Book Review: Ice Kissed (Kanin Chronicles #2)

Iced Kissed (Kanin Chronicles #2) by Amanda Hocking
Publication Date: May 5, 2015

In the majestic halls of a crystal palace lies a secret that could destroy an entire kingdom…

Bryn Aven refuses to give up on her dream of serving the kingdom she loves. It’s a dream that brings her to a whole new realm…and the glittering palace of the Skojare.

The Skojare people need protection from the same brutal enemy that’s been threatening the Kanin, and Bryn is there to help. Being half Skojare herself, it’s also a chance for her to learn more about her lost heritage. Her boss, Ridley Dresden, is overseeing her mission, but as their undeniable attraction heats up, their relationship is about to reach a whole new level—one neither of them is prepared for.

As they delve deeper into the Skojare world, they begin to unravel a long-hidden secret. The dark truth about her own beloved Kanin kingdom is about to come to light, and it will change her place in it forever…and threaten everyone she loves.  

Ice Kissed is a great sequel in the Kanin Chronicles (see my review for the first novel, Frostfire here ) that is full of action, adventure, and romance. It will definitely please fans of the series and Amanda Hocking fans alike. Full of deception and betrayals at every turn, you never know what to expect! The story will have you on the edge of your seat (most times), and leave you breathless until the very last page. The ending of this novel alone makes this entire book worth reading, and in you will be longing to get your hands on the next book. Let me tell you, I'm expecting BIG things to happen in the next book based off of this ending, and I know Amanda Hocking will not let me down. It is going to be one killer finale!

I was very excited for this novel as I have always loved the world Amanda Hocking created originally in the Trylle Trilogy. This book made me remember why I loved the world so much. Rich and lush descriptions of Skojare palace left you feeling like you were actually there, with the coldness and conspiracy seeping into your bones. Suffice to say, I loved the entire time Bryn was in the Skojare palace. There were so many twists and turns that happened during this time that I couldn't stop reading.

The plot of this novel was also very good. However, the reason I had to go down a bit in the actual rating was the up and down feeling of the plot. I know I didn't go down much, but this aspect of the plot did prevent me from actually giving it a full 5 stars. For me, there were parts of this book that were absolutely phenomenal and I couldn't read fast enough, but then there were other parts that I felt were added just to make the book longer or just were just kind of there. As such, there were highs and lows. These parts weren't exactly boring, but they weren't really necessary either. I guess what I mean is that I didn't find it as exciting as the first book. Don't get me wrong, the story was still an edge-of-your-seat thrill ride, but not as much of a thrill ride as the first book in the series.

However, the writing was still amazing as ever. I have always loved Amanda Hocking's writing. She crafts such wonderful worlds that you simply never want to leave. And when you pick up her stories again, it feels like coming home. That is always the sign of a good storyteller. She gives her characters so much growth and depth that you feel as if you truly know these characters, but you never get bored with them either. In the end, they feel like friends. Bryn is such a strong heroine, and I have loved her character from the beginning. She has such a determination to succeed and overcome all of the obstacles that are in her path. She never lets her differences get to her, and always does her own thing. Most importantly, Bryn never loses herself or give into others demands of what is expected of her. She lives her own life, how she wants to live her life.

The romance in this one is steamy, especially one scene in particular. You'll know exactly what scene I'm talking about once you read it. And trust me, it will leave you fangirling so hard. I have shipped Ridley and Bryn from the moment I met them, and this book just made my shipping of them go into overdrive. They are seriously so perfect and one of my favorite couples. As long as Konstantin doesn't interfere with their relationship, I'll be a happy fangirl.

Overall, while there were parts that weren't the most exciting, Ice Kissed is still a very worthy sequel in the Kanin Chronicles, and is not to be missed by fans of the series. If you haven't checked this series out yet, you need to because you don't want to miss out on a new favorite!! I can't wait for the final book, Crystal Kingdom as it is sure to be an amazing end to an amazing series (I'll be reviewing it next week)!

Happy reading :)

~Cassie