Cold Dream Dawning

Pale Queen #2

by A.R. Kahler

Though trained as a ruthless and efficient killer, Claire barely survived her last assignment. Still reeling from the summoning of the deadly Pale Queen and Roxie’s betrayal, she’s unprepared for Queen Mab’s next to help uncover a new threat to the kingdom, Claire must hunt down the mortal mother she’s never known.

But Claire’s divided loyalties may be the least of her her mother, the former star of the Immortal Circus, has other enemies—including the Summer King. To save the Winter Kingdom from the Pale Queen’s dark designs, Claire must attempt to awaken her mother’s hidden magic. But even if she succeeds, is there magic potent enough to protect her from the dangers lurking in the treacherous forests of the Wildness—or from the shadows in her own heart?

Genres: Fantasy, Audiobook, Fiction

258 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 3, 2016

About the author

Author, circus artist, and full-time wanderer.
I'm a weekly blogger at the YARebels (I'm Friday!). I also, er, do a lot of other things.

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Claire must seek out her birth mother, Vivienne, in order to unlock Viv's Oracle powers to track down the Pale Queen. Claire may have to kill Vivienne to do so, yikes! Unfortunately, once she finds Vivienne, the Summer court knows where she is and wants her dead, so Claire has to take Vivienne to the circus to keep her safe....and if it unlocks her memories at the same time, so be it. Meanwhile, the Pale Queen is messing with Claire's head and gaining power in the Wildwood.

There was just a lot of back and forth in the plot of this book. Claire is just running around chasing her own tail most of the time, and her emotions are in constant turmoil too as she tries to deal with the fact that she might have to kill the mother she never knew. I just felt jerked around the entire book. That said, things are finally set up for the big showdown in the final book of the trilogy, which I will be reading shortly.

[The Drowsy Bookworm · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars

This book is a total sophomore slump.

If this had been a standalone book, it would have gotten 2 stars. I gave it the extra half star due to the fact that it's a connector. By that I mean it's that not-so-exciting book in a series with the seemingly sole purpose of connecting one part of the overrall plot to another. Where the first book was a magical thrill ride, this one is slow moving. Stagnant. It does waaaaaay more talking about magic than actually letting us see any. The first part of the book takes place in Claire's mother's kitchen as she argues with the Changeling that took her place. So.Much.Time is spent in this kitchen. After they leave the kitchen, it doesn't get much more eventful. The majority of the book is a big long discussion about the pros and cons of giving Claire's mother back her memories. Claire needs to do so in order to find the Pale Queen. However, if she does this, her mother will suffer for it. In fact, it seems to be every other character's purpose to tell Claire how much her mother will suffer.

Claire spends the book dealing with the internal conflict of her decision, which is about as exciting as it sounds. Eli, her demon buddy from Pale Queen Rising returns for some fun, but even he can't really advance the linear plot.

The book ends abruptly, which is ironically right about when things start to get interesting. Because I love the idea of this series and so enjoyed the first book, I'm going to forgive the dullness of the second installment. I'm already reading the third one via Kindle Unlimited, which picks up right where this one leaves off and already seems to be more eventful. Fingers crossed..

[Simone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book two of The Pale Queen series. In book one we're introduced to Claire, Winter Fairy Queen Mab's adopted daughter and trained assassin. In this portion, Claire is no longer finding out who is stealing "Dream", she is now hunting down the Pale Queen in order to save Winter and Summer. In order to do this, she must find her biological mother, The Oracle.

This story had me completely enraptured! I love all of the magic involved, especially Claire's since she's a mortal. I also enjoy Eli, he's always saving her life. This novel has tons of nonstop action and even twists you don't see coming....time for book 3. :)

[Marjolein (UrlPhantomhive) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read all my reviews on http://urlphantomhive.booklikes.com

I haven't read the first book in the Pale Queen series, and neither any of the other trilogies by A.R. Kahler, but besides some minor confusion during Cold Dream Dawning this didn't bother me, and it could also be read as a standalone.

