HNS Book Review: FROZEN TIDES (Falling Kingdoms #4) by Morgan Rhodes

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FrozenTides-BlogTour

Welcome to the last day of Frozen Tides blog tour! It’s not a secret, Falling Kingdoms is one of my favorite series. Rhodes deftly infuses magic, action and romance into her writing. The fourth installment in this series isn’t an exception to her trademark brand.

Today I’m sharing my review of Frozen Tides. If you haven’t pick it up, now is the perfect time!
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Title: Frozen Tides (Falling Kingdoms #4)
Author: Morgan Rhodes
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Pages: 400
Year: 2015
Publisher: Razorbill
Source: Provided by the publisher
Amazon l B & N  l Book Depository l Goodreads

Summary:

Rebels, royals, and monsters wage war over the Mytican throne in the shocking fourth book of the Falling Kingdoms series, from New York Times bestselling author Morgan Rhodes.

CLEO: Reeling after a bloody showdown in Limeros ending with Amara’s abduction of the water crystal, and a vacancy in the Mytican throne, Princess Cleo must cast aside her feelings and look toward her kingdom with the eyes of a Queen.

MAGNUS: With the kingdom in chaos, Princess Lucia still missing and quite possibly in danger, and a shocking realization about Cleo, the steely prince is once again torn between love and duty, leaving him wondering whether he’s strong enough to rule his people.

LUCIA: The young sorcercess has had her vengeance after the cruel death of her first and only love. Heartbroken and unable to trust anyone, she allies with the awoken Fire god, who also seeks revenge.

JONAS: After escaping death by the skin of his teeth, the defeated rebel—along with a mysterious stranger–leader reunites with Princess Cleo, only to find himself a mere pawn in a dangerous hunt for the elusive Kindred.

KING GAIUS: Abandoned by Melenia and betrayed by his own children, Gaius flees Mytica and sails to Kraeshia, where he attempts to ally with the famously brutal emperor across the Silver Sea.

Reviewer’s Thoughts:

Morgan Rhodes, you never disappoint.

I thought nothing could dethrone Rebel Spring, but Frozen Tides has proven me wrong.This book is everything I needed and more.

As per usual, this novel doesn’t shy away from Falling Kingdoms’ edgy premise from its rich and detail world building, bloody politics, conspiracy, rebellion, romance, the portrayal of justice, and how there is an ocean difference when it comes to monstrosity and beauty.

Frozen Tides opens up where Gathering Darkness ended. Cleo and Magnus are in shambles after what transpired in the temple. They are guilty of treason – of opposing the King of Blood. While, Jonas and Lucia are in pursuit to hunt the ambiguous Kindreds.

Frozen Tides is by far the best installment of Falling Kingdoms. It is radical and progressive by all accounts.

Rhodes’ added two points of view to our usual four key players, Felix and Amara. Compared to its predecessor’s line up, I find the additional chapters engrossing to read. It’s very clear their part  is vital to the plot. Of course, it is only natural that I would favor my beloveds.

For anyone who was disappointed with the turn of events in Gathering Darkness, you will be pleased to read Frozen Tides. Some of the plot holes are addressed in this book. This book also explores the vast, rich nation that is completely out of Mytica’s border. Readers will get the chance to see the distinct contrast between Mytica and its outsiders.

While I love the calculated political aspect of Frozen Tides. I have to admit, the best element of this series will always be its characters, most importantly my favorite bunch, Magnus, Cleo and Jonas.

Like most of Falling Kingdoms’ predecessors, Rhodes doesn’t let the romance take reign of the plot. There is just an ample amount of Magnus and Cleo’s interaction. Though, I horribly wish there was more. But, if you are a Magneo shipper, you won’t be disappointed. One thing is guaranteed, Morgan Rhodes is the queen of writing angst.

Here’s a snippet of my favorite scene.

He sighed aloud. “Why do I both to speak with you at all? We’ll never see eye to eye on any subject.”

“Perhaps it’s because you have no one else to talk to?”

The insult landed with a sting that he didn’t expect. A muscle in his scarred right cheek twitched. “How true. No one knows me like you do, princess.”

She looked at him with a furrowed brow. “That was unkind of me to say.”

“The truth is never unkind, princess. It’s liberating. Now, if you’ll excuse me.” Magnus turned and walked away from her before she could reply.

We need to see more proud bisexual characters in any form of genre. I am virtually tipping my hat right now.

“All I know is I’ve never felt that way, ever, for ….” His jaw tightened. “I don’t know Cleo. I can’t explain it, not even to myself. I’ve liked girls all my life, and I know I haven’t only been fooling myself. Girls are pretty and soft and… amazing. What I felt for you, especially for you.. that wasn’t fake or lie. I told myself. It was real. But with the prince…. I don’t know what to think. It’s not as if I’ve undergone some massive change and now want to kiss every boy that crosses my path.”

“But you liked him. Perhaps more than liked him.”

He rubbed his hand through his short red hair. “I barely knew him, Cleo. But… what I’d begun to feel, it…. Didn’t feel wrong.”

The only thing I didn’t liked about this book is that the new villain is a character of color. It doesn’t bode well with the lack of racial representation.

Overall, Frozen Tides deftly sets up another bunch of knots to untie in the follow up sequel. I’m thoroughly excited to see where Rhodes’s head is at with the story. Falling Kingdoms is a high fantasy series you should be tuning in to.

You can listen to my Falling Kingdoms fanmix in 8tracks. See the full tracklist on tumblr.

About the Author

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Kerly Sue is a self-proclaimed book reviewer and contributing writer at Hollywood News Source, formerly known as Young Adult Hollywood. In addition to being a full time book junkie, Sue also runs the first fansite for Vampire Academy’s Lucy Fry. When she’s not tucked between the pages of her books, you can find her screaming like a banshee on her personal blog. You can also follow Kerly Sue on her instagram and goodreads.

See the rest of Kerly Sue’s post here →