Frost (The Frost Chronicles Book 1)

I liked this book so much that I am now reading the 4th in the series! The characters are interesting, and the storyline is different and unpredictable, holding my interest to see what's going to happen.

Frost was a fun, fast, easy read (read it during a night of insomnia). The characters were likeable, and while most of the story seemed fairly predictable, there was a nice twist at the end that I didn't really see coming. It was good enough for me to buy the sequel, Thorns, when I finished it. :)

I read the entire series in 3 days, non-stop. The ending pleases the likes of everyone, and you will be hooked from the start. I suggest this for tweens and up, and must advise you to make sure you have nothing planned in the future after buying this book, because you won't be able to put it down.

Not a bad book but very short..
I would have loved to learn more about The Thorns, the sister, the mayor, about the Frost itself, AND THE WATCHERS!!

MORE DETAILS ON EVERYTHING.

While the story could've definitely been more in depth, it's still is worth a read and came together nicely in the end. I can't wait to read the next one.

I've been wanting to dig into The Frost Chronicles for a while now, and I'm glad I finally got the chance. This book was a quick read, and very entertaining. It reminded me a bit of Hunger Games, without the kids-killing-each-other theme. I liked the main characters and the setting and enjoyed seeing the story come to life. Looking forward to the next one!

I do agree with some reviewers that this is an interesting story, It does has some pages there I am trilled and on my toes on reading what would happen to lia she is such a brave girl and i would like to know how this turns out in the preceding books. this book brought my interest into reading fantasy books one again.

I wrote a longer review for the third book in the series [Weavers]. But in short, this is a beautiful, exciting, and exceptionally well written YA novel. Give it a chance if you like good writing and YA adventure.

This is an AMAZING book. It is a real l page turner full of action an suspense. There is also romance. Hehe. I can't wait to read the rest of the debris. Beware though. There is some violence and cursing.

Full credit to the author - this is an interesting story with likeable characters. There was never any question as to whether I'd finish it (although it's less than 200 pages so no significant accomplishment there). But therein lies my biggest complaint - there isn't enough meat to develop the emotions that the author so desperately wants her characters to have. Of course the heroine falls in love with the hero - but why? No idea why he's so special, other than he has great hair and a mystery.

Same can be said for really all characters in this book. It's like the author was in too much of a hurry to tell the story.

It was a great book. I love all the characters. Everything about the book felt real to me. Their decisions, feelings, and ideas had logic and understandment. I don't have the urge to bam my head against a wall because of some character making stupid chocies.

The characters are compelling and the storyline drew me in. I definitely am curious to see how the series develops.

This book started out seemingly simple, but the story grew and expanded very nicely!

A cool read. It would be better if the characters were more polished and had more depth to them. But it had enough to keep me hooked.
If you like fairy-tales, fantasy, mystery and romance- this would be a good read for you.

This deals with love, trust, sacrifice and secrets. An orphaned family gives assistance and friendship to someone who could be an enemy.
I recommend this for young adults and their families.

y lambert

PLEASE read this book! You will not regret it! I've been hooked on dystopian novels since finishing The Hunger Games last year. Frost is unique and will leave you wanting more! I got hooked to the characters very easily! Also an exiting twist at the end! Go figure it out yourself!

This series has me hook line and sinker! It is very well set up and you really get into the book like you are lviing it with the characters. I am really enjoying this series and cant wait for the next one to come out.

I haven't entirely finished this book, (yet). But, it is SO fascinating and it always leaves you wanting more. I can't wait to finish it, and continue with the series! I would recommend this book to readers who like fantasy, and love a good love story.

I really like this concept and where the story was going - building in complexity as the characters' world view grows. However the simple (and predictable) dialogue and superficial exploration of the characters makes me feel as though it's incomplete. Perhaps a good teen novel but not for me.

Well... for starters i did not get past the first paragraph without laughing at the ridiculous syntax. like, where did the yarn go?? I totally was shipping Cole and Lia but it turned she had the hots for a stereotypical "hero" that just happens to be her age. Now let us discuss names. The names define the character/book, so why on earth would you just choose random names that make no since. Like Lia... what is this? why is it spelled this way? Why couldn't she have an awesome dystopian name like Katniss or Shebloof. Gabe. Gabe what? Why does Lia.. stupid stupid Lia... Fall in love with a dude whose full name she does not know. That's like a Taylor Swift moment. Congrats Lia you are typical teenager. I have read unpublished fanfiction that was more gripping and enticing than this under developed piece of crap. Thank you Kate Avery Ellison for entertaining me with this "novel". Have a great day.. I am done.

For a great dystopian/magic book refer to Graceling by kristin cashore

The story is a quick, easy read and the characters are very interesting. What brings this review down to a two star is, unfortunately, the details. The premise for the dystopian society is plausible, but not flushed out. The plot, especially the end, is obvious and superficial, although this may be in part because it is intended for young audiences. Which I am not. But even when I was part of the young adult crowd, I am fairly certain I would have had the same opinion.

So....Since several other reviews talk about character flaws, plot strengths and weaknesses, I will talk about a couple of details.

I will try to avoid spoilers and I hope the author reads these reviews, not because I want to be mean, but because there is so much potential for this world and for these characters. I could not get past the details. The main character and her siblings are weavers, or literally they are given the task of weaving. Work in the village is organized by family, so that the village as a whole can sustain itself better. Except, these characters never weave. They SPIN. Yes, they only spin yarn, and badly at that. The only loom they have is apparently used for turning yarn into thread. (What?) I will not say any more on the subject, except that half a day's research on the internet would have given the author enough material to make her weaver characters capable of weaving, including using correct and accurate terminology for the actions and tools. They could still spin, if they really wanted to spin, too. Not to mention all the rich metaphors, symbols and feelings (tactile and emotional) that the author could have evoked using the world of fibers and cloth making.

The above details are nit-picky, I'll admit, but very symbolic of the superficial quality of the writing in this book. And yet, it was interesting and a fun read.

I got this e-book free through a Goodreads giveaway. I wouldn’t say I’m terribly excited about this book. It wasn’t very original, and it was fairly predictable. Some of the descriptions could use polishing as well. But it was a sweet, quick read with an interesting premise and promise for a potentially good series. I liked the characters. They weren’t stiff, and there was a decent amount of development going on. I could use a little more world building and less talk about how Lia can’t appreciate the beauty around her due to unfolding events, but overall I enjoyed it.

Sadly, this book was stuck on my to-read shelf until I won a giveaway through LibraryThing's Member Giveaway Program,in order to give an honest review. This is one of those books.

One of those, "Why didn't I read this sooner?!?"

One of those, "I want a paperback copy for my shelves. I love it that much."

One of those where I can't wait to read the next books and am keeping an eye out for everything this author publishes. I'm now a Kate Avery Ellison fan.

For my Best of 2012 Books list, this book is on it. Project ELE by Rebecca Gober & Courtney Nuckels is still number 1 but now it has some company.

I Am A Thorn! Seriously, can someone make a mini-series banner for this? Like the ones from the awesome I'm Loving Books blog? I'd try but I suck at that sort of thing.

The List:
Pros:
✔ pacing
✔ mystery
✔ tension
✔ the romance wasn't all consuming,
✔world building,
✔character development,
✔atmosphere (I felt frosty and heard the snow crunch)
✔ beautifully written,
✔ loved the internally strong, and externally brave heroine with her varied support characters,

Cons:
✖ the dystopian/post apocalyptic feeling wasn't there (felt more medieval/paranormal though I'm hoping/thinking in the next books this won't be an issue)
✖ could see some things coming ahead of time
✖ tight focus on these events without depth into the bigger picture (yet..and this was done on purpose due to the naive and sheltered first person narrative but it can be a drawback for some)
✖ wish it was longer
✖ cliff hanger (but not a major rage inducing one)
✖unanswered questions that I better get the answers to in the next book

There's a lot in this compact book but it's not light on plot or development or world building. It's setting up for bigger and better things and I can't wait to see where it goes. I loved the character progression and development. I'm really curious to find out more about this world and how our characters fare.Sure, I could see certain things happening from a mile away but I wasn't itching with irritation because the pace was great and I was enjoying the ride.

Recommend for: YA lovers, Fantasy Lovers,

On Writing & the Quotes to Prove It:

I loved the writing and style. Seriously, it's keep tight yet descriptive as needed.

This is the opening,

It was cold, the kind of cold that made bones feel brittle and hands ache. My breath streamed from my lips like smoke and my feet made wet, crunching sounds in the snow as I slipped through the forest.

Then there's this on page 20 about fear,

Most of the time fear was just like a rat in my belly, gnawing and gnawing a hole in the same place day after day whenever I let it. But now the rat had turned into a lion, and it was tearing me apart from the inside out.

And I love the paragraph about the blue wing on page 75, that starts with "Why does it live in a place that could kill it?"

As for the Romance Aspect:

For those of us dismayed, queasy and downright bored at the prevalence and focus on YA romance in books not in the romance genre (sometimes to the detriment of other great elements of a book) I say this, don't worry. The romance is relevant but not dominating. Nothing is sacrificed to make it work and doesn't obliterate everything in it's wake. Lia has reasons other than just quickly growing love for the things she does. Okay, the love is quick but NOT the insta-ramen-noodle love where she sacrifices everything because he's sooooo hot and she drools over him like an idiot. It's more of naturally occurring event when two people from different places are thrown into a dangerous situation. It's not all consuming and they don't make a huge stupid mistake over it. I would have been SO pissed if the ending was changed to accommodate a fairy tale romance ending. Thankfully, that didn't happen. The romance was one of those things I knew was coming and am happy with the way it was handled. I mean finding a hot stranger and saving his life, when all you've know is your own small village is a situation where I could see falling in love with said stranger. Sure, it went to love quick but really there's no room for crushes and dating. It's official courting and marriage in their world, in their situation, in their fight for survival. It's really all or nothing.

That One Thing:

I wouldn't necessarily call this a flaw for me, since I loved the book as is. However, for those looking for dystopian/post apocalyptic/end of the world as we know it feeling or atmosphere, you aren't going to find it here. As it is in this book, our main setting country is medieval, maybe colonial, like with looming threat of an industrialized country and the paranormal monsters flittering in between. We don't really get even a hint of fallen city/country/time or big disastrous past until the very, very end. And even then, it's just a hint. It could go a different way. So I'm going with paranormal with a sci-fi twist for now. However, as we delve more into this world and learn more how this world works and how it came to be I have a feeling this aspect is going to get stronger. I'm hoping it gets stronger. My guesses as to the continuing story arc from the ending certainly leads me down that direction but I can't be sure until I read the next book, Thorns.

Nelson Mandela had said: "I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear."
In Kate Avery Ellison's Frost this was most definitely true.

Life is hard in Frost for everyone. If the cold and the lack of supplies doesn't do the villagers of Iceliss in, the Watchers sure do a good job of it. Terrifying monsters that feast on humans and come out after dark. But if things are tough for the regular folks of the Frost, they are definitely the toughest for Lia Weaver and her siblings. Living in an isolated farm, surrounded by the treacherous forest, the eldest Weaver has to fight everyday to make sure her family survives. With an air-headed sister, and a crippled brother, keeping up with the chores and her duties is a task in itself. Lia knows that she has no other choice, though. She must lower her head and tolerate that. All until her sister finds a wounded Farther in the woods. Now, the Weavers must not only fight to keep him safe, but they also have to accept their parents' legacy and secrets, all the while Farthers and traitors from the village pursue the mysterious young man they saved... Can Lia and her siblings survive against all odds and help Gabe escape? Or will they, too, fall victims to the same dangers their parents couldn't fight off?

