Ice Kissed: The Kanin Chronicles (From the World of the Trylle) (The Kanin Chronicles, 2)

4 Stars

A tangled web of lies, deception, traitors, betrayals, all spun around a fierce loyalty, honor, determination, with an utterly sweet, and crazy sexy romance, that will get your blood pumping and chills running. ICE KISSED was a great sequel that I've been highly anticipating.

Being back into the world of THE KANIN CHRONICLES, and reliving the journey and struggles these characters endure, reminded me just how much I missed this world and the adventures it holds. Bryn and Ridley are both absolutely my favorite characters in this series. I adored them as a couple, and was thrilled to finally see them let go and give in to each other and their long suppressed desires. And theirs one part, Chapter 15, page 101-104 to be exact, where I swooned and was actually amazed by the sex scene that Hocking's threw in there. It was definitely boarding on the line of YA, and New Adult. But hey, I didn't mind one bit, I actually thought it was refreshing to see YA authors border that line, and take the romance a little step further!! But it was definitely as hot as it can get for Young Adult!!

The plot, ugh, how do I say this without making it sound like I didn't like the book, because I did, I liked it a lot actually. But it did have some flaws, just like the first book did, and the reason I gave it four stars. It felt like the plot was kinda at a standstill until the last quarter or so of the book, that's when it really started picking up and went into full blown plot.

There was a lot of the plot that I thought could of been cut out, that it just dragged and stretched to make a full length novel. The outline of the plot was amazing, I loved the ideas Hocking had, it's just the execution, and the direction she took to get to the bigger picture is what I struggled with. Some parts were boring, where others were just mildly interesting, and some were full blown thrilling. And that made me have mixed feelings and it was really hard to connect to the novel.

But nevertheless, even with it's flaws I still did thoroughly enjoy ICE KISSED, and fell hard for the ending. And I have a feeling the next book, CRYSTAL KINGDOM is going to blow this series out of the water, and be as explosive as I hope it will be.

THE PLOT

Bryn Aven is finally being accepted into the Kanin world where she's always been an outcast. Fair skin, blond hair, and blue eyes have always set her apart from the other dark haired, olive skin Kanin. But Bryn's fine tracking skills, sharp instincts, and fierce determination have always gotten her through whatever obstacle she's challenged with. But being different from the rest of her tribe always pushed Bryn to fight harder, longer, and aim higher then the rest. And finally that eager determination payed off as it slowly drove her up the latter to where she is now known as an excellent tracker with a great record. But what Bryn really craves is to become an official member of the Kings Elite Guard, better known as the Högdragen. And she will do anything to prove her worth, to prove she is just as good as the rest, to prove they are all equal...

But all the training in the world couldn't of prepared Bryn Aven for what she's about to face...

After the incident that left her knocked out unconscious on the Skojare palace prison cell floor, Bryn Aven is feeling like a failure. Letting Doldastam's two most famous criminals, Viktor Dålig and Konstantin Black slip through her fingers is no easy feat. But with the fate of her kingdom hanging in the balance, Bryn won't be beaten down that easy. She's determined to get to the bottom of everything threatening to tear the troll kingdoms apart...

Eager to help and determined to find answers, Bryn finds herself back at the Skojare palace, picking up where she left off with the queens disappearance. But just as Bryn felt it last time she was in the sparkling Skojare palace, she feels it now too. Something here is amiss, something is not right with the Skojare people, their up to something, at least some of them are. And Bryn Aven has just dug herself into a conspiracy so deep, she may not be able to pull herself out, alive...

This book had it's ups and downs for me. On one hand I really enjoyed it, but on the other, I felt it lacked depth, lacked a real plot. I mean the bigger picture was there, but the path getting to the main purpose and outcome of the plot was lacking. If that makes any sense?

I guess I would say the plot was a little bland. I mean almost the whole book was focusing around protecting a juvenile queen that didn't have a backbone to save her life, and won't stand her ground when needed. And after a while it just got to be annoying, and I felt like screaming "Move on already, bring on some different drama, some purpose, some action," in which it definitely lacked until about the last quarter or so.

But nevertheless, even with it's faults, ICE KISSED was a good sequel that I did enjoy. Especially the one VERY hot romance scene with Ridley, in which I was thrilled to finally see them showing each other some real love!! I ship them so hard and really hope Hocking's doesn't decide to through a love triangle in the mix now with Konstantin Black coming back into the main plot of book three, because that would absolutely ruin it for me.

ICE KISSED end on an thrilling cliffhanger and I'm so eager to pick up the last book CRYSTAL KINGDOM and see how it all plays out. Because I have a feeling the next book will be an unforgettable conclusion that will put book two and three to shame...

Overall, ICE KISSED was an interesting sequel with it's faults, but also it's perks too. The ending alone was well worth reading the whole book just to get to it. I loved the characters and their fierce determination, and the romance was definitely hot too. Either way, ICE KISSED was a great addition to THE KANIN CHRONICLES, and I'm very excited to see how Hocking's will bring this series to a close, and all the struggles Bryn will have to endure to save her people. If you like fantasy with paranormal aspects, with low action and adventure, but with court intrigue, and mystery, topped with betrayals, lies , conspiracies, and a slow burning, HOT romance, then ICE KISSED may be right up your ally!!!

