If you're into easy reading run of the mill fantasy YA, then this book will most likely suit you. But even for YA the romance was a little too fast, you know? I am all for enemies to lovers but I found it hard pressed to be convinced that they were enemies at all, and I don't think this book is self aware enough to make that plot point an overstated, ironic part of its construction. It's just poorly written.

The magic was interesting, the cover is pretty, and if that's enough of a draw for you then more power to you! But the plot and the characters fall a little flat when everything feels so accelerated, especially the ending.

But I didn't hate it.

If you’re a fan of enemies to lovers and romance set in a fantasy setting, then you’ll love this book.

Thank you to Netgalley for approving me for an Earc for this book.

I loved this story, it was a classic enemies to lovers story without too much of a cliché. The story opens with action and enough intrigue to keep you intrigued and keep reading in one sitting. I loved the two main characters from which there are 2 POVs. They both have internal struggles which develop throughout the story, you really get a feel for each of their troubles with the opposite kind but also how they’re dealing and learning to appreciate each others troubles, the author really has spent time creating the character arcs and making you feel for each of them and also route for their budding romance and bid for freedom.

The story is pretty fast paced and flows really nicely, if you’re looking for a relatively quick read that’s easy to follow then I would definitely recommend this book. There’s a few action scenes which aren’t super long but the story moves and then there’s another which I don’t mind, especially when the final fight scene is quite epic (as it is in this one).

The world building is done well as well, I think this helps with allowing the story to flow well as you don’t have to struggle to get your mind around where they are or the magic they possess because it’s too complex. There were some plot points that I didn’t see coming toward to end of the book which is so refreshing as I can usually tell where a story is going, but they’re kept tight within the writing and was a genuine surprise when it came to those moments. I cant wait for the next instalments and see where the story takes Sol and Kelan.

Thank you to Netgalley for letting me read this early! Sol was an amazing character and so was Kelan, however I felt like the romance was rushed. Where they could have developed the characters instead she said 3 weeks later or something to that degree. They were consistently being chased like hamsters on a wheel and poor Sol just kept getting more and more screwed. She couldn't even get an ounce of happiness. Carol made me happy I'm glad she was involved in the story. Overall I did enjoy this book to a certain degree and Kelan is bae.

I’d like to thank the publishers and Netgalkey for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Holy...guys. I think I just found my new favourite book and author?

Okay so here we go. This is probably one of the most original and compelling ya stories I’ve read in a long time. The characters are likeable, the story takes turns I didn’t expect and I never truly knew if the characters I was falling in love with were truly safe. I was genuinely scared for them, staying away worrying.

The characters are relatable, their relationships fleshed out and realistic. The world building and magic system is beautiful and yet simple. This is a stand-alone prequel I think? And yet it doesn’t feel any less important. I honestly can’t stop myself from wanting to read more and this author is definitely one worth watching!

A wonderful addition to a horrible year, this book has made me laugh, cry, lose sleep, almost have an anxiety attack. All in a good way.

To avoid spoilers I’ll just say everything is well fleshed our and it doesn’t feel like a short book. It feels like an epic story and the pacing is amazing honestly. Just go and read it!

The book started of well with an interesting plot but in between it became quite repetitive, with the constant confusion between Sol and Kellan, and them being hunted. The parts which could have been explored felt a bit rushed while the romance took the forefront throughout the book. The characters are likable, and I definitely would have like a more elaborate world building of the haven. The ending while interesting did feel hurried but it was intriguing enough that I would, still pick up the next book.
I would have liked a little 7 in the world building and character development, but all in all, it was light-hearted quick read.
My rating: 3.5
Thank you to Netgalley for providing the ARC.

One of the sweetest, NA "enemies-to-lovers" fantasy romances I've read lately!

