Published: March 21, 2012
Words: 49,362 (approximate)
Language: English

Short description

In the monster-infested world of the Frost, Lia Weaver must keep her family safe and help a fugitive to safety while avoiding detection by the cruel soldiers from the south.

Extended description

In the icy, monster-plagued world of the Frost, one wrong move and a person might end up dead—and Lia Weaver knows this better than anyone. After monsters kill her parents, she must keep the family farm running despite the freezing weather and threat of monster attacks, or risk losing her siblings to reassignment by the village Elders. With dangers on all sides and treachery just one wrong step away, she can’t afford to let her emotions lead her astray. So when her sister finds a fugitive bleeding to death in the forest, a young man from beyond the Frost named Gabe, Lia surprises herself and does the unthinkable.

She saves his life.

Giving shelter to the fugitive could get her in serious trouble. The Elders have always described the advanced society of people beyond the Frost, the “Farthers,” as ruthless and cruel, and her village has nothing to do with them. But Lia is startled to find that Gabe is empathetic and intelligent…and handsome. She might even be falling in lov.. (Read more) In the icy, monster-plagued world of the Frost, one wrong move and a person might end up dead—and Lia Weaver knows this better than anyone. After monsters kill her parents, she must keep the family farm running despite the freezing weather and threat of monster attacks, or risk losing her siblings to reassignment by the village Elders. With dangers on all sides and treachery just one wrong step away, she can’t afford to let her emotions lead her astray. So when her sister finds a fugitive bleeding to death in the forest, a young man from beyond the Frost named Gabe, Lia surprises herself and does the unthinkable.

She saves his life.

Giving shelter to the fugitive could get her in serious trouble. The Elders have always described the advanced society of people beyond the Frost, the “Farthers,” as ruthless and cruel, and her village has nothing to do with them. But Lia is startled to find that Gabe is empathetic and intelligent…and handsome. She might even be falling in love with him.

But time is running out. The monsters from the forest circle her farm at night. The village leader is starting to ask questions. Farther soldiers are searching for Gabe. Lia must locate a secret organization called the Thorns to help Gabe escape to safety, but each move she makes puts her in greater danger. Is compassion—and love—worth the risk?
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Tags

fantasy, young adult, monster, teen, sci fi, ya, dystopian, watchers, kate avery ellison

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Reviews

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Review by: Georgia on Feb. 21, 2013 :
Frost by Kate Avery Ellison is the first book in the Frost Chronicles series.

Set in a cold world, elusive monsters called "Watchers" exist. Hiding in the forest, they are rarely ever seen, hunt at night, are immune to weapons and are only held at bay by snow blossoms (sky blue flowers) that people keep around their thresholds and wear as necklaces for protection. However, they don't guarantee your safety.

The villagers of Iceliss (just known as "the village" to locals) have hard lives in the Frost. To survive in the frozen, forested landscape every man, woman and child needs to do their part. There are quotas to make sure of it. If you don't meet your quota, you don't get your rations for the week. There are a multitude of different tasks, such as hunting, farming, weaving, dyeing, gardening, etc. From your profession, your surname is derived.

Lia Weaver's job is to spin wool into yarn. She also manages a farm no other villager wanted, as it lies on the outskirts of village, with nothing but forest and Watchers beyond. She must also look after her twin brother, John (who is unable to walk) and free-spitired younger sister, Ivy, after their parents were killed by Watchers.

No one is entirely sure what happened to her parents. They were found without their snow blossom necklaces and were last seen entering the forest with members of the Brewer family. The Brewer family made it back, but Lia's parents didn't.

Now more than ever, her remaining family must follow the rules to survive. If the village believes her unfit, they will take her siblings away. Suddenly, Lia reaches a critical point when the terrifying Farthers come to her village. They come from the city of Aeralis, in the far South. They are known as a brutal race, who imprison and abuse any and all. They are also technologically advanced, especially compared to the little village in the Frost, where technology will get you killed (as it attracts the attention of the Watchers). Aeralis has airships, gas lamps and seems to be similar to cities that exist in the Steampunk world. A dark, frightening place- whose rumours are warning enough.

When a wounded boy turns up in the forest by their house, Ivy is adamant that they save him. He is obviously a Farther and helping him is strictly against the rules, but Lia gives in to Ivy's request. It soon becomes clear that the Farthers are searching for this strange boy, but why? Was it a mistake to help him?

As Lia tries to find answers, her world is turned upside down. Who are The Thorns? What is the Gate? Who can she trust? And how did her parents really die? In this harsh world, one mistake will lead to your death, whether by exposure, Watcher or human.

