Mundie Moms

Tuesday, May 5, 2015

Ice Kissed by Amanda Hocking | Blog Tour: Book Review

Hello and welcome to today's blog tour stop for St. Martin's ICE KISSED by Amanda Hocking. I'm so thrilled to post my review for today's NEW RELEASE of book two in The Kanin Chronicles. 


By: Amanda Hocking
Published by: St. Martin's Griffin
Released on: May 5th, 2015 - TODAY
Series: Kanin Chronicles #2
Source: ebook for review from publisher, in exchange for my honest review
Rating: 4 Stars - I Enjoyed It
Purchase from: Amazon | B&N | iBooks | IndieBound
Add it to Goodreads 


In the majestic halls of a crystal palace lies a secret that could destroy an entire kingdomŠ

Bryn Aven refuses to give up on her dream of serving the kingdom she loves. It's a dream that brings her to a whole new realmŠthe glittering palace of the Skojare.

The Skojare people need protection from the same brutal enemy that's been threatening the Kanin, and Bryn is there to help. Being half Skojare herself, it's also a chance for her to learn more about her lost heritage. Her boss Ridley Dresden is overseeing the mission, but as their undeniable attraction heats up, their relationship is about to reach a whole new level--one neither of them is prepared for.

As they delve deeper into the Skojare world, they begin to unravel a long-hidden secret. The dark truth about her own beloved Kanin kingdom is about to come to light, and it'll change her place in it foreverŠand threaten everyone she loves.

Just as action packed, and fast packed as Frost Fire, Ice Kissed picks up right where Amanda Hocking left fans hanging in the first book of the Kanin Chronicles. It didn't take long for me to jump right back into Bryn's Trylle world. This time around, things are much more complicated, twisted, and dangerous. Not everything is as it seems. I loved that Hocking makes it a bit harder for fans to figure out what exactly is going on, and who's doing what. There are plenty of complicated secrets being kept.

This time around, Bryn spends a great deal of time with the Skojare people. I really enjoyed getting to learn more about their history, especially since it's part of her heritage, as her mom is from here. I have to say, there's a lot things going on here, and while I was able to figure out a few things, Hocking does a great job at keeping some things complex. There's a lot of things happening within this story, and just as Bryn gets close to figuring out who's behind all the trouble, the table turns, and she finds herself on the run. 

I've also enjoyed Bryn's character, but there were a few times I did get a little frustrated with her in this book. I love her circle of friends, and the relationship she has with them, and her family. I have to say, this time around Ridley and Bryn together really annoyed me. The reason being is that they need to hurry up and figure out what it is they both want. Okay, there's more to it, but for the sake of spoilers, I'll leave it at that. Can I just say, there's scene between the two of them that, well I'll just say it, was awkward. At least I felt it was. When you read it, you'll know the scene I'm talking about. Maybe I feel that way because I started losing interest in the two of them together, because how back and forth they both were for much of the book. 

One of the things I love about Hocking's writing is her world building, and the lore she has created within Bryn's world. It's fascinating, and it's part of what makes this series so addicting. I love how she's crafted Bryn's world, and tied the various characters together. There's a lot of history between the different realms, and I'm anxious to learn more about them. I've realized that I really need to go read Hocking's other series. I've got her books sitting on my shelves, but dived right into this series before I read them. 

Along with Bryn and Ridley's relationship, I have to say I felt there were a few things that took away from me really liking this book. Yes it was fast paced, and I read it in one sitting. Yes, I liked the book, however, I felt that there times where the story stalled, or dragged, though only briefly.  For example, readers are already made aware of at the beginning of the book that Black and Dalig are still being on the run, but through out the book it's mentioned repeatedly that they're on the run. Sometimes I think when things are overly emphasized, it takes away from the story more than it should, which was the case for me. Over all I did enjoy Ice Kissed. Out of the two, Frost Fire is still my favorite. I liked the direction this story takes, but I felt there was more with Frost Fire that hooked me. 