I've been reading so many books that were not worth my time lately, I was reluctant to pick this one up. But hey, can you blame me?

So you can imagine how glad I was to find out that this story was not only worth it, it was also mind-numbing and breathtaking! A tale that brought shivers down my spine, not because it was frightening or way too emotional, but because there was so much suspense and you didn't know who to trust, who to believe, who to blame. Backstabbing at every corner, secrets so deadly that could cost the safety of an entire village - as if the dangers that the natural environment the characters lived in had to offer weren't enough. And in the middle of it all, Lia, a main heroine that is nothing like the ones we're used to!

See, Lia isn't brave or strong or even a super genius or extreme beauty or something. No, Lia was a normal girl, who was really hated by fate, it seemed, and had to care for her siblings as if she was their mother. Never mind the fact she was young and at the perfect age to get married, too, she kept all her problems in just to ensure her family stayed together. Forced to grow up before she was ready for it, forced to face the dangers of the forest to get to her village so many times a week and having to deal with villagers who did nothing to help her, one would expect her to be emotionally strong and stable. But she was anything but. In fact, the poor girl was scared out of her wits, and half of the time she was either panicking or trying to fix things up even if she knew she couldn't. The fact that Ivy, her sister, didn't seem to possess a lick of common sense in that head of hers made things worse, too. It was simply heart-breaking to see Lia try to deal with her problems, while at the same time, everyone around her tried to make her neglect her duties - and yet they acted shocked any time she would crack a smile or laugh, how ironic...

Even so, she put on her big girl panties, and faced the problems that came her way despite trembling inside. Gradually she kept being bolder and braver, and that showed how fast she was growing up into a wonderful woman - emotionally and mentally. Her connection to Gabe, the Farther, was a sweet one, and totally suited her personality and social position. It was nice to see the writer stick to the character she had created, and make her something more than just a mere farmer girl.

The story starts in a scary way, one that puts the reader right in the middle of the whole problem - the Watchers could pounce on the path any given moment while Lia was describing the situation in the first chapter, after all - and it onle escalated from there. I loved how the everyday life activities were not left out, but they were not stressed in the plot, either. Instead, the pace picked up over such moments, so that we could focus on the main storyline instead. Which was much appreciated, considering the tangled mess that was the political situation in this book.

All in all, a delight to read and experience - yes, it's impossible not to "live" the story through Lia's eyes, the narration is just that close and personal. Now that the truth is out in the open, I can't wait to see how much more the Weavers will evolve as characters, and what other dangers their actions will bring forth as consequences!

***I was given a review copy from a LibraryThing Member Giveaway in exchange for an honest review. The opinion stated in this review is solely mine, and no compensation was given or taken to alter it.***

As a young person's book, it was okay, but the story could have been developed into a 5-star book. As a professional editor myself, I see the potential of someone, hopefully this author, developing this story into a book of Juliet Marillier quality. This read more like a tale told by someone at the fireside. The book was sadly lacking real details. I think this is a fallacy on the part of new authors who want to publish in a hurry and get their names out there.
I agree with the reviewer who said the author didn't know her terminology, and it bothered me. It took me awhile to see if I was missing something. I even went back and did a search to see if I had jumped a page or two on my Kindlefire. The families in the town were named for their professions, and for the life of me, I couldn't find the Weavers doing any weaving. Their name should have been Spinner because the author did not know the difference between spinning and weaving, I read page after page that sounded like the young people were spinning the raw product with their fingers, until finally a spinning wheel was mentioned. Her scenes read like the young people were simultaneously spinning, but there appeared to be only one spinning wheel in the home. Then in one scene, she called the spinning wheel a "loom."
I do intend to pursue this story in her other books in this series for two reasons: to see if her writing has improved, and quite frankly, I like the story and want to see how it plays out.

I have finally found an author who measures up to the marvels of Cidney Swanson. Surprisingly - or perhaps not? - she, too, is an indie author. Other similarities between the two: their breathtaking book covers drew me in where the back cover copy left me skeptical. Both women focus more on series than standalone novels. Finally, both write in forms of the speculative genre, be that science fiction or dystopian.

Of course every book has flaws. The Frost books had a few typos, and the fourth book had a couple of minor inconsistencies with the rest of the series. (Example: a book referred to as The Winter Parables in the other books was called The Snow Parables in book four. Not a huge deal.) The author kept mixing up peak/peek and, more commonly, pour/pore. The first book got a bit sensuous, but that actually faded out for the most part. (Not the romance - definitely not! - but the toeing-the-line-between-okay-and-not.) There was one random curse word in one book, which I think just missed editing. (Today's cursing didn't really fit the story world.) Other than that, though, the writing was spotless. Glorious vocabulary, a perfect blend of showing and telling, a strongly designed story world, unique and individual characters...

Speaking of characters, they're basically the heart of these books, and most definitely the best part(s). Whether you like a person or not, you come to love the author's brilliant depth and voice for each unique person, no matter how small their role. Who can Lia trust? Why is he acting like that? What does she want? Everything comes down to motivation, just as it should, and the motivations here are not lacking.

There is a love triangle that develops a little less than halfway into the series... but oh, how beautifully it was written. I have never seen a triangle so masterfully done - for a Hunger Games and Matched fan like me, that's saying something. This series leaves those books in the dust. Both boys are equally matched to the girl and both would be great choices, emotionally and logically. Both of them have lives outside the girl. No matter what, the triangle is neither pushed too far aside as to become pointless, nor honed in on to the point where it becomes irritating. Lia keeps her head through everything. In fact, she's probably the strongest, most sensible heroine I've met.

Actually, Lia's strength of mind annoys me sometimes. It was worst in book four, if I remember correctly. In her attempt to protect those she loves and stay true to her loyalties, she doubts anyone who has ever not been on her side. At least four times she had absolutely no faith towards characters that were clearly (to me, anyway) not as evil as she made them out to be. As Gabe eventually points out, "Is there anyone you do trust, Lia?" (That might not be the exact quote.) At least the other characters were both as aware of and annoyed by this major trust issue as I was.

I wish I could tell you about everyone in this book. Ann, the soft and sweet best friend. Gabe, the mysterious fugitive. Adam, the unreadable loner. Jonn, the crippled but capable twin. Ivy, the irritating younger sister who grows oh-so-much. Borde, the strange scientist. Korr and Gordon and Raine and the Mayor and Claire and Cat and Stone and Everiss...

Some character-driven stories are a bit lacking in the plot department, but nobody will ever be able to accuse the Frost Chronicles of this. The twists! The turns! The development! While I sort-of agree with another the store reviewer - the fifth book felt like it lacked something in plot - the majority of the storyline was just stunning. I laughed, I cried, and I never knew what was coming. Seriously. As a writer, I've gotten used to finding every book I read a bit predictable. I've learned to distinguish what's coming up before the average reader. We talk about that in my writers' group a lot. But even though there was enough foreshadowing and hints laid out beforehand, I got my predictions shockingly wrong. Every. Single. Time. This person's the bad guy! That place is where they'll end up! He's going to die! She's going to turn out to be this big secret thing!

I'm surprised I never got annoyed with the *BUZZZ you're wrong!* moments. I guess I was too enthralled with what actually ended up happening to care that I had no idea where it was going. Each book in the series gives enough answers for you to feel like the book ended, but leaves enough questions to pull you right along to the next book. If I had an issue with any of the books' setup, it would have to be the openings. They never picked up exactly where the last book left off, and they felt a bit abrupt. It was hard to get into the first couple of books. It got easier with each book. The last book had a prologue, which none of the others did. I liked it, but it didn't seem to quite fit the flow of the series - I'd prefer if it were just chapter one.

The last book was also the only one with an epilogue, but that fit perfectly. Without that epilogue, the entire series would be left incomplete. After such a long ride with these characters, it was nice to ease out of the story world. All loose ends are tied together. The epilogue's almost entirely telling, but it works. It's like the older Grimm or Anderson fairy tale style, back before showing was a thing, or like when someone tells you a story orally. Even though it broke all the writing rules, the epilogue was probably one of the best part of the series.

The Frost Chronicles, my lovely readers, are a glorious example of escape reading with morals. I may or may not be experiencing book hangover... and my expectations for modern teen literature have certainly been raised impossibly higher. Traditional publishing's got nothing on Kate Avery Ellison.

I won a free copy of the first ebook of this series through LibraryThing. Upon my request, the author supplied the other four ebooks for free in exchange for a single series-wide review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Originally Reviewed at:Mother/Gamer/Writer
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Controllers
Review Source: Blog Tour
Reviewer: JCarroll

This young adult book is an overall interesting read. I greatly enjoyed the journey into the land of Frost, but feel as though I've left a seriously awesome buffet yet still just a bit hungry. The concept of a separate race, those living on the cold, barren outskirts called the Frost, and the mysterious modern society, the Farthers, who lived in their own country beyond, appealed to me. My curiosity was piqued from the beginning concerning the shadowy Farthers. The two races never mix and the Frost people live in fear of these Farthers. The lives of Lia Weaver and her village are further controlled by the danger presented by the Watchers, creatures of the night, who are considered to both protect the village and endanger its people at the same time.

I'm not one to be drawn to first person narrative, but Kate Avery Ellison makes it work. Lia, the heroine of the story, makes the fear and self consciousness she feels every moment come alive as she lives and works to survive after her parents were brutally attacked and killed by Watchers .The lack of Lia's knowledge about the Watchers and the Farthers left many questions that hopefully will be answered in the next book in this series. I also have high hopes that there will be more to the budding romance between Lia and the young Farther she rescued.

While I felt I knew Lia's story, I was not as familiar with her brother and sister. I felt as though these characters were two dimensional. They were there, but there just wasn't enough substance to truly bring them to life. I also never could get a clear picture of Lia's home environment. The descriptions were somewhat vague. I enjoy a complete picture of characters' surroundings and I like to become familiar with the environment in which they live. I felt a bit cheated.

Now, the ending was excellent! Even though it was a somewhat rushed, it was full of surprises and a great deal of mystery. Being introduced to new concepts and ideas at the very end of the book left me hungry for more. What a great way to make sure your readers buy the next book! I certainly will be looking for it !My only hope is that I don't feel as rushed reading book two. I enjoy books that are on slow simmer instead of rapid boil. It makes for a delicious, savory meal that leaves one totally satisfied.

Overall, Frost is an excellent read with enough mystery and surprise to definitely make me eager for the next serving. If you want The Hunger Games meets The Maze Runner, get your copy and dig in!

**I received an advance reader copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. This review and many others can be found on my blog, That Artsy Reader Girl**

Basically, I loved it, and I was surprised that I loved it, just because I'd never heard of it book before I was given the opportunity to be a part of the tour. I am SO glad I got to read it! As always, my main points are bolded. :)

1. When I say this book is refreshing, I'm being extremely literal. This is such a great read for a hot summer day, because this book takes place in probably the coldest place ever: The Frost. It's cold and snowy and windy, with blizzards and fires in the fireplace and short days, with long nights. I loved it!

