A Lick of Frost (Meredith Gentry, #6) by Laurell K. Hamilton

Jan 07, 2008

Lori Whitwam rated it

Shelves: paranormal

I can't decide what I think about the latest installment in the Meredith Gentry series by Laurell K. Hamilton. Yes, I like the series. Yes, I like Merry and Darkness and Rhys and Frost and Galen, etc. The last couple of books have bothered me on some levels, mainly that they take place over the span of only about one day, and are over-packed with intrigue, politics, alliances, sex (recreational, procreational and/or political... not bad, just sort of a LOT of it for reasons I'm not always cle...more

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Dec 11, 2007

Tina rated it

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Shelves: sff-urban-fantasy

I have been waiting and waiting and waiting for Meredith to get pregnant already and for there to be some forward movement of plot in these books. Also, I was getting tired of the strung together scenes of sex...new magic...more sex...some more new magic.

This book really toned down on the sex, thank goodness. And, to be fair, the plot did inch forward infinitesimally. But this book was quite boring. It was a bunch of mirror conversations. First Merry talks to Taranis is the mirro...more

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Feb 28, 2009

Stacy rated it

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I want it now!!!!!!!!!!!! ahhh!!! oh I can't wait. This is going to be awesome. Hey if anybody wants to discuss anything about Laurell K Hamilton's two series this one and the Anita Blake one check out Ladies who Love Laurell in the Group section. (we are under books and Literature then Romance) We got a discussion going about who's going to be Merry's babies daddy, so stop bye and throw in your two cents. Personall I think...

DOYLE FOR KING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Jul 18, 2008

Heather rated it

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Recommends it for: Fans of LKH books

Shelves: erotica, paranormal-romance, kindle

This is one of the best books in the Merry Gentry series! I loved it!

The plot thickens with Merry awakening all sorts of new powers in both the seelie and unseelie courts...

There is of course HOT sex, but also a great plot as well!!! Im am really impressed by this one and cant wait for the Swallowing Darkness!!!

WOW!!!

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Nov 17, 2008

Peggy O'Connell rated it

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I love this book, I love this series. This is the 6th book in the Meredith Gentry series. This was yet another book that I just couldn't put down. I can't get enough of Merry Gentry's world. Love it. Better than the Anita Blake series. Love the play on Celtic lore, the love story, the push for non christian perspectives. Absolutely adore Dole. Laurell finally got a powerful man right, no breaking this one down into fluff like she did with her vampire hero in the Blake series. Highly recommended ...more

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Oct 29, 2007

Grace rated it

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Holy crap. Now that's what I'm talking about. I've been giving LKH's Merry Gentry books progressively lower ratings because...well, my estimation of them has fallen greatly. What started as a magnificent series with lots of potential and a keen awareness of Celtic mythology had fallen into 200-some pages of endless sex romps with multicolored men.

Until now.

This book definitely turns all of that on its head, and actually *furthers the plot*...something that LKH has av...more

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Oct 05, 2008

Jennifer rated it

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Shelves: 2007, laurell-k-hamilton, paranormal, sexy, faerie

I was really reluctant to read the Meredith Gentry books originally. I was so in love with the Anita Blake series that I just didn't want to read the other series for fear that it would be too Science Fictiony or *gulp* bad.

Now I am hooked and the only book I have kept of the Laurell K Hamilton books is this one. I sold all my other ones. So I guess that speaks of my enjoyment of this series.

And yes - I agree with the other reviewers that this book stood out and was righ...more

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Feb 23, 2008

Cassie rated it

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Thank goodness...a return to plot. After slogging through two short books of what amounted to a ridiculous amount of sex and very little storyline, I was getting ready to give up on the Merry Gentry series.

I was disappointed at first glance by the length of the book, thinking that 181 pages was not nearly enough to get the storyline going again. I am thrilled to be proven wrong. Without spoiling the story, events are finally turning again.

It feels like Merry has more co...more

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Mar 25, 2008

Donna rated it

Shelves: library, urban-fantasy, –read-in-2008

I had planned to give up on Hamilton in general, but picked this up on a whim at the library. It was a pleasant surprise to learn that it actually had a plot, and one that didn't just involve Merry making out with everything in sight.

