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Frost (The Frost Chronicles #1)

by Kate Avery Ellison (Goodreads Author)

3.91 of 5 stars 3.91 · rating details · 910 ratings · 212 reviews

In the icy, monster-plagued world of the Frost, one wrong move and a person could end up dead—and Lia Weaver knows this better than anyone. After monsters kill her parents, she must keep the family farm running despite the freezing cold and threat of monster attacks or risk losing her siblings to reassignment by the village Elders. With dangers on all sides and failure jus...more

Paperback, 194 pages

Published April 18th 2012 by CreateSpace (first published March 29th 2012)

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Jul 28, 2012 Sam rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy-or-paranormal, dystopia-or-post-apocalyptic, romance, fantasy, dystopian

Kate Ellison’s Frost is an interesting blend of speculative genres. With legendary creatures, backward societies and magical gates, the story here is a fairly fascinating one. It’s clear that Ellison is an able writer. For a book so short in length (barely 200 pages), it is actually pretty fulfilling. There are aspects here and there that had a very watered-down feel, but overall, it was enjoyable.

I had little trouble appreciating the setting, complete with its lingering chill and ubiquitous sno...more Kate Ellison’s Frost is an interesting blend of speculative genres. With legendary creatures, backward societies and magical gates, the story here is a fairly fascinating one. It’s clear that Ellison is an able writer. For a book so short in length (barely 200 pages), it is actually pretty fulfilling. There are aspects here and there that had a very watered-down feel, but overall, it was enjoyable.

I had little trouble appreciating the setting, complete with its lingering chill and ubiquitous snow-blossoms. The Frost is, as the name suggests, a bitingly cold place. Beyond the Frost lies Aeralis, home to the Farthers, a ruthless race of people that thrive on technology. Although I was reasonably impressed with the world-building within the Frost itself, and equally fascinated by the brief description of Aeralis, I couldn’t help but wonder about what else lay outside these two main areas. Perhaps this is something further explored in the second book. I also felt that some explanation of the origin of the village in the Frost should have been served in this book. There is a disturbing sense of isolation surrounding the village and its characters and I still can’t get my head around how a settlement in such a horrific place came to be. What’s more, each family is required to meet a quota for their household and this is tied to their names. For example, the ‘Brewers’ are responsible for brewery and the ‘Dyers’ are responsible for dyes and paints. This was an interesting aspect but quite befuddling. Are those their real family names or were they allocated those names? If so, by who? Details like that – which may not be so pressing for some readers – held me back slightly.

The characters were fairly likable. After the death of her parents to the Watchers, Lia Weaver has had to shoulder the responsibility of caring for her two siblings and ensuring that their household quota was met. She is a hard worker and that I liked, but I did feel there was a lot missing from her character. I felt similarly about the love interest, Gabe, the Farther from Aeralis. He is likable, but nothing more. Although I was invested in the two of them, and fairly invested in their romance, there was nothing particularly remarkable about either of them, separately or together. I’m hesitant to mention the word ‘forgettable’ here, as they are not completely lacking in complexity, but I do wish there had been a little more for me to grab hold of when it came to their personalities.

The plot was my favourite aspect. Albeit not exceptionally intricate, it is an engrossing one with a heart-stopping ending. There is much left that is yet to be resolved, and curiosity (mixed with a burning desire to get some important answers) means the second instalment of this series is one that I will definitely be reading at some point. Despite the negatives I have mentioned, I did mostly enjoy reading this book and do think it is worth picking up, especially for those looking for a quick but decent read.

(This review also appears on my blog)
(less)

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Aug 15, 2012 Katy rated it 4 of 5 stars

I am a HUGE dystopian reader, and I will say this one did not stand out among all of the others I have read. HOWEVER, I love monster-killing, post apocalyptic books, and this one sure did not disappoint (as some have, so don't worry, I'm still pretty picky).

