Political intrigue and very interesting magic system in a fantasy story sett in Russia.

Politics, tpyal intrigue, russia! I love it

I am sorry to say this.... I didn’t like the story at all, I didn’t like the romance, I didn't like the characters.... The only thing I liked was the last page, it was quite intriguing.

So what I liked about this book was the Russian inspired setting. The way magic worked was unique and interesting also. But I didn't like the main character she just seemed weak and not very self confident.

Katza, heir to the throne of Russalka, is troubled by visions that seem to prophesy she will destroy the country she wants to nurture and protect. Ravin is a darkly attractive prophet who wishes her to seize control of her tentative powers and use them at her own will, free from the restraints her tsar father and state officials have imposed. Katza must decide what she and her struggling country truly need--complete freedom or complete control--before they both fall to pieces.

Web of Frost is an intriguing fantasy, both for its setting, its magic system, and its characters. I loved the flavor of tsarist Russia--the ice, the furs, the ornate palaces in stark contrast to the poverty of the working classes. The political aspect of a kingdom tipping on the cliff between monarchy and anarchy drives the plot forward without bogging it down in, well, politics. Other kingdoms, less obviously correlated with real countries, have their affects and their influence, but it's for the sake of action and character development. And the Russalkan culture is integrated smoothly as well, from the danse sacre to the fairy tales to the sleds carrying Katza through the cold.

The magic system also stands out. Keeping the hint of Russian influence, it's similar to Eastern Orthodoxy--a great deity or power figure, Boj, and under him a pantheon of saints. Each saint can be called upon to grant a gift--eagle vision or healing or calming power. The church has kept the power limited to royalty and certain other gifted people known as prophets, though illegal (unsanctioned) "prophets" do exist. Throughout the book Katza learns more about how the powers work, what they do and how best to use them, and she keeps a small enough list of powers commonly on hand that the reader grows familiar with them, instead of pulling out a new random power and saint every time she needs something done.

Finally, the characters. Ravin is well developed, from his innocent first appearance to his increasingly worrying hold over Katza (I'm not sure how much to say, because spoilers). The prince Fahed, Katza's betrothed, also is shown to be more than just a handsome face, though I might have liked a truly supportive fiance, as Katza has very few true allies. He does eventually function as more a political figure than a corner of a love triangle, however, which I appreciate.

And Katza. Where do I start with Katza. I'm actually rather torn. Her circumstances understandably could turn a timid girl into a potential despot, but being in her head as she made that slide with almost no misgivings got on my nerves. It's probably a sign that I was attached to her, though, as I was rooting for her to make the right decisions, cheering when she finally made them, and mentally screaming at her when she did the wrong thing (especially after almost choosing otherwise). What's even eerier is that her poor decisions made sense based on where she was coming from. I guess that's a sign of a well-done character, when she can be annoying but you're still on her side.

One note of content warning: several strongly romantic scenes or descriptions. No completely graphic, but a few scenes of intense kissing etc. that may make some readers (including me) uncomfortable.

Overall, I enjoyed the story, the character development, and the beautiful writing style that drew me in to Russalka and Katza. If you want a new spin on a Russian-style fantasy, why not give Web of Frost a try some winter afternoon?

ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

"I am whole already. Without you."

Well, that was quite the bloody nightmare, until right about the end when our heroine finally started to use her brain.

Honestly, this whole thing was sort of like watching a car fire. You know it's a terrible thing, but you keep watch to see how it all ends and if people make it out alive.

Anyway, all things aside I am curious to see where the story goes so I may actually check out the second book to see if Katza manages to pull this shit off.

'Web of Frost' seemed like a promising YA fantasy read. A magic system, religious beliefs, political intrigue, and royals. All things that can take a good book into 'excellent' territory. Some readers may find this book to be excellent, but sadly I am not one of them.