This book was very slow and character development just didn't exist. Parts of the book were good and well written while most of it just fell short for me. I probably would recommend this book to younger just starting out their reading journey.

A very lovely and unique Beauty and the Beast retelling! The world that Kyra Whitton has weaved together is captivating. While there are some slower parts to this book, I really enjoyed it. Dira Cloon is a curious, lovable, risk taker who has always questioned everyone’s distrust of the polar bears in the area. When she meets a secretive man who lingers in the shadows, her whole world turns upside down. The storytelling is charming, and the character development was something that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

A Burden of Ice and Bone by Kyra Whitton
Published by Sword and Silk Books
4/5 Stars!!

This is such a unique and enjoyable storyline, this book is an emotional and interesting romance! If you want a easy-read fantasy with Beauty and the Beast then this is for you! Dira is such a loveable, headstrong and emotional character, whereas Valemon is very reserved and hides an important secret! He has been lonely for a long time until he meets Dira who seems to change his whole character!

Thank you to Kyra, the Publisher and NetGalley for this arc!

Thank you to Sword and Silk Books for this Arc :)

This was a delightful and sweet romance book, with a touch of a coming of age story.

I will say that I found the opening 1/3 of the book weaker than the second 2/3. I also thought that the final conflict wrapped up a bit too quickly and could have been expanded upon further to strengthen the book.

However I did really like Dira as a main character and I appreciate the representation of cry babies in literature. Thank you Kyra Whitton for making me feel seen lol. I loved seeing Dira grow as a person without sacrificing the core of who she was and what she believed in.

Our love interest Valemon was also great and not problematic (for the most part). Could she have educated Dira on the risks of wandering out alone, yes but he didn't become violent or abusive so hey!

The building of the romance was well done and again, sweet.

I also do think that the world building fell a bit flat at times, the world didn't feel lived in beyond Willioughby. I would say the same of the side characters as well weren't well expanded upon. Considering that Dira struggled so much with the longing for her family and Beren, it would have been nice to see more of them including more interactions with Dira.

Overall, it was a fun and decent read but nothing ground breaking.

For the record, Spinning Silver is an awful comp title. These books have very little in common besides cold.

The polar bears are a unique fantasy premise I haven't read before, and I always enjoy a Beauty & the Beast situation.

There weren't really any special plot lines that set it apart and everything moved along a bit slowly. But if you want a quick and easy fairytale to read this fits the bill.

Kyra Whitton's A Burden of Ice and Bone invites readers on a mesmerizing journey through a frozen kingdom where courage, love, and self-discovery collide in a tale that is as enchanting as it is poignant.

At the heart of the story is Dira Cloon, a young woman whose life in the village of ice and darkness is defined by her ability to wield a gun. Yet, when confronted with a majestic white bear, Dira's convictions waver, igniting a spark within her that challenges everything she has ever known. As she grapples with the choice between tradition and transformation, Dira embarks on a breathtaking adventure that will lead her to uncover the secrets of a lost world and confront the darkness within herself.

Whitton's prose is evocative and immersive, painting a vivid portrait of a world blanketed in snow and shrouded in mystery. From the chilling atmosphere of the frozen landscape to the intricacies of Dira's internal struggles, every detail is rendered with exquisite care, drawing readers deeper into the narrative with each turn of the page.

What shines brightest in A Burden of Ice and Bone is its exploration of family dynamics and the complexities of love and loyalty. Dira's relationship with her family is portrayed with depth and nuance, capturing the tangled web of emotions that bind them together even as they are torn apart by conflicting desires and beliefs.

While the novel's atmosphere and character dynamics are undeniably captivating, there are some aspects that fall short. The rushed ending and occasional simplicity of the writing may leave readers craving more depth and complexity in certain areas. However, these flaws are overshadowed by the novel's strengths, which lie in its ability to transport readers to a world where magic and reality intertwine in unexpected ways.

In conclusion, A Burden of Ice and Bone is a unique and captivating read that offers a fresh take on the fantasy genre. Despite its flaws, Kyra Whitton's debut novel showcases her talent for crafting immersive worlds and compelling characters, leaving readers eager to embark on future adventures with her.

I have never read a book like this. It was very good. I really enjoyed how it was a beauty and the beast retelling but was very unique also.

This book follows Dira, who lives in a vaguely Scandinavian setting. Her village fears and hunts polar bears, but Dira wants to prove to her family that the bears are not something to be feared. She comes into contact with one of these bears and ends up on a bit of an unexpected adventure.

This book felt pretty unique! The setting was not like one I have read before, and I liked some aspects quite a lot.

Things I liked:
The atmosphere. The cold, desolate vibes of this snowy landscape were really cool and I felt like the writing really drew me in and made me feel like I was right there in this coldness with the characters.

I also liked that our MC, Dira, was quite unapologetically herself (though at times it led to some genuine stupidity that made it a little harder to sympathize with her).

