What do you think?
Rate this book
The Sound of Snowfall
An errant courtesan finds himself snowed into very foreign territory.
A side story to the Crowned Jewel, set shortly after the ending, in which Lime Jade gets stuck in a snowstorm and is forced to take shelter with an unconventional family.
Note: This story is about one of the characters featured in "Intrigue at the Crowned Jewel" (namely, Jade). However, it's a standalone. If you will, look at it as related but not-directly linked to that story (it is not a sequel).
If you haven't read the Jewel: You're in luck! This story requires absolutely no prior knowledge. There might be one joke a few chapters in you won't understand and that's it.
Words: 68,437 COMPLETE
A side story to the Crowned Jewel, set shortly after the ending, in which Lime Jade gets stuck in a snowstorm and is forced to take shelter with an unconventional family.
Note: This story is about one of the characters featured in "Intrigue at the Crowned Jewel" (namely, Jade). However, it's a standalone. If you will, look at it as related but not-directly linked to that story (it is not a sequel).
If you haven't read the Jewel: You're in luck! This story requires absolutely no prior knowledge. There might be one joke a few chapters in you won't understand and that's it.
Words: 68,437 COMPLETE
205 pages, Online Fiction
First published October 31, 2010
43 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
November 27, 2012
4.25 stars
Oh this was a lovely, poetic, wonderful tale, I was taken aback that a slash online fantasy fic was this likable (it’s usually difficult for me to get my head around fantasy.) Silly me didn’t realise what I was getting into when I impulsively decided to read it, here I was assuming it would be relatively straightforward, easy and uncomplicated. I was wrong there were so many layers to be uncovered. I was fascinated by the dynamic of Westar the peasant and Jade the courtesan, the road to love is complex and there are many obstacles to be worked through carefully. If ever there was a character who had me fooled it was Jade, an enigma, the flowery speech he uses is a defense mechanism to confuse and test others, I was confused lol. He didn’t reckon with Westar breaking through the barriers and so innocently, I adored them. The camping in the woods was a special revelation, nearly all the secondary characters had a role to play and were great fun. Any niggles I had were forgotten because of the visual beauty of the story and its free. Recommended!
Oh this was a lovely, poetic, wonderful tale, I was taken aback that a slash online fantasy fic was this likable (it’s usually difficult for me to get my head around fantasy.) Silly me didn’t realise what I was getting into when I impulsively decided to read it, here I was assuming it would be relatively straightforward, easy and uncomplicated. I was wrong there were so many layers to be uncovered. I was fascinated by the dynamic of Westar the peasant and Jade the courtesan, the road to love is complex and there are many obstacles to be worked through carefully. If ever there was a character who had me fooled it was Jade, an enigma, the flowery speech he uses is a defense mechanism to confuse and test others, I was confused lol. He didn’t reckon with Westar breaking through the barriers and so innocently, I adored them. The camping in the woods was a special revelation, nearly all the secondary characters had a role to play and were great fun. Any niggles I had were forgotten because of the visual beauty of the story and its free. Recommended!
December 31, 2012
The blurb sums this up pretty nicely. It's not a big epic fantasy tale, even if there is a dash of magic, but mainly a story about Jade, the spoiled, rich, mythical courtesan, and how he falls for a simple valley boy, Wes, after spending a few weeks with Wes' family after getting lost in a snowstorm.
Wes' family is a wonderful bunch of characters and made me smile more than once. And even if the side characters stole the show now and then, specially the bond between Lee and Wes was pretty...discouraging...for the love story I so wanted to develop, I can't say anything bad about any of them, they all made the story better, and had a purpose and a place.
The stars of the tale is of course the two boys. Their story isn't an easy one, and not a particularly happy one, but at the same time it's not angst ridden or directly painful either, though a bit heartwrenching at points. What it is though, is warm, complex and sweetly naive. And it warmed me all the way down to my wintercold toes.
Wes' family is a wonderful bunch of characters and made me smile more than once. And even if the side characters stole the show now and then, specially the bond between Lee and Wes was pretty...discouraging...for the love story I so wanted to develop, I can't say anything bad about any of them, they all made the story better, and had a purpose and a place.
