Lovin' los libros

Winter Queen (Fairy Queens #1)
    by: Amber Argyle

Publication Date: June 19, 2013
Publisher:Starling Publishing
Genre: Fantasy
Age Group: Young Adult
Source: e-ARC received from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 254 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 5/5 stars

                              


I cannot stress enough how much I loved this book! I am so happy I came across Amber during the YA Scavenger Hunt! I was going through checking out everyone's blog and saw I could get an e-ARC from her and of course I couldn't pass it up! I also saw that it was about faeries, so ya know. :)

This was such a fast read for me. The pacing was perfect and never once did I feel like Amber rushed the plot to get from one point to another. The pages just flew by for me and I literally could not stop reading. This first book did a great job of introducing you to the different clans from which our characters belong and showing how they interact, as well as what happens when the peace among them is broken. It really just gave us a small introduction to the fairy world. Our main character, Ilyenna, is forced to make some difficult decisions and she does not go into them lightly. I suspect we will have more of a look into the fairy world in book two.

I really liked Ilyenna's character. She was strong, brave, and loyal to her clan and loved ones. Being the clan mistress, she was forced to take action and make the necessary decisions in order to prepare for the possibility of attack. Ilyenna, however, is forced into servitude because she would not sacrifice her clan. Reading about Ilyenna's enslavement was very difficult for me. My heart just broke at the way she was treated and what she would do to protect her fellow clanswomen.

At the enemy clan's village, Ilyenna discovers that is where Rone, head of a neighboring clan, is also imprisoned and forced to work. Ilyenna and Rone have known each other since they were younger, him being her brother's best friend. She has always harbored feelings for him and watching the two interact with each other is great. He is a warrior- strong, loyal, and unyielding. However, he is protective of her and keeps finding ways to see her and make sure she's ok. Ilyenna is convinced he doesn't hold any true feelings for her, that he sees her as nothing but a sister.

Watching the two of them grow closer together and realize their true feelings for each other was one of the biggest things I loved about this book. They both could be so dense when it came to figuring each other out, but it all came down to the simple fact that because they loved each other, they would do anything to ensure the other would survive.

As I said earlier, the fairies really do not play a huge part in this book. After Ilyenna is mortally injured, the winter faeries come to her aid and restore her. However, they are looking for a new Winter Queen to serve and they think Ilyenna is up for the job. With every opportunity comes a price, however. Should Ilyenna accept, she will lose her humanity and will not remember who she was and what she feels. Is love worth making the ultimate sacrifice?

This book was full of action, romance, suspense, and intrigue- I cannot wait for the second book to be released!

*I received an advanced copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review.*



Amber Argyle is the author of Witch Song and its sequel, Witch Born. She grew up with three brothers on a cattle ranch in the Rocky Mountains. She spent hours riding horses, roaming the mountains, and playing in her family’s creepy barn. This environment fueled her imagination for writing high fantasy.

She has worked as a short order cook, janitor, and staff member in a mental institution. All of which has given her great insight into the human condition and has made for some unique characters.

She received her bachelor’s degree in English and Physical Education from Utah State University.

She currently resides in Utah with her husband and three small children.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Amber-Argyle/165661500156934?ref=hl
http://www.amberargyle.blogspot.com