I think Ellison did a fantastic job setting up her world - the barely surviving community of Frost that's both threatened and protected by these monstrous Watchers. And I love how she alluded to the analogy of the bluewing and how they sett...more

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May 21, 2012 ~Thena~ ♥Machar ♥ Spade ♥ Ethan ♥ Harry♥ rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult, fantasy

I was lucky enough to be given a free copy of this book to review as part of the Shut Up & Read group's Read It & Reap program. 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 p...more I was lucky enough to be given a free copy of this book to review as part of the Shut Up & Read group's Read It & Reap program. 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 Ellison 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.(less)

7 likes · like · see review

Apr 08, 2013 Susana rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, ya, dystopia

3,5 stars

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. As I ran, my lungs ached and my sack of yarn thumped against my back. My cloak tangled around my ankles, but I yanked it free without stopping.

This is how this story begins, and for me, this first paragraph was perfect in grabing my attention and interest.

When it comes to descriptions of...more

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Sep 11, 2012 Mandy Sickle rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-in-series, owned-books, fantasy, young-adult, 2012, read2review

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 abo...more

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Oct 13, 2012 Natalie rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult, fantasy, alternative-universe, likable-protagonist, love-the-storytelling, good-pacing, dystopia, monsters, love-the-setting, reviewed, four-stars

I'm impressed with this book, most YA books focus on lame romance tropes and ignore character development and setting, not in this case.

Kate Avery Ellison created a very intriguing world and showed it through the eyes of a good (unreliable) narrator. Sure, we don't see the entire world building but we do see the important parts. As for the characters, I really like Lia, she is smart and she cares about her family and (limited number of) friends. The Frost is a harsh place to live in and one has...more

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May 26, 2012 Sangita rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 5-starred, fantasy, mystery, omg-in-a-good-way, paranormal, romance, serie, supernatural, young-adult

*Received a copy for a honest review.

I have got to say Frost is not your typical read. It is in the shadows and the darkness.

Lia Weaver lives with her siblings, her sister, Ivy and her brother, Jonn. Her parents were killed by watchers. In Frost there are secrets that could kill you and if you roam around you won't live for long. The Watchers watch your every step. They are monsters. The Fathers are from another land. It all starts when Ivy finds him lying on the snow bleeding. By Lia looking af...more *Received a copy for a honest review.

I have got to say Frost is not your typical read. It is in the shadows and the darkness.

Lia Weaver lives with her siblings, her sister, Ivy and her brother, Jonn. Her parents were killed by watchers. In Frost there are secrets that could kill you and if you roam around you won't live for long. The Watchers watch your every step. They are monsters. The Fathers are from another land. It all starts when Ivy finds him lying on the snow bleeding. By Lia looking after him it means betraying the villages trust. But when they find out that he (Gabe) is a Father and a rouge, Lia's world turns upside down. She finds secrets that have been hidden from her and also finds love. But some time's it can be too late.

Hold on, i need to breathe! I just can't stop boasting about this! Everything was perfect except *one little thing*, and i repeat: "one little thing." Anyway, moving on. First things first: i love Kate Avery Ellision! Her writing is so beautiful and the way she puts twists in her story! The plot of this story is set in a fantasy world, where people live in Frost and the Fathers live in a world of dull days. There are also Watchers (god are they creepy!) Every time, the pop up into the story it sends you shivers down your spine (and let me tell you, it's not in a good way.) These people do not mix together! And oh how i loved it! I just loved each and every single thing about the plot, the Fathers and the Watchers.

The only thing that annoyed me was that Lia, our main character, was brave but she couldn't make her mind up! Seriously! Make your mind up, girl!! Gabe, i thought, was a interesting character but he was more of a normal guy to me. The story didn't really look into him in more detail of his feelings and i would have loved it if there was. The only things we know are little detail was his story of how he got here. Other than these things i loved every single thing about it!

The mystery in this story is just mesmerising. You can't help but wait in anticipation (and maybe skip a few words or paragraphs.) The different characters in this book are all for a purpose and oh was i shocked when i found out some things. Some of these characters don't even look like they could kill people!

So, in the end, i have to say i loved reading Frost! It's one of my favourite book for a creep-you-out read. And i would highly recommend to read Frost or one of Ellison's work.(less)

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Nov 02, 2012 Dejana Vuletić rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya-most-enjoyed-books, best-books-of-all-time, fantasy, epic-win, died-and-went-to-heaven, irresistable-hot-guys, kick-ass-female-lead, part-of-a-series, want-to-live-in-this-universe

Ahhhhhh!!! Oh my sweet snow blossoms!!! This story was amazing :D

Frost is unlike ANYTHING I've ever read before, and I fell in love with it from the first sentence. Seriously, I don't know how Kate does it, but she has effectively enlisted me as a die-hard fan at this point. The whole concept of the story is so different, so fresh, so freaking awesome that I couldn't put it down!

