The Omen of Ice is a duology that began with a book of that name and continues its strange fantasy way with the Winter Fae clashing against druids. NATURE OF FROST refers to Valen, a prince from two bloodlines who, following the death of his uncle, is set to take the throne. Not everyone believes he is a good choice, to the extent that knives are thrown during his first speech. Yikes.

I had not read the first book, and it would be much better for a reader to take them in order. The fantasy contains many characters, and previously a deal has been struck with Alphenia, a powerful druid enemy of the Fae folk. Valen gets a message – via a fast-growing tree forcing through the floor – that he has three months to come to better terms with Alphenia. 

In Valen’s camp is a charming druid called Keltania Tunne, who is drawn to the Fae prince and tries to protect him and share his magic. Again, many people oppose her closeness to the seat of power.  The first part of the book is quite sedentary as politics and lessons are dealt with, then the brave young people go out adventuring to meet the other Fae courts, Spring, Autumn and Summer. On the way they are battling with creepy plants, kelpies, and beings called the depleted, which are zombies by another name.

I would like this story better if it wasn’t for the regular strong language, which seems wrong in what’s marketed as a YA romance. Maybe soldiers and princes do swear, but we could just imagine that. Danger follows the heroes. The frost magic Valen controls puts in appearances as he learns to wield the power in new ways. Vines and thorns also sprout where they really should not be, and kelpies try to drown passersby. This seems an odd setting for a romance, but true hearts hope to conquer adversity.

Jus Accardo has penned this twisty tale NATURE OF FROST and if I find the first instalment, I would read it to get a better look at the sub-plots and motivations presented in the second book. If you have read Omen of Ice, no doubt you’ll be keen to know how the tale finishes.