The family dynamics. Dira has a complicated relationship with her family, and it felt very real. She loves them deeply and they love her deeply as well, but they clash in ways that make her doubt that love (even though we as the audience can see that they mean everything to each other).



What I didn’t like as much:
The ending felt incredibly rushed. The conflict wrapped up in like 30 pages, and it felt super thrown together. I would’ve liked more expansion on the ending here. This is the main reason I am deducting stars, as it just all felt too convenient and easy.

The writing felt a little simple at times. I felt like a lot of things were told, not shown.


Overall, a unique and interesting read. I think I would definitely try future books by this author.

A Burden of Ice and Bone is a wonderful, moving love story that is impossible to put down until you reach the end and even then, you are left wanting to read more.
Dira Cloon is a girl who loves nature, especially the polar bears that visit her village and are seen by everyone as a threat that must be eliminated. Her greatest wish is to change the way of thinking of her people so that they accept and live peacefully with the bears, to the point of risking her life.
Valemon is a mysterious man who comes into Dira's life to change it in an unexpected and unusual way.
A special novel, a retelling of Beauty and the Beast, set in the tundra and with an abandoned military base instead of a palace, which calls for respect and protection of fauna, and which will hardly leave the reader with dry eyes.
Excellent writing style, a perfect setting, well-developed characters and we must not forget the elegantly designed cover. A story that will accompany the reader long after reaching the last page.
I thank the author and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
The opinion I have expressed above is based solely on what I think and feel about this book.

me, and I don't think it's ultimately a book that's easy to get into unless you do enjoy slow-paced romances.

I can appreciate this book, it was a different story than what I had been reading and I did like it. Thank you for allowing me to read this for an honest review.

A burden of ice and bone is a fantasy novel that I came across on Goodreads. I was intrigues by the blurb, unfortunately it did not meet my expectations. I had trouble connecting with the characters, especially the heroine which kinda annoyed me at times. It was a frustrating journey and sometimes it was hard for me to keep on reading it. Besides, the ending felt rushed and underwhelming.

DNF at 15%. Not a poorly written book, but unfortunately a case of misplaced expectations; I went in thinking this would be a fairy tale retelling when that does not appear to be the case. Thank you to NetGalley and Sword and Silk books for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

When fantasy meets conservation (with a side of romance of course) you get A Burden of Ice and Bone by Kyra Whitton. This story follows Dira, a girl who dares to think differently than her people and value life over tradition, through her journey to save Polar Bears and her people. Along the way she finds love, and leads her people to a new way of life.
Thanks, #NetGalley for the great read! I'll be sharing this one with friends and family on release day.

I didn’t enjoy the FMC pov. She seemed very self deprecating and childish for someone who is supposed to be 20. The fact that she seems to have issues with everyone in her life it off putting. She goes so far to value a bear over friend. I couldn’t get very far into the book before I had to DNF it due to this. I may try to go back and reread but it’s doubtful..

⭐️4 amazing, heart-wrenching stars⭐️

First and foremost I want to thank Netgalley for the oppurtunity to review this Earch.

Without further ado.

This story was one that I will never forget. I have never read a book that made me feel what thks book did.

We have all the tropes that you can need; forced-proximity, curse breaking, second-chance and so much much more.

Dira will forever covet a special place in my heart. She was such a relatable character with her earnest, pain and hunger for belonging.

This book takes you on an emotional and frustrating ride from the start to the finish. It encapsulates the desperation one feels when confronted with what you've been yearning for your whole life.

And Valemon, omg !! I think i have gotten so accustomed to the "loud" and sometimes obnoxious love of MMC's that his quiet version almost felt underwhelming, but the more I read, the more I fell for this man. His pain and his yearning for longing ripped my heart to absolute shreds.

The only thing that left me unbalanced was how rushed the ending of it all felt. I was reading and then I was on the acknowledgement page? That's my only gripe about it, that we didn't spend enough time in that final arc of the book.

*chefs kiss*

The narrative follows Dira Cloon, whose life in the village hinges on her ability to wield a trigger. However, when confronted with a majestic white bear, Dira's convictions waver, unleashing a force within her that transcends the village's tales of magic and the enigmatic ursine king's enchantment.

Whitton's storytelling is rich, creating a mesmerizing world filled with secrets and wonders. The exploration of a lost world and a vanished civilization, coupled with the haunting whispers of magic, adds depth to the narrative. The conflict between Dira's duty to her family and the newfound force resonating within her heart sets the stage for a profound journey of self-discovery.

The novel is not without its challenges, as some readers might find the plot a bit slow to unfold in the initial chapters. The story takes its time to establish the setting and characters, and it's only around the halfway point that the plot truly begins to pick up momentum.

Despite the initial pacing, "A Burden of Ice and Bone" gradually reveals itself as a compelling narrative that explores the complexities of sacrifice and transformation. Dira's decision to either adhere to tradition or follow the call of her heart leads readers on a breathtaking journey into a frozen realm of snow, where the beauty of a cursed life awaits discovery.