Review
Gathering
Frost is a very good contemporary fantasy romance, the first in a brilliantly
conceived series called “Once upon a
curse.” This opening story is modelled upon the Sleeping Beauty
tale, a modern interpretation and very well done.
In this version Sleeping
Beauty is not unconscious but literally cursed with a frozen heart,
and only the Prince can release her - or so the story goes. Kaitlyn
Davis has written a very good and original story, successfully
blending our contemporary world with one of fantasy. Her concept of
creating a series of such stories based on the classical fairy tales is
an excellent one. (The next in line, Withering Rose, is based on Beauty and the
Beast.)
Davis's
main characters are well-drawn, although the minor ones are glossed
over. Startlingly, 'sleeping' beauty Jade is a warrior, one of the best fighters of
the Black Hearts, the evil Queen's elite guard. Prince Asher is the
Queen's lost son, who turns out to have joined the rebels (no
spoilers here, this is revealed very early on).
The tension and attraction between Jade and Asher is very well done. What is less successful is Davis's depiction of Jade as lacking feelings and emotions because of the Queen's curse. The author is a little inconsistent, at times allowing emotion to drive Jade's actions even though she is not supposed to have any feelings. This happens sometimes by only implication but occasionally also explicitly. However, for me this was a minor issue and not such a flaw as to spoil the story.
The book isn't all about action, although there is a fair amount taking place. When it does happen, combat is well-described, as is the Queen's exercise of her magical powers over ordinary people.
The tension and attraction between Jade and Asher is very well done. What is less successful is Davis's depiction of Jade as lacking feelings and emotions because of the Queen's curse. The author is a little inconsistent, at times allowing emotion to drive Jade's actions even though she is not supposed to have any feelings. This happens sometimes by only implication but occasionally also explicitly. However, for me this was a minor issue and not such a flaw as to spoil the story.
The book isn't all about action, although there is a fair amount taking place. When it does happen, combat is well-described, as is the Queen's exercise of her magical powers over ordinary people.
The
plot, especially in the last quarter of the book, has some very good
twists which keep the reader guessing, and the denouement is good.
Almost five stars, and I can recommend this to anyone who likes
contemporary fantasy, or a blend of contemporary and fantasy.
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