Winter comes creeping…

Sylvi, Mars, and Kyn make quite the trio. I really enjoyed their banter throughout. Mars is such a grumpy old man. I love him! After hearing so much about Lenore in Winter, White and Wicked, I was glad to finally see her in action this time around.

Sylvi’s susceptibility to Winter, allowing her to creep in like an old friend, makes her a character readers can relate to. The frustration of the push and pull is evident through Slyvi’s desire and Mars’s caution. A delicate suspension between right and wrong.

The ending did not disappoint. Bittersweet with an emphasis on new beginnings. I thoroughly enjoyed this conclusion to the duology.

I received an e-arc through Netgalley as part of Shannon’s street team. However, this review is my own thoughts and opinions. I am hugely grateful to Shannon for letting me be part of her street team and to Abram Kids for the e-arc.

This was the perfect ending to this story and cast of characters! 😆 Rebel, Brave and Brutal picks up shortly after the first book ended, and never let’s go until the end, which made for a quick, engaging read! I definitely liked this one more than the first, as it had more things going on than Winter, White and Wicked.

I love the dynamics between all the characters and thought Sylvi’s character arc and growth was written so well! And her and Kyn were so sweet together. 😍Even when they were arguing, Kyn would always make sure she was okay. Mars has always been such an interesting character, and it was so fun to watch him and Sylvi grow closer and figure out their relationship. 😂

The truth about Winter, Maree Vale, and what really happened at the pool was a nice twist, and I loved seeing Winter get her butt kicked lol. The world building was really cool and I enjoyed getting a peek at Paradyia!

There was some mild cussing, but besides that the book was clean, the romance going no further than a kiss and the action not gruesome in any way.

All in all Rebel, Brave and Brutal was a great, chilly read! 🥶😍

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher, ABRAMS Kids, Amulet Books for this eARC for review! All thoughts are my own.

4.5/5 stars!

This series completely took me by surprise! I had a copy of the first book since it's release, but just got to it a few months ago. I immediately fell in love, and it was such high octane action the whole time, with incredible internal monologue by the MC! The sequel has been no different. There was almost constant action, and it was great getting to see the character relationships grow from the first book. I absolutely love Kyn SO SO MUCH, and Mars grew on me even more this round, as well as Lennie! Also her dad Max should be protected forever at all costs!!! To be honest there was a LOT going on plot-wise this entire book, and at some points it was difficult to keep details straight but I think that may have been a personal issue for me and not at fault of the story/author. This is definitely a story I'll be going back to reread in the future!

Shannon Dittemore brings an incredibly satisfying conclusion to Sylvi and Winter's story in this sequel. I loved how much the character development deepened among the main cast, and it was great to meet new characters and villains as well. Sylvi spends most of the book really struggling with her relationships--with Winter in particular, but also with Mars, with Leni, and a bit extra with Kyn, whom she is still bound to through the curse/gift of the kol in her blood. Dittemore expertly weaves the narrative together, and I loved how there were tense moments and an explosive final battle, but with deep emotional arcs and an examination of beliefs that had me choked up at times. Sequels can have a tendency to fall a little flat, but Rebel, Brave and Brutal brought us up to High Pass on Layce and held us there.

A great follow-up to book 1! New characters, new settings, and new trouble from Winter! I read about half via the eARC but I’m happy to finally have a hard copy, much easier on my eyes.

An action-packed story of a crew that tries to battle a repressive government and the elemental Winter. Deception, betrayal, love, friendship, growth, and the fight for freedom with all attached brutality of war are all part of this story. This is the sequel to an original book that I have not read. While I could understand what was going on, there is a lot of context that I missed by not having read that book. I found it a good story but I think I would have enjoyed it more if I had the read the first book.

Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest review.

I absolutely love the writing in this book. I could feel the emotions and atmosphere so vividly. I love when a book makes me feel the emotions of the story. it's like I am really there, experiencing the journey for myself. Something about the writing was so beautiful and kept me coming back again and again.

Winter being a raging spirit is such a cool concept. I love the world and the torn feeling our protagonist has over banishing winter. Trying to shut winter out while enjoying winter's company.