From the first few words, I was hooked into Camille Longley's world. Firefrost's world, where people with pyrokinetic abiliities are treated as monsters (and so they become monsters), is as intricate as it is believable. The characters are grounded and defendable, even when we can see they're wrong in their convictions.
The slow burn from enemies to lovers between Kelan, the Flameskin lieutenant and Sol, the hardened huntress who is in denial of her own nature is done so well, you find yourself immensely wrapped up in the tribulations of these characters. You just want them to be happy and safe together, damn it! The romance is on the sweet side (mostly fade to black) but although I'm used to reading more explicit scenes in fantasy romances, I felt that it was the right choice for the characters and for the vibe of the book in general. All the emotions and high stakes were there, anyway, so you don't really feel like something is missing.
There are a lot of things happening throughout the course of this book, and at some point you do get a bit "okay, what now? what fresh hell is this?" as you witness the MCs jumping from trouble to trouble. But the conclusion (no spoilers) is very satisfying and, if anything, leaves you wanting more.
I'd happily return to this world for more adventures!
P.S. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for offering a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Tags/CW: enemies-to-lovers, war, depictions of wounds

3 stars

**slight spoilers**

I found this book very...meh. I thought that the world was very interesting, but that Longley didn’t explore nor explain it to the degree that it needed. The worldbuilding was okay at best. I was very confused about how the magic system worked and how the different elements (such as the emberstone and the pyre) played into the Flameskins. As I said, I feel like if this were to be explored more thoroughly, it could have been a very interesting fantasy story with a fantastic magic system.

Instead, we get nearly 400 pages of romance...which is fine, but not what I was looking for in this particular story. The romance happened very quickly in my opinion. For about 100 pages, Sol absolutely hated all Flameskins and hated Kelan to the point of calling him a demon whenever she got the chance. But then after that 100 pages, he saved her life. And they kissed. And then they were in love (with a few angsty bits thrown into the mix to make it more ~interesting~) The story constantly goes back and forth with Sol hating Kelan then loving Kelan then hating him again. Similarly, the story also has Kelan hating Sol then loving her, then wanting to kill her, then loving her again. It, frankly, got annoying.

I did enjoy the multiple perspectives, however. I felt like Kelan and Sol had very distinct voices and that they were very interesting characters separately. I also found it very refreshing that Sol was the more stoic, cold one in the relationship while Kelan was more fun and sassy and emotional. What can I say, I’m a sucker for emo boys.

Another thing I enjoyed, was when there wasn’t just Sol and Kelan, but the other characters as well. I feel like when Sol and Kelan are with other characters, that’s when their relationship really is apparent. I also love how Longley wrote children, I found them to be very adorable and very obviously children (in the oblivious yet knowing way that children often are).

Overall, I found this book okay. It is not reread material, but it was enjoyable for what it was. I recommend this to people who like heavy romance with fantasy elements.

I received this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

It’s not very often that I pick up a book I know nothing about, but the cover and blurb of FIREFROST caught my eye, so I decided to give it a chance. And I’m glad that I did! It was an enjoyable self-published debut with plenty of strong suits, and although I wanted a little more from it, I’m interested to see how it fits as book 0 of the upcoming Flameskin Chronicles.

In a world where mages are born with the ability to control fire, humans fear what their brand of magic can do. Most feared of all are Flameskins; those born with bloodthirsty fire demons called pyras inside of them, doomed for eventual possession. Huntress Sol has been raised to hate Flameskins more than anyone else, but when she is forced to travel alongside Kelan—a Flameskin lieutenant—she is forced to see them and their powers in a new light.

The book manages the dual POVs of Sol and Kelan well, although at times I felt that Sol was brimming with personality and motivation, leaving Kelan completely in her shadow. You can probably tell where the plot is going, so it’s not really a spoiler to say that this book is perfect for fans of star-crossed lovers in the vein of Nina and Matthias from SIX OF CROWS. While I did enjoy the book’s romance, in places I felt that it was slightly underdeveloped—which would be more forgivable if the romance had been a subplot instead of the book’s central focus—and somewhat predictable. It might not be a problem for those who enjoy trope-heavy relationships, but as someone who loves the twisty kinds of romance that take you by surprise, I was a little underwhelmed.