The stars of the tale is of course the two boys. Their story isn't an easy one, and not a particularly happy one, but at the same time it's not angst ridden or directly painful either, though a bit heartwrenching at points. What it is though, is warm, complex and sweetly naive. And it warmed me all the way down to my wintercold toes.
September 9, 2013
The Trials of the Airship Brothel is a small continuation of The Sound of Snowfall. Some things I refer to may be from this story.
The little continuation presents some interesting perspectives and also a much appreciated snippet into Adrian and Sebastian's life.
---------------------------------
The Sound of Snowfall is a spin-off of Intrigue at the Crowned Jewel, though not one that requires the reading of the latter. I do, however, thoroughly recommend reading Crowned Jewel because it is also a very lovely story and one that will make the reading experiencing of Snowfall all the more wonderful because you understand and love the characters already.
---------------------------------
The Sound of Snowfall was a gorgeously complex and fascinating story. Jade had already become a character dear to me from Crowned Jewel, so I was very much invested in this story and his Happily Ever After. Honestly, I wasn't quite sold on the romance at the very beginning. Westar seemed incredibly bland and such a peasant (insert sneer; flips hair) whilst Jade was introduced in all of his exotic prostitute, city-boy glory. It seemed so mismatched. But as the story develops, we see this connection, this glorious connection, that seemed so otherworldly and genuine and infinitely complex.
The characters are incredibly tangible. Westar and Jade both consist of so many layers and because of that, their relationship, like any relationship in real life, is a mess. The process of learning each other is a painful and bumpy road, but their dynamics are absolutely delicious. Westar is so fascinating and intricate in his simplicity (and I don't mean stupid) and Jade is surprisingly fragile, you can't help but want to be there watching every step of their relationship. Not only that, I also really enjoyed the minor characters. They were realistic, endearing (and not so endearing at times) and also added nicely to the story and atmosphere.
One of the things I find absolutely amazing is IceraMyst's portrayal of being a prostitute in the Crowned Jewel. Their job really isn't just about physical pleasure, but also the soothing of insecurities, fulfillment of hidden desires, healing of traumas, and the endless things that stem from a physical connection. The reason I mention this is because the complexity of the situation is perfectly and exquisitely captured. Jade --like all others of the Crowned jewel-- loves and is proud of his work, and true love or not, will not stop doing it. I, personally, would not be able to stand the thought of this, and I'm not even sure I understand how their relationship even works, as complicated as it is. But the compromise (especially with Adrian and Sebastian), how difficult that must be... geez, that was incredibly nicely done and just breath-taking to read about. There is so much depth and thought in this.
Anyway, aside from all of my flowery gushing and long sentences, there were a few niggles. For one, though this may seem like a contradiction to all of my previous statements, I did feel like they fell in love rather quickly. Not to say that it felt rushed, but it was because all of these intricate thoughts and feelings were presented that I expected some more time for them to fall in love (though 60k might not allow for that). I didn't really care, it just surprised me. Another thing would be all the usual stuff like a bit of editing needed, and the startling switch of Wes's asexuality to homosexuality (much appreciated though *snort*).
Something else that bugged me was my slight unsureness at the end (end of the continuation, that is). I wasn't really convinced if and how the relationship would work. I'm all for realism but seriously, I love the HEAs so. much. more.
Overall, I enjoy this story so much more than I had thought. It was intriguing and wonderfully fleshed out with some very interesting depth. And so damn lovely.
Rating: 4.25 - 4.5
The little continuation presents some interesting perspectives and also a much appreciated snippet into Adrian and Sebastian's life.
---------------------------------
The Sound of Snowfall is a spin-off of Intrigue at the Crowned Jewel, though not one that requires the reading of the latter. I do, however, thoroughly recommend reading Crowned Jewel because it is also a very lovely story and one that will make the reading experiencing of Snowfall all the more wonderful because you understand and love the characters already.
