What do you think?
Rate this book
Ruan #2
FrostFire
Frost is possessed by a wolf demon that brings death everywhere she goes. When she is captured by a band of warriors sworn to protect their country from rebel fighters she has to prove she is not an enemy.
439 pages, Paperback
First published June 21, 2012
About the author
Zoë Marriott
15 books782 followersZoë has known that she wanted to be a writer since she read 'The Magic Faraway Tree' by Enid Blyton at age eight. She's never changed her mind in all the years since then.
She completed her first manuscript - a truly embarrassing romance novel - at age sixteen, and kept on writing books and submitting them until she had collected rejections from nearly very publisher in the UK and two in Australia. She eventually got her first publishing contract when she was twenty-two - but had to wait until she was twenty-four to see that book published (The Swan Kingdom). Her books have been longlisted for the Branford Boase Award, shortlisted for the Leeds Book Award and the Lancashire Book of the Year, and have won a Junior Library Guild Selection, a USBBY Outstanding International Listing, the Hillingdon Book Award and the Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation Prize. Over the years she's worked as an admin assistant, a dental nurse, a civil servant, and a reader for a literary scout. She has designed and run over one hundred creative writing workshops in schools and libraries, and from 2017-19 she was the Royal Literary Fund Fellow at York St. John University.
She lives in a little house in a town by the sea, with a manic spaniel called Ruskin (otherwise known as Demon Dog, Trash Puppy, Snaggletooth, or the supervillain in training) and far too many books. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Creative Writing at the Open University, and working on her first novel for adults.
She completed her first manuscript - a truly embarrassing romance novel - at age sixteen, and kept on writing books and submitting them until she had collected rejections from nearly very publisher in the UK and two in Australia. She eventually got her first publishing contract when she was twenty-two - but had to wait until she was twenty-four to see that book published (The Swan Kingdom). Her books have been longlisted for the Branford Boase Award, shortlisted for the Leeds Book Award and the Lancashire Book of the Year, and have won a Junior Library Guild Selection, a USBBY Outstanding International Listing, the Hillingdon Book Award and the Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation Prize. Over the years she's worked as an admin assistant, a dental nurse, a civil servant, and a reader for a literary scout. She has designed and run over one hundred creative writing workshops in schools and libraries, and from 2017-19 she was the Royal Literary Fund Fellow at York St. John University.
She lives in a little house in a town by the sea, with a manic spaniel called Ruskin (otherwise known as Demon Dog, Trash Puppy, Snaggletooth, or the supervillain in training) and far too many books. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Creative Writing at the Open University, and working on her first novel for adults.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews
January 29, 2012
Eh... you know, I did write the thing. I kinda have to think it's good.
November 29, 2019
Frostfire is like the United Nations of cliches. You want headstrong heroines? Dashing heroes? Love triangles? Romance? Fantastical superpowers? Racial representation? Sexual orientations? Anticipated love triangle resolutions? Boy meets Girl meets World? I could go on and on and all my criteria would be met.
Having read Shadows on the Moon like so many other Zoe Marriot fans, I was colossally disappointed with Frostfire. The writing style seems resigned and uninspired. Give-'em-what-they-want. The plot is paper-thin and transparent. The descriptions are lacking in fire and fall short of igniting that spark. The whole book was one exhausted horse flogged one time too many.
As I said, Frostfire pales in contrast to Shadows on the Moon which was a really well executed piece of work from this undoubtedly gifted author. I expected more. 2 Stars because I like her.
P.S: How the fudge did Luca know Frost's real name at the end?
Having read Shadows on the Moon like so many other Zoe Marriot fans, I was colossally disappointed with Frostfire. The writing style seems resigned and uninspired. Give-'em-what-they-want. The plot is paper-thin and transparent. The descriptions are lacking in fire and fall short of igniting that spark. The whole book was one exhausted horse flogged one time too many.
As I said, Frostfire pales in contrast to Shadows on the Moon which was a really well executed piece of work from this undoubtedly gifted author. I expected more. 2 Stars because I like her.
P.S: How the fudge did Luca know Frost's real name at the end?
October 24, 2015
I love everything about this book. Everything!
I even love the love triangle and I dislike love triangles with a vengeance.
(Say that 3 times fast and you can have a cupcake.)
When writing reviews I try really hard not to gush, given my fangirldom of Sunshine (Robin McKinley) I actually thought I delivered a pretty balanced review on that book… – I’ll be gushing over Frostfire.
Gush 1: The writing.
Gush 2: The story.
Gush 3: Frost.
Gush 3b: The remaining characters
Gush 4: The relationships. I’m including all of them in this: friendships, family, love & hate.
Gush 5: World-building.
Gush 6: The ending.
Basically the blurb sounds great but the book is so much more than that and you need to read it. Read it!
I even love the love triangle and I dislike love triangles with a vengeance.
(Say that 3 times fast and you can have a cupcake.)
When writing reviews I try really hard not to gush, given my fangirldom of Sunshine (Robin McKinley) I actually thought I delivered a pretty balanced review on that book… – I’ll be gushing over Frostfire.
Gush 1: The writing.
Gush 2: The story.
Gush 3: Frost.
Gush 3b: The remaining characters
Gush 4: The relationships. I’m including all of them in this: friendships, family, love & hate.
Gush 5: World-building.
Gush 6: The ending.
Basically the blurb sounds great but the book is so much more than that and you need to read it. Read it!
August 27, 2012
Touching, beautiful, and chilling. Review to come!
****
When I started reading FrostFire, I admit that my expectations were high. I was positively blown away by Shadows on the Moon, Zoë Marriott's earlier novel, and while it would be hard for this book to impress me more, I was still not at all disappointed! It's been a long time since I've stayed up until the late hours of the night reading a book because I simply couldn't put it down, and reached for it first thing in the morning when I woke up. But that's exactly what happened with FrostFire! So I'm going to break it down into the things I loved most about it. (spoilers ahead!)
First of all, the characters. In the beginning I didn't really like Frost - she was constantly running away, and doubting herself, and rather annoying in general. But, of course, she wasn't supposed to be like-able at first! She grew steadily throughout the book into an amazing heroine that I could connect with, and she ended up facing all of her worst fears and coming to terms with who she really was. She was still by no means perfect, but was no longer scared of herself, and ended up defeating the demon wolf that had plagued her for her entire life. And I loved all the other characters as well - Luca, Arian, and Livia especially! I adored almost all of the scenes that they were in (which was most of the book, yay!) so I couldn't pick just one example to quote from.
The setting in this book is so vividly imagined and real! I actually felt like I was there with Frost, in all of the scenes. And the way the food is described reminded me somewhat of food that I've had in Morocco - especially that mix of sweet and savory which is hard to find anywhere else. (And delicious tea!) I have no idea if that's what Zoë was thinking of when she wrote the book, but it was really cool for me when I made that connection!
Of course, simply the way Zoë Marriott narrates the story is part of what kept me hooked! She has a way of adding lots of vivid details while keeping the action going and making me want to keep reading! I've never come across an author that writes quite like Zoë, but out of all the authors I have read, her books are the ones that inspire me the most for my own writing.
It's also been a while since I've genuinely cried while reading a book, but I totally broke down when Frost brought Luca back to himself, and Arian saved both of them. If anyone else had written that scene, it might have been cheesy, but the way Zoë wrote it was just beautiful.
Despite all this, there were some things that could have been improved, although not enough to keep me from enjoying it as much as I did! First of all, in the beginning I think that Frost ran away from Luca and then bumped right back into him maybe one too many times. The last time it happened I was starting to get a little irritated. But the running away theme in general wasn't a problem - on the contrary it was vitally important to Frost's development as a character - so I wasn't too annoyed about that.
I also disliked Frost's stutter. It wasn't there the whole time, but when it was, it just seemed kind of unrealistic and childish. I like that her uncertainty and fear was being portrayed through her speech, but there might have been a better way to do that. One thing that I did like about it, though, was how it got noticeably less common throughout the book, as Frost became more confident.
Other than a couple of minor things, there was virtually nothing I didn't love about this book! All in all, FrostFire was a fantastic read, and I can't wait to get my hands on Zoë's next book!
****
When I started reading FrostFire, I admit that my expectations were high. I was positively blown away by Shadows on the Moon, Zoë Marriott's earlier novel, and while it would be hard for this book to impress me more, I was still not at all disappointed! It's been a long time since I've stayed up until the late hours of the night reading a book because I simply couldn't put it down, and reached for it first thing in the morning when I woke up. But that's exactly what happened with FrostFire! So I'm going to break it down into the things I loved most about it. (spoilers ahead!)
First of all, the characters. In the beginning I didn't really like Frost - she was constantly running away, and doubting herself, and rather annoying in general. But, of course, she wasn't supposed to be like-able at first! She grew steadily throughout the book into an amazing heroine that I could connect with, and she ended up facing all of her worst fears and coming to terms with who she really was. She was still by no means perfect, but was no longer scared of herself, and ended up defeating the demon wolf that had plagued her for her entire life. And I loved all the other characters as well - Luca, Arian, and Livia especially! I adored almost all of the scenes that they were in (which was most of the book, yay!) so I couldn't pick just one example to quote from.
The setting in this book is so vividly imagined and real! I actually felt like I was there with Frost, in all of the scenes. And the way the food is described reminded me somewhat of food that I've had in Morocco - especially that mix of sweet and savory which is hard to find anywhere else. (And delicious tea!) I have no idea if that's what Zoë was thinking of when she wrote the book, but it was really cool for me when I made that connection!
Of course, simply the way Zoë Marriott narrates the story is part of what kept me hooked! She has a way of adding lots of vivid details while keeping the action going and making me want to keep reading! I've never come across an author that writes quite like Zoë, but out of all the authors I have read, her books are the ones that inspire me the most for my own writing.
It's also been a while since I've genuinely cried while reading a book, but I totally broke down when Frost brought Luca back to himself, and Arian saved both of them. If anyone else had written that scene, it might have been cheesy, but the way Zoë wrote it was just beautiful.
Despite all this, there were some things that could have been improved, although not enough to keep me from enjoying it as much as I did! First of all, in the beginning I think that Frost ran away from Luca and then bumped right back into him maybe one too many times. The last time it happened I was starting to get a little irritated. But the running away theme in general wasn't a problem - on the contrary it was vitally important to Frost's development as a character - so I wasn't too annoyed about that.
I also disliked Frost's stutter. It wasn't there the whole time, but when it was, it just seemed kind of unrealistic and childish. I like that her uncertainty and fear was being portrayed through her speech, but there might have been a better way to do that. One thing that I did like about it, though, was how it got noticeably less common throughout the book, as Frost became more confident.
Other than a couple of minor things, there was virtually nothing I didn't love about this book! All in all, FrostFire was a fantastic read, and I can't wait to get my hands on Zoë's next book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 17, 2012
Review by Madison
Frost, a girl who is possessed by the wolf believes she is dangerous and a murderer destined to live apart from everyone else. While trying to save someone's live she is captured by a group of warriors trying to regain their country from rebel fighters. Escape seems like the only option to keep both herself and the warriors safe. When the possibility of freedom, love and a home appear in the form of Luca and Arian, Frost can only be with one of them. Her battle with the wolf inside her and the raging war around her she could lose them both.
I absolutely LOVED this book and an going to track down the other books by Zoe Marriott at the local library. The story was thrilling, a compulsive page-turner, all the characters were brilliant, I loved all of them.
I, myself, was torn between Luca and Arian, their relationship and interactions added an extra element of interest to the story as a whole.
There were so many threads to the plot in this book, the wolf inside Frost, the battle between rebels and protectors, Luca and Arian, how their past had shaped them into the people they were. Frost learning to become a member of the camp enhanced the story. It was a very unique story-line.
I thouroughly enjoyed this book. It was a brilliant read.
Frost, a girl who is possessed by the wolf believes she is dangerous and a murderer destined to live apart from everyone else. While trying to save someone's live she is captured by a group of warriors trying to regain their country from rebel fighters. Escape seems like the only option to keep both herself and the warriors safe. When the possibility of freedom, love and a home appear in the form of Luca and Arian, Frost can only be with one of them. Her battle with the wolf inside her and the raging war around her she could lose them both.
I absolutely LOVED this book and an going to track down the other books by Zoe Marriott at the local library. The story was thrilling, a compulsive page-turner, all the characters were brilliant, I loved all of them.
I, myself, was torn between Luca and Arian, their relationship and interactions added an extra element of interest to the story as a whole.
