The King of the human realm waged war on the Fae, taking the young Fae Prince back as his prisoner after slaughtering his family in cold blood. For two and a half decades, Prince Crispin has sat in the dungeons of his mortal enemies' castle.
Rory is a young commander, desperate to prove herself to the King she serves under. But her blood has a secret that could ruin her life if the King finds out what she really is. She hides under the mortal King's nose as he continues to wipe the earth of all the Fae with unrelenting force. Her fate lies within a choice between duty and righteousness.
Sterling has always been right there to challenge and push Rory to her wits end, rivalling for the same attention and favour from King Oberon. His own decisions end him up on guard duty with her, watching over the frosted Fae in the cells.
A challenge. A ring. A spellbook.
The fate of the fae and the two Kingdom’s rest in the hands of these three.
E. D. Lee is a gothic vampire from Ohio who became a self-published author. She started her career in writing with her fantasy romance duology, the Shadowfyre Duology. She has multiple series that are perfect for dark fantasy romance readers who enjoy spice. The Frosted Fae Series holds a special place in her heart and she continuously spreads her wings with standalone novels, new series and branching out into different categories for fantastic stories!
I was told to read this book and give my honest opinion. In the beginning, I kept putting it down and picking it back up at a later time.
There are a few grammatical/spelling errors in the version that I read. However, I am fully aware that she is editing the mistakes and cleaning this book up. THATTT is what a great author does! She took the criticism and is working to make this book better.
This book is NOT lacking anywhere else. It’s twisty with some spice. It was predictable in some areas but honestly? I love being right 🤣
Ella describes things so well and so clearly that I can vision it perfectly. If you enjoyed ACOTAR, I think you’d enjoy this series.
But, all in all,
WHY ELLA? Why did we have to end the way we did with this book 😭😭😭. I have too many books on my list to be adding 4 other books. It makes me want to start the next one right away. I both love and hate the author for that! 🤣
Anyway, off to tend to the life I have been ignoring because I was sucked into the last 40% of this book and read it in one sitting…. Oops..
From the first page, I was intrigued by this story of magic, dueling kings/princes, and the air of mystery that was created. E.D. Lee did a fantastic job building up the suspense, and I can not wait for the next book. This is a great read for someone who enjoys Fae, a bit of spice and enemies to lovers/fated mates. 5 stars as I couldn't put it down.
Frost (The Frosted Fae Series, #1) - E.D. Lee [eARC REVIEW]
Thank you to Ella Lee (author and publisher of Frost) for giving me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
RATING: 5/5
Favorite Quotes:
“What is with them? One moment they’re glaring at the other like they want to kill, and then next he’s romantically flying with her in his arms.”
“Love and hate. Two sides of the same coin. It’s hard to disguise which is which, especially for those two who are more stubborn than anyone I’ve ever met.”
Premise:
Frost, the novel, follows Aurora (Rory), who is a half-fae living within the mortal realm of Gaerith as she works her way through the ranks of the King’s (King Oberon) army to the position of Commander, following in the footsteps of her heroic, since passed, father. She keeps her true identity secret - for if King Oberon discovered the nature of her blood-line, death would await her. During her years working through the ranks, Rory met Sterling (Ster) who - in her opinion - was an arrogant, conceited, and pretentious male who she grew to loathe as they competed with one another in the effort of dominance. Though - as the author so elegantly puts it in her story - “love and hate are two sides of the same coin”. Could these two grow to even tolerate one another? Could they, after realizing they might have something in common, fight for a better world - perhaps a better world across realms?
Review:
Frost, drawing parallels to the ACOTAR and TOG series, delivers copious amounts of spice, twists and turns, as well as well thought out, deep characters.
If you have a thing for “territorial fae bastards,” you’ll thoroughly enjoy this story. You like the enemies to lovers trope too, you say? Well - then add this to your TBR now.
Frost will keep you at the edge of your seat. You will love some characters, while despising others. You will want to punch Ster in his pretty face - and also make out with said pretty face at the same time. Buckle in. This book is a wild ride that will leave you wanting more - there is already a sequel in the works, after all.
TRIGGER WARNINGS: Mature Content (more NA than YA), Mentions of Rape, Violence, Imprisionment, War Themes
If you love ACOTAR and enemies to lovers this is the book for you. Not to mention and author who listens to her reviews and has even recently reprinted the book according to their feedback
E.D. Lee’s Frost is a captivating fantasy novel filled with political intrigue, warring kingdoms, and slow-burning tension that will grip fans of Sarah J. Maas and Jennifer L. Armentrout. If you love high-stakes battles, enemies to lovers romance, and morally complex characters, this book is a must-read.
