Young Adult Book Review: Frostfire by Amanda Hocking
Title: Frostfire
Series: Kanin Chronicles #1
Author: Amanda Hocking
Age Group: YOUNG ADULT
Genre Type: Fantasy, Trolls
Publication Date: January 6th 2015
Source: Bought
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
SUMMARY:
Bryn Aven is an outcast among the Kanin, the most powerful of the troll tribes.
Set apart by her heritage and her past, Bryn is a tracker who's determined to become a respected part of her world. She has just one goal: become a member of the elite King’s Guard to protect the royal family. She's not going to let anything stand in her way, not even a forbidden romance with her boss Ridley Dresden.
But all her plans for the future are put on hold when Konstantin– a fallen hero she once loved – begins kidnapping changelings. Bryn is sent in to help stop him, but will she lose her heart in the process?
Frostfire is the first book Amanda Hocking's new YA series and take place in the same fantastical world as her Trylle series. It's not often that I can get my hands-on a book that features trolls in the main storyline, but when I find one I grab it up. Besides, I would be in denial if I did not admit the cover pushed me over the edge. I couldn't wait to enter into the realm of Kanin, a world of trolls and magic where Bryn Aven battles for the safety of their royalty. A realm of changelings ...
I went into the story with little memory of the early books from the Trylle series that I've read, and had no difficulty getting into the flow of this new spinoff. Bryn is an easily likeable protagonist. She's very determined to make her place in the elite King's Guard, and comes from mixed bloodline of the two houses of Kanin and Skojare, which is unfortunately frowned upon and puts her at a disadvantage - but that does not stop her in the least. She's very focused, intent and an accomplished tracker for the kingdom. Throw into this mix some slow brewing chemistry between her and Ridley, who just happens to be in charge of the trackers, and you have the start of an interesting possibility for romance. The danger that threatens comes from a rogue guard to the queen, Konstantin Black, as part of the revered Högdragen. An elite group of guards. There's murder, kidnapping and missing changelings to keep things interesting.
While I loved the moments of world building, especially in the initial beginning and ending where the readers is treated to some fantastical qualities, a society of trolls with near human appearances, yet with enhanced abilities - the pace was a bit daunting at times for me. The story I can tell is building-up for something exciting, yet the lulls got to me somewhat. The mystery of why Konstantin Black is a defector plays a big part and it seems that I will have to wait for book two in order to get any closer to finding out just why.
I would recommend to Frostfire to any fans of Amanda Hocking, especially those of her Trylle series. With the groundwork laid in Frostfire, I'm curious enough to follow this series and the magical realm where trolls and changelings mix, politics and intrigue abound, and oh yes, romance is a strong possibility.
My rating: 3.5 stars. I liked it!
