds, three cats, and a wonderful husband who never forgets to buy ice cream. As a child, she read anything and everything she could get her hands on, including a set of encyclopedias, but fantasy was always her favorite. She spends her days drinking vast amounts of coffee, arguing with her computer, and avoiding any and all domestic behavior.
Looking for exclusive content, including the prequel to Poison Garden? Follow her on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=143069...
Jennifer Allis Provost is a native New Englander who lives in a sprawling colonial along with her beautiful and precocious twins, a dog, two birds, three cats, and a wonderful husband who never forgets to buy ice cream. As a child, she read anything and everything she could get her hands on, including a set of encyclopedias, but fantasy was always her favorite. She spends her days drinking vast amounts of coffee, arguing with her computer, and avoiding any and all domestic behavior.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 29, 2021
I enjoyed this story but in the beginning of the book there was a lot of terms thrown at you all at once to describe types of mystical beings that was a bit overwhelming for this old brain. Also, I could be wrong but it felt like there were some words throughout that the editor missed correcting and I don't mean with the Scottish Brogue. Overlooking these small things, I really did like the story and do highly recommend it.
February 10, 2023
‘Warring gods do tend to leave a mess in their wake.’
I like how the author included so many influences: Fae, Greek, Icelandic, Norse, Pict, Roman, etc. And it totally makes sense to divide the year from Samhain until Beltane. Oh! And the phrasing…
‘I know of one scoundrel who would make my daughter suffer just to grind salt in my already broken heart.’
Fave quote:
‘A cape and a few baubles can mean all the difference between you looking like a fierce ruler rather than a frightened girl.’
I even took a Google Maps trip to the various areas mentioned (excluding portal travels).
Don’t miss the Glossary at the end.
It’s now time to do ‘some damage to that bottle of Glenfiddich’ before starting in on ‘The Giant’s Daughter’.
I like how the author included so many influences: Fae, Greek, Icelandic, Norse, Pict, Roman, etc. And it totally makes sense to divide the year from Samhain until Beltane. Oh! And the phrasing…
‘I know of one scoundrel who would make my daughter suffer just to grind salt in my already broken heart.’
Fave quote:
‘A cape and a few baubles can mean all the difference between you looking like a fierce ruler rather than a frightened girl.’
I even took a Google Maps trip to the various areas mentioned (excluding portal travels).
Don’t miss the Glossary at the end.
It’s now time to do ‘some damage to that bottle of Glenfiddich’ before starting in on ‘The Giant’s Daughter’.
May 29, 2023
t took me some time to get into the book. This was because the main character Anya shares my name. But after that I liked the book a lot.
The struggle of Anya coming to term with her powers as the new Queen of Winter. The struggle of partner Chris in keeping Anya save, helping her and trying to fight off all sorts of enemies. With some help of his sister and her partner: the Gallowglas. And with great risk for himself because Anya threatens to freeze him accidentally when touching.
The book sets of at a strong pace, with nice characters and good dialog. a roller coaster plot and an end I didn't see coming. Recommended!
I received an ARC from the writer and offer my opinion freely.
The struggle of Anya coming to term with her powers as the new Queen of Winter. The struggle of partner Chris in keeping Anya save, helping her and trying to fight off all sorts of enemies. With some help of his sister and her partner: the Gallowglas. And with great risk for himself because Anya threatens to freeze him accidentally when touching.
The book sets of at a strong pace, with nice characters and good dialog. a roller coaster plot and an end I didn't see coming. Recommended!
I received an ARC from the writer and offer my opinion freely.
July 3, 2021
I really loved this story. The world building is absolutely beautiful. The characters are very realistic. The chemistry between Anya and Chris is hot. Anya struggles to gain control over her new powers before she freezes her entire world. I am fortunate to have read this beautifully written book. It is fantastic.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 2, 2022
The story itself did not click with me, though the premise was interesting, I couldn't get myself drawn into the book. That doesn't mean that it wasn't a good book, because even though I couldn't get into it, I continued reading and I saw lots of character development and many plot twists. Just because it didn't click with me doesn't mean it isn't a good book - it might be the hidden gem someone else has been looking for all along.
April 5, 2022
Promising synopsis, along the lines of well known Fey series.
However, this is possibly one of the most bizarre books I’ve read recently. It felt overly familiar immediately. When comparing sections (sadly I own this series, on a reader’s recommendation) it’s a mashup of separate books by the author.
This particular book contains blocks of content from the book Homecoming, published in 2018.
Explains the erratic plot and repetition.
However, this is possibly one of the most bizarre books I’ve read recently. It felt overly familiar immediately. When comparing sections (sadly I own this series, on a reader’s recommendation) it’s a mashup of separate books by the author.
This particular book contains blocks of content from the book Homecoming, published in 2018.
Explains the erratic plot and repetition.
August 30, 2021
This I book started off very slow. At first I wondered if I was reading the authors bio instead of the actual book! Once I got through that it was interesting enough. There wasn’t a lot of world building but the characters were well detailed and likable. This book did not feel very original and was similar to others I have read which wasn’t a bad thing. I enjoyed the relationship between Anya and Christopher and was able to finish this book and look forward to reading the next in this series.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 27, 2021
I very much enjoyed reading this book. I loved reading the book through the eyes of both Chris and Anya and how you get each side of the same moment / situation in their lives. I enjoyed how people that were once enemies became new family and friends. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series and other books by the author.
July 1, 2023
good read I’m willing to buy the 2nd one
Good read. Characters are realistic as the book moves along at a consistent speed. The main characters are growing, or at least trying to, and the minor characters are interesting as well.
Good read. Characters are realistic as the book moves along at a consistent speed. The main characters are growing, or at least trying to, and the minor characters are interesting as well.
November 22, 2023
DNF at 25% and honestly I had been considering not finishing at around 15%. The story is not... Not interesting, but after the prologue gave a rushed and brief summary of a back sorry, and allusions to the backstory in the inner monologues of the narrators I found myself wanting to read THAT story more than the story I was actually reading. I found myself feeling like I would care more about what was happening of I had been able to read the events that happened before this book than just getting glimpses of that story in casual passing. It seems like it would be a really cool story.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews