So much potential wasted…

My initial interest in ‘Frostfire’ was sparked not only because of the premise of the book, but also because the author claimed (on her website) that this series will not have a love triangle as one of its conflicts. In this point in the game, I think it’s fair to claim that most of YA fantasy/sci-fi (particularly the ones with a female main character) is riddled with these undesired love triangles and squares which generally don’t add anything to a story. So when I became aware that this one doesn’t follow that cliché, I immediately jumped at the chance to read this book.

Oh how wrong I was! My first issue should be evident since I just explained that tidbit about love triangles in YA…and that is that this book most definitely *does* have a love triangle. The only different direction this book takes is that instead of a conflict between two boys and a girl, there is a triangle between two girls and a boy. Which crazily enough, is, in fact, a love triangle, despite the false claims the author makes about the book. There we have disappointment number one.

Disappointment number two is how little development there is within the story and with the characters. Much of the story is pretty much a series of encounters between either Bryn and Konstantin or Bryn and Ridley. A few kidnapping attempts and one or two possible murders but honestly, very little besides the romance and an introduction of the fantasy world is discussed within this book. And I assure you, by *no* means am I exaggerating here.

This leads me to my final disappointment and the ending…

Disappointment number three is where this book *really* falls apart. Knowing that this book is the first book in whole series, I wasn’t expecting a solid conclusion to everything that jumpstarts the conflict that is this book. But I *was* expecting *some* sort of a conclusion, possibly a satisfying transitioning end from this book to the start of the second one. But this book literally just stops in the middle—the most abrupt of endings I have ever had the misfortune to encounter. There is no progress made about why Konstantin tried to attack Bryn’s father, why he apologizes when he hurts people, why he warns Bryn to run, or basically anything else at all. The only thing we really discover by the end of the book is that Bryn has feeling for Ridley. Horrah! (Because we *really* could not tell from the synopsis right?).

The only good thing about my experience reading the book was the narrator—who did an outstanding job with the story. I sped through it like fire and though I am disappointed with the story and characters, I was quite impressed by the narrator of the audiobook. So if you do pick up this book for some reason, I would recommend the audiobook because the book itself has very little to offer and is barely scrapping half a star.

There was so much potential within this world of Kanin Chronicles, if only the author could have come up with the motivation to actually write out a proper story with some realistic characters and exciting scenes. Unfortunately, the end of ‘Frostfire’ leaves you with just as many questions that you began with in the first place.

DISCLAIMER: I received a copy of this audiobook from Audible in exchange for a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

30 people found this helpful

Good story. Content Not for young readers

The story was good but the series is listed for 11-13 year olds (5th-8th graders). The sex that unfolds in the series is not appropriate for young readers, parents beware.

26 people found this helpful

Didn't Hate It - Didn't Love It

If you’ve listened to books by Amanda Hocking before, how does this one compare?

I listened to Amanda Hocking's Trylle Trilogy and I really enjoyed that story. I think there needs to be notes on pronunciation of places, character names, etc from an author to all narrators. I found it slightly irritating and distracting that after listening to the Trylle Trilogy with certain pronunciations and then listening to this particular book, which still refers to some of the same characters and places, yet the narrator had completely different pronunciations.

Any additional comments?

I found this book to be mediocre. Amanda Hocking's first trilogy had good character development and I became attached to those characters. I can't say the same for this book and I may not even read/listen to the second one.

6 people found this helpful

Not the best

What disappointed you about Frostfire?

The narration. The female voices were ok but I just could not get past the way she narrates the male voices.

2 people found this helpful

Good Story - Frustrating Narrator

Where does Frostfire rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

So far, it does not rank very high in the list of great books to which I have listened.

What did you like best about this story?

The creativity of the story is probably the best. I have encourage to keep listening, because I really want to see how the issues are resolved. The writing is a tad trite, but entertaining.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

She just didn't see to know the story. It seems she should have prepared better. She confuses voices of characters, speaks as a male when a female should be talking, and seems to miss key voice inflections. I know its a difficult job, but I've heard narrators perform like actors. Unfortunately, Eileen Stevens is not one of them.

1 person found this helpful

Okay!!!

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

The story was ok but lacked serious character development. Moved at a fast pace but agree with some previous reviewer's that there was a severe lack of any development of the characters. I spent most of the book wondering why the main character had a crush on her coworker and then realizing that they weren't really giving us a substantial reason for the hate of this one main villain they were hunting.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

The ending fizzled and really didn't give me a desire to continue but I always finish the series so I will be listening to the next book.

1 person found this helpful

Very Annoying Main Character

What was most disappointing about Amanda Hocking’s story?

I was really disappointed in the main character. The whole book she was very whiny, and just plain annoying. I know this is a series for young adults, and I usually enjoy them as something to listen to while I am driving, but this story almost made me angry I was so over her! She is supposed to be a tough tracker (supposedly one of the best) but the whole book was spent over her being immature about her feelings for a boy, and her going back and forth about Constantine. Nothing really happened the whole book, and I just finished and I do not know anything more about the plot. It has good potential though, the premise is interesting.

Which character – as performed by Eileen Stevens – was your favorite?

I enjoyed Constantine, I wish we had found out more about him in this book!