The plot is fast-moving and sets a great pace. The descriptive writing is done well and depicts the severe world the characters live in realistically. Reading the story, I could feel the icy wind against my face and the constant threat of danger surrounding them. At no point do you ever feel that the characters are safe. This is simply because a safe world does not exist for them. Even without the threat of monsters all around, or brutal soldiers attacking, the elements alone are enough to kill you if you aren't careful.

The characters themselves are realistically nothing special. What I mean is that not every person in the real world is the Chosen One or has ninja fighting skills. Some people you meet might not even be interesting. Some will stick out more than others and some you won't even notice. And that's exactly what the characters are like in this book. Normal, everyday people. Some you relate to and some you forget as soon as they're gone.

The ending leaves you with just enough curiosity to keep reading. For those who don't want to continue the series (for whatever reason), it's also just complete enough to be a stand-alone story. Personally, I enjoyed this book. It held my attention and kept me guessing. Normally, I can figure out what the plot-twists will be or what secrets will be revealed, but this book had a few that surprised me. The finale happened so quickly that I was left wanting to immediately start the next book. I've always been the type of person who has to finish a story once I've started it and I'll definitely be checking out the rest of the series. If you're a fan of young adult books, fantasy or just interested, why not try it too?

Disclaimer: I was sent this book by the author. This is not a sponsored review. All opinions are 100% my own.
(reviewed long after purchase)

Review by: kerri allen on Jan. 26, 2013 :
An excellent written book. The imagery is very vivid and it definitely has a "The Village" feel to the story. I was really glad to pick up this book and I am definitely looking forward to a sequel
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

Review by: Tabby on Jan. 06, 2013 :
Let me start off by stating that this is a beautifully written YA book. MCs are wounded, but resilient and strong in their own ways. The story is part teen "Game of Thrones" and part "Village," with a dash of dystopian society. I was pleasantly surprised by some of the supporting characters as well, especially the twin brother and Ann. The ending did feel a little abrupt; however, the author has convinced me to read the next one.

LT Member Giveaway
(reviewed within a week of purchase)

Review by: Bailee on Jan. 06, 2013 :
Frost by Kate Avery Ellison brings to life a beautiful world with a complex history, full of secrets, betrayal, and hope. She captures the world with vivid descriptions that bring this place to life in your mind. You can picture yourself walking with Lia and experiencing her fear, her stubbornness, and her loss as the story progresses.

Lia is a wonderful main character with her strength in hardships and loyalty to her family. I don't think that I would be as open to raising my flaky sister and brother who can't walk. This isn't to be mean but I think I am probably more selfish which makes Lia all the more admirable. Her selflessness is continually proved throughout the story as she gives up everything for her siblings. It makes me want to cry when she gives up her chance at love and happiness to make sure that her siblings will always be taken care of.

The Watchers were intimidating but not as scary as I expected. They have more history behind them and mystery seems to cling to their character so I wish I would've learned more about them then I did. Now, I am not into horror stories or anything but I think that the Watchers definitely could've been amped up more and their history should've been expanded on. History could've either made them more relatable or scary.

The Farthers are an interesting element to the story that kind of appears out of nowhere in the story. If there is any real bad guys in the story, it would definitely be this group of people. They have a lot of evil that is more than perceived like with the Watchers. It's really cool to shift between which one was a bad guy.

I love this book and it's an awesome read with a lot of great pieces to the story.
(reviewed within a week of purchase)

Review by: CM Leal on Dec. 14, 2012 :
I really liked this! It was short, but it got me curious throughout the whole book and there was never a dull moment with it. What I loved the most about this book was probably the descriptions of the Frost; I could really feel the chill in the air!

Ellison's writing is simple but beautiful and I just love how she describes the world of Frost. I also had no problems imagining the world and shuddered when I got to the description of the Farthers.

The love story, albeit a bit sudden, was sweet, and I admit that I found Gabe absolutely adorable.

I suppose one of my few complaints was that the book was too short, so secondary characters weren't developed as much as I'd hoped to. But this is a series, after all, so I hope to learn more about Lia's siblings and her friends in the upcoming books.

I would definitely buy the next book in this series; I heard that some questions I had about the worldbuilding would be answered in the second book, and I can't wait to read it! :)
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

Review by: Ashley Stoyanoff on Oct. 18, 2012 :
Frost was a quick and entertaining read with interesting creatures and magical elements. It’s clear that Ellison has a creative mind, and she really shows this with her writing.

The plot was definitely my favorite part of this book. Although simple, it was captivating. Especially the ending which has me burning with curiosity. There is still a lot to be resolved, and I need the answers. I will be continuing on to see how this story unfolds.