There was one place where this book fell short. I struggled to connect to the characters or the rebellion. Especially the rebellion. The Majority (I still roll my eyes at that name) felt like your mustache twirling, evil villain who is evil because the story requires that they are evil. The Majority also play such a background role in both books. They never felt like the oppressive force that they were supposedly being.

I still enjoyed myself quite a bit. My enjoyment of the atmosphere and the world and the spirit of winter pulled me along and kept me turing the pages.

Rebel, Brave, and Brutal fully blew my expectations out of the water. I absolutely loved Winter, White, and Wicked and it will always be special to me. Some series suffer second book syndrome, but this one did not! It's just as good if not a little bit better than book one which was amazing.

The world and characters that Shannon has created are truly something incredible. I find the concept of the story and how it's created to be so unique. This story kept me invested and captivated from page one to the very end. I never wanted it to end. A lot that was left unanswered and unfinished in book one unfolds or is revealed in some of the best ways.

Thank you so much Shannon and NetGalley for the arc of this book. It truly means a lot. I absolutely loved it!

I didn't know this was a sequel when I requested it, but wow, I am happy I discovered this series. It is a fun ride with many twists and turns that are difficult to put down.

I have not read WINTER, WHITE AND WICKED, but I had no trouble reading and following this book. Whatever backstory information I needed to know was pretty seamlessly included in the book. I don’t remember reading anything that felt info-dump-like.

One thing I did notice is how smooth the writing is. It’s been a while since I read anything by Shannon Dittemore, and I remembered that I liked DARK HALO when I read it, but I didn’t remember how great her writing is. It made the book feel easy to read.

The romance in REBEL, BRAVE AND BRUTAL is pretty understated. I liked the relationship between Kyn and Sylvi and the bond between them. I also liked that it didn’t dominate the story, but felt like a significant relationship.

Something about the book reminded me of the Storm Siren Trilogy by Mary Weber. I think fans of that series would really like this one. Possibly also fans of COLD THE NIGHT, FAST THE WOLVES by Meg Long.

Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions my own.

This review will post to my blog on 1/12/23.

This second book by Shannon Dittemore exceeds expectations.
I love the uniqueness of the theme and how the characters strengths really shine. Sylvi’s growth couldn’t be more perfect. It was a fantastic sequel that couldn’t have been done any better.
This is a book that I am recommending to all my students. It is so great to find a book series with so much to offer but also is a clean read.

Make sure to clear your calendar before you start reading Rebel, Brave and Brutal. Once you crack the cover, you aren’t going to want to put it down until you reach the final page! Book two in the Winter, White and Wicked duologue packs a punch (in the best way possible) and is a thrilling ride until the very end. Super love this book, and can't wait until I can hold a physical copy in my hands!

I definitely like the winter world in this book and overall I really enjoyed it. Though I did like the first book better.

Shannon Dittemore has done it again. Rebel, Brave and Brutal is a chilling but warm-hearted follow up to Winter, White and Wicked! Filled with heart, determination, and action that locks you in, this book is the perfect ending to a stellar fantasy duo logy!

I so enjoyed jumping back into this universe with all of its complexities and yet simple and beautiful emotions that drove each character. Sylver is such a fun and complex character and I loved seeing more of her interactions with Mars and their quest to put and end to Winter's hold on their world.

It's a harrowing adventure that kept me on the edge of my proverbial seat (and up way past my bedtime) but it was so worth it. That ending...I won't spoil anything but there were tears in my eyes!

I highly recommend this duo logy and this amazing author. She's quickly moved to my "auto-buy" category. This book is perfect for fans of YA fantasy and authors like Erin Bowman, Brigid Kemmerer, and Amie Kauffman.

My rating: 5*

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Thanks to the publisher and for this gifted copy. All opinions are my own.

A wild ride through the evils of Winter and the hope that comes on the other side.

I worked really hard on that line! :P
Anyways, I LOVED this book! We pick right back up where we left Sylvie and her gang as the try to fight Winter and the Majority.
Sylvie and Kyn's relationship reminds me A LOT of Katniss and Peeta. Yep. I said it. The way they act and react to one another!
This book has the found family trope and I loved their crew and the grand adventure they were on.
I also loved how bad Winter truly was and how Sylvie (and myself reading!) had a hard time deciding if Winter was REALLY that evil. Very well written villain when you can't even tell yourself. That's what evil is, it's manipulative.

