100 books
—
3 voters
Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.
Start by marking “Ice and Embers (Steampunk Fairy Tales: The Snow Queen, #1)” as Want to Read:
Ice and Embers
(Steampunk Fairy Tales #2)
by
It takes more than passion and pixie dust to thaw a frozen heart.
With the 1814 London Frost Fair in full swing, actress Elyse McKenna's performance in A Midwinter Night's Dream thrills the crowd. But Elyse's backstage has life is beginning to take on a distinctly Shakespearean flavor.
When she fell in love with Lord John Waldegrave, Elyse was prepared to keep their affair s ...more
With the 1814 London Frost Fair in full swing, actress Elyse McKenna's performance in A Midwinter Night's Dream thrills the crowd. But Elyse's backstage has life is beginning to take on a distinctly Shakespearean flavor.
When she fell in love with Lord John Waldegrave, Elyse was prepared to keep their affair s ...more
Paperback
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Reader Q&A
To ask other readers questions about
Ice and Embers,
please sign up.
Be the first to ask a question about Ice and Embers
Community Reviews
Showing 1-30
Start your review of Ice and Embers (Steampunk Fairy Tales: The Snow Queen, #1)
I usually enjoy fairytale retellings, but this retelling of "The snow Queen" was pretty disappointing. This book is my second that is written by Karsak, and I will say, that I enjoyed her first book of the Alice in wonderland retelling, more than this one.
This book has a beautiful cover, and that initially attracted me to it, even before I knew what the book was about. The plot had great potential, but simply failed to pull me in. I disliked the main character, Elyse, as I felt like I was watch ...more
This book has a beautiful cover, and that initially attracted me to it, even before I knew what the book was about. The plot had great potential, but simply failed to pull me in. I disliked the main character, Elyse, as I felt like I was watch ...more
This wasn't as good as the first book in the series but still such a cool take on the Snow Queen
...more
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
This is a great story from Melanie Karsak! Steam punk retelling of the Snow Queen fairy tale that I just couldn't put down. I loved the characters and the twist that came at the end, I totally didn't see it coming! I love the mixture of steampunk and Regency London and Karsak makes the two fit together seamlessly and create a story that you will not want to put down. I am so looking forward to more of her steampunk fairy tale retellings. ...more
This is a great story from Melanie Karsak! Steam punk retelling of the Snow Queen fairy tale that I just couldn't put down. I loved the characters and the twist that came at the end, I totally didn't see it coming! I love the mixture of steampunk and Regency London and Karsak makes the two fit together seamlessly and create a story that you will not want to put down. I am so looking forward to more of her steampunk fairy tale retellings. ...more
This book is a new twist on the fairytale The Ice Queen, but is also so much more. Although it kind of bills itself as a romance story (the kind of book I NEVER read as I HATE slushy romances!) this book is a paranormal story with steampunk elements, and has wonderful writing and characters in it. The inclusion of plays gives the ability to have more dramatic scenes, and the author definitely exploits the Victorian Ice Fair setting too! The only negative thing I would say about it would be the n
...more
I received an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. This is a wonderful retelling of the Snow Queen set in Regency London. The Thames freezes over and a city emerges on ice. Interesting Shakespearean story set in MidWinter nights dream. All the characters are there. Love the love triangle and how the author twist the story. Well done! I would recommend this book to everyone who loves regency romances.
I was disappointed by the content and the lack of a Snow Queen in the story .
The content ;
-A man puts his hand under a woman's shirt without asking . *me fuming in the background *. 😡
-Several times the main character (Elyse) is lusting after her "boyfriend".
- Two charcters almost end of having sex after some heavy making out .
- Sexual innuendos , and lewd comments.
- A woman (the villain) is said to be naked ,and in bed with a man who is unconcious .
All of this could have easily been cut out ,it ...more
The content ;
-A man puts his hand under a woman's shirt without asking . *me fuming in the background *. 😡
-Several times the main character (Elyse) is lusting after her "boyfriend".
- Two charcters almost end of having sex after some heavy making out .
- Sexual innuendos , and lewd comments.
- A woman (the villain) is said to be naked ,and in bed with a man who is unconcious .
All of this could have easily been cut out ,it ...more
I liked this book but it was slow. Not a lot happened until the end. That being said, what a ending.
_______________________
Romanceopoly- London Street
_______________________
Romanceopoly- London Street
I don't even know were to being with this book. The cover is amazing! I am so in love with this cover, everything about it. It's gorgeous! I am quickly falling in love with Melanie Karsak's writing, I haven't read any retelling quite like her take on fairytales. This one was about the snow queen and it did not disappoint.