"It was cold, the kind of cold that made bones feel brittle and hands ache. My breath streamed from my lips like smoke, and my feet made wet, crunching sounds in the snow as I slipped through the forest."
"The snow swirled around me, like fat white moths in the darkness."

2. The writing is gorgeous, and it grabbed me within the first paragraph. Kate Avery Ellison has this amazing knack for presenting ideas like love, and the intense coldness of the Frost, in a beautiful way.

"Just thinking abut it took my breath away. I gazed at the world of snowy white around us, at the feathery pines and moonlit hollows. What forgotten secrets lay beneath this icy visage?"
"The wind blew, stinging my cheeks and carrying with it the taste of ice. I slogged down the hill to the porch. My legs were weak with relief."
"He kissed me at first like he was afraid I'd break, and then he kissed me like it was the last thing he'd ever do."
"He looked at me like I was made of unbearable light and I was blinding him."
"Love is a perilous dance too, you see. And if we stop dancing, we'll die. Don't ever stop dancing."

See? Beautiful! Don't some of those quotes make you went to melt into a puddle?

3. I love the storytelling. We are given just enough information to not feel completely unaware, but not enough to make things predictable. I loved the mystery and the unknowns. Like the monsters (Watchers)... Why are they here? What do they want? When will the show up? We are given information as we need it, not as we want it. I was flipping through the pages SO fast. The creativity behind this work is amazing!

4. The characters are all so likeable. Lia is strong and sensible. Her parents are dead, and she has to take care of her crippled twin brother and younger sister. She brings to the story that maturity a person gains when they are all of a sudden a teenage parent to children their own age. He siblings are so sweet and protective of her, but never try and hold her back from doing what she knows she has to do. The villain jumps out at you from nowhere, and the guy you thought you hated ends up being nothing you thought he was.

5. Gabe is swoonworthy, which is why he needs his own bolded number. I mean, he's got this brooding hardened exterior, and is a man of few words... but the words he actually does say are perfect. He says the most amazing things to Lia. I melted. And he's from this forbidden people, so we've got the tension that goes with "I have a major thing for him, but I've been brought up to fear and loathe him." situation. Also, there's this slow build up with him. The romance is actually barely mentioned, since it's in the beginning stages. I bet the next book will include more. There's no instalove, though, so I am SO willing to wait longer. :)

6. The forest is a character all its own, and I loved it. It sounds so mystical and gorgeous, yet it freaked me out! Every time any person ventured into the trees, I got so scared for them. And as the sky grew darker and darker, and the monsters began to appear... OH MAN. Good stuff, I tell you!

7. The ending is amazing! It's suspenseful, charged with romance, and ah-ha! moments. Again, you are given the info you need to understand, but there are so many things screaming from inside of me, begging for the sequel. I can't wait!

This book is a hidden gem. Again, I love being a book blogger, because I get to find all these amazing lesser-known books and then tell you to buy them! I'd recommend this to dystopia lovers, people who believe that monsters lurk in the dark, and swoonworthy male leads!

Lia Weaver works her family's farm after her parents died. As the farthest farm from the village,  the forest comes to the edge of her property. Filled with ice and strange beasts,  it is not a safe place.  When her family discovers Gabe,  a hurt fugitive in the woods, they must decide what to do with this man fleeing an evil government.

This book is by far one of my new favorites (in addition to the Scourge which I just read). I really loved this book.  The world building was amazing.. A small village in the frost protected from a large industrial evil people nearby by ancient creatures roaming the forest.  There is much mystery about where the creatures came from and what ancient magic and technology was left behind by a forgotten race. I loved the frost setting in the woods with all the mystery and danger around them. There is a pretty good forbidden romance plotline between Lia and Gabe (and after all, how could they stay together if he is a fugitive on the run?). The story was from Lia's perspective and it was nice getting into her head and seeing the impossible decisions she had to make throughout the novel. And so many people turned out to not be what they seemed.

Yes, it was a little short but there are plenty of other books in this series so it isn't a problem for me. This was a major page-turner for me and a great, short read. Anyway, 5 stars for me. I'd recommend everyone get this book and see for yourself.

NOTE: I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

Imagine a life in a frozen terrain, where monsters come out at night and you must beware of the Farthers. Your family must earn it's keep or face the consequences. Your parents are dead and you, still a youth, are left to care for your siblings. This is Lia Weaver's life and it is bleak. When Lia rescues Gabe, a Farther, she puts herself and her family at risk. Although the Farthers have been portrayed as heartless and evil, Lia can't help but discover that's not the case. Gabe is kind and caring, and she is willing to risk her life to keep him safe.

Gah...Middle-of-the-road reviews are so hard for me to write. FROST is a good story. The author obviously took great care in building a realistic world and society in her story. The setting is brilliantly descriptive. I felt the cold, biting chill of the land. I could practically hear the crunch of the frozen ground. Frost is a world I would hate to live in and that's kudos to Ellison's descriptive abilities.

The plot was interesting, but not wholly thrilling. I just couldn't get fully involved in what was happening. I didn't feel the intense emotions the characters were experiencing. I do think Ellison is a talented author. I read another of her books THE CURSE GIRL, and adored it. Her writing is very nicely paced and easy to read. I think, actually, that this is nothing more than a case of "good story, wrong person". There was nothing at all wrong with FROST, its just not my kind of story.

Favorite Quote:

"In that moment, we were not a Farther and a Frost girl. We were just two people, and I was astonished at how easy it was to forget that there were any other barriers between us." (ebook,53%)

I have been burned so many times by self published books in the past, that I put off reading this one for a blog tour until the absolute last moment. I can honestly say that 1) I'm pleasantly surprised and 2) I'm glad I didn't flake out and skip reading it.

The story is FUN! It's not your every day YA novel that follows the same themes that every other YA novel follows. Or, well, I guess it does - but in a way that makes you feel as though you're reading something fresh. I can dig that.

There's a love triangle of doom - and we all know I loathe those things - but this one is done in such a way that I didn't want to claw my eyes out. It was believable and pertinent to the story, so I won't knock it.

I will say that some of the plot is predictable, but not in a way that is obnoxious. The author's writing style is easy to read and easy to follow and the novel is fairly well edited.

This would have received 4 stars, but I think the lack of overall polish in the story, and a significant amount of missing detail (so many points could have been developed a little more!) made me have to yank one. S'ok, though, I'll still read the next in the series.

Upon reading the synopsis for Frost I was intrigued and excited to read what sounded like a great new dystopian. Kate Avery Ellison held strong, her writing and wonderful world building has earned her a place on my top authors list. Frost completely captivated me and had me turning pages faster than my brain could catch up. This story is heartbreaking, inspiring, and haunting. I loved it, I absolutely positively enjoyed every breathtaking and suspenseful moment. It's a bone chilling and eerie book that features a nasty monster that now infests my nightmares.

In a frozen world Lia lives and survives but is suffering from an unimaginable loss and new responsibility. After her parents accident she has become head of household and guardian to her brother and sister. A role that many would resent, Lia embraces the challenge and is strong for her siblings.

A lot of events unfold in the story, secrets and revelations change Lia's world as she opens up her mind beyond what she's always known. Lia is a brave character who personifies strength. She didn't start out that way though, throughout the book she goes from a naive and insecure girl to one undaunted heroine. I remember feeling distant and shut out by Lia's thoughts in the beginning of the book, she seemed cold. But, by the end of the book she has opened up so much.

My favorite character, which is always a surprise when I recall the events of any story, but the character I liked most was Adam. I'm not going to go into detail about him but read the book because he's fascinating (at least to me). There's more to him than the other secondary characters, from the beginning I knew he was up to something. His mysterious nature has drawn me in, I need to know his story and more about him. Kate does a wonderful job connecting the reader to the book, making it a detailed read that allows anyone reading to picture not only the vivid setting but the one of a kind characters as well.

The romance that the author creates is perfect. Heartbreaking and breathtaking all at once. I'm really looking forward to Thorns, the next book in the series, to continue this nail-biting adventure. Frost is an all around Impressive tale stocked with action and romance. If you are a fan of strong heroines, dystopian settings, as well as creepy and calculated plots then this is definitely the book to check out.

A copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review.

This book completely captivated me. That is the only way I can think to describe it. It was haunting and so, so great. I am dying to read the next book already! I honestly have no idea what is even going to happen in it and I am super intrigued.

It was really interesting to see a girl have to be head of the family. A lot of weight fell on her shoulders. She had to provide for her sister and twin brother that was permanently hurt from an accident. Her parents are gone and she lives in a very harsh climate place, which is putting it mildly. The setting kind of reminded me of the movie The Village or Red Riding Hood. Both creepy isolated villages and both with creatures that came out at night. But that is really where the similarities end.

I thought the juxtaposition between the two worlds was really cool. One was basically on a government controlled barter system. Each family had their own quotas and one specific job that they did to contribute and then everyone pools their contributions and gives out the rations to the families. From what I understand, no money was exchanged. It was very old school, but not in a good way. The mayor has complete control over everything and there are harsh penalties for those that do not meet quotas. On the other hand, the Farthers town has big cities and lavish parities and is industrialized in a futuristic way. We never went into this town in the story so I am just going on its descriptions. But the funny part was both towns hated the people from the other town thinking they were barbaric or tyrants.

Throw a lost Farther into the village, some creepy monsters that come out at night and a mystery and you have the making of an excellent story! I gobbled Frost right up and was anxious for more. I will say that I was really torn with the ending of the story. On one hand I thought it was satisfying and climactic, but on the other hand, my heart broke a little. I can't wait to see what is going to happen in the next book, who knows if we will see more of the farther or not, and I have a feeling that Adam, who didn't play too big of a roll in this book, will have some secrets up his sleeve. This is such an awesome start to a series and it has favorite series potential written all over it!

*I got this book for free in exchange for my honest review. I did not receive any money in exchange for my review.

Frost by Kate Avery Ellison is the first book in the Frost Chronicles series.

Set in a cold world, elusive monsters called "Watchers" exist. Hiding in the forest, they are rarely ever seen, hunt at night, are immune to weapons and are only held at bay by snow blossoms (sky blue flowers) that people keep around their thresholds and wear as necklaces for protection. However, they don't guarantee your safety.

The villagers of Iceliss (just known as "the village" to locals) have hard lives in the Frost. To survive in the frozen, forested landscape every man, woman and child needs to do their part. There are quotas to make sure of it. If you don't meet your quota, you don't get your rations for the week. There are a multitude of different tasks, such as hunting, farming, weaving, dyeing, gardening, etc. From your profession, your surname is derived.

Lia Weaver's job is to spin wool into yarn. She also manages a farm no other villager wanted, as it lies on the outskirts of village, with nothing but forest and Watchers beyond. She must also look after her twin brother, John (who is unable to walk) and free-spitired younger sister, Ivy, after their parents were killed by Watchers.

No one is entirely sure what happened to her parents. They were found without their snow blossom necklaces and were last seen entering the forest with members of the Brewer family. The Brewer family made it back, but Lia's parents didn't.

