** spoiler alert ** I really wanted to like this book. When I first started listening to it I was really intrigued by the world building and introduction to characters… but then I had to quit a little more than half way through. It just felt like the story/plot was taking a Major backseat to the spice and I got bored. Also, I had no idea it was going to be a MMF book (my bad, should’ve read the reviews beforehand) but it just wasn’t my jam. In this case maybe they fleshed out the MM relationship later on in the book but it just felt super forced and like zero backstory between the two of them. I wanted more lore, I wanted more story plot points and I was left listening to more spicy scenes where I just wanted to fast forward honestly. Wouldn’t recommend it.

I really enjoyed this audiobook! I loved that fact that there were three voice actors. And the MMF spice was off the charts! The relationship between Liria, Ronan and Sigurn was pretty sweet as well. I liked the lore and the world building. The only thing I wasn’t sold on was the fact that Ronan was considered Liria’s guardian. He could have been literally anyone else but I didn’t really like that

Overall this wasn’t for me. It’s a MMF romantasy with an age gap. This usually sounds right up my alley. But one of the MMCs was the FMCs guardian since she was 11 years old. This just didn’t work for me. But if you know this going in and have no trouble with that, I think it’s a nicely done audiobook. You just have to find the right audience.
It’s also multi pov, which is always fun.

Thank you so much Dreamscape_Media and NetGalley for the ARC.

For fans of:
- Fourth Wing
- Does it Hurt

"The Frostbound Queen" follows a young ice queen, Liria, as it becomes time for her to take up her role as her kingdom's rightful heir. However, she finds time and time again that she does not possess enough magical talent or skill to uphold her kingdom's needs. Her queenship is slipping through her fingers and so is everything she thought she knew about the world.

This book includes:
- taboo guardian/ward relationship
- centuries-long war between humans and elves
- Love triangle ?
- frost kingdom with magical origins
- miscommunication tropes
- brooding/dangerous MMC and sweet/flirty MMC
- three POVs

This book is a quintessential romantasy; it has a complex love interest and a fantastical setting with high stakes. It has a sweetie pie leading man and a moody leading man, so readers can pick their poison. The story has a quick pace and it is a bingeable read. Personally, the book was not my cup of tea. I didn't feel like it was very well written and I found the characters' motivations to be flat and unconvincing. I realize it is a dark romance, but I found myself discomforted by the dynamics between Liria and her guardian, Ronan. The age gap was like 300 years and he raised her...and apparently, he had been in love with her since she was 11. The taboo aspect was constantly highlighted by the character's words and actions to the point of being irredeemable in my eyes. Liria's second love interest was the most aggressive instant love I have ever seen as well. I just wasn't convinced by the chemistry. The book as a whole was just not for me at all.\

I received this audiobook as an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley, Dreamscape Media, and Amy Pennza for the opportunity to review this book. This review is also available on my GoodReads - check out my profile https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/62314863

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media

I had high hopes for this novel, because I thought it sounded very good. Unfortunately it didn't click with me. While I liked our fmc and the story well enough I had a problem with the relationship. First of all the fmc was in love with the man who was her guardian from eleven years old, which also was her father's best friend. And he liked her as well. He also had the power to control her and made her follow his commands which didn't sit right with me. Then she met another guy and things evolved in the direction of a love triangle. The rest would be spoilers, but I wasn't entirely comfortable with how things developed. This might be a perfect story for others, but I don't think it was the right book for me.

I really enjoyed this - the story, the narrators, all of it! It was a fun listen, and it had me feeling everything I was supposed to. I devoured it in one day!

The Frostbound Queen is a great first book for a series that I'll definitely be continuing to read! It is a spicy throuple(MMF) romantacy, so be aware of those elements before reading. I found Pennza to be quite excellent at world and character building! I was engaged with the story throughout the book. It's rare to find book or series that balances the spicy parts with a well written plot, but this book fits the bill!

The story starts with Liria, an elven princess preparing to become the Queen of Winter with her guardian Ronan. Along the way, she meets the human prince Sigurn, who is also finds contention keeping his own throne in the adjoining kingdom. The three main characters alternate between being rivals and allies/lovers, which adds a lot of depth to the storyline. Several side characters were also introduced, whom I predict will have bigger roles in future books. I can't wait to read them!

The only thing I was not a fan of was the premise of the relationship between Liria and Ronan. He is her father's best friend and he essentially raised her from a young age, training her to become Queen, all while keeping important information from her(supposedly for her own good). While the book is upfront about this, making it something more along the lines of a star-crossed lovers scenario, which holds them back from pursuing a relationship earlier on. However, it really just comes off more as an older male grooming his friend's daughter than true love to me.