That’s not to say FIREFROST doesn’t have its twists—the author throws a new obstacle at our protagonists almost every chapter. Throughout the book, it feels like the world is working against Kelan and Sol, which I enjoyed immensely. I was definitely intrigued by the worldbuilding, and I adored the magic system, since I’m always a sucker for new takes on elemental magic. The role of emberstones and how they stifle the power of Flameskins but ignite the power of ordinary mages was something I especially liked.

However, I would have liked to have seen more of the world outside of the lives of our two protagonists. Often while I was reading, I felt that FIREFROST’s focus on romance left me wanting more from the plot. After all, there is so much cool stuff going on in the background throughout the novel—wars and Saints and betrothals—and I wished I could zoom out for a while and focus on those in more detail instead of reading the endless lovers’ rifts. There is so much more I want to know about the wider world, which makes me very interested to see where the rest of the Flameskin Chronicles is headed.

Overall, I thought FIREFROST worked perfectly as an introduction to the world of an upcoming fantasy series. Although the plot itself didn’t really stand out to me, the worldbuilding was so rich and ripe with potential that I can’t wait to read the later instalments.

I have come to terms with the fact that this book was just not for me, and despite going into it with such high hopes just fell a little bit flat, especially considering how it was marketed by NetGalley.
I did not particularly enjoy our main characters as a lot of the time they just seemed immature, selfish, and overly stubborn. Furthermore, the romance itself really aggravated me, it felt unnecessary and overdone and was al the elements of the typical Romeo and Juliet love story that drives me insane. This along with the repetitive plot was causing me to have to force myself through this one.
All this being said there are some redeeming qualities, for example some of the twists and turns despite feeling rushed are really quite enjoyable and serve their purpose of improving the plot. I wanted more of this suspense despite it being blown over so quickly. Lastly, I thought the commentary on complex moral issues around war was really promising particularly the one surrounding children so I am definitely happy that it was included by the author. And again the magic system itself was unique but there needed to be more explanation, particularly in the beginning.
I just wanted more!
1.5 Stars overall.

Thank you to NetGalley for an a ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review

I chose this because I'm a big fan of enemies to lovers and fantasy elements- and this was a fantasy of the elements. I felt that the romance was a little off at first- rushed on Kelan's part, and just strange on Sol's, but once they were reunited I felt better about it. I think I would've enjoyed more of a slow burn with a bit more detail, especially from Sol (we see a lot of Kelan's feelings but Sol's seem more vague and distant).
The plot was the definition of adventurous! One thing after another happens. I might have enjoyed it more if they'd spent time extensively some places besides the mountains and we'd seen some more world/plot development in the towns, as at some points it felt a little rushed, but overall there weren't any issues with the actual story, things just went quickly.
Ultimately, I'd give this a solid 3.5 stars. If I'm recommending it to a new adult reader (aka late teens very early 20s) I'd push it as a quick and easy escapist read. I'd be honest about the slightly disappointing romance, but it is heavy on the plot and we might see more detailed romantic development in the future. If I'm recommending it to a teen, I'd be more excited as it's definitely perfect for a mid-teens age group- appropriate romance where we actually see a little more emotion from the male protag, and the plot is really engaging.

DNF @ 20%

I had high hopes for this book as the summary made it sound really good, however, it fell short of my expectations.

It started immediately on the action rather than pages and pages of description and information dumping about the world etc.
I usually strong, capable heroines who don't see saving all the time but the heroine got a little on my nerves. Her view on the "enemy" didn't budge whatsoever, even if it meant children and toddlers had to die just because they were born on the wrong side. I didn't much appreciate that.