The beginning was rather slow, and it was a bit harder to keep focused on the book but once the pace picked up it was an entertaining read. The characters were quite nice and I'm considering reading the next instalment in the series to see where it is going.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

[Yvonne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cold Dream Dawning didn't draw me in like the previous A.R. Kahler books have, but it was still great, and has me wanting to finish the trilogy.

SPOILERS AFTER THIS POINT
It was mostly just very depressing to see where Viv has ended up in life. She was a character one couldn't help but get attached to in the Immortal Circus trilogy, and to see her fate unfold was so sad.

Kingston's fate was equally depressing. To know how much preparation he had put into his home and the family he had hoped to have. It gave me such a sense of heartache.

The Pale Queen trilogy is full of heartache and great character development.

[Peter Millane · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars for this one.

Again this is a very solid book and one id easily recommend. Half a star taken off due to just a few long winded passages that could have been chopped during edits.

Annoyed that I have to wait 2 months for the next one though!

[Gwen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Riveting and fun, but entirely too short.

[Diana Hurwitz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love A R Kahler and started with his Immortal Circus Trilogy. I love everything he has written. His prose is delicious. His characters are beautifully rendered and his story world magical. I high recommend Starting with The Immortal Circus 1, Act Two, and Act 3. Murdered contortionists aren’t exactly what Vivienne signed up for when she ran away to join the circus. But like most things under the big top, nothing is what it seems. With a past she can't quite remember, Vivienne finds that running away forever might not be as appealing as it once sounded—because forever means something quite different at the Cirque des Immortels. Aided by her friends Kingston—a feisty stage magician whose magic is quickly stealing her heart—and his sarcastic assistant Melody, Vivienne finds herself racing against the clock to discover the culprit behind a series of deaths that should be impossible. However, the answer she seeks might reveal more about her own bloody past—and future—than she bargains for. The show's just beginning. Step right up...Continuing in the Immortal Circus world, Pale Queen rising follows the royal assassin, Claire, who is used to moving between the mortal world and the Winter Kingdom. When the queen commands her to kill, Claire does the job and doesn’t ask questions. Her deadly skills and loyalty are soon tested when Claire is sent to the Immortal Circus, one of the many places where “Dream” is harvested from the imaginings of mortals, and someone is causing it to mysteriously disappear. Claire’s job is to find the culprit before the Winter Kingdom’s supply of Dream is depleted enough to threaten its very survival. But when she meets Roxie, a beautiful mortal singer with a strange link to the Dream thieves, Claire quickly recognizes an odd and unexplained connection that may cloud her judgment. As each new clue unveils another secret, Claire finds herself confronting the riddle of her own buried past—and a dangerous illusion that, as part of the Immortal Circus, is just another act in the show. Highly recommend Book Two Cold Dream Dawning and Black Ice Burning. And every other title by this amazing writer.

[Tori · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the book as a whole but dang it Claire pissed me off. I realize that she had some growing to do and Roxie hurt her but come on girl, kick some butt and cry about it and have some liquid therapy when everything is done and over with. I'm glad we got to see some of the circus again in this book and I LOVED Kingston. His character grew more on me and I just loved it so much even though at times it was heartbreaking. I'm pretty pumped about where this book ended and can't wait to see what happens in the last book!

[Emily M. McGuirk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good middle book

I'm enjoying this series. I'm interested in where it's going to end up. I didn't quite expect the ending. I feel for Claire, she may try, but she is still human and what she does has an effect on her. I was sorry for Vivienne. I had hoped after the Immortal Circus series that she and Claire could have a better reunion. I'm wondering more about the Pale Queen. With all the questions I have, I am looking forward to reading the last book.

[Cindy Liberton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting plot, but inner life just wont stop

When Clair goes to the circus or hangs out with Eli, or actually takes action of sort, the story rocks along in a fairly enjoyable manner. However one quickly tires of Clair beating herself up for being emotional about being emotional about her Mother. Would have liked more action and less soul searching - literally, it turns out.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fanfreakingtastic

I really love this whole series.....this book wasn’t my favorite in the series but it was still VERY good. The characters are developed even more here and it’s awesome to see the people from the Immortal Circus series in this book too

[Peigi Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gobbled it Up!

Normally, the middle book of a trilogy isn't as good as the others. Not so with this one - just as much energy and fun as the first and the Immortal Circus series. Can't wait for Book 3.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good stuff!

What a great story and even greater characters! I really can not wait to read the 3rd book! Nice change of pace from the other series I was reading

[La · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cliff hanger
I feel like Claire keeps making dumb decisions but I still want to know whats next.

[Lady Asher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Impressed

This book was better then the first. I thought this series would get weird or fall off. I was pleasantly surprised.

[Kayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review was originally posted on The Review CourtAs usual, I think A R Kahler does a wonderful job at storytelling. He manages to introduce you to his rendition of other parts of the Faery Kingdom and we get to meet the mysterious Pale Queen. whose actual name we don't know. In this book we find out where Claire gets her magic from [being a mortal and all]. And we even get a reunion, of sorts, between Kingston and Vivienne and Claire and Vivienne. More on these later.

We didn't get much page-time with a certain demon, but the fact that he isn't completely heartless is a rather unique thing that Kahler brings to this story. I'm also glad that there wasn't anymore weird Kingston and Claire hook ups. Nor were there any Kingston and Viv hook ups.

In this book, the battle is mostly between Claire and herself. Her need to be accepted and loved, and her need to have a mother who is proud of what she has become battles with her desire to get her job done. Now that she had signed her contract the mere thought of defying Mab bring her to her knees in pain. In order to discover the Pale Queen's location and figure out how to get rid of her, Claire must get her mother to manifest as the Oracle. However, she's told that this will kill her mother and the Oracle will die and be reborn in another human.

She will try to get Kingston to remove the magic he placed on Vivienne but this is not as simple as it seems.

Oberon is out to get Vivienne for himself, since she had promised her future incarnation to him, and also he wants to exploit her power as the Oracle to gain advantage in the fight against the Pale Queen. Why is everyone afraid of the Pale Queen? Because she wants to destroy Summer and Winter and with it order to the faery kingdom and to the human world. She claims that it is best for everyone but there are still some faeries that remember how everything was before order was created, and they want none of it.

I am a bit disappointed that Vivienne is brought back only as a side thought. She is not herself and barely even present in the book. I know that it is really in answer to everyone wanting to know, "what happens to Viv?". But seeing her the way she is left after the Immortal Circus is so depressing, and there is just no redemption from this.

I don't personally think that Claire is as strong a character as Vivienne was. I definitely feel more love for Viv and Kingston than I do for Claire and Eli [who are not romantically involved].

I'm hoping that Claire finds herself in this last book, because she is rather broken by then end of the story. I hope than in that there can be some redemption for her character's weakness and indecisiveness.

As for Mab and Oberon, something will happen that you never thought was possible and I am dying to know how this will affect the story, and the ending.

Overall, the story telling was amazing, the plot was rather interesting and although the end was a bit unsatisfying, I know that's only because the author wants us to read the final book. Well it worked. I've already pre-order Black Ice Burning, the third book in the trilogy.

The Verdict - I liked it!

[Jess - The Hexed Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this in ebook format. Typically I only read ebooks when I'm waiting for appointments or friends who are late to everything (you know, we all have that one friend). That's how this one started out. About halfway through I became super obsessed with finding out how it ended and I actually started reading it instead of the physical book I was working on.

If you read my review of Pale Queen Rising, you know I've never read the Immortal Circus series. I don't feel like I've missed out on anything by not reading it first (other than I'm sure the ending of that series is ruined for me now). So, in the words of Shang, let's get down to business and get this review started.

Claire is so different in this book vs. book one and I'm totally okay with it. Why? Because it's her character growth, things that she's learned, things she's seen, they've definitely changed her. Whether it's been for the better or not is completely debatable. But I love Claire. Are you supposed to love an assassin? I'm not sure, but I do.