There were some places that I had difficulty with. While reading, I got the feeling that some important details were edited out. For example, the origin of the village. Knowing more probably would have helped me understand or accept why these people settled in a place that was surrounded by monstrous creatures. We know that they choose to settle and isolate themselves, but why? Hopefully, this will be explored more in the second book, because as it is now I’m still scratching my head on the why?

The characters and back stories were fairly well-developed, and even though I really didn’t care for the main character, Lia, I still found myself invested in her life. On the other hand, Gabe the love interest, I really liked. He had a bit more mystery to him, which of course made him more interesting. However, even though they were well developed they were both kind of predicable and lacking complexity.

Although I had a few negatives about this book, I still enjoyed it. If you are looking for a quick read with a heart-stopping ending, Frost by Kate Avery Ellison is worth picking up.
(reviewed long after purchase)

Review by: Bex on Aug. 13, 2012 :
While Frost sadly didn’t manage to blow me away as I’d hoped, it was a very enjoyable read; introducing me to a world that caught my interest within seconds! It turned out to be nothing like I expected, but that’s definitely not a bad thing in this case, and I admit I’m definitely more than a little curious about the sequel.

As soon as I first saw on Frost, I knew I had to read it! Not only is the cover absolutely gorgeous, but it sounded like a great, unique read as well. After having read it, I’m definitely impressed by the unique storyline and its mystical feel, but at the same time something was missing for me to make it truly great. Perhaps it was the pacing that one moment felt a bit dragging, while a bit speeded the next, or just the fact that it took a bit too long before something really started to happen… I can’t really put my finger on it.

Overall though, Frost was really enjoyable and I became truly fascinated by the (kind of frightening) world they live in! The Watchers were more than a little creepy and I’m extremely intrigued to find out more about them and what their purpose is—something I definitely hope will be revealed as the series continue! The Farthers were also quite awful (at least the very nice soldiers), and even though we didn’t get to actually meet them for too long, it was more than enough…

Other than enjoying the fascinating world, I really came to care for the characters as well! Lia was one of those heroines with an inner strength that I love and truly admire; she sticks up for what’s right no matter what and together with her siblings, she really makes a warm and welcoming family I felt right at home in. I adored them both! Then we also have Gabe of course; the boy who stole my heart as well. *sigh* He was such a lovable boy. I truly hope we get to continue see them together! As for the rest of the characters we’re introduced to however, I’m still not sure who to trust and there’s still some things going on that are giving me weird vibes… I guess time will tell!

If you think Frost sounds interesting, I would definitely recommend giving it a try! Even if it didn’t blow me away as hoped, I really enjoyed it. It might not be a hardcore action book, but it had a mystical, as well as historical, feel to it that I loved and I can’t wait to discover more about this world’s many secrets.
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

Review by: Tiffany on Aug. 11, 2012 :
I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

This is the second book I have read by Kate Avery Ellison. I read and loved her retelling of Beauty and the Beast called The Curse Girl.

Frost was no different. Kate is excellent at world building and her writing is detailed and descriptive without being tedious. I loved her descriptions of the forests of the Frost and the village it surrounded. Every time Lia went into the Frost my heart was in my chest fearing she would encounter a watcher. Kate is great at keeping you in suspense from page one through to the end.

Her characters are realistic and stick with you after the story has ended. I fell in love with Lia. She is determined and loyal and puts her family ahead of herself.

Gabe is such a sweetie. I really hope we get to see more of him in book two.

The only minor critique that I have is that it was a little on the short side. While being descriptive, I felt it could of had a little more action.

All in all, a great read that I highly recommend if you like young adult fantasy. I am eagerly waiting for Thorns.
(reviewed long after purchase)

Review by: Lisa- Bookworm Lisa on July 24, 2012 :
Lia has become the head of her family. Her parents were killed in a tragic accident. They fell victim to the "Watchers". The Watchers are monster like creatures that roam the forests of the Frost. The people of the Frost know a few basic rules. Do not be out after dark and keep the blossoms of the flowers that grow in the frost around them. The blossoms somehow repel the monsters.

Despite their knowledge, trouble comes to Lia, her crippled twin brother, and her younger sister. A stranger from the neighboring realm is found near their home. He is from a far technologically superior place. They may have technology, but are brutal in their treatment of others. He is hurt and on the run.

Lia's sister begs her to help him. Against her better judgement, she takes him in and heals him. The problem is that they are not allowed to have contact with the "Farthers". By helping him, she has placed her family in jeopardy. Who can she trust, and who will help them?

When I came to the last page of the book, I was surprised. I wasn't ready for it to end. The ending made sense, but it wasn't how I wanted it to end. I think I need the second book asap!

I really liked the writing style. The book moves at a steady pace and is easy to follow. Kate Avery Ellison does a great job at explaining what is happening without taking away from the story.
(reviewed long after purchase)

Review by: Mineliz Medina on July 07, 2012 :
I liked this book from the beginning. Also the sacrifice Lia has to make in order to care for her handicapped brother and little sister. She is a strong female character that had to learned to survive from an early age. It is good to see that not all women need a man. We can be strong too. There is lots of mystery surrounding Gabe which makes the story appealing and leaves you wanting more.

I just can't wait to see what else is in store for Lia, Gabe, Adam and Others.
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

Review by: Melanie Bopp on July 06, 2012 :
So my only criticism of this book is that it was too short. I wanted more!

It starts with a sense of urgency, as Lia rushes to get to the village in time to turn in her family's quota, and that feeling lasts the entire novel. There are Watchers in the woods, creatures who will rip you to shreds, and they come out at night. Something is going on in the village, though Lia is to preoccupied by taking care of her family to pay much attention, until the Farthers come. The Farthers are people from another country, who expand their empire and use technology, the opposite of the village, where everyone contributes their share.

Lia was an interesting character, focused solely on her family and work, to the exclusion of everything else. She is one of those characters who puts everything behind a mask, hiding behind a tough persona. That isn't to say she isn't tough - she is - but she isn't as unfeeling and stoic as she portrays. Her brother and sister were fully fleshed characters, as well as Ann, Cole and Adam from the village, which was really great. Gabe, an injured Farther Lia and her family shelters and cares for, was pretty fascinating as well - it was easy to see why Lia is interested in him.

I really liked this book. I want more of this book. It has the dystopian feel to it without the hopelessness. I am seriously looking forward to reading the sequel.
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

Review by: Ray Chelle on July 04, 2012 :
Rating Clarification: 3.5 Stars

Disclaimer: The fact that I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review has not affected my rating. This review expresses my honest opinions.

Frost is a book most people will enjoy, praise, and rate highly. As an action with light romance-type novel, I enjoyed it thoroughly. However, it’s as a dystopian novel and other essential factors of a story that I find is its downfall.

Let me start off with what I liked. I loved the relationship within Lia’s family They were always supportive of each other, sacrificing their time, effort, health, and safety to help each other. Of course, their “family” eventually expands to include more people, but what I find amazing is that they would open their circle and treat past enemies or complete strangers as one of their own. OF course, they have their own quibbles and faults, making their family both realistic and touching.

The concept of Watchers also pulled me in. My only complaint is that I wish their involvement could go beyond “Oh no, there’s a Watcher! Let’s run!”, especially in the beginning. I’m hoping their role could develop more in the sequel, Thorns, considering the revelation about their purpose in the end.

The plot was also quick paced with action. However, the romance, although sweet & my guilty pleasure, seemed too quickly developed and premature. I suppose Gabe was saved by Lia, who also made many sacrifices for her family, but I still found it a bit premature :/

Finally, I found that Frost wasn’t “truly” a dystopian novel. After freshman lit and understanding what dystopias serve for the general public to realize, I found that Frost fell short. There was almost no back story – Where did the Farthers come from? Why did the Watchers exist? Why is the world this way? Also, the brief mention of magic in the end didn’t seem realistic, especially since there was also no back story. Overall, I just didn’t see the message in Frost dystopian novels are supposed to present.

Overall, I found that Frost was a short and quick read. If you’re looking for an action, slightly romance-ish novel with dystopic elements, pick up Frost. However, if you’re one of those people like me who look for the “message” in dystopic novels, I suggest you try one of Paolo Bacigalupi’s novels if you haven’t.
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

Review by: Andrea Heltsley on June 23, 2012 :
This book was everything I expected and more. The author was descriptive and the story was captivating. I started the book expecting to put it down after a few chapters and ended up reading it the whole way through.

You really feel for the MC Lia. Her family was killed, leaving her in charge of her younger sister and crippled brother. The town wants her matched and that would mean leaving her family. Lia became all work and no play in an effort to avoid such action and keep her family afloat.

Then one day her sister found a "farther" in the woods and Lia's world was turned upside down. Everything she thought she knew was questioned. She must learn to follow the rules or put her trust in this new stranger, Gabe.

There was a good dose of mystery in this book. It kept me guessing until the very end. I was pretty sad to see the story end. I am thankful there is a sequel to Frost. Thorns will be out in July 2012. I for one am stoked and will be one of the first to see how this journey continues.
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

Review by: olivia hernadez on June 14, 2012 :
WOW. This is the second book I've had the opportunity to review by Kate Ellison and her writing keeps getting better and better. Absolutely LOVED this story and found that I couldn't put it down once I started. My one complaint is that it was too short. It introduced some interesting characters that I would have loved to know more about but overall I found it to be an excellent intro to what I hope will be a great series.