Set in a richly woven world where humans and fae clash, Frost throws readers into a turbulent war where a mortal king has imprisoned a fae prince and killed most of the fae kind, leading his older brother to take drastic action. The older prince, who, in a desperate bid to free his brother, does the unthinkable joining the very army of the mortal king who holds him captive. This creates a compelling internal conflict, pushing the boundaries of trust, loyalty, and survival.
Blending brutal war, magical intrigue, and deep-seated rivalries. The contrast between the fae realms and human kingdoms adds a layer of richness, making the stakes feel even higher.
The older fae prince is a fantastic protagonist—torn between duty, vengeance, and the unexpected bonds he forms with the very people he claims he hates. His rivalry-turned-romance with the halfling fae companion is absolute perfection, filled with decades of feuding, banter, and undeniable chemistry.
The younger prince’s imprisonment and the older prince’s desperate attempt to save him make for gut-wrenching moments of sacrifice and redemption. Their bond is tested time and time again, keeping readers on edge.
From the prison break to the quest for the spell book, the pacing is spot-on—never a dull moment. The fae magic system is woven seamlessly into the plot, enhancing both battle sequences and the emotional stakes.
Frost delivers everything a fantasy lover craves—a rich, war-torn world, high-stakes adventure, a romance with sizzling tension, and characters who linger in your mind long after the last page. If you're a fan of A Court of Thorns and Roses or From Blood and Ash, this book belongs at the top of your TBR.
FROST: Book 1 of The Frosted Fae Series: ByE.D. Lee.

Katie baxter
5.0 out of 5 stars 🌶🌶🌶🌶 ❄️❄️❄️❄️
Oh boy hold on for the ride!!!
So good that as soon as I finished I started on sterling which is the next book in the series! This book has left me with so many questions and im yearning for more to find them out! Some twists i seen coming, others were like holy moly thats crazy! For me it seems a bit faster pace then others somewhat slow burn and when it hits it hits holy cow 🐄 Super spicy Strong female main character who is a bada$$ A fun loveable man A grumpy red flag man that has more to give Some fun side friends And a mean evil king Fantastic journey and I plan on getting the pretty hardbacks as they come out!!!!!! Must read
I received a ARC copy of E.D. Lee’s newly revamped Frost.
Frost was such an intriguing read. It was packed with rich world-building, layered character development, a sprinkle of romance and plot twists that had me literally saying “wait… WHAT!?” every few chapters.
The story dives deep into the world of the Frosted Fae, where moral and Fae kingdoms are at war and fae princes are as fierce as they are honorable. The lore and atmosphere pulled me in right away.
There were a few parts where the story jumped back into memories to fill in the “whys,” and I’ll admit, I lost a little interest everytime a flashback came. But it all tied back in the end and gave the story a deeper emotional punch.
It’s one of those books that demands your attention (in the best way). Frost was full of magic, mystery and heart. If you love a story that keeps you guessing while breaking your heart just a little… this one’s for you. ❄️ No spoilers, just read it!
Now, off to explain to my TBR why there’s 4 more books added 🫣🫣
I was thoroughly captivated by this book! The unexpected plot twists were both shocking and exhilarating. Rory, as the female main character, undergoes a seamless transformation, embodying a fiery spirit that is nothing short of perfect. Sterling has quickly become my new favorite male main character; he exudes a protective and brooding demeanor that compels readers to eagerly turn each page. The conclusion was gripping and left me yearning for more. ED Lee, your passion is evident in these exquisite works of art, and I am thoroughly enjoying every single one!
Oh my goodness, what a story! I loved how detailed it was and the worlds that were created. The struggles of the Fae trying to survive and not knowing why they are so hated. Watching Rory finally give in to her feelings and let her self be vulnerable was a journey. But that ending!? Oh my! I can’t wait to read the next book!
I strongly recommend reading the Prequel before starting this book. It's not necessary, but it helps. Every time I read a book with a "villain," I can't help but think, who hurt you to make you this way, or just WHY? King Oberon is definitely up there with some of the big bads, and I hope he gets what's coming to him. E.D. Lee not only perfectly portrayed the villain, but she also painted an amazing picture of our heroines. Love her character development and world building.
