Blog Tour & Giveaway: Beasts of the Frozen Sun (Frozen Sun Saga #1) by Jill Criswell

Beasts of the Frozen Sun
Jill Criswell
(Frozen Sun Saga #1)
Publication date: August 6th 2019
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult

Burn brightly. Love fiercely. For all else is dust.

Every child of Glasnith learns the last words of Aillira, the god-gifted mortal whose doomed love affair sparked a war of gods and men, and Lira of clan Stone knows the story better than most. As a descendant of Aillira and god-gifted in her own right, she has the power to read people’s souls, to see someone’s true essence with only a touch of her hand.

When a golden-haired warrior washes up on the shores of her homeland–one of the fearful marauders from the land of the Frozen Sun–Lira helps the wounded man instead of turning him in. After reading his soul, she realizes Reyker is different than his brethren who attack the coasts of Glasnith. He confides in her that he’s been cursed with what his people call battle-madness, forced to fight for the warlord known as the Dragon, a powerful tyrant determined to reignite the ancient war that Aillira started.

As Lira and Reyker form a bond forbidden by both their clans, the wrath of the Dragon falls upon them and all of Glasnith, and Lira finds herself facing the same tragic fate as her ancestor. The battle for Lira’s life, for Reyker’s soul, and for their peoples’ freedom has only just begun.

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My Review:

5 Out Of 5 Stars

Genre: Another-World, Heart-Wrenching, Historical, Romance, Royal-Court, Supernatural, Suspense, Witches--

Lira's 18th birthday is coming up soon and she is going to have to make a decision, to either marry to make an alliance for her clan or to join the sacred group of gifted women like herself. Lira has no idea what choice to make, but it seems like fate has thrown a different option in her path, one that will change her life forever. Reyker was taken as a child by the most evil warlord, raised to do his bidding and causing destruction on all those he crosses. But his one act of kindness, letting a child go, will be the one act that shapes his future.

Ok, I am pretty sure that Jill ripped out my heart and I never even saw it coming. I started this book, was moderately interested, absolutely in love with the cover which was one of the reasons I picked it up (it is so gorgeous, right??), and next thing I know, I was sucked into the book and never even saw it coming. Now, don't get me wrong, this was not an easy book, full of SO MUCH heartache and grief and suffering and torture, but at the same time it was the MOST romantic relationship I have read in a really long time. The characters don't even really admit their feelings or get together until like 76% into the story, but every small action and look and word just melted me and made me want to cheer them on. And sure, there are other issues (serious issues) like overall impending doom, a giant war, suspicious gods with hidden agendas, just to name a few problems.

This review will be brief (for me), I just have so many emotions I have no idea how to cope or to write words (coherently). I feel equally torn between needing a comforting hug and having the next book gift-wrapped and delivered to me asap so I can see how this whole hot mess will resolve. I am completely blown away by the writing, plot, character development and overall world building that Jill was able to create, and that this is her debut book is pretty dang amazing. I can't wait to see what she has in store for me next (but I will admit that I am a little concerned for Lira and Reyker's well-being because Jill does not pull any punches and nobody's safe it seems.) Beasts of the Frozen Sun is the perfect read for anyone who likes historical fiction a la vikings with mythology, gods and magic.

I reviewed a complimentary copy of this copy but I am now on the hunt to go find a signed hardcover to hug!

Author Bio:

Jill Criswell is a writer of Young Adult Historical Fantasy. She was born and raised in the swamps of northeastern Florida. She earned degrees in English and Psychology and an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Central Florida. Her greatest passion, besides reading and writing, is traveling the world; she's visited fifty countries across six continents, falling in love with places like Iceland, Namibia, and Cambodia. She works as a university English teacher and lives in South Carolina, near the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, with her husband and daughter (who is named after a volcano in Iceland).

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