This fantasy novel revolves around ruby, a Fireblood, who can generate heat and fire, living in a world dominated by Frostbloods who generate ice and cold and persecute the Firebloods. She gets involved in a conspiracy and finds allies and enemies all around her. Betrayal and dark forces are at work.

The characters are reasonably developed but are a bit predictable. Like a lot of similar books, there's a fair amount of introspection which can be repetitive. Quite good but not really enough for the seasoned fantasy fan although there's some originality.

You can also find my review here: https://devouringbooks2017.wordpress.com/2018/06/06/frostblood-by-elly-blake-review/

This is a book that I passed up reading a bunch of times, but picked it up on a whim because the cover caught my eye and someone agreed to read it with me. I went in blind, only a reputation and cover, without reading a description. I also originally thought that this book was Frostfire by Amanda Hocking, who wrote the Trylle series, which I loved. I am glad that I stumbled across it because I really enjoyed it.

Frostblood moved at a really fast pace, which is an aspect that I really enjoy in novels. The world building was pretty cool. I found the descriptions of a few of the mystical beings to be quite vivid and they felt realistic. The origin story of frostbloods and firebloods was placed well in the beginning of the story, and didn’t feel like information dumping. The prophecy and plot were done very well.

I liked Ruby as a main character. She had quite a temper and wasn’t as innocent as most protagonists are. She flew off the handle when she was angry. While she gained control of her temper and powers throughout the novel and her character arc, she was still quite wild. I found her a bit different than other protagonists that I read about, which is refreshing because I read a lot of young adult fantasy novels.

The rising action and climax of the story weren’t delivered with as much intensity and build up as I preferred, but they were still done well. There was a good plot twist that I didn’t see coming at all. The romance was okay, but more of a secondary element. I didn’t really feel the heat of the relationship, but it was okay. I never had an opportunity to get bored, the action can’t be turning the pages. I would probably be willing to read the sequel, but I won’t be seeking it out. This is the first book that I read by Elly Blake, and it was pretty good

I received a copy from Netgalley.

This is one of those delightful fantasy series that the plot twists are actually pretty ridiculous and kind of laughable, but it’s just SO GOOD you can overlook how silly it really is because it’s so exceptionally well written and the characters are excellent. Definitely one of my favourite fantasy series of this year.

Review contains spoilers for the first book.

She’s definitely got a spark and attitude and a delightful snarky manor about her, given everything Ruby went through in the first book, she’s an incredibly strong and well-adjusted character and is definitely (in this reader’s opinion) entitled to her moments of moaning and temper. She’s smart enough to know and understand that everything isn’t going to go smoothly.

Of course there is naturally some suspicion there. Wouldn’t be that simple. (And of course if everything went according to the plan there wouldn’t be much of a book.) There’s a lot of arguing between Ruby and Arcus on this point which makes a lot of sense if you think about it. There’s not a lot of information on who Kai is, or if he’s really who he SAYS he is. Or what he’s really doing there. Is she just going to blindly trust him and believe what he says? You can understand Arcus’s reasons against it.

At the same time Ruby has the chance to learn more about her own people and her own powers, she’ll be with others the same as herself – Firebloods. You can understand as well why Ruby wants to see the Fireblood lands. It’s a well reasoned argument with good points from both sides, made more frustrating by the deep attraction and the love that the two have for each other. And it’s almost painful to read about for the two of them clearly care deeply for each other but both are damned stubborn.

Ruby has to take trails to become a Master before she can get access to the information she needs. And nothing goes according to plan. As the training increases and the tests she has to pass become more and more difficult, she’s hit bit a number of startling revelations about who she really is and who her own deceased mother was.

The twists are a bit silly to be perfectly honest, but like I said earlier, this is such a brilliantly written book, the daftness of the plot which can be eye rolling at times, doesn’t particularly matter because it’s so much fun to read. Left at a cliffhanger (of course) for the final instalment. Which I am really looking forward to.

This is a fantastic series I can’t recommend enough. I’ve already pre ordered the last book.

I received a copy from Netgalley.

Initially I went into this one not knowing much about it. It was a bit of coverlust, really. Though rereading the blurb when my Netgalley request was approved it sounded like a generic YA fantasy, also sounding a bit too much like Red Queen (which I really didn’t like) though Frostblood wound up really surprising me. I didn’t quite finish it before it came out, but before I was half way through I purchased a finished copy.

The main character Ruby lives in a world of ice ruled by Frostbloods who are cruel and vicious. Ruby has a special power of her own, she can create and manipulate fire – she’s a Fireblood. Firebloods are hunted down by Frostbloods and either killed or imprisoned. There’s a big dramatic history between the two factions of why things are the way they are which is revealed as the novel progresses.

Sounds a bit generic, but the world building is surprisingly in depth with well thought out mythology and history and works well with the plot. Ruby is captured by Frostblood soldiers after an attack on the village near her home which results in a personal tragedy for her, driving her need for revenge. Rescued by local monks Ruby is given an opportunity to help them bring down the Frostblood king.

Not all the monks are happy to have Ruby with them – she is unpredictable, can’t control her powers and a dangerous liability. Ruby has to train to master her ability. With the help of Arcus, who comes across as one of the monks less than pleased to have her there. He’s mysterious, and quite rude and obnoxious. He and Ruby rub each other the wrong way. It’s kind of obvious immediately where it’s going but it’s delightfully shippy, and quite fun to get into their training and snide back and forths with snarking at each other. (I did find myself wanting to shove them together and yell JUST KISS ALREADY! As they sort out their true feelings for each other).

Ruby has her doubts about what she’s got to do, and learns a few things that she’s unsure about. There’s of course a prophecy involved, a few twisty setbacks, and one big ass plot twist towards the end that was really good and completely unexpected when the truth of Arcus’s real identity and his intentions are revealed.

Despite the fact that the plot is nothing that hasn’t been done before, the novel is exceptionally well written, the characters are all interesting and well fleshed out, a mix of good guys, bad guys and one or two you’re not quite sure about. Good solid world building with an interesting history and its own belief system of gods and goddesses which work well within the plot and ties up nicely.

A lot of fun. I have already pre ordered the sequel, and am really looking forward to more from this series.

Thank you to Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for approving my request to view the title.

From time to time I always enjoy looking for a new YA series to start. I received an email from Netgalley about this book and it interested me so much that I thought it would be the next YA series that I'd try. I really enjoyed this through most of the book but for me the events towards the end of the book really lessened my enjoyment. In fact the ending seemed so wrapped up to me that I don't see how or why this would continue as a series.

Ruby was a really good character to follow and I enjoyed reading about her. I liked that her eventual romance with Arcus did not overwhelm the plot. She was going to get her revenge and nothing was going to stop her.

Ruby was definitely the bright spot of this book but events towards the end just left me a bit bored. Everything just works out too easily and everything is pretty much wrapped up at the end. I will not be continuing on with this series unfortunately.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the galley.