Author: Alyxandra Harvey
Genre: Young Adult, paranormal
Series: The Lovegrove Legacy #1
Hardcover, 496 pages
Publication:
January 7, 2014
by Walker Childrens
Source: I received a review copy from the publicist in exchange for a honest review.
Source: I received a review copy from the publicist in exchange for a honest review.
IIn 1814, three cousins-Gretchen, Emma, and Penelope-discover their unknown family lineage of witchcraft. Beyond the familiar manicured gardens and ballrooms of Regency London, a dangerous, alluring new underworld visible only to those with power is now open to the cousins.
But unbeknownst to them, by claiming their power, the three cousins have inadvertently opened the gates to the Underworld.
Now the dead, ghouls, hellhounds-and the most terrifying of all: the spirits of dark witches known as the Greymalkin Sisters-are hunting and killing young debutante witches for their powers.
And, somehow, Emma is connected to the murders...because she keeps finding the bodies.
Can the cousins unravel the clues and mystery behind their heritage and power before their gifts are stripped away ...or even worse, another witch is killed?
Three cousins Emma, Gretchen and Penelope discovered the truth about their family history and their hidden powers on the night of their debutante ball when Emma accidentally broke her mother’s perfume bottle; undoing the spell that had bind their powers since they were children. The cousins are descended from the Lovegrove line, a very old and powerful witch family. To make matters worse when Emma unlocked their powers, she indirectly opened the gate to the underworld unleashing the dark spirits of the Greymalkin sisters (warlocks). It is up to Emma and her cousins to master their new powers, close the gate to the underworld and figure out who is going around murdering debutantes.
Within the first couple of pages, I knew I was going to love this book. I mean, just in the prologue we have a young witch breaking into a dead witch’s home with her cat familiar(the form/representation of one's magic! Talk about a great hook! A Breath of Frost centers on the three Lovegrove cousins, but this first book focuses mostly on Emma Day; her family’s history (specifically how her mother went mad), and as she navigates the world as a witch and debutante. I adore Emma and her cousins! What I love most about the girls is they’re all head-strong and independent and are hilarious and quirky. Although they’re blood related, they’re also the best of friends. While everyone loves a good strong friendship/family story, the romance between Emma and her crush Lord Blackburn was also a nice touch. It counter-balanced the murder mystery aspect well. We meet Gretchen and Penelope (? don't remember) possible love interests during the course of the book as well but it is barely just scratching the surface. I'm sure it will be further explored later on in the series as each cousin/or character get their own book.
This is my first book by Harvey and it definitely will not be my last. I really enjoyed her writing style and the world she built. The pacing of the book and the length of each chapter was just right as it held my attention all the way through. I kept telling myself just one more chapter, one more chapter…and the next thing I knew I was flying through the book; reading half the book in a mere couple of hours. The characters are so well-written and realistic that you forget you’re reading about fictional characters. A Breath of Frost wrapped up nicely and answered all the questions that arise at the beginning (the killer...a BIG SURPRISE, I never suspected ---!) and at the same time set the stage for the next books in the series.
A Breath of Frost is a wonderful addition to the Young-Adult genre that has everything one can hope for in a story; magic, adventure, mystery, sweet romance, and kick-butt heroines. I can’t wait to read the next book! I highly recommend this to fans of PR and YA; this is a book you need to read ASAP! I think I just found a new favorite series…A Breath of Frost is unquestionably a shelf-keeper!
*Fans of Libba Bray’s Gemma Doyle series might also want to check this series out.
Hmm, this is new to me. And sounds as it was new to you too. Sounds like a great new series. :) Thank you!
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