Also, the male hero seemed a little flat. Not much personality other than the fact he was trying not to be taken over by the creature who is giving him his powers. In the summary, the premise sounded quite good. However, when written in the book, it seemed a little idiotic, for the lack of a better word, as it just made the male character appear small-minded.

In conclusion, it's a shame that I wasn't able to finish it as it started well but flamed out not very far into the book.

5 stars for Firefrost! I started this book late last night, and finished it this afternoon. It was such a fun read! Both of the main characters jumped off the page, and I instantly cared about what happened to them. I am so excited to continue reading about this world.

Completely binge-able new series that is part fantasy, part romance. This series reminds me of Victoria Aveyard's "Red Queen" series. Sol is a huntress who is a very strong female character stuck in the mountains of the Ulves after and avalance with Kelan, a Flameskin. This starts as a love-hate relationship; until the two learn there is more to each than what is on the surface.

Loved every page; completing in one day. This is definetley a series to keep on your radar.

Firefrost was an enjoyable YA read. The cover and title really grabbed my attention. Camille Longley's writing style was very enjoyable in the story. There were many aspects I enjoyed and some that I did not throughout the book.

The book was fast paced and kept me reading with no problem. I really liked the world that Longley created for this book as well. I do wish that there would have been more to the world-building. I always love getting to really understand the new worlds and people in books and I do feel that I was left wanting to know more with Firefrost. I wish there had been more information on the Fireskins and Pyras. They were very interesting, I would have really enjoyed getting to know more about them.

The dynamic between Sol and Kelan with their enemies to lovers growth was enjoyable. I grew to really like both of these characters. Following their survival story and seeing them grow into a good couple was exciting.

The twists in the story were good, but somewhat predictable. It was a nice, quick read and I would happily read more by Camille Longley.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC for my honest review.

Thank you to netgalley for the ARC copy of this book in return for a fair review

This book was good, really good - but the pacing drags it down. I prefer to start with the positives though so here they are: the locations are simple and interesting, which makes it easy to follow. I loved the enemies to lovers plot - a trope I always tend to enjoy! The characters were interesting and I liked the revelations about their histories and such - I won't say much more so as to not spoil it for anyone reading this review before reading the book. I love the idea of the Pyre, and spent most of the book wanting to know more about them - what are they, how does it happen? What does the possession feel like?

Unfortunately it's never explained.

The chapters are short and fast paced, something that is both positive...and negative.

The pacing of this book is my only real negative. This book should have been 2 books, or roughly the size of Priory of the Orange Tree. Things are hinted at and then revealed almost instantly. There's no waiting for something you've guessed to be revealed, you'll find out almost immediately in the next chapter, or the one after. There were so many points where I felt like it would be a good ending only for the book to just...keep...going. I found myself longing for more time in each chapter, each location, rather than feeling as if I was sprinting full speed through the plot.

