Friday, April 22, 2016

Daughter of Winter by Amber Argyle

Series: Fairy Queens #3
Publisher: Indie
Published: 4/21/16
Source: From author for review
Bargains. Only the truly desperate make them. Only the truly desperate need them. And always, the desperate pay. 
The silence and never-ending dark of winter are all Elice has ever known, for she is the daughter of the Winter Queen. Isolated in a northern queendom with only the seals for company, she dreams of color and music and life. So when a whaling ship crashes just offshore, she doesn't hesitate to rescue the lone survivor, Adar, who quickly becomes her friend. She must keep him hidden from her mother at all costs, for if the Winter Queen discovers him trespassing, she'll kill him.

When her mother reveals just how dark her soul has become, Elice realizes she is as much a prisoner as Adar. To ever know true freedom—to ever become the woman she was meant to be—she must flee with him. But in their flight, she begins to see hints of something more nefarious. The darkness that has taken hold of her mother is spreading, staining the world with its influence.

Unbeknownst to Elice, a bargain was made long ago. A bargain she was born to fulfill.

My thoughts:

I've enjoyed this series for a while now and I love every cover that has come out. This one is no exception. I did have a bit of book amnesia from the previous books, but most of it came back as familiar names were read. This is the book of the Winter Queen's daughter and Ilyeanna has become the cruel queen predicted. Elice, the daughter, still has her humanity in tact but also control over winter. This is her journey into something perhaps powerful or will it lead to enslavement? Either is a possibility and both are hinted at throughout her journey.

The author states that her editors encouraged her to split the book into two. While I understand it, I also think that this would have been better as one journey. The ending leaves one big question behind and it was a threatening twist to the story. One I think the next book will open with and that anticipation will be over. However, we are left with that anticipation so be warned. Despite that aspect of the ending it did not feel like a cliffie and the main adventure Elice took on was completed.

I give this book 3 1/2 stars. While I would have liked a longer story, I do understand why it was split into 2 books. This is a good addition to the series and one that should not be missed. I recommend the book to those that enjoy YA fantasy with a lot of faeries who are more bite than sparkle.

29 comments:

  1. I haven't heard of this series at all so thanks for putting it on my radar, Melissa! I'm a fan of YA fantasy so I'll have to give this one a try. Great review, dear!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I also like her other series so you might want to check those out too. :)

      Delete
  2. I'm glad that while you're left with a threatening twist, it doesn't have that dreaded cliffhanger feel at least:) I hope the next book absolutely blows you away Melissa!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree, but I would prefer a longer book... but then that is me. :)

      Delete
  3. Glad this was a good edition even if the ending was one that you didn't care for or rather, would have wanted more of. Hard when you know there is more to it that you almost had your hands on. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Ahhh my least favorite book trend. I wish editors would stop suggesting that or publishers pushing it :/ Glad it was still enjoyable even if not all the story :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. I don't agree with splitting books in two, it usually means unanswered questions and a cliffhanger. Why ruin it?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No real cliffie, but close... :) I agree about the splitting part.

      Delete
  6. Gads, editors and their ideas. I hope the wait and outcome is worth it Melissa :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Replies
    1. I agree... but I think they changed it or it is now the second book. I'm not sure.

      Delete
  8. AH yes when it's split it's a bit different, I hope you'll have your answers soon

    ReplyDelete
  9. It's all about the money. It's all about the dumdumdadadumdum... hence the two books. I hope the second book is all worth the wait/split :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, since this is more indie, I can understand it. I think it will be worth it.

      Delete
  10. Not too familiar with this series, unfortunately. But that's not surprising, since I'm not a huge fantasy reader. I can see why you might have concerns with splitting the instalment though. Weird.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is reachable fantasy though... not real high fantasy.

      Delete
  11. As long as the split is done well, it could be a good thing. Glad it didn't dampen the experience much.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I got to listen to the first book and enjoyed the creation there. I hope I get a chance to listen to the rest of the series. :) I do love the cover too.

    ReplyDelete
  13. A shame that this particular installment in the story arc has been split, especially since you already had book amnesia. I hope you get the next part soon.

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for commenting! I ❤ comments!