ARC Winter Queen by Amber Argyle

Hardcover, 254 pages

Expected publication: June 19th 2013 by Starling Publishing

ISBN: 0985739444 

Source: Author Gifted in exchange for honest review

Summary: 

 

 ~Becoming a winter queen will make Ilyenna as cold and cruel and deadly as winter itself, but it might be the only way to save her people from a war they have no hope of winning.~

Mortally wounded during a raid, seventeen-year-old Ilyenna is healed by winter fairies who present her with a seductive offer: become one of them and share their power over winter. But that power comes with a price. If she accepts, she will become a force of nature, lose her humanity, and abandon her family.

Unwilling to pay such a high price, Ilyenna is enslaved by one of the invaders, Darrien. While in captivity, she learns the attack wasn’t just a simple raid but part of a larger plot to overthrow her entire nation.

With the enemy stealing over the mountains and Darrien coming to take her to his bed, Ilyenna must decide whether to resurrect the power the fairies left behind. Doing so will allow her to defeat Darrien and the other invaders, but if she embraces winter, she will lose herself to that destroying power—forever.

 

 

This was an amazing book about choices, fate and fey. After her clan is attacked, she'll do anything to save her brother and father, even make a deal with death. Ilyenna is fiercely loyal to her people: friends, family and maybe lover. Maybe, you ask? Well, it's kind of complicated. You see they're both idiots who think the other thinks of them as a sibling.

There really wasn't that much wrong with the book. The characters were very well developed. I loved Summer and Winter. They're my tow favorite characters in the story. Why? When they are Summer and Winter they know who they are. Isn't that what everyone wants? To know who they are? Like really know? Am I good or bad? Fire or Ice?

Ilyenna is strong and selfless, even when faced with (almost) certain death, she chooses her people over herself. 

Darrien: A lot of 'evil' characters aren't actually evil. Darrien is actaully Evil. EEEEVVVILLLLL. Bad Man. Stay away from him. He's the kind of guy who kicks kittens and puppies and spits of babies. *shudders* Ugh. No. Spooky, creepy dude who seems to think he is The Man. Bleh. Gag me. Wait- on second thought, don't.

The only thing I can really complain about (and the reason I gave this 4 stars) is that the two main characters relationship is very undeveloped. You can tell that Ilyenna likes him. But, you think she just admires him, then all of a sudden a huge spiral is thrown into the mix and you're just like When Did This Happen?

Overall, Winter Queen was magical. I read it in one sitting xD Yes I really liked it. Did I love it? Maybe. But, I had no book boyfriend.

Also, I love the Winter Queen and Summer Queen. They truly are sisters. Two halves of the year, each a part of a whole.

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Amber Argyle grew up with three brothers on a cattle ranch in the Rocky Mountains. She spent hours riding horses, roaming the mountains, and playing in her family’s creepy barn. This environment fueled her imagination for writing high fantasy.

She has worked as a short order cook, janitor, and staff member in a mental institution. All of which has given her great insight into the human condition and has made for some unique characters.

She received her bachelor’s degree in English and Physical Education from Utah State University.

 Jackie