It was such an improvement that I almost rated it higher, but I still wouldn't call it a good book. The action packed ending was a pleasant surprise, but other parts really dragged. Merry's long relationship talks and the details of juggling her guards h...more

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Jun 07, 2009

Suzanne Vegter added it · review of another edition

This is book 6 in Hamilton's series about Merry. I have enjoyed the entire series. However, as the fifth book seemed to have very little plot and lots of sex, this sixth book has only a few sex sceens and the plot moves along at a rapid pace. I felt like the book could have been a little longer and included something about what happened when she and her men first return back to Los Angels. I only say this because something happens then that turns out to be vital to the end plot, and it would...more

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Nov 14, 2011

Stephanie rated it

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Believe me - I'm all for guilty pleasures and mine do seem to center on the vampire and supernatural theme... but there are some worlds that should remain private.

I have joked in the past, that the Twilight series was a bit of an escapist daydream. Something I'm sure we've all done. Stephanie Meyers admitting dreaming up the story. So when I read that, I imagined a snoozing Stephanie who was consciously avoiding starting her morning with a little guilty fun. I'll admit, I've done th...more

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Oct 26, 2011

LL rated it

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Before I begin my review, I have to say this first: (view spoiler)

I read the last couple of instalments sometime ago, so after the first few pages, I realized that the story actually picked up right after the actions of the last books – likely literally the day after. It was kind of hard to get myself wrapped around the concept that all sorts of wonderful/awful/ma...moreBefore I begin my review, I have to say this first: (view spoiler)

I read the last couple of instalments sometime ago, so after the first few pages, I realized that the story actually picked up right after the actions of the last books – likely literally the day after. It was kind of hard to get myself wrapped around the concept that all sorts of wonderful/awful/magical/gruesome things happened all within a span of a couple of days, from the last couple of books until now.

It was clear that Merry’s magical powers had been increasing from one book to the next. It was not surprising that she continued to grow in powers, as well as brought others that she came close with into their powers. The main suspense of this book had to do with Taranis’ (the Seelie King) unknown conspiracy against Merry. Overall, the plot was good, in that it actually moved the story along. I also liked that the fact that the author didn’t introduce more men into Merry’s life. The couple of sex scenes in the book were adequate – not overdone like some of the later Anita Blake novels.

From a character development standpoint, Merry still seemed to be a bit “lost”, in that in some situations she still felt to be uncertain of herself – she was improving, but it just seemed to take a long time. Then again, I had to remember that even though it had been after a few books, but in the timeline, Merry had moved a few days only. So I suppose my expectations were too much for a person to “grow” within a mere few days. It was also one of the reasons why I felt so confused sometimes, because so much had happened in the novels but apparently it’d only been days?!? It would have been easier to digest if the LKH spaced the time out a bit.

All in all, this book was an easy quick read. There was quite a bit of "talking" and not enough action. The ending was definitely a surprise and I actually felt sad for Merry. It was perhaps not one of the best books, but it was good enough to keep me moving and interested.

I give this book 2.5 stars.
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Jul 24, 2011

Janet rated it

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Shelves: fantasy, had-to-buy

I loved the first couple of Merry Gentry books, then gave up on the series when they became less plot than interminably long descriptions of her and her guards making love.

I'd sworn not to buy any of the series again, but I checked this one out of the library. Now that I've finished it, I'm glad I did.

This book is so much better than the last several, although Hamilton can't seem to get through more than a few days per book. A lot of time is spent with Merry and one or m...more

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Dec 30, 2010

Karissa Eckert rated it

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Ah, the next book in the Meredith Gentry series (book #6 if you want to keep track). This is a series that I read because I like reading about the Seelie and Unseelie courts. I am not sure why else I read it. The plot is complex and interwoven and the characters interesting. Meredith herself is an interesting contrast of personality traits. Like most of Laurell Hamilton's books I think I can best review this by breaking it down into the good, the bad, and the ugly.

This series makes no ...more

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Oct 29, 2010

Chibineko rated it

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After attempting several times to read the abysmal Mistral's Kiss, I finally decided to skip it entirely & move onto the next book. After getting 30-50 pages into the book, I realized that I hadn't missed a single thing. (Which says loads about LKH's writing & pacing abilities!)

This story (like previous ones) has the action take place within one day. Merry's men have been accused of rape, so they go to meet with Taranis's lawyers (one of his people was the one who was raped) to figh...more

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Jul 16, 2010

Amanda rated it

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Shelves: bought-copy, urban-fantasy, series

There was a time when a new Laurell K Hamilton book was time for celebration - curling up, switching off my phone and reading until the last page had turned. Her character Anita Blake was a kick ass heroine with principles and spooky abilities. Over time (since around book 9) the Anita Blake series has headed downhill - round about the time Merry Gentry came on the scene. Originally Hamilton created Merry Gentry to get out of her system all the weird sexual kicks she clearly has, and to take the...more

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Dec 20, 2009

Leeanna rated it

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Shelves: i-own

Meredith Gentry #6: A Lick of Frost, by Laurell K. Hamilton

FINALLY! "A Lick of Frost" returns the Meredith Gentry series to the promise of the first two books - the action is back with a very fast paced plot, and for once, there isn't a deluge of sexual action.