In summary - 4/5 as I liked the story but the pacing was so off putting. I like a bit of tension and this had next to none. Things happen so quickly.

~~~~Thank you Books Go Social for allowing me access to this ARC. All the thoughts and opinions expressed are completely my own. ~~~~

Can we take two seconds to talk about the title and cover? Since they were only decent parts and about all I liked about Firefrost. This cover and title reads pure badassery and total adventure! Too bad the reader is left with nothing close to either one.

I lied the thought of Flameskins and that people could conjure elements and that there were limits/talismans to counteract their might. The idea of being possessed by the demon that allows for the fire in the body is not original but used in a way that was interesting enough to be different.

This book is not the first book that has been released in this series, so I am at a loss at the lack of world building and middle grade (at best) dialog. I feel like the writing is very juvenile and should have been sent back for multiple drafts and revisions. The plot has giant gapping holes and is not well thought out. I literally fell asleep reading this book on 4 different days. and 4 different attempts. The beginning and middle of the book drug on in a lot of places or seemed to be going in circles, so the rushed ending had me confused. The final battle between Kelan and his super experienced, vetted in fire uncle took maybe 20 seconds to read and was over before I realized that it was the final nail in the coffin that was the last hurrah. Firefrost was missing the meat and potatoes of a decent YA series.

The MC, Sol, is cliché and lacks all the interesting qualities of a tough heroine that keeps the reader pushing on. The "Demon" aka Kelan the antagonist and forbidden enemy to lover trope barer was not much more interesting and he was "possessed". I liked the way that Sol connected with the Uldves and that he was like an extension of the mountains which was the only reason their absurd campaign was successful.

I would only recommend this series to a specific set of readers and I will not be reading the other books as this world was just not for me. Firefrost comes out on September 21, 2020. Flameskin will be released in November 2020. I wish the author the best of luck.

LOVED THIS! I expected another straight forward fantasy YA but each time I thought I had this book figured out, it surprised me. It seems like your typical chosen one young adult fantasy with a Romeo and Juliet style romance but it’s more an exploration of this fantasy world told through this couples struggle to be together.

Longley does an amazing job at reeling you in with the story and all it’s little subplots. It’s a binge-worthy book and I can not wait to read the next one. I already signed up for her mailing list to get my hands on a prequel novella.

I really enjoyed this! I love survival stories and Sol and Kelan making it through the snow and mountains and their many enemies was definitely exciting!

I felt a bit of Wicked Saints vibes from this and I loved that book so I'm not surprised I liked this as well. Sol is a capable girl and I admired how she perservered and pushed Kelan and herself through so many obstacles to get back to her family. She does have prejudices at first, but once she gets to know Kelan she begins to shift her thinking. You have to feel bad for the Fireskins at least a bit, they can't really control giving into the pyra demon inside them and to kill children because of how they're born is really terrible.

Most of the story is Sol and Kelan trying to survive against cold, lack of food, injuries, and being hunted. It feels like they can never be safe, but the romance that comes out of it was lovely. I like them as a couple and the way they both have a soft side for helping others.

The only part I didn't quite understand was the different races (?) I guess you'd call them. The Fireskins and mages and Tokken seem very similar but for having fire abilities. I'd like some clarification there if possible.

The ending wrapped up pretty well, so I'm wondering what the next book will be about. Looking forward to finding out!

I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Well, this is awkward. I was given an ARC of this book and now I have to write a review about my opinions which aren't very positive, to be honest. When a friend said this book reminded them of Wicked Saints, I was worried. I hated that book and unfortunately, I wasn't a fan of Firefrost either. So maybe if you loved Wicked Saints, you'll love this?

description

I'm a bit disappointed that reading this book became such a chore since I was enjoying Firefrost for the first 20% or so but then... I started not enjoying myself. So... let's make a list, shall we?

Things I didn't like:
-The ROMANCE! I usually love romance but here, I couldn't have cared less. It was immature, juvenile and it developed way too quickly knowing that they're supposed to be mortal enemies on opposite sides. Their first kiss came out of nowhere and there was no tension whatsoever. And with an enemies-to-lovers trope, it's all about the tension and sparks flying around when they give in. Here, the characters were a bit flat.

-The plot and "twists" that felt very repetitive after a while. Oh no, soldiers are here, we have to hide then run! We go somewhere else. Oh no, soldiers/people that want us dead are here, we have to run! etc, etc, etc. You get it. It was like watching two hamsters in a wheel going nowhere.

-The simplistic settings and lack of world-building. I think this book might be targeted for younger readers than me? I'm not sure. I wanted to learn how it all began but maybe I missed that explanation? People are killing each other on both sides and children are killed if they're Flameskin even though they're not "possessed" yet.

-The ending was weird and didn't make me want to read more.

Things I liked:
-The concept of the Pyras and Flameskin.
-The first 20%
-Umm
-...
-Sorry!
-...
-*hides in a corner*


(Thank you for letting me read and review an ARC via Netgalley)

I enjoyed this book and Kellan was a great character. I like books that involve action and hunting adventures. This is a good story to read.