Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Ice Kissed ♥ by Amanda Hocking | Review

Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Ice Kissed
  • Amanda Hocking
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  • Series: The Kanin Chronicles (Book 2)
  • Paperback: 320 pages
  • Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin (May 5, 2015)
  • ISBN-13: 978-1250049872
  • Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Nobles
  • Source: Review Copy was sent free of charge via St. Martin's Griffin. Thank you John.
  • Synopsis: In the majestic halls of a crystal palace lies a secret that could destroy an entire kingdom… Bryn Aven refuses to give up on her dream of serving the kingdom she loves. It's a dream that brings her to a whole new realm…the glittering palace of the Skojare. The Skojare people need protection from the same brutal enemy that's been threatening the Kanin, and Bryn is there to help. Being half Skojare herself, it's also a chance for her to learn more about her lost heritage. Her boss Ridley Dresden is overseeing the mission, but as their undeniable attraction heats up, their relationship is about to reach a whole new level--one neither of them is prepared for. As they delve deeper into the Skojare world, they begin to unravel a long-hidden secret. The dark truth about her own beloved Kanin kingdom is about to come to light, and it'll change her place in it forever…and threaten everyone she loves.
  • Ice Kissed is the second installment in The Kanin Chronicles, we follow Bryn Aven on her journey to serve the kingdom she loves. She still wants to prove herself to her people and her kingdom, now there are two common enemies Konstantin Black and Viktor Dalig threatening both the people of Kanin and Skojare. Bryn is mixed race with Kanin and Skojare so she does want to protect both sides. She takes off in a mission with her boss and her crush Ridley Dresden, but their attraction develops into something deeper. Now secrets are exposed and the dark truth about the Kanin Kingdom are soon coming out which can change their lives forever.
  •  The covers of this series are beyond beautiful though, I have shown them to almost all of my family members. The model is pretty as well, kudos to the cover designer and the model! Previously, I had reviewed the first installment Frostfire, it was a good attempt to build up the actual plot but it wasn't as strong as I would have wanted it to be. Ice Kissed is the better book of the series, it changed my mind about it. I felt this novel was engaging, and of course, I had to finish it in one setting. I didn't find some parts force fed or boring. Frostfire was more slow for me, although Ice Kissed is more on the moderate side. It's still a tad slow though, I wish the plot could have come more sooner. One thing that disappointed is that it didn't have much of the character Konstantin Black, our anti-hero. The love triangle that I predicted would have come up doesn't exist at all which I'm glad about. I just wish the author never said Bryn once had a crush on Konstantin, people can jump to assumptions *cough me cough*.
  • You can either love Bryn or you can hate her character - she can be careless and arrogant at times, but then again she can be caring and kind. Her character is pretty realistic though, almost everyone tends to get defensive even if they're wrong. Most people don't like being wrong, so I'll let it slide, but it's not a huge deal if you make a small mistake you know! Own it, learn from it and move on with your life. The character growth in Bryn was interesting though, she does mature from a careless girl to a determined woman. Her internal battle was wonderful to read about, she is second guessing herself on whether she can actually serve the kingdom her superiors want her to. She is not the type to take orders without usually questioning, which can be great because it's better to know ahead of time what are the consequences, but it does lead her into trouble. Sometimes, her morals can conflict with the orders she is given by her superiors. The love interest Ridley.. You are one cute male lead sir, I so ship their boat. Their connection is swoon worthy, I can just picture their children already and I am done with gushing. I'm glad the romance doesn't overtake the plot.
  •  The one aspect that is quite frustrating about this series is that many questions are left unanswered. I haven't gotten any to answers to what the actual enemies even want? That will come in the final installment of this series hopefully, but it would have been better if the plot was better developed in the first books as well. The lack of a better plot does bring the book down for me a bit, but I don't mind that much because it's more of a character driven series. There is a minor flaw in the series though, the actual titles of the book don't really appear in the actual content.. I don't understand how it relates to the book. Even though, the book has it's flaws I would rate Ice Kissed four butterflies, I did enjoy this novel as a whole and I do think it was wonderful. I hope Crystal Kingdom is the best of The Kanin Chronicles.
Recommended for fans of Frostfire, and Stolen Songbird.

Here's the model of the books, she is gorgeous!

The beautiful book covers of the Kanin Chronicles, kudos to the designers! Frostfire is my personal favorite cover, there's something about a badass girl in a red dress holding a sword. The color usage of all the covers are very vibrant and catchy.

Shukran for reading this! Leave your blog links in the comments & I'll be sure to check them out & follow :) Stay in tuned pretty creatures..

“Above all, be the heroine of your life, not the victim.” —Nora Ephron 
femmmefatalee@gmail.com

43 comments:

  1. I love the covers in this series! I need to start this one because I absolutely love the sound of the character development in the characters.
    Lovely review, Benish!

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  2. I have not read the first book, but love the sound of the world and that there is character growth. The covers are gorgeous!

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  3. I still need to read Switched... I'm so far behind on all these series! I'm not sure if I like the idea of a slow story, but if the story itself is good, maybe it's worth being patient for. :)

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    1. Yes, the story itself is interesting but it does need a better plot ♥

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  4. I have only read one book by this author and the lack of plot and cliffhanger frustrated me so I didn't continue the series, it sounds like this series has a lot of potential and I am hoping that the final book moves quickly and that you get all the answers. You are right, the covers are stunning.