The main character's quite the strong young woman. Lia has to take care of her family after the deaths of her parents...more

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May 02, 2012 Christian Marotti rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-favorites

This is going to be on my list for best books of 2012

SPOILER FREE

I absolutely loved this book and it was unique and beautifully written. I stayed up till around 5 in the morning reading the last few chapters of this book and let me just say that this will enthrall you. It will compel you to read it and devour it. The atmosphere Kate created was beautiful yet depressing and I enjoyed every bit of it. And the creatures (Watchers) holy crap, did I love them.

Lia Weaver is our main protagonist and sh...more

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Apr 07, 2013 Irene rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, young-adult-fiction

Since her parents died, Lia Weaver bears the responsibility for taking care of her disabled twin brother and younger sister. Each family of the village is assigned a weekly quota which must be made in order to receive necessary food supplies. Lia is filled with worry and her sense of duty to her family.

One day her sister, Ivy, discovers an injured young man in the Frost. He is not only a stranger, but is a Farther, and the Farthers are not friends of the Frost dwellers. Everyone knows the harsh...more

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Feb 21, 2013 Georgia rated it 4 of 5 stars

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 Fro...more 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.(less)

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Dec 30, 2012 Hannah D. rated it 3 of 5 stars

be prepared to fall in love with this book! i was just expecting some basic boy meets girl story but this was not wat i expected! to be honest tho ~~~~SPOILER ALERT!!~~~~~~~ the romance between the two characters was obviously going to occur, however it didn't consume the book and nor was it irrelevant. however i did think that she did start to develop feelings at quite an unrealistic stage of their journey but i didn't let that dampen my experience with this book.

the book is set in a snow cover...more

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Nov 05, 2012 Carol Rubens rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Everyone

Man, don't I love it when $2.99 kindle books turn out to be true gems! And this one truly was a gem. I started and finished it in a few hours; this is not uncommon for me, but it shows how hard it was for me to put down. I read a sample of it last night and fell in love almost immediately.

The main character, Lia (love that name, by the way), is so mentally strong. She's a great character to inspire readers. She is always keeping her family's safety at heart because of the absence of her parents...more Man, don't I love it when $2.99 kindle books turn out to be true gems! And this one truly was a gem. I started and finished it in a few hours; this is not uncommon for me, but it shows how hard it was for me to put down. I read a sample of it last night and fell in love almost immediately.

The main character, Lia (love that name, by the way), is so mentally strong. She's a great character to inspire readers. She is always keeping her family's safety at heart because of the absence of her parents, and she would do anything to keep them together and out of trouble. She also has a very strong sense of right and wrong, which I admire, and just has a good head on her shoulders in general. She is a strong and smart female lead, which are hard to write just the right way. I always hate when in a book, a main character does something absolutely senseless. They go in the dark room, even though the escape is right behind them. They don't go to the police, when that should be your first instinct. It should make it more interesting, but it just bothers me. I was very happy when this book didn't do any of that. For instance,(view spoiler) That was the way to go; that was the way to make it interesting and keep your heart pounding without making the reader lose faith in a) the main character and b) the writer.

I love Gabe. He's the quiet, intelligent type, but not so quiet as to be a nancy boy. He is strong and dependable, and doesn't make rash decisions (except in tackling Lia, of course, but he had just escaped delirium).

The characters in general all made quite an impression on me. Ivy and her airheadedness, but whom you saw blossom into a dependable, but still young, woman. John, who was the comic relief in many a situation. I couldn't quite place Adam or Ann, or any of the villagers, really. I couldn't get any real sense of the characters other than the main four.

