Frost and Flame

The most feared immortal warrior in all War history, Bane of Adwaeweth is possessed by a bloodthirsty beast and he will stop at nothing to win and while he hates the power Nola Lee has over him, she can rain vengeance upon his wife’s killer. Nola is battling illness and addiction, but with Bane, she experiences pleasure for the first time and wants more but being with him comes with a terrible price. Their romance will either save them both or destroy everything they’ve come to love.

The second book in the ‘Gods of War’ series is an exhilarating experience that readers don’t want to miss. The author has a gift for making her worlds completely captivating and full of unique elements that makes every story a very enjoyable experience and this one is no different. The world itself it complex with lots of hidden facets, potential for backstabbing and utter violence but the story is about good fighting back against the tyranny and violence of their worlds. The fast paced plot is full thrilling suspense that has readers biting their nails and adrenaline pumping excitement that has gasping in surprise and expectation along with all of kinds of twists and turns that ensures that readers better not blink or they may miss something important.

The characters themselves are strong, bold and easily grab readers’ attentions and the relationship between Bane and Nola is as complex as the war taking place. There is nothing typical in this story and every time readers think they know what will happen next…BAM, something unexpected happens. Beware, this story can be read as a standalone but takes place consecutively with the first one and of course the overall plot of the series isn’t one hundred percent complete.

Anything by Gena is worth the read! I want more!

I have loved every on of Gena’s books but this one is my favorite so far. It’s exciting and action-packed but also has a love story that will keep you guessing about the HEA until the very end. I adore this series and can’t wait to read what she writes next!

Gena Showalter’s latest book is the second in her newest paranormal/sci-fi series, Gods of War. In this installation, Bane of Adwaeweth after being frozen in the Arctic Ice for 1300 years, forms a mental connection with Nola Lee and persuades her to come and free him. Nola has not had an easy life. From foster to care to having Lupus and various other ailments, she just wants to open a donut shop with her foster sister and live her life. Instead, she ends up in a power play amongst the “All War” with Bane while fighting what she truly is and what she feels for the golden warrior.

It’s been some time since I have read a Showalter book having drifted away from the paranormal genre except for here and there. From what I remember Showalter likes her worlds a bit complicated and largely built and Frost and Flame is no different. Even being the second in the series, there is a lot of information making the first part of the read a little cumbersome as you take in the hows and whys of the different realms, alongside learning about the leads Nola and Bane. It all comes together, for the most part, though I did have some questions which may or may not be answered in future books.

The action of the “All War”, Nola’s identity, and Bane’s revenge shares center stage with the romance between the warrior and the human. Who the characters are is delved into nicely throughout, though Nola is a bit of a ditz and Bane repetitive. If you go into this purely for the sci-fi action and the push and pull romance, you will enjoy it. Frost and Flame is a book that should be read for the surface action that it provides not as any deep emotions.

I have been looking forward to The Frost and the Flame for the longest time as I loved Knox and Vale in the first book immensely. Nola Lee and Bane were delicious. I loved how their relationship almost seemed kismet and how their story ran parallel to the first book.

While this story was great, I will admit that I was not as connected to them right away. I was mildly frustrated that neither Bane nor Nola Lee were ever really together for long periods of time for almost half the book. The constant teleporting minutes after they were reunited was a bit frustrating as I was hoping to see so much of the banter I loved in book one. I wanted to see and feel their connection earlier. Overall, though, I enjoyed this story and another story in the Gods of War series. I look forward to more books in this series. 4 stars! ~Ratula

The bestselling author and master at her craft of writing epic fantasy romance novels, Gena Showalter, returns with the second book in the Gods of War series. I have been waiting for this book for almost a year and Gena did not disappoint.

We are brought back to the beginning of the All War on Earth, back to before it even begins and this time we will see the war through Bane of Adwaeweth’s eyes. We meet him briefly last time and know that he is a feared warrior like the others, but also he is one not to mess with. He doesn’t fight with weapons like the others, we discover why that is in this book. The only thing he has in possession that someone may want, if they were to actually kill him, are goggles that allow him to see the tricks or illusions that the other combatants may play to their advantage, but for Bane, who is sensitive to the light, they allow him to actually not be blinded by the harsh earth sunlight. We learn that his race is sensitive to light, but not much else, for Bane is a dragon shifter. No wonder he doesn’t need weapons.