The novel opens with Merry and some of her guards in a lawyer's office, defending accusations of rape on a Seelie sidhe woman. King Taranis, the ruler of the Seelie court, the court of light and goodness,...moreMeredith Gentry #6: A Lick of Frost, by Laurell K. Hamilton

FINALLY! "A Lick of Frost" returns the Meredith Gentry series to the promise of the first two books - the action is back with a very fast paced plot, and for once, there isn't a deluge of sexual action.

The novel opens with Merry and some of her guards in a lawyer's office, defending accusations of rape on a Seelie sidhe woman. King Taranis, the ruler of the Seelie court, the court of light and goodness, went to human police and pressed charges against Galen, Rhys, and Abeloec - breaking an unwritten rule of faerie law. You don't go outside of faerie for justice. So obviously Taranis has some trick up his sleeve, but will Merry figure it out in time?

It quickly becomes clear that Taranis has gone insane - the thin veneer of sanity lifts when Merry denies him, and he attacks her guards in front of humans, nearly killing Doyle. Another spin comes when one of the king's nobles offers her the Seelie throne, which quickly puts Merry's sadistic aunt, Queen Andais of the Unseelie, into a very bad mood. The action continues after that, continuing several plot threads that haven't been seen for a few books; but notably, many of the guards that Merry acquired have no lines at all, and aren't even mentioned. Why introduce a ton of new characters, and then leave them out?

I'm so-so on this book. On one hand I enjoyed it quite a bit, as there was finally more action and plot then sex scenes. As I've said in other reviews of books in this series, I don't read for the sex - I read because I like the world Hamilton has created. Finally, in "A Lick of Frost," there's some development, there's something happening. And also, there's finally some tragedy - with all the assassination attempts in the series and danger, no one has been seriously hurt, which is somewhat unrealistic. But, on the other hand, some things left me confused. Apparently a month has passed since "Mistral's Kiss," but I don't know what happened in that month; I think it's implied that Merry's been busy in the bedroom trying to get pregnant so she can take the throne, but come on. The ending also feels rushed, and jumps from A to B a little too quickly.

3/5. (less)

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Aug 19, 2009

Mel rated it

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A Lick of Frost begins one month after the events of Mistral's Kiss. Merry and her guards/lovers Doyle, Frost, Rhys, Galen, and Abeloec in a conference room, being questioned about the charges of rape against Rhys, Galen, and Abeloec which King Taranis has brought the charges on behalf the woman allegedly raped by the aforementioned fey. The meeting ends badly, with Taranis losing what little control he had on his sanity. One of the officers of Taranis' guard, Sir Hugh, tells Merry that he is...moreA Lick of Frost begins one month after the events of Mistral's Kiss. Merry and her guards/lovers Doyle, Frost, Rhys, Galen, and Abeloec in a conference room, being questioned about the charges of rape against Rhys, Galen, and Abeloec which King Taranis has brought the charges on behalf the woman allegedly raped by the aforementioned fey. The meeting ends badly, with Taranis losing what little control he had on his sanity. One of the officers of Taranis' guard, Sir Hugh, tells Merry that he is going to force a vote among the nobles of the Seelie court to choose a new king, and he wants Merry to take Taranis' place. When Merry and her guards get home after taking a trip to the hospital after tending to the injuries sustained by Doyle and Abeloec.
They call Aunt Andais to tell her of all that has happened—specifically the offer to rule the Seelie Court. Andais believes Merry already agreed to rule and abuses one of her guards in a sadistic rage. Eventually, Merry and her men convince Andais otherwise, but she still continues to abuse the guard in reaction to many of them leaving to join Merry. The series of mirror-calls end and Merry finalizes the coming together of herself and two new half-goblins, Ash, and Holly for later that night. Night comes and Holly and Ash arrive, along with all of the Red Caps in tow. Jonty, a Red Cap that helped Merry fight in Mistral's Kiss, sheds a tear as Merry tells him she would bring the Red Caps into their power. She catches the tear on her finger and consumes it. This brings on the remaking of Maeve Reed's house into a sithen.
Those of faerie who stand in that room with no faerie dog to keep them grounded, crumple to the floor. Some of the crumpled men are revived by one of the dogs, but Frost stays down. The creation of the sithen allows the ring of fertility on her finger to flare to life and Merry realizes that she is pregnant with twins. Each twin has three fathers like in the story of Ceridwen. A phantom image of Merry’s children appears by their respective fathers, Rhys, Frost, Galen, Doyle, Mistral, and Sholto. There is also a dimmer phantom image of a 3rd child that has the potential to be born after the twins. Frost turns out to be the sacrificial king for the creation of the new sithen. Merry prays for him not to die, and he turns into a white stag and runs off. Merry runs to one of the gardens of her sithen to be alone and grieve the loss of Frost. While out there, Taranis, using illusion to appear as one of her guards, knocks her out and takes her to his bedroom back at the Seelie Court.
It is assumed that he rapes her, and then believes he fathers her children. Hugh, some others at the Seelie Court, and Doyle sneak her out of the bedroom and into a press conference where she tells the press that Taranis made the Seelie woman Lady Catarin believe that it was Rhys, Galen, and Abeloec who raped her; when in fact, it was all just an illusion of Taranis' making and the woman was in fact raped by other Seelie nobles working with him. Merry also tells them that she is pregnant, and that Taranis kidnapped and raped her. The book ends with Merry in an ambulance with Doyle, continuing to mourn Frost and her current situation. She is on her way to the hospital to treat the concussion she received from Taranis and to take a rape test.
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Jan 23, 2009