Now more than ever, her remaining family must follow the rules to survive. If the village believes her unfit, they will take her siblings away. Suddenly, Lia reaches a critical point when the terrifying Farthers come to her village. They come from the city of Aeralis, in the far South. They are known as a brutal race, who imprison and abuse any and all. They are also technologically advanced, especially compared to the little village in the Frost, where technology will get you killed (as it attracts the attention of the Watchers). Aeralis has airships, gas lamps and seems to be similar to cities that exist in the Steampunk world. A dark, frightening place- whose rumours are warning enough.

When a wounded boy turns up in the forest by their house, Ivy is adamant that they save him. He is obviously a Farther and helping him is strictly against the rules, but Lia gives in to Ivy's request. It soon becomes clear that the Farthers are searching for this strange boy, but why? Was it a mistake to help him?

As Lia tries to find answers, her world is turned upside down. Who are The Thorns? What is the Gate? Who can she trust? And how did her parents really die? In this harsh world, one mistake will lead to your death, whether by exposure, Watcher or human.

The plot is fast-moving and sets a great pace. The descriptive writing is done well and depicts the severe world the characters live in realistically. Reading the story, I could feel the icy wind against my face and the constant threat of danger surrounding them. At no point do you ever feel that the characters are safe. This is simply because a safe world does not exist for them. Even without the threat of monsters all around, or brutal soldiers attacking, the elements alone are enough to kill you if you aren't careful.

The characters themselves are realistically nothing special. What I mean is that not every person in the real world is the Chosen One or has ninja fighting skills. Some people you meet might not even be interesting. Some will stick out more than others and some you won't even notice. And that's exactly what the characters are like in this book. Normal, everyday people. Some you relate to and some you forget as soon as they're gone.

The ending leaves you with just enough curiosity to keep reading. For those who don't want to continue the series (for whatever reason), it's also just complete enough to be a stand-alone story. Personally, I enjoyed this book. It held my attention and kept me guessing. Normally, I can figure out what the plot-twists will be or what secrets will be revealed, but this book had a few that surprised me. The finale happened so quickly that I was left wanting to immediately start the next book. I've always been the type of person who has to finish a story once I've started it and I'll definitely be checking out the rest of the series. If you're a fan of young adult books, fantasy or just interested, why not try it too?

Disclaimer: I was sent this book by the author. This is not a sponsored review. All opinions are 100% my own.

I've been having good luck with self-published lately! I'm extremely glad I gave this one a chance.

First off, this book reminded me greatly of The Village by M. Night Shyamalan. Since I enjoyed that movie, this was a not a deterrent for me. I liked that our main character is a head strong female who is doing her best to keep her family together. She's trying to keep the every watchful eyes of the village leaders off of her family. It's not an easy task when there are things like the weekly quota to meet. Not to mention the monsters that leave tracks around her farm. I was most curious about the way this secluded society was set up.

When Gabe shows up, I'm glad the Lia follows her instincts. He's not what Lia expects from a "Farther" His story of the world he lives in mimic some of what she's been told. But, there are secrets woven in there too. Stories of people from the Frost helping "Farthers" escape. Gabe is looking for those people and a mysterious gate. Lia discovers she may be holding the key to it all. But how far is she willing to go to protect a boy she barely knows?

At first, I was hoping that the monsters in the forest might be entirely mythical. I would have even settled for the same sort of idea they used in The Village. I tend to have a hard time when mythical creatures that are usually never seen become a reality in the story. But, this time around it surprised me. I liked who and what these creatures actually were.

The only disappointing part of this story....it's more of a novella. I was so into the story only discover it was over. Really looking forward to the next one!

This book sucked me into its storyline right from the start. Ellison has a wonderful plot, likeable characters, and strong world building skills. I must say that this was a great beginning to a new series.

The first thing I liked about the book was how fast the plot moved. There were never any lags and each point along the story path added to the one before it. As a result, this was a fast read. It seemed that no sooner had I picked it up to start reading, then I was putting it down after having come to the end. I enjoyed the mystery behind Gabe's past, the Watchers, the Farthers, and what happened to Lia's parents. As I read I kept waiting for Ellison to answer my questions about all of these, but she would tease with tiny bits of information here and there until finally unavailing almost everything in the final few chapters. Sadly, not all of my questions were answered, hence the "almost" in the previous sentence, but seeing as this is just the first book of the series, that is to be expected. Now the fact that I am already hinting of there being a sequel should give you a clue about how much I enjoyed this book. And before I forget, can I just say that I loved the sudden surprise twist to the end of this book! The person behind the death of Lia's parents wasn't who I thought it would be. I mean, I figured this character was going to be trouble shortly after I started reading, but I didn't expect things to turn out as they did. I really do love it when an author can take me by surprise with something, murr!

Another thing that made this a great read were the characters. Lia was fun. She's strong-willed, determined, dedicated, and just a tiny bit stubborn. Her desire to protect and care for her siblings was one of her most admirable traits. Gabe was simply mysterious. There's much more to him than he shares with Lia in this book, I just know it. Ellison has a secret plan for him, and I think I know what it is, but I don't want to say anything because of spoilers and for fear of being wrong. Suffice it to say, I am hoping he returns in the next book because I really liked him. Plus the relationship between him and Lia needs more of a chance to grow. They are perfect for each other! Adam was another mysterious guy. His family has ties to Lia's, but you don't find out what those are until towards the end of the book. I kept bouncing between trying decide whether he was a good guy or a bad guy. Want to find out which one he is? Read the book because you won't get any spoilers from me! And finally there's Cole. Truth be told, I rather felt sorry for him because he genuinely cares for Lia, but I can't help but feel that he tries to hard to make his feelings known. As a result, his actions make him out to be an annoying pest. He always shows up at the worst possible moment for Lia and there were several moments where I found myself groaning when he came into a scene. Shame what happens to him in the end. ~smirks~

As for the world of Frost itself, I loved it. It had a "The Village" feel to it, and if you don't understand my reference, I suggest you watch the movie at some point. There were so many elements in this story which reminded me of this movie, from the Farthers to the Watchers, even to Lia's village being protected from the world outside. Ellison brought this world to life for me. True, it was not a unique idea per say, but it was still wonderful, and I feel that it will lead to a lot of surprising things in later books.

The only disappointment I had was the length. Topping in at a total 194 pages, I couldn't believe how short the book was! It certainly explained why I wanted more at the end. It also explained why I felt like some elements were not given enough explanation or detail. Really the length is the only thing that kept me from giving this a perfecting rating, which may seem petty, but I can't help but feel that this book need more to it.

Despite this though, I'm anxious to find out what happens next in the series. Here's hoping book two is just as great as this one was, if not just a smidge longer in length, murr!

I really liked this story. It has a lot of intrigue that kept me turning the pages. I was not sure if I was reading a dystopian or a fantasy or something else .

The more I read, the more I wanted to know what the Watchers were. Are they good or bad?

I loved Adam Brewer. I am Team Adam , but this instalment is not written with any romantic attachment to Adam and our heroine, Lia Weaver. But , in saying that I loved Gabe too.

Now Cole...well he is from the word go somebody I didn't trust, nor overly liked.

I did pick a reasonable amount of the plot, but I don't care. I found this a very stimulating read. I have questions but I feel they will be answered in further instalments.

I did laugh at Kate's acknowledgements section of her book. Yes, Kate I did notice this , ( the part about what the reader would say was too few of) but I didn't care. Sure the action scenes are not really bouncing at you. I loved the character's and the mystery and intrigue. This is what grabbed me about this book. Now I understand this hasn't been picked up by a publisher. I think it should be as I think a cuddle from a publisher would give it the little nudge I personally think it needs.

I really liked Kate weaving into the story the 'why' about why people would even settle in Frost. All I will say is 'Bluewing', a great little paragraph or two that gave us a reason.

Quota's, quota's , filling that darn quota is what Lia thought would keep her family of Ivy, her fourteen year old sister and her twin crippled brother John, and her together, towing the line. Not bringing attention to her farm and the family she had left. They were all orphans. She needed to keep her brother and sister together.

Adam Brewer is a great character. I am still finding him a mystery, but we do learn more. We get hints about him not being originally from Frost....hmmm, I have some theories.

I liked Ann, Lia's friend, I hope I can trust her.

Cole , I saw him coming from a mile away. Sorry, but I did. But that is ok.

My head is still in the clouds about a lot of things, the Farther's being one of them and their country of Aeralis.

The story took a rather swift ending for all the work that went into the build up. It has a different feel to the start. I won't spoil, we do get hints.

Sometimes I wondered if there was going to be a steampunk feel to the book, due to the technology and things. I am still intrigued to know how and why the world is the way it is and if infact this is earth. Not that it matters. I just have questions bobbing about in my head.

I have left out saying a lot as there is a mystery with people and the Mayor of the village and the 'Watchers' who will keep you asking yourself what they are , you won't guess, I can assure you.

The Farther's are a big question for me and the `why` of Gabe .

I think Lia is a great character, very intelligent and brave. I would love to see her with Adam.

I do rate this highly as it has me very intrigued and I want to know more about Adam. I like a book that has me guessing even if I do work out most of who is doing what. I still got some surprises.

FAVE QUOTE:

"I keep losing people. Well, sometimes I wonder if it's worth it. Is this struggle to feel worth it? I just keep bleeding and bleeding, and it seems like it never stops."

Michelle

Frost by Kate Avery Ellison brings to life a beautiful world with a complex history, full of secrets, betrayal, and hope. She captures the world with vivid descriptions that bring this place to life in your mind. You can picture yourself walking with Lia and experiencing her fear, her stubbornness, and her loss as the story progresses.

Lia is a wonderful main character with her strength in hardships and loyalty to her family. I don't think that I would be as open to raising my flaky sister and brother who can't walk. This isn't to be mean but I think I am probably more selfish which makes Lia all the more admirable. Her selflessness is continually proved throughout the story as she gives up everything for her siblings. It makes me want to cry when she gives up her chance at love and happiness to make sure that her siblings will always be taken care of.

The Watchers were intimidating but not as scary as I expected. They have more history behind them and mystery seems to cling to their character so I wish I would've learned more about them then I did. Now, I am not into horror stories or anything but I think that the Watchers definitely could've been amped up more and their history should've been expanded on. History could've either made them more relatable or scary.

The Farthers are an interesting element to the story that kind of appears out of nowhere in the story. If there is any real bad guys in the story, it would definitely be this group of people. They have a lot of evil that is more than perceived like with the Watchers. It's really cool to shift between which one was a bad guy.

I love this book and it's an awesome read with a lot of great pieces to the story.

Frost by Kate Avery Ellison is a Dystopian type read where main character, Lia Weaver, lives in a town called Frost, which is secluded from the rest of the world and are also known as The Forgotten Ones. In Frost, every villager is responsible to provide a weekly quota of goods (yarn, meat, etc.) in exchange for supplies.

One would think that a life in Frost would be peaceful, but beyond the borders...in the forest that surrounds the village and farms, are vicious monsters known as The Watchers, who hunt and kill when the sun goes down. No one is safe, and your only means of protection are a certain type of flower. Not only are there Watchers loose in the woods, but the villagers of Frost must also beware of the Farthers, people from a neighbouring city that are known for their brutality and menacing demeanour.

Lia is forced to provide for her twin brother and younger sister after the death of her parents. The rule never changes and has been drilled into every villager's head at an early age...never go into the forest after the sun goes down...The Watchers come out at night. After a routine visit into town to provide her weekly quota, Lia comes home to find that her younger sister is not inside the house where should be. Where does Lia find her? In the forest of course, and there she finds Gabe, a Farther, who is bleeding and near death.

