Title: A Breath of Frost
Author: Alyxandra Harvey
First published January 2, 2014
482 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780802734433 (ISBN10: 080273443X)
Rating: 3.9
Overview
The year is 1814, and three cousins – Adelaide, Beatrice, and Charlotte – are about to discover their family’s secret legacy of witchcraft. When a powerful binding spell is broken, the cousins’ individual magical powers are unleashed, and they find themselves thrust into a world of danger beyond the glittering ballrooms of Regency London.
As they navigate this new underworld, they unwittingly open the gates to a terrifying realm of ghouls, hellhounds, and vengeful witches known as the Raven Sisters. Now, the Raven Sisters are hunting and killing young witches, determined to steal their powers and wreak havoc on the mortal realm.
And Adelaide, Beatrice, and Charlotte are the only ones who can stop them. But as the body count rises and the cousins’ powers grow stronger, they realize that one of them is connected to the murders in ways they never imagined.
Can they uncover the truth and seal the gates before it’s too late? Or will they lose their newfound powers and their lives to the Raven Sisters’ deadly wrath?
The fate of the mortal realm rests in their hands.
About the Author
Meet Alyxandra Harvey, the brilliant mind behind The Drake Chronicles, The Witches of London, Haunting Violet, City of Seeds and Thorns, and Red. When she’s not busy crafting her next literary masterpiece, she can be found sipping on chai lattes, admiring tattoos, and getting lost in the pages of books.
And let’s not forget about her occasional spurts of literary rage that fuel her creative process.
Editoral Review
A Breath of Frost by Alyxandra Harvey is a young adult novel that first hit bookshelves on January 2, 2014. Harvey is a Canadian author known for her fantasy and historical fiction books.
In this book, Harvey combines her love for both genres to create a tale of magic, romance, and mystery. The book takes place in Regency-era London, a time when young ladies were expected to be prim and proper, and magic was considered a threat to society.
The story follows three teenage girls – Emma, Penelope, and Gretchen – who discover that they are witches with unique abilities. As they learn to control their powers, they uncover a dark force that threatens to harm them and the people they love.
Along the way, they are joined by a cast of unique and intriguing characters, including a vampire and a sorcerer. One of the strengths of A Breath of Frost is its rich historical setting.
Harvey expertly weaves historical details into the narrative, bringing the reader into the world of Regency England. The characters’ dialogue and mannerisms accurately reflect the time, adding an extra layer of authenticity to the story.
Additionally, the book’s focus on female empowerment is both timely and relevant, showing how women can be strong and independent, even in a society that seeks to suppress them. Another strength of the book is the characters themselves.
Each of the three main characters is well-developed, with their own unique personalities and motivations. Emma is headstrong and impulsive, Penelope is witty and practical, and Gretchen is reserved and thoughtful.
By the end of the book, the reader feels a deep connection to each character and their personal journey. However, the book does have some weaknesses.
The pacing can be slow at times, and the plot may feel predictable for readers familiar with the genre. Additionally, some of the plot twists may feel contrived, and the book’s ending may leave some readers unsatisfied.
Overall, A Breath of Frost is a well-crafted book that will appeal to fans of young adult fantasy and historical fiction. It has relatable characters, compelling themes, and a richly detailed setting.
However, it may not be for everyone, as its slower pacing and predictable plot may not be everyone’s cup of tea. For fans of Alyxandra Harvey’s other books, A Breath of Frost will not disappoint.
It is similar in tone and style to her other works, while still standing on its own as a unique and engaging story. For those new to Harvey’s writing, this book is a great place to start.
With all that being said, I believe A Breath of Frost deserves a rating of 4 out of 5 stars. The quality of writing is excellent, the characters are well-developed, and the themes are timely and relevant.
However, the slow pacing and predictable plot prevent it from being a perfect book. Nonetheless, it is still an enjoyable read that is sure to satisfy fans of the genre.