After reading the first book by Dittemore, I was excited for this one, and it didn't disappoint. I'll add a more comprehensive review later, but for now, I'll leave it at this:
This was more epic than the first installment in the duology. The character development was fantastic, and I would gladly go on an adventure with Sylvi, Mars, and Kyn any time!
5/5 stars

This was a wild, crazy ride!!! Super exciting,harrowing sequel. The characters are stronger, fiercer, and omg the plot twists!!! I couldn't put it down!! Thank you, Netgalley, for the ARC!!

Thank you, Shannon. Sequels always make me afraid because how can book two possibly be as good as book one?
But you’ve done it. You’ve more than done it. I’ll write a more comprehensive review later, but for now, I just feel oh so happy that this book came into existence and exceeded all my expectations.

**
Full Review:
If you thought Winter, White, and Wicked was epic, buckle up, my friends, because Shannon Dittemore does it again! Rebel, Brave, and Brutal follows my favorite motley crew as they try to take down the Majority and the self-proclaimed Queen of Layce--Winter--herself. I laughed, I squealed, I felt ice freeze my veins as Mars, Kyn, Sylvi, and their new rebel friends battle and blister for freedom. Sylvi's growth in this book was so incredible to watch, and as a reader, I felt like I was growing along with her. Because not only is she brave and brutal, but she is caring and compassionate and fiercely loyal. I'd be Sylvi's friend and a member of her crew any day.
And that ending. Oh goodness, that ending. I truly couldn't have been happier with this story. I've been so disappointed by so many sequels of books I loved, but Dittemore took the crew to a whole new level and delivered a sequel that I am so happy to say I adored! I cannot recommend this book enough. Go preorder!

I always find that the books I love most are the hardest to review. When a story completely grabs hold of you and won’t let go, it’s difficult to find the words to truly explain why something is so awesome and why everybody should pick it up and read it. Rebel, Brave and Brutal is an apt name for this sequel because it is BRAVE and it is BRUTAL, but most of all, it’s even BETTER than the first book.

Rebel starts off with a bang and keeps going until those final chapters. It has been a long time since a book has held my attention and completely enraptured me in the story like this book did. Once I started, I wanted to forgo everything to keep reading, to find out what the Crew of the Sylver Dragon would do next, to learn what Sylvi would choose in the end.

There are a lot of emotions wrapped up in this book, and Shannon handles all of them with bravery and grace that makes me appreciate this series even more. I adore all the new aspects we get to experience in this book—from getting a bigger glimpse at the Paradyian culture to having more Lenore on the page to watching Sylvi grow in her abilities and compassion. And I, of course, love all the old aspects that are back for even more excitement. Mars, Kyn, even Winter—it was so fun to read about what they all do next and how they help Sylvi change and become an even better protagonist. This book has all the heart and excitement of book one, but it feels like it’s exploded. The stakes are higher. The action is more intense. The payoff is even better.

This is truly an epic, gripping sequel that fans of Winter, White and Wicked don’t want to miss.

REBEL, BRAVE AND BRUTAL is everything I wanted in a sequel. I read this book in a single day and didn’t want it to end! I had chills, I laughed, got misty-eyed… it’s so good!

Since WINTER, WHITE AND WICKED, I have been fascinated by this world and Sylvi’s journey within it. The history and lore are rich, the country has grit and surprises around every turn, and the characters are so fun to follow.

I loved seeing Sylvi’s growth in REBEL. She has a lot to untangle in her mind and heart. The underlying themes there were really powerful to me. Watching Sylvi process her identity, her feelings and the truth about Winter, her relationships with Mars and Kyn and the rebels… all of it was so satisfying to read!

The banter in this book is top-notch, too. I laughed more than once while Sylvi, Kyn, and Mars were together (which was a lot, and I was happy about it!) The relational aspects, especially between Sylvi and Mars, were some of my favorite parts.

In short, I loved it.
Buckle up, because REBEL, BRAVE AND BRUTAL is another wild ride you won’t want to miss!