You see, when the combatants fight, they fight to the death and when they make a kill they are allowed at that moment to take the others special weapon of choice. Each combatant arrived to the All War with a unique weapon, some are sought out specially because of this, others are sought out because they are an easy kill, each combatant has their own reason for what they do. We also learn that Bane is there purely for revenge.

Many combatants are there as a place of honor for their home and to win another realm for their kingdom, Bane has been sent by his queen commanding it. A queen he cannot disobey under the spell she wields that rules his people and even when he still would have rather suffered death than come to another war under her command, she killed his wife right before him to make sure he won so he could seek vengeance. Yes, everyone is there to win, but Bane can taste that vengeance everyday and with every kill.

During his time on earth, Bane is also tasked with seeking out any Adwaewethian heirs and killing them. His queen does not want to be challenged for the throne. Bane sees this as his one chance to find that heir and actually have get his revenge on the person who killed his wife. If a new queen could take the throne than his people would be free of this evil queen. His quest brings him to Nola Lee.

Nola Lee has been sick for as long as she can remember. The only relief she finds are in the pills the doctors prescribe, but the side effects come with a huge side of suck. Getting a break from being the sick sister, she and her sister, Vale (from book 1), plan a trip of a lifetime and prepare for almost everything. But when things go sideways and they both end up kidnapped by immortal beings, that isn’t something Nola ever planned for especially when she gets separated from her medication and the withdrawal symptoms begin to set in.

Whoever thinks to plan for that? Nola should have, if she was honest.

She has been having dreams of a golden god for years. A man who refers to her as his princess. Now that’s a wonderful dream, especially with the things he likes to do to her. Never once did Nola ever believe that this dream god would become a reality, but she was poorly mistaken. She also finds that her god has a jealous streak a mile wide and her withdrawal symptoms seem to get better when he’s near her. There is a whole host of weird things that Bane has to answer for, but he’s not exactly the talkative type. She has a lot of unanswered questions for her mysterious man and things only seem to get weirder the more time they spend together, not that she’s complaining. Keep him close, she feels better, but life doesn’t always work in her best interest.

Bane and Nola each try to fight the irresistible attraction they have towards one another. It’s one that seems to pull them together like magnets whenever they are in close proximity. As Nola discovers more secrets to her ancestry she wants to help Bane, but he has to trust her not to turn on him. Bane isn’t the easiest man to open up and let people in, he hasn’t exactly had the best history with that, but getting closer to Nola is allowing the man, and beast inside him, a chance to see that things don’t always appear as they seem. If they do work together they will have a better chance of achieving their goal and getting what they both desire then if they work separately which could ultimately lead to their death.

I think what I like about Frost and Flame, is that it can be read as a complete standalone if you haven’t read Shadow and Ice. Gena wrote it where you can pick it up and still understand the history of the All Wars, along with a little background of what happened before without giving too much away. The timelines of both books are exactly the same, but (and this is a huge but) the first book I feel was a bigger-broader look at the war and getting to know the overall characters, but it had to be for that storyline. Frost and Flame is a more intimate look at how the war affects a home, a kingdom, their people, and that was important for this overall storyline. So while both stories have points of intersection, they are not alike.

Okay, I know this has been a long review, but…I don’t get to review big, epic books like this very often and I really do love reading them!!

Bane is a character to fall for right out of the gates. The typical big and burly warrior type, yes, but from the very first chapter you meet a very different guy than if you read book one or will meet for most of this book until he really lets his guard down. Bane is a husband and someone with feelings which we don’t see because he has to bury those emotions deep. I really felt for Bane right from the very beginning and even though he’s always made out to be this huge, larger than life character, he seems very fragile through Nola’s eyes. I love that about this book. The two of them even each other out perfectly.

So, if you love reading other-worldly, battle-warrior, fantasy/paranormal bada** male and female characters, pheromones through the roof, not the mention epic fight scenes then this book is for you!

