I have never read a book like this. It was very good. I really enjoyed how it was a beauty and the beast retelling but was very unique also.

This book follows Dira, who lives in a vaguely Scandinavian setting. Her village fears and hunts polar bears, but Dira wants to prove to her family that the bears are not something to be feared. She comes into contact with one of these bears and ends up on a bit of an unexpected adventure.

This book felt pretty unique! The setting was not like one I have read before, and I liked some aspects quite a lot.

Things I liked:
The atmosphere. The cold, desolate vibes of this snowy landscape were really cool and I felt like the writing really drew me in and made me feel like I was right there in this coldness with the characters.

I also liked that our MC, Dira, was quite unapologetically herself (though at times it led to some genuine stupidity that made it a little harder to sympathize with her).

The family dynamics. Dira has a complicated relationship with her family, and it felt very real. She loves them deeply and they love her deeply as well, but they clash in ways that make her doubt that love (even though we as the audience can see that they mean everything to each other).



What I didn’t like as much:
The ending felt incredibly rushed. The conflict wrapped up in like 30 pages, and it felt super thrown together. I would’ve liked more expansion on the ending here. This is the main reason I am deducting stars, as it just all felt too convenient and easy.

The writing felt a little simple at times. I felt like a lot of things were told, not shown.


Overall, a unique and interesting read. I think I would definitely try future books by this author.

A Burden of Ice and Bone is a wonderful, moving love story that is impossible to put down until you reach the end and even then, you are left wanting to read more.
Dira Cloon is a girl who loves nature, especially the polar bears that visit her village and are seen by everyone as a threat that must be eliminated. Her greatest wish is to change the way of thinking of her people so that they accept and live peacefully with the bears, to the point of risking her life.
Valemon is a mysterious man who comes into Dira's life to change it in an unexpected and unusual way.
A special novel, a retelling of Beauty and the Beast, set in the tundra and with an abandoned military base instead of a palace, which calls for respect and protection of fauna, and which will hardly leave the reader with dry eyes.
Excellent writing style, a perfect setting, well-developed characters and we must not forget the elegantly designed cover. A story that will accompany the reader long after reaching the last page.
I thank the author and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
The opinion I have expressed above is based solely on what I think and feel about this book.

me, and I don't think it's ultimately a book that's easy to get into unless you do enjoy slow-paced romances.

I can appreciate this book, it was a different story than what I had been reading and I did like it. Thank you for allowing me to read this for an honest review.

A burden of ice and bone is a fantasy novel that I came across on Goodreads. I was intrigues by the blurb, unfortunately it did not meet my expectations. I had trouble connecting with the characters, especially the heroine which kinda annoyed me at times. It was a frustrating journey and sometimes it was hard for me to keep on reading it. Besides, the ending felt rushed and underwhelming.

DNF at 15%. Not a poorly written book, but unfortunately a case of misplaced expectations; I went in thinking this would be a fairy tale retelling when that does not appear to be the case. Thank you to NetGalley and Sword and Silk books for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

When fantasy meets conservation (with a side of romance of course) you get A Burden of Ice and Bone by Kyra Whitton. This story follows Dira, a girl who dares to think differently than her people and value life over tradition, through her journey to save Polar Bears and her people. Along the way she finds love, and leads her people to a new way of life.
Thanks, #NetGalley for the great read! I'll be sharing this one with friends and family on release day.

I didn’t enjoy the FMC pov. She seemed very self deprecating and childish for someone who is supposed to be 20. The fact that she seems to have issues with everyone in her life it off putting. She goes so far to value a bear over friend. I couldn’t get very far into the book before I had to DNF it due to this. I may try to go back and reread but it’s doubtful..

⭐️4 amazing, heart-wrenching stars⭐️

First and foremost I want to thank Netgalley for the oppurtunity to review this Earch.

Without further ado.

This story was one that I will never forget. I have never read a book that made me feel what thks book did.

We have all the tropes that you can need; forced-proximity, curse breaking, second-chance and so much much more.

Dira will forever covet a special place in my heart. She was such a relatable character with her earnest, pain and hunger for belonging.

This book takes you on an emotional and frustrating ride from the start to the finish. It encapsulates the desperation one feels when confronted with what you've been yearning for your whole life.

And Valemon, omg !! I think i have gotten so accustomed to the "loud" and sometimes obnoxious love of MMC's that his quiet version almost felt underwhelming, but the more I read, the more I fell for this man. His pain and his yearning for longing ripped my heart to absolute shreds.

The only thing that left me unbalanced was how rushed the ending of it all felt. I was reading and then I was on the acknowledgement page? That's my only gripe about it, that we didn't spend enough time in that final arc of the book.

*chefs kiss*

The narrative follows Dira Cloon, whose life in the village hinges on her ability to wield a trigger. However, when confronted with a majestic white bear, Dira's convictions waver, unleashing a force within her that transcends the village's tales of magic and the enigmatic ursine king's enchantment.

Whitton's storytelling is rich, creating a mesmerizing world filled with secrets and wonders. The exploration of a lost world and a vanished civilization, coupled with the haunting whispers of magic, adds depth to the narrative. The conflict between Dira's duty to her family and the newfound force resonating within her heart sets the stage for a profound journey of self-discovery.

The novel is not without its challenges, as some readers might find the plot a bit slow to unfold in the initial chapters. The story takes its time to establish the setting and characters, and it's only around the halfway point that the plot truly begins to pick up momentum.

Despite the initial pacing, "A Burden of Ice and Bone" gradually reveals itself as a compelling narrative that explores the complexities of sacrifice and transformation. Dira's decision to either adhere to tradition or follow the call of her heart leads readers on a breathtaking journey into a frozen realm of snow, where the beauty of a cursed life awaits discovery.