Ellison weaves a beautiful story of a girl named Lia who is forced into the adult responsibilities of taking charge of her two siblings and their farm after her parents are killed. The weight of keeping her family together and alive weighs heavily on her shoulders. She realizes that her own dreams aren’t important anymore, only survival. The imagery the author creates of the frosty woodland where she lives was vivid. Life in the community where she lives is rough. Money doesn’t exist, only the trade of goods and everyone works to meet a weekly quota that keeps the village thriving. South of the village beyond the frost is the sophisticate and advanced city of Aeralis where people they refer to as Farthers live. In Aeralis there is no bitter winter, electronics & machines exist, the military rules and most importantly there are no Watchers. Watchers are creatures of the frost that come out at night and hunt. Lia’s world is turned further upside down after she saves the life a dangerous Farther named Gabe and the world as she knows it changes forever.

I liked Lia a lot. She’s a survivor who is trying to make sense of the world around her. The romance in the story was subtle, sweet and heartbreaking. As she asks "Is this struggle to feel worth it?"

Again, my only complaint is that it was over too soon. I wanted to learn more about Adam, his family and Lia's brother Jonn - who broke my heart. I can't wait for book 2 and seriously, stop reading reviews and just go read it!!!
(reviewed within a week of purchase)

Review by: Blah Blah on June 14, 2012 :
4.5 :) Actually I'm tempted to give this 5 stars...

Kate you've outdone yourself with this one!

I could not put it down once I'd started it. Which was an hour and a half ago. Its only about 260 pages but well worth the read.

I loved the plot. The characters. The romance. Just the story.

I wish the sequel was already available!!

Absolutely loved it!

:D
(reviewed the day of purchase)

Review by: Lily on June 12, 2012 :
After reading 'The Curse Girl' by this author, I was determined to read everything else that she gets out. So it was with immense pleasure and anticipation that I jumped on the opportunity to read this novel for a review.

It did not disappoint!

I found this novel to have a really interesting plot and mass of characters. It was quite an original but familiar plot. Original because you have a village living in what appears to be quite a harsh winter environment, where creatures in the night could easily end your life. Those creatures themselves are very curious though there is not a lot of information about them and what they are exactly, but the fear they inflict in the villagers is palpable.

As to the remainder of the story, it is not so original, but very entertaining nonetheless. I enjoyed the build up of the relationship between Lia and Gabe and am glad that this book is a part of a series.

Really really wish that book 2 was published already, because I definitely would have jumped straight into it to find out what happens next.
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

Review by: Amanda Ludington on June 02, 2012 :
Lia's descriptions paint a detailed picture of her world and the people/creatures within. I was easily absorbed into the short but engaging story. It's a perfect addition to my favorite dystopian stories, with all the deception I've come to love to read about, haha. The characters were well-developed, and I thought the story moved at a good pace and kept things interesting. Not to mention that the writing was quite beautiful without being overdone. My only complaint would be the abrupt ending, but it is perfectly set up for a second book. Here's hoping a Frost sequel is part of Ms Ellison's quota! :)
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

Review by: Karen Siddall on June 02, 2012 :
I recently received an ebook copy through Goodreads of Kate Avery Ellison’s debut of a new young adult series that had me SHUSHING the “target audience” in my own home! Descriptive without being heavy-handed or obvious, I could see and feel the harsh environment that is the setting of the story. Ellison put me right into the terror that is Lia’s life in the Frost. Gradually I learned more and more about Lia, her family, her circumstances, and the other characters that shape her desperate existence all the while tensely waiting for the horrible Watchers in the woods to make their appearance. I cared about what would happen to Lia and her family. I hoped that they would make good decisions and be heroic. And I sincerely wish that a sequel is coming soon!
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

Review by: Amber Garza on May 30, 2012 :
Lia Weaver is left to take care of her family farm and two younger siblings when her parents are murdered in the woods one night by Watchers. The inhabitants of Frost live in fear of the Watchers – monsters who come out only at night. At the beginning of the book Lia’s top priority is to take care of her family and keep them safe from the Watchers. Then she meets Gabe and everything changes. Love blossoms and secrets abound.