Should Lia help this Farther and worry about the well being of her family? Or should she just leave him to die and be rid of him. It is at this crossroad decision that the life Lia has known changes forever. Truths are revealed, deception is inevitable, and could love possibly blossom in a world full of death and fear?

Frost was such a great read! The writing style of Kate Avery Ellison is addictive and full of description. The way in which she described Frost and the world surrounding the characters was one that I could easily picture in my head. Down to the clothing, the sounds, the smells...the images were practically jumping off the pages. The way in which the characters were introduced was done perfectly, and at a nice pace.

I thoroughly enjoyed the interactions between Lia and Gabe. I loved watching their relationship grow into something that was beautiful and heartbreaking. I wish I could read more about these star crossed lovers. They are easily among the top of my list for couples I want to see more of. Gabe is so sweet and sexy and brave and everything else that a book boyfriend should be. *sigh*

I wish that this book was a little longer. It would have been nice to see a little more interaction between Lia and her friends in the village and to learn a little bit more about Adam and his family. To learn more in depth about their role in everything. He looks like such a promising characters, and I wish there was more of him to enjoy in the book.

I recommend this book to fans of Dystopian reads and who enjoy books with star crossed lovers. This is one love story that will leave you smiling and heartbroken at the same time.

Rating Clarification: 3.5 Stars

Disclaimer: The fact that I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review has not affected my rating. This review expresses my honest opinions.

Frost is a book most people will enjoy, praise, and rate highly. As an action with light romance-type novel, I enjoyed it thoroughly. However, it's as a dystopian novel and other essential factors of a story that I find is its downfall.

Let me start off with what I liked. I loved the relationship within Lia's family They were always supportive of each other, sacrificing their time, effort, health, and safety to help each other. Of course, their "family" eventually expands to include more people, but what I find amazing is that they would open their circle and treat past enemies or complete strangers as one of their own. OF course, they have their own quibbles and faults, making their family both realistic and touching.

The concept of Watchers also pulled me in. My only complaint is that I wish their involvement could go beyond "Oh no, there's a Watcher! Let's run!", especially in the beginning. I'm hoping their role could develop more in the sequel, Thorns, considering the revelation about their purpose in the end.

The plot was also quick paced with action. However, the romance, although sweet & my guilty pleasure, seemed too quickly developed and premature. I suppose Gabe was saved by Lia, who also made many sacrifices for her family, but I still found it a bit premature :/

Finally, I found that Frost wasn't "truly" a dystopian novel. After freshman lit and understanding what dystopias serve for the general public to realize, I found that Frost fell short. There was almost no back story - Where did the Farthers come from? Why did the Watchers exist? Why is the world this way? Also, the brief mention of magic in the end didn't seem realistic, especially since there was also no back story. Overall, I just didn't see the message in Frost dystopian novels are supposed to present.

Overall, I found that Frost was a short and quick read. If you're looking for an action, slightly romance-ish novel with dystopic elements, pick up Frost. However, if you're one of those people like me who look for the "message" in dystopic novels, I suggest you try one of Paolo Bacigalupi's novels if you haven't.

I did actually enjoy this even though it's not really my kind of thing and as I was reading I decided to ask myself whether I would have liked the storyline more if it had been in modern times and I think I would probably have liked it the same, maybe a tiny bit more but nothing that would make a huge difference to my review. So I'm going to focus mainly on my liking of it
I liked the characters although with it being quite short we don't really get into them but I liked Lia a lot, I like a determined person and even though she was left in a bad situation after the deaths of her parents - left to be the head of her family which included a crippled twin brother and a petulant teenaged sister- she refused to give up and tried so hard to do the right thing. I liked Gabe but we didn't get to know a great deal about him and he brought more questions than answers and I think he's hiding a lot especially about who he really is, so I have a feeling we will be getting more from him. I also liked Adam, he was a mystery too and I would have liked more from him.
I liked the storyline, Lia and her family harbouring an escaped criminal from the enemy or Farthers (as the people of the village call them) whilst trying to stay safe from `the watchers' - vischous creatures that roam the forest at night killing any one in their path and keeping her family together & fed whilst conforming to the `village' expectations. I liked the smidgen of romance we got which gave the storyline a lift and I'm curious about all of the discoveries that were made. I'm used to a faster paced book but this slower pace didn't really bother me and I think it is only the setting that did, I dislike old world village scenarios, especially the mentality & prejudice, where people are expected to do and act certain ways - it just rubs me the wrong way - But, having said that I still enjoyed it and would probably still pick up a sequel because it has potential and the promise of an expanded world also, plus I'm a character fan and as I said- I really liked the characters and would love more from them. Now, this book is going to be loved by fans of this genre. I can see exactly what is to love about it and I would recommend it to those people - my review is just based on my personal preferences and if I split it up into 3 categories - Characters, storyline, setting- it would have 2 out of 3 but on this five star scale its getting 3.5 from me.

Wow! Just wow. When I received a request from Kate Avery Ellison to review her book I immediately jumped on it because of the summary. I didn't know what to expect except for a love story mixed in with a dystopian society. Frost was well-crafted and kept me guessing even when the story was coming to a close.

Lia Weaver has to become the head of her family when her parents are killed by monsters in the woods. Now she must care for her siblings and make sure they reach their weekly quota. Upon returning home from town to trade their goods for food, she notices her sister is missing and goes out looking for her. It is getting dark when Ivy finally pops out of the woods to tell Lia about the wounded boy. Ivy runs back towards the boy leaving Lia no choice but to follow. When Lia sees the boy she stops dead in her tracks and introduces Ivy to a Farther, but this doesn't phase her; he is wounded and will die if Lia doesn't save him.

I really liked the major characters in this book. Lia had to become the smart and responsible person we see her as when her parents died a year earlier. She gave up a lot just so she could care for her siblings. John, Lia's twin brother, is physically disabled and no longer a major contributor to the household. He suffered a leg injury when he was younger which prevents him from moving around easily. Ivy is carefree and the main reason Lia lies to the people of the Frost about their well-being. Gabe, the Farther, doesn't fit the stereotype that the people of the Frost have been taught since they were children. He is weary of Lia and her intentions until he comes to see she wouldn't hurt a fly.

Frost was a great read because I never had the right conclusion in my mind as to how the story would end. It wasn't obvious and I wasn't expecting to be so caught off guard and unaware; it was refreshing. I was continuously guessing what would happen, but none of what I assumed would happen took place.

It took some time to get into, but I'm glad I stuck with it. None of the major action happens until the last quarter of the book, but by then I was so engrossed in and intrigued by the story line that I refused to put it down. Sadly, I had five minutes before my next class started so I had to finish the last chapter an hour later.

This book is dystopian, however, it isn't dystopian in the sense that there is a controlling government like we see in The Hunger Games. It is dystopian in the sense that the Farthers live in a controlling and dominating society and the people of the Frost live without technology and advanced research and health care. They don't want to be controlled like Farthers. The Frost works on a system of quotas where all people in the community must do their part or they won't get their share of food.

Overall, Frost was a great dystopian read that kept me guessing. It was slow at times, but once the action picked up it didn't stop.

Originally reviewed at Doodle's Book Blog

FTC Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. I was not monetarily compensated for my opinion.

Lia Weaver has a lot of responsibilities in her life; her parents are dead, she has to take care of her siblings, meet the quota, and now on top of everything rescue a farther. Gave was injured as he was trying to escape and despite her better judgment Lia wants to help him do just that. As many secrets are revealed Lia finds out more about her past than she ever wanted to know.

The initial concept and cover are what originally intrigued me to read this series. I loved the desolate landscape and loner type setting. Lia was extremely courageous and genuine, I loved her character. Lily on the other hand got on my nerves. I didn't connect with her at all and didn't understand her attitude given the dire circumstances her family was facing. Gable on the other hand was simply heartwarming.

The story overall was a little shaky and choppy in some places but it was a good start for the author. I would recommend this book for fantasy lovers and anyone that liked the red riding hood movie. I'm looking forward to reading the second book.

WOW. This is the second book I've had the opportunity to review by Kate Ellison and her writing keeps getting better and better. Absolutely LOVED this story and found that I couldn't put it down once I started. My one complaint is that it was too short. It introduced some interesting characters that I would have loved to know more about but overall I found it to be an excellent intro to what I hope will be a great series.

Ellison weaves a beautiful story of a girl named Lia who is forced into the adult responsibilities of taking charge of her two siblings and their farm after her parents are killed. The weight of keeping her family together and alive weighs heavily on her shoulders. She realizes that her own dreams aren't important anymore, only survival. The imagery the author creates of the frosty woodland where she lives was vivid. Life in the community where she lives is rough. Money doesn't exist, only the trade of goods and everyone works to meet a weekly quota that keeps the village thriving. South of the village beyond the frost is the sophisticate and advanced city of Aeralis where people they refer to as Farthers live. In Aeralis there is no bitter winter, electronics & machines exist, the military rules and most importantly there are no Watchers. Watchers are creatures of the frost that come out at night and hunt. Lia's world is turned further upside down after she saves the life a dangerous Farther named Gabe and the world as she knows it changes forever.

I liked Lia a lot. She's a survivor who is trying to make sense of the world around her. The romance in the story was subtle, sweet and heartbreaking. As she asks "Is this struggle to feel worth it?"

Again, my only complaint is that it was over too soon. I wanted to learn more about Adam, his family and Lia's brother Jonn - who broke my heart. I can't wait for book 2 and seriously, stop reading reviews and just go read it!!!

Cover: Isn't the cover for Frost absolutely gorgeous? I love the colors and the feel of it. So pretty!

When I first read the synopsis of Frost, I initally thought of The Near Witch. After starting it, they honestly are nothing alike...aside from the fact both are awesome. Ellison has created a world here that is chilling and frightening. In Lia's village, they are surrounded by Frost, a place in which monsters lurk. (Think The Village only they see the threats.) There are people who live outside - the Farthers, but the villagers think they are crazy. There are too many threats out in the main world, and where they are they are pretty safe.

Lia's parents were killed while out with a neighboring family, so now she cares for her brother and sister. When one of the Farthers is found injured by Lia's sister, they take him in and nurse him back to health. Lia doesn't have the heart to leave him in the forest to be eaten.

The village that Lia lives in, reminds me of some old-historical place. Money has no value, instead each family has a quota of "goods" to prepare to share with everyone in the town to help them thrive.
Every thing about Frost felt realistic, well, assuming there were monsters roaming around. It has this more-realistic vibe that I loved.

Frost is perfect for fantasy and dystopian lovers! Another plus is the sequel, Thorns, which is slated to release in August.

I received my copy of Frost in exchange for my honest opinion as part of the blog tour.

Oh boy. I completely devoured this book in two days (which is fast considering my busy schedule!). And I loved every moment of it.

In Frost, Kate Avery Ellison has constructed a world quite different than our own, but not so much so as to be unimaginable. The perfect balance between description and action, this young adult novel has a plot that moves at just the right pace. I became completely invested in the narrator, Lia Weaver, and the lives of those around her.