Elysa & Kai...sigh...Kai....I loved this world and I adored both characters. I loved the love story and the twist at the end. I wish it had more of the "snow queen" but over a ...more
Elysa & Kai...sigh...Kai....I loved this world and I adored both characters. I loved the love story and the twist at the end. I wish it had more of the "snow queen" but over a ...more
I love, love, love this story! This romantic fairy tale is set in 1814 London, with the beautiful Frost Fair as its backdrop. Take some lovable characters, a dash of steampunk and paranormal, swirl it all together with Shakespearean drama and you’ve got a Shakespeare play come-to-life!
The paperback cover is stunning! Hints of the story—frozen roses, a special mirror—frame a gorgeous ballet performer with Tower Bridge, the most iconic bridge in London, as the backdrop. All of the elements came to ...more
The paperback cover is stunning! Hints of the story—frozen roses, a special mirror—frame a gorgeous ballet performer with Tower Bridge, the most iconic bridge in London, as the backdrop. All of the elements came to ...more
Fantastic version of an old classic of the Ice Queen. Great adult version to keep you interested. Just couldn't put it down, fast paced. Definitely ready for more.
...more
It is quite a nice novel ..
I loved it though it had a few inappropriate pages ..
This writer is so talented. .
You just can't get enough of reading her books .. ...more
I loved it though it had a few inappropriate pages ..
This writer is so talented. .
You just can't get enough of reading her books .. ...more
Love. Love. Love. Quick and engaging! This is such a smart and fun mash-up of The Snow Queen and A Midsummer Night's Dream. This is my second Melanie Karsak book and I cannot wait to discover more!
...more
Received an ARC of Ice and Embers. It took me longer than I had wished to really get hooked, but once I did I finished within a few hours. This book really surprised me. I think the cover threw me a bit image wise, but once I got a few chapters in, I was happy. A winter festival on the frozen Thames, mysterious strangers, a great theatre, and a dash of steampunk!
3.5 stars - The pretty cover initially won this book a place on my shelf shelves as did the promise of a steampunk fairy tale retelling. Although this is part of the author's steam punk series, this book was more magic than steam influenced, but did deliver on the fairytale with its twist on the snow queen. Ice and Embers was a pleasant enough read. The bits of plays as a foundation and the leading lady actress' performance worked well. Much better than the romance aspects - I thought her romanc
...more
3.5 stars.. i didn't really like that there was too much romance here, but that might be because i was expecting for more action/fantasy than this. still, i loved how the story ended.
...more
I must admit that The Snow Queen is one of my all time favourite fairy tales. Which meant that a steampunk adaptation of it was immediately going to draw me in. Particularly when the other two adaptations I’ve read by Karsak (Curiouser and Curiouser and Wolves and Daggers) were just so damn good. And you know what? This didn’t disappoint. It was fantastic and wonderful and did absolute justice to the original fairy tale (thank goodness).
Although the original fairy tale focuses on two children, I ...more
Although the original fairy tale focuses on two children, I ...more
Series Info/Source: This is the second book in the Steampunk Fairy Tales. There are five books in this series. I borrowed this book for my Kindle from Kindle Unlimited.
Story (4/5): This was a fun read and very sweet. This is a retelling of the Snow Queen with some fun twists. It has less of a steampunk tone to it than “Curiouser and Curiouser” and deals more with faerie and magical realism. I didn't love it quite as much as "Curiouser and Curiouser" but still really enjoyed it. There is an excel ...more
Story (4/5): This was a fun read and very sweet. This is a retelling of the Snow Queen with some fun twists. It has less of a steampunk tone to it than “Curiouser and Curiouser” and deals more with faerie and magical realism. I didn't love it quite as much as "Curiouser and Curiouser" but still really enjoyed it. There is an excel ...more
Unlike the other stories, I didn't have much of the original to base this off of and I think that took some of the personal joy out of it for me. I did love the story for the most part but some of it felt like filler that didn't need to be there. Maybe the "filler" was just an introduction to future characters but maybe I'll know later. I haven't read Karsak's main series and she stated at the end there is a lot of Easter eggs in this book based off of those. I, of course, missed that as I haven
...more
Still awesome
I didn't see the connection between the play that was being performed and the drama in the story until halfway through the book. The story and characters had me involved that completely (a bit embarrassing but was fun to realize belatedly). I'm not the brightest bulb in the box, so you'll probably see it a lot sooner than I did but I still think that the story and writing is that good.
It's fun. It's a fairy tale. It stays true to the steam punk thread and pre-Victorian European cult ...more
I didn't see the connection between the play that was being performed and the drama in the story until halfway through the book. The story and characters had me involved that completely (a bit embarrassing but was fun to realize belatedly). I'm not the brightest bulb in the box, so you'll probably see it a lot sooner than I did but I still think that the story and writing is that good.