There were so many threads to the plot in this book, the wolf inside Frost, the battle between rebels and protectors, Luca and Arian, how their past had shaped them into the people they were. Frost learning to become a member of the camp enhanced the story. It was a very unique story-line.
I thouroughly enjoyed this book. It was a brilliant read.
July 19, 2012
The blurb of Frostfire cannot express the ride this novel will take you on. If you read it around people they may wonder why you have gone from laughing hysterically to sobbing into your hanky within no time at all – and yeah, definitely have a hanky to hand.
The three main characters are some of the most developed and three dimensional characters I have read about in a long time. Frost is simultaneously a very strong character, who has pulled herself through a lot, and at the same time such a very weak and fragile person. She is not a heroine that you always agree with – sometimes you just want to give her a shake – but you do always empathise with her. Frost’s history is revealed to the reader slowly and with each revelation we become more awed at her strength. Frost is forced to undergo a massive emotional transformation and you are rooting for her all the way.
Luca and Arian are just as developed, although we never delve into their minds. My loyalties to the two men just kept switching until I decided that I just love them both equally.
One character experiences something that completely changes their entire personality for a time, and the reader is left shaken as the foundations that they are relying on are smashed apart and we are wondering if they can ever be rebuilt. As a reader I was completely wrong-footed as I did not see it coming. This, of course, added to the amazingness of the story but it also makes you wonder what it takes change a person completely, and whether this change is permanent.
The novel fearlessly tackles all different types of love; friendship, family (the difference between blood and family), hero worship, love built simply from having somebody try to understand you ... but most of all, what is real love. When Frost first begins to fall in love the reader completely supports it and falls in love along with her. It is not until almost the end of the novel that we realise that what we first thought of as love was mainly hero worship and a feeling of security that has never been felt before. The true love is built up over the course of the book and kind of hits us in the face with a frying pan of emotion.
The book is full of kick-ass heroines (not just Frost) and heroes and packed with action. But it is the underlying story of friendship that binds the narrative together and will have you in tears. If you want thrilling fight scenes alongside your romance, and fully developed characters then you’ll enjoy this book!
It is not necessary to read Daughter of the Flames before reading this book, though it is set in the same world. However, I would definitely recommend all of Zoe’s other books, especially Shadows on the Moon.
The three main characters are some of the most developed and three dimensional characters I have read about in a long time. Frost is simultaneously a very strong character, who has pulled herself through a lot, and at the same time such a very weak and fragile person. She is not a heroine that you always agree with – sometimes you just want to give her a shake – but you do always empathise with her. Frost’s history is revealed to the reader slowly and with each revelation we become more awed at her strength. Frost is forced to undergo a massive emotional transformation and you are rooting for her all the way.
Luca and Arian are just as developed, although we never delve into their minds. My loyalties to the two men just kept switching until I decided that I just love them both equally.
One character experiences something that completely changes their entire personality for a time, and the reader is left shaken as the foundations that they are relying on are smashed apart and we are wondering if they can ever be rebuilt. As a reader I was completely wrong-footed as I did not see it coming. This, of course, added to the amazingness of the story but it also makes you wonder what it takes change a person completely, and whether this change is permanent.
The novel fearlessly tackles all different types of love; friendship, family (the difference between blood and family), hero worship, love built simply from having somebody try to understand you ... but most of all, what is real love. When Frost first begins to fall in love the reader completely supports it and falls in love along with her. It is not until almost the end of the novel that we realise that what we first thought of as love was mainly hero worship and a feeling of security that has never been felt before. The true love is built up over the course of the book and kind of hits us in the face with a frying pan of emotion.
The book is full of kick-ass heroines (not just Frost) and heroes and packed with action. But it is the underlying story of friendship that binds the narrative together and will have you in tears. If you want thrilling fight scenes alongside your romance, and fully developed characters then you’ll enjoy this book!
It is not necessary to read Daughter of the Flames before reading this book, though it is set in the same world. However, I would definitely recommend all of Zoe’s other books, especially Shadows on the Moon.
July 8, 2012
Wow. I really loved Frostfire! This is definetely ZM's best book so far. Reasons why:
The writing is beautiful, as are the setting and characters.
Frost, is at first scared and feeble, uncontrollable strength coming to her only when she is possessed by a dark battle-raged wolf. She joins the hill guard, falls in love and confronts her past and becomes the confident heroic badass with an axe she was destined to be. She is a brilliant faulted coloured lady who develops beautifully throughout the novel. The action scenes are great, as are the relationships. When I read the blurb, I thought: Oh no. Another respectable author has stooped to the dreaded love triangle. Groan. Sigh. I read the book anyway because I really like the author and God am I glad. It's predictable but oh so nicely done. There is Luca, the golden boy, who she immediatly falls for and then there is the dark tortured Arian who hates her on sight but slowly shows her his soft side and understands and cares for her. It all sounds quite familiar BUT. What makes this one good is that all the characters are honest and have real reasons and feeling behind their love. And the relationship between the two boys is also very interesting. I really came to care for the characters and the story and I liked that there were different nationalities and colours living together in this fantasy world and a few ladies who like ladies included. Did I mention that Frost can really hold her own in fight and that every character was wonderfully imperfect (even Luca, just).
Great read! :)
The writing is beautiful, as are the setting and characters.
Frost, is at first scared and feeble, uncontrollable strength coming to her only when she is possessed by a dark battle-raged wolf. She joins the hill guard, falls in love and confronts her past and becomes the confident heroic badass with an axe she was destined to be. She is a brilliant faulted coloured lady who develops beautifully throughout the novel. The action scenes are great, as are the relationships. When I read the blurb, I thought: Oh no. Another respectable author has stooped to the dreaded love triangle. Groan. Sigh. I read the book anyway because I really like the author and God am I glad. It's predictable but oh so nicely done. There is Luca, the golden boy, who she immediatly falls for and then there is the dark tortured Arian who hates her on sight but slowly shows her his soft side and understands and cares for her. It all sounds quite familiar BUT. What makes this one good is that all the characters are honest and have real reasons and feeling behind their love. And the relationship between the two boys is also very interesting. I really came to care for the characters and the story and I liked that there were different nationalities and colours living together in this fantasy world and a few ladies who like ladies included. Did I mention that Frost can really hold her own in fight and that every character was wonderfully imperfect (even Luca, just).
Great read! :)
July 12, 2012
Another stunner! The characters were perfectly flawed, strong and complex. Although Shadows on the Moon is still my favourite of her books, this was definately worth more than 4 stars. My heart leapt and broke with the characters, truly beautiful writing. If i could have any authors talent with words, Zoe would definately be one of my first choices. The only problem i found with this book, which continues to irk me, is that not enough people have open the cover, because after page one you are hooked.
Want to read
June 14, 2012Wait. What!?
YES! YES! YES! YES! YES!
YES! YES! YES! YES! YES!
December 22, 2022
This book was one I couldn't put down, it's characters and setting were really rich in detail. I liked how it followed the journey that Frost made, and especially how the characters were complex, and flawed in their own ways.
However it did leave a lot untouched, or somewhat shallow on detail, some of which seemed crucial to the background, but then I haven't read the first book, so maybe I'm just missing that from earlier?
And some aspects of the story do seemed forced, especially the 'love triangle'.
Overall 3/4 stars, great premise and writing, just a little lacking in some areas.
However it did leave a lot untouched, or somewhat shallow on detail, some of which seemed crucial to the background, but then I haven't read the first book, so maybe I'm just missing that from earlier?
And some aspects of the story do seemed forced, especially the 'love triangle'.
Overall 3/4 stars, great premise and writing, just a little lacking in some areas.
July 20, 2012
Zoë Marriot is one of those authors I adore. When I receive a book by her, I know I will be lost in a fantasy world from the moment I begin reading to the final paragraph on the last page. Her writing is just so evocative, I find my emotions become entwined with her words and I react alongside the characters to the events that occur in the book.
FrostFire is set in the same world as Daughter of the Flames, which is the only book by this author I haven't read. I didn't feel that I needed to read it as this book stood very well on its own.
When we meet Frost, she really is in a bad way, her self esteem is non existent and it is only when Luca helps her to blossom as her person, that she begins to shine like the rising star she should be. You can almost feel her glistening in the sunlight, as she conquers her fears and learns to live with the wolf inside her. She becomes such a strong character as the book progresses, you find yourself cheering her on from the sidelines. There is an intensity to her relationships between Luca and Arian, that gripped me completely. On finishing the book, I was still torn over which character would have been right for Frost, however I find myself leaning towards Arian more than Luca, as he is such a tortured soul himself. His connection to Frost felt stronger to me, than Luca's. Each character within this emotional triangle, go through a cycle of emotions and reactions, each taking their turn to shine as well as suffer.
The plot is strong and full of action, as the characters fight to stay alive and save their community.
I loved the world created by the author. The writing is extremely descriptive as always and you are aware that the author has painfully taken time over every word chosen and every decision made. The climatic ending left me shocked. I was not happy with the outcome as I wasn't expecting it. I was gasping at the events that occurred in the last hundred pages. I have been placated since by the author via Twitter over her choices, so I am now in recovery from the events that occurred!
Zoë Marriott is an exceptional author who weaves magic through her words allowing her readers to become part of her fantasy world. I would always recommend her books to everyone to read.
FrostFire is set in the same world as Daughter of the Flames, which is the only book by this author I haven't read. I didn't feel that I needed to read it as this book stood very well on its own.
When we meet Frost, she really is in a bad way, her self esteem is non existent and it is only when Luca helps her to blossom as her person, that she begins to shine like the rising star she should be. You can almost feel her glistening in the sunlight, as she conquers her fears and learns to live with the wolf inside her. She becomes such a strong character as the book progresses, you find yourself cheering her on from the sidelines. There is an intensity to her relationships between Luca and Arian, that gripped me completely. On finishing the book, I was still torn over which character would have been right for Frost, however I find myself leaning towards Arian more than Luca, as he is such a tortured soul himself. His connection to Frost felt stronger to me, than Luca's. Each character within this emotional triangle, go through a cycle of emotions and reactions, each taking their turn to shine as well as suffer.
The plot is strong and full of action, as the characters fight to stay alive and save their community.
I loved the world created by the author. The writing is extremely descriptive as always and you are aware that the author has painfully taken time over every word chosen and every decision made. The climatic ending left me shocked. I was not happy with the outcome as I wasn't expecting it. I was gasping at the events that occurred in the last hundred pages. I have been placated since by the author via Twitter over her choices, so I am now in recovery from the events that occurred!
Zoë Marriott is an exceptional author who weaves magic through her words allowing her readers to become part of her fantasy world. I would always recommend her books to everyone to read.
August 13, 2012
Four and a half stars.
Grabbed this after Rebecca Anderson tweeted that she'd just finished and loved it, and very glad she did. (Also, Zoë Marriott kindly let me know that there was no need to read the two Ruan books in order.) Beautiful writing, great setting - I'll definitely be reading more by Marriott - and a convincingly untrusting heroine. (The remedy to the insta-love of the YA fantasy might just be PTSD!) To put this very vaguely, I resisted the golden boy by whom everyone is smitten in their own way, as I generally can't stand that type, although he was genuinely nice as well as charming. But the ending of the book did a good job showing how Frost had come to understand that attraction to someone is fine and well, but would never have been enough for a real relationship.
Also, I just loved the training Frost gets in fighting - I went to the acknowledgments expecting to see a thanks to some swordsperson or the like.
Grabbed this after Rebecca Anderson tweeted that she'd just finished and loved it, and very glad she did. (Also, Zoë Marriott kindly let me know that there was no need to read the two Ruan books in order.) Beautiful writing, great setting - I'll definitely be reading more by Marriott - and a convincingly untrusting heroine. (The remedy to the insta-love of the YA fantasy might just be PTSD!) To put this very vaguely, I resisted the golden boy by whom everyone is smitten in their own way, as I generally can't stand that type, although he was genuinely nice as well as charming. But the ending of the book did a good job showing how Frost had come to understand that attraction to someone is fine and well, but would never have been enough for a real relationship.
Also, I just loved the training Frost gets in fighting - I went to the acknowledgments expecting to see a thanks to some swordsperson or the like.
May 15, 2016
This book is truly my favourite and I feel with all my heart that it deserves 5 stars!
Within this book you form a connection with the characters so deep that the emotions it illicits will make you laugh and cry with the character and love and hurt with the character!
This book sparked my passion for reading and I truly owe it all to the amazing author, Zoe Marriott, who is by far underrated and unacknowledged as are her other phenomenal books! I was 13 when I first read this book and nearly 3 years on I am about to begin reading it again for the 4th time and can guarantee I will cry at the end as I have all the other times!