But the writing style. Oh, the writing style. I could imagine every scene playing out in my head, down to the smallest detail. Her descriptions were spot on; not too little, and not so much that it got annoying. Kate made very smart decisions when it came to what to include and how to write it. For instance, when Gabe and Lia came inside from finding the horse and had a spout of delirious laughter: genius. It confused me as a reader, and then had me giggling in my chair. There was a horse in the living room. Who else would think to make such a tense moment that funny? If I was writing it, I sure wouldn't have. She just had such a great way of creating these very intense, heart-stopping scenes, and then diffusing them at just the right point, in just the right way.

All in all, I thought it was a fantastic book. If I didn't have a paper to write and a practice to run, I'd be halfway through the second one at this very moment. Oh, responsibilities. (less)

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Aug 25, 2012 Madie rated it 2 of 5 stars

Maybe it's because it's just the first one and it's leading up to bigger things, but it felt like a big anticlimax.
I liked the idea, it sounds really interesting. It just feels poorly brought out.
The characters felt a bit plain. There weren't any characteristics that set them apart from one another, nor was there anything that made them stand out. Gabe and Lia's relationship seemed way too rushed and just thrown in to add romance.
There was chance for a good building process between them, but it...more

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Jul 28, 2012 Novels On The Run rated it 4 of 5 stars

MICHELLE'S REVIEW:

RATING: 4.25 TEAM ADAM STARS!!!

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 f...more

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Jul 26, 2012 Diayll rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: blog-tour

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 t...more

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Jul 26, 2012 Sana rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-2012

Frost. The word alone conjures up images of snow storms, icy winds, frozen water and barren, shrivelled up trees. Survival is not just a word with three syllables; it's a way of life. For Lia and the people of the Frost. But that's not the worst part. Watchers prowl the forest surrounding the village during the darkest moments of the night and they attack. The only solace are the snow blossoms which somehow keep them away. Lately however, Watchers are evidently crossing the path of snow blossoms...more
Frost. The word alone conjures up images of snow storms, icy winds, frozen water and barren, shrivelled up trees. Survival is not just a word with three syllables; it's a way of life. For Lia and the people of the Frost. But that's not the worst part. Watchers prowl the forest surrounding the village during the darkest moments of the night and they attack. The only solace are the snow blossoms which somehow keep them away. Lately however, Watchers are evidently crossing the path of snow blossoms.

Living in the village of Iceliss is a day to day chore and to get the weekly supplies of salt, sugar and grain, all of the villagers contribute towards increasing the overall productivity. Lia's family spin yarn and it has been difficult to meet the quota ever since their parents were killed by the merciless Watchers. With a crippled brother, John and a younger sister, Ivy, who likes to wander on her own; Lia now has to shoulder all the responsibility.

Lia fears for her and her siblings' life every waking moment, unable to sleep at times because the Watchers might be close. Their farm is located at the outskirts of Iceliss, near the forest and the Watchers. So it doesn't really help when Ivy insists on helping a wounded and dying Farther.

Farthers are the other enemies of the people of the Frost who live in the village of Aeralis, a far more advanced society than the Frost. But there the soldiers roam freely, killing the innocents mercilessly on the slightest of disobediences. Wrongly accused as a fugitive, the Farther Gabe, was rescued by a member of the Thorns. Thorns are a secret group who help the Farthers escape the wrath of the soldiers.

Will Lia's family be caught or will Gabe escape safely? And what is it that Lia feels when Gabe is near that she doesn't feel with Cole? Why does Adam Brewer seems to be staring at her hard forcing her to recognize something? Is Anna, her best friend and the daughter of the Mayor, hiding something? Lia is beginning to wonder what is real anymore.

Frost drew me in and I loved every second of it. I was pulled into the story from the first sentence. As a lover of winter, the world building of the Frost is done brilliantly by Kate. The secondary characters had depth and a story to tell of their own. I liked Gabe's tenacious will and found Lia to be a very admirable character; strong-willed yet humble. I would highly recommend Frost to the readers of young adult dystopia.(less)

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Jul 24, 2012 Lisa (Bookworm Lisa) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, received-to-review, young-adult

Lia has become the head of her family. Her parents were killed in a tragic accident. They fell victim to the "Watchers". The Watchers are monster like creatures that roam the forests of the Frost. The people of the Frost know a few basic rules. Do not be out after dark and keep the blossoms of the flowers that grow in the frost around them. The blossoms somehow repel the monsters.