---------------------------------
The Sound of Snowfall was a gorgeously complex and fascinating story. Jade had already become a character dear to me from Crowned Jewel, so I was very much invested in this story and his Happily Ever After. Honestly, I wasn't quite sold on the romance at the very beginning. Westar seemed incredibly bland and such a peasant (insert sneer; flips hair) whilst Jade was introduced in all of his exotic prostitute, city-boy glory. It seemed so mismatched. But as the story develops, we see this connection, this glorious connection, that seemed so otherworldly and genuine and infinitely complex.
The characters are incredibly tangible. Westar and Jade both consist of so many layers and because of that, their relationship, like any relationship in real life, is a mess. The process of learning each other is a painful and bumpy road, but their dynamics are absolutely delicious. Westar is so fascinating and intricate in his simplicity (and I don't mean stupid) and Jade is surprisingly fragile, you can't help but want to be there watching every step of their relationship. Not only that, I also really enjoyed the minor characters. They were realistic, endearing (and not so endearing at times) and also added nicely to the story and atmosphere.
One of the things I find absolutely amazing is IceraMyst's portrayal of being a prostitute in the Crowned Jewel. Their job really isn't just about physical pleasure, but also the soothing of insecurities, fulfillment of hidden desires, healing of traumas, and the endless things that stem from a physical connection. The reason I mention this is because the complexity of the situation is perfectly and exquisitely captured. Jade --like all others of the Crowned jewel-- loves and is proud of his work, and true love or not, will not stop doing it. I, personally, would not be able to stand the thought of this, and I'm not even sure I understand how their relationship even works, as complicated as it is. But the compromise (especially with Adrian and Sebastian), how difficult that must be... geez, that was incredibly nicely done and just breath-taking to read about. There is so much depth and thought in this.
Anyway, aside from all of my flowery gushing and long sentences, there were a few niggles. For one, though this may seem like a contradiction to all of my previous statements, I did feel like they fell in love rather quickly. Not to say that it felt rushed, but it was because all of these intricate thoughts and feelings were presented that I expected some more time for them to fall in love (though 60k might not allow for that). I didn't really care, it just surprised me. Another thing would be all the usual stuff like a bit of editing needed, and the startling switch of Wes's asexuality to homosexuality (much appreciated though *snort*).
Something else that bugged me was my slight unsureness at the end (end of the continuation, that is). I wasn't really convinced if and how the relationship would work. I'm all for realism but seriously, I love the HEAs so. much. more.
Overall, I enjoy this story so much more than I had thought. It was intriguing and wonderfully fleshed out with some very interesting depth. And so damn lovely.
Rating: 4.25 - 4.5
August 31, 2013
"Upon what planet of strange and wonderful things do you hope this to land?" he whispered. "I don't know," I told him honestly, unable to keep from winding his fine hair against my fingers. "Maybe I don't want to land, but just continue flying."
**A word of caution: This book has to be savoured tucked up in bed, with a mug of tea and caramel chocolate. It gives cuddles and hugs, but thank God in a mostly non-sappy way. And it's funny too, and takes so many unexpected turns (well, for romance standards at least).
For example, that's how I imagine a normal person would react to such a thing as soul mates:
Lee leaned forward and lowered her voice: "But it's different, isn't it, if you were insulted by the person you thought the moon and stars of, your destined soul?" I think I said, "Wharmrble?" in response. I didn't know because no part of my mind was really paying any attention. Either clever, dependable, sensible Lee had just been taken by insanity, or my hearing was going something awful. Maybe someone had slipped me some insanity mushrooms in whatever I ate last, although now that I thought about it, I hadn't eaten since midday. Maybe I was hungry.
Wes is endearingly stupid or stupidly endearing?
"You really don't want me, do you," Jade said softly.And the problems they have, they are normal too, and make soo much sense. No need for cheap tricks at all!
"What?" I replied, at first just startled as I was snapped from my thoughts, and then appalled. "Of course I do! What makes you say that?"
His lips parted and closed. "Want," he said wryly, "as, as a stag wants doe."
I tried to work out the particulars of that one, knowing probably he would have chosen his reference more carefully after my correction. "To assert dominance over your rivals?" I hazarded.
He made a strangled sound. "Like bears wearing straw hats!"