The last part of the book was where things really took off for me. I love it when an author keeps me on my toes, which Hocking does.  A lot of things going on behind the scenes, that make it hard to pin point what exactly is happening, and which characters are behind it. I love the twists, and the impossibility of figuring out if Dalig and Black are really to blame or other characters that Bryn is close to. There are some newer characters who play bigger roles in this book, and I've got my suspicions about them. While Hocking does wrap up a few things, this book ends on one heck of a cliff hanger. Holy white rabbit, that was an awesome place to end the book. Now I need the next book! Whether you've read Amanda's other series or not, I totally recommend picking up this series!

On a side note, I LOVE this cover!

About the Author 
AMANDA HOCKING is The New York Times bestselling author of the Trylle trilogy and a lifelong Minnesotan. After selling over a million copies of her books, primarily in eBook format, she became the exemplar of self-publishing success in the digital age. Visit her at http://www.worldofamandahocking.com

The Girl At Midnight by Melissa Grey | Enter To WIN!

Last week I shared my review for this fantastic new release, THE GIRL AT MIDNIGHT by Melissa Grey. Today I'm thrilled to host a giveaway for the book. One lucky winner will have the chance to enter to win a copy of the book! Not familiar with the book? Check out a little bit about it below:


By: Melissa Grey
Published by: Delacorte Books
Released on: April 28th, 2015
Source: book from publisher to review in exchange for my honest review
Purchase it from: AmazonBarnes & NobleKobo, Indiebound, Powell’s
Add it toGoodreads
ORDER A SIGNED COPY FROM BOOKS OF WONDER
For readers of Cassandra Clare’s City of Bones and Leigh Bardugo’s Shadow and Bone, The Girl at Midnight is the story of a modern girl caught in an ancient war.
Beneath the streets of New York City live the Avicen, an ancient race of people with feathers for hair and magic running through their veins. Age-old enchantments keep them hidden from humans. All but one. Echo is a runaway pickpocket who survives by selling stolen treasures on the black market, and the Avicen are the only family she’s ever known.
Echo is clever and daring, and at times she can be brash, but above all else she’s fiercely loyal. So when a centuries-old war crests on the borders of her home, she decides it’s time to act.
Legend has it that there is a way to end the conflict once and for all: find the Firebird, a mythical entity believed to possess power the likes of which the world has never seen. It will be no easy task, but if life as a thief has taught Echo anything, it’s how to hunt down what she wants … and how to take it.
But some jobs aren’t as straightforward as they seem. And this one might just set the world on fire.

To enter to win, all you need to do is fill out the form below:
- Standard Mundie Moms giveaway rules apple. Must be a resident of the US or Canada to enter. Thank you to Penguin Random House for making this giveaway possible.
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Out Today! New YA Releases for May 5th, 2015

May is starting off with some huge books releases. Check out which books are hitting shelves TODAY!

Week of May 5th


The Heir by Kiera Cass, 5/5/15, Harper Teen
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas, 5/5/15, Bloomsbury

The Fill-In Boyfriend by Kasie West, 5/5/15, Harper Teen
Crimson Bound by Rosamund Hodge, 5/5/15, Balzer & Bray

Tracked by Jenny Martin, 5/5/15, Dial Books
Isle of the Lost by Melissa de la Cruz, 5/5/15, Disney Hyperion 
Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen, 5/5/15, Viking
Ice Kissed by Amanda Hocking, 5/5/15, St Martin's Griffin
Until The Beginnings by Amy Plum, 5/5/15, Harper Teen
The Novice: Summoner by Taran Matharu5/5/15, Feiwel & Friends
Galgorithm by Aaron Karo, 5/5/15, Simon Pulse
Wild Hearts by Jessica Burkhart, 5/5/15, Bloomsbury 
Undertow by Michael Buckley, 5/5/15, HMH Books
Dust to Dust by Melissa C. Walker, 5/5/15, Katherine Tegen Books
Swept Away by Michelle Dalton, 5/5/15, Simon Pulse

What books will you be adding to your bookshelves?

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