Ruby is a Fireblood, someone with the ability to control heat and fire. Unfortunately she's not had much opportunity to practise her skills because her people have been so persecuted by the Frostbloods (people with control over cold and ice) that she has to keep her nature secret. Unfortunately Ruby is discovered by the Frost King's soldiers when they raid her village and her mother is murdered in front of her. Ruby is consumed by the desire for revenge but in order to achieve her goals she finds herself having to work alongside a mysterious and scarred Frostblood soldier. Arcus should be her enemy but he has reasons of his own to destroy the Frost King and a gradual truce forms between them as he tries to help her master her powers.

On the surface Frostblood sounds very similar to a lot of other YA fantasy series out there and I'm not going to lie those similarities are real, however, it also stands up as a story in it's own right and I found myself really enjoying it. Ruby is a great character, she's been through a lot but she is quite fierce and determined when she sets her mind to something. She spent her whole life being told she had to hide her abilities so it's quite difficult for her to embrace her skills at first but she perseveres and is willing to to put the effort in so it doesn't feel like everything comes to easy for her. It was fairly obvious from early on that Arcus was going to end up being a love interest but it wasn't a case of insta-love. They were initially wary of each other but over time they developed a grudging mutual respect that eventually turned into friendship.

Arcus was keeping a lot of secrets but I had guessed his true identity fairly early on. I liked the way Ruby reacted when she found out, she was shocked and her first instinct was to wonder if he had betrayed her but then she thought about things like a sensible person and realised that was still able to trust him after everything they'd been through together. Too often we see characters easily believe rumours over their own experiences with a person so that was a refreshing change.

Although the story started out with a similar feel to several other series Elly Blake definitely takes things in her own direction during the second half and I was actually surprised by the way it ended. I think I was expecting it to end on some horrible cliffhanger so I was really pleased that wasn't the case. I like that this ties together and feels like a complete story in it's own right. There is definitely more story to tell and I'm looking forward to getting my hands on the next instalment but we do get a nice amount of resolution to some parts of the story. This series is definitely going to be one to watch out for, I have a feeling it's going to be a big hit!

Source: Received from Hodder & Stoughton in exchange for an honest review

I was a bit weary of this book, as the synopsis sounded a lot like the Red Queen series to me, with the different classes and whatnot. There are some similarities to that series, as well as a few other books, however the book is it's own unique story.

Our main character, 17 year old Ruby is a Fireblood who has spent most of her time hiding her abilities involving heat and light. After soldiers come to raid her village and kill her mother, she vows revenge on the Frost King and stops hiding her abilities. However, her powers are unpredictable and she finds herself developing feelings for Arcus, a Frostblood warrior who also shares in her goal of killing the Frost King. Eventually Ruby is caught by the Frost King's men, where she finds herself in the middle of the enemy. She has only once chance to destroy the King and must learn to use the power's she had spent her life hiding.

So, this reminded me a lot of both The Young Elites series and the Red Queen series. The book does have it's own unique stories but I felt like there were a lot of elements from previous YA fantasy books I read in this book. I enjoyed the author's writing and world building and I did enjoy Ruby's character. I just kind of felt like I had sort of read this story before? Like I said, the book is it's own unique story, I just feel like I have read this story before. I can't figure out how to word it better then that! I did enjoy that the author does not leave the story in a cliffhanger, as I am not patient in having to wait a year to find out what happens next. The story moved along at a good pace and I never found the plot to be slow or boring.

Have you read any mainstream YA fantasy book over the past few years? If so, it is likely you have already experienced this book with different character names.

Frostblood is just so... unremarkable. Everything about it is familiar and predictable, leading to a read that offered up no excitement, no need to keep turning the pages. It often feels as if YA fantasy publishers deliberately go looking for new authors to retell the same old recycled plots. Stick an attractive cover on the front and lets see if we can fool people into buying the same book over and over again.

This book follows the heroine - Ruby - who is a Fireblood in a world where Frostbloods are the ruling class. Once again, this world is split evenly into two societal groups - an overdone technique that I find particularly lazy. It's the same with the Reds and Silvers in Red Queen, the Reds and Golds in Red Rising, and the Shotet and Thuvhe from Carve the Mark, as well as others. If only the world were that simple! If only there were just two groups of people with differences. There is just no depth or complexity to a "this vs. this" world.

Also, Ruby was uninteresting and bland. I feel like I have nothing to remember her by and it was really difficult to become invested in her story and troubles. The book opens with her mother being murdered and Ruby being captured by Frostblood soldiers; incidentally, this opening is almost identical to Carve the Mark, where Akos' father is murdered by the Shotet before Akos, himself, is captured. There's nothing here I haven't read before.

Then, of course, the plot takes a completely mindblowing turn when our standard heroine with elemental powers (easy way of adding some magic without having to think too much about a magic system) teams up with a hot guy (Arcus) to get revenge on the royals who wronged her. Is it just me or are you getting déjà vu as well?

And I don't know why so many authors think there is anything interesting about pages and pages of training. It's mind-numbing.

