4/5 Stars

This book was filled with fun tropes like enemies to lovers, forced proximity, bodyguard romance and courtly intrigue. The book is told in a first person point of view that alternates between our two main characters Keltania and Valen. There is a lot of exposition in first person point of view thoughts, which didn’t vibe that well with me. I had a hard time connecting with the characters and feeling the romance the author was building for us.

This book was easy to read and reminded me of the Plated Prisoner series as it had dark Fae plots and magic while also incorporating an interesting enemies to lovers dynamic. It does differ in that there is no spice and the pacing of the book felt more medium to fast paced than slow. Like the Plated Prisoner series there is a good ending (which saved this from being a 3.5 star read for me) and lots of fun twists.

I would recommend this to someone looking for an easy, medium paced dark fantasy with some action and political scheming. I would not recommend this to those who have a harder time enjoying romance in fantasies or more seasoned fantasy readers who may think this fall short as I felt most of the twists were a little predictable.

Thank you to Engtangled Teen and NetGalley for providing me with a eARC of this book for my honest review!

Omen of Ice by Jus Accardo is an exciting, thrilling YA fantasy adventure.

I love Keltania , a fierce druid, one of the last ones. She has spent her whole entire life training to be Aphelian.

Keltania has been assigned to be the guard for Valen, nephew to the King.

I really love this story with a multiple point of view of Keltania and Valen.

I love the action and the backstory. The mythology and world building was so fantastic.

That ENDING OMG! That ending was so good!

I can't wait for the next book in the series!

Omen of Ice ARC Review: 3.5 stars

Tropes:
FMC
Dual POV
Forced proximity
Found family
Slow burn
Magic system
Fae, Druid, kelpie
No age gap

This was such a fun read that captured me from the first scene. The magic system was interesting and was introduced quickly, so readers can start grasping the world building easily. Medium paced plot with humorous sections throughout to offset the tension. I could see the twist coming at the end, but I credit that on my hyper awareness of foreshadowing.

My only complaint was the main characters suffer from a mild case of the miscommunication trope, which isn’t my cup of tea. It’s not a huge chunk of the book though, so it’s still enjoyable.

The side characters were my favorite and I keep a special place in my bookish hearty certain kelpie. Overall, a solid read. That I’ll be re-reading whenever the second book comes out. Trust me, it’ll grow on you like a fungus. 😉


*Received in exchange for my honest review.*

This tale is told from the perspectives of Keltania (or Tania), a powerful female Druid who has spent her whole life caring for Winter Fae and Valen, whom Tania has vowed to protect. Tania and Valen go on an expedition in which we meet many intriguing individuals. This narrative flows swiftly and easily without sacrificing world building or character development. The world creation is distinct, and the plot twists had you wondering until the very end.Overall, I enjoyed this SlowBurn YA magical romance; thank you Entangled for the ARC.

This book follows Keltania, a Druid tasked with protecting the winter lord, Valen. Valen’s people believe him to be a future omen and Keltania is constantly fighting off his enemies. Throughout the story they must travel through the woods to reach their goal and come upon some friends and foes in the process.

Overall I enjoyed this book quite a bit! The beginning felt a little too young adult for me based on the dialogue and personalities but throughout the book the characters matured and I found myself much more engaged. The romance is a big slow burn but there are quite a few fun suspenses throughout the book that kept me entertained. I would recommend this one if you liked what lies beyond the veil or a gender swapped fbaa.

Thanks to Net Galley and Entangled Publishing for the eARC.

⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 Stars

- Dual POV
- Badass FMC
- Slow slowburn
- Unique magic system and complex world

Omen of Ice is a joyful, witty and totally unpredictable ride from start to finish!

Oh my god I ploughed through this book - it was such a captivating yet easy read. The main character's both felt fully fleshed-out and realised, with realistic flaws and belieavable personalities. Tania in particular was such a beautifully flawed yet amazingly badass main character - her confidence in her own strength and duty, stubborness and passion were so delightful. Valen reminded me of Carden from The Cruel Prince at first but as I delved deeper into this POV chapters his gentle heart and loyal nature bled through the page.
Their relationships was beautifully developed throughout the book, the pacing making it seem natural and well-earned. Even where it ended - however much my heart fights it - makes perfect sense and I know Jus made the right call with it, for now.

The backup characters were also totally realised and so much fun! Daroose has my entire heart and I will kill for him if need be.