Samantha rated it

Recommends it for: people who can't get enough Merry Gentry

Shelves: fantasy

This book is by far is the turning point in this series. The last couple of books have had so much information packed into them but no real plot twists or increased tension. I love the denseness of the erotica and anyone who embarkes on this series should know that this isn't PG rated. The characters in this story are sex personified, and by far Laurell K Hamilton's strongest talent is writing erotica. This book has only two sex scenes, whereas the others were just one romp after another. Practi...more

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Apr 14, 2011

Colleen rated it

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Shelves: re-read

Surprisingly good, after a completely useless "OMG it's maaaaaagic" entry that was half the size of any other entry in the series. The beginning, rather than launching into a sex scene that eats up the first 10 chapters with no action, was all political, followed by lots of action.

Also, there are faerie puppies. How can I argue with faerie puppy dogs?

Maybe another attraction, at least from my POV, was that although the climax was dark and verging towards horror rath...more

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Aug 19, 2009

Melanie rated it

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A Lick of Frost begins one month after the events of Mistral's Kiss. Merry and her guards/lovers Doyle, Frost, Rhys, Galen, and Abeloec in a conference room, being questioned about the charges of rape against Rhys, Galen, and Abeloec which King Taranis has brought the charges on behalf the woman allegedly raped by the aforementioned fey. The meeting ends badly, with Taranis losing what little control he had on his sanity. One of the officers of Taranis' guard, Sir Hugh, tells Merry that he is...moreA Lick of Frost begins one month after the events of Mistral's Kiss. Merry and her guards/lovers Doyle, Frost, Rhys, Galen, and Abeloec in a conference room, being questioned about the charges of rape against Rhys, Galen, and Abeloec which King Taranis has brought the charges on behalf the woman allegedly raped by the aforementioned fey. The meeting ends badly, with Taranis losing what little control he had on his sanity. One of the officers of Taranis' guard, Sir Hugh, tells Merry that he is going to force a vote among the nobles of the Seelie court to choose a new king, and he wants Merry to take Taranis' place. When Merry and her guards get home after taking a trip to the hospital after tending to the injuries sustained by Doyle and Abeloec.
They call Aunt Andais to tell her of all that has happened—specifically the offer to rule the Seelie Court. Andais believes Merry already agreed to rule and abuses one of her guards in a sadistic rage. Eventually, Merry and her men convince Andais otherwise, but she still continues to abuse the guard in reaction to many of them leaving to join Merry. The series of mirror-calls end and Merry finalizes the coming together of herself and two new half-goblins, Ash, and Holly for later that night. Night comes and Holly and Ash arrive, along with all of the Red Caps in tow. Jonty, a Red Cap that helped Merry fight in Mistral's Kiss, sheds a tear as Merry tells him she would bring the Red Caps into their power. She catches the tear on her finger and consumes it. This brings on the remaking of Maeve Reed's house into a sithen.
Those of faerie who stand in that room with no faerie dog to keep them grounded, crumple to the floor. Some of the crumpled men are revived by one of the dogs, but Frost stays down. The creation of the sithen allows the ring of fertility on her finger to flare to life and Merry realizes that she is pregnant with twins. Each twin has three fathers like in the story of Ceridwen. A phantom image of Merry’s children appears by their respective fathers, Rhys, Frost, Galen, Doyle, Mistral, and Sholto. There is also a dimmer phantom image of a 3rd child that has the potential to be born after the twins. Frost turns out to be the sacrificial king for the creation of the new sithen. Merry prays for him not to die, and he turns into a white stag and runs off. Merry runs to one of the gardens of her sithen to be alone and grieve the loss of Frost. While out there, Taranis, using illusion to appear as one of her guards, knocks her out and takes her to his bedroom back at the Seelie Court.
It is assumed that he rapes her, and then believes he fathers her children. Hugh, some others at the Seelie Court, and Doyle sneak her out of the bedroom and into a press conference where she tells the press that Taranis made the Seelie woman Lady Catarin believe that it was Rhys, Galen, and Abeloec who raped her; when in fact, it was all just an illusion of Taranis' making and the woman was in fact raped by other Seelie nobles working with him. Merry also tells them that she is pregnant, and that Taranis kidnapped and raped her. The book ends with Merry in an ambulance with Doyle, continuing to mourn Frost and her current situation. She is on her way to the hospital to treat the concussion she received from Taranis and to take a rape test.(less)