I loved this story. It was very different from other dystopian books I’ve read. Ellison’s writing is very lyrical and enchanting. I loved her descriptions and sensory details. Gabe is an endearing hero and Lia is a strong character. I loved them both. This a delightful story and I can’t wait to read more from this author!
”
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

Review by: ELSA CARRION on May 29, 2012 :
This story was very, very interesting and very, very good. One can see the world a frozen land; where most people work their fingers off and few are privileged. Lia is head of the household since her parents were killed. Her small family consists of her older brother, who had an accident when he was a child has left him unable to walk, and her younger sister, whom is very ditzy and likes to dream and wonder off. They have been told all their lives to stay out of the forest after dark and to keep the flowers close when they go out and Lia must go out very often. She must go into town to deliver her quota and exchange for supplies. They also have been told that “Fathers” are dangerous and “Watchers” are worst. But when ditzy finds a hurt Father in the woods one day while daydreaming, she wants to help him and therefore recruits Lia to help. I love dystopian stories and this is a very good one, I am looking forward to reading the next one. However, with Frost ending the way it did, I can’t wait to see what’s Kate has in mind.
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

Review by: mandy anderson on May 28, 2012 :
"We all have a fear of the unknown, what one does with that fear will make all the difference in the world" (Lillian Russell quote). Thought this quote was fitting for the book since so much of it is fear of the unknown.

Lia lives just outside the gates of the Village on a small farm her parents had bought way before the Watchers killed them. No one else wanted it because it was too far from the safety of the Village gates. But now that they are gone, Lia is left to care for her crippled brother and scatterbrained younger sister...all while trying to make quota each week for the Village. And sometimes it proves to be too much for the young girl. So when her sister demands they care for a dying Farther, one of the very people the Elders have warned them against, Lia believes this could be the final straw that could finally tear her family apart.

Lia is breaking all the rules and possibly putting her family’s lives at risk to care for this young man. But there is something about him that pulls her in and soon feelings start to grow. Lia thinks she is crazy for falling for a Farther of all people. But this is just the beginning of the story...more and more secrets unravel and now Lia must help him escape her people and his own to get to safety. Lia will sacrifice everything she has ever known for him, but in the end is it worth it or will it cost her her life and the lives of those she loves?

This book to me was like some crazy mix up of The Village (M. Knight Shyamalan) and The Forest of Hands and Teeth (Carrie Ryan) all jumbled together...in a very good way. I was creeped out through a majority of it wondering what the Watchers really were. I only know of a handful of books that have brought on such intense feelings of fear and this one did it. That shows the author knows what she is doing and doing it well.

Loved the intensity and emotion that Frost had flowing through it…you will have a hard time finding a stopping place. The author throws a few twists out at you, having you remember things from the beginning you thought meant nothing. I thought the whole storyline was great and loved how it all played out in the end. Would definitely love to read more about these amazing characters and hope the author plans to continue on with it.
(reviewed long after purchase)

Review by: Chandra Leigh White on May 28, 2012 :
Frost by Kate Avery Ellison belongs with books like Matched and Under The Never Sky. I got this book from a LibraryThing giveaway, and I had high hopes. Honestly, the cover had me convinced that this book was professionally published, though I didn't see any mention of a publisher on the Smashwords page.

Lia Weaver lives in the Frost, a monster-filled forest next to the mountains. Her parents were killed by the Watchers, monsters that live in the forest, and she now has to struggle to keep their farm and her siblings together. To stay independent they have to meet their quota of yarn for the townspeople, and they receive supplies in return. If they don't meet quota they will be split up and the farm will be abandoned.

Then one day Lia's sister goes off into the woods alone and finds a Farther, someone from the totalitarian empire far south of the frost, bleeding to death in the cold. Against all reason and against the strict rules of the community, Lia brings him home and nurses him back to health. Lia has to figure out how to get him to a place called "the Gate," and keep the townspeople from knowing that he's even there. But she doesn't even know what "the Gate" is.

One thing I liked about this story is that even though it is a very standard love story (heroin nurses the savage foreigner to health, while falling into a forbidden love), it has elements that make it much more believable. Lia is a survivor and it isn't in the "I'm a badass" kind of way. Lia is torn between how easy it would be for her to get married and leave the farm,and keeping her family safe. Doing so would mean her sister would be sent to very harsh labor and her brother might not be taken care of at all because he was lamed in an accident when he was six.

When she meets the Farther, there isn't just the feeling that she has to do this because he's a human being. Noble as that is, it's the reason everyone does this in every forbidden love dying man romance. That is there, but the real reason is love at first sight, though she won't admit it to herself. Why do I think this is better than the way everyone else does this? I'm quite honestly sick of the hate leads to love cliché (though it's kind of in there as well), and though love at first sight is also a cliché, it's kind of gone out of style. "I hate you. No. I love you" is now en vogue. This at least gives some motivation, and makes the love story less ridiculous. it almost seems natural. I don't want to read a book and have a romantic story arc smashed in when two characters have simply been insulting and horrible to each other for most of the book.

The world is well-developed, and I felt like I understood how everything worked. Last names told you what the person did in town. the idea of ribbons and flowers as protective charms against the Watchers stayed consistent, and was used nicely through all of the action scenes.