Despite their knowledge, trouble comes to Lia, her crippled twin brother, and her younger sister. A stranger from the...more

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Jul 03, 2012 Rachael Woohoo rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, 2012-challenge-books-challenge, book, ebook, dystopia, review-copy, reviewed, romance, dystopia-challenge-2012, july-2012, ebooks-i-own

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 L...more 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.(less)

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Jun 18, 2012 Anna rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, science-fiction

I don't know why this stuck with me, but the one thing I can't help remembering is that PEOPLE DON'T TALK IN THE REAL WORLD LIKE THE CHARACTERS IN THIS BOOK. That's a good deal of what i came away with after reading this particular novel.

It's a short and sweet little book. Very little actually happens in this novel -- there's a girl, a wounded guy and a mysterious "gate". All the rest, as they say, is history.

OK book.

Also, in a very backward sort of way: the protagonist is kind of selfish. Sh...more

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Jun 15, 2012 Ana Carolina rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: cappucino

Ok, first of all, thank you Kate for letting me Review your book! ;)
COULDN’T STOP READING IT!

So, my “Professional Review”: I honestly loved the book. The story development went in the right track for the whole book and the characters were captivating in the right way. I also enjoyed the twists and the choice of the “Frost” to be the main natural element in the story, which I appreciate a lot and it’s not used very often.

*SPOILERS ALERT*

Now, the Fangirl mode Review:
* LOOK.AT.THAT.COVER. ^^
* I lov...more

4 likes · like · see review

Jun 14, 2012 ❉Olivia ツ rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya, 2012, r2r

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...more

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Jun 11, 2012 Diane Roro rated it 5 of 5 stars

Another page-gripping novel by Kate Avery Allison. If it's possible to be drawn (literally drawn, as in the book sucks you in) by a story, this novel surely did the trick.

I love the character Lia portrays. There something fascinating about women, who're fierce, strong and independent, valiantly fighting for what they believe. And this type of women is becoming rage these days. That's why I like Lia, she's not one of those weak-minded girls that goes ga-ga over men. She fights. She doesn't need a...more

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Jun 03, 2012 Kim rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: of-heroines-and-heroin-books, made-me-think

This book has been put aside by yours truly for a while now, and for once, I am grateful for the sheer boredom that propelled me to finally give this book a go.
Firstly - awesome cover! Love the mystery that the cover captures. How could anyone resist it? (My bad)
I can't say that this book has a out-of-this-world plot, or that the romance (oh yes, of course there's romance in here) is superb. But what I love about this book lies within the delivery of the story itself. I must say, Ellison is one...more

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May 26, 2012 BookHookup rated it 4 of 5 stars

The following review can also be found on the blog here: http://thebookhookup.com/2012/05/23/f...

This book was given to The Book Hookup to read by the author, but it did not in any way influence this review.

Christina's review:
The Low-Down: You get the gist of this story from the synopsis. Lia, who is left head of her household because her parents were killed by the monsters of Frost, has more than enough on her plate. In the community, each person makes up but a single cog of this well-oiled ma...more The following review can also be found on the blog here: http://thebookhookup.com/2012/05/23/f...

This book was given to The Book Hookup to read by the author, but it did not in any way influence this review.

Christina's review:
The Low-Down: You get the gist of this story from the synopsis. Lia, who is left head of her household because her parents were killed by the monsters of Frost, has more than enough on her plate. In the community, each person makes up but a single cog of this well-oiled machine. Every family is assigned a task and required to make quota in exchange for food. But, with a crippled twin brother, Jonn, and younger sister, Ivy, who is more of a wanderer and hassle than help, Lia struggles to do her part. At the risk of losing her siblings, she knows she can’t slip up. With the village elders breathing down her neck and waiting on her to fail, it’s more imperative than ever for Lia to toe the line as closely and carefully as ever.

So, when Ivy finds a wounded stranger in the forest, Lia struggles with what’s morally right and what’s good for the family. In the end, with her sister’s pleading and her good heart, she doesn’t want this guy to suffer the same fate as her parents. She helps him, and by doing this, she’s pulled into a world of corruption and secrets that she never even knew existed.

