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evermoreliterary's review
3.0
I received the audiobook from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review!
I genuinely enjoyed this book. First of all. That COVER art is so intriguing and it immediately caught my eye. And I am so happy it did!
The Frost Eater is the first in a new trilogy that features a very unique magic system. This book is part dystopian, part..fantasy?? A total mix of genres I haven't read before. It took me a minute to get used to it but once I did, I was super into it. It literally had dragons yall. Dragons in a dystopian?? Sign me up.
But back to the magic system. Basically the world was destroyed and afterward, people discovered that some people had the ability to use different types of magic depending on what they ate as "fuel". For example, a person who could fly would eat feathers for fuel to be able to produce their magic. Totally wild, right?? People started eating ash, ice, rocks, blood.. all sorts of things in order to do magic. Each generation the magic would get weaker, but there are still a few left. At first, I was like.. ew.. feathers??? COULD YOU IMAGINE?? But it was super unique and I really enjoyed the creativity used for this magic system.
The plot was a little slow but it picked up eventually and didn't slow down again. The characters all could have probably used a bit more character development, ESPECIALLY the villains. That is mostly why I couldn't rate this book higher. That, and the romance aspect was a bit dry/flat and left me wondering why the romance was even included if it wasn't going to be written with more purpose. But maybe that's just personal preference. I love some passionate romance!
I genuinely enjoyed this book. First of all. That COVER art is so intriguing and it immediately caught my eye. And I am so happy it did!
The Frost Eater is the first in a new trilogy that features a very unique magic system. This book is part dystopian, part..fantasy?? A total mix of genres I haven't read before. It took me a minute to get used to it but once I did, I was super into it. It literally had dragons yall. Dragons in a dystopian?? Sign me up.
But back to the magic system. Basically the world was destroyed and afterward, people discovered that some people had the ability to use different types of magic depending on what they ate as "fuel". For example, a person who could fly would eat feathers for fuel to be able to produce their magic. Totally wild, right?? People started eating ash, ice, rocks, blood.. all sorts of things in order to do magic. Each generation the magic would get weaker, but there are still a few left. At first, I was like.. ew.. feathers??? COULD YOU IMAGINE?? But it was super unique and I really enjoyed the creativity used for this magic system.
The plot was a little slow but it picked up eventually and didn't slow down again. The characters all could have probably used a bit more character development, ESPECIALLY the villains. That is mostly why I couldn't rate this book higher. That, and the romance aspect was a bit dry/flat and left me wondering why the romance was even included if it wasn't going to be written with more purpose. But maybe that's just personal preference. I love some passionate romance!
bradleyj's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
The story was good, the world building was there but I just didn’t full connect with the characters. Their stories and backgrounds were interesting but it felt a little service level. I was fully expecting the overseer to be her aunt and was shocked at who it was!
mizchirfmanaged's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I got this book as a Stuff Your Kindle Day freebie and I really liked it! I had never read anything by Carol Beth Anderson previously but I genuinely enjoyed this book. I'm more into adult fantasy / romantasy now, but 14-16 year old me would've ATE THIS UP.
I really liked how our FMC (Princess Nora) & MMC (Krey, a lyster invited to study at the palace) were platonic - I feel like you don't get that a lot especially in a YA Fantasy. I remember being very romance heavy as a teen (think Twilight, Hunger Games, Maximum Ride), but I think had this book been around it would've been a breath of fresh air to get a break from the romance but still have main characters with platonic chemistry who save the world together. Not to say that there isn't romance, we see that in the last third/quarter of the book, but I really like that the romance isn't one of the main focuses. We see an age appropriate friendship between a major female & male character, whose character developments don't involve figuring out whether or not they're right for each other. They work together to save the love interest of the MMC - and Nora is happy to be helping and doing the right thing!
I also think the magic system is super unique - Lysters (what the magic wielders are called in this universe) have to eat fuel that powers their magic (think like health, stamina, or mana in a video game). A frost lyster will eat ice, a healer has to drink blood, a rock lyster literally eats rocks, a fly lyster eats feathers, etc. I like how it actually quantifies the magic - the limitations are based on how much of their fuel a lyster can eat until they're full, how efficiently they "catalyze" their fuel once it's ingested, and they have to be mindful of how much they use because once it's out they have to eat more fuel to produce more magic. I'm excited and intrigued to see how this develops in the next books.
The villain was a bit one dimensional - dude is power hungry and has gone mad in pursuit of said power. I hope his plot / development is a little more fleshed out in the sequels, a good villain is humanized beyond their villain-ness. They're still multi-faceted people even if their evil trumps that. The villain in The Frost Eater wants to be large & in charge and will do whatever it takes to get there, just like every other villain out there.
I also wish we got more of Zeisha's POV. Her chapters were very short, which I guess is the point since her memory is lost, but I wish we got more of her trying to remember. Her chapters felt like she was almost resigned to her fate and counting the days away. It would have been cool if she was trying to come up with a plan to fight back or escape in what little moments she has at night.
All in all this is a solid start to what I hope is a successful series. A great YA novel that is age appropriate and has a good message.
Would I re-read? Probably not. I rarely re-read books unless I become absolutely obsessed. With that being said, would I read for the first time again? Yes
Will I continue the series? Probably. I liked how this series started but there's a bit I have to get through on my TBR before I would jump in to finish this. I hope I get to it someday though, I'm definitely interested in seeing what's next for these characters!