I highly suggest this book and I'm giving it 4 stars.
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

Review by: Sangita Tamang on May 26, 2012 :
*Received a copy for a honest review.

I have got to say Frost is not your typical read. It is in the shadows and the darkness.

Lia Weaver lives with her siblings, her sister, Ivy and her brother, Jonn. Her parents were killed by watchers. In Frost there are secrets that could kill you and if you roam around you won't live for long. The Watchers watch your every step. They are monsters. The Fathers are from another land. It all starts when Ivy finds him lying on the snow bleeding. By Lia looking after him it means betraying the villages trust. But when they find out that he (Gabe) is a Father and a rouge, Lia's world turns upside down. She finds secrets that have been hidden from her and also finds love. But some time's it can be too late.

Hold on, i need to breathe! I just can't stop boasting about this! Everything was perfect except *one little thing*, and i repeat: "one little thing." Anyway, moving on. First things first: i love Kate Avery Ellision! Her writing is so beautiful and the way she puts twists in her story! The plot of this story is set in a fantasy world, where people live in Frost and the Fathers live in a world of dull days. There are also Watchers (god are they creepy!) Every time, the pop up into the story it sends you shivers down your spine (and let me tell you, it's not in a good way.) These people do not mix together! And oh how i loved it! I just loved each and every single thing about the plot, the Fathers and the Watchers.

The only thing that annoyed me was that Lia, our main character, was brave but she couldn't make her mind up! Seriously! Make your mind up, girl!! Gabe, i thought, was a interesting character but he was more of a normal guy to me. The story didn't really look into him in more detail of his feelings and i would have loved it if there was. The only things we know are little detail was his story of how he got here. Other than these things i loved every single thing about it!

The mystery in this story is just mesmerising. You can't help but wait in anticipation (and maybe skip a few words or paragraphs.) The different characters in this book are all for a purpose and oh was i shocked when i found out some things. Some of these characters don't even look like they could kill people!

So, in the end, i have to say i loved reading Frost! It's one of my favourite book for a creep-you-out read. And i would highly recommend to read Frost or one of Ellison's work.
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

Review by: Alexia Purdy on May 21, 2012 :
I loved this story, it was enchanting and magical. The setting was so well described I could actually almost feel the chill on my skin. The characters were awesome and believable, I only wanted to know them more and read more about them. The story itself was definitely amazing; the author spun a tale of originality with dread and suspense laced in the folklore of the world. I was on edge on the scenes with the Watchers, I really want to know what they are specifically but boy I would not want to meet one! The touch of romance was definitely a plus!

To make a world all nestled in the cold of ice, snow and frost and still maintain the vivid imagery to get the story flowing is extremely difficult but this author did it perfectly. I want to read the sequel and I want to read more about the complexity of a great cast of characters: Lia, Gabe, Ivy, Ann, Adam and Jonn. The Farthers were perfect villains and I loved to hate them but I would definitely like to see what their world is all about too.

Overall a thrilling, enchanting read that I would love to read again, which is something I rarely do. Great job!
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

Review by: Athena Franks on May 20, 2012 :
I was lucky enough to be given a free copy of this book to review by the author through Goodreads. I had read and reviewed The Curse Girl, by Kate Ellison, and I was really excited to be given the opportunity to read this one as well. I was not disappointed! Though this book was brief compared to what I usually read, the world was very well built and the characters were nicely fleshed out. I really liked Lia a lot. It was great to have a strong young female protagonist and I really felt for her. I liked Gabe, Ivy, and Jonn as well. I was expecting the twist at the end, but I wasn't expecting the *who*. I feel like I should have, but I thought it was going to be someone else. It was fun. At first I thought the person I suspected was good, then thought thatnerson was going to be the ultimate evil one of this installment. It was fun to be a bit surprised! :)

I did have two issues. The first is that there were so many questions left unanswered for me--it wasn't so much the questions that I can see being answered in later books, like, "Who is Gabe, really?" but things that I felt may have been obvious to Kate Elliott when she was writing that didn't quite make it into the story. Things like the relationship between Lia and Ann--though it's mentioned a few times that they are close friends, I never really got that feeling. Maybe it's because they were both tormented by their own issues so were deliberately being distant toward each other, maybe it's a function of the story being told from the first person perspective. The second is that Lia and Gabe's relationship felt a little rushed to me. However, I will readily admit that may be due to my sadness that the story was over so quickly--I didn't want it to end!

