Another book review from my reading binge while recovering from surgery. This one was a bargain boxset, and I liked both the cover and the blurb.

Blurb

Rakel is a princess who should have been queen.

Instead, as a despised magic user she has spent most of her life exiled on a barren mountain, alone in her ice-castle. But her empty life is shattered when an army of magic users invades her home country, bringing cruelty and darkness in their wake.

Rakel refuses to watch as the people who’ve scorned her are attacked, imprisoned, and even killed by the invading army. Swallowing her fear, she joins forces with her jailers and uses her magic in a way she never anticipated: on the battlefield.

But one of the invading colonels is different.

When enemy Colonel Farrin Graydim meets Rakel he is immediately intrigued by her. Her harsh rejection of an offer to join their cause only deepens his interest. He admires her unflinching strength, but his bloody past makes him utterly unworthy to stand beside the purity of her ice and snow.

Can Rakel defeat the invasion and free not only her people, but Farrin as well? For if her magic cannot defend her homeland, all is lost.

THE SNOW QUEEN series is an Epic Fantasy Romance filled with magic, unexpected friendships, and fights for survival. If you love strong female leads, captivating magic, and humorous stories, you’ll love The Snow Queen series. Buy the complete series today in this special collection!

And my review:

The Snow Queen: The Complete Saga: Books 1-3: Heart of Ice, Sacrifice, Snowflakes by K.M. Shea
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Rakel has the misfortune to be born into a land that fears and vilifies magic. Despite being a royal princess, she is locked alone in a tower as a child, and eventually exiled to the far edge of the kingdom, where she uses her magic to build the ice castle she calls home. When the kingdom comes calling for her help to defeat magic-using invaders, why should she help them?
Disarmed by two children who have no fear of her, and Oskar, the servant who has served her faithfully, she agrees to try. Fearful for her life much of the time, she must navigate enemies both in front and behind her, gradually gathering a cohort of supporters that strangely includes one of the enemy generals.
This is an unusual tale, even for one with its origins in a fairy tale. Rakel is beautifully drawn, both her fears and her powers, and especially her innate goodness. Her companions are also well developed, particularly Phile the Robber Maiden, who brings humour to an otherwise relentless story of war. I liked that Rakel’s power, which originally seemed to be limitless and unassailable, turned out to have a price that both moves the book along, and brings it to its ultimate climax. The romance is gentle and sweet, and redemptive for both parties.
I was surprised when the story ended after 2 books, seeing as there were 3 in the bundle. I believe the third is a collection of short stories featuring Rakel, but I decided not to read it. This was a story I enjoyed, but not enough to want to read more.


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