It's fun. It's a fairy tale. It stays true to the steam punk thread and pre-Victorian European cult ...more
3.5 stars
I think that this book had a good plot. I think that I enjoyed this book the most out of the fairy tale retellings by Melanie Karsak that I've read. My issue with this book is that this did not give me a steampunk vibe at all. There were very little steampunk elements than in her Red Riding Hood retelling and her Alice in Wonderland retelling.
I think it could be that this book is in the same universe, which is why it is marketed as a steampunk Snow Queen. I'm still anticipating reading ...more
I think that this book had a good plot. I think that I enjoyed this book the most out of the fairy tale retellings by Melanie Karsak that I've read. My issue with this book is that this did not give me a steampunk vibe at all. There were very little steampunk elements than in her Red Riding Hood retelling and her Alice in Wonderland retelling.
I think it could be that this book is in the same universe, which is why it is marketed as a steampunk Snow Queen. I'm still anticipating reading ...more
My first read from author Melanie Karsak, although I own several of her books I’d yet to read one and I have to say reading this book was my pleasure. Exquisite detail, well developed characters and setting. Although not particularly long the story & the book reads longer as it’s so well written. I love the mixture of steam punk and 1814 Regency London and the author makes the two mesh together seamlessly and create a story that you will not want to put down. I received an advanced reader copy a
...more
I will admit first off, I really like the steampunk cover, which is not featured here on the kindle version. A fairy tale twist on the Ice Queen, Ice and Embers is a Victorian romance with a splash of steampunk and paranormal. Quick and easy read! A short time spent at the Frost Fair, better enjoy it while it lasts because soon it will melt away. An aspiring ballet dancer and a handsome doctor, sweep the story away in their own Shakespearian drama. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of Ice & Embers f
...more
I really enjoyed the fantasy of this story set on a frozen Thames, a novel concept for me, an Australian! I liked the interplay between the characters acting as other characters in Shakespeare's modified plays. There was so much going on within this story, the drowned man being brought back to life, the treachery and deceit, the romantic expectations and limitations within their station in life in the year 1814. the paranormal twists. I really loved the creative way Melanie Karsak weaves the tal
...more
Wow! Melanie Karsak is a talented writer! She successfully weaves Shakespeare with fairy tales in this historical fantasy romance. She includes layers of magic and science, theater and real life. Your heart goes out to the characters and new ones get introduced along the way making you wonder how they all fit together. This also adds to the suspense and I found my heart thumping hard in different scenes. It's a twisted story that will keep you in knots until the end!
...more
Aug 15, 2018
Deborah Grinaker
rated it
it was amazing
Recommends it for:
all readers
Shelves:
reviewed
Wonderful! I received a free Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this eBook and make this unbiased review on my own. I strongly recommend this book. It has beautiful tempo and spirit, great character development, strong plot, and wonderful twists! Melanie definitely fulfills the promise of the book description. Lots of other subplots going on, too, adding wonderful dimension to this Steampunk Fairy Tale!
Again I am impressed with Melanie Karsak's retellings. For this one, I was a little disappointed by how little of the steampunk theme was involved. The only time it was mentioned was when Master Hawkings and his daughter Isobell were brought in. I liked the little references back to Curiouser and Curiouser.
...more
A Wonderful Combination of the Snow Queen & A Midsummer Night's Dream with a bit of steampunk thrown in. A Frost fair on the frozen Thames, very unique. The characters and storyline are well developed, just loved Elyse and Kai. A wonderful read I did not want to end. Will definitely be reading more of Melanie Karsak's books. I received an ARC from the author for an honest review.
...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
A Wonderful Combination of the Snow Queen & A Midsummer Night's Dream with a bit of steampunk thrown in. A Frost fair on the frozen Thames, very unique. The characters and storyline are well developed, just loved Elyse and Kai. A wonderful read I did not want to end. Will definitely be reading more of Melanie Karsak's books.
...more
Really enjoyed this steampunk fairy tale. The combination of Shakespeare, a London Ice Fair, and steampunk worked so well. The author created a world of the stage and intrigue with a love story and mystery at the center. I was drawn through the story by the suspense. Already looking up other stories in the series to read.
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Readers also enjoyed
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Melanie Karsak is the author of The Airship Racing Chronicles, The Harvesting Series, The Celtic Blood Series, Steampunk Red Riding Hood, and Steampunk Fairy Tales. A steampunk connoisseur, zombie whisperer, and heir to the iron throne, the author currently lives in Florida with her husband and two children. She is an Assistant Professor of English a
...more
Other books in the series
Steampunk Fairy Tales
(5 books)
Related Articles
Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, 2020 will be long remembered as a Dumpster fire of a year. But the nice thing about time is that it...
497 likes · 237 comments
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