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    1. It does have a lot of potential, I hope the final book is better though.

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  5. I have to agree there and say that the covers are absolutely gorgeous! I remember you review of the previous books and I am so glad that you were able to love and enjoy this one some more. Unanswered questions must be frustrating :/ And even though it is a bit on the slow side, it's good it wasn't as slow as the fast!

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    1. I hope I get all the answers in the final book, here is to hoping though! ♥

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  6. I enjoy encountering characters that feel realistic. Glad to read the main character felt that way. Hopefully the next book will answer all those unanswered questions. I do hate when a book leaves me hanging! And I have to also mention, love those covers!

    Wonderful review!

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    1. Thank you Magen, the covers are all gorgeous :)

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  7. I have to agree with you; these book covers are absolutely stunning! I love how you break up your reviews :) It makes for easy reading! While you plot was a bit slow paced, and lacking, I'm glad that you enjoyed this story overall. Bryan sounds like a fascinating character. It's always interesting when you can either love or hate a character (no in between.) I'm glad that she made a lot of growth in this segment. Yeah, that is strange that the title of the books don't come up in the story, and you can't see a connection. Wonderful Review Benish :) I love how thorough you are!

    Lindy@ A Bookish Escape

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    1. Aw thank you so much for the compliments Lindy, I've always adored your blog! :) & yes, that's true. The titles don't really come in the books which kinda does suck.

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  8. Covers are gorgeous but sad to hear the pacing is slow. The overall character development does sound nice though

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  9. I am excited that the 2nd book is more quick paced than the first one! I liked it but it was a bit slow
    Missie @ A Flurry of Ponderings

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    1. I agree, it's slow but Ice Kissed is more faster. ♥

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  10. The covers are gorgeous! :) I'm glad that Bryn's character development grew positively well. I'm a little doubtful to read this one since you said that the first book was slow... but maybe, if I have the chance, I'll be giving it a shot still :) Thanks for the lovely review Benish! :)

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    1. Thank you Jillian! ♥ You should try checking it, I think the series does have potential.

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  11. I like the covers too. They are very well done.
    I hope you get those answers in the final book. It really sounds like a great series and it's good that you found this book a bit better than the first one.

    Naomi @ Naomi’s Reading Palace

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  12. I always see this around. it sounds really good although I've read mixed reviews on the first book so I never really gone around thinking of actually reading it. The covers are really beautiful though. Great review! :)

    czai @ the Blacksheep Project

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  13. The covers are gorgeous, Benish, and I can't decide if I like book one or two's cover better. Nice to hear Ice Kissed was a bit better and that you enjoyed the story even though the plot was a little slow. I can deal with that if there is strong and interesting characters and it seems that's the case here. I hope the next book is even better! Lovely review! :)

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    1. I agree, the covers are all beautiful. Frostfire is my favorite one although Crystal Kingdom comes pretty close as well. Thank you Rachel ♥

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  14. This series has beautiful covers! I am yet to read Frost Fire but I am curious about these characters and the world. Hopefully you will get a few answers in the final instalment.

    A lovely review Benish :-) Sharon – Obsession with Books

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  15. Those covers are gorgeous!!! I've got Frostfire on my TBR. Hopefully, I get the urge to pick it up soon. :D Great review, Benish! :)

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  16. *skim reads the review* (I don't want to spoil myself for book one.) I haven't read book one but I really want to. Hopefully book three will be all you want it to be and more!

    Dreams @ Once Upon A Dream Books

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    1. Haha no worries :) The series is exciting though, but it does need a better plot ♥

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  17. I'm so excited to know that the second book in this series garnered four stars from you. I have the eARC of this one and a digital copy I bought of the first one so I can't wait to dive into this book's world. I did have trouble appreciating that trolls somehow looked like humans, but oh well haha. And yes, I agree, the covers are so lovely! Really gives off that fairy tale vibe.

    Faye at The Social Potato

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    1. Yes, the trolls do look like humans, some of them have different olive color skins and super shiny black hair but that's about it. Hope you enjoy this series Faye ♥

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  18. I really lived this one too Benish, and the series so far. I hadn't read the original series, but still found they were easy to follow and immerse myself in. Ridley! Isn't he gorgeous! I love that Bryn didn't have the stoic, gruff type love interest, but someone her equal who can take her on. The covers are absolutely lovely. Really looking forward to the finale too now, I just hope that it blows the first two in the series out of the water. Lovely review Benish, really enjoyed it <3

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    1. I haven't read the original either, I will probably pick it up over the summer. I agree Ridley is pretty much amazing! Thank you Kelly, I'm glad you could enjoy this series as well :) ♥

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  19. I don't know, I might not like Bryn by the sound of it. But I love that name.

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  20. Oh wow the covers are STUNNING, I also love how you breakdown your review. It's very organized and different :)

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  21. Yeah, lack of a better plot would bring it down (although if the characters were awesome, it wouldn't bother me so much- and Bryn's character development sounds good.) and I'm totally shipping the romance already. ;)

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    1. Yay I'm glad you are too Kristy :) I think the plot will be better in the final book of the trilogy. Here's to hoping!

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  22. This series really does have amazing covers! I need to read the original first but I do want to start this.

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    1. Yes, the covers are very beautiful. The plot isn't that developed but the characters are wonderful :)

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