Bane is from another world and has a beast inside of him. The queen can make him do anything and she wants him to go to Earth and kill anyone who could be a princess of their world. She is so evil. One of the princesses, Nola, has several diseases and a pain killer addiction. Her and her sister travel to Russia where she hears a voice telling her to come. Her withdrawal symptoms stop when Bane is near. Bane has others plans for the princess. He has never felt the way he feels about Nola but between him hating what Nola might become to her trying to protect him.

This might not make sense but it’s a very good story. Action, sex, and little gross details. The reason for 4.5 stars is the main fight didn’t last very long. For all the hype built up about it, I thought it should have been just a bit longer.

Here we are again. Back in this awesome world of war, strength and love that Gena Showalter has created. It’s especially nice to be sort of back in Strawberry Valley! The strength and determination, the survival instinct, that Nola Lee poses is awe inspiring. The horror and the pain of her diseases would destroy anyone. But not her. Her dream man helps too. Her need to get to him, to Russia is so strong she battles her pain and makes the journey with her best friend. Her sister. Nothing however turns out how she expected. Bane is real. And he is so much more than she ever thought he would be. Strong. Intense. A beast of a man. And also the only one who takes away her pain, whom she can touch and not feel sick. But there us also so much more to her then she ever could have imagined. Will this battle they are fighting be won? Can Bane trust and love again? Will Nola survive? This is hands down a five star read that I could not put down! I devoured it! I am in serious withdrawal and will be battling massive depression until the next one is published!

Originally posted on Tales to Tide You Over: https://margaretmcgaffeyfisk.com/category/reviews/

Science fiction romance requires a balance between the elements, which can be a struggle to maintain. In Frost and Flame, it’s more science fantasy, but the relationship develops along with the story in very real ways. It’s open-door romance and violence, so not for every reader, but the world building was fascinating and allowed the author to touch on deeper subjects.

Right off the bat, you have a realistically portrayed female lead who suffers from fibromyalgia. Because it’s both a romance and fantasy, the costs of her condition are not always in play. At the same time, neither is she cured at first contact, reducing her disability into a checkbox.

Nola must manage and work around her limitations. There’s a complicated genetic history (trying to leave it a surprise), and for most of the book, the improvement is temporary. Her condition mirrors the good days/bad days pattern if not in quality then in impact. Nola also demonstrates the inner strength necessary for survival even when it does nothing to improve her situation. This strength slowly undermines Bane’s prejudice against her bloodline and her physical weakness.

Bane steps into the story with a full history (as does Nola) that informs his path. He’ll let nothing stand in his way, and he already understands everything there is to know about himself. Except when the Terran he’s been dream-walking shows up as he demanded, the foundations of his world start to crack.

This is not a romance layered over a thin veneer of science fantasy. The romance and speculative fiction is twisted into a complex braid that works together. The book is set in a modern human world but with aliens bearing fantastical weapons engaged in a to-the-death battle for dominance over Earth. Humans are ignorant of the All War except for those drawn in by one of the combatants.

The blend of Nola’s “normal” life as a magazine columnist into Bane’s All War existence offers humor to balance out the graphic violence. The early open-door encounters are long and detailed. The scenes include a little more rumination on the internal conflicts than I felt sustained the passionate tension, but I can’t argue how they added to the romantic development. Reflection changes their relationship, especially in how Bane and Nola see each other. Both had prejudice to overcome, though Nola would not have admitted it. She needs to see herself as he does, and he needs to separate the person from the labels he puts on her.

The issues around intimacy were enhanced by their cultural differences as well. The author explored the costs of desiring forbidden acts, for example, though what Bane’s culture shamed is standard in ours. She also looked at how a female-dominant culture could be just as tyrannical as a male depending on circumstances. While not an ideal portrayal, it helps illustrate the dangers of following the norms without question.

The writing drew me in most of the time, and while some seeds took a bit to grow, I enjoyed recognizing the moment odd mentions became critical. The mentions of the first book were also well done. They created interest without revealing too much for those of us that missed the start of Gods of War.