At first, I couldn't help but think the novel had a Hunger Games feel to it – the quota, rations, and general life of the people in the village in addition to the kind of responsibility that's put on Lia made it impossible not to compare her to Katniss. But Ellison's novel and narrator are something else entirely. Responsible, worried, caring, strong, in tune with her feelings despite being a little closed off, fearful yet brave – all this and more make Lia the likable protagonist she is.

She and the other town villagers have one major threat: the Watchers. These mysterious and dangerous creatures are monsters that stalk the woods at night. Are they animal or are they something else, something mechanical? I'm not quite sure yet. Another young adult fiction novel came to mind for me here: James Dashner’s The Maze Runner and its creatures called Grievers. In both novels, the creatures are a mysterious and lurking threat that keep those they stalk inside at night. I don’t know enough about the Watchers yet, but they are more important than they initially seem. And they are only a tiny part of Frost’s plot.

Lia, after helping her sister rescue a young man dying in the woods, is torn between fear of the stranger Gabe and interest in him. She discovers secrets that make her question how well she knew her dead parents. Corrupt political powers and a secret conspiratorial group in revolt emerge, and the plot thickens. The novel has a lot going on... in a good way. As the intriguing conflicts build up, the mystery of it all becomes all the more appealing.

I found myself completely sucked into this story – I stayed up later than I should've and even snuck in a few pages at work and in class when I could. Frost is a great start to the series, and I will definitely be picking up the next book.

I received this from the Kate Avery Ellison to read and review. The story is set in the winter in a small community that lives in the Frost as the area is called. Lia is the main character, she's had to take over raising her little sister and caring for her crippled brother after her parents are murdered. Most of the community lives in a safe little town while a few live outside the town those are farmers. It's a unique world, where during the daylight the people in the town are free to move about but during the night these creatures called "Watcher" come out and kill anyone who they find they are drawn to people with electronics. That's why it's a simple farmingish community, each family has a quota of goods they are required to provide for the better of the town. When a stranger shows up hurt who happens to be the community's enemy Lia saves his life and changed her life forever.
I couldn't put it down there is so much in such a short time in the book it keeps you on the edge of your seat. It's a very descriptive story, I felt like I could see the snow. I was nervous because this is a new genera for me but I was pleasantly surprised how drawn in I was. I spent most of the book trying to figure out who was the bad guy and I had a hunch but I was also blind sided. I love a good blind side when I'm reading a book with a little suspense in it. I liked the tiny twist of romance too. I'm looking forward to a future books in the series.

"We were just two people, and I was astonished at how easy it was to forget that there were any other barriers between us."

This is the second book I have read by Kate Avery Ellison. I read and loved her retelling of Beauty and the Beast called The Curse Girl.

Frost was no different. Kate is excellent at world building and her writing is detailed and descriptive without being tedious. I loved her descriptions of the forests of the Frost and the village it surrounded. Every time Lia went into the Frost my heart was in my chest fearing she would encounter a watcher. Kate is great at keeping you in suspense from page one through to the end.

Her characters are realistic and stick with you after the story has ended. I fell in love with Lia. She is determined and loyal and puts her family ahead of herself.

Gabe is such a sweetie. I really hope we get to see more of him in book two.

The only minor critique that I have is that it was a little on the short side. While being descriptive, I felt it could of had a little more action.

All in all, a great read that I highly recommend if you like young adult fantasy. I am eagerly waiting for Thorns.

"Don't ever stop dancing." <3

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I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Frost is one of the best books I've read this year and I read a lot.

The author had me from the first page and kept my interest by the nape of the neck, with hair-raising, certainty that something death defying must happen, or the well-rounded, very engaging characters were going to end up in the maws of monsters, or the deepest dungeons of the Borg-like civilization across the river.

The feisty heroine is a must love, and her dilemma is believable and significant--not like say, a fashion choice that might make her an epic fail at the Prom, or an on-again off-again attraction to a boy in her chemistry class. I have nothing against books that struggle with those types of issues; I just find them boring. This book is not boring!

Frost presents a steady, almost relentless rise in suspense as Lia confronts conflicts within herself dealing with her perception of her family, her community and her belief system. That is the internal conflict but she is surrounded by real and horrifying threats in the form of monsters, who move faster than the eye can track, and will eviscerate anyone who doesn't stay inside the safe zone--Spoiler Alert--there is no safe zone.

My one complaint is that the book ended. I'm going to buy her other books and wait impatiently until she gets her second book in this series out.

So my only criticism of this book is that it was too short. I wanted more!

It starts with a sense of urgency, as Lia rushes to get to the village in time to turn in her family's quota, and that feeling lasts the entire novel. There are Watchers in the woods, creatures who will rip you to shreds, and they come out at night. Something is going on in the village, though Lia is to preoccupied by taking care of her family to pay much attention, until the Farthers come. The Farthers are people from another country, who expand their empire and use technology, the opposite of the village, where everyone contributes their share.

Lia was an interesting character, focused solely on her family and work, to the exclusion of everything else. She is one of those characters who puts everything behind a mask, hiding behind a tough persona. That isn't to say she isn't tough - she is - but she isn't as unfeeling and stoic as she portrays. Her brother and sister were fully fleshed characters, as well as Ann, Cole and Adam from the village, which was really great. Gabe, an injured Farther Lia and her family shelters and cares for, was pretty fascinating as well - it was easy to see why Lia is interested in him.

I really liked this book. I want more of this book. It has the dystopian feel to it without the hopelessness. I am seriously looking forward to reading the sequel.

First things first, I got a free copy of this book from the author via Goodreads group Shut up and Read, for a fair and honest review. I do not know the author personally.
I give this book five golden stars.
Ok folks honestly I am going to sound like a crazed fan, but this book is amazing.
I do not give five stars very often, I have high standards and this book met those standards.
I got hooked into the storyline, pulled into the characters plights, absorbed into the world of the novel.
The author does a great job with creating characters that you can bond too, and cheer on (or boo for the villains).
The descriptions used in this book are perfect. I could easily visualize the village of Iceliss, isolated and locked away in a frozen landscape.
The twist in the book, was sufficiently foreshadowed without being over done. I loved the feel of a good Zing in a book.
If I were to find one fault in the book, it would be that it was too short. (195 pages)
I recommend this book without any hesitation to readers of the dystopian, science fiction, young adult, and adventure genres.

This book was everything I expected and more. The author was descriptive and the story was captivating. I started the book expecting to put it down after a few chapters and ended up reading it the whole way through.

You really feel for the MC Lia. Her family was killed, leaving her in charge of her younger sister and crippled brother. The town wants her matched and that would mean leaving her family. Lia became all work and no play in an effort to avoid such action and keep her family afloat.

Then one day her sister found a "farther" in the woods and Lia's world was turned upside down. Everything she thought she knew was questioned. She must learn to follow the rules or put her trust in this new stranger, Gabe.

There was a good dose of mystery in this book. It kept me guessing until the very end. I was pretty sad to see the story end. I am thankful there is a sequel to Frost. Thorns will be out in July 2012. I for one am stoked and will be one of the first to see how this journey continues.

I thought this story was very unique and original. There are a lot of YA books getting released these days and many of them follow the same being formula. Not this one. From the first few pages I felt like I had been transported. I was able to visualize what the story works was like. It was beautifully written and was very visceral. You can practically feel the ice. My only complaint that makes this a 3 star and not 4 is that the book needs better proofreading. There were a couple of really simple mistakes that should have been fixed (looked instead of look, for instead of form). Those things really should have been fixed and I just find it annoying. Overall, it was an entertaining and very quick read. I think it could even be appropriate for preteens as the action is not gratuitously violent. Also the romance element is fairly tame. Nothing you wouldn't see in a Disney movie. I really enjoyed it!

Addendum to previous post.

Okay so I just finished one of her other books and one again decided she needed to fire her editor. So I decided to check who exactly was her publisher/distributer.....and it is herself! Did not realize she was self published. Explains a lot of my editing issues. I truly feel like if she had a good editor and went through a publishing house she could be a bestseller.

This book has been on my Want-To-Read List for awhile, so I was very excited to have the opportunity to read and review this book! Frost is a dystopian, fantasy, romance novel. I loved every minute of it! Kate Avery Ellison has a way of writing a book that draws you in from the first page and holds your attention through to the end of the book. I felt like reading Frost was effortless and went by very quickly! I loved Lia and her strength and love of her family. She had courage and bravery to face frightening situations so she could protect and care for her family. She began to evolve in her opinions and emotions as the book progressed and I liked this, as most humans change due to time and circumstances. The description of the Frost was perfect, at times I almost felt cold while I was reading! The ending is open for another book and I look forward to reading it! Frost is a five star book for me!

I received this book for free, this is my honest review.

One can see the world a frozen land; where most people work their fingers off and few are privileged. Lia is head of the household since her parents were killed. Her small family consists of her older brother, who had an accident when he was a child has left him unable to walk, and her younger sister, whom is very ditzy and likes to dream and wonder off. They have been told all their lives to stay out of the forest after dark and to keep the flowers close when they go out and Lia must go out very often. She must go into town to deliver her quota and exchange for supplies. They also have been told that "Fathers" are dangerous and "Watchers" are worst. But when ditzy finds a hurt Father in the woods one day while daydreaming, she wants to help him and therefore recruits Lia to help. I love dystopian stories and this is a very good one, I am looking forward to reading the next one. However, with Frost ending the way it did, I can't wait to see what's Kate has in mind.

I had been putting off reading this series. For some reason the book covers weren't attractive, the titles didn't lure me, and the synopsis didn't convince me to buy the book. I finally decided the buy the first two books for a trip I was taking because the price was just right for a book I wouldn't mind reading (or abandoning) on a long flight. I read this first book in just a few hours and started right into the second (Thorns). I have no idea why I was so apprehensive to read this series. The character development is exceptional, the storyline is riveting, and the simplicity of it leaves me wanting more!

I definitely recommend buying this book. In fact, just buy the whole series. If you enjoyed reading Hunger Games, Divergent, Uglies, Under the Never Sky, Fragments, Daynight, The Burn, other such series, then you'll definitely like this one!

Frost (Volume 1)

Kate Avery Ellison captured my interest with Curse Girl. I loved her writing style, and that did not change this time around. Ellison is gifted with telling stories without littering them with fluff.

The world of the Frost is eerie and intriguing. I found Lia to be a great MC with realistic feelings and actions throughout the book. Ellison's other characters are written with a genuine feel as well. The villains were horrible and the heroes heroic. I have to say I was hoping for a different outcome in the end, but I am fine with what happened too.

I left this read with questions even though this story was wrapped up nicely. I look forward to reading more from this bright author. Although I didn't enjoy Frost as much as Curse Girl, I still loved it.

Frost by Kate Avery Ellison belongs with books like Matched and Under The Never Sky. I got this book from a LibraryThing giveaway, and I had high hopes. Honestly, the cover had me convinced that this book was professionally published, though I didn't see any mention of a publisher on the Smashwords page.

Lia Weaver lives in the Frost, a monster-filled forest next to the mountains. Her parents were killed by the Watchers, monsters that live in the forest, and she now has to struggle to keep their farm and her siblings together. To stay independent they have to meet their quota of yarn for the townspeople, and they receive supplies in return. If they don't meet quota they will be split up and the farm will be abandoned.

