Frostblood (The Frostblood Saga, 1)

When I first started reading, I was a little worried because of some similarities to other YA novels. However, I found it interesting enough to keep reading and I’m SO glad that I did. I ended up finishing this book in a day because I couldn’t put it down (or if I had to, I schemed to figure out a way to pick it back up again).Even though some of the plot elements feel similar to other novels and there are some YA tropes, this book truly manages to differentiate itself from the very beginning. Every time I thought I could guess where the plot was going next, I was wrong. The author subverted many of my expectations through the inclusion of some unexpected scenes. Training of the chosen one is usually glossed over, however Ruby’s training (and her struggles with it) is actually one of the best parts of this book. There was an excellent balance of action and quieter scenes and, while I was left with some questions, the world-building was done quite well.*One note, this book started off rather shockingly and there are some somewhat graphic scenes later on.The characterization of both the main characters and the secondary ones is wonderful. Ruby is feisty, sassy, and has a will of iron. We spent a good deal of time with Ruby as she struggled with her training, her emotions, and her past. Seeing what she went through and showing the reader her flaws made me truly care for her. She’s flawed and we can see how she grapples with some of her decisions, particularly some of the darker ones. In this book, characters do have to face the consequences of their actions, something that I personally quite like in a book.Plus that romance! It’s a hate-to-love romance and it built very naturally, the progression fitting with the both of the characters’ personalities. Arcus has demons and scars of his own and the original barriers between the two of them were quite understandable. What this book does very well is showing how the walls between them start to come down. I loved that they both had to face their own fears and prejudices (and mature quite a bit) as their relationship progressed.This book was utterly captivating, enchanting, and engrossing. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys YA high fantasy or potentially high fantasy in general (while it is YA, the characters are on the more mature side). I’m already anxiously awaiting the next book in this series.*I received a free eARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

Very little of this elemental magic story was proprietary, but the way Blake melded together popular fantasy concepts was positively brilliant. The world she created was meticulous, from the character's eye color to how they smelled. The way their bodies reacted to their power, how their gifts came to be, and the interaction between Firebloods and Frostblood was perfectly designed. Each character's backstory aligned and moved the plot forward. I loved Ruby, I struggle to like female protagonists from time to time, but I liked her. She was strong, but not arrogant and unbearably rude. Confident, but not unteachable. Powerful, but not invincible. Independent but not a man-eater. And, of course, I loved Arcus, the mysterious, reluctant guardian type. It was intriguing. Great villain. I think my favorite part about the characters was that their powers were consistent. They didn't have a sudden burst of ability or a moment of utter helplessness to suit the plot. Blake created a complex story and did a great job seamlessly guiding the reader through. There were twists and turns that naturally fit the plot—no strange and convenient turn of events. The pacing was pretty good. I read the book in a little over 24 hours, and I remained engaged the entire time. There were a couple moments I wished we could move on, but nothing considerable. I, in part, loved the end. There are things I wished would have happened differently, but overall it was a good ending. I recommend this book to anyone who loves elemental magic and the enemies-to-lovers trope. It is a mostly clean romance, and though there is some violence, there is little to no gore.

A fascinating world, an intriguing prophecy, and awesome and deadly powers are just a few of the things that make FROSTBLOOD a thrilling and riveting one-sit read. Add in a curse, a quest for vengeance, epic clashes between fire and ice, gladiator-esque arena battles, dark forces, secrets, betrayal, tragedy, and a bit of romance, and you have a story that is unputdownable.Ruby is a Fireblood living in a world where who she is could get her imprisoned or killed. Frostbloods fear and hate her kind and the Frostblood King uses Firebloods for sport. Born without the fiery red hair that would immediately identify her as an enemy, all she had to do was suppress her abilities and she could escape notice.But her curiosity about her powers and her carelessness in concealing them meant discovery was inevitable. She just never imagined her mistakes would cost her the one person in the world that she loved.Ruby was prepared to accept her fate - a quick death by the hand of the King or a slow death in prison. But when offered the chance to escape, to avenge her loss, and to attempt to take down the Frostbloods' dark ruler, she accepted. Even if the chance of success was slim and even if it meant working with her enemies to do so. Because even if they ultimately failed, the alliance would help her master her fiery powers and help keep alive the flames of rage that burned in her heart.Elly Blake penned an amazing start to her series. She gave readers a heroine who is powerful, flawed, interesting, and sympathetic. She created a world steeped it in myth, with a captivating and exciting history, filled it with citizens whose abilities are polar opposites, a bevy of exotic creatures, and a ruler whose cruelty knows no bounds, and set it at a time when battles to the death were entertainment, when prophecies and legends were more than just stories, and when being a ruler corrupted or killed.FROSTBLOOD is a standout in a genre brimming with tales of evil rulers, dark magic, incredible abilities, and clashing clans. It reveals a past that is every bit as engaging as the story’s present. It introduces characters to root for. It builds a strong foundation for the story’s continuation in books to come. It leaves readers in anticipation of what’s next without leaving them dangling off a cliff. And it does all this in a way that makes for an enthralling and heartbreaking and absolutely extraordinary read.