Author Ego-Booster: Even though this story is only 194 pages, it packs a serious punch. There is tons of character development, a swift-moving plot that keeps you guessing at every turn, and a little UST and romance thrown in for good measure. Every scene felt like it belonged, and there was never a moment where I felt the need to skim because I was too afraid to miss any of the action.

Ellison also has such an enthralling way of storytelling. She’s able to capture the moment entirely, making you feel just as present as the characters. I felt true, hair-raising fear and the warmth of first, genuine love. Every single of line of dialogue and character interaction was believable, and nothing seemed forced. I was captivated from the very beginning.

Also, the ending surprised the hell out of me. I never, EVER saw that coming, but after it happened, I was kind of upset that I didn’t put it together earlier. There were so many moments along the way that secrets were revealed and while caught off-guard, it always left me thinking, “Why didn’t I see that?” This all goes back to the author being a master story-weaver.

Drawbacks: My only real grievance with this story was that there wasn’t enough. I wanted more time with Gabe, the Farther. I wanted to know who he was and why the Farther soldiers wanted him dead so desperately. I needed to know more about the monsters with red eyes. Why were they wary of the snow blossoms? I’m still left wondering about the gate they protected and where they came from. I have so many questions, but I guess the answers to those questions will come with time and the rest of the series.

Verdict: This story was great, and I flew through it way too quickly. I need more, and I need it now.(less)

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May 22, 2012 Marik Berghs rated it 5 of 5 stars

Frost by Kate Avery Ellison

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...more

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May 22, 2012 Michelle rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: review-copy, part-of-a-series, young-adult, e-book, dystopian

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 b...more

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May 18, 2012 Alison rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, dystopia, fantasy, female-heroine, romance, young-adult

When I read the summary for Frost, I was immediately drawn to the novel. A young adult, dystopian novel with some romance thrown in can't go too wrong, after all. And I was more than right. The novel follows Lia, an orphan struggling to care for her siblings in a rough world where she must make quota every week or starve. She has always placed her family's survival first and is thrown into turmoil when she is faced with a choice between danger and abandoning a stranger to death.

My favorite part...more

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May 15, 2012 Ciara rated it 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this book, Lia being a very likeable heroine who discovers her small little town is hiding a big secret. She lives in a small village where everyone has a quota to make by working in a trade, no many exists in her world so the simplicity of life is all about the people working for basic necessities and trading goods amongst eachother. Lia's parents are killed by the Watchers, horrifying beasts that lurk the town at night! She is left to raise her sister and crippled brother and...more

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May 15, 2012 Farah rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book was a lovely read! Just like any other book I've read by Ms. Ellison.

The book starts off packed with action, and leaves you running after it trying to catch up, so that you have no choice but to give it you whole and undivided attention! The characters are easy to connect with, and the heroine is just lovely! She is truly suited to be called 'heroine'! Throughout the entire book, it felt like she was taking care of everyone around her, helping them out and providing them with anything...more

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topics	posts	views	last activity
Never Too Old For...: Indie Author Interview with Kate Avery Ellison	22	125	Sep 04, 2012 01:59pm
Never Too Old For...: August Book of the Month (INDIE): FROST	18	43	Aug 30, 2012 05:07pm
YA Lovers: Frost	2	13	Aug 22, 2012 02:12pm

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About Kate Avery Ellison

I've been making up stories since I was five years old, and now I'm thrilled to be able to do it as a full-time job. I have an obsession with dark fantasy, dystopian futures, and Pride and Prejudice-style love stories full of witty banter and sizzling, unspoken feelings. When I'm not writing, I'm creating digital art, reading funny blogs, or watching my favorite shows (which include TVD and BSG)....more

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Quotes from Frost

“I’d allowed myself to feel love –yes, love– for another person in a way I’d once sworn to myself I never would. I’d become completely vulnerable, and now I’d been torn apart with hurt and catapulted onto a path I might never have taken otherwise. I’d risked my life for an outsider. For a stranger. Worse, I had a feeling I was going to do it again.” — 20 people liked it

“In answer to a question you asked me not a long ago, a question I didn’t answer at the time…it is worth it. Love is a perilous dance too, you see. And if we stop dancing, we’ll die.
Don’t ever stop dancing.” — 11 people liked it

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Frost (The Frost Chronicles #1)

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