So to all those questioning as to whether to buy this book or not, I most definitely urge you to as you will not be disappointed!
Within this book you form a connection with the characters so deep that the emotions it illicits will make you laugh and cry with the character and love and hurt with the character!
This book sparked my passion for reading and I truly owe it all to the amazing author, Zoe Marriott, who is by far underrated and unacknowledged as are her other phenomenal books! I was 13 when I first read this book and nearly 3 years on I am about to begin reading it again for the 4th time and can guarantee I will cry at the end as I have all the other times!
So to all those questioning as to whether to buy this book or not, I most definitely urge you to as you will not be disappointed!
November 22, 2014
The story of Frost, a girl with a secret burden on a desperate mission to find a way to be free of it. On her way to a place where she thought she'd find the answers, her path crosses with that of Luca and Arian, the captain of the hill guard and his lieutenant, and their lives intertwine and change forever.
Interesting world, realistic characters and original ideas. While I enjoyed the romance between Frost and Luca, I wasn't as invested in it as I would have liked and found myself wondering about Arian instead. Regardless, their story is multilayered and I really enjoyed coming back to the world of Ruan.
Interesting world, realistic characters and original ideas. While I enjoyed the romance between Frost and Luca, I wasn't as invested in it as I would have liked and found myself wondering about Arian instead. Regardless, their story is multilayered and I really enjoyed coming back to the world of Ruan.
May 16, 2016
Ich bin normalerweise jemand, der zunächst nach dem Cover eines Buches geht. Um so glücklicher bin ich, dass ich dies dieses Mal nicht getan habe, denn mir gefällt das Cover so gar nicht. Aber es geht ja auch um den Inhalt.
Und der hat mir mehr als gut gefallen! Zunächst die Charaktere. Stereotypisch und unstereotypisch zugleich. Die Verbindung der einzelnen Charaktere, die so voller Wärme ist.
Auch die Geschichte war wundervoll. Einfach nur wundervoll. Ich habe am Ende sogar die ein oder andere Träne verloren, was ich beim Lesen normalerweise nie tue.
LOVE! LOVE! LOVE!
Und der hat mir mehr als gut gefallen! Zunächst die Charaktere. Stereotypisch und unstereotypisch zugleich. Die Verbindung der einzelnen Charaktere, die so voller Wärme ist.
Auch die Geschichte war wundervoll. Einfach nur wundervoll. Ich habe am Ende sogar die ein oder andere Träne verloren, was ich beim Lesen normalerweise nie tue.
LOVE! LOVE! LOVE!
November 4, 2012
I'm between a three and a four for the moment. I don't know why but I couldn't connect with the book and I wasn't convinced by the love triangle. I'm going to read it again and hopefully my judgement will change.
July 4, 2012
A great book set back in the land where Daughter of the Flame was set but with amazing new characters. All strong and complex but ones that you will be willing to share their journey.
June 19, 2015
Die Covergestaltung:
Das Taschenbuchcover finde ich sehr interessant und hat mich dadurch erst neugierig gemacht, ansonsten wäre ich vielleicht gar nicht auf die Leserunde aufmerksam geworden.
Der Wolf, welcher ein Mädchen beherbergt. Ein interessantes Bild, welches ansprechend, mysteriös und geheimnisvoll wirkt. :)
Der Inhalt:
Es geht um Frost, welche nach vielen Hürden die ihr als Kind bisher begegnen sind nun versucht eine Lösung zu finden. Diese Lösung für ihr leidiges Problem soll sie laut einer ihr persönlich nahestehenden Person aufsuchen.
Auf ihrer Reise trifft sie unerwartet auf zwei Männer namens Luca und Arian. Sie lernt sie im Grunde nur kennen, weil sie versucht zu helfen wo eigentlich keine Hilfe nötig gewesen wäre.
Bei dieser Hilfe gibt sich auch ihr beherbergter Wolf zu erkennen und versucht die beiden Männer anzugreifen. Glücklicherweise wissen die sich zu helfen und können alles im Zaum halten.
Schon kurze Zeit später findet sich Frost in Gefangenschaft, dann in Freiheit und schließlich in einer Armee aus Kriegern wieder.
Nun stellt sich die Frage...kann sie ihren Wolf bändigen, findet sie Freunde und was ist die Aufgabe dieser Krieger überhaupt?
Die Charaktere:
Hier geht es vor allem um Frost, die eigentlich Saram Aeskaars heißt und diesen Spitznamen von früher mit sich herumträgt.
Sie ist ein sehr verschüchtertes, zurückhaltendes, ängstliches und dennoch starkes Mädchen welche schon in früheren Zeiten eher als Mannsweib bezeichnet wurde.
Sie schlägt sich durch viele Gefahren und Situationen durch, welche sie mit ihrem jungen Alter noch nicht hätte durchstehen müssen. Doch statt daran zu wachsen, wächst eher ihre Angst und nährt damit den beherbergten Wolf.
Luca ist ein weiterer wichtiger Charakter, neben noch einigen anderen. Er ist zum einen sehr stark und zum anderen glaubt er insgesamt an das Gute. Egal wie viel schlechtes es gibt, es gibt auch immer so viel Gutes. Dazu versucht er immer allen zu helfen und stellt sich selber hinten an. Eine vielversprechende und offene Persönlichkeit, welche hier geschaffen wurde.
Ein weiterer interessanter und prägender Charakter ist Arian. Er ist ein sehr guter Freund von Luca und ist schon lange an seiner Seite. Er ist so ein bisschen der Rüpel, welcher außen Hart und innen Weich ist. Ein richtiger kleiner Macho, welcher sich im Laufe des Buches aber durchaus als ein wirklich toller Charakter herausstellt.
Meine Meinung:
Kurz nachdem ich das Buch angefangen habe, war ich eigentlich schon mitten drinnen. Sofort konnte ich mich in Frost hineinversetzen und mit ihr mitleiden.
Die Schriftweise des Buches ist sehr angenehm. Sie ist verständlich, fließend und schön beschreibend aufgebaut. Man kann sich wirklich die Gegend und die Personen vorstellen, mitten hineingezogen werden wenn man es zulässt.
Angenehm fand ich, dass die Vergangenheit von Frost immer in kursiver Schrift geschrieben wurde und man somit genau wusste wann es die Gegenwart ist und wann nicht.
Dazu gibt es immer zwischendurch Seiten, in welchen ein Lied oder ein Gedicht eingebaut wurde, welches von Blumenranken umgeben wurde. Eine tolle Zwischeneinlage die schön aussieht und einen kurz inne halten und über das Buch nachdenken lässt.
Das Buch ist aus der Sichtweise von Frost geschrieben, sodass man nur bedingt die anderen Personen kennenlernt. Doch da diese teilweise sehr offen zu Frost sind um ihr die Angst zu nehmen, kommt man durchaus an verschiedene Hintergrundinformationen dran mit welchen man die Charaktere besser einschätzen kann.
Mit dem Buch wächst auch Frost. Zwar nur sehr langsam, doch das ist gut nachvollziehbar und wunderbar geschrieben. Man merkt dass die Angst und die Zurückhaltung langsam zurück gehen und irgendwann auch bei ihr der Faden gerissen ist, sodass sie sicher besser einschätzen und zu kontrollieren weiß.
Durch Frost lernt man auch ganz gut die Charaktere Luca und Arian mit der Zeit kennen. Sie sind von ihren Charakteren recht unterschiedlich und doch merkt man schon von Anfang an eine sehr starke Bindung.
Die Charaktere wurden meines Erachtens sehr gut, liebevoll, detailgetreu und vielschichtig ausgearbeitet. Sie haben verschiedene Facetten, die man nach und nach kennenlernt. Sie sind einfach Menschen die in den unterschiedlichsten Situation auf bestimmte Art und Weise reagieren.
Was natürlich auch in diesem Fantasybuch nicht fehlen darf ist die Liebe. Sie wird langsam sichtbar und versucht sich festzusetzen. Allerdings lässt sich Frost nicht allzu schnell darauf ein und zweifelt immer wieder daran ob es sein kann und ob es überhaupt sein darf.
Zwei interessante und faszinierende Kerle und eine Frost. Nun ich würde sagen, da fällt die Entscheidung nicht immer so leicht wer der richtige ist oder?
Frostblüte von Zoë Marriott - Seiten
Glücklicherweise muss ich sagen, dass nur bedingt eine Dreiecksbeziehung entsteht. Ich hatte arge Bedenken, dass sich das ganze weiter ausbreitet wie in den meisten derzeitigen Jugendbüchern. Doch hier ist es nicht so extrem. Zwar merkt man, dass es entstehen könnte aber schlussendlich nur bedingt in Erscheinung tritt.
Für mich noch akzeptabel und gut umgesetzt.
Die Geschichte selber ist sehr schön aufgebaut. Man merkt die Phantasie-Bereiche sehr gut und kann mit den Charakteren mitfühlen. Durch Frost erfährt man sehr viel über ihre Vergangenheit, ihre Familie aber auch über die anderen wichtigen Personen. Der Leser wird in diese Welt hineingezogen und damit belohnt, dass er vieles kennenlernt und die Charaktere versteht.
Der Handlungsstrang zieht sich meines Erachtens an einem roten Faden durch und verliert ihn an keiner Stelle. Ich konnte alles sehr gut nachvollziehen und verstehen, ohne große Probleme dabei zu haben. Dazu fand ich die Aufteilung der Aufklärungen und Hintergründe sehr gut gewählt. Man hat immer stückchenweise neue Dinge erfahren, ohne überladen zu sein.
Das Buchende hatte ich so wie es geschrieben wurde nicht erwartet. Es ist traurig und dennoch mit Erfolg gekrönt. Es sterben Charakter die man lieb gewonnen hat und mit Frost gemeinsam vermisst, aber so ist es leider bei einem Kampf. Nicht nur die Bösen sterben, auch die Guten kann es immer wieder treffen.
Trotz, dass das Ende des Buches einen traurigen Schatten hat finde ich es sehr gut gelungen. Wobei ein Teil des Endes mich doch hat aufstöhnen lassen, aber gut, es kann nicht immer nach dem eigenen Willen gehen. ;)
Ich habe das Buch dennoch aus der Hand gelegt und war mehr oder weniger zufrieden. Es ist schön abgeschlossen worden, sodass der Leser mit einem guten Gefühl das „Ende“ verarbeiten kann.
Mit diesem Buch Frostblüte hat Zoe Marriott einen wirklich fantasiereichen, liebevollen, kämpferischen, mitfühlenden und einfach nur tollen Jugendroman geschrieben. Er hat mich von der ersten Seite an mitgerissen und in eine Welt mit Vorurteilen, Angst, Trauer aber auch Hoffnung, Liebe, Zusammenhalt und Verständnis geführt.
Ich war wirklich begeistert und kann dieses Buch nur jedem Fantasy-Fan empfehlen. Es ist eine tolle Geschichte, die super umgesetzt wurde und zu keinem Zeitpunkt an Spannung verliert.
Hier kann ich gerne 4 Sterne geben, denn mich hat das Buch auf alle Fälle überzeugt.
Mein Fazit:
Zum Schluss kann ich nur sagen, dass dieses Fantasy-Buch wirklich einen Blick oder auch zwei Wert ist. Die Geschichte ist super erzählt, denn man wird als Leser regelrecht an die Seiten gefesselt. Man möchte wissen wie es weitergeht mit Frost, Arian und Luca.
Schade finde ich, dass dieses Buch nur ein Einzelband ist. Man hätte durchaus noch mehr daraus machen können. Doch es muss auch einfach mal schöne Einzelbände geben: ;o)
Das Taschenbuchcover finde ich sehr interessant und hat mich dadurch erst neugierig gemacht, ansonsten wäre ich vielleicht gar nicht auf die Leserunde aufmerksam geworden.
Der Wolf, welcher ein Mädchen beherbergt. Ein interessantes Bild, welches ansprechend, mysteriös und geheimnisvoll wirkt. :)
Der Inhalt:
Es geht um Frost, welche nach vielen Hürden die ihr als Kind bisher begegnen sind nun versucht eine Lösung zu finden. Diese Lösung für ihr leidiges Problem soll sie laut einer ihr persönlich nahestehenden Person aufsuchen.
Auf ihrer Reise trifft sie unerwartet auf zwei Männer namens Luca und Arian. Sie lernt sie im Grunde nur kennen, weil sie versucht zu helfen wo eigentlich keine Hilfe nötig gewesen wäre.
Bei dieser Hilfe gibt sich auch ihr beherbergter Wolf zu erkennen und versucht die beiden Männer anzugreifen. Glücklicherweise wissen die sich zu helfen und können alles im Zaum halten.