Frost is nothing short of amazing! This book throws you into the heart of a gripping war between the Fae and a ruthless human king determined to wipe them out. The tension, the stakes, and the world-building are all phenomenal, pulling you in from the very first page.
And then there’s the kidnapped Fae prince—enticing, mysterious, and impossible not to be drawn to. Every interaction with him crackles with intensity, making it impossible to put the book down. But let’s talk about Mr. Sterling… because wow. Can anyone say new book boyfriend? He is everything—brooding, powerful, and utterly irresistible.
The writing is immersive, the characters are complex, and the story is packed with action, emotion, and just the right amount of tension to keep you on the edge of your seat. If you love fantasy with rich lore, strong characters, and a romance that keeps you hooked, Frost is an absolute must-read! Seriously this series reminds me of a more thought put in series than ACOTAR!!! I almost DNFed ACOTAR but the Frosted Fae series had me hooked instantly
Now, excuse me while I disappear to read the rest of the series!
I loved this book and it definitely gave me ACOTAR vibes. This book follows the connection between a female commander, male commander, and the prisoner of war they have in the dungeon. I loved learning how the characters were either connected directly or indirectly. I saw some of the twists coming ahead of time but others caught be completely off guard. Like- one caught me so off guard my jaw was DROPPED and I was blushing. I felt the main characters embarrassment and that’s how you know a scene is written FANTASTICALLY. There’s a lot of development between the love interests, in how they look back on their past and interpret it in different ways. Seeing hostility as a form of protection instead. Very moving romantic development. Book ended on a cliff hanger and I wanted to start the next book (a prequel) right away.
Subtracting one star due to slight plot inconsistencies: when the fae princes return to their kingdom they have fae survivors who are still building their town back up from the wreckage. However one of the fae princes was imprisoned for 25 years after the war ended, that alludes that the surviving villagers did not rebuild the town in 25 years? I could have missed something but that made no sense to me and bugged me for a bit.
Also the term “myocardium” was used excessively. I know it’s just another term for heart essentially but it was a little much to read it so many times.
While this book did have some grammatical inconsistencies, it deserves far more praise than it does anything else. Diving into this fantasy world of fae, there is unexpected twists around lots of corners, a very relatable FMC, slow burn enemies to lovers, the writing is definitely on par with popular fantasy series, and the spice is just chef’s kiss. If you’re into any of these themes I highly recommend this series!
“Dedicated to the girls who were born in chaos, thunder and frost in their bones, fire and fury in their hearts.” - E.D Lee
From the first sentence I was captivated, and it continued to get even better as I read. With poetic language, E.D. Lee weaves a story that will enthral you from start to finish and leave you wanting more. I enjoyed the world building, the characters, and the storyline. The banter between characters was well written, flowed naturally, and had me laughing at some points and emotional at others. The fact that the female main character wasn’t another 18 year old was incredibly refreshing, and her strength and skill spoke volumes. E.D. Lee’s attention to detail was exceptional, and really enhanced my experience as a reader.
If you’re looking for a read that’s good from cover to cover, this is the read for you. Just be aware of your triggers. It’s the first 5 ⭐️ read I’ve had in a long time and reignited my passion for dark fantasy. I can’t wait to see what comes in book two!
This book!! I don’t even know where to begin! I’m obsessed with the characters! Crispin is hilarious and such a fun character! Rory is strong and independent and I love that in a FMC! But Rist will forever have my heart!! He is broody, and grumpy but also funny and kind! I love him beyond words! This book is full of twists and turns and that cliffhanger is a doozy but I loved every second of it!
3.5⭐️ I really enjoyed this book and am excited to continue the series! A Romantasy with fae, secrets, a human king eager to destroy the fae for good, some spice, and so much more.
I got into this book so easily from the start! A twist I didn’t see coming quickly had me wrapped up and eager for more. I did find this book a bit slow throughout the middle, but at the same time it was really nice to sit with and get to know these characters and their stories even more. There are several characters in this book that I just adore, I love the found family aspect of this!
There are a few characters we follow closely. Our FMC Rory, one of the king’s top commanders; and our two MMCs Sterling, another of the king’s highly revered commanders as well as the capture young Fae Prince. I love the mix of POVs we get in this book; it’s not just the typical one chapter him, one chapter her, etc. We get a glimpse into these characters minds throughout most chapters.
Definitely a great read for fans of ACOTAR! I am excited to jump into book 2 after that ending!
