Followed by Frost

It is Elephant Appreciation Day!  I love elephants (the stuffed kind--don't judge).  I have several of them (you are never too old for stuffed animals or dolls)!  It is also Business Women's Day.

Followed by Frost is the latest book by Charlie N. Holmberg.  Smitha Ronson is seventeen years old and very self-centered.  Smitha has been spoiled by her father her whole life.  Mordan Alteraz is a new arrival in the town of Euwan.  Most people were skeptical of him, but Mr. Ronson welcomed him to town and gave him a job at his turnery.  Mordan has been especially interested in Smitha since his arrival despite the cold shoulder Smitha has given him.  One day she gets frustrated by his attentions and tells him how she really feels about him (she is cruel).  Turns out that Mordan is a wizard, and he puts a curse on Smitha.  He curses her to be as cold as her heart and that cold will follow her wherever she goes.  Mordan then disappears.

Smitha runs home to her parents’ house.  Her father immediately sets out to find Mordan, but he cannot be located.  Smitha hair starts turning white, her skin is very pale and her lips turn blue.  Everything she touches turns to ice.  A snow cloud follows her dumping snow about a mile around Smitha.  Smitha takes to her bed while everyone in town is huddling in their homes from the icy temperatures.  When a child becomes ill and then dies, the town turns on Smitha.  Smitha does not believe that the little boy is really that sick and pays him a visit (pushes her way into the family’s house).  Smitha sees Death next to the little boy.  Smitha and Death are both surprised.  Smitha runs while Death looks thoughtful.

Smitha is forced by the town and her parents to leave Euwan.  She takes to the woods and starts traveling north.  Smitha at first hopes to find another wizard who can help her break the curse.  Smitha is surprised one night to be visited by Death.  His name is Sadriel.  He is glad to have someone who can see him and talk to him.  He would love Smitha to come over into his world.  But that would mean Smitha giving up her life and the cold would still be with her.  Smitha refuses.  She travels through the mountain for the next three years.  She cannot go into towns and then people start hunting her in the hills.  One day she is chased but men on horses.  But these men need her help.  Prince Imad Al Hraith of the Fourth Generation lives in the Untamed Lands (the desert).  They have had no rain for a long time.  They are out of water and need her help.  Smitha agrees to go with them to Mac’Hliah (the main town with the palace).  Will Smitha finally find people that will accept her (curse and all)?  Is there a way for Smitha to break the curse or will she give in to Sadriel?

I have enjoyed Charlie N. Holmberg’s other books and was eager to read Followed by Frost.  Unfortunately, it did not live up to my expectations.  It is an interesting idea that had great potential, but I just felt that the story turned out to be a long drawn out romance.  It was a disappointment.  At the beginning it goes along smoothly (and quickly) and then it slows down to a crawl until close to the end.  The book was missing something.  It needed more.  The writing is okay, but this book was not as good as the author’s previous works.  I give Followed by Frost 3 out of 5 stars. Followed by Frost is available on Kindle Unlimited.

I received a complimentary copy of Followed by Frost from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I am currently reading Time to Die by Caroline Mitchell.  If you like my reviews, please consider following my blog!  Link is on the sidebar.  I hope you have a great Tuesday!  Happy Reading!

Kris
The Avid Reader