Schon kurze Zeit später findet sich Frost in Gefangenschaft, dann in Freiheit und schließlich in einer Armee aus Kriegern wieder.
Nun stellt sich die Frage...kann sie ihren Wolf bändigen, findet sie Freunde und was ist die Aufgabe dieser Krieger überhaupt?
Die Charaktere:
Hier geht es vor allem um Frost, die eigentlich Saram Aeskaars heißt und diesen Spitznamen von früher mit sich herumträgt.
Sie ist ein sehr verschüchtertes, zurückhaltendes, ängstliches und dennoch starkes Mädchen welche schon in früheren Zeiten eher als Mannsweib bezeichnet wurde.
Sie schlägt sich durch viele Gefahren und Situationen durch, welche sie mit ihrem jungen Alter noch nicht hätte durchstehen müssen. Doch statt daran zu wachsen, wächst eher ihre Angst und nährt damit den beherbergten Wolf.
Luca ist ein weiterer wichtiger Charakter, neben noch einigen anderen. Er ist zum einen sehr stark und zum anderen glaubt er insgesamt an das Gute. Egal wie viel schlechtes es gibt, es gibt auch immer so viel Gutes. Dazu versucht er immer allen zu helfen und stellt sich selber hinten an. Eine vielversprechende und offene Persönlichkeit, welche hier geschaffen wurde.
Ein weiterer interessanter und prägender Charakter ist Arian. Er ist ein sehr guter Freund von Luca und ist schon lange an seiner Seite. Er ist so ein bisschen der Rüpel, welcher außen Hart und innen Weich ist. Ein richtiger kleiner Macho, welcher sich im Laufe des Buches aber durchaus als ein wirklich toller Charakter herausstellt.
Meine Meinung:
Kurz nachdem ich das Buch angefangen habe, war ich eigentlich schon mitten drinnen. Sofort konnte ich mich in Frost hineinversetzen und mit ihr mitleiden.
Die Schriftweise des Buches ist sehr angenehm. Sie ist verständlich, fließend und schön beschreibend aufgebaut. Man kann sich wirklich die Gegend und die Personen vorstellen, mitten hineingezogen werden wenn man es zulässt.
Angenehm fand ich, dass die Vergangenheit von Frost immer in kursiver Schrift geschrieben wurde und man somit genau wusste wann es die Gegenwart ist und wann nicht.
Dazu gibt es immer zwischendurch Seiten, in welchen ein Lied oder ein Gedicht eingebaut wurde, welches von Blumenranken umgeben wurde. Eine tolle Zwischeneinlage die schön aussieht und einen kurz inne halten und über das Buch nachdenken lässt.
Das Buch ist aus der Sichtweise von Frost geschrieben, sodass man nur bedingt die anderen Personen kennenlernt. Doch da diese teilweise sehr offen zu Frost sind um ihr die Angst zu nehmen, kommt man durchaus an verschiedene Hintergrundinformationen dran mit welchen man die Charaktere besser einschätzen kann.
Mit dem Buch wächst auch Frost. Zwar nur sehr langsam, doch das ist gut nachvollziehbar und wunderbar geschrieben. Man merkt dass die Angst und die Zurückhaltung langsam zurück gehen und irgendwann auch bei ihr der Faden gerissen ist, sodass sie sicher besser einschätzen und zu kontrollieren weiß.
Durch Frost lernt man auch ganz gut die Charaktere Luca und Arian mit der Zeit kennen. Sie sind von ihren Charakteren recht unterschiedlich und doch merkt man schon von Anfang an eine sehr starke Bindung.
Die Charaktere wurden meines Erachtens sehr gut, liebevoll, detailgetreu und vielschichtig ausgearbeitet. Sie haben verschiedene Facetten, die man nach und nach kennenlernt. Sie sind einfach Menschen die in den unterschiedlichsten Situation auf bestimmte Art und Weise reagieren.
Was natürlich auch in diesem Fantasybuch nicht fehlen darf ist die Liebe. Sie wird langsam sichtbar und versucht sich festzusetzen. Allerdings lässt sich Frost nicht allzu schnell darauf ein und zweifelt immer wieder daran ob es sein kann und ob es überhaupt sein darf.
Zwei interessante und faszinierende Kerle und eine Frost. Nun ich würde sagen, da fällt die Entscheidung nicht immer so leicht wer der richtige ist oder?
Frostblüte von Zoë Marriott - Seiten
Glücklicherweise muss ich sagen, dass nur bedingt eine Dreiecksbeziehung entsteht. Ich hatte arge Bedenken, dass sich das ganze weiter ausbreitet wie in den meisten derzeitigen Jugendbüchern. Doch hier ist es nicht so extrem. Zwar merkt man, dass es entstehen könnte aber schlussendlich nur bedingt in Erscheinung tritt.
Für mich noch akzeptabel und gut umgesetzt.
Die Geschichte selber ist sehr schön aufgebaut. Man merkt die Phantasie-Bereiche sehr gut und kann mit den Charakteren mitfühlen. Durch Frost erfährt man sehr viel über ihre Vergangenheit, ihre Familie aber auch über die anderen wichtigen Personen. Der Leser wird in diese Welt hineingezogen und damit belohnt, dass er vieles kennenlernt und die Charaktere versteht.
Der Handlungsstrang zieht sich meines Erachtens an einem roten Faden durch und verliert ihn an keiner Stelle. Ich konnte alles sehr gut nachvollziehen und verstehen, ohne große Probleme dabei zu haben. Dazu fand ich die Aufteilung der Aufklärungen und Hintergründe sehr gut gewählt. Man hat immer stückchenweise neue Dinge erfahren, ohne überladen zu sein.
Das Buchende hatte ich so wie es geschrieben wurde nicht erwartet. Es ist traurig und dennoch mit Erfolg gekrönt. Es sterben Charakter die man lieb gewonnen hat und mit Frost gemeinsam vermisst, aber so ist es leider bei einem Kampf. Nicht nur die Bösen sterben, auch die Guten kann es immer wieder treffen.
Trotz, dass das Ende des Buches einen traurigen Schatten hat finde ich es sehr gut gelungen. Wobei ein Teil des Endes mich doch hat aufstöhnen lassen, aber gut, es kann nicht immer nach dem eigenen Willen gehen. ;)
Ich habe das Buch dennoch aus der Hand gelegt und war mehr oder weniger zufrieden. Es ist schön abgeschlossen worden, sodass der Leser mit einem guten Gefühl das „Ende“ verarbeiten kann.
Mit diesem Buch Frostblüte hat Zoe Marriott einen wirklich fantasiereichen, liebevollen, kämpferischen, mitfühlenden und einfach nur tollen Jugendroman geschrieben. Er hat mich von der ersten Seite an mitgerissen und in eine Welt mit Vorurteilen, Angst, Trauer aber auch Hoffnung, Liebe, Zusammenhalt und Verständnis geführt.
Ich war wirklich begeistert und kann dieses Buch nur jedem Fantasy-Fan empfehlen. Es ist eine tolle Geschichte, die super umgesetzt wurde und zu keinem Zeitpunkt an Spannung verliert.
Hier kann ich gerne 4 Sterne geben, denn mich hat das Buch auf alle Fälle überzeugt.
Mein Fazit:
Zum Schluss kann ich nur sagen, dass dieses Fantasy-Buch wirklich einen Blick oder auch zwei Wert ist. Die Geschichte ist super erzählt, denn man wird als Leser regelrecht an die Seiten gefesselt. Man möchte wissen wie es weitergeht mit Frost, Arian und Luca.
Schade finde ich, dass dieses Buch nur ein Einzelband ist. Man hätte durchaus noch mehr daraus machen können. Doch es muss auch einfach mal schöne Einzelbände geben: ;o)
February 16, 2022
Inhalt :
Nachdem die Mutter der jungen Frost verstorben ist, macht sie diese auf den Weg durch die Berge auf die Suche nach der Urmutter, von welcher sie sich Heilung erhofft. Denn Frost ist nicht normal. Sie trägt seit ihrer Geburt einen Wolfsdämon in sich, welcher immer dann zum Vorschein kommt, wenn ein Tropfen ihres Blutes vergossen wird und wahllos jeden angreift, der ihnen in diesem Wahn in die Quere kommt.
Als Frost ihr Ziel fast erreicht hat, wird sie Zeugin eines Hinterhalts und verspürt das Gefühl helfen zu müssen. Dabei stürzt sie zusammen mit einem Schafhirten eine Felswand hinunter und verletzt sich. Schließlich kommt der Wolf in ihr hervor und besiegt die Angreifer und tötet auch fast die, die sie eigentlich beschützen wollte. Als Frost wieder zu sich kommt, findet sie sich in einem Zelt wieder. Wie sie bald erfährt, befindet sie sich in einem Zelt der Berggarde, welche ihr anbieten sich ihnen anzuschließen. Sie zögert, denn sie hat Angst den Menschen, welche sie so offen aufgenommen haben, etwas anzutun. Zudem sind in dem Dorf zwei Männer die Frosts Herz höher schlagen lassen, doch sie weiß, wenn sie sich ihren Gefühlen hingibt, werden sie von ihr - von ihrem Dämon - ungebracht....
Meine Meinung :
Wie bin ich an das Buch gekommen ? - Nun ja. Vor einiger Zeit habe ich mich bei Blogg dein Buch angemeldet. Kennt ihr die Seite ? Bei BdB könnt ihr euch mit eurem Blog anmelden (Voraussetzung: min. ein Beitrag pro Woche, euer Blog muss min. 3 Monate bestehen, er sollte regelmäßige Besucher aufweisen) und euch anschließend auf der Aktionsseite für ein Buch bewerben. Der Verlag sucht sich nach Abschluss der Bewerbungsfrist eine bestimmte Anzahl an Blogs raus, die dann ein gratis Exemplar des Buches erhalten und dieses dann rezensieren müssen. Eine geniale Idee wie ich finde !
Tja. - Unser Blog wurde bei Blogg dein Buch vom Carlsen Verlag ausgewählt, um Frostblüte zu rezensieren. Danke an alle die mir das ermöglicht haben ! :)
Ich mochte den Schreibstil der Autorin sehr gerne, weshalb sich das Buch auch sehr leicht und flüssig hat lesen lassen.
Man ist gleich in der Handlung drin und wird auf den ersten Seiten mit Frosts Situation konfrontiert, weshalb man das Buch eigentlich überhaupt nicht mehr aus der Hand legen möchte.
Die Autorin hat das Buch so geschrieben, dass es eine gewisse Grundspannung entsteht, welche sich wie ein Faden durch die gesamte Handlung zieht. Zwar steigt der Spannungspegel immer wieder, geht jedoch nicht unter besagte Grundspannungsgrenze (ist das verständlich ? ☺)
Fangen wir mit der Hauptprotagonistin an.
Eigentlich heißt Frost Saram, was dies übersetzt bedeutet erfahrt ihr, wenn ihr das Buch lest. Sie ist ein mutiges, junges Mädchen die jedoch keinen an sich heran lässt. - Und das aus gutem Grund, denn seit ihrer Geburt lastet ein Fluch auf ihr. Der Fluch des Wolfsdämonen. Wenn sie von einem Angreifer so verletzt wird, dass sie auch nur einen Tropfen ihres eigenen Blutes sieht, kommt der Wolf in ihr an die Oberfläche. Er tötet alles und jeden, ob Freund, ob Feind, ohne mit der (ihrer) Wimper zu zucken. Das hat Frost schon in ihrer Kindheit stark zugesetzt.
In dem Buch gibt es häufig Rückblenden, die das Leben der jungen Frost zeigen. Man sieht, was für eine schreckliche Kindheit sie hatte. Frosts Vater ist gestorben bevor sie geboren wurde, nichtsdestotrotz hört sie seine Stimme in ihren Träumen aus dem Wolf sprechen, ihr ehemaliges Heimatdorf wollte sie verbrennen, nachdem der Dämon in ihr zwei Kinder angegriffen hat und im Anschluss daran hat ihre Mutter sie schließlich verstoßen und ist Jahre danach mit einer, mit jedem erzwungenen Umzug, dicker werdenden Eisschicht um ihr Herz (vgl. Seite 129) gestorben.