Then one day Lia's sister goes off into the woods alone and finds a Farther, someone from the totalitarian empire far south of the frost, bleeding to death in the cold. Against all reason and against the strict rules of the community, Lia brings him home and nurses him back to health. Lia has to figure out how to get him to a place called "the Gate," and keep the townspeople from knowing that he's even there. But she doesn't even know what "the Gate" is.

One thing I liked about this story is that even though it is a very standard love story (heroin nurses the savage foreigner to health, while falling into a forbidden love), it has elements that make it much more believable. Lia is a survivor and it isn't in the "I'm a badass" kind of way. Lia is torn between how easy it would be for her to get married and leave the farm,and keeping her family safe. Doing so would mean her sister would be sent to very harsh labor and her brother might not be taken care of at all because he was lamed in an accident when he was six.

When she meets the Farther, there isn't just the feeling that she has to do this because he's a human being. Noble as that is, it's the reason everyone does this in every forbidden love dying man romance. That is there, but the real reason is love at first sight, though she won't admit it to herself. Why do I think this is better than the way everyone else does this? I'm quite honestly sick of the hate leads to love cliché (though it's kind of in there as well), and though love at first sight is also a cliché, it's kind of gone out of style. "I hate you. No. I love you" is now en vogue. This at least gives some motivation, and makes the love story less ridiculous. it almost seems natural. I don't want to read a book and have a romantic story arc smashed in when two characters have simply been insulting and horrible to each other for most of the book.

The world is well-developed, and I felt like I understood how everything worked. Last names told you what the person did in town. the idea of ribbons and flowers as protective charms against the Watchers stayed consistent, and was used nicely through all of the action scenes.

I highly suggest this book and I'm giving it 4 stars.

Lia Weaver is left to take care of her family farm and two younger siblings when her parents are murdered in the woods one night by Watchers. The inhabitants of Frost live in fear of the Watchers - monsters who come out only at night. At the beginning of the book Lia's top priority is to take care of her family and keep them safe from the Watchers. Then she meets Gabe and everything changes. Love blossoms and secrets abound.

I loved this story. It was very different from other dystopian books I've read. Ellison's writing is very lyrical and enchanting. I loved her descriptions and sensory details. Gabe is an endearing hero and Lia is a strong character. I loved them both. This a delightful story and I can't wait to read more from this author!
Amber Garza, author of YA thriller PROWL

Kate Avery Ellison's debut of a new young adult series had me SHUSHING the "target audience" in my own home! Descriptive without being heavy-handed or obvious, I could see and feel the harsh environment that is the setting of the story. Ellison put me right into the terror that is Lia's life in the Frost. Gradually I learned more and more about Lia, her family, her circumstances, and the other characters that shape her desperate existence all the while tensely waiting for the horrible Watchers in the woods to make their appearance. I cared about what would happen to Lia and her family. I hoped that they would make good decisions and be heroic. And I sincerely wish that a sequel is coming soon!

Frost is the first in a new series, The Frost Chronicles, by Kate Avery Ellison, author of The Curse Girl and an anthology of short stories, Once Upon A Beanstalk. I loved The Curse Girl so I was very excited to be asked to review this new book from Kate. As much as I loved the previous book, I think I loved this one even more. It was gripping from the moment I opened it.

For a book to fully have my love, it needs to ensnare me and make me feel with the characters, lost in its world and its story. One of things I love most about Kate's writing is her ability to pull her readers in and not let them go until the very end, and sometimes not even then! She combines reality with the fantastical to create a world that is entirely believable, and fills it with characters that you feel like you know. Just the opening passages had me shivering with chills up and down my spine. She has a style of writing that I really enjoy. While she creates a world that I can totally visualize, she does it with a minimal style, using strong words as opposed to many words, leaving things open to the imagination of the reader.

Lia is a wonderful character for this book, saddled with the pressures and responsibilities of adulthood, long before she should. She is so real a character that you quickly fall into her story, feeling her emotions along with her. I was so pro-Lia as I read the book, that I suspect I was feeling more intensely than she was from time to time! I love an author that develops even the lesser characters as much as the central characters, and Kate definitely does. It's probably because those less central characters were so well-developed that I was so pulled into the emotions of the plot.

Not generally one to judge a book by its cover, I would nonetheless be remiss if I didn't mention the stunning cover! It is simple, but elegant and beautiful. The color effects of it so richly fit the story and is one of those covers that really lends to the feel of the story. The only down side to this book? I FINISHED IT AND NOW I HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE NEXT ONE! Loved it and I know you will, too!

If there's one thing I had learn after finishing this book is; these days, it is just bloody hard to write a dystopian novel and come out on top.

Oh, if you're looking for a book with a strong dystopian element, I wouldn't recommend this to you because for most parts, this book might as well set in Middle Age time and you would believe that, right down to the dialogues.

No kidding.

Well, I'd say that I am still a fan of Ellison's work. She is that kind of authors who would not mess around by giving lengthy details of things you don't give a fuss about; she writes things that actually matter. In fact, she sort of my dream author because my ADD always render myself impatient against books or series that are too damn long.

Judging by the number of pages, one would think that Ellison's writing is simple but no, her writing is sufficiently graceful but easy to follow at the same time.

Unfortunately, this didn't score a spot on my favourite shelf. I kept telling myself while reading this that 'No Zuleeza, you don't need another butt-kicking heroine for a book to earn five stars'. I mean, Lia Weaver as the protag is strong as hell INTERNALLY which is something rare in YA books nowadays. She is responsible, compassionate, thoughtful and protective of her siblings.

In fact, when she took the risk by saving Gabe, the reason behind the decision was totally justified (I swear insta love has nothing to do with it) not 'ZOMG, look at his abs, I better save this dude before he got eaten by the Watchers so that I can rub, rub, rub his abs!'.

Nevertheless, the resemblance between Rose from The Curse Girl and Ivy is a bit uncanny. Hmm...

But in the end, I'd still consider this as a hit since it was literally unputdownable.

After reading The Curse Girl by Kate Avery Ellison, I was hooked on her novels. As soon as I saw this one was an option to be reviewed, I pounced on the opportunity. I was expecting a strong romance, action, and a plot that would most likely ensnare me, and I got every one of those things. I got a romance that I was swooning over, fantastic writing as usual, everything I expected from Kate. I will definitely be on the lookout for the next book in the trilogy, Thorns, as soon as possible. I can't wait to see the cover of Thorns, either, given how pretty this one was and how excited I am to see the next one.

Lia Weaver lives at the edge of the Frost, the forest, far away from the main village, and very close to the monsters--the Watchers--guarding and watching the Frost. I felt the beginning was a little slow and monotonous, since Kate was obviously trying to build up the characters so we felt comfortable with them and had a little bit of a sense about the atmosphere and environment we were reading about, but I felt like there could have been something to grab me closer in the beginning, because I was really worried I may not have liked it, and if I didn't already know what Kate was capable of and if it weren't mandatory for my Read and Review, I might have not finished it.

However, as soon as the love interest, Gabe, was introduced, I could swear I sat a little straighter and concentrated a little harder on Frost. Gabe's a Farther, which means he comes from beyond the Frost, and Lia's always learned that Farthers are ruthless and vicious. She never thought she would save Gabe's live when he was bleeding to death in the forest. And she didn't think she'd fall in love with him. But Lia did do those things. And she discovered many secrets that the leaders of her village were keeping under lock and key.

Frost was suspenseful and dramatic. I loved the plot, and after the slow part in the beginning, I was hooked and I was literally hanging onto every word that Kate had written in Frost. While Lia was figuring out what the Elders are hiding, and she's trying to send Gabe to the place he was looking for before he was shot. It was full of adventure, which kept me engaged and ready for more. Every part was a new twist and turn, which kept me guessing and wondering what would happen next.

I'd definitely recommend Frost to anybody looking for a gripping dystopian novel, or if you've read any other of Kate's novels and really enjoyed them. You will not be disappointed in Frost and you will eat it up if you're a fan of any type of dystopian genre novel. It was engaging, suspenseful, dramatic, full of adventure, and the ending was so sweet and braced me for what would happen in Thorns, which I really want to read now.

***A copy was provided for review purposes***

A different type of story. I really enjoyed this story. It reminds me of few stories I have read before but this one different in many ways. The main characters are orphaned children in a winter world that they must adjust to. Amongst the cold winter you do not go out at night. The watchers have been all too known for taking people away or just killing them. I really liked the way this story moved quickly not leaving you guessing or wondering why so much information was given. The author gives you plenty of information to know what is going on and still allow your imagination to roam.

An interesting start to a series I would recommend to my students and YA fans. It is always refreshing to find a strong female as the main character, even if it mostly seems to occur in dystopian stories. This is listed as a novel, but is very short. Perhaps I was just engaged and wanted more. Clearly I will have to read the next 4 installments. There is an air of mystery and a hint of the magical that is still unfolding. I imagine the details will be revealed slowly as the chronicles develop.

A copy was received from librarything.com.

Lia's left to hold her family together after her parent's die from a Watcher attack. Her family farm is outside of the main village surrounded by woods. So, the woods are a dangerous place where The Watchers can get you. We kind of find out what the Watchers are in this book, but not enough to quench my interest. We find out a bit about the Frost and the Farthers, but I'd like to learn more.

I recommend this book and am going to start in on Thorns myself, now.

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. Many YA books that I have read lately have been boring and poorly written. Ms. Ellison has a captivating writing style. She effortlessly made the scenery come alive, making me feel as if I was in the Frost myself. The beginning part of the story was very well paced, however I felt the end was a little rushed, I also wish that there had been more information about how the "bad guy" came about his information, and more about his motives. It seems promising that there will be more character development (especially for Ann and Adam) in the next book, as well as more information about places beyond the Frost. I am looking forward to reading the next book soon!

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

I was lucky enough to be given a free copy of this book to review by the author through Goodreads. I had read and reviewed The Curse Girl, by Kate Ellison, and I was really excited to be given the opportunity to read this one as well. I was not disappointed! Though this book was brief compared to what I usually read, the world was very well built and the characters were nicely fleshed out. I really liked Lia a lot. It was great to have a strong young female protagonist and I really felt for her. I liked Gabe, Ivy, and Jonn as well. I was expecting the twist at the end, but I wasn't expecting the *who*. I feel like I should have, but I thought it was going to be someone else. It was fun. At first I thought the person I suspected was good, then thought thatnerson was going to be the ultimate evil one of this installment. It was fun to be a bit surprised! :)

I did have two issues. The first is that there were so many questions left unanswered for me--it wasn't so much the questions that I can see being answered in later books, like, "Who is Gabe, really?" but things that I felt may have been obvious to Kate Elliott when she was writing that didn't quite make it into the story. Things like the relationship between Lia and Ann--though it's mentioned a few times that they are close friends, I never really got that feeling. Maybe it's because they were both tormented by their own issues so were deliberately being distant toward each other, maybe it's a function of the story being told from the first person perspective. The second is that Lia and Gabe's relationship felt a little rushed to me. However, I will readily admit that may be due to my sadness that the story was over so quickly--I didn't want it to end!

I am VERY happy I read this book. I really loved it and can't wait to read the next in the series and see where things go. I've only read two books by Kate Ellison and she is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors.

