I received this book for free from St. Martin's Press in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

In the majestic halls of a crystal palace lies a secret that could destroy an entire kingdom…

Bryn Aven refuses to give up on her dream of serving the kingdom she loves. It’s a dream that brings her to a whole new realm…and the glittering palace of the Skojare.

The Skojare people need protection from the same brutal enemy that’s been threatening the Kanin, and Bryn is there to help. Being half Skojare herself, it’s also a chance for her to learn more about her lost heritage. Her boss, Ridley Dresden, is overseeing her mission, but as their undeniable attraction heats up, their relationship is about to reach a whole new level—one neither of them is prepared for.

As they delve deeper into the Skojare world, they begin to unravel a long-hidden secret. The dark truth about her own beloved Kanin kingdom is about to come to light, and it will change her place in it forever…and threaten everyone she loves.

I’m sure you guys have seen my rather lukewarm review to the first book of this series. I was disappointed that the trolls here looked and acted like humans, and I hated some of what Bryn did at the end of the book despite her strong and amazing drive and personality. However, even with all these complaints, I still enjoyed the first book and was nervous to start the second one, lest it be lackluster.

Well, my doubts were surely unfounded because I actually… loved this. O_O

This time around, Bryn and Kasper were sent to the Kingdom of Skojare (imagine all blue and ice and sapphires) to assist in the investigation regarding the Queen, Konstantin, and the shadows lurking in the arena of Troll politics. And man, would it be weird if I say that reading this felt like I was watching a suspenseful episode of Criminal Minds? You really feel the tension in the atmosphere as our heroine tries to make a sense of what’s happening, as every where she turns, there are mysteries, secrets, and even more deadends; the suspense and discoveries are so well-placed and so subtle that I didn’t feel like I was simply reading but that I was also trying to solve the puzzle right alongside her.

Pretty much me the whole time:

“I’m pretty sure this person is the culprit.”

“No, wait, this innocent little act is kinda suspicious… yup, I’m calling it. IT’S THIS PERSON!”

“Shiz, I’m not sure now… okay, wait, wait… yeah, I definitely think that one’s the suspect. I mean, seriously, this individual’s behavior is shady!”

“You know what? Fuck it, I don’t know anymore.”

Yeah… my deducing skills right now is pretty much non-existent.

But seriously, the plot in Ice Kissed > Frostfire. It was simply more action-packed and full of court intrigue and possible conspiracies to keep your mind continuously working while reading, making you wonder what else is in store for us and the characters here. Plus, the ending makes you wanna go

And my gods, I love Bryn here. I kinda take back my complaints in the previous installment because the first thing she did as soon as they got back was tell the important information we saw her previously refraining from telling anybody. And after that, it was pretty much kickass here and kickass there, and kickass everywhere. If in Frostfire she was mildly annoying, here, she was awesome from head to toe. She used her wits, trusted her instincts, swept the guys off their feet with her melee moves, and she is just awesome. She wasn’t recklessly impulsive, creating tension by doing stupid things. No, tension happened and then she acted accordingly. Each. Time. 

Which is so refreshing. I want more kickass heroines like that.

I do wish there were more Ridley awesomeness, though. I really like him as a character and love interest. He was the type that didn’t push or impose himself, was flawed and was emotional to a certain extent, and let things happen naturally. Hopefully in the next book? *puppy eyes*

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