A fun sequel that has me anticipating book three..

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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.

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Amanda Hocking does it again

Who do you trust and who is your enemy? This is the second book in the Kanin serie and it pick's up right where the first left of. This one has lots of plots in it and you really have a hard time putting the book down because you just want to know what happens next. It's beautiful written and I just have to read the last now.

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epic!

Excited where the story takes our main characters! not gonna give anything away. love this series! though I do gotta say Bryn seems a little childish. I sometimes forget she's in her twenties and not her teens.

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I liked it even more than the first one.

great performance. loved the story and the twists it took. can't wait to read the next one.

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Excellent story, so well-crafted

I first read this in 2016, and it must have been the wrong time--I raised my opinion a lot, and am here to say I am very much enjoying the over arching story. The world the author built is entrancing and the character development is excellent. This is well-crafted. The narration is excellent.

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Glad I pushed through the first book

I do love a good book and honestly...*said in a whisper* the first one was not very good. HOWEVER(!) the ending was interesting and moved well into an intriguing storyline for the next installment (which is the book I'm currently reviewing).

If you are like me and didn't like the first one much but want to know what happened next...then just READ IT! It's worth the time and is great for keeping you awake on long drives (if you're listening to it. Don't read books while you drive!)

If you liked the first book then great the second but be warned that's the language increases and you shouldn't let your children read it...for a few reason.

That being said, I'm interested to see how the next one goes and what becomes of the mess that's been made hahaha. Enjoy!

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A lot going on

Wow this book had a lot going on twists turns and cliffhangers. Already downloading the next book.

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Slow in some parts

There was a lot to like in Ice Kissed. However, some sections dragged.

This book needed more of an explanation of Victor Dalig and Konstantin Black, and less stonewalling by everyone else. I could also have lived with less of Bryn and Ridley’s supposedly forbidden romance. And if Bryn is to be a major player in the mysteries of this book, either because of who she is or what she does, it would be nice if she, and we, could be allowed some clue as to what that was all about.

There is more of Bryn’s romance with Ridley, and more of her insisting that she can’t be with him because of her job and the fact that he is her boss. Frankly, I don’t understand just what the hang-up is there, assuming he isn’t taking undue advantage of her and she isn’t using him just to get some sort of promotion.

I also don’t understand why people are being so uncooperative about the investigation into what went on in the Skojare territory. Of course, it is to be expected that the guilty parties will not be very forthcoming, but nearly everybody they talk to both in Skojare and in Kanin seems to be hiding something.

So, howcomeizzit that at the very end, when the bad things start to go down, it is Bryn who gets tagged as the person at fault and must flee the troll territories completely or risk ruining her family and friends?

The narrator was very good – I don’t remember a whole lot of frantic hysterical screaming which is sometimes a problem with female narrators and female characters in emotionally charged situations.

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great listening

great mystery book. easy to imagine where you are. can't wait to start the next book.

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Ice Kissed

I love this book can't wait to read book three. I have been reading this series since last year.

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