There is much to enjoy in this book. It takes on difficult topics from our world and clothes them in adventure, intrigue, and fantasy so we learn by exposure without feeling taught. The relationship development between Nola and Bane is complex and goes through many cycles where self-doubt or personal history undermines confidence. The loyalty and friendship between these and many other characters, even those considered enemies, was a delight to watch. There’s a bit of a Flash Gordon vibe, but with enough unique elements to make that a strength rather than a weakness.

It’s a romance, so you know Bane “gets the girl,” but Nola “gets the guy,” too, based on her own strengths and actions. Characters change, grow, fight, die, break free of physical and emotional prisons, and win new futures. There’s a little of something for most readers, and hints at explanations for history and myth we love to explore. I’m curious to see the next, and first, step on this journey.

P.S. I received this ARC title from the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Frost and Flame is the second book to Gena Showalter’s Gods of War series, and readers are taken back to the All War battle on Terra, but this time with different characters. Gena starts the book introducing Bane and what happened to him in the past and how he became one of the combatants to battle in the All War. Bane is all about revenge in his story for his evil Queen killing his wife. His Queen is my new enemy in the series because of not only what she did to Bane, but what she order him to do on Earth. He is supposed to do his Queen’s bidding on Terra, but refuses to and instead searches out another princess like his Queen that was born on Earth. (This is something that is against the rules.) If you read Shadow and Ice, you would’ve found out that all the warriors were caught in ice due to a mortal named Erik that killed one of the warriors and became an immortal. Bane is trapped in the ice, but he recognizes one of the females that stumbles upon the ice cave, and he will do anything to get to her. Nola Lee is on vacation with her sister, but they end up on their own due to their guide leaving them. Nola has had dreams about a Golden God for several years now and finally finds him in an ice cavern. She thinks it’s still a dream, though, until the warriors are out of the ice and battling each other. She’s whisked away not by the Golden God, but another warrior named Zion. He’s all about protecting her. Bane though wants to find her and protect her too, especially since she’ll be the next royal. He needs to get her through the Blood Rite first and convince her to kill his Queen.

Enough of explaining the book because I don’t want to give anything away for readers who are still wanting to read the second book in the series. This book brings me back to the battle of All War, and I loved getting to read Bane’s and Nola’s POV now. Gena has the same timeline from the first book in the second book, but instead of being with Knox and Vale, readers are following Bane and Nola. You’ll also have Zion in this book, but not his POV. I loved getting their POVs of the same battles that were in the first book, but it was predictable at specific parts of the book. There was also the swift ending at the end of the book, which left me wanting more because someone should’ve had a slower death than what happened at the end.

The characters kept me interested in the story, though, even though I felt like I had read a similar story in the first book because of where the characters were in their book. Nola is a sassy, feisty young woman who may be suffering from lupus and fibromyalgia, but she won’t let her illnesses affect her strength to fight back when she needs to fight back. There’s also Bane who is all about revenge in this story, and we will get to have moments with his beast inside of him that is strong and protective. His dragon in the book was named Drago thanks to Nola in the story. I loved these two characters that were opposites of each other. Nola put Bane in his place, and Bane would put Nola in her place. There was a little bit more steaminess in this book compared to the first book too. One scene involved an RV and some rocking of the RV.

If you are a fan of Game of Thrones, then you will get some of that show mentioned in this book. I loved it. (Even though the ending of GoT still has me mad.) This book ends up better than GoT’s ending though.

Now I’m anxiously waiting for the next book because I want to know which warrior gets his/her book in the series. I’m hoping it’s Zion because readers will get to know him better in this book.

Story Rating: 4 stars
Steaminess Rating: 3.5 stars
Standalone or part of series: Part of series. I would recommend reading in order since the 2nd book is with different characters, but at the same time as the first book.
Do I recommend this book? Yes.
Will I read other books from the author? Yes.
Tropes/Elements: Aliens/Gods and Goddesses; Revenge
Hero: Immortal/Warrior; Possessed with a Beast (Dragon Shifter); Alpha; Protector
Heroine: Sick with Lupus/Fibromyalgia, but cured when she is around Bane; Strong-Willed; Sassy; Insecure at First; Has a Fighter in her

I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.