Disclaimer : I was Provided a free ARC copy of this book from Entangled Publishing in return for an honest review.
Releases (2.9.2014) today!!!!
Blurb
Salome Montgomery fears winter—the cold, the snow, the ice, but most of all, the frozen pond she fell through as a child. Haunted by the voices and images of the strange beings that pulled her to safety, she hasn’t forgotten their warning to “stay away.” For eleven years, she has avoided the winter woods, the pond, and the darkness that lurks nearby. But when failing health takes her grandparents to Arizona, she is left in charge of maintaining their estate. This includes the “special gifts” that must be left at the back of the property.
Salome discovers she’s a key player in a world she’s tried for years to avoid. At the centre of this world is the strange and beautiful Nevin, who she finds trespassing on her family’s property. Cursed with dark secrets and knowledge of the creatures in the woods, his interactions with Salome take her life in a new direction. A direction where she’ll have to decide between her long time crush Colton, who could cure her fear of winter. Or Nevin who, along with an appointed bodyguard, Gareth, protects her from the darkness that swirls in the snowy backdrop. An evil that, given the chance, will kill her.
Review
Before I start can we just take a moment to take another look at the cover for this book........ It is gorgeous and fits the book so perfectly. One of the best covers I have seen this year. I was not sure what to expect from this book going in I had not previously read any of the author's work and I find fae books can be hit and miss. I struggled for about the first four/five chapters not with the author's writing, world building or even really the plot. I struggled because at first it seemed a little slow and that it was going to be one of those books to yet again have a love triangle/quartet. I was wrong Salome does have a few males interested in her but in no way is it the dreaded boring love triangle/quartet and not everyone or their intentions are what they seem to be. This book ended up hooking me so much I ended up neglecting everything from my family, chores and the blog! I honest to god went from meh to omg this book is fantastic in the space of a few chapters.
I found the author's writing beautiful, elegant and powerful. Even before I got hooked on the book I knew I would finish it, because the writing had that special pull to me. The way she described the world around Salome made me feel like i was there in the woods freezing taking in the beauty and the sense of danger around me. She builds us this beautiful, spooky world of ice, and then continues taking us through the seasons with a sense of eerie foreboding what's going to happen? However I did have some minor issues with the dialogue at times mainly repetitiveness.
I found the plot for this book refreshing and original, a modern day fairy-tale. The book is filled with mystery, magic, twists and suspense. I have to say I did not exactly see how the ending would work out if at all. However the ending was perfect and exactly as I would have hoped for in a way but also not predictable. We are given an ending that is tied up neatly, although I do feel that a couple of the things that happen throughout the book could have done with more explanation and enlightened as a little more. This does not detract from the story but might leave some readers with unanswered questions about a couple of the characters making said characters hard to engage with and understand (Colton ).
The story is told through our heroine Salome. I liked her as our main character and heroine. She grows through the story in so many ways. Although I do think that the way she handled some of the situations were not as I would see her or a heroine doing. Instead of seeking answers about the curse. It felt like she thought that she should just ask questions over and over to people in a more passive approach. She gets there in the end and instead of the weak, vulnerable young girl we meet at the beginning, she blossoms into a strong brave young woman. I am also glad she does not compromise her morals and beliefs throughout the book even though she has been through and goes through so much. I think that the book being from another POV or multiple would have left the book lack lustre and destroyed some of the mystery and suspense.
I found that the characterization was overall good a couple of the characters felt not as developed as others. I also feel that in particular with the three important men in the book, we could have done with some more background and explanation especially when it comes to Colton and his actions. The three men Nevin, Colton and Gareth seemed OTT at first. As the story progresses you learn each is important in their own way and not for the way you might think. The characters felt real enough to be believable and to form some sort of bond with each of them. Even the side characters were developed enough to seem believable and endearing. I think Salome's grandmother is even for her faults and not so helpful helping ways is adorable. I try to keep my reviews spoiler free but I just can't help but mention I feel that Kadie and Salome should have been tied up slightly better. They were best friends and I do not think the ending should have happened without some thought of Kadie by Salome. If I had to pick a favourite character it would be Gareth. He is just so intriguing, strong and likeable for many reasons. Even though I identify most with Salome because I too have had severe fears to overcome because of trauma, Gareth is the character out of the book I would most like to have as a friend.
Our villain the witch, was brilliantly written so scary, creepy, she could have her own companion novel and I would be first in line to read it. Some of her scenes scared me so much lol and beyond any doubt were some of the best in the novel. I honestly cannot pick just one or even three scenes as my favourite from this novel. There are so many scenes that are important or just amazing in their own way. Even though the book is a standalone they're is at least three companion novels I could imagine and would love to see in the future.
Good Luck Rebekah L. Purdy with the release. We wish you the best success now and in the future.
About The Author & Links
I was born and raised in Michigan (just look for the mitten-shaped state on the map). I’ve lived here most of my life other than the few years I spent in the U.S. Army. At which time I got a chance to experience MO, KS, SC, and CA.
I work full time for the court system and in my free time I write YA stories. Pretty much any genre within the YA realm is game for me, but my favorites are fantasy, urban fantasy, paranormal romance, thrillers, light sci-fi, and some time travel.
I also have a big family–I like to consider us the modern day Brady Bunch. When my hubby and I met and got married, he had 3 children from a previous marriage, I had 2 and we have 1 together. It’s a lot of fun though.
And I can’t forget my other family members–yep, we’ve got some pets: 4 dogs, 3 cats, and 1 turtle. Everyone in the family has one…I won’t bore you all with their names (unless you really want to know). Okay, you talked me into it! Jack, Pearl, Grr…(yes that’s my dog’s name), Callie, Shadow, Mooshoo, Grouchy, and Sorbert. Other than writing some of my other hobbies include: reading (mostly YA of course), singing, swimming, football, soccer, running, camping, sledding, church, hanging with my kids, and traveling.
I belong to a fabulous writing group called YA Fiction Fantatics (YAFF) and you guessed it we all write YA!
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