But wait! Just when you thought this was all looking familiar, Arcus reveals his... dum, dum, dum, DARK PAST! Yes, that's right. Arcus is a very boring, very typical love interest, with very unoriginal secrets.

A lot of YA fantasy is tropey and contains all the same elements, that's true, so maybe you could say I'm being harsh. But this book's problem is not just a series of components that make it derivative - it also has a very lackluster style. The writing did nothing to draw me in; dramatic events came and went without being engaging. There can be slow parts in any book, but even the most dynamic chapters didn’t hold any fire for me.

To add a tiny bit of credit where it's due: by far the most interesting aspect of this book was the exploration of how one can be blamed for the actions of others they are grouped with. For example, the actions of a few radicals, whether they be Firebloods, POC, Muslims or feminists, can be used to make sweeping (and false) generalizations about all the others in said group. This is interesting and rather appropriate right now. Too bad it got lost under everything else.

To summarize: Frostblood and my review feel so very familiar. I long for something new and different in YA fantasy.

Frostblood is such a fantastic read! Although this book has been compared to Red Queen, I found it very different, though there were some similarities. In fact, in my opinion, Frostblood outdoes Red Queen completely. Everyone should read Frostblood!

Frostblood is set in a world of Frostbloods (those with ice powers) and Firebloods (those with fire powers). Frostbloods rule the world and hate the Firebloods, and vice versa. In fact, they practically hunt them down. I thought this was pretty cool. Imagine having either of those powers! Pretty badass really! I liked the fact that not everyone in the world is born with a power too. In fact, most people appear to be just regular powerless people. I thought the world-building and history of this world was so, so good and I loved it!

I really loved Ruby! I loved that she struggles to contain and control her gift and her short-temper doesn't help this in any way. She also hates being criticised, though she does want to improve. I just found this pretty relatable. She also knows her own mind and isn't a simpering girl who waits to be rescued. Plus Ruby is such an awesome name for a Fireblood.

Arcus was wonderful. He was just as mysterious as I like the lead male to be. And, though he is mysterious, you really can't help but trust and like him. I liked that he wasn't afraid to push Ruby's buttons to help her gain control over her powers. I just think Ruby and Arcus complement each other really well.

Frostblood is told from Ruby's perspective and I think this was great at showing her fear even though she tries to hide it, as well as the emotional rollercoaster she ends up on. The story is honestly so fast! The pace is just woah! Frostblood just has so much action and even a few twists along the way. I found I had to read many parts pretty carefully to keep up with the story. There is just so much fantastic detail. I loved it!

I found Frostblood's ending very climatic. I honestly had to take my time reading it because I didn't want to miss anything. I was on the edge of my seat too, and almost shouting at my tablet. I also liked that there wasn't too much of a cliffhanger and most plot threads tied up quite nicely. However, there are still plot points left open and I cannot wait to find out more in the sequel, which I believe is to be called Fireblood.

Frostblood is a fantastic read and I absolutely adored it. I urge everyone to read this fabulous book. Particularly those who love fantasy and are looking for a new series with brilliant characters and world-building. Bring on Fireblood in September!

4.5* - copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley which has in no way influenced my opinion.

It's always tricky when you read something that reminds you of another novel (which you absolutely love), and not to compare the two and subsequently become extremely critical of your current read. I thought Frostblood was very reminiscent of Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas. And fortunately in this case that was great!

Frostblood was such an easy read, I flew through it. I couldn't put it down at times. I really sympathised for the main character and quickly became engrossed in her story. I loved that it was fast paced and action packed but with a slow and simmering romance which I absolutely shipped from the start. I did guess one of the little twists early on but I was still pleased with how the story progressed and transpired. The ending was gripping with just enough of a conclusion to tie up the storyline so there was no dreaded cliffhanger but also to pique curiosity and interest for the next book.

A classic YA fantasy that any fan of the genre will surely enjoy.

I absolutely love this book! It’s pure action packed fantasy, and I was gripped from the very first page. Frostblood is the first in a new fantasy series, in which fire and ice are mortal enemies. This premise caught by eye right away, and it wound up being the perfect read during the icy winter break. Frostblood was such a fantastic, addictive read and it ended up being one of my favourite books of 2016.

The thing that truly makes the book are the characters. Ruby is such a wonderful protagonist. Strong and firey like her powers but also vulnerable and very human at the same time. She might have this amazing power, but she doesn’t transform into this all magical being overnight, she makes mistakes and doesn't master every skill, making her a fascinating and believable character. I loved her, and seeing her struggle and fight to survive was a gripping and intense story. Similarly Arcus is a well fleshed out and fascinating character, sometimes cold and unyielding, but also loyal and determined. They both make for fascinating main characters, and were incredibly well written.

The story flows so well, and Blake takes the time to explain how the magic works, making the world feel so much more fleshed out. The romance is also so building, making it much more believable and satisfying when things start to happen. I loved every minute of Frostblood, the magic, the mystery and the danger. I have so many more things I want to know, and I really think this series will be a big hit. The only downside is that now I have to wait an eternity to read Fireblood to be released.