"Okay then, to offer safety in numbers?"
"Of all the—"
I let my head thunk against the ground, trying to think. "To lead predators away from your young?"
"To HAVE SEX!" Jade shouted, throwing up his arms.
"You could have just said that!"
He wrenched his hand away from me and took a step back. "You do not," he growled, every inch of him bristling. "A day's worth of kisses does not a romance make."And I'm a sucker for beautiful imagery. The book is a treasure trove for that too (maybe even too much at times):
"Normal like a fish baking rainbow pies"Oh, Jade might be a courtesan, but don't expect too much sex. Also, this is not a "normal" fantasy book with a great quest/battles/ mighty ennemies and world-building of course. The story of Jade and Wes takes center stage here.
"No!" I cried. "Like snow loves the mountains and birds love the sky and stars love the moon!"
February 8, 2013
Well, if I can safely say something about this story it’s that it was interesting to read.
There were some things I liked about it and some I didn’t so much. I kind of enjoyed it and I kind of didn’t. Glad to have read it though. Let me see if I can explain myself.
Even if it can be read as a stand alone novel I believe it will be much more appreciated if read in context. Some things are a given in this universe and not being familiar with it did bug me a little. Also, obviously Adrian and Sebastian are important characters for that world and I felt a little left out while reading about them. I guess that’s why I like my reading order.
On another note, for me this story lack cohesiveness, maybe it’s because it was published per chapter, but at least the epilogue seemed out of the ordinary for the story.The complete change of setting, the whole uprooting of their lives were a bit of a shock. As was Westar’s reaction to seeing Jade acting out his courtesan duties. I guess the author implied a lot of things in this story and I would have needed more development. And finally, I don’t know what to feel about Westar’s asexuality/ bisexuality/ sudden emerged sexuality.
And now for what I did like :)
Their whole relationship was based on contrast and it was something I enjoyed. I liked their opposite natures: Jade, incredibly complex and Wes, amazingly simple.Continuing reading I was pleasantly surprised to discover in fact how incredibly simple Jade was and how amazingly complex Wes turned out to be.
I very much enjoyed Sascha, there just was something captivating about her: could be that she didn’t take herself very seriously, was straightforward and funny.
I liked how Wes was acting as a translator for me, cluing me in on what Jade was saying.
And finally, I appreciated the slow pace of the story, it suited the winter scenery and its tranquility.
My final impression about this story was that it kind of made me feel like an outsider. I didn’t really feel truly welcomed to this universe, I was trying so much to get a peek into it and their relationship but I kept seeing through the curtains. OMG, I read so many metaphors in this book that it finally got to me! :D
June 25, 2013
"It must be true love... True love..." This particular lyrics from the song True Love by P!nk keeps running through my head the whole time I'm thinking what Wes must be feeling about Jade as he experiences the wonder of simple gesture and touches among two people that feel for each other. Seeing the world of love and its myriad possibilities through the eyes of innocent Wes is very refreshing and makes a reader, such as myself, appreciates romance all the more. It is quite a foreign feeling, when I thought I'm already a connoisseur in romance, seeing that I've so much and often about two people tumbling to bed and 'bonking' (to quote Wes).
Anyway, aside from Wes being an interesting character, there are many other things to love about this story: the funny metaphors; lovable and well developed secondary characters; the theme and setting... Not to forget the bittersweet moments that deserve a tear or two.
So, a nice story, with more editing, it would surely reap all the stars that are available in rating a book. Also, it may take time for readers to get into the narration at the beginning, but by midway, it's well worth the efforts.
Anyway, aside from Wes being an interesting character, there are many other things to love about this story: the funny metaphors; lovable and well developed secondary characters; the theme and setting... Not to forget the bittersweet moments that deserve a tear or two.
So, a nice story, with more editing, it would surely reap all the stars that are available in rating a book. Also, it may take time for readers to get into the narration at the beginning, but by midway, it's well worth the efforts.
February 4, 2013
I love all the characters and I just love the chemistry between the main characters.
Idk it's just ridiculously sweet for me, that I want to pat them both in the head especially Wes.