Luca ist der Anführer der Berggade. Er ist ein sehr selbstbewusster, gutaussehender, gutmütiger Krieger, der immer versucht das beste im Menschen zu sehen. So auch in der verschlossenen Frost. Luca beginnt Frost zu mögen und möchte sie dazu überreden der Berggade beizutreten. Dabei kommen sich die beiden sehr nah, was Luca nicht schlimm findet, Frost jedoch versucht ihm mit allen Mitteln Angst vor ihr einzujagen, weil sie Angst hat, dass sie ihm oder jemand anderem eines Tages etwas antun könnte, wenn der Wolf in ihr hervorbricht.
Arian ist der Bruder von Luca und fast das genaue Gegenteil von ihm. Er und Frost lernen sich unter eher unglücklichen Umständen kennen, weshalb Arian sofort eine starke Abneigung gegen sie zu entwickeln scheint. Keiner im Dorf kann ihn mit seiner schroffen leiden. Alle außer Luca.
Im Verlauf der Geschichte wird klar, dass die beiden jungen Männer Gefühle für Frost übrig haben. Und Frost für sie. So entsteht ein kompliziertes Liebesdreieck und Frost ahnt, dass es nicht gut enden wird, denn der Wolf rückt immer mehr in ihr Bewusstsein und kann die Kontrolle auch schon bei überwältigenden Gefühlen übernehmen und so alle die sie liebt umbringen. Wie wird sie sich entscheiden ?
Das Ende fand ich persönlich sehr gelungen. Ich würde euch jetzt gerne darüber erzählen, aber dann würde ich womöglich abschweifen und euch den ganzen Lesespaß nehmen. - Und das möchte ich ja nicht. Eine Hinweis gebe ich euch trotzdem. Ich fand das Ende schön und traurig zugleich.
Und zum Schluss dürft ihr nicht vergessen : Man hat immer eine Wahl [Luca]
»Ich war kein Mensch, nicht im eigentlichen Sinne. Es war nicht meine eigene Wut, ich auf die Welt loszulassen drohte, sondern der unersättliche Appetit des Wolfes, der nur nach dem Tod lechzte.«
Seite 166 / 167
»Er hatte mich - den knurrenden, mächtigen Wolf, den er in mir sah - ans Licht zerren wollen. Mit Sicherheit war ihm überhaupt nicht bewusst, dass es in seiner Macht stand, mir Angst einzujagen, dass ich schwächer war als er, dass ich nicht zurückschlagen konnte, selbst wenn ich es wollte. Als er seinen Irrtum bemerkt hatte, war es schon zu spät gewesen.«
Seite 197
»"Wo wirst du hingehen Frost? Wo kannst du schon hinlaufen, um vor dir selbst sicher zu sein? Wenn du dich dem jetzt nicht stellst, wirst du bis ans Ende deines Lebens auf der Flucht sein. Zu verängstigt, um zu kämpfen. Zu verängstigt, um zu lieben. Und du wirst niemals frei sein."«
Seite 327
Cover :
Ich finde das Cover sehr passend, denn zu sehen ist ein Wolf, in dessen inneren ein Mädchen zu sehen ist, welche sehr wahrscheinlich Frost darstellen soll. Der Wolf könnte den Wolfsdämonen zeigen. Der Hintergrund ist weiß, was den Schnee und die Kälte, welche Frost immer überkommen sobald der Wolfsdämon sich ihrer bemächtigt, symbolisieren soll.
Fazit :
Ein tolles Buch, das mich von Anfang an gefesselt hat. Starke Charaktere, eine immer spannend bleibende Handlung und der tolle Schreibstil der Autorin habe das Buch zu dem gemacht was es ist. - Ein absolut lesenswertes Buch, welches ich gerne weiterempfehlen werde. 5 von 5 Herzen für eine tolle Geschichte über Vertrauen, Vergebung, Freundschaft und Stärke.
Nachdem die Mutter der jungen Frost verstorben ist, macht sie diese auf den Weg durch die Berge auf die Suche nach der Urmutter, von welcher sie sich Heilung erhofft. Denn Frost ist nicht normal. Sie trägt seit ihrer Geburt einen Wolfsdämon in sich, welcher immer dann zum Vorschein kommt, wenn ein Tropfen ihres Blutes vergossen wird und wahllos jeden angreift, der ihnen in diesem Wahn in die Quere kommt.
Als Frost ihr Ziel fast erreicht hat, wird sie Zeugin eines Hinterhalts und verspürt das Gefühl helfen zu müssen. Dabei stürzt sie zusammen mit einem Schafhirten eine Felswand hinunter und verletzt sich. Schließlich kommt der Wolf in ihr hervor und besiegt die Angreifer und tötet auch fast die, die sie eigentlich beschützen wollte. Als Frost wieder zu sich kommt, findet sie sich in einem Zelt wieder. Wie sie bald erfährt, befindet sie sich in einem Zelt der Berggarde, welche ihr anbieten sich ihnen anzuschließen. Sie zögert, denn sie hat Angst den Menschen, welche sie so offen aufgenommen haben, etwas anzutun. Zudem sind in dem Dorf zwei Männer die Frosts Herz höher schlagen lassen, doch sie weiß, wenn sie sich ihren Gefühlen hingibt, werden sie von ihr - von ihrem Dämon - ungebracht....
Meine Meinung :
Wie bin ich an das Buch gekommen ? - Nun ja. Vor einiger Zeit habe ich mich bei Blogg dein Buch angemeldet. Kennt ihr die Seite ? Bei BdB könnt ihr euch mit eurem Blog anmelden (Voraussetzung: min. ein Beitrag pro Woche, euer Blog muss min. 3 Monate bestehen, er sollte regelmäßige Besucher aufweisen) und euch anschließend auf der Aktionsseite für ein Buch bewerben. Der Verlag sucht sich nach Abschluss der Bewerbungsfrist eine bestimmte Anzahl an Blogs raus, die dann ein gratis Exemplar des Buches erhalten und dieses dann rezensieren müssen. Eine geniale Idee wie ich finde !
Tja. - Unser Blog wurde bei Blogg dein Buch vom Carlsen Verlag ausgewählt, um Frostblüte zu rezensieren. Danke an alle die mir das ermöglicht haben ! :)
Ich mochte den Schreibstil der Autorin sehr gerne, weshalb sich das Buch auch sehr leicht und flüssig hat lesen lassen.
Man ist gleich in der Handlung drin und wird auf den ersten Seiten mit Frosts Situation konfrontiert, weshalb man das Buch eigentlich überhaupt nicht mehr aus der Hand legen möchte.
Die Autorin hat das Buch so geschrieben, dass es eine gewisse Grundspannung entsteht, welche sich wie ein Faden durch die gesamte Handlung zieht. Zwar steigt der Spannungspegel immer wieder, geht jedoch nicht unter besagte Grundspannungsgrenze (ist das verständlich ? ☺)
Fangen wir mit der Hauptprotagonistin an.
Eigentlich heißt Frost Saram, was dies übersetzt bedeutet erfahrt ihr, wenn ihr das Buch lest. Sie ist ein mutiges, junges Mädchen die jedoch keinen an sich heran lässt. - Und das aus gutem Grund, denn seit ihrer Geburt lastet ein Fluch auf ihr. Der Fluch des Wolfsdämonen. Wenn sie von einem Angreifer so verletzt wird, dass sie auch nur einen Tropfen ihres eigenen Blutes sieht, kommt der Wolf in ihr an die Oberfläche. Er tötet alles und jeden, ob Freund, ob Feind, ohne mit der (ihrer) Wimper zu zucken. Das hat Frost schon in ihrer Kindheit stark zugesetzt.
In dem Buch gibt es häufig Rückblenden, die das Leben der jungen Frost zeigen. Man sieht, was für eine schreckliche Kindheit sie hatte. Frosts Vater ist gestorben bevor sie geboren wurde, nichtsdestotrotz hört sie seine Stimme in ihren Träumen aus dem Wolf sprechen, ihr ehemaliges Heimatdorf wollte sie verbrennen, nachdem der Dämon in ihr zwei Kinder angegriffen hat und im Anschluss daran hat ihre Mutter sie schließlich verstoßen und ist Jahre danach mit einer, mit jedem erzwungenen Umzug, dicker werdenden Eisschicht um ihr Herz (vgl. Seite 129) gestorben.
Luca ist der Anführer der Berggade. Er ist ein sehr selbstbewusster, gutaussehender, gutmütiger Krieger, der immer versucht das beste im Menschen zu sehen. So auch in der verschlossenen Frost. Luca beginnt Frost zu mögen und möchte sie dazu überreden der Berggade beizutreten. Dabei kommen sich die beiden sehr nah, was Luca nicht schlimm findet, Frost jedoch versucht ihm mit allen Mitteln Angst vor ihr einzujagen, weil sie Angst hat, dass sie ihm oder jemand anderem eines Tages etwas antun könnte, wenn der Wolf in ihr hervorbricht.
Arian ist der Bruder von Luca und fast das genaue Gegenteil von ihm. Er und Frost lernen sich unter eher unglücklichen Umständen kennen, weshalb Arian sofort eine starke Abneigung gegen sie zu entwickeln scheint. Keiner im Dorf kann ihn mit seiner schroffen leiden. Alle außer Luca.
Im Verlauf der Geschichte wird klar, dass die beiden jungen Männer Gefühle für Frost übrig haben. Und Frost für sie. So entsteht ein kompliziertes Liebesdreieck und Frost ahnt, dass es nicht gut enden wird, denn der Wolf rückt immer mehr in ihr Bewusstsein und kann die Kontrolle auch schon bei überwältigenden Gefühlen übernehmen und so alle die sie liebt umbringen. Wie wird sie sich entscheiden ?
Das Ende fand ich persönlich sehr gelungen. Ich würde euch jetzt gerne darüber erzählen, aber dann würde ich womöglich abschweifen und euch den ganzen Lesespaß nehmen. - Und das möchte ich ja nicht. Eine Hinweis gebe ich euch trotzdem. Ich fand das Ende schön und traurig zugleich.
Und zum Schluss dürft ihr nicht vergessen : Man hat immer eine Wahl [Luca]
»Ich war kein Mensch, nicht im eigentlichen Sinne. Es war nicht meine eigene Wut, ich auf die Welt loszulassen drohte, sondern der unersättliche Appetit des Wolfes, der nur nach dem Tod lechzte.«
Seite 166 / 167
»Er hatte mich - den knurrenden, mächtigen Wolf, den er in mir sah - ans Licht zerren wollen. Mit Sicherheit war ihm überhaupt nicht bewusst, dass es in seiner Macht stand, mir Angst einzujagen, dass ich schwächer war als er, dass ich nicht zurückschlagen konnte, selbst wenn ich es wollte. Als er seinen Irrtum bemerkt hatte, war es schon zu spät gewesen.«
Seite 197
»"Wo wirst du hingehen Frost? Wo kannst du schon hinlaufen, um vor dir selbst sicher zu sein? Wenn du dich dem jetzt nicht stellst, wirst du bis ans Ende deines Lebens auf der Flucht sein. Zu verängstigt, um zu kämpfen. Zu verängstigt, um zu lieben. Und du wirst niemals frei sein."«
Seite 327
Cover :
Ich finde das Cover sehr passend, denn zu sehen ist ein Wolf, in dessen inneren ein Mädchen zu sehen ist, welche sehr wahrscheinlich Frost darstellen soll. Der Wolf könnte den Wolfsdämonen zeigen. Der Hintergrund ist weiß, was den Schnee und die Kälte, welche Frost immer überkommen sobald der Wolfsdämon sich ihrer bemächtigt, symbolisieren soll.
Fazit :
Ein tolles Buch, das mich von Anfang an gefesselt hat. Starke Charaktere, eine immer spannend bleibende Handlung und der tolle Schreibstil der Autorin habe das Buch zu dem gemacht was es ist. - Ein absolut lesenswertes Buch, welches ich gerne weiterempfehlen werde. 5 von 5 Herzen für eine tolle Geschichte über Vertrauen, Vergebung, Freundschaft und Stärke.
October 12, 2021
I picked up this book about 7 years ago at a small book sale and waited a year or so before I read it. I remember being absolutely fascinated by it and this along with A Court Of Thorns and Roses, I would say, are the books that introduced me to the types of books I love reading today. It became one of my all time favourites and I would read my favourite chapters and skim the rest of the book basically every month. I lost it several years ago now but since re-entering my reading phase last year I have always wondered what my thoughts would be of it now given the fact I have read so many incredible books since so I got myself a new copy.
Since this is a book that means a lot to me I want to get the negatives out of the way immediately: I didn’t like the Wolf. I understand that the presence of the Wolf within Frost is what made this book a ‘fantasy’ novel but I personally would have been more than happy without the inclusion of the Wolf and had Frost, with her still troubled background, train as a Hill Guard.
Otherwise, I still adore this book! I’m aware that some of the tropes seem quite forced and cliché (love triangle, ‘I’m not like other girls’, etc.) but it makes Frostfire a guilty pleasure read for me. The writing may be slightly more immature but there are very few books that can get me so invested characters personal lives to the point I do not care what the plot is.
As it has been quite a few years, I could not quite remember the ending. Since reading it again I realise I wanted to forget as it has so many plot twists that genuinely hurt me due to how invested I am. It’s an incredible book and also a very captivating one which made it a very quick read for me as well.
The actual physical book may not be up to everyone’s taste and honestly if I read it for the first time now I probably would not be as in love with it as I am now but this book is so incredibly special to me and I love it so much.
Since this is a book that means a lot to me I want to get the negatives out of the way immediately: I didn’t like the Wolf. I understand that the presence of the Wolf within Frost is what made this book a ‘fantasy’ novel but I personally would have been more than happy without the inclusion of the Wolf and had Frost, with her still troubled background, train as a Hill Guard.
Otherwise, I still adore this book! I’m aware that some of the tropes seem quite forced and cliché (love triangle, ‘I’m not like other girls’, etc.) but it makes Frostfire a guilty pleasure read for me. The writing may be slightly more immature but there are very few books that can get me so invested characters personal lives to the point I do not care what the plot is.
As it has been quite a few years, I could not quite remember the ending. Since reading it again I realise I wanted to forget as it has so many plot twists that genuinely hurt me due to how invested I am. It’s an incredible book and also a very captivating one which made it a very quick read for me as well.
The actual physical book may not be up to everyone’s taste and honestly if I read it for the first time now I probably would not be as in love with it as I am now but this book is so incredibly special to me and I love it so much.
May 30, 2020
"Where are you going to go, Frost? Where can you possibly run to be safe from yourself?"
Possessed by a wolf demon that she can't control, Frost is too scared to get close to anyone. But when she unwittingly rescues two warriors she finds herself accepted into a band of misfits that teach her how to embrace love and friendship again. And how to accept herself.
This was an enjoyable read, and I really enjoyed Frosts story and how she learned to face her demons and to stand and fight for what she believes in rather than continuing to run away.
I found some things a bit unnessacary (the continued references to skin colour) and the resolution to the so-called love triangle felt like a bit of a cop-out 🙈🤷♀️ I also feel that there could have been more of an explanation to Luca, to his speed and strength and 'otherworld-ness', which seemed to be slightly overlooked. I kept expecting there to be a big reveal so over all the second half of the book fell a bit....flat?
Possessed by a wolf demon that she can't control, Frost is too scared to get close to anyone. But when she unwittingly rescues two warriors she finds herself accepted into a band of misfits that teach her how to embrace love and friendship again. And how to accept herself.
This was an enjoyable read, and I really enjoyed Frosts story and how she learned to face her demons and to stand and fight for what she believes in rather than continuing to run away.
I found some things a bit unnessacary (the continued references to skin colour) and the resolution to the so-called love triangle felt like a bit of a cop-out 🙈🤷♀️ I also feel that there could have been more of an explanation to Luca, to his speed and strength and 'otherworld-ness', which seemed to be slightly overlooked. I kept expecting there to be a big reveal so over all the second half of the book fell a bit....flat?
February 17, 2021
I had read this book before when I was younger and fell in love with it and now picked it up again, several years later. Still in love! I adore the characters, the protagonist as well as Luca and Arian, and laughed and cried with them. A LOT. Yes, it has a love triangle but it is done in a very good way, quite different than in most other books. And apart from that, maybe most importantly, I think it as quite a wise, spiritual book. Teachings don't always come in the form of the lecture or an educational book - fiction and especially Fantasy can often be very insightful and contain a lot of truth. In my eyes this is a very good example for that.
As for the writing stile I thought it was very pleasant, atmospheric, effortless to read and never boring. One of my favourite books!
As for the writing stile I thought it was very pleasant, atmospheric, effortless to read and never boring. One of my favourite books!
May 27, 2017
Meh. Love triangle of the worst kind, where the heroine behaves in an appallingly selfish manner and the love interest I was rooting for loses. Meh.
Also I wished she really did
Also I wished she really did
Read
April 18, 2017Earlier this week, I reviewed DAUGHTER OF THE FLAMES, a book that precedes FROSTFIRE in the world of Ruan. However, you don't need to read the books in any particular order. It's perfectly fine to read FROSTFIRE first. While some characters are mentioned, the two books don't rely on one another in order to make sense. In this sense, the two books remind me of companion novels MISTWOOD and NIGHTSPELL by Leah Cypess, where the books are linked in small ways, but independent of one another. A more popular example would be to compare the companion novels GRACELING and FIRE by Kristin Cashore, except there's not a major character sharing the two books the way there is in this example, so it's not a perfect match. Zoë Marriott has also written the amazing, nuanced SHADOWS ON THE MOON, which is both a fairy tale and original fantasy at the same time, as well as fairy tale retelling THE SWAN KINGDOM. The Ruan books her first original fantasy novels not reliant on retellings.
Like with all of my other recent brushes with a Zoë Marriott novel, I am once again at a loss when trying to convey how wonderful her writing is to the uninitiated. If you're a fan of intricate fantasy, you must pick up a novel by her at once. At first, I wasn't sure what to think when I read the synopsis for FROSTFIRE. It mentioned wolves in a way that made me fear Marriott was taking a paranormal turn and was going to be springing werewolves at us. That's not the case at all, so I'm glad I blind-bought this one. Marriott is quickly becoming one of my favorite YA fantasy writers, and I'm sad I have nothing new left by her to read.
In my eyes, FROSTFIRE might be Marriott's most complex novel yet in terms of character development. While I'll warn you that there is a love triangle at play, Marriott handles it in a better way than most YA writers. Oftentimes I groan and roll my eyes when there's a triangle because it's become such a cliche. Plus, the author always leans toward one guy over the other and you know the outcome early on. Not so with Marriott. She builds relationships between all of the characters in unexpected ways, and I wound up loving all of the characters. I would be hard-pressed to choose what I expected at the novel's end because I kept changing my mind. Interestingly, Marriott herself has said that she didn't always know the outcome of this one. Marriott also builds on the unique mythology she infused into the world of Ruan during DAUGHTER OF THE FLAMES, as well as continues creating new lore, an element that never ceases to amaze me when I pick up a new Marriott novel. I also like the way she deals with the repercussions of what Ruan went through in her previous novel, showing the way progress is made, fought for, and won over time. Marriott refuses to hide from hard situations and brings all kinds of gritty real-life elements to her novels. Characters don't have it easy and must struggle like the rest of us, and this makes them all the more endearing.
One of the things that continues to impress me about Marriott's writing is her way with words and phrases. For example:
"It's as if people -- normal people -- are made of silver. Shiny to start with, but tarnished by time, by ill-treatment. Luca... Luca is gold. Nothing in the world could ever make him shine less brightly."
(page 296, UK paperback first edition)
or
"You're like a landslide when you get started, you know. First the tiny stones, then the pebbles & rocks, then the boulders, raining down on you until you're squashed flat & all you can do is give up."
(page 285, UK paperback first edition)
She has phrases like this throughout her novels, unique ways of describing things that make sense in unexpected ways. Her descriptions her spot-on, too, and great at bringing my imagination to life. I still remember certain elements she brought to SHADOWS ON THE MOON in this way.
I also like the way Marriott opens each book with a remark on what inspired her to write that particular novel. It gives me insight into her process and makes the book feel closer and more tangible. She goes even further on the book's web page, sharing all kinds of dirty little secrets. For example, did you know that she originally planned for the main character to be a hero, not a heroine, and that the two love interests would therefore be female instead of male? What a difference a gender change makes! I loved reading all of these tidbits and wish more authors shared such "behind the scenes" goodies with us.
While the book won't officially release in the US until Candlewick brings it Stateside in 2013, Book Depository offers the paperback at a great deal (with free international shipping!), so if you're like me, you don't have to wait! If you're a fan of fantasy or a great story, I highly recommend checking out the talented Zoë Marriott.
Like with all of my other recent brushes with a Zoë Marriott novel, I am once again at a loss when trying to convey how wonderful her writing is to the uninitiated. If you're a fan of intricate fantasy, you must pick up a novel by her at once. At first, I wasn't sure what to think when I read the synopsis for FROSTFIRE. It mentioned wolves in a way that made me fear Marriott was taking a paranormal turn and was going to be springing werewolves at us. That's not the case at all, so I'm glad I blind-bought this one. Marriott is quickly becoming one of my favorite YA fantasy writers, and I'm sad I have nothing new left by her to read.
In my eyes, FROSTFIRE might be Marriott's most complex novel yet in terms of character development. While I'll warn you that there is a love triangle at play, Marriott handles it in a better way than most YA writers. Oftentimes I groan and roll my eyes when there's a triangle because it's become such a cliche. Plus, the author always leans toward one guy over the other and you know the outcome early on. Not so with Marriott. She builds relationships between all of the characters in unexpected ways, and I wound up loving all of the characters. I would be hard-pressed to choose what I expected at the novel's end because I kept changing my mind. Interestingly, Marriott herself has said that she didn't always know the outcome of this one. Marriott also builds on the unique mythology she infused into the world of Ruan during DAUGHTER OF THE FLAMES, as well as continues creating new lore, an element that never ceases to amaze me when I pick up a new Marriott novel. I also like the way she deals with the repercussions of what Ruan went through in her previous novel, showing the way progress is made, fought for, and won over time. Marriott refuses to hide from hard situations and brings all kinds of gritty real-life elements to her novels. Characters don't have it easy and must struggle like the rest of us, and this makes them all the more endearing.
One of the things that continues to impress me about Marriott's writing is her way with words and phrases. For example:
"It's as if people -- normal people -- are made of silver. Shiny to start with, but tarnished by time, by ill-treatment. Luca... Luca is gold. Nothing in the world could ever make him shine less brightly."
(page 296, UK paperback first edition)
or
"You're like a landslide when you get started, you know. First the tiny stones, then the pebbles & rocks, then the boulders, raining down on you until you're squashed flat & all you can do is give up."
(page 285, UK paperback first edition)
She has phrases like this throughout her novels, unique ways of describing things that make sense in unexpected ways. Her descriptions her spot-on, too, and great at bringing my imagination to life. I still remember certain elements she brought to SHADOWS ON THE MOON in this way.
I also like the way Marriott opens each book with a remark on what inspired her to write that particular novel. It gives me insight into her process and makes the book feel closer and more tangible. She goes even further on the book's web page, sharing all kinds of dirty little secrets. For example, did you know that she originally planned for the main character to be a hero, not a heroine, and that the two love interests would therefore be female instead of male? What a difference a gender change makes! I loved reading all of these tidbits and wish more authors shared such "behind the scenes" goodies with us.
While the book won't officially release in the US until Candlewick brings it Stateside in 2013, Book Depository offers the paperback at a great deal (with free international shipping!), so if you're like me, you don't have to wait! If you're a fan of fantasy or a great story, I highly recommend checking out the talented Zoë Marriott.
August 11, 2017
It's very rare that I actually enjoy a book with a love triangle in, so this book deserves a shout out just for that.
I found the first book in the series a little problematic in places. This book is a lot stronger and is on much less rocky ground in terms of the narrative the author is trying to write.
I found the first book in the series a little problematic in places. This book is a lot stronger and is on much less rocky ground in terms of the narrative the author is trying to write.
November 4, 2017
Zoë sent me FrostFire as a gift, so I was already full of emotion going into this read; but that emotion was amplified by Zoë's amazing writing & wonderful characters. Despite not having LOADS in common with Frost (like I did with Suzume in Shadows on the Moon), I became so emotionally attached to her & her story, & even the smallest thing brought tears to my eyes. She was a great protagonist & I would love more of her.
This book has had so much thought put into it & was full of emotion, magic, action & love; always so much love. I loved the length of the book as it meant it told more than one story & there was more than one plot to follow; it wasn't a beginning, middle & end - there was so much more than just those three points & it meant I was totally absorbed in the story. The ending felt so right & has left me with a feeling of contentedness - which is all we ever want from books, right? You should definitely read this book, if you were wondering.
Extended Review: https://writingwolves.wordpress.com/?...
This book has had so much thought put into it & was full of emotion, magic, action & love; always so much love. I loved the length of the book as it meant it told more than one story & there was more than one plot to follow; it wasn't a beginning, middle & end - there was so much more than just those three points & it meant I was totally absorbed in the story. The ending felt so right & has left me with a feeling of contentedness - which is all we ever want from books, right? You should definitely read this book, if you were wondering.
Extended Review: https://writingwolves.wordpress.com/?...
January 27, 2014
„Frostblüte“ von Zoë Marriott ist ein Fantasy-Roman – High-Fantasy, um genau zu sein – der mit einer Altersempfehlung ab 14 Jahren als Jugendroman einzuordnen ist, sich jedoch nicht darauf beschränken muss. All-Age-geeignet erzählt die britische Autorin eine Geschichte von persönlichen Schicksalen, Krieg, Schuld und Liebe…
Inhalt: Frost zieht trotz ihrer jungen Jahre allein durch ein fremdes Land. Sie trägt einen Wolfsdämon in sich, der sie zur Gefahr für jeden in ihrer Umgebung macht. Als sie auf ihrer Reise jedoch den jungen Hauptmann Luca trifft, kann sie sich seiner einnehmenden Art kaum entziehen. Er bietet ihr an, als Soldatin bei seinen Leuten zu bleiben, die in den Bergen nach einer grausamen Bande Abtrünniger suchen. Doch kann Frost ihren Wolf beherrschen, vor allem, wenn Gefühle ins Spiel kommen?
„Frostblüte“ hat mich wirklich überrascht – in einem ausnahmslos positiven Sinne. Die Geschichte erwies sich als deutlich weniger fokussiert auf die Fantasy-Elemente, als ich angenommen hatte. Sicherlich sind sie vorhanden. Im insgesamt für die High-Fantasy typisch-mittelalterlichen Setting, das sich stark auf das Leben einer kleinen Gruppe von Kriegern in den Bergen konzentriert, sind sie aber weit weniger vordergründig als erwartet. Vielmehr waren sie Ausdruck von Frosts Innerem und verliehen dem ansonsten auch sehr actionreichen, kämpferischen Roman eine tiefgründig-nachdenkliche Seite, die überzeugen konnte.
Die Charaktere sind neben der schlüssigen, interessanten Handlung, die abgesehen von dem Kampf gegen Frosts Dämon und der – obligatorischen, aber romantischen – Liebesgeschichte vor allem aus der Suche nach den raubenden und mordenden Aufrührern besteht, das tragende Element des Romans. Gleich mehrere Figuren finden sich, auf deren Schultern ein schweres Schicksal lastet. Vor allen anderen ist da natürlich Frost, das Mädchen mit dem Wolf in sich, das gefährlich werden kann, kämpft wie ein wildes Tier und ohne Unterschied zwischen Freund und Feind, wenn sie die Kontrolle verliert. Nach langer Einsamkeit ist sie zurückhaltend und sucht ihre Rettung in der Flucht vor anderen Menschen. Die Ich-Erzählerin macht – fast – einen sehr durchdachten, ausgereiften Eindruck. Fast, denn an einigen Stellen fehlte dem Charakter der letzte Schliff. Das Verhalten war in Anbetracht der geschilderten Erfahrungen des Mädchens in der Vergangenheit manchmal doch ein wenig zu rund, zu einfach, zu angepasst. Man hätte mit mehr Konflikten rechnen können, stattdessen formte sich der Charakter gelegentlich eine Spur zu schnell um und verbog sich dabei ein wenig.
Gleiches gilt auch für andere Charaktere wie Luca und Arian, beide ebenfalls ausgestattet mit wenig erträglichen Vergangenheiten. Spannende Charaktere, die manchmal doch eine Spur zu sehr überzeichnet waren oder sich zu sehr veränderten - nicht entwickelten, sondern regelrechte Sprünge machten.
Was ansonsten in den Charakteren steckt, hat allerdings das Zeug den Leser mitzureißen. Ausdrucksstarke Interaktionen, gefühlsintensive Momente und viele ruhige, tiefgründige Passagen überzeugen zwischen Kampfszenen. Behandelt werden Fragen nach Schuld, aber auch eine zarte Liebesgeschichte fehlt nicht. Das alles ist sehr gelungen und auch der Umgang und die Darstellung von Frosts Wolf stechen als hervorragend eingebrachte Elemente heraus.
Für Spannung sorgt vor allem der Aufbau des Romans, der Frosts Geschichte in der Gegenwart sowie in der Vergangenheit durch Rückblicke parallel erzählt. So wartet der Leser auf die Einzelheiten von Frosts Leben vor dem Zusammentreffen mit der Armee in den Bergen – was hat sie zu dem Menschen gemacht, der sie dort ist, woher kommen ihre Unsicherheit und ihr Fluchtinstinkt? Da überzeugt die Autorin durch den Wechsel, der immer genau den richtigen Punkt für die richtigen Informationen findet, die den Leser weiterbringen ohne zu viel zu verraten und die Spannung zu nehmen.
Auch der Schreibstil machte einen ausgereiften, im richtigen Maße anspruchsvollen Eindruck, kollidierte für mein Gefühl aber an einigen Stellen durch zu moderne Begriffe mit den doch eher mittelalterlich anmutenden Beschreibungen des Lebens und der Umgebung. Außerdem hatte der Roman noch einen weiteren kleinen Wermutstropfen: Wiederholungen. Bei aller Einfühlsamkeit der Erzählung, bei aller Tiefgründigkeit der Charaktere, das ein oder andere Mal wiederholen sich Gedankengänge zu oft.
Fazit: Im Großen und Ganzen konnte mich „Frostblüte“ begeistern. Meistens. Leider schlichen sich Kleinigkeiten ein, kleine Unstimmigkeiten bei den Charakteren und der Sprache, die erst in ihrer Summe meine Euphorie immer wieder ein wenig dämpften. Daher kann ich „nur“ wirklich gute 4 Sterne vergeben – auch wenn über lange Abschnitte mehr drin gewesen wäre, ist das immer noch eine klare Leseempfehlung.
Inhalt: Frost zieht trotz ihrer jungen Jahre allein durch ein fremdes Land. Sie trägt einen Wolfsdämon in sich, der sie zur Gefahr für jeden in ihrer Umgebung macht. Als sie auf ihrer Reise jedoch den jungen Hauptmann Luca trifft, kann sie sich seiner einnehmenden Art kaum entziehen. Er bietet ihr an, als Soldatin bei seinen Leuten zu bleiben, die in den Bergen nach einer grausamen Bande Abtrünniger suchen. Doch kann Frost ihren Wolf beherrschen, vor allem, wenn Gefühle ins Spiel kommen?
„Frostblüte“ hat mich wirklich überrascht – in einem ausnahmslos positiven Sinne. Die Geschichte erwies sich als deutlich weniger fokussiert auf die Fantasy-Elemente, als ich angenommen hatte. Sicherlich sind sie vorhanden. Im insgesamt für die High-Fantasy typisch-mittelalterlichen Setting, das sich stark auf das Leben einer kleinen Gruppe von Kriegern in den Bergen konzentriert, sind sie aber weit weniger vordergründig als erwartet. Vielmehr waren sie Ausdruck von Frosts Innerem und verliehen dem ansonsten auch sehr actionreichen, kämpferischen Roman eine tiefgründig-nachdenkliche Seite, die überzeugen konnte.
Die Charaktere sind neben der schlüssigen, interessanten Handlung, die abgesehen von dem Kampf gegen Frosts Dämon und der – obligatorischen, aber romantischen – Liebesgeschichte vor allem aus der Suche nach den raubenden und mordenden Aufrührern besteht, das tragende Element des Romans. Gleich mehrere Figuren finden sich, auf deren Schultern ein schweres Schicksal lastet. Vor allen anderen ist da natürlich Frost, das Mädchen mit dem Wolf in sich, das gefährlich werden kann, kämpft wie ein wildes Tier und ohne Unterschied zwischen Freund und Feind, wenn sie die Kontrolle verliert. Nach langer Einsamkeit ist sie zurückhaltend und sucht ihre Rettung in der Flucht vor anderen Menschen. Die Ich-Erzählerin macht – fast – einen sehr durchdachten, ausgereiften Eindruck. Fast, denn an einigen Stellen fehlte dem Charakter der letzte Schliff. Das Verhalten war in Anbetracht der geschilderten Erfahrungen des Mädchens in der Vergangenheit manchmal doch ein wenig zu rund, zu einfach, zu angepasst. Man hätte mit mehr Konflikten rechnen können, stattdessen formte sich der Charakter gelegentlich eine Spur zu schnell um und verbog sich dabei ein wenig.
Gleiches gilt auch für andere Charaktere wie Luca und Arian, beide ebenfalls ausgestattet mit wenig erträglichen Vergangenheiten. Spannende Charaktere, die manchmal doch eine Spur zu sehr überzeichnet waren oder sich zu sehr veränderten - nicht entwickelten, sondern regelrechte Sprünge machten.
Was ansonsten in den Charakteren steckt, hat allerdings das Zeug den Leser mitzureißen. Ausdrucksstarke Interaktionen, gefühlsintensive Momente und viele ruhige, tiefgründige Passagen überzeugen zwischen Kampfszenen. Behandelt werden Fragen nach Schuld, aber auch eine zarte Liebesgeschichte fehlt nicht. Das alles ist sehr gelungen und auch der Umgang und die Darstellung von Frosts Wolf stechen als hervorragend eingebrachte Elemente heraus.
Für Spannung sorgt vor allem der Aufbau des Romans, der Frosts Geschichte in der Gegenwart sowie in der Vergangenheit durch Rückblicke parallel erzählt. So wartet der Leser auf die Einzelheiten von Frosts Leben vor dem Zusammentreffen mit der Armee in den Bergen – was hat sie zu dem Menschen gemacht, der sie dort ist, woher kommen ihre Unsicherheit und ihr Fluchtinstinkt? Da überzeugt die Autorin durch den Wechsel, der immer genau den richtigen Punkt für die richtigen Informationen findet, die den Leser weiterbringen ohne zu viel zu verraten und die Spannung zu nehmen.
Auch der Schreibstil machte einen ausgereiften, im richtigen Maße anspruchsvollen Eindruck, kollidierte für mein Gefühl aber an einigen Stellen durch zu moderne Begriffe mit den doch eher mittelalterlich anmutenden Beschreibungen des Lebens und der Umgebung. Außerdem hatte der Roman noch einen weiteren kleinen Wermutstropfen: Wiederholungen. Bei aller Einfühlsamkeit der Erzählung, bei aller Tiefgründigkeit der Charaktere, das ein oder andere Mal wiederholen sich Gedankengänge zu oft.
Fazit: Im Großen und Ganzen konnte mich „Frostblüte“ begeistern. Meistens. Leider schlichen sich Kleinigkeiten ein, kleine Unstimmigkeiten bei den Charakteren und der Sprache, die erst in ihrer Summe meine Euphorie immer wieder ein wenig dämpften. Daher kann ich „nur“ wirklich gute 4 Sterne vergeben – auch wenn über lange Abschnitte mehr drin gewesen wäre, ist das immer noch eine klare Leseempfehlung.
September 22, 2012
[This review has been taken straight from my blog, thebookmarkgirl.blogspot.com]
Before reading:
Ever since I knew that Zoe was writing FrostFire, I wanted to read it. That's, like, a year's time. And this morning, FrostFire arrived! I am so, so happy :D I have no idea what to expect because omgomgomg Shadows on the Moon was just so good, I can't believe any book can top that! But the writer IS Zoe Marriott, after all, and I have no doubt whatsoever that she will blow my mind once again!
Also, Zoe, thank you so, so much for mentioning me in the acknowledgements! I hardly deserve it! But thank you :)
After reading:
I. Love. This. Book. I love it more than I loved The Swan Kingdom, or Daughter of the Flames, or Shadows on the Moon. I love this book so, so much.
I'm really bad at explaining what books are about so I'm going to copy the Goodreads summary of this book:
Frost is cursed - possessed by a wolf demon that brings death everywhere she goes. Desperate to find a cure, she flees her home, only to be captured by the Ruan Hill Guard. Trapped until she can prove she is not an enemy, Frost grows increasingly close to the Guard’s charismatic leader Luca and his second in command, the tortured Arian. Torn between two very different men, Frost fears that she may not be able to protect either of them ... from herself.
This book is so much more than that blurb/summary, though, and that explanation really does not manage to describe the wonderfulness of this book. I've always loved Zoe Marriott's work, and every single book of hers has managed to make me squeal with excitement, which means I end up looking like a chipmunk in public XD but it is worth it! It is worth every single word in this book.
