“Charlie is a vibrant writer with an excellent voice and great world building.” —Brandon Sanderson, author of Mistborn and The Way of Kings Seventeen-year-old Smitha’s wealth, status, and beauty make her the envy of her town—until she rejects a strange man’s marriage proposal and disastrous consequences follow. Smitha becomes cursed, and frost begins to encompass everything she touches. Banished … everything she touches. Banished to the hills, hunted by villagers, and chilled to the very core of her soul, she finds companionship with Death, who longs to coax her into his isolated world. But Smitha’s desire for life proves stronger than despair, and a newfound purpose gives her hope. Will regrets over the past and an unexpected desire for a man she cannot touch be enough to warm Smitha’s heart, or will Death forever still it?
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This is a great one off novel by the author of The Paper Magician . Smitha is a well off girl until she is cursed by a wizard for rejecting his marriage proposal. She becomes “as cold as her heart” and her body turns almost to ice and winter storms follow her wherever she goes. Now that is a horrible curse (says the Wisconsin girl who moved to Texas)!
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Read 1.30.2016
I did not love this book at first. It took me quite some time to get into it. But once I did, the book flew and I really enjoyed it. I enjoyed the journey that Smitha had to take to get where she ends up. Ended up being a really good read by my new favorite author!
Followed by Frost tells the story of a selfish woman cursed to bring snow and ice anywhere she goes and to anything she touches. Following years of battle with her curse and complete isolation on snowy mountaintops, she begins to dwell on how her actions in the past affected others and seeks to right her wrongs. I truly felt for the main character and her personality developed so much throughout the story that readers will remember her as a selfless and strong woman. Followed by Frost left me with the knowledge that one should always be thankful for what they have and persevere even when life is at its darkest and loneliest.
I disliked the main character so thoroughly from the beginning that her ‘redemption’ process left me largely unengaged. The plot device to set up her obstacle felt so contrived and mechanical, with no real or relatable motivations, that it was difficult to care. The character’s journey was illogical and there was never any establishment of her development of the skills necessary for her survival. Middle school students might like the romance that evolves for the ‘mean girl’ but this story is nothing even close to the charming stories in the Paper Magician series.
Followed By Frost tells the story of Smitha, a 17 year old woman, who, rather cruelly, dismisses the repeated romantic overtures of a young man. The young man turned out to be a wizard who promptly cursed her “to be as cold as her heart”. She was doomed to be physically cold, with winter flowing her wherever she goes. It becomes a problem as those in her town become sick and die due to the relentless cold that follows her.
As the death of one person nears, she realizes that her curse allows her to both see and converse with Death himself, who soon becomes as obsessed with Smitha as was the young wizard. Smitha leaves home for the sake of her village, and the story follows her during the next four years of her cursed life.
I was drawn to the story because mainly because of the presence of a Death Incarnate figure. Although I was concerned that there may be more romance than I prefer, that turned out not to be the case. This was a story of a young woman coming of age, maturing, coming to grips with her plight and finding a place for herself in the world. I listened to the audiobook, which was extremely well narrated. The characters were all well developed and their interactions and conversations were very realistic. An enjoyable reading/listening experience.
It’s an interesting story well told. Smitha’s journey stays true to her character and is subtle, at times. It’s a good read!
I had a difficult time reading this book in the beginning. The story started with the main character being vain, selfish, and self-absorbed. But all this was necessary to explain how Smitha received her curse.
Snow followed her, and everything she touched would frost. Eventually her curse kicked her out of her village, and her only choice was to live her days alone. For years, she thought about her actions in the past, and regretted some of the things she’s done. But one group wants her help, and her decision leads her to an incredible journey.
I loved the overall plot and lesson of the story. It teaches the power of love and generosity. I also appreciated how the romance between the characters grew from just getting to know each other at an intellectual level. I highly recommend this book for young adults, and I can’t wait to read more books by Charlie N. Holmberg.
I adored Smitha’s journey after she is cursed. She grows as a person, and while you start out not liking her, you end up admiring her. Great writing.