And I love Pit! Lee! Sasha! Mom and Dad! I love it so much I'm rereading it again./o/
I feel like I should read Intrigue at the Crowned Jewel to get more background info, but when I tried I ended up just skimming over it and reading the parts with Jade only. :P
Idk it's just ridiculously sweet for me, that I want to pat them both in the head especially Wes.
And I love Pit! Lee! Sasha! Mom and Dad! I love it so much I'm rereading it again./o/
I feel like I should read Intrigue at the Crowned Jewel to get more background info, but when I tried I ended up just skimming over it and reading the parts with Jade only. :P
January 28, 2013
Again my bias against self-published books makes me feel like a jerk. There are a few grammatical/spelling flubs, but not enough to detract from the overall story. Will definitely read more by IceraMyst.
July 21, 2015
7/20/15
I was rereading this one because I remember liking the 'verse, but not liking the whole Sebali farce. I'd forgotten that Sebali shows up and then features prominently.
And just...this whole Sebali farce. I wouldn't be so upset if Sebastian had given any indication he might be genderfuild, or trans. But no. As far as I can tell, they just needed to hetero it up for the public. But as I said below, Capricious Rose has been shown to have substantial political power. And it all goes to naught. Because somehow, heteronormativity is more powerful than anything. I call bullshit.
Wes is a gem. Wes is a beautiful cinnamon roll, too good for this stupid world the author made it, too pure.
Fucking fuck, forever salty over Sebali. You know what, my threshold of doneness with things has been lowered. Fuck it, 1-star. Fuck this whole Sebali heteronormativity farce. I've read better bad fanfic. *stomps off in disgust, grumbling all the while*
Update: Okay, so I skipped most of the Sebali bs and actually read the epilogue and it redeemed itself. It gets + 2 stars
8/1/14
Eh. It wasn't bad. Until Sebali showed up. "Seba," hah. What other princess named Seba blathering about Adrian could there be? It's Sebastian. And then I just...ewww
So, what, is Sebastian permanently a woman now? Cuz I guess that would be fine, too, from a moralistic sense, although that means I got tricked into reading a het romance, and just...ewww
I dunno, I mean, any enjoyment I might have derived from this story got squicked out by "Sebali"
Gah. What the hell, man. I still hate this stupid-ass "pretend to be a woman" bullshit. Okay, already there's the issue of an heir/several heirs that's bothering me. Like come on, bigger picture here. And the worst part it, it's been proven that Capricious Rose is powerful enough to influence changes of law. And yet, nothing of the sort happens. Instead, they go with the stupid-ass "actually born as a woman, made him think she was a he all these years" charade.
Ugg. How is it a cameo of stupid Sebastian shows up so much and they keep talking about him/her whatever bullshit is going on with that?
Worst part is, I think I wouldn't have so much issue with Sebastian being spewed all over the page everywhere if he weren't publicly a woman. Or it'd be okay if he actually were trans* or something. Or idk everything about this farce of a charade just bothers me. Gah.
Ugg. I tried to sit through the rest of it and the epilogue, but all of the Sebastian/Sebali everywhere really put me off.
4-star for the story itself, even if Jade's like completely different than how the author wrote him in Intrigue. 1.5 for Sebali ew.
Which overall, puts it at a 2-star. Sorry, Jade. Blame Sebali for your low rating.
Here's what I typed while reading:
*squints with suspicion*
JADE, BABY, WHAT STRANGE CURSE HAVE YOU GOTTEN YOURSELF UNDER? I mean, Jade's turn of phrase was weird to me anyways (although I've generally laid that on the author), but this...this is some Shakespearean shit, man. (ETA: no curse. just weird authorness, I guess...)
I mean, in Intrigue, his speech at first was kind of regular-ish, and then as the story went along, got all...I dunno, interestingly dialect-y, somehow, if I remember correctly. And now, wow, his speech is barely comprehensible.
Also, I went through the entirety of Intrigue not knowing that Jade apparently has skin the deepest shade of ink. All I really knew about him was "green" and "soul eating," really, now that I think of it.
