Mini Reviews: Shadow Frost, Geekerella, Jade City

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Shadow Frost by Coco Ma
Shadow Frost #1
Published by Blackstone Publishing on October 1, 2019
Age Group & Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult
Format: ARC, eBook
Source: Publisher

IN THE KINGDOM OF AXARIA, a darkness rises.

Some call it a monster, laying waste to the villagers and their homes. Some say it is an invulnerable demon summoned from the deepest abysses of the Immortal Realm. Many soldiers from the royal guard are sent out to hunt it down.

Not one has ever returned.

When Asterin Faelenhart, Princess of Axaria and heir to the throne, discovers that she may hold the key to defeating the mysterious demon terrorizing her kingdom, she vows not to rest until the beast is slain. With the help of her friends and the powers she wields — though has yet to fully understand — Asterin sets out to complete a single task. The task that countless, trained soldiers have failed.

To kill it.

But as they hunt for the demon, they unearth a plot to assassinate the Princess herself instead. Asterin and her companions begin to wonder how much of their lives have been lies, especially when they realize that the center of the web of deceit might very well be themselves. With no one else to turn to, they are forced to decide just how much they are willing to sacrifice to protect the only world they have ever known.

That is, of course… if the demon doesn’t get to them first.

From young author Coco Ma comes a dazzling new tale of adventure, power, and betrayal, weaving together a stunning world of magic with a killer cast in an explosive, unforgettable debut.

A copy of the book was provided for review purposes - thank you! Receiving a copy does not guarantee a positive review and therefore does not affect the opinion or content of the review.

I really wanted to enjoy Shadow Frost with promises of assassins, monsters and darkness set in a fantasy world. But as much as the interactions between the characters were a delight to read and I loved every second of it, the writing style just isn’t my type. I personally didn’t feel the book was worth investing more time into, and I’m sad to say I had to DNF this at 34%.

Geekerella by Ashley Poston
Once Upon a Con #1
Published by Quirk Books on April 4, 2017
Age Group & Genres: Contemporary, Retellings, Romance, Young Adult
Format: Physical
Source: Library

Cinderella goes to the con in this fandom-fueled twist on the classic fairy tale.

Part romance, part love letter to nerd culture, and all totally adorbs, Geekerella is a fairy tale for anyone who believes in the magic of fandom. Geek girl Elle Wittimer lives and breathes Starfield, the classic sci-fi series she grew up watching with her late father. So when she sees a cosplay contest for a new Starfield movie, she has to enter. The prize? An invitation to the ExcelsiCon Cosplay Ball, and a meet-and-greet with the actor slated to play Federation Prince Carmindor in the reboot. With savings from her gig at the Magic Pumpkin food truck (and her dad’s old costume), Elle’s determined to win…unless her stepsisters get there first.

Teen actor Darien Freeman used to live for cons—before he was famous. Now they’re nothing but autographs and awkward meet-and-greets. Playing Carmindor is all he’s ever wanted, but the Starfield fandom has written him off as just another dumb heartthrob. As ExcelsiCon draws near, Darien feels more and more like a fake—until he meets a girl who shows him otherwise.

Geekerella is such an adorable and cute read featuring everything fandom related. It’s a retelling of Cinderella with a happily ever after and set at a convention, which really makes the inner fangirl in me sigh happily. The first novel in Ashley Posten’s Once Upon a Con series is a quick and light read for those who enjoy cute romances with fandom.

Side note: my local library removed this from the Hoopla catalog when I tried renewing it back in June and I may or may not have cried a little inside. I had to put this on my TBR again and start it over, rude much??? I still appreciate all they’ve done, though. Other than the fact I more than likely lost my soul during my childhood within the shelves.

Jade City by Fonda Lee
The Green Bone Saga #1
Published by Orbit on November 7, 2017
Age Group & Genres: Adult, Fantasy
Format: Physical
Source: Library

Magical jade—mined, traded, stolen, and killed for—is the lifeblood of the island of Kekon. For centuries, honorable Green Bone warriors like the Kaul family have used it to enhance their abilities and defend the island from foreign invasion.

Now the war is over and a new generation of Kauls vies for control of Kekon's bustling capital city. They care about nothing but protecting their own, cornering the jade market, and defending the districts under their protection. Ancient tradition has little place in this rapidly changing nation.

When a powerful new drug emerges that lets anyone—even foreigners—wield jade, the simmering tension between the Kauls and the rival Ayt family erupts into open violence. The outcome of this clan war will determine the fate of all Green Bones—from their grandest patriarch to the lowliest motorcycle runner on the streets—and of Kekon itself.

Jade City begins an epic tale of family, honor, and those who live and die by the ancient laws of jade and blood.

Jade City caused SO. MUCH. DISTRESS. In a good way, thankfully. Fonda Lee creates characters that will make you want to be invested in and care about them, but then rip out your heart while you’re crying. The story was a little hard to get into at first only because I spend 98% of my reading with YA, but once I got used to it, I really enjoyed Jade City! I loved being immersed in the world of Kekon and jade with the growing tensions between the No Peak and Mountain clans. It keeps you on the edge of your seat, wanting to know when and if something will explode between the clans, and I’m on the hunt* for Jade War as soon as my library pile dwindles down.

*I have a copy of Jade War right now! I totally wrote the review sometime last year and never scheduled it until months later. But hey, better than January 2019? Just kidding, I’ve got some from February and March probably.