The world, the characters, the story were all big hits with me.
Unfortunately, I had 2 issues that prevent a 5 star rating - the lack of editing/revising, and the style of PoV usage.
I knew there would be some rawness in terms of sound grammar and punctuation since this was an indie work (this wasn't my first time seeing it) but this book was severely neglected in that department. It honestly read like an early draft that was still in the stages of laying the foundation of the plot and setting. I found myself wanting to edit it as much as read it (and I NEVER take pens to my books).
Also, in general, I'm not a fan of being sling-shotted around the characters' perspectives from paragraph to paragraph with no clear transition. I have to pause time and time again to verify who I'm with and reorient the different knowledges, pasts, personalities, etc. The whiplash will often be the deal-breaker for me.
Still, even with those cons, I loved FROST enough to finish it with an eagerness for book 2. I need to see these three brave Fae prevail!
If you want a fantastic fae enemies to lovers with spicy scenes and an incredible story line look no further!!
A human king waged war on the Fae realm, crushing them beneath his feet. Subsequently the fae prince Crispin is held underneath the castle in the dank dungeons. When Commander Thorn is sent to guard him after 24 years of captivity due to the nature of her being female, there begins an astonishing adventure to and from the fae lands. With seduction, subversive plots, and torture, this book definitely earns its dark fantasy tag, so be sure to check the beginning for any triggers. But wow, these characters scratch my itch for loathing banter.
To the below review, I have to say, yes, there are small mistakes due to it being indie published, but they don’t detract from the storyline. The author is looking at editing it again this year, however, so hopefully it shouldn’t be an issue moving forward.
Frost completely pulled me in with its icy fae world, political chaos, and magic that keeps you on edge. The characters are messy, layered, and yes… there’s a certain territorial fae prince you’ll want to punch and kiss at the same time. Enemies-to-lovers/fated mates energy? Chef’s kiss!
The flashbacks slowed me down a bit, but they gave the story extra emotional punch.
Overall, Frost is twisty, spicy, and full of heart. If you love ACOTAR vibes, morally gray chaos, and fae you can’t stop thinking about, add this to your TBR!
Overall, this book is 4.5 stars and makes me want to read more!
Rory has a secret that could cost her her place in the army, her future, and her life. Every move she makes requires the skills to keep her secret from everyone.
Sterling has a secret that could cost him his place in the army, his future, and his life. He doesn't have to work quite as hard to hide his secret as Rory, but he still needs to hide from everyone.
Rory hates Sterling with everything in her. They clash no matter what they are trying to do. The two of them are always trying to be the best, better than the other. Until one day, everything changes.
Rory knows Sterling's secret.
Sterling knows Rory's secret.
And Frost is royalty?
The only downfall to this book is a handful of grammatical errors. After speaking to the author, I know that subsequent editions will not have these. Loved this book. Worth the read!
I am very impressed with the characters. They have some really amazing chemistry with each other and I liked them a lot. The best thing this book does is their relationship and banter. The only thing the book suffers from is some editing and newbie mistakes. If I am correct, this is a self published indie work. There are editing errors and a lot of things going on. I feel like despite those troubles it still turned out great. You can tell the author really cares about the story and characters even if they follow a lot of common tropes. The surprises really hooked me, and although they felt like they came out of nowhere at first they were explained well enough with time and turned out well. I am excited to read the next one and more from the author!
My first read by ED Lee and so far I’m impressed. I’d like to see how she grows as an author and I’m a fan of her characters thus far 💜 I can’t wait to read Thorn
I received an ARC copy of this book, and I’m so grateful for the chance to read it early—thank you for trusting me with it!
Overall, this was such an interesting and refreshing read. There were moments where the pacing felt a little confusing or rushed, and I found myself wishing certain scenes had been elaborated on more, but the story still held my attention. I especially enjoyed the use of flashbacks; they added depth to the plot and helped me connect more with the characters.
One of my favorite elements was the figurative language woven throughout the book, along with the bits of humor that lightened the heavier moments. I also really appreciated the way the traditional gender roles were flipped—seeing a female character portrayed as strong, capable, and emotionally complex in a way that matched (and sometimes surpassed) her male counterpart was refreshing. The unlikely-romance trope worked well here too, and felt believable and earned by the end.
The female lead in particular was incredibly relatable, especially in how her self-doubt was portrayed. That emotional thread made the story feel more grounded and human. The plot did feel slow at times, but this is the first book I’ve read in this genre, so that may have contributed to my experience. Still, the writing itself was easy to follow, and the book as a whole was very accessible.