NOTE: I received a Physical ARC from St. Martin's Griffin for reviewing purposes. All opinions express are my own and are not influenced in any way.

WARNING!!!!!! CONTAINS SEXUAL CONTENT!!!!!! Not appropriate for the age group it suggests. Good thing my grandmother read this before my 12 year old daughter. I wouldn't even let my daughter in high school read this. Ridiculous!!!! I'm sure it's a great book for adults!

I love all of Hocking's previous works and while this book was better than the first, it still isn't anywhere as good as her previous works.

Trylle was phenomenal and Watersong was fantastic so I've had high hopes for this series. Don't get me wrong, it's not terrible - it's just not as good as what I'd expect from her. Instead of the plot being about trolls (special creatures) it reads just like they are only human. I don't really see much "troll-ness" in the series besides the Swedish names and the way they live.

Will I read the last book? Yes. But overall, I'm not as enthralled as I've been with her other series'. That doesn't mean she's a bad author BY ANY MEANS. Just that this particular work is not her best.

Sadly, I can't give it more than a 3.

I was very disappointed in this book, so much so that I couldn't finish it. She is an excellent writer but I take offense to a book for teenagers with a graphic sex scene in it. I was not expected it, especially since there was basically a build up to a kiss/possible relationship, not sex. The previous book had no indication that this stores was going to end up being written pornography for teenagers. If it had, I would not have read it. I believe that authors, especially of books for teenagers, should give some indication that there is going to be not just sex, but graphic sex, in their series. It is very unnecessary, unneeded, and unwanted for some of us, especially impressionable youth. I will not be reading the rest of the book, so I have no idea if it has more than one scene, nor will I read the third book for that very same reason. I also will not be reading anything by this author again, which is a shame for me because, up until that point, I very much enjoyed her writing. It's not worth it to me to read what turned into a smut novel for the sake of finishing the story.

I did not like this novel. The first I one I enjoyed to a point, I personally didn't connect with the main character, but I enjoyed the plot and mystery of it all. But the sex scene really did it for me though, It came out of the blue, and honestly there was no point to that even happening yet. It didn't set a good example to young girl readers, or boys at that. Bryn and ridley were not in a serious relationship, and Ridley was committed to someone else at the time. Not something middle schoolers or early high school aged kids should read. A lot of cursing and unhealthy relationships between parents, friends, and love interests. The story had great potential, but fell flat with unnecessary things thrown in.

I did enjoy Ice Kissed but I had so many problems with it. I also expected it to live up to the first book in the series and be amazing. Sadly I am disappointed. Ice Kissed was good, but it won't be like Frostfire were I raved about it often.

Ridley and Bryn return back from Skojare with nothing. The Queen is still missing, no one knows who did it. Then the Queen visits Bryn in a dream, giving Bryn the opportunity to find her. The Queen fears for her safety and to keep alliances strong between the Kanin and Skojare Bryn and Kasper (part of the Hogdragon) are sent to retrain the Skojare guard. But things don't go according to plan. Neither does Bryn's life plan. Who does she trust? What does she want? Is this what she wants for herself?

Bryn starts out Ice Kissed with the same dreams and goals as she had in Frostfire. Become a Hogdragon and protect her kingdom. But we watch as she tries to reclaim herself after loosing Konstantin and Viktor at the end of Frostfire, slowly come to realize that maybe she wants more out of her life. Ridley and Bryn take a huge step in their relationship, which I had hoped would open Bryn's eyes. It did. But she wants to be a Hogdragon and a relationship with her boss would be frowned upon. I wished that Hocking had added a bit more romance to Ice Kissed. There were a few parts that kepts me satisfied but the whole book my mind was: "I want more Ridley and Bryn!"

In Ice Kissed they seemed more focus on who kidnapped the Queen and why rather then the conflicts that remained from Frostfire. The plot was slow and dragged in some places, it always felt repetitive, and a lot of the minor characters seemed dull and undeveloped. The last twenty pages were my favorite, some questions are answered and a whole crap load of things happen. Which sets the stage for book three. I am optimistic to with Hocking's work because she never disappointed me before. I am crossing my fingers that Crystal Fire will be much better.

Got this from netgalley:
http://fkrants.blogspot.com/2015/05/ice-kissed.html

OMG to this series, the story started in a light jog which took place right after the first book. And it took a quick pace that left me breathless by the end. But I knew who was behind the treason against the other tribe's royals. But so many turns- and who is controlling these peeps- I MUST KNOW NOW. I love the story so far and the characters are so likeable. This series is making me a Hocking fan. I will read her other books! YAY!

This is the second book of the Kanin Chronicles. I actually won an advance reading copy through Goodreads First Read. I really enjoyed this book. I love the fantasy feel of it. The main character was very strong. This book made me pick up some of Amanda Hocking other books.

This is second book in the Kanin Chronicles. I love Amanda Hockings writing and I cant wait for the last book. I suggest you start with the first since this book is part of a trilogy. I really like this story but this book got a little less "Konstantin/Bryn/Changlings/Victor and more Mystery/Thriller/Nancy Drew/Search For Clues for more Clues type stuff which I'm not a fan of. Searching for that teen queen took up to much space in this book for my liking. I will absolutly be reading the next book. I have already pre-ordered it because this is a great story...and because the end of this book was very exciting cant wait to see where it all ends! Happy Reading......P.S. go get this book!

great book