Review: Of Ice and Snow by Amber Argyle

One of the most scariest/nerve wracking things for me, being a part of a community of writers is to read a book written by someone I know. It sounds weird, but I'm always terrified it might not be something I'll like, or maybe their style won't speak to me. 

Well, my friend Amber Argyle drew me in with her fantastic cover, and I just could not put down her book, Of Ice and Snow (Fairy Queens .5). I'm definitely rethinking my crazy paranoia.

Let me introduce you:

Amber Argyle is the international, bestselling author of the Witch Song Series and the Fairy Queen Series. Her books have been nominated for and won awards in addition to being translated into French and Indonesian.
Amber graduated cum laude from Utah State University with a degree in English and physical education, a husband, and a two-year old. Since then, she and her husband have added two more children, which they are actively trying to transform from crazy small people into less crazy larger people.
To receive her starter library for free, simply tell her where to send it: http://eepurl.com/l8fl1
To check out her other books here is her Amazon page: http://www.amazon.com/Amber-Argyle/e/B004YE1BR4/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1

Now for some background info on this book, the blurb:

Otec thought destiny forgot him…

The middle child of the clanchief, Otec is the overlooked son in an overflowing house. He dreams of escape and adventure, so when a mysterious stranger offers both, he doesn’t need persuading. But when his faraway village comes under attack, Otec will do anything to save the people he loves. Cut off from his nation, he must trust a foreign woman with a dubious past as they race to save his clan. But nothing is what it seems, and Otec may have to trust his enemy if he is to become the leader he was never meant to be.

Destiny is not always kind.

Amazon buy link: http://amzn.com/B014T84OUK

What do you think of that fantastic cover art? 

It's very simple, but once you start reading the story you will understand why it's so absolutely perfect!

Ok, now for my review:

 From the beginning, it's impossible to guess where this amazing story is going to take you. The character development and growth is phenomenal and I loved the fantastic detail put into everything from the art the main characters created to the battles they fought. An absolute page turner! I can't wait to dig into the rest of this series. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves adventure, epic battles, and happy endings with just a touch of heart break. It totally earned all 5 stars.

Now, I've mentioned that this is actually .5 in the Fairy Queens Series. 

(Want to see some more absolutely amazing covers?)

The rest of the series, currently published, are:

Winter Queen (Book 1)

Becoming a winter queen will make Ilyenna as cold and cruel and deadly as winter itself, but it might be the only way to save her people from a war they have no hope of winning.
Mortally wounded during a raid, seventeen-year-old Ilyenna is healed by winter fairies who present her with a seductive offer: become one of them and share their power over winter. But that power comes with a price. If she accepts, she will become a force of nature, lose her humanity, and abandon her family.
Unwilling to pay such a high price, Ilyenna is enslaved by one of the invaders, Darrien. While in captivity, she learns the attack wasn’t just a simple raid but part of a larger plot to overthrow her entire nation.
With the enemy stealing over the mountains and Darrien coming to take her to his bed, Ilyenna must decide whether to resurrect the power the fairies left behind. Doing so will allow her to defeat Darrien and the other invaders, but if she embraces winter, she will lose herself to that destroying power—forever.

Amazon buy link: http://amzn.com/B00CA9YWMG

Of Fire and Ash (Book 1.5)

There is one rule above all others: never make a deal with the fairies. Nelay is about to break that rule.
One promise can change everything.
The fairies must never know of Nelay’s sight, for the attention of such dark and terrible creatures brings more things dark and terrible. But when Nelay's father is near death, the fairies are the only ones who can save him. All they require is a simple promise that she'll return the favor one day.
Some promises are lethal.

 Amazon buy link: http://amzn.com/B00QFUKVOE

Summer Queen (Book 2)

A fugitive from the king she refused to marry, Nelay ventures out to save her family from an invading army only to discover the fate of her entire nation rests on her shoulders.
But in defeat after defeat, Nelay begins to realize a bigger power is at play than that wielded by mere mortals. Only she can stand between the cinders of her once-great nation and the vengeance of a goddess. 

Amazon Buy Link: http://amzn.com/B00RO84KX4