I am VERY happy I read this book. I really loved it and can't wait to read the next in the series and see where things go. I've only read two books by Kate Ellison and she is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors.
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

Review by: Athena Franks on May 20, 2012 :
I was lucky enough to be given a free copy of this book to review by the author through Goodreads. I had read and reviewed The Curse Girl, by Kate Ellison, and I was really excited to be given the opportunity to read this one as well. I was not disappointed! Though this book was brief compared to what I usually read, the world was very well built and the characters were nicely fleshed out. I really liked Lia a lot. It was great to have a strong young female protagonist and I really felt for her. I liked Gabe, Ivy, and Jonn as well. I was expecting the twist at the end, but I wasn't expecting the *who*. I feel like I should have, but I thought it was going to be someone else. It was fun. At first I thought the person I suspected was good, then thought thatnerson was going to be the ultimate evil one of this installment. It was fun to be a bit surprised! :)

I did have two issues. The first is that there were so many questions left unanswered for me--it wasn't so much the questions that I can see being answered in later books, like, "Who is Gabe, really?" but things that I felt may have been obvious to Kate Elliott when she was writing that didn't quite make it into the story. Things like the relationship between Lia and Ann--though it's mentioned a few times that they are close friends, I never really got that feeling. Maybe it's because they were both tormented by their own issues so were deliberately being distant toward each other, maybe it's a function of the story being told from the first person perspective. The second is that Lia and Gabe's relationship felt a little rushed to me. However, I will readily admit that may be due to my sadness that the story was over so quickly--I didn't want it to end!

I am VERY happy I read this book. I really loved it and can't wait to read the next in the series and see where things go. I've only read two books by Kate Ellison and she is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors.
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

Review by: Tammy on May 17, 2012 :
First things first, I got a free copy of this book from the author via Goodreads group Shut up and Read, for a fair and honest review. I do not know the author personally.
I give this book five golden stars.
Ok folks honestly I am going to sound like a crazed fan but this book is amazing.
I do not give five stars very often, I have high standards and this book met those standards.
I got hooked into the storyline, pulled into the characters plights, absorbed into the world of the novel.
The author does a great job with creating characters that you can bond too, and cheer on (or boo for the villains).
The descriptions used in this book are perfect. I could easily visualize the village of Iceliss, isolated and locked away in a frozen landscape.
The twist in the book, was sufficiently foreshadowed without being over done. I loved the feel of a good Zing in a book.
If I were to find one fault in the book, it would be that it was too short. (195 pages)
I recommend this book without any hesitation to readers of the dystopian, science fiction, young adult, and adventure genres.
(reviewed within a week of purchase)

Review by: Christie Rich on May 17, 2012 :
Kate Avery Ellison captured my interest with Curse Girl. I loved her writing style, and that did not change this time around. Ellison is gifted with telling stories without littering them with fluff.

The world of the Frost is eerie and intriguing. I found Lia to be a great MC with realistic feelings and actions throughout the book. Ellison's other characters are written with a genuine feel as well. The villains were horrible and the heroes heroic. I have to say I was hoping for a different outcome in the end, but I am fine with what happened too.

I left this read with questions even though this story was wrapped up nicely. I look forward to reading more from this bright author. Although I didn't enjoy Frost as much as Curse Girl, I still loved it.
(reviewed within a week of purchase)

Review by: Natasha Inconnue on May 06, 2012 :
The setting for this book is a land where winter never ends and an orphaned girl and her two younger siblings struggle to make ends meet, where remnants of technology are dangerous, and the forest is filled with deadly creatures called Watchers. Life is all about survival and the young female protagonist in this story knows it better than most; she is the sole provider for her household with a young sister and crippled brother to protect. A mysterious injured stranger drops into her life and the inevitable romance ensues with secret organizations, enemy soldiers, and dangerous escapes thrown in. Despite the stereotypical romance and fairly predictable characters, I found Kate Avery Ellison's story world intriguing. In subsequent books, I'd love to discover more about Frost and Aeralis and the history behind their world (although I'd hope to see the characters developed much more thoroughly).
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

Review by: Kathy Hillamn on May 05, 2012 :
Lia Weaver has lost her parents and is trying to follow the rules of her society, keep her brother and sister feed, and together. When finding a stranger in the woods that is injured and in need of help Lia takes him home to care for him. Struggling with the decision of what is right, following the rules that society puts down or helping somone in need. This was a very good book, you could empathize with Lia and her struggle to do what needed to be done to survive and grow.
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

Review by: Melissa Crawford on April 24, 2012 : (no rating)
I received this book for free from the member giveaway at LibraryThing.com and at first I was skeptical. There are so many young adult dystopian book series out there right now that I feared this one would be run of the mill. I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was not. This book had likeable characters who you wanted to see succeed and grow. It was an interesting setting that left just enough to the imagination. There could have been a bit more character development, but I enjoyed the surprises it held enough to want to know what happens next. I enjoyed this book and although I received this first one for free, I will be on the lookout for book number 2 and have every intention of buying it. Thanks!
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

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