1 person found this helpful

A great spinoff to a magical world...

Would you listen to Frostfire again? Why?

4 Stars

I've been so eager to read FROSTFIRE since I seen the amazing cover last year and fell madly in love with it. And the rest of the series covers are just as amazing, if not better!! And when I received my ARC for review, I nearly jumped for joy at it's awesomeness!!

But honestly, I may have had my exceptions a little too high. I read Hocking's Zombie series and absolutely LOVED it. So I guess I may have set my standards to those same exceptions, because it wasn't as good as I hoped, and it ended without giving too much incite on the plot and the reasoning behind the plot of the story. But nevertheless, FROSTFIRE was still enjoyable and totally an engaging read, that I was quickly entangled with and didn't want to put down once I was ensnared.

Let me elaborate...

I loved the world building. The plot of the story was alluring and absolutely appealing. But the pacing and lack of depth didn't back up the story to the full worth of the plot. It had some plot holes, and not enough info to back it all up. It felt like it dragged a bit from time to time, and then their wasn't enough answers to support the full drama and mystery that made this story. And by the end of the book we still don't get answers to why things that happened in the book happened. And that was a little irritating because I desperately wanted to know WHY???

THE PLOT

Bryn just wants to be normal, fit in with the same people she's pledged her allegiance too. She's an outcast among the Kanin tribe. Always has been and always will be if she doesn't do something to change it.

Her dream is to become a Hogdragen, one of the finest guards the Kanin has to offer. But since she's half Skojare and half Kanin, she's considered to be the lesser of the full-breed Kanin. But Bryn has never let that stop her from trying, and she's not about to start now!

So Bryn is determined to work her way up the ranks, starting with being a Tracker, tracking the Changelings and convincing them it's time to return home to their Kanin heritage. Thanks to her boss and good friend Ridley, he keeps her on a narrow path, reminding her that she is in fact something special, no matter what her race is. But it's getting harder and harder to deny the feelings she has for him. The rush she feels when he's around. The overpowering desire her body convulses with when he's close. But it's a dangerous, forbidden game she's playing here, and she may just be the one to get burnt.

But there is something that haunts Bryn's dreams, something that almost destroyed her world, something that's come back to finish the job...

Four years ago, a fallen hero named Konstantin went from being the most admired man, to the most hated in a matter a minutes. He crossed a line that not even Bryn, who has secretly been in love with him can forgive. Mater of fact, the betrayal hits more home to her family then any other Kanins, and she's determined to understand the reasoning behind his actions, and then see him put to justice for the crimes he's committed against her, her family, the kingdom, and the Changelings once and for all.

But Bryn's dreams to rise the ranks and become a Hogdragen have to get put on hold when her nightmares literally come true. The Kanin traitor and wanted fugitive Konstantin has resurfaced after four years, and is picking their Changelings off one by one. Bryn and the rest of the trackers are unsure of his true motives and who else is really behind it all. But one thing is for certain, he must be stopped, and she is determined to find him and put an end to it once and for all.

But as Bryn digs deeper into these kidnappings, something is telling her theirs more to the story then she once thought. Someone is sitting back in the shadows pulling the strings, but who, and why? And Konstantin was one of the Kanin's greatest Hogdragen in their history, so why was he so quickly willing to throw it all a way for what seems like nothing?

It all makes no sense, but Bryn is out for answers—answers that seem to only create more questions. Bryn is willing to go to great lengths to reveal that truth behind the kidnappings and who's really behind them. But from the beginning the puzzles didn't seem to fit, and now more then ever, the pieces are starting to come together. But before all is said and done, the truth might bring the kingdoms to their knees...

Overall, even with the lack of development and explanation, I still enjoyed it, a lot! I'm looking forward to continuing this series and seeing how it all plays out, and hopefully getting the answers that I desperately seek!! If you love books with magical worlds, built around tough, driven characters, with determination to survive, then you should definitely check out FROSTFIRE!!!

**AUDIOBOOK IMPRESSIONS**

I really enjoyed the narration of FROSTFIRE. The narrator, Eileen Stevens was well suited for this type of story. Her voice and acting portrayed a teenagers, and fit well with the plot. Her performance blended the right sounds, stops and pauses just at the right time. The emotional feel Eileen radiated with her voice allowed me to experience the characters feelings in overdrive! It's a wonderful feeling to have a narrator put you in the characters shoes with her define and alluring narration!! I will definitely listen to more books by this narrator in the future!!

NOTE: I received a Physical ARC from St. Martin's Griffin & a audiobook from audible for reviewing purposes! All opinions express are my own and are not influenced in any way!

1 person found this helpful

Great Series

love Amanda Hocking book and the Tylle series. I hope for more books by her. The narrator did a good job. That is important because I don't like shrieking voices.

2 people found this helpful

Excellent part one of a bigger fantasy story

I re-read this book, and much more carefully, as I didn't remember it at all from six years earlier. In fact, I only just discovered I read it six years ago. I raised my old rating. World-building is excellent, plot and overall writing is great. The fantasy world is nestled in our modern "normal" world. The main character is mature, yet does some immature things a few times, but overall is a strong and determined your woman. The cast of characters is well-drawn and intriguing. I liked it enough to start the sequel immediately. Great narration.