Oh. My. God. This was so good! From the beginning to the end, I was hooked. I loved the unique magic system. The FMC was so relatable and I loved seeing her growth throughout the book… I am so ready to see her kick some more ass. The romance 🔥 The yearning and slow burn was perfect. I definitely did not realize that this was advertised as a “why choose”, which is typically not my choice of read, but I’m so invested now that I have to read the next book. Also, that ending. Ugh. I need the second book now please 😭

Thank you to the author and publisher for sending me an ARC of this via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Frost Witch by Emberly Ash was a delectable read. It was extremely well written, and you'll love to hate the villain. "A God Is Always Watching"...

5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Absolutely loved it!! cannot wait for the next book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Emberly Ash for letting me read this e-ARC of The Frost Witch!

The story opens with the main character dying. She’s turned into a witch in a world where witches are known to be cold, cruel, and stripped of their humanity. But not our main character. She still feels everything and she hates herself for it. She’s done awful things and cannot forgive herself.
The author also uses flashbacks in one of the best ways I’ve ever seen. Normally, I find flashbacks a bit confusing or sometimes even interrupting the story, however not in this book. It is so well done.

The plot follows her journey after being cast out from her coven. The only way to return is to survive an emotionally brutal set of trials created by the gods. No one has survived them in hundreds of years. She's a 400-year-old witch, an outcast from her coven on a dying continent. Her desperate bid to save her last living relative and her kingdom leads her to attempt the perilous Seven Gates (aka. the trials of the seven gods). It's among the seven contenders that she encounters our captivating MMC, Garrick.

Along the way, our FMC begins to heal. It’s slow, and you don’t even realize it’s happening until you look back and see the progress. It’s subtle, grounded, and so powerful. And just when you start to believe she might make it, YOU REMEMBER THE BARGAIN she made with one of the gods. Let me tell you, I was biting nails!! ON THE EDGE of my SEAT... STRESSEDDD!! DIABALICAL. PURE STRESS! What a cliffhanger.

If you're looking for an epic dark fantasy with incredible characters, a rich world, and a plot that will keep you on the edge of your seat, you NEED to read The Frost Witch.
Perfect Fall read for those that read for the mood/seasonal vibes.

4.5⭐️

This book was so so good. First of all I feel like the plot was quite unique and fresh which I really loved!

Out main character is a witch who has to go through trials to be taken back into the coven she is casted out of. And our Main male character is a witch hunter. This combo was shefs kiss.

The writing was good and easy to follow and kept the reeder engaged which is good! There were so many twists and turns and betrayal in this book and I ate every second of it up!

Absolutely cant wait for book 2!!

Thank you Netgalley, the publisher and the author for an advanced reader copy. All thoughts are my own.

Emberly Ash knows how to write an addicting book. It's not even that it's the best I've ever read, there's just something about them that keeps me going. I think this was a good start to a new series and I'm very curious about what happens next. It is very insta-lusty and one of those situations where the FMC has MUCH bigger things to worry about, but is constantly thinking about how she has the hots for the MMC. A few plot points were predictable but some things did catch me by surprise, like Koryn's familiar! Very fun, lots of magic, would recommend for those new to romantasy as well. Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!

The Dyslexic Reviewer - Spoil Free Reviews

Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Author: @emberlyashauthor
POV: single 1st Person
Gene: Romantasy
Triggers: Open door scenes, death
Read Time: 13 - 14 hours
Expected Publishing Date: Out Now!

What I loved about this book:
❤️ World Building - You enter a world that is dark, cold and gritty. The continent is dying, and you can just feel the despair this brings to the world building of this book. It is in-depth, well thought out, and it pulls you into what it must be like to live in such circumstances.

❤️ The Characters - Koryn is a beautifully written character. She is relatable, she is strong but doesn't believe in herself and what is evident in her use of magic. She has a beautiful soul that she tries to hide. Garrick is mostly a mystery, but he is also easy to fall in love/lust with. He is a strong character, with glimpses of tenderness, you can't help but to fall for him.

❤️ The Story - The story is well thought out and thorough. It had me on the edge many times, and it made me cry a few of those times. It elicits strong emotions like all good stories should. I keep saying the world "beautiful" but honestly that's what the book is in all aspects, beautiful"

What I thought could have been better:
🤔 Well, it ends on a great cliffhanger but that just makes me want book 2 even more!