Overall, Frost was a short and entertaining read.I always enjoy something different, and this breaks the mold. The main Charactor Lia is a strong-willed young lady braving her village, the Frost, and protecting her younger sister and crippled brother, after the death of her parents. Trying to do what is best for her family, Lia ends up healthing a convict 'farther', a stranger from a distant city of ruthless men and huge buildings, and allowing him to stay concealed with her family. Torn between her feelings for the stranger Gabe and the responsibilty for her family, Lia finds herself in the midst of a major delemma. However the leading man, Gabe didnt quite make the cut. In my opinion, he seamed very flat and one dimensional, in result of the relationship shared between the two main charactors being brief and short lived. This book was NOT predictable and it kept me on my toes. So to sum it all up, Frost was short and sweet, totally worth reading, but dont expect to be completely blown away.

I loved the cover, i loved the summary and i loved the title. So i really couldn't say no, on reading it. And here i am, with another self-published book that i really liked!

A rather small and fast pace book which is also really easy to get into it. At start it remind me of Red Riding Hood movie and later a little of the whole "over the wall" from Game of Thrones, but in the end it was something entirely different. I also liked the difference in the scenery with the storms, the snow and everything like that. It gave a darker vibe.

The characters were easily likable. They weren't so special and you won't probably remember them for all of your life, but they match perfectly the story and each one of them has a role to play. They also fit really well together and make sense. Gabe and Lia are easily my favorite. Their actions some time predictable but never making the story boring or anything. The one i didn't like, was Lia's sister. She is young of course, but she seemed so stupid at times. Poor Lia had to do everything!

The story had its surprises (one i didn't see coming at all!), and kept me in from the very start. While it's not that special it has something! Something that when you finish you want to read more. And i really do. I wished for 2 things: 1) for it to be longer and 2) for the characters to had a little more depth and get to know more of them. I really think they are characters, than can make a difference and i would like to know them better :D

A interesting Young Adult story with some different lifestyle. Young people nowadays would probably have a lot of trouble living in the society which this book describes. That said, this is about a young woman who due to her parents being killed, must grow up and take care of her two siblings. There is some romance in the story and some scary parts. The only thing I did not like about the book was the ending which was kind of abrupt. But this was still an intriguing story and very enjoyable.

This book, had everything, romance, intrigue, mystery, and even some supernatural mixed into it. Short, but very well thought out. Lia was a great MC strong, and she did what had to be done no matter what. The story has barely started, Ellison only start revealing little snippets at the end, but it all weaves together perfectly. Can't wait to find out more about the story of the Forgotten Ones and Echo (which reminded me of the fortress of solituded lol)

I loved this story, it was enchanting and magical. The setting was so well described I could actually almost feel the chill on my skin. The characters were awesome and believable, I only wanted to know them more and read more about them. The story itself was definitely amazing; the author spun a tale of originality with dread and suspense laced in the folklore of the world. I was on edge on the scenes with the Watchers, I really want to know what they are specifically but boy I would not want to meet one! The touch of romance was definitely a plus!

To make a world all nestled in the cold of ice, snow and frost and still maintain the vivid imagery to get the story flowing is extremely difficult but this author did it perfectly. I want to read the sequel and I want to read more about the complexity of a great cast of characters: Lia, Gabe, Ivy, Ann, Adam and Jonn. The Farthers were perfect villains and I loved to hate them but I would definitely like to see what their world is all about too.

Overall a thrilling, enchanting read that I would love to read again, which is something I rarely do. Great job!

I finished this one in less than a day, and while I could say it is because it is a little too short, it is mostly because it is just a captivating read. The characters grabbed me from the beginning, especially the main character of Lia. A terrific, strong female character, she has found herself stuck in limbo as she is now solely responsible for her family as her parents have been killed by the Watchers, monsters that live in the woods around her village. These monsters only attack at night and Lia's farm is on the furthest edge of the village so life is always perilous for her and her family. The words Kate Avery Ellison has used to describe this seemingly always-in-winter landscape are so evocative, I could practically see my own breath as I read. I particularly like that LIA saves the boy in this story, not the other way around. I do agree with other reviewers who have felt that the book was a little short; the ending felt a bit rushed, and there was a serious question that I was left with at the book's end (a possible logic flaw, but hopefully that will be taken care of in the next book). Otherwise, I definitely recommend this book and look forward to the next installment (hopefully she is writing it right now!).

This book is enthralling. You are pulled in from page one and at the end you are left wanting to read more about the characters. The storyline is well developed and the descriptive writing is astounding. You can vividly picture the frozen world in which Lia lives in. I am excited to see where the author takes us in the next book. I would recommend to anyone who loves a thrilling ride and a little romance thrown in.

Let me start off by stating that this is a beautifully written YA book. MCs are wounded, but resilient and strong in their own ways. The story is part teen "Game of Thrones" and part "Village," with a dash of dystopian society. I was pleasantly surprised by some of the supporting characters as well, especially the twin brother and Ann. The ending did feel a little abrupt; however, the author has convinced me to read the next one.

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I liked this book from the beginning. Also the sacrifice Lia has to make in order to care for her handicapped brother and little sister. She is a strong female character that had to learned to survive from an early age. It is good to see that not all women need a men. We can be strong too. There is lots of mystery surrounding Gabe which makes the story appealing and leaves you wanting more.

I just can't wait to see what else is in store for Lia, Gabe, Adam and Others.

Lia Weaver has lost her parents and is trying to follow the rules of her society, keep her brother and sister feed, and together. When finding a stranger in the woods that is injured and in need of help Lia takes him home to care for him. Struggling with the decision of what is right, following the rules that society puts down or helping somone in need. This was a very good book, you could empathize with Lia and her struggle to do what needed to be done to survive and grow.

I couldn't put this book down, it was a quick, engaging read from start to finish. Lia is a tough heroine who will do anything to protect her family. I loved her sense of survival, and how she does the right thing for the Farther, even though it goes against every grain of training she's ever had.

The writing is engaging, and for the most part, I found the descriptions just right and I loved picturing this world of the frost. I am still confused though, about the same question Gabe asks in the book: why do they live in the frost? How did they get there and why is there nowhere else? I can't imagine living in a place where there are never any new people or things to see. Poor Lia is not sure she wants to get married, but she kind of has to, and her choices of beaus are pretty limited. I am also left wondering about the Watchers. I just could not get a picture of them in my head and did not quite get the mythology explanations.

Still, I really enjoyed the book and will be looking for the next one!

** I received a free copy of this book from LibraryThing and Kate Avery Ellison in exchange for an honest review**

I loved this book! It was a quick read (less than 200 pages) but an enjoyable one. I loved the author's writing style. Her descriptions were so vivid, I could easily picture the world she had created, and I was drawn into the story from the first page. This book was a terrific debut novel for a series as it left me eager to read more about the fates of Lia, Gabe and the inhabitants of the Frost.

I thought frost by Kate Ellison was pretty good over all, although it was shorter than I would have liked and I felt that some relationships were strained and some parts of the book just didn't make sense. For example the fact that Lia is allowed to live alone and take care of her siblings after her parents' death; it seems unlikely in the tight knit community. Also lia's relationship with her sister seemed unrealistic and her relationship with Gabe moved very quickly despite everything.
All in all, I found Frost very captivating and it was a quick, interesting read despite a few minor glitches. I would recommend it to others and I'm glad I got to read it to review it.

I have mixed feelings about Frost. It has so much potential, but falls short. It was a great premise for a story, but doesn't have enough substance. Despite being a very short story, I felt that it dragged at times due to repetition and predictable outcomes. This being said, I still gave it a four star rating, as it was an enjoyable story. I intend to read the next book in the series and would recommend it if you need a light read.

a very surprising read that transcends the traditional and quite predictable YA books of late. I became interested as the words on the first page wrapped around me and transported me into this cold and frightening world. very pleasantly surprised with this read and excited to get to the next book to see what lies ahead for Lia, her family, and the Frost.

I enjoyed getting to know the characters in this book. While not the most unique premise or the best.fleshed out characters. I can't wait to see how the characters continue to develop and where the storyline will go from here, so I'm in for the next chapter.

I received this book for free from the member giveaway at LibraryThing.com and at first I was skeptical. There are so many young adult dystopian book series out there right now that I feared this one would be run of the mill. I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was not. This book had likeable characters who you wanted to see succeed and grow. It was an interesting setting that left just enough to the imagination. There could have been a bit more character development, but I enjoyed the surprises it held enough to want to know what happens next. I enjoyed this book and although I received this first one for free, I will be on the lookout for book number 2 and have every intention of buying it. Thanks!

I really enjoyed this book! Ellison built a complex, fascinating society that a reader can throw herself into! There is also the perfect amount of romance. It doesn't the diminish the strong female lead or overwhelm the story line, but the it's still present in the perfect amount. I have read the whole series and loved all of it. If you like fantasy, dystopian, YA novels; then you'll enjoy this series!

wow when i pick up frost i thought i was not going to like this book but wow was i Wong i loved this book Kate has an amazing gift i cant wait to see what is going to happen next book 2 is called thorns and it come out this July i cant wait. please do pick up this book it is worth the read...

I stumbled across Frost and was immediately struck by the beautiful cover. The main character in Frost, Lia, is well-written in the sense that she is both strong and vulnerable at the same time. I found Lia to be very likeable and her interactions with her siblings to be realistic and heartfelt. Lia's world is desolate, cold and lonely and you cheer for her when she gets her first taste of romance from the boy she saves. The author sets up the next book nicely with the ending and leaves the reader wanting more. I couldn't wait to begin the second book in the series, Thorns!

The atmosphere in this book was breathtaking. Ellison quickly establishes the setting, pulling the reader completely into her desolate, danger-fraught world. I loved every moment I spent with the characters. Can't wait to read Thorns!

I just wish the book had been longer. Didn't like where it ended. I like books that are over 300 pages closer to 400. I do like the story though and can't wait to read the next book, but can only get a book a month with my the store prime. That's why I like the longer books.

This was a wonderfully written book that captivated me from the first chapter. The plot was well developed and there were many exciting elements that kept the intrigue going throughout the book. I am certainly looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

I'm a big fan of YA dystopian stories, and this is one of the best books I've read in the genre. The world building was great, and Lia was a well-developed character I could sympathize with. The story moves at just the right pace and kept me turning the pages. I can't wait to read the rest of the series.

This book, short as it is, is decent. There are elements that smell strongly of the hunger games, the division of labor, a luxurious but dangerous capital, a world with lost/distorted origins, manufactured creatures and particularly the name Everiss (did your brain just say Katniss Everdeen?) otherwise it's a interesting read.

This is the first book in the series and what a wonderful series it is! WELL WORTH A READ. Action, romance, horror, etc all without being too over dramatic. It's wonderful and subtle and yet stands out among most books.

5/5

I was happy to get to read another story with a heroine underdog. although parts were predictable, it had a fun twist and made me want to keep reading. I will read more of the chronicle. a quick read..

I loved the story line of this book. You got a little of everything action, sci-fi, and romance. Every book gets better and the primary character is very strong. If you love hunger games you will love the frost chronicles.

The beginning bears a strong resemblance to the movie The Village, but the actual story is different. A very short book with a little mystery, a little action, a little romance. Overall it's just okay. Not juicy enough to sink your teeth into.

I see this as a childish piece of writing. A preteen girl would love it, but not for me. The Hunger Games seems to have tricked into other "strong female heroine who doesn't need anyone or their help, except that one boy..." works. Blah. Over it.