Reviewed by True

TITLE: The Prince and the Ice King

SERIES: Gemstone Kingdoms #1

AUTHOR: Amanda Meuwissen

PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press

LENGTH: 308 pages

RELEASE DATE: August 3, 2021

BLURB:

Every Winter Solstice, the Emerald Kingdom sends the dreaded Ice King a sacrifice—a corrupt soul, a criminal, a deviant, or someone touched by magic. Prince Reardon has always loathed this tradition, partly because he dreams of love with another man instead of a future queen.

Then Reardon’s best friend is discovered as a witch and sent to the Frozen Kingdom as tribute.

Reardon sets out to rescue him, willing to battle and kill the Ice King if that’s what it takes. But nothing could prepare him for what he finds in the Frozen Kingdom—a cursed land filled with magic… and a camaraderie Reardon has never known. Over this strange, warm community presides the enigmatic Ice King himself, a man his subjects call Jack. A man with skin made of ice, whose very touch can stop a beating heart.

A man Reardon finds himself inexplicably drawn to.

Jack doesn’t trust Reardon. But when Reardon begins spending long days with him, vowing to prove himself and break the curse, Jack begins to hope. Can love and forgiveness melt the ice around Jack’s heart?

REVIEW:

In the Emerald Kingdom magic is corruption, as is loving the same gender. Prince Reardon’s best friend Barclay has magic, Reardon is attracted to men, and both will keep it secret.

Reardon is kind, soft, and sweet. When his best friend was punished and sent to the Frozen Kingdom, Reardon wants to save and rescue him.

Arriving at the Frozen Kingdom Reardon finds nothing but resistance from Ice King Jack, who’s cursed into an Ice beast, touching him is impossible.

How do you rescue the ones who don’t need to be rescued?
This Kingdom is the opposite of the Kingdom of Emerald. Reardon wants to learn about this Kingdom so he can convince his people magic isn’t a threat, to quit sacrificing people to the Frozen Kingdom, only, the grumpy, cursed Ice King doesn’t trust Reardon.
The citizens of the Ice Kindom are melting one by one by Reardon’s kind personality.

The sword of Damocles is hanging above Jack, when the ugly truth shows, Reardon will run. Throwing out Reardon would be the best but Reardon won’t let him, he’s on a mission, one of his mission is to conquer Jack’s frozen heart.

Wow, what a wonderful fantasy story this is. With an epic ending! Read it yourself!
Beautiful creatures are living in the Frozen Kingdom, Elves, half and full-blooded, elements of gold, ice or flames, wizards, healers. The fantasy world-building was absolutely stunningly done, wonderfully pictured, I loved all the aspects. The plot is quite captivating, original and the story has unexpected twists, marvelously done!
It’s a fast-paced exciting fairytale, with all the feelings, smoothly written and very entertaining.

RATING:

BUY LINKS: 

Dreamspinner Press

Amazon