Overall: If you like well thought out, engaging, and yes beautiful stories, you should get this book now! 💯

🐲 Dragon Fact - Inspired by Isanara
Komodo dragons are large lizards with long tails, strong and agile necks, and sturdy limbs. Their tongues are yellow and forked. Adults are an almost-uniform stone color with distinct, large scales, while juveniles may display a more vibrant color and pattern. The muscles of the Komodo's jaws and throat allow it to swallow huge chunks of meat with astonishing rapidity @smithsonianzoo

🥰 Favorite Quote:
"You are getting stronger by the day. Initially, I was worried it would diminish those delicious curves of yours, but your body seems determined to hold onto them"

I got this book free from @netgalley for my honest review.
#thefrostwitch #whychooseromance #enemiestolovers

I’ll be honest: the opening and I weren’t best friends. But once the story finds its rhythm, it works, and then some. This is a true slow burn (emotionally and romantically), so patience is rewarded.

The plot twists have plot twists. Just when I thought I’d figured it out, the book said “cute” and pulled another thread. The characters are deliberately imperfect, messy, stubborn, occasionally infuriating, in the most satisfying way. I loved that they’re not polished archetypes; the FMC especially doesn’t fit the typical beauty standard, nor the sword-wielding warrior/heroine mold, and that choice really works. Their flaws make the payoff sweeter.

And that cliffhanger? Rude. I closed the book, stared into the void for a full minute, and immediately wanted the next installment. Dramatic? Me? Absolutely, and now I’m anxiously waiting for more.

I loved that the FMC is a curvy, nearly 400-year-old witch! Such a great change from the 20 year old saving the world. Koryn has never managed to harden her heart and control her power like most witches do, As she travels through each gate in an effort to break the curse on her land, we learn more about her past and grow to care for her the same way Garrick does. This book ends with a dramatic cliffhanger and I can’t wait to read the next one!

I love Emberly Ash’s books. I was so excited to hear she had a new book coming out. I’ll admit this book was pretty slow for me at first and I ended up putting it down for a while. Once I was in a better mood for it I flew through the book!

The world building is incredible and so detailed - Koryn was such a complex character and I loved peeling back her layers.

Garrick piqued my interest from his first entrance - Emberly knows how to write amazing banter.

That cliffhanger was criminal…. I cannot wait for this series to progress.

With the intense boom for Romantasy in the reading world, I personally have chosen to stay away from this genre because of how oversaturated it has become. Previously disappointed with another book, I decided to start reading The Frost Witch, in hopes of a different outcome.
I am so thankful I did. This new series start was the right amount of romance, fantasy, growth and desire. I typically am not a fan of insta love and the slow burn romance was enough to not overshadow the growth of the FMC and MMC. I am looking forward to more from this author and completing this series.

"Koryn was an immortal witch with a human heart that had never forgotten how to love. She was a light in the darkness of Velora."

I've read many stories about witches and faeries, and this one was highly original and compelling. Emberly Ash has created a fascinating world inhabited by gods, humans, witches, faeries, and magical creatures where greed and corruption have cursed the land and all who live there. For hundreds of years, no one has succeeded in travelling through the seven gates and breaking the curse.

From the very first page I was drawn into the tragic life and death of Koryn, a young woman desperate for the love and acceptance of her family. Even reborn as a frost witch, she resists becoming the cold and dispassionate creature that her coven leader expects her to be.

“I think you have tried so hard, for so long, to be bad, that you do not even recognize when you are doing good .”

Koryn's trek across Velora and through the seven gates is powerfully mirrored by her very real and raw emotional journey, as she comes to terms with her past and begins to see her so-called weaknesses as strengths. I loved seeing her growth throughout the story, and was rooting for her fiercely!

I was intrigued by the magical powers possessed by the witches and fae, which were unique to each individual. And while we've been given a few key pieces of the puzzle, there is still so much waiting to be revealed in the next book.

I absolutely loved this story, and am already eagerly anticipating the sequel! Many thanks to NetGalley and Cara Maxwell Romance for the opportunity to read the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

After dying in a frostbitten forest, Koryn is resurrected by witches but cast out by her coven. Centuries later, she faces certain death unless she can survive the Seven Gates. These are trials set by the gods that will test her loyalty, strength, and heart. Along the way, she’s bound to Garrick the Red, a dangerous bounty hunter, and an adolescent dragon who shifts everything she thought she knew.

The Frost Witch is a dark, haunting fantasy that blends raw emotion with stunning world-building. The characters are flawed, complex, and deeply human, making Koryn’s growth both powerful and unforgettable. Brutal yet beautiful, this story lingers long after the last page.

Thank you to Emberly Ash, Cara Maxwell Romance and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

10/10, One of the best books I've read this year ❄️💙

Curvy, Powerful FMC ❄️
Dangerous, mysterious MMC 💙
Dangerous Trials, with Jaw dropping twists 😮

The first in a new series, The Frost Witch is a dark, suspense filled tale. The FMC Koryn is not instantly likeable, she is real- curvy, not a natural fighter and makes decisions that don't always end well. By the end of the books, she's become of my favourite FMCs - her character growth over the book is so well written and believable.

I really enjoyed the past memories woven into the book- this isn't something I usually enjoy but this gives such an insight into our FMCs life and story
This gives so much depth and context to her choices and actions in the present. There are SO many surprises and twists, the last chapter had my jaw on the floor...

This book has a fresh take on 'trials' with the 7 Gates, and i really enjoyed the Authors takes on this- especially the psychological games! Rather than just being shows of brute force, they show more sides to the characters. I would have loved some of the competition to have lasted longer, just to see how they would tackle each gate!

The adorable dynamic with her teenage familiar had me giggling- and also provided some lighter moments in what is quite a heavy, fast paced story.

A must read for Romantasy Fans!

A little dark and twisty, and filled with adventure and angst, The Frost Witch is a delicious dive into dark romantasy. The story jumps between present day, Koryn as a centuries old witch, and the time before she made a witch. The way this story is told leaves the reader in the dark as to what Koryn's past is and how she was banished from her coven. It made for an entrancing albeit frustrating read, but only because I wanted answers. The reveal was so good and so worth the build and wait. And the ending. OMG. The whole book was a steady build-up of interesting "trials" at the different gates, with tension and chemistry between the MMC and FMC thrown in, but the ending was explosive and unexpected and makes me so excited for book 2! Thanks Netgalley for the e-ARC!

Thank you NetGalley and the author for the early e-arc of this book.

Firstly I need them to get her dragon back and for him to find his bonded but also not her being like chased after by the king of hell I mean yes girl💅🏼

I absolutely loved the journey this book took me on and I do really NEED the second book now as I must find out what happens next!!

From the very first page, the book drew me in and immersed me in this world. I stayed up late into the night to continue reading. The characters are fantastically developed and I quickly grew to love them. Koryn's feelings, in particular, were easy to understand and empathize with. I also loved the MMC, Garrick the Red, and how he supported Koryn. The story was a real page turner and a rollercoaster of emotions from funny to sad to shocked. After this ending, I need to know how the story continues and Koryn's journey!
Thanks to Emberly Ash and NetGalley for this ARC.

The Frost Witch hooked me right from the start with its dark, beautiful world. Velora is a land cursed by the gods 400 years ago and is slowly rotting away, driving those who can to flee while leaving the rest to famine, poverty, and decay. It’s haunting, immersive, and the perfect backdrop for a story filled with impossible choices, dangerous trials, and just the right amount of magic. This is definitely a games and trials/forced proximity trope romantasy and I loooooved it. Seven gods, seven gates, seven trials. Survive them all, and the FMC's curse could be broken.

Our FMC is Koryn, a witch cast out by her coven and still carrying the weight of her grief. She’s complex, flawed, and super relatable (which is such an awesome change from all of these FMCs who are tiny and fragile but all of a sudden know how to wield a sword/knife/magic and are the best in their age?) - such a compelling protagonist to follow. The challenges themselves never felt like filler. Every gate, trial, and stretch of travel was purposeful and pulled me deeper into the story - such a page turner! I thought I was usually good at predicting the twists of a lot of the romantasy I read, but I never could guess any of these. The slow-burn romance with Garrick added delicious tension (though I’m hoping he gets more depth in the next book!). After Koryn saves him in one of the trials, they become bonded to each other and through months develop a bond (which also in some romance books, it's like 2 weeks!) so this was much more believable. This was an incredibly engaging read, equal parts action, magic, and heart, and I’m rating it 4.5 stars. I’ll be counting down the days until book two!

Another really enjoyable read courtesy of NetGalley!

Whilst this book touches on a lot of common tropes within romantasy (forced proximity, enemies to lovers, games and trials), I still found this a page turner that kept me reading. I liked the idea of how witches are made which was a bit unique for this novel. However, what really set this apart from other titles for me is Koryn the protagonist. I loved how multifaceted and complex she is and her backstory seemed very well thought through. I found her to be very sympathetic and loved her witty dialogue. Her journey of growth and self-acceptance was also one of the most compelling narrative arcs of the book. A lot of the major plot developments took place towards the end of the book (including a cliffhanger), so I would like to see how things unfold in the next novel. In particular I don't think the MMC Garrick had lots of growth or depth provided in this installment so I'd look forward to having a better idea about his history and development in the future.

Overall, this was an interesting read and I would love to see where the story goes in the future.

This was a romantasy unlike any of the others, I devoured it! It was fast paced and I love the everything from the world building, the characters, the various mythical beings ... just everything you want in a romantasy! Cannot wait for book 2!!

Wow!
A fantastic slow burn, packed with action and twists.
The slow development of the characters, every chapter revealing something new, wonderful world building all made me really enjoy this read.
I’ve grown a little tired of the same old feisty female with snarky remarks and insta love so this was right up my alley.
If you liked ‘The Games Gods Play’ you’ll absolutely love this!

Thanks to Netgalley for this ARC