Format: E-Book, 416 pages
Release Date: September 12, 2017
Publisher: Little Brown for Young Readers
Source: NetGalley
Genre: Young Adult \ Fantasy
In this action-packed sequel to the New York Times bestselling Frostblood, Ruby must choose between her fiery homeland and the icy king who loves her.Against all odds, Ruby has defeated the villainous Frost King and melted his powerful throne. But the bloodthirsty Minax that was trapped inside is now haunting her kingdom and everyone she loves. The answers to its demise may 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.
Fireblood, by author Elly Blake, is the second installment in the author's Frostblood Saga. After finding a way to destroy the Frost Throne of Tempesia and King Rasmus, who sent his army out to annihilate all Firebloods in his Kingdom, Protagonist Ruby Otrera's life isn't much easier. Yes, she was the only Fireblood to ever survive a brutal challenge against Frostbloods in a gladiator like environment. But, the curse hasn't been broken, the shadowy creature known as the Frost Minax is on the loose, and causing tremendous problems for King Arcus. And, she wears a heart shaped mark on her face as a consolation prize.
There are those close to Arcus who really want to see Ruby gone, and her relationship with Arcus is making people feel uncomfortable and down right rude towards her. She is, after-all, quite possibly the only Fireblood left in the land of Frostbloods. A nobody who rose from obscurity to change the direction of an entire country. This is a story that starts out with Ruby, Arcus, and Brother Thistle trying to find a way to destroy the evil Minax that is now haunting the Kingdom after being released.
But, danger is lurking in the background in the form of assassins and others who want to see Ruby dead, and Arcus removed from the throne. But, it is the arrival of Kai that sends Ruby into an entirely different direction. Kai is from Sudesia. He arrived in Tempesia to discover who the girl is who did the impossible, and attempt to lure her back to Sudesia, which just happens to be her mother's homeland.
Now, before you chide me on the whole love triangle aspect of this story, know this. Ruby loves Arcus. Ruby's future is most likely with Arcus even though he can be a stubborn arse at times. But, Kai is someone who is a Fireblood.
He is someone who can teach her how to survive the trials necessary to become a Master. He, not Brother Thistle, can explain how it feels to actually feel the power of being a Fireblood. He is also a person who needs a second chance, and gets a chance to take it thanks to the arrival of Ruby. The movement to Sudesia for most of this story was a really great idea. Sudesia doesn't have any Frostbloods that are looking down at their noses to spite Ruby, or make rude and unnecessary comments towards her.
That's because all of the Frostbloods have been removed at the behest of Queen Nalani. It is also a place where some really interesting surprises await Ruby that will take us right into the third book called Nightblood. Ruby is mostly
untrained, yet she is awfully powerful. As Ruby's training intensifies, she also has to find a book that may hold the answers in defeating both the Frost & Fire Minax's. In the end, this book also ends on an action packed breath taking battle between Ruby, Arcus, Kai, and a newly awakened villain who reveals a whole lot of twists that will leave readers heads buzzing. Bring on Nightblood!
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