The action was fast-paced and the TWISTS! My god, the twists. Some I predicted or guessed towards but admittedly there were others that surprised me, and I love a mix of that in my books. Jus managed to piece together an incredibly complex world without bogging the book down in pages of worldbuilding, easily weaving the lore and history throughout the story. I felt like a little goblin as I read through, picking up bits of information like breadcrumbs and clutching them tight in my greedy little hands. I felt like I was learning things at precisely the right moments while still being hungry for more.

I absolutely cannot wait for the sequel and encourage everyone to get their hands on this one ASAP.


I don't know what Entangled have put in the water this year but they are WINNING at life. Thank you so much for an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

Fun and fast ya fantasy series that has me excited for book 2. I loved the strong fmc. I feel like as the series progresses the characters will be more in depth.

I really enjoyed reading this book. It kind of gave me Frozen vibes, but in a more mythical, fae way. I like the way the author created different kinds of magic in the story, and how it was told from two perspectives. I was hoping for a little bit more romance from the main characters, but I imagine that might blossom in coming sequels! That final cliffhanger-wow! Will read the sequels for sure!

4.5 stars

Not a huge fan of a slow burn, but the FMC was a badass and I mean…how could you not love that?! I wish more time would have been given to the story and it would have been spread out evenly rather than hitting me with a left and right at the last like 10% BUT DUDE! The way I felt at the end left me wanting more. Can’t wait for the next book and I 100% plan on reading it.

Thank you to Entangled Teen for the free eARC, this is my honest opinion.

Fascinating new fantasy world full of fae, magic, druids, mysteries, betrayals, trust issues, dual perspectives, and characters that act their actual ages.

Keltania is an 18 year old druid assigned to be Valen's protector, and she is determined to be the best protector she can be....if only Valen wasn't an annoying pain in her backside. But the two of them start growing on each other like fungi (also one of the cutest nicknames sparks from their hilarious banter) and together they face an escalating issue that threatens the end of life as they know it.

I love that Valen, the male main character isn't a 500+ year old fae, he is 19 and acts like it. Which means that mistakes are made, there are communication issues that are realistic because the characters are 18/19 years old, and both are a little naïve.

I appreciated that there are lots of layers of mysteries that peel back as you go along in the book, and that there are numerous twists and turns that weren't totally expected, but when looking back I can see how things were lined up. I can also see some potential paths for what may happen in the series.

I am really looking forward to what happens next. Recommended for YA fantasy lovers, similar to Margaret Rogerson's An Enchantment of Ravens, , or a fae version of Vampire Academy (not a school setting). 4.5 out of 5 stars.

I am so sad about this book. I was so excited to get my hands on a copy and read half of it in one day but sadly this book fell flat for me. I think it all came down to the authors writing style. I just kept wanting to get more in depth with the characters, and I felt like it was very surface level in my opinion. This was also a dual POV, which I was not expecting, and I think that also threw me for a loop. Sometimes it’s really fun to only have one POV, and to not know how the other character feels, but in this one we didn’t get that and maybe that’s why I didn’t love it as much. It really makes me sad that I didn’t love this book because the concept was so interesting to me but I think everything just happened a bit too fast for me with this book, and as I said earlier, I feel like the characters were very surface level.

Omen of Ice is a multi-POV YA Fantasy novel with a rich world filled with magic, adventure, and plot twists that keep you interested. While the dialogue was well written, I did feel at times it leaned more toward immature than intriguing, which made it difficult for me to connect. Perhaps that's the nature of having protagonists in their late teens/early twenties, but I found myself disengaging with certain characters at times given how they addressed one another.

“Some spells can change the world. Others can destroy it.”

Tania is an Aphelian, druids trained to operate as body guards for winter Fae. When she received her assignment and arrives at the winter court, though, she quickly learns that life amongst the Fae isn’t the same as she’s been trained to believe. To make matters worse, the Fae she’s been assigned to guard, wants nothing to do with her protection. As Tania fulfills her oath to protect Valen, she quickly learns everyone has secrets, and Valen’s might just get them killed.

Accardo created a fresh perspective on the Fae/human trope. Not only did Accardo work in the Druid aspect, but she also blended in a more sinister Fae experience than some of the benevolent stories that have released recently. The character development for Tania was really great to see. As Valen pushed her more and more to think of life outside of being an Aphelian, you could see her opening up more and more. I love the banter between Tania and Valen. Valen was such a ball of sarcasm and over the top charm. I’m here for it. I also really enjoyed many of the supporting characters. Daroose became one of my favorites, and I hope to see more of him in future books. As for the plot, I felt like the story was a little slow to start but about a third of the way in, it really picked up. From that point, I did not want to put it down. I feel like I have whiplash after reading the second half of the story. There were so many twists and accepted truths undone not to mention all of the betrayals. Accardo definitely knows how to write an engaging story that will have you begging for the sequel.