This is a Awsome debut novel. It is excellent by any novels standards. I was recommended this as I really liked the Throne of Glass and the story and the story telling is right on par with this great series. If you grew up with fairytales and love superheroes you will love this story.Ruby is a Fireblood (meaning she can generate frie) in a land ruled by by Frostbloods (the ability to generate ice), this is more that enough to get her killed. Tought the basics of her power by her grandmother, she is hidden away by her mother. However when her secret is discovered and cost her everything she holds dear, she is burning for one thing revenge. When an opportunity is presented to her, she is dubious of trusting her natural enemies as allies.This story has it all, well written, well paced, action, romance, and even great character development. I like that fact that the characters natural personalities match their powers Ruby is fire so hot tempered, where as Frostbloods are portrayed is emotionally cold as they are powerful. However the characters are not one dimensional the all develop through the story. Ruby is constantly second guessing herself, but when she makes a decision she is determined to see it through no matter the cost to herself. I really enjoyed this book, and can't wait for the next one.

Frostblood is the story of a young woman who is persecuted for a gift. Rather than succumbing to this, she fights back, and what a fight back it is! This is a great book, well written, and with much to admire. Well worth picking up.This is the story of a young woman who is, ah, different. And because she’s different, she is persecuted. But she fights against this persecution and ends up in the exact place she doesn’t want to be - in the court of the King. Time to do something fantastic, or die trying.It is similar to books like the Red Queen, the Hundredth Queen, and Slave, Warrior Queen, and certainly stands its ground with these other great novels. There is lots to really like about this book, and as with most fantasy novels, it appears to signal the start of a great series. Bring it on!One of the great things about this novel is that it’s a well thought out story. It has a good plot, a coherent structure, and keeps a nice pace with it. Yes, the premise is a touch predictable (what with those other novels, I feel like I’ve read this story quite a few times), but it still delivers a great story and it is a pleasing read.It is also a very well written book. The writing is solid verging on really good, with nice flashes of richness here and there. It’s not a descriptive book with lots of verbose language that slows the pace down, but instead language is used stealthily to enrich the work. Nice.And sitting alongside this, there is some great work around imagery. As said above, this is not a descriptive book, but the world is described through the eyes of our protagonist in a way that is enlivening. I felt closer to the world here than I did with other similar books. Very enjoyable.One thing I was less keen on was the first person perspective. This appears to be common (particularly for books like this one), and this one is well done as first person goes. But for me, third person wins out every time.Another thing that just left me a little cold was the amount of time the protagonist laboured over her feelings. She would have been much better off just acting them out for us, getting on with the story. Instead these feelings are explained in some detail, and this is a little bit distancing. Certainly not a big problem, but worth noting nonetheless.One final thing which was strangely disconcerting was the fact that body parts were often written as behaving completely independently of the rest of the body! You know the stuff - hearts running away etc. I normally read over this sort of stuff - just a trip of the pen and all that - but it was quite heavy here! Make sure your eyes are ready to pick up on them as you read through.Anyway, overall this is a great book and a strong start to a series. Definitely worth picking up, especially if you were a fan of the Red Queen, Hundredth Queen, or anything like that!

I have huge amounts of love for this book! This is a book I stumbled upon by accident and thank anything that will listen for having done so!It was imaginative, spellbinding and completely addictive, I couldn't have put it down even if I had wanted to. More people need to know about this fantastical epic adventure!If you are a lover of Victoria Aveyard's "Red Queen series", you are sure to be a fan of Elly Blake's Frostblood saga.The book is split into two parts and I felt that the first part was a little underdeveloped, however by part two the author had hit her stride and it was utterly riveting. Painting a picture of beautiful and vivid detail that will stay with you long after the book has finished.

I first heard of Frostblood when I got a little postcard with a quote on it in one of my subscription boxes and decided to check it out. Now about 2 months later it's made it off my tbr and into my currently reading and I'm really glad about that!Frostblood has a pretty awesome premise. Ruby is a Fireblood, her veins run with fire and heat and her power is to manipulate and use fire to heal, to protect and sometimes to fight. But Fireblood's are murdered, banished and tortured in a world ruled by Frostbloods who have the same powers as Ruby but with ice. When Ruby is forced to fight for her own survival she plans to do everything she can to overcome evil. But what if some of that evil is inside her?I really enjoyed this YA Fantasy novel. The characters were engaging and I felt really connected to Ruby and her passions. I loved the mysterious Archie and although I guessed some of the 'big reveals' it didn't make me enjoy it any less. It was well thought out, structured and not crazy long that it got boring.I can't wait for the next instalment to see if some of my suspicions will come true and what is going to happen next for Ruby and her friends.

Forced to hide her Fireblood abilities from the Frostblood ruling class, Ruby has never had the opportunity to practise or develop her skills. When Frostblood soldiers destroy her village and murder her mother, she is suddenly thrown into a battle she has little time to prepare for. Her mission: kill the Frost King.Frostblood is a classic, fantastic YA fantasy adventure. By far the best I've read in a long time. It is very well-written, with all the predictable but vital components of the genre: a feisty teen heroine, a rocky but passionate romance, and an epic battle between good and evil.Ruby is a strong, volatile character. She has some serious anger-management issues and the tendency to jump to conclusions, but it's all essential to her Fireblood personality which stops her from tipping over the edge into annoying (like so many YA heroines do). The rest of the characters, including love-interest Arcus, are also likeable and well-developed. I especially loved brother Thistle - what a babe.The plot is really, really good. It's super eventful and unpredictable. There were good amounts of plot development, character and world building in equal measure. The book was at no point boring, but also didn't speed along too quickly or become too action-packed. Plus there were one or two plot-twists that genuinely took me by surprise.Frostblood is a must-read for fans of fantasy and magic. I will be buying book #2, immediately.