The Frost Witch Book Review

 

The Frost Witch by Emberly Ash

4.5 Star Review

Available August 5, 2025!!

Thank you @NetGalley and Publisher for the eARC copy in exchange for a voluntary and honest review.

The first book in this new series by Ash follows a 400-year-old witch, Koryn, as she tries to save her world from a curse from the gods. She enters the trials of The Seven Gates to save another and soon finds herself life bound to a notorious bounty hunter, gaining a familiar, and learning to defend herself when magic is no longer available to help her. Each gate presents a new trial by a different god, increasing in danger.

If you love…

Ø Enemies to Love

Ø  Slow Burn

Ø  Forced Proximity

Ø  Gods

Ø  Dragons

Ø  Betrayal

Ø  Fae

Ø  Witches

…this is for you!

This story will pull you in like it did for me. Koryn is intent on being a witch – they have no heart and kill without remorse – but her true nature betrays every choice she makes. When she saves Garrick, the bounty hunter who should want to kill her instead of protect her, she forms a life bound between them. As they go through the trials together, he not only protects her but teaches her to protect herself. It is a slow burn that has you turning pages to see if – or when 😊 – they will finally make their move.

The writing is phenomenal, the pacing perfect, and the entire premises refreshing and EXACTLY my cup of tea. The only reason I gave 4.5 stars instead of 5 was personal preference. There was too much description and prose over dialogue (for me) to start, and I didn’t really get into it until about 50% of the way through when the ‘baby’ dragon was introduced and the dialogue picked up. If you get past that, though, it’s worthwhile. By the end, all the character development that took time to start makes you connect with Garrick and Koryn, and the ending… It broke me!

If you haven’t picked this one up, I 1000% recommend adding it to your TBR! I can’t wait to read the next book! I’ve already started Crown of Earth and Sky!

Balancing Act (The Heights, #1)

Balancing Act (The Heights, #1)

by Paula Chase 

 

"Balancing Act" by Paula Chase, which I received as an eARC from St. Martin’s Press via NetGalley, is a compelling blend of classic coming-of-age themes and modern storytelling. The novel stands out for its creative use of social media posts, which highlight the drama and public pressures faced by the characters.

While the story centers on competition and the drive to succeed in high school sports, it goes much deeper. Chase portrays the realities of growing up in diverse neighborhoods, the pain of grief after losing someone young, and the sadness that shapes adolescence. The book also explores the complicated landscape of friendships—especially the challenge of dealing with frenemies. Through nuanced storytelling, Chase reveals that even rivals and so-called adversaries have their own struggles and moments of unexpected kindness. The characters gradually learn that people are rarely just one thing, and that even those who seem unfriendly can surprise you with their depth and decency.

The writing is engaging and the characters feel real, their vulnerabilities and hopes shining through. While the novel tackles tough topics, it remains relatable and grounded, balancing humor and hope with its more serious undertones.

If there’s one drawback, it’s the abrupt ending—a reminder that this is the first book in a series. Despite this, I’m eager for the sequel to see where these vivid characters go next.

"Balancing Act" releases on October 21, 2025. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in contemporary young adult fiction that doesn’t shy away from real-life challenges, including the pain of loss, the complexity of relationships, and the resilience required to move forward.