Omen of Ice is a YA read that any lover of fantasy will want to get their hands on. Right from the beginning, Accardo's writing draws you in, giving you just enough detail to make you hungry for more. While the romance subplot is present, it doesn't overtake the rest of the story, making this a good read for those not particularly drawn to romance. This book will be a hit for any reader who enjoys world-building with a splash of politics and plenty of action.

I have recently found myself in a bit of a reading rut –I have a handful of authors that I gravitate to and they primarily write very long sci-fi and fantasy series. While I enjoy their full universe of books, I’ve been looking for something new and different. Entangled Publishing has literally been the answer to my prayers. They have hit it out of the park with the last three books I’ve read –Fourth Wing, Starbringer, and now Omen of Ice. Omen of Ice is set in a world where all the Fae have gone through some pretty brutal wars, which led to long term consequences on their powers and lands. On the other side of things are the humans, more specifically, the Druids. They take ancient oaths seriously and fall prey to some cult like dogma. The druids spend their early lives training to become fighting machines and then dedicate the rest of their lives to becoming personal body guards to the Fae. If this at all seems interesting, then this book is for you. Its packed with magic, some intrigue, and of course romance –the whole trifecta.

Overall, I loved the book. It was well written with a plot that kept me captivated and turning the pages to discover what happened next. Obviously like most, Im always here for the romance. So I was very happy with the slow burn that was Keltania and Valen’s team up. Nothing like falling in love when you least expect it. As an added bonus, there were also great fight scenes. If you are sensitive to descriptions of killing and violence, then maybe this isn’t the book for you. But I for one feel like the fight scenes provided more and more insight into the hearts of the characters and their response helped me to understand them better. There were decent reveals throughout the book that moved the story along and pieced things together nicely.

The only problem I had, and this is me being super nitpicky, is with the pacing in the beginning third of the book. Some things came together a little too quickly for me. The biggest relates to the first reveal. A major part of both the Druid and Fae’s history is tied to this magical artifact, and the reveal seemed to happen too soon. There wasn’t enough time in my opinion for both Keltania and Valen to form a bond that would really be impacted by the reveal. Yes, things would have happened as a result, but I wasn’t yet invested in “them” to feel the tension that arises in those types of situations. Overall it still worked, but there were times in the beginning when I just wished for a little more time for things to build before things happened. This is very minor in the grand scheme of things and does not take away from how great this book is. I would recommend this to anyone.

#OmenOfIce:

“Humans are short-lived. When you survive as long as we do, you tend to forget how to live. Through their eyes, we’re able to see beauty in the world long after our own senses have dulled to it.”

A massive thank you partner @entangledteen for my copy of Omen of Ice. Releasing August 1st, y’all need to check this one out. If has no spice, great world building, she saves him, snarky FMC. I loved this book so much.

Our girl Tania is a Druid assigned to protect Valen, the Fae heir to the Winter Court. Now, Valen wants nothing to do with a human, a Druid, or a protector. But she’s like a fungus, she’ll eventually grow on ya. She has a little oopsie in protection, so they venture across the lands to try to reverse it. Along the way, we learn of the devastation of the past and that everything really is not what is seems.

I loved Tania and Valen. They had such great banter and genuinely cared for each other. The tension was off the charts and I’m very shocked at the no spice part. (I’m not complaining because I loved the plot I’m just saying.. it was right there) The Lands they traveled were so vastly different alongside all the creatures we met. I was so captivated by this new land I couldn’t put it down.

There are 5011 twists at the very end and they all had me. I honestly did not see any of them coming, which is very hard for me to admit. 😂 I don’t know if it’s because I was so into the story that I wasn’t trying to connect the dots, or the fact that it was written so well was entranced, but dang those twists! That last sentence in chapter 36. EXCUSE ME?! Mind was blown y’all.

This book has be excited for what is next. It was great world building that wasn’t too complicated, and the characters were amazing. Highly recommend Omen if Ice. If you need me, I’ll be team Valnia or Tanen? I like #Valnia right now 😂

Wow 5+++ stars!! Epic, Majestic, Spectacular
I’m addicted to this world and these characters, Valen and Keltania stole my heart and I don't want it back, this story is spectacular, I couldn't put it down for a single second.

Keltania goes to protect Valen at the Winter Court, but Valen doesn't want her protection. Their first days are a pull and push that made me laugh out loud, Keltania is willing to do anything to protect Valen even at the cost of her own life, but in this court nothing is what it seems and secrets, dangers, lies and conspiracies begin to emerge to the light.

Valen is such an adorable snarky arrogant, I love him so much, he's got a heart of gold under all that cold cloak. Keltania is so brave and determined, I love the friendship that they form, the attraction that begins to emerge between them soon gives way to deeper feelings and more intense emotions. Their conversations are epic, and the tension between them is off the charts, I just couldn't get enough of them together, I swooned so hard.

Addictive, interesting and entertaining, Omen of Ice is an explosive adventure full of magic, fae, adventure, secrets, action, delicious tension, that will keep your heart in your throat, I need more and I can't wait for the next book.
Highly recommended for fans of
Fantasy
Sci-fi
Slow burn
Forbidden romance
Arrogant sarcastic hero
Sassy brave heroine
Adventure

This was a wonderful YA Fantasy Romance with a slow burn, forbidden romance with fae & druids. I really loved the found family vibes and the dark twists and turns this book cleverly meandered through. If you need a bingable book to pull you out of a reading slump, this is it.

I think this series will be a hit this year, and I can't wait for book two.

Tysm Entangled Publishing for the ARC!

Thank you so much Entangled Teen for sending me this ARC!

Omen of Ice by Jus Accardo is a YA fantasy book with a lot of action, romance, amazing characters and plot twists that I couldn’t put down and already can’t wait for the sequel!

When Keltania is finally ready to fulfill her life’s purpose and become a guard for a winter fae, she can’t wait to begin her assignment. But when she arrives and the court and meets Valen, her new charge who doesn’t take anything serious and doesn’t seem to care for his safety, she realizes nothing is as she thought and with many secrets coming to light, she will have to protect Valen from new and old threats to his life while trying not to fall for the charming fae.

I haven’t read YA book in a while and Omen of Ice reminded me why I like them. Keltania and Valen were amazing main characters, they were complex and not what they seemed at a first glance and I loved reading about them and their adventures. This book was so much different than what I thought it would be and it surprised me in a really good way. There was a lot of action with some great plot twists I didn’t see coming and the whole world the author created was really interesting. I would like a bit more of romance, but it was really well written and I hope to see more of it in the next book. Keltania and Valen are polar opposites and it was a lot of fun to see their banter and how they slowly began to fall for each other.

Omen of Ice is a really great and fun read that I definitely recommend. I already can’t wait for book 2 because that cliffhanger! It can’t come soon enough.

4 -⭐⭐⭐⭐

"Magic is a funny thing. It can be infinitely powerful yet, at the same time, as fragile as the most delicate blood. All it takes to lose it in a single sacrifice.
Or a single mistake."

Omen of Ice is debut novel in the YA Fantasy Romance series by the same name. Keltania, a young druid, has received the honour to guard a royal fae - her birthright as one of the few druids to still have power in this world after an infamous event called the Great Drain. Yet her charge, Valen, is none too pleased with his new tail. As these two are forced together it becomes clear the peace between Druids and Fae is not all it seems and the secrets hidden may be their undoing.

Keltania is a fun and engaging character that I really connected with. I loved seeing her in the guard role and the duty and dedication she felt to her role. At the same time she is inquisitive and curious about the world outside what she knows. Seeing her having to navigate this new world alongside a reluctant friend and keeping with consequences of magic was entertaining and gave me feels as I truly was able to feel for her journey.

Valen starts off as this cocky could-care-less fae prince but oh, boy is there a whole lot to unpack there. Seeing his layers unfold as Keltania wiggled her way through each layer was an absolute delight and we really get to see Valen have to embrace his role. Having spent his whole life just standing in the shadows, he must decide if he is still willing to do this...and if it is worth the cost of his friendship.

"I know you don't want me here, but I'm going to grow on you. Just wait."

As this is a YA book there is no spice. There is some kissing and a growing romance but this is an angsty slow burn romance. It has a very promising start as this series will continue. The banter, the teasing, and the looks between both characters was absolutely delightful and being able to read both perspectives I think helped really flesh this out.

In terms of world building, Omen of Ice boasts as fascinating world that intrigues you from start the finish. The apocalyptic fate of humans, the infamous tear, and the relationship between druids and fae provide tempting secrets and mystery that are blended well into the story. I found the story worked so well with this growing world and had me hooked from start to finish. I loved finding answers alongside the characters, the action, peril, tension, and budding romance. This book has all the twists you need in your adventure and the cliffhanger that has me VERY curious to see how things will go in book two.

If you are looking for a new YA Fantasy read with strong, fierce characters, body guard trope, hidden secrets, and a fantastic world you will thoroughly enjoy your time here.

Thank you Entangled Publishing and Netgalley for this e-ARC.