For most of this book you don't really see a lot of the secondary characters. They're all kind of around for a few chapters and then poof . . . they're gone. I do like Eli, even though he's a vicious soul eating demon. My word, what does this say about me? Nothing good I guess.

There's a little bit of Melody and Kingston again and I do quite like the two of them. I probably will at some point read the Immortal Circus because these two are so awesome.

Now. The writing. Kahler's writing definitely has a way of pulling me in and making me want to read more. I feel like the plot of this one was a little more stagnant than the first. There were a couple of little spats here and there but nothing quite like the first. However, I this book felt much more character driven, and I can totally get behind that.

Kahler has found an intriguing way to bring about change within a character that you wouldn't necessarily expect to change. And I like that about him. Writing an assassin's character in manner that makes you want to root for them is always something that I find interesting. What about this murderous monster makes me feel like they should reach their goals? I don't know, but I want to.

Overall this was a really good book that I was pulled in to super quickly. It was a quick, fun read and I really enjoyed it. I actually might buy the physical copies of these, which is something I rarely ever do when I read an ebook so, that should give you some indication of how much I've enjoyed these so far.

[Kristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

lots of build up but no real conclusion....just like the first book in the series it leaves you hanging at the end...

[Mari · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was really disappointed this ended so soon and now I have to wait for the next book :( But now I am going to go way back to the beginning and start there. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes the fairy and fey and the fantasy life. A.R. Kahler's writing lets me enjoy all that my kindle has to offer, including the use of my dictionary to click on words I am not familiar with, not a bad thing, but he uses words quite ordinarily not used in most things I have read. Looking forward to more by this upcoming artist!!!!

[Kimberly L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bravo, young Master Kahler!!!

OMG!! This series is amazing, I wish I could adequately put into words how entertaining these books are. The storyline continues on from The Immortal Circus and draws you even further into their remarkable world. I have devoured everything this Author has written, not just this series his brain and imagination have me enthralled, I fear I have made a deal with the Fey

[Thereasa Gwinn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 2 of the Pale Queen Series

This book starts off slow and plodding. Very much a "poor me" depression in the main character. It is well deserved, as she has been treated poorly and had to make some difficult decisions forced on her. I didn't like seeing her as the victim(or seeing herself as a victim) as she is a strong character. But this book is the middle of the story and as such, will be the uncomfortable part of the story. I look forward to the resolution.

[N.J. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Have been following the story line since the immortal circus. it is easy to get lost in the entire story line and easy to fall in love with the characters. With that said it is also easy to loose interest in certain parts through out the story. Lengthy monologues and unnecessary detail can become tiresome and can fill one with boredom. But over all I really enjoyed getting to know the characters in the book and growing with them as well

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book.

I haven't read the first book, which I think might have helped with some of the mild confusion I felt when reading this book. There was a bit more violence than I normally like in the books I read, but the story was engaging and interesting enough that I know want to read the first book. And will anxiously await the publication of the next!

[Lorinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great introduction of a new series. The author did a fantastic job of starting a new series and storyline while keeping true to the first trilogy. You get to visit with old familiar characters throughout the new series. Can't wait for the second book to be released!!!

[Carol Palmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just like the first book in the series, I vacuumed this book despite the fact that we are re-introduced to Vivienne who is a pale shadow of the character in The Immortal Circus. I also hope Claire gets her act back together in the third book in this series which comes out in October.

[Terry Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Action and mystery

The book picks up right where the First Book concluded and keeps running with action. More twists and turns in the plot then leaves you hanging at the end for Book Three.

[Simone · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't love this one like I did Pale Queen Rising. I also didn't like Claire as much either. She was very inconsistent. The overall story was lacking. This was a bit disappointing for me, but I did have pretty high expectations. I will still read the last one.

[Megan =^..^= · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best fantasy books I've read in a very long time. The story is well written, and refreshingly unique. Claire kicks ass :) 100% recommend!

[Victorialinda Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book from goodreads giveaways.

I was instantly hooked and loved this book. I am looking forward to reading more by this author and would recommend this book.