I mean, I'm fairly certain I read the updated version, and I still don't get it. So I guess I'll just follow the suggestion anyways to let my eyes glaze over and just nod and smile.
I was rereading this one because I remember liking the 'verse, but not liking the whole Sebali farce. I'd forgotten that Sebali shows up and then features prominently.
And just...this whole Sebali farce. I wouldn't be so upset if Sebastian had given any indication he might be genderfuild, or trans. But no. As far as I can tell, they just needed to hetero it up for the public. But as I said below, Capricious Rose has been shown to have substantial political power. And it all goes to naught. Because somehow, heteronormativity is more powerful than anything. I call bullshit.
Wes is a gem. Wes is a beautiful cinnamon roll, too good for this stupid world the author made it, too pure.
Fucking fuck, forever salty over Sebali. You know what, my threshold of doneness with things has been lowered. Fuck it, 1-star. Fuck this whole Sebali heteronormativity farce. I've read better bad fanfic. *stomps off in disgust, grumbling all the while*
Update: Okay, so I skipped most of the Sebali bs and actually read the epilogue and it redeemed itself. It gets + 2 stars
8/1/14
Eh. It wasn't bad. Until Sebali showed up. "Seba," hah. What other princess named Seba blathering about Adrian could there be? It's Sebastian. And then I just...ewww
So, what, is Sebastian permanently a woman now? Cuz I guess that would be fine, too, from a moralistic sense, although that means I got tricked into reading a het romance, and just...ewww
I dunno, I mean, any enjoyment I might have derived from this story got squicked out by "Sebali"
Gah. What the hell, man. I still hate this stupid-ass "pretend to be a woman" bullshit. Okay, already there's the issue of an heir/several heirs that's bothering me. Like come on, bigger picture here. And the worst part it, it's been proven that Capricious Rose is powerful enough to influence changes of law. And yet, nothing of the sort happens. Instead, they go with the stupid-ass "actually born as a woman, made him think she was a he all these years" charade.
Ugg. How is it a cameo of stupid Sebastian shows up so much and they keep talking about him/her whatever bullshit is going on with that?
Worst part is, I think I wouldn't have so much issue with Sebastian being spewed all over the page everywhere if he weren't publicly a woman. Or it'd be okay if he actually were trans* or something. Or idk everything about this farce of a charade just bothers me. Gah.
Ugg. I tried to sit through the rest of it and the epilogue, but all of the Sebastian/Sebali everywhere really put me off.
4-star for the story itself, even if Jade's like completely different than how the author wrote him in Intrigue. 1.5 for Sebali ew.
Which overall, puts it at a 2-star. Sorry, Jade. Blame Sebali for your low rating.
Here's what I typed while reading:
*squints with suspicion*
JADE, BABY, WHAT STRANGE CURSE HAVE YOU GOTTEN YOURSELF UNDER? I mean, Jade's turn of phrase was weird to me anyways (although I've generally laid that on the author), but this...this is some Shakespearean shit, man. (ETA: no curse. just weird authorness, I guess...)
I mean, in Intrigue, his speech at first was kind of regular-ish, and then as the story went along, got all...I dunno, interestingly dialect-y, somehow, if I remember correctly. And now, wow, his speech is barely comprehensible.
Also, I went through the entirety of Intrigue not knowing that Jade apparently has skin the deepest shade of ink. All I really knew about him was "green" and "soul eating," really, now that I think of it.
I mean, I'm fairly certain I read the updated version, and I still don't get it. So I guess I'll just follow the suggestion anyways to let my eyes glaze over and just nod and smile.
October 16, 2013
I think I've read this story 3 times already. It's a standalone but you understand it better if you read it right after Intrigue At The Crowned Jewel.
It's a sweet and poetic love story (if poetic is the right word for it...).
I've just read it for the 3rd time and all I have to critisize is that I wanted it to be longer.
It's a sweet and poetic love story (if poetic is the right word for it...).
I've just read it for the 3rd time and all I have to critisize is that I wanted it to be longer.
February 2, 2013
A sweet side story to Intrigue At The Crowned Jewel. I recommend reading this story after reading Crowned Jewel as it provides much of the background story.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews