It took a bit to get this book, but the waiting was absolutely worth it. This second part of the Frostblood saga was even better than the first one. And with that end, I am eager to get my hands on the third volume as soon as possible. Well, not sure if I will get Nightblood as UK edition or wait until the German edition comes out next April, but one thing is for sure: I will read it! And hope that Elly Blake was able to lift her story about Ruby and Arcus to another level that gives her readers even more pleasure in a positive way.
Fireblood*
by
Elly Blake
Frostblood Saga #2
Publisher Hodder Paperbacks on September 7, 2017
Genre Fantasy
Pages 304
Format Paperback
Source Library
Goodreads
✶✶✶✶½
Against all odds, Ruby has defeated the villainous Frost King and melted his throne of ice. But the bloodthirsty Minax that was trapped inside is now haunting her kingdom and everyone she loves. The answers to its demise my lie to the south in Sudesia, the land of the Firebloods, and a country that holds the secrets to Ruby´s powers and past … Despite warnings from her beloved Arcus, Ruby accompanies a roguish Fireblood named Kai to Sudesia, where she must master her control of fire in a series of trials to gain the trust of the suspicious Fireblood queen. Only then can she hope to access the knowledge that could defeat the rampaging Minax – which grows closer every moment. But as sparks fly in her moments alone with Kai, how can Ruby decide whom to trust? The fate of both kingdoms is now in her hands.
Story
Ruby thinks that the only way she can help Arcus is to go to Sudesia, gain control over her powers and find the book that will tell her all the secrets about the throne as well as the Minax. Arcus isn´t happy and doesn´t trust Kai, the Fireblood who will give Ruby a ride with his ship to the faraway land of Sudesia. And the moment Ruby meets the strong and young Fireblood queen and hears the truth, she instinctively knows that not everything will go as planned.
Style
This novel was even better than the first book. To see how Ruby learns to control her powers, how she goes into her trials, and must learn that not everything in Sudesia is as thought – was one great reading pleasure. It was actually fun to watch her change and grow. How her naiveté changes from that of a teenager to a young woman who learns the truth about her lineage. It was fascinating how the author unfolded her inner conflict in a sensitive story with some very haunting scenes, great dialogues, and the main figure that still is in some ways a naïve young woman. The story is very diversified, and the author shows that not only the Frostblood kingdom is having some false information about the Fireblood kingdom. And vice versa.
What I liked a lot was that the author had given the novel some unexpected twists and turns that brought additional tension into the thrilling story. Well done, Elly Blake, well done.
Characters
Good, Ruby is still naïve and the intriguing Frostblood court isn´t making her life easier. And yes, she could be a bit more open about life there and that she has to choose her friends and allies very carefully. But it seems as if Ruby still isn´t able to stay calm and ignore the bitchy comments she must face every time she is among the court. But what made me shake my head was the fact, that Arcus wasn´t helping her either. He is there in more than one situation, where the people speak openly about their feelings towards Ruby and he sits there and just says nothing. What?! How can he? Or that he seriously believes that turning a century-long war between two kingdoms literally overnight into a peaceful situation would be easy. While reading about his plans and hopes I wasn´t sure which of them was more naïve. He or Ruby.
Conclusion
Fireblood contains adventure, action, passion, and intrigues who will turn your reading in one big pleasure. And with a queen who hides the biggest secret of her kingdom from the rest of the world without knowing it, was something else that made me turn the pages to find out how everything continued. Can´t wait to read Nightblood. So, yes, this one is a book I can highly recommend to all fantasy fans or Frostblood fans in particular.
Happy reading
*I read the German edition new release by Ravensburger on September 23, 2018
Elly Blake
Elly Blake loves fairy tales, old houses, and owls. After earning a BA in English literature, she held a series of random jobs before finding her ideal job as a writer and part-time library assistant. She lives in Southwestern Ontario with her husband, kids, and a lively Siberian Husky mix with definite Frostblood tendencies.
