Fire of the Frost
Anthology with stories by Darynda Jones, Amanda Bouchet, Grace Draven, and Jeffe Kennedy
What is it about:
A midwinter holiday fantasy romance anthology…
A Wynter Fyre by Darynda Jones
In a world where vampyres have been hunted to near extinction, the daughter of a demon is sent to save their race. Wynter ends the Blood Wars, but a single drop of vampyre blood accidentally crosses her lips. As punishment, she’s encased in stone for a hundred years. When she awakens, she vows revenge. Even if it means her demise. Her quest leads her to the vampyre prince who supposedly started the wars. He comes to her aid after she’s attacked, and Gareth’s deadly prowess may be exactly what Wynter needs to defeat the woman who created her. Or exactly what she needs to thaw her frozen heart.
Of Fate and Fire by Amanda Bouchet
The Kingmaker Chronicles meets modern-day New York City! Piers, an exiled warrior from Thalyria, finds himself in the Big Apple just before the holidays. The world and everything in it might be utterly foreign to him, but that won't stop Piers from helping to complete a vital mission for Athena and protect Sophie, a French teacher from Connecticut who's suddenly knee-deep in inexplicable phenomena, danger, and henchmen after an Olympian treasure that should never have ended up in her hands—or remained on Earth after the Greek gods abandoned it.
The King of Hel by Grace Draven
Castil il Veras, daughter of lesser boyars, attends the gatherings that celebrate her best friend's upcoming marriage to the cursed king of a sorcerous kingdom. She soon learns that even marked by the magic of the Wastelands, Doranis of Helenrisia is everything she's ever desired in a mate—and absolutely forbidden to her. Bound by duty to crown and country, Doranis has traveled to the Caskadan empire to marry a woman who loathes the sight of him. During the prenuptial celebrations, he meets a scribe who finds him fascinating instead of repellent, but Castil is beyond his reach. Fate, however, would have it otherwise, and a beseeching letter from a dying queen will bring them together again in a land gripped by endless winter and old magic.
Familiar Winter Magic by Jeffe Kennedy
It’s holiday time at Convocation Academy, but best friends Han and Iliana are finding it hard to celebrate. As a familiar, Iliana is facing her assignment to a life of servitude to a wizard, very soon. And Han… despite being tested by the oracle daily, he is still uncategorized. As Iliana and Han face being separated forever, they at last find the courage—or desperation—to break the rules and acknowledge their deeper feelings for each other. But it will take more than true love to save them from the laws of the Convocation…
What did I think of it:
A Wynter Fyre by Darynda Jones
The worldbuilding was intriguing, and Wynter even more so. I rooted for her to succeed. There's one scene that people who don't like non/dub con might not enjoy, but I myself loved every second of this story. It's standalone so easy to jump into.
Of Fate and Fire by Amanda Bouchet
This story is linked to Bouchet's Fantasy series. I haven't read that series yet, but I can tell you it can be easily read as a standalone. I didn't feel like missing out. It's a fun and entertaining read.
The King of Hel by Grace Draven
Tis is a bittersweet love story that had me blink away a few tears. I felt for Castil and rooted for her to find happiness. I really should try more by Draven.
Familiar Winter Magic by Jeffe Kennedy
This story is set in the Bonds of Magic world, but can easily be read as a standalone (but why would you want to? Read all the books!). It probably won't come as a surprise that this story was my favorite. I rooted for Han and Iliana from the start and hoped they'd find happiness together. It looks like we might be seeing them again in Grey Wizard and if possible I'm now even more excited about getting my trotters on the last book in the Bonds of Magic trilogy.
All in all a really wonderful anthology with 4 amazing stories!
Why should you read it:
It's a more than enjoyable Fantasy read.
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