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Dec 28, 2008

E. rated it

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I reread this book because the sequel (Swallowing Darkness) begins with many references to the occurrences in this novel and was startled to realize that this book, like its sequel, begins with the repercussions of rape. Princess Meredith's guards are accused of having raped a meember of the Seelie court and she is meeting with human lawyers to deal with the charges that her uncle Taranis has inexplicably brought within the human court rather than proceeding through the normal faerie channels. ...more

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Nov 20, 2008

Sarah rated it

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Shelves: books-to-make-you-blush

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Oct 26, 2007

Cyn Coons rated it

Shelves: things-that-go-bump-in-the-night, urban-fantasy, paranormal-smut, three-for-all-smut, smut

No spoilers, but I will say that she did get away from the smut-a-palooza that marred her last crop of books.
We got to page 159 without there being any sex at all. This was really all plot. We're starting to go back to what made the series so addicting to begin with.

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Nov 06, 2009

Emily rated it

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Shelves: audiobooks, just-for-fun

I didn't realize that this was another of Hamilton's series books. I was out of audiobooks and going on a big car trip so I picked up what I found. This book isn't bad, but it's like Hamilton is writing for NaNoWriMo - repeating herself in different ways just to get the wordcount up. Also, the most vital importance is placed on where Merideth's lovers are in relation to her body during important court meetings. But, as my mother says, that works well because if you zone out or skip a few pages...more

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Jul 25, 2011

Heather rated it

I've been a fan of Laurell K Hamilton for a while now, and have read everything she's written, and I have to admit that it's getting harder to justify with each new book of hers I read.

"Lick of Frost" is the sixth book in the Merry Gentry series, and it is becoming much more like the later Anita Blake books with each successive installement. I would say that the Merry series is still slightly better than the Anita series has become, but the difference is getting less all the time.

All ...more

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Oct 10, 2009

Julie rated it

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Yeah, I have this thing about finishing a series, even if it annoys me. heh.
If I hadn't read the Anita Blake books first, everything would have been fine, but I did, and it wasn't. :D

I put a lot of blame on the author's writing group and on her Editor, who really should have picked up on the fact that Merry and Anita are EXACTLY THE SAME CHARACTER - well, close enough to bug, e anyway.

They both gravitate to St Louis, where the author lives, they both have several me...more

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Feb 11, 2008

Sandra Rosa rated it

Shelves: nm, 2008

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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May 28, 2011

❀ Sharon ❀ rated it

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Shelves: read-in-2011

Well if I thought the prior books were intense, this one is the worse. Things really come to a head in this book....some good things but some bad things too. Unfortunately, I can't really say anything without giving spoilers. I will say that you will be riveted. It's very hard to put these books down so give yourself plenty of time to read once you start this series.

The problem for me in the prior books was there were a lot of guards and it was hard keeping track of who everyone was/...more

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Feb 07, 2009

Jerry Dazzlepants rated it

Shelves: fantasy, urban-fantasy, faerie, magic, paranormal

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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A Lick of Frost (Meredith Gentry #6)

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