The character development was a highlight—I loved seeing how each character grew across the story. My only structural note is that I found myself wishing the chapters were a bit shorter to help maintain momentum and keep readers pulled in.
A quick TW: the book includes an off-screen mention of SA, for anyone who may need to know before reading.
Overall, this was a positive and enjoyable introduction to the genre for me, with engaging characters, meaningful themes, and a unique approach to romance. I’m excited to see what this author writes next!
I received a free ARC copy of the revised edition of Frost by E.D. Lee in exchange for an honest review.
Overall, I absolutely loved this book. It’s a fantasy romance set in a world where humans despise the fae, and the tension between those groups creates a vivid backdrop for the story. Fans of Sarah J. Maas—especially those who enjoy slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers dynamics—will find a lot to love here.
The author shared that this revised edition includes bonus scenes not found in the original release, along with updates addressing earlier grammatical and editing issues. Since I didn’t read the first edition, I can’t directly compare, but I did still notice a handful of grammatical and stylistic errors. They weren’t enough to pull me out of the story or make me consider DNF’ing, but they are present.
The FMC is an absolute standout. She’s strong, independent, and capable—not just in attitude, but in action. I especially enjoyed watching her hold her own in sparring scenes and even take down male opponents. Her development and presence on the page were some of the book’s greatest strengths.
Be warned: the book ends on a major cliffhanger, the kind that will have you scrambling to start the next installment immediately.
Final verdict: A compelling start to the Frosted Fae series with excellent slow-burn tension, a badass heroine, and an addictive world. A few editing hiccups remain, but the story more than makes up for them. I’m excited to continue the series!
I received a free ARC copy of the revised edition of Frost by E.D. Lee in exchange for an honest review.
Overall, I absolutely loved this book. It’s a fantasy romance set in a world where humans despise the fae, and the tension between those groups creates a vivid backdrop for the story. Fans of Sarah J. Maas—especially those who enjoy slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers dynamics—will find a lot to love here.
The author shared that this revised edition includes bonus scenes not found in the original release, along with updates addressing earlier grammatical and editing issues. Since I didn’t read the first edition, I can’t directly compare, but I did still notice a handful of grammatical and stylistic errors. They weren’t enough to pull me out of the story or make me consider DNF’ing, but they are present.
The FMC is an absolute standout. She’s strong, independent, and capable—not just in attitude, but in action. I especially enjoyed watching her hold her own in sparring scenes and even take down male opponents. Her development and presence on the page were some of the book’s greatest strengths.
Be warned: the book ends on a major cliffhanger, the kind that will have you scrambling to start the next installment immediately.
Final verdict: A compelling start to the Frosted Fae series with excellent slow-burn tension, a badass heroine, and an addictive world. A few editing hiccups remain, but the story more than makes up for them. I’m excited to continue the series!
I LOVE the concept of the story. I did not like the writing.
The plot stayed shallow, like, "this happened, this happened, this happened". The time the MCs spent together did not sell me on developing love from hate. It stayed surface-y too.
The POV shift between sentences sometimes was a little irritating, that could just be a preference thing, but to me, it feels like it wasn't thought out well enough to shift POVs at breaks or chapters to create more depth.
And for the love of literature, can we just call a heart a heart, not a myocardium. When authors do things like that, it's trying too hard to be inventive.
I did like the idea well enough I'll give the "Sterling" prequel a go, as the author recommends that before book two. I hope with time in the story, the writing will improve. I don't know if I can make it through the series otherwise. Time will tell!
Thank you to Ella herself for having sent me a copy of her book to review. I love Fantasy books so I was super excited to read this one and I am looking forward to reading the rest of her Frosted Fae series. This book had so much going on (in a good way) and you really feel like you get drawn into the story and feel like you are really there with the characters. You have Rory, Crispin and Sterling in this one and at first I wasn't a huge fan of Sterling but once you keep reading you def grow to like him. I was definitely thrown by a twist too that I was not expecting that left my jaw dropping! A story with a twist like that is a win for me. Def a good book and the last chapter will want you to continue on with this story which I definitely am looking forward to.
Frost is a beautifully written enemies to lovers Romantasy! Each page is filled with tension!! I love the unique story line and all the enjoyable characters. If you love true enemies to lovers, longing, witty banter, and found family, add this book to your TBR!!