The words; they are what strike out to me the most in this book, more than the plot or the characters. Seriously, her writing flows like a river after rainfall, and the words she uses are beautiful. I'm not a fan of annotating my books but I did stick a little tag to the pages when I saw some wonderful quotes in the book and there were a LOT. One sentence (out of many) that I really loved: The stars seemed to hover just above the tents: constellations like handfuls of luminous silver sand scattered on a low ceiling of blue cloth. Even some of the most popular writers may have written There were stars in the sky. but Zoe uses words so, so beautifully that not a single page, not a single paragraph, even, is dull. Like I said, her writing flows really well, and she wields words like weapons. She is really good at using her weapons.
Luca and Arian. Why? WHY? Why did you do what you did at the end, Zoe? (For those who have read FrostFire, you will know what I'm talking about. For those who haven't, just go read it already!) However, I loved ALL the characters, and whenever they got hurt, I felt the pain. Zoe Marriott created her characters fully formed, like real people - so much that I cried at the end when... certain stuff happened. (Trying not to spoil it!) The characters were flawed yet flawless, imperfect yet perfect and most importantly, they felt real, as real as my friends or that stranger on the train or the woman sitting on the bench in the park. The characters were not Mary Sues, or cliched, or stereotypical. They were multicultural! There were black characters and white characters, dark skinned, light skinned, short, tall, long haired, short haired...
My next point is Zoe Marriott's world building. W. O. W. On her blog I've always admired the way she was so intricate about world building and that is really reflected in her book. She knows everything about her world - what food you can get in each region, who leads, what the economy is like, places in the country etc.
The plot, needless to say, is fantastic! It's new and original and creative. I adore the idea of the Wolf, and spirits and I really liked the way Frost/Saram had the Wolf trapped inside her but her father was also there to be with her the whole way, even though he was dead. Also, EVERYTHING WEAVES TOGETHER! It's like a knitted scarf! The reason Frost was called Saram is linked to the story of her father, Ion is linked with Luca, Arian and Frost's histories are similar... Zoe Marriott has a way of revealing all these things that make you realise that, yes, that's absolutely RIGHT! That's just how it's meant to be.
Overall an amazing read, just like all the other Zoe Marriott books. (Thanks, Zoe, for mentioning me in the acknowledgements :D) I'm so glad I have my own copy of this book to read and reread.
5/5 stars!
Before reading:
Ever since I knew that Zoe was writing FrostFire, I wanted to read it. That's, like, a year's time. And this morning, FrostFire arrived! I am so, so happy :D I have no idea what to expect because omgomgomg Shadows on the Moon was just so good, I can't believe any book can top that! But the writer IS Zoe Marriott, after all, and I have no doubt whatsoever that she will blow my mind once again!
Also, Zoe, thank you so, so much for mentioning me in the acknowledgements! I hardly deserve it! But thank you :)
After reading:
I. Love. This. Book. I love it more than I loved The Swan Kingdom, or Daughter of the Flames, or Shadows on the Moon. I love this book so, so much.
I'm really bad at explaining what books are about so I'm going to copy the Goodreads summary of this book:
Frost is cursed - possessed by a wolf demon that brings death everywhere she goes. Desperate to find a cure, she flees her home, only to be captured by the Ruan Hill Guard. Trapped until she can prove she is not an enemy, Frost grows increasingly close to the Guard’s charismatic leader Luca and his second in command, the tortured Arian. Torn between two very different men, Frost fears that she may not be able to protect either of them ... from herself.
This book is so much more than that blurb/summary, though, and that explanation really does not manage to describe the wonderfulness of this book. I've always loved Zoe Marriott's work, and every single book of hers has managed to make me squeal with excitement, which means I end up looking like a chipmunk in public XD but it is worth it! It is worth every single word in this book.
The words; they are what strike out to me the most in this book, more than the plot or the characters. Seriously, her writing flows like a river after rainfall, and the words she uses are beautiful. I'm not a fan of annotating my books but I did stick a little tag to the pages when I saw some wonderful quotes in the book and there were a LOT. One sentence (out of many) that I really loved: The stars seemed to hover just above the tents: constellations like handfuls of luminous silver sand scattered on a low ceiling of blue cloth. Even some of the most popular writers may have written There were stars in the sky. but Zoe uses words so, so beautifully that not a single page, not a single paragraph, even, is dull. Like I said, her writing flows really well, and she wields words like weapons. She is really good at using her weapons.
Luca and Arian. Why? WHY? Why did you do what you did at the end, Zoe? (For those who have read FrostFire, you will know what I'm talking about. For those who haven't, just go read it already!) However, I loved ALL the characters, and whenever they got hurt, I felt the pain. Zoe Marriott created her characters fully formed, like real people - so much that I cried at the end when... certain stuff happened. (Trying not to spoil it!) The characters were flawed yet flawless, imperfect yet perfect and most importantly, they felt real, as real as my friends or that stranger on the train or the woman sitting on the bench in the park. The characters were not Mary Sues, or cliched, or stereotypical. They were multicultural! There were black characters and white characters, dark skinned, light skinned, short, tall, long haired, short haired...
My next point is Zoe Marriott's world building. W. O. W. On her blog I've always admired the way she was so intricate about world building and that is really reflected in her book. She knows everything about her world - what food you can get in each region, who leads, what the economy is like, places in the country etc.
The plot, needless to say, is fantastic! It's new and original and creative. I adore the idea of the Wolf, and spirits and I really liked the way Frost/Saram had the Wolf trapped inside her but her father was also there to be with her the whole way, even though he was dead. Also, EVERYTHING WEAVES TOGETHER! It's like a knitted scarf! The reason Frost was called Saram is linked to the story of her father, Ion is linked with Luca, Arian and Frost's histories are similar... Zoe Marriott has a way of revealing all these things that make you realise that, yes, that's absolutely RIGHT! That's just how it's meant to be.
Overall an amazing read, just like all the other Zoe Marriott books. (Thanks, Zoe, for mentioning me in the acknowledgements :D) I'm so glad I have my own copy of this book to read and reread.
5/5 stars!
January 27, 2015
Frostfire is a book with a PULL. It's one of those too rare books that pulls you in and makes you forget the world around you actually exists. It's a thrilling tale with plenty of action, fantasy and romance, and once again Marriott shows off her amazing skill at universe building.
A skilful storyteller, Marriott lures us into this world of Frost, a 17-year-old girl living in a world that isn't our own, who has battled her whole life with something she calls "the Wolf". Accused by many of being possessed by a demon, Frost has known since the age of 8 that if her blood is spilled, an uncontrollable rage will take over her body that she is unable to control until it's all over. Many times Frost has narrowly escaped being punished for the actions she cannot control with death, but each time she has managed to escape. But not this time.
Now, Frost has been captured by the beautiful Captain Luca and his best friend and lieutenant, the dark and surly Arian. Frost is held hostage high up in the Subira mountains where she soon learns Luca leads a troop of soldiers, planning for the day when they will attack their enemy, the evil Constantin. This is a man whose enjoyment of the suffering of others knows no bounds and who is now responsible for the slavery of the dark-skinned people in the country of Ruan, where this story is set. Frost will do anything to stop this slavery and when kind-hearted, optimistic Luca gives her the chance to become one of those who will bring down Constantin, she seizes the chance.
What ensues is a captivating story told in the midst of beautiful scenery and it is ultimately a story of love and betrayal. Frost has only ever been treated with fear and hatred, and Luca's acceptance of her is not one that she finds easy to accept. The romance that blossoms is not without its bumps in the road, not least because of "the Wolf", but both characters feel so genuine and so easy to love that every bump for them feels like a mountain of heartbreak for the reader. Their love is so enthralling that even the love-triangle sub-plot, which has become so cliché since Twilight, seems to melt so easily into their romance and come so naturally for the characters that it added to the story rather than distracting from it. The same could be said for the sub-plot where the girl is torn between the good brother and the bad brother, reminiscent of The Vampire Diaries. After all, this is neither Twilight nor TVD and a comparison to either would only insult Marriott's beautiful storytelling. Any readers desperate for a heroine who stands up for herself and fights along with the men will love Frost; likewise anyone who wants to read about a hero who doesn't try to shield his girl from all the world's evil, but trains her to fight and use the many skills she has already acquired, will love Luca, and perhaps Arian too.
There's no insta-love here, either. Frost falls in love gradually as the book progresses, and as readers we're pulled along with her, caught up in these feelings of desire, fear and confusion. It can't be said that she always acts selflessly, but after almost losing everything she had come to care about she realises the crucial difference between infatuation and love. This is a lesson many teenage heroines could do with learning. (Bella are you listening?!)
Don't be fooled into thinking this is the story of a love-sick teenager, though. Yes there's love, but also friendship, touching customs of a world not our own, realistic battle scenes, death, meaty characters with hidden pasts... FrostFire has a bit of everything. But the main theme of this book is finding yourself. Frost finds herself in the most unexpected way, and with a little help she may even come to accept the demon she has been battling her whole life.
It has to be said, Zoe Marriott writes like no one else. Her ability to create new worlds, and characters that feel tantalisingly real, feels generally unrivalled in the current YA fiction market. Her books are worth picking up if you haven't read her already (and if you have, there's no debate about whether or not to read FrostFire), and don't worry if you haven't read Daughter of Flames as this is a companion novel, not a sequel. But if you like your heroines tough, your heroes worthy, and your books unforgettable, FrostFire is for you. The only drawback you'll find here is being able to find something to read afterwards; the FrostFire comparisons will inevitably be there and there can only be one winner.
A skilful storyteller, Marriott lures us into this world of Frost, a 17-year-old girl living in a world that isn't our own, who has battled her whole life with something she calls "the Wolf". Accused by many of being possessed by a demon, Frost has known since the age of 8 that if her blood is spilled, an uncontrollable rage will take over her body that she is unable to control until it's all over. Many times Frost has narrowly escaped being punished for the actions she cannot control with death, but each time she has managed to escape. But not this time.
Now, Frost has been captured by the beautiful Captain Luca and his best friend and lieutenant, the dark and surly Arian. Frost is held hostage high up in the Subira mountains where she soon learns Luca leads a troop of soldiers, planning for the day when they will attack their enemy, the evil Constantin. This is a man whose enjoyment of the suffering of others knows no bounds and who is now responsible for the slavery of the dark-skinned people in the country of Ruan, where this story is set. Frost will do anything to stop this slavery and when kind-hearted, optimistic Luca gives her the chance to become one of those who will bring down Constantin, she seizes the chance.
What ensues is a captivating story told in the midst of beautiful scenery and it is ultimately a story of love and betrayal. Frost has only ever been treated with fear and hatred, and Luca's acceptance of her is not one that she finds easy to accept. The romance that blossoms is not without its bumps in the road, not least because of "the Wolf", but both characters feel so genuine and so easy to love that every bump for them feels like a mountain of heartbreak for the reader. Their love is so enthralling that even the love-triangle sub-plot, which has become so cliché since Twilight, seems to melt so easily into their romance and come so naturally for the characters that it added to the story rather than distracting from it. The same could be said for the sub-plot where the girl is torn between the good brother and the bad brother, reminiscent of The Vampire Diaries. After all, this is neither Twilight nor TVD and a comparison to either would only insult Marriott's beautiful storytelling. Any readers desperate for a heroine who stands up for herself and fights along with the men will love Frost; likewise anyone who wants to read about a hero who doesn't try to shield his girl from all the world's evil, but trains her to fight and use the many skills she has already acquired, will love Luca, and perhaps Arian too.
There's no insta-love here, either. Frost falls in love gradually as the book progresses, and as readers we're pulled along with her, caught up in these feelings of desire, fear and confusion. It can't be said that she always acts selflessly, but after almost losing everything she had come to care about she realises the crucial difference between infatuation and love. This is a lesson many teenage heroines could do with learning. (Bella are you listening?!)
Don't be fooled into thinking this is the story of a love-sick teenager, though. Yes there's love, but also friendship, touching customs of a world not our own, realistic battle scenes, death, meaty characters with hidden pasts... FrostFire has a bit of everything. But the main theme of this book is finding yourself. Frost finds herself in the most unexpected way, and with a little help she may even come to accept the demon she has been battling her whole life.
It has to be said, Zoe Marriott writes like no one else. Her ability to create new worlds, and characters that feel tantalisingly real, feels generally unrivalled in the current YA fiction market. Her books are worth picking up if you haven't read her already (and if you have, there's no debate about whether or not to read FrostFire), and don't worry if you haven't read Daughter of Flames as this is a companion novel, not a sequel. But if you like your heroines tough, your heroes worthy, and your books unforgettable, FrostFire is for you. The only drawback you'll find here is being able to find something to read afterwards; the FrostFire comparisons will inevitably be there and there can only be one winner.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews