#Review - Nightblood by Elly Blake #YALit #Fantasy

Series: The Frostblood Saga # 3
Format: Hardcover, 448 pages
Release Date: August 21, 2018
Publisher: Little, Brown For Young Readers
Source: Library
Genre: Young Adult / Fantasy / Epic

The explosive finale of the New York Times bestselling Frostblood Saga, perfect for fans of Three Dark Crowns, Red Queen, and A Court of Thorns and Roses.

Ruby's world has changed more than she ever could have imagined. She's in love with a powerful Frost King. She's the heir to the Fire Throne. And she may be a Nightblood--the spawn of a vengeful deity hellbent on releasing an imprisoned army of shadowy wraiths. Once freed, these beasts will roam the earth, devouring the spirits of every last person until he or she is nothing but an empty husk.

Ruby is able to control the shadows to a degree, even hosting one in her own body. But will this tenuous connection--which threatens to consume her--be enough to hold the beasts back? With time running out, she must bring Frostbloods and Firebloods together to make a stand against an immortal foe more deadly than any she's faced. And the price of peace may be her very life.

In this heart-pounding finale of Elly Blake's gorgeously written and action-packed Frostblood Saga, the fate of Frostbloods, Firebloods, and all of humanity is at stake.

 

 

Nightblood is the third and final installment in author Elly Blake's Frostblood Saga. The gauntlet has thrown down, the pieces on the board are moving into place, the evil that threatens the world is eager to make Fireblood Princess Ruby Ottera his own, and a Minax that lies with Ruby is pushing her into becoming someone she doesn't recognize. Can Ruby and her allies, Frostblood King Arcus, and Sudesian Prince Kai pull off a master plan and win the day? As new characters are introduced, and old characters return to battle the evil that we do, the story revs up for one more fight to save the world. Who will survive? Who will fall? It's fair to say it will be a toss of the dice, or a kiss from lady luck.

Nightblood picks up shortly after the end of Fireblood. Ruby, Arcus, and Kai and a cadre of Fireblood Masters are headed back to Tempesia to see Brother Thistle as well as meet with Arcus’ court. He needs the court’s agreement to partner with Sudesia and the Queen Nalani’s forces to go after Eurus and stop him from opening the Gate of Light. In the meantime, Ruby has been sleepwalking, dreaming of Eurus. Stopping him from opening the Gates and unleashing the Minax on an unsuspecting world is her primary goal.

 

Noting else matters. Everything else, including relationships with Arcus and yes, even Kai who refuses to take a back seat and is uncomfortable with being only a friend, is secondary. Ruby's self-control, as well as her relationship with Arcus, is tested too many times to count in this story. Her growth as a character is also tested since she has no idea whether or not she is truly a Fireblood, or the so called Nightblood that Eurus so eagerly claims as his own.

One could say that the Minax is a major aspect of what Ruby does in this book. It changes her in many ways, and it also seems to give her strength when others are doubting she can handle what has been attached to her since she destroyed the Frostblood throne. Ruby says and does some terrible things under the Minax’s possession and to be fair, Ruby isn't totally honest to those who love her and care about her and doesn't want to see her become a pawn in Eurus' war against his brethren.

I think it's fair to say that hinting that everything works out in the end is a cope out. You can't legitimately understand this story, especially the final 1/3 of this story, without reading about Ruby's inner & outer struggles and how far she is pushed to the absolute limits of her character and her abilities. Hell, even I was more than curious when the author tosses a monkey wrench into the story and then has to do the mambo in order to make readers feel they got the most out of the book.

I didn't rate this book higher and I blame that on the author's attempt at using a love triangle. They are absolutely unnecessary and unwarranted. I've been saying this for 9 years as a reviewer. Although Kai is technically Ruby's betrothed, it's more of action of convenience, rather than real love. Ruby and Arcus have their ups and downs, but never doubt their unwavering love for the other. As for Arcus, he struggles with his own legacy and legitimacy from a group that readers met in the previous book. The are dangerous and could upturn any chance at an alliance between Fire and Frost Bloods if they succeed. One could also say that he feels a bit threatened by the friendship between Kai and Ruby, but doesn't go hiding in a corner and whine about it for the entire book.

Recommendation: Borrow or Buy it

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Wednesday #Review - Fireblood (Frostblood Saga #2) by Elly Blake #YALit #Fantasy

Series: The Frostblood Saga # 2
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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#Monday Review - Frostblood by Elly Blake #YALit #Fantasy @elly_blake @lbkids

Series: Frostblood Saga # 1
Format: Hardcover, 384 pages
Release Date: January 10, 2017
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Source: NetGalley 
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Seventeen-year-old Ruby is a fireblood who must hide her powers of heat and flame from the cruel frostblood ruling class that wants to destroy all that are left of her kind. So when her mother is killed for protecting her and rebel frostbloods demand her help to kill their rampaging king, she agrees. But Ruby's powers are unpredictable, and she's not sure she's willing to let the rebels and an infuriating (yet irresistible) young man called Arcus use her as their weapon.

All she wants is revenge, but before they can take action, Ruby is captured and forced to take part in the king's tournaments that pit fireblood prisoners against frostblood champions. Now she has only one chance to destroy the maniacal ruler who has taken everything from her and from the icy young man she has come to love.

Fast-paced and compelling, Frostblood is the first in a page-turning new young adult three-book series about a world where flame and ice are mortal enemies—but together create a power that could change everything.

Frostblood is the first installment in author Elly Blake's Frostblood Saga. 17-year old Ruby is quite possibly the last living Fireblood in Otrera thanks the King's hatred & desire to exterminate her kind. But, her own mother kept her from exploring her abilities for fear of discovery, when she should have been learning how to use, and control her gift. After being betrayed by villagers, Ruby watches as her mother is killed by the King's men. Ruby is then captured & taken to a place where she is prevented from using her abilities. 

5 months later, Ruby is rescued by a pair of Frostbloods who believe she can help them bring down the King. They truly believe that Ruby may be the answer to their prayers. One of her rescuers is Arcus, a man of many mysteries, including why he covers his face, why he has a scar on his face, and why he is so desperate for Ruby's help. He and Brother Thistle take her to an abbey where Ruby learns an about an organization called Order of Fors. Since there are no more Fireblood Masters, Arcus and Thistle begin an intense regimen of training.

Have to say that Ruby does have some issues. She's quick tempered, hard-headed, but she's just the way I love characters to be. Because of her isolation from society, she's an unknown to almost everyone. She struggles to handle her powers which have been restrained for too long. She makes puzzling decisions which lead to bad consequences. She's also not the next coming of Celaena Sardothien, but she does have the same desire for revenge & the power within her to seek out revenge against those who have taken everything away from her. 

With Arcus and Ruby constantly going after each other's throats, you would think that I would have had the urge to move on to something else. But, again I swear I have the patience of a Saint. The two have so much turmoil between them, and Arcus is so damn cold most of the time, that you want to slap them both silly. Yet, if you look deeper into Arcus's background, and what he went through, you can move forward without hesitation. Unfortunately for Ruby, training is interrupted by betrayal within the ranks of the Monks which leads to Ruby's re-capture.

She is brought before King Akur who would love to see every last Fireblood bleeding out in front of him. Instead, he is encouraged to send Ruby to face the best of the best in an arena where only the strongest walk out alive. Ruby's trials lead to even more revelation about the darkness that holds the King in its sway, and Ruby's own darkness within that keeps her alive against some pretty powerful enemies. There is something about Ruby that ends up intriguing the King. The more time Ruby stays alive, the more encouraged he is that Ruby may be the answer to the prophecy which hangs over the Kingdom.

Frostblood starts out on a high note, then slowly burns its way towards the second half of the book where Ruby must face all sorts of odds against her survival. The relationship between Ruby and Arcus is not an easy one to read about at times. She doesn't trust that easily. He thinks she may be the savior he is looking for, but still treats her as though she is the enemy. One can sort through the anger & the banter to get to the point where Arcus isn't a bad person, he's just been through a whole lot that weighs heavily on his psyche. One can definitely say that sparks fly, and opposites do attract.

Author Elly Blake has created her own mythology for this series. There are Four Gods who are important and the reason why is pretty clear. The god of the North Wind (Fors) created the Frostbloods, while the Goddess of the South (Sud) created the Firebloods. There are also Gods of the East (Eurus) and West (Cirrus) which are talked about a great deal, but are really just backdrops to war that has been brewing for years between Frostbloods and Firebloods. I am not one of those who likes to compare books to other series. I love reading Fantasy novels no matter if they are the same tried and tested formula as others have taken. So, on that point I will close my review by saying that I enjoyed this first story in the trilogy and will keep my eye opened for the sequel to see where Blake takes her characters from here.

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