A Soul as Cold as Frost (The Winter Souls)

I heard about this book on Instagram and knew I had to give it a try. I was hooked within the first couple chapters and I had to get the whole series to read. I am in love with these stories!! Good, wholesome series that include clean romance, amazing storytelling, great character development, Christian references, and so much more. I don’t give many books five star ratings, but this one deserves one for sure!The covers are beautiful for any bookshelf, and this first book includes fun items like maps and multiple character depictions!!

This was a really good read, lots of action and excitement. I highly recommend it, and now, I'm going to start on the second book of the series.

This story just sucks you right in. I finished the book in about three days I just couldn’t put it down. If you love Christmas-y stories and fantasy/magic you’ll love this! So many thoughtful details went into this story it’s definitely worth the read. There are nods to Christianity BUT it’s not overwhelming like you feel like it it’s a religious book if that makes sense. It’s not noticeable if that’s not what you’re looking for. My friends who aren’t religious whatsoever enjoyed reading it. *** EDIT (after completing the entire series) I’m a diehard for this book series. I randomly came across an Instagram short advertising a good book to read during winter which happened to be book #1 of this series (Soul as Cold as Frost). I was hosting my bookclub for December and thought it would be a great book to discuss during Christmas time. Little did I know I’d be buying the rest of the series immediately after finishing the first. I was hooked. It took me a couple of days to read the 2nd book, and one day each for the 3rd and 4th. I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN. Now I don’t know what to do with myself because I’m DYING for the series to continue. I swear I could read 20 more books of this series and I would still crave more. I literally had tears in my eyes and chills by the 4th book. This series has a special place in my heart and I hope that Jennifer isn’t done with Ourmain characters’ stories. Please do yourself a favor and just buy the entire book series - you won’t regret it.

What if Harry Potter were a girl, or the series had a girl as the protagonist? What if Narnia had a more "grown-up" edge and a Christmas theme? What if Santa Claus were the villain of the story? These and similar questions awakened my inner child/young adult and made her want to try A Soul as Cold as Frost. The outcome though, was...bitterly disappointing, in a chilly way.A Soul as Cold as Frost is one of those books I desperately wanted to like, and to recommend for YA and adult audiences. It had everything I'd have looked for as a young reader, and even at Helen's age. Namely, many of my imagined fantasy-scapes as a kid had winter or Christmas themes, often based somewhat on The Nutcracker (I slogged through summer and am convinced as an adult that I had and have a summer version of Seasonal Affective Disorder). Like Helen, I was a loner as a kid and teen, bookish, awkward, kind of searching for where to land. For that reason, I did enjoy what I read here.Additionally, Jennifer Knopf's world-building is pretty amazing, or at least it starts out that way. The Revelation Orbs and the Truths therein do hearken back to Narnia, with that same "Christmas with an edge" feel I did love. The description of Lola's cocoa had my mouth watering. The descriptions of the battle and the tensions between Red and Green intrigued me, and I liked where Jennifer was going as far as, placing the fantasy landscape inside Helen's real world. That's difficult to pull off, and I give Jennifer props for trying.I also liked where the story was going as far as saving Winter, which is often seen as an antagonistic season, and painting Mara Rouge and Jolly Cheat as villains. (Just the name Jolly Cheat, in particular, is wonderfully creative and fun to say. Mara Rouge is less so, but at least Jennifer didn't go for something overdone, such as a White Witch or Snow Queen type). I really can't say enough that I wanted more of this world and more of Helen's part within it.And therein lies the problem. I couldn't finish A Soul as Cold as Frost because for over 25% of the book, neither Helen nor the reader ever gets a good grip on what is going on. I understand not everything can or should be explained right away, and I hate exposition dumping. That's not what I was looking for. But this book went too far the other way. For instance:-Everyone calls Helen a Trite for chapters on end without telling her what that means (is it just that she's "common?" Is this an insult? Does it mean she has powers? What)?-Helen is constantly left alone with the Revelation Orb or alone muddling through questions, but then scolded and blamed for not knowing what to do next, or for asking questions-There are allusions to paying with rings, or not, but no one ever explains currency-Zane mentions Jolly Cheat used to be good, but not what or who turned him evil-It is never explained why Helen has been chosen and not her siblings or anyone else-What is, and what causes, the tensions between Red and Green? Which color is "good" or "evil?" Both? Neither?-Humans, gnomes, and other creatures seem to populate both this world and the real one, but in what capacities? What are their relationships?And that, my friends, is just the start of the list. Granted, I am outside the target audience and more a researcher/young adult author learning her craft. But still, this lack of information is a serious flaw. Again, too, it wouldn't have to be an info-dump; I've seen worlds explained with great detail and finesse that still keeps the reader firmly in the story.So, *sigh.* I hate to give this book such a low rating. I wanted to enjoy it so much more. As it is though, I found it almost impossible to follow, let alone enjoy. I'd suggest Marissa Meyer's Lunar Chronicles instead, or Morgan L. Busse's Cry of the Raven trilogy.

I definitely found myself wanting to continue the series after this first one. The audiobook was lovely, and the descriptions so beautiful I bought the paperback. Both with this and the second book, I got lost a little in the plot--the climax and falling action happened so quickly that I can't even say for sure why what happened happened. But, since I'm on the third book now, that obviously didn't keep me from reading.Content Warnings (for books 1 & 2):LOTS of fantasy world expletives: "bloody," "Ragnushuck," and "frostbit." No uses of God or American cussingRomantic attraction is hinted at, and there is a LOT of physical contact, much of which is not portrayed as sensual or adding to the attraction.For example, in one scene the girl is in bed asleep, and the guy comes and wakes her up, then flings onto the bed next to her and they have a conversation before he gets up and leaves--none of which is portrayed AT ALL as being related to their general affinity for each other. There is no sexual, sensual, or hormonal overtones in that scene at all. But, throughout the books there is a lot of hugging and being in close proximity to each other, and several times attraction is hinted at and in Book 2, feelings for each other are shared. SPOILER: In Book 2, the MC is forced into an engagement, but there is literally no allusion to a future sexual consummation.

Es una historia que promete mucho con toda la publicidad que le hacen en instagram y tiktok, pero no tiene sentido la historia, la trama tiene muchos puntos que no se desarrollan correctamente, hay bastantes cosas que no se explican en el libro y por ende no se entienden, el final del libro es tan equis que me dejo enojado y parecía que lo tuvieron que apresurar demasiado, no recomiendo comprar el libro, no es la aventura mágica que promete ser, de igual manera le daré una oportunidad a los otros tres libros de la saga para poder tener una visión mas real de esta.

The journey begins in Waterloo Canada with a prayer and soon a venture in Winter.Helen Bell has lived some unfortunates and while she’s living a bland life, finding her purpose and herself, she finds Winter. The series matures as you read each book.If you enjoy Harry Potter, Narnia, Percy Jackson you will enjoy this series!I love this series and personally I get Petter Pan vibes (for an older audience) from some of the characteristics of the series. I can’t wait for the future to get my series signed!This series will bring you Fantasy, Folklore, Friendship, Faith, Adventure, and Romance. A great read for young adults and teens. I recommend 13 and up.Readers Discretion!This series has mature content throughout but not crude nor graphic. Violence, romantic content (kissing and the desire to kiss), and Death.

I bought this book to relieve myself of boredom only to get addicted to it. This book had its charm with its story. The normal, not so swoon worthy looking trite has been forced to enter the winter world only to save those people and spread the truth. I couldn't stop reading and as I read I could picture everything so clearly. I loved this book and going to buy the second book. Buh-bye

Great condition

Enjoyable and easy to read.