Beasts of the Frozen Sun is a Viking mythology type of story centered around Lira and Ryker. It's obvious from the start, these two are destined for each other and great heroics and/or doom. Two young people who are essentially forced into situations and ideologies that are well beyond the scope of their lifetime and part of a much larger picture. The characters are excellent in their complexity, development and humanity. Interactions are engaging and entertaining. The story is mythical and dynamic with vivid details and surprising twists. I couldn't wait to see what would happen next to Lira and Ryker because they seemed so real to me. I enjoyed every aspect of the story, and I'm eager to read more from Jill Criswell. Highly recommend! Thanks to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

First off, I'm so in love with the cover of this book I can't hardly stand myself!

I'm going to leave the book review at 3 stars for now, but will probably read it again when the book is released. I loved the story line. I loved Lira and Reyker as well as a few more side characters in the book. I just felt like there was something missing or too much of one thing.

There is a bit of grimdark in this book and some things are graphic more so than others. I loved the mythology and the feeling I was watching an episode of Vikings at times. The thing is, the story felt like it was going in a loop. I wanted Lira, Reyker and a few others to get off the island and continue on with what they need to do. They just continued to get into trouble, get caught, get away, sneak around, get caught, get into trouble.....

Now even though people wandered around and things and people were killed here and there; there is still a great story there, in my opinion. Lira and Reyker are linked together for reasons and I'm hoping there is going to be a big ole otherworldly romance at some point. I mean as well as all of the killing and revenge and stuff =)

Overall, I liked it good enough for 3 stars and will continue on with the series and see what happens with all of his chaos that is going on with everyone!

*Thank you to Netgalley and the Pub for a digital copy of this book for review.*

Mel ♥

An ARC was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

I was so excited about this book when I saw the cover! I wanted so badly for it to live up to that gorgeous cover and it does!

I loved basically every moment of this book. The plot was well thought out and it was not boring at any point. The world building in this book is fantastic and so incredibly imaginative.

The characters personalities and their development were perfect! They all had such incredible, distinct personalities and were written so well.

Overall, the book was amazing and Criswell is definitely someone to look out for!

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Wow, I was thoroughly blown away by this book. Within the first 10 pages I already knew I was hooked, and by the time I was ten chapters in I knew this was going to become one of my new favourite stories and worlds of all time. Criswell somehow effortlessly builds Lira and Reyker's world into something so vivid you almost forget that you're not a part of it, and the drama and stakes don't apply to you. The characters and their relationships were beautifully developed, nothing felt forced or rushed, and each of the character arcs felt organic, including the more surprising ones. While the pacing is intense, and the book is hard to put down, there are calmer moments woven in between to help balance out the more dramatic moments, and make them even more poignant. Lira is a strong, stubborn, and brave character, and makes you want to root for her from the get go. Reyker is also strong, stubborn, and brave, but also compassionate, gentle, and misunderstood, and together they make for a heart melting team. Would strongly recommend this read for fans of Sarah J Maas, Sabaa Tahir, and Laini Taylor!

Thank you to Blackstone Publishing for the arc of this book.
This book grips you from the get go,
A strong female character, gods and vikings,
A great story, from beginning to end.

Beast of the Frozen Sun
A new debut in ya high fantasy saga that transports you to a world of God and Goddess .
A captivating tale with a strong heroine , rich and vivid world of magic and adventure. Slow burn romance and political Intrigues . Complex world building centered around old world Viking themes.
Fast paced . Imaginative writing from Jill Criswell . I can’t wait for another book in this magical saga.

This book was received as an ARC from Blackstone Publishing in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

This book was so enticing and it immediately takes you away into their world and the love story that unfolded between two unlikely heroes that come from two different worlds. This book reminded me a lot of Wonder Woman in the beginning when Diana and Steve Trevor meet for the first time on Thiemyscira. All the suspense, action, drama and climax were really exciting and addicting and I know our young readers are sure to love this book. Maybe this could be a nominee for our next Battle of the Books competition.

We will consider adding this title to our YFantasy collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.

This novel was a great read and I could not put it down! There are constant plot twists and the author weaves a compelling tale. The story is mostly told from Lira of clan Stone 's point of view, but there is also some of Reyker's view as well. Lira can read souls as a descendant of Aillira, whom she was named after. Her father uses her to determine the truth from a person's soul to protect the clan. Lira is stubborn and strong in her own way, yet shows compassion to Reyker, a westlander, who is coming with his brethren to attack. Reyker has his own troubles from his childhood, forced to see and do things no child should as well as being forced to serve the Dragon. Reyker is a warrior, and Lira is the only one who can reopen his soul to the light, for he needs to defeat the Dragon and avenge his people. There is much character development between Lira and Reyker, who go from enemies to friends to lovers. Their relationship progresses throughout the novel, slowing developing, each having to work out their own fears and prejudgments about the other. Lira and Reyker have a powerful connection, but there are those who want to destroy that for their own evil purposes. There is much betrayal and the gods have their own agenda, which stared with Lira's ancestors. Lira and Reyker will sacrifice themselves for the other, but will it be enough to stop the destruction around them? I cannot wait to read the next novel in the series!