I really liked how our FMC (Princess Nora) & MMC (Krey, a lyster invited to study at the palace) were platonic - I feel like you don't get that a lot especially in a YA Fantasy. I remember being very romance heavy as a teen (think Twilight, Hunger Games, Maximum Ride), but I think had this book been around it would've been a breath of fresh air to get a break from the romance but still have main characters with platonic chemistry who save the world together. Not to say that there isn't romance, we see that in the last third/quarter of the book, but I really like that the romance isn't one of the main focuses. We see an age appropriate friendship between a major female & male character, whose character developments don't involve figuring out whether or not they're right for each other. They work together to save the love interest of the MMC - and Nora is happy to be helping and doing the right thing!
I also think the magic system is super unique - Lysters (what the magic wielders are called in this universe) have to eat fuel that powers their magic (think like health, stamina, or mana in a video game). A frost lyster will eat ice, a healer has to drink blood, a rock lyster literally eats rocks, a fly lyster eats feathers, etc. I like how it actually quantifies the magic - the limitations are based on how much of their fuel a lyster can eat until they're full, how efficiently they "catalyze" their fuel once it's ingested, and they have to be mindful of how much they use because once it's out they have to eat more fuel to produce more magic. I'm excited and intrigued to see how this develops in the next books.
The villain was a bit one dimensional - dude is power hungry and has gone mad in pursuit of said power. I hope his plot / development is a little more fleshed out in the sequels, a good villain is humanized beyond their villain-ness. They're still multi-faceted people even if their evil trumps that. The villain in The Frost Eater wants to be large & in charge and will do whatever it takes to get there, just like every other villain out there.
I also wish we got more of Zeisha's POV. Her chapters were very short, which I guess is the point since her memory is lost, but I wish we got more of her trying to remember. Her chapters felt like she was almost resigned to her fate and counting the days away. It would have been cool if she was trying to come up with a plan to fight back or escape in what little moments she has at night.
All in all this is a solid start to what I hope is a successful series. A great YA novel that is age appropriate and has a good message.
Would I re-read? Probably not. I rarely re-read books unless I become absolutely obsessed. With that being said, would I read for the first time again? Yes
Will I continue the series? Probably. I liked how this series started but there's a bit I have to get through on my TBR before I would jump in to finish this. I hope I get to it someday though, I'm definitely interested in seeing what's next for these characters!
simoneclark's review against another edition
5.0
This is a fantastic start to a fantasy series!!! I really liked the characters and the plot. I want to find out what happens to the characters next. So, I'm adding the next book to my TBR.
jazilee's review
5.0
I loved this book
the characters are each richly developed and unique with their own backstories that interplay nicely - and the unique system of magic just helps the world move along at it's own pace. I think I most connected with Nora - she has a disconnect from the common everyday world and it's subtleties that I experience being autistic. (though she has her own disconnect for other reasons) and her endeavoring to learn how to negotiate interactions with the "normal" people around her reminds me of my own challenges learning to navigate social norms. and I loved watching the relationship develop between Krey and Nora through the book. through the ups and downs..
This is a great read and I can't wait to read book two.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
the characters are each richly developed and unique with their own backstories that interplay nicely - and the unique system of magic just helps the world move along at it's own pace. I think I most connected with Nora - she has a disconnect from the common everyday world and it's subtleties that I experience being autistic. (though she has her own disconnect for other reasons) and her endeavoring to learn how to negotiate interactions with the "normal" people around her reminds me of my own challenges learning to navigate social norms. and I loved watching the relationship develop between Krey and Nora through the book. through the ups and downs..
This is a great read and I can't wait to read book two.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
darrahsteffenwrites's review against another edition
Slow pacing. I had a hard time getting into the story
valovebooks's review against another edition
5.0
This story was very creative and one that I hadn't heard before. The idea of a future where people have special powers is pretty cool and I really liked it. I read the story some months ago before it released as an ARC and I totally forgot about the release date..im super duper late but I'm so glad other books are already out because now I can finish this story. I remember the plot and I liked the Princess and how she left with the guy whose name I can't remember. I will definitely do a re read so I can continue on with the other books. The books are so pretty cool! Pretty for my book shelf!
sfilson's review against another edition
5.0
Was wondering what to eat ... This is an honest
review by an ARC reviewer, I was kept inside this world by the great story line ,and fantastic world building by this author. You will be enthralled as was I ..enjoy the plot as it unwinds . Can not wait for the next installment.
review by an ARC reviewer, I was kept inside this world by the great story line ,and fantastic world building by this author. You will be enthralled as was I ..enjoy the plot as it unwinds . Can not wait for the next installment.
jbsmunky's review against another edition
4.0
Good story, interesting premise. Different than most stories of this kind. I love that the author narrated. I feel it gives a better inside view to a character knowing how the author thinks of them.
mjluckett's review against another edition
5.0
This is a new author for me!!
I Loved this book, and how different magic is in this world!!
Such a unique way to harness magic!!
Cant wait to dig into the next book!!
I Loved this book, and how different magic is in this world!!
Such a unique way to harness magic!!
Cant wait to dig into the next book!!