For the right reader, this could be a really fun fantasy erotica.
However there was one BIG problem: one of the love interests is the FMC's legal guardian.

I understand they are fae, she's an adult in this and they're physically the same age when the romance happens. However, it feels very icky to me. I am ok with an age gap but the fact this male was a father figure to her... I can't look past that, and it ruined the book for me. Reading the book blurb again, I can see how this is loosely implied, but it's not something I realized I was getting into. If that doesn't bother you, this is a really fun steamy romance in a loose fantasy setting.

Audiobook Notes: The narration was amazing! There are multiple POV's and I absolutely loved the two readers and their performances were excellent. Wonderful inflection and speed. I'd be interested in listening to books just because they read them.

I prefer my romantasy to have more substance so this was not it for me. It might be right for you though!

This steamy romantasy features:
- Magical Winter Fae
- Why Choose Romance
- Titillating Spice: 80% 🌶 / 20% 🐉
- LGBTQ+ Rep: Bi-Sexual & Polly Relationships
- Fast Paced Plots
- Insta-Love

Big thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for sending me an ALC for review.

Oh. My. Goodness. That is my first reaction after finishing this book. Never would I have thought that this book would be a 5 star read for me (because honestly I thought I had read it all when it came to Fae/Elven romances). I was wrong, so wrong.

This book has the mystery element on what is true and what isn't true. You have people doing things that can be taken as one thing but is entirely another. The romantic tension in this book is edge of your seat.

I immediately purchased the physical book and pre-ordered the second book in the series! I will be over hearing crossing my fingers that I will be able to obtain an audio ARC of book 2 because I absolutely loved the narrators!

I went into this think it was a romatasy similar to ACOTAR or Fourth Wing. Fantasy with a strong plot and romance to guide it. Unfortunately, the true plot went out the window in this one and its pure smut. Many I am sure will enjoy this but it wasnt for me.

I also couldnt get over the guardian raising the MC from childhood to then end up in a MMF relationship with her. It gave me the ick...

Thank you for this ARC!

In a way, it's like Frozen - for grownups! Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC/audiobook, it was brrilliant!

The Frostbound Queen is a rare story gem in that it’s equal parts a political fairytale combined with toe curling spice. It can be a struggle to find a book that’s well balanced between plot and intense spice, but Pennza was able to achieve that balance. I was also thrilled to find out what I thought was going to be a love triangle ended up being a much more satisfying MMF romance. The chemistry between Liria, Sigurd, and Ronan was absolutely palpable. They also had great banter and push/pull relationships going on. I was also equally invested in the fight for the frost throne and family drama happening in the background. The world building was enough to provide the details needed to set the scene without getting overly into the weeds. I really loved the ice magic and sigils the elves had. I read this via audiobook and it was a delightful, steamy quick listen. I went through most of the audio in one sitting. I loved the choice to use three different narrators Mollie Stark, Ellis Evans, and Benjamin D. Walker. They each brought something different to the story making it easy to focus. Given the MMF nature, I also appreciated having different male narrators to keep the POVs straight. If you’re looking for a steamy romantasy read, I would recommend checking this one out.

I really liked the writing and the world in this one. I was vibing with our MC. But I had a really hard time with the guardian turned lover relationship and ended up putting it down. I think the flashbacks of him actually raising her as a kid and like saying he "taught her to kiss" was just a bit too weird for me personally. I will try more from this author in the future though.

There is nothing frosty about this book. It is hot, Hot, HOT!! If you enjoy well written MMF romantasy, Amy Pennza is the real queen.
Why choose between your most trusted friend and advisor, and the tall handsome stranger with captivating eyes? Liria's parents are now both dead and she should be queen, but the counsel has other thoughts.

Love the wintery setting of this story, and am very much looking forward to book #2 to continue in the Realms of the Covenant.
With 3 separate narrators, you really can grasp on to the emotion - and hotness - of this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for this advanced audio in return for my honest view.

Pub Date: 13 August 2024

Deviant Quill Smut Meter: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️(4/5 chillis)

Amy Pennza’s latest fantasy romance is a very engaging blend of spice, power, and intrigue that sparks interest from the first page. As a USA Today Bestselling Author, Pennza continues to excel in creating pageturners.

The novel is brilliantly written and set against the backdrop of the magical Winter Court. Pennza’s world-building is outstanding creating a vibrant, icy place that is both magical and dangerous, highly detailed, and deeply fascinating.

Pennza does not avoid steamy, sexual scenes that are both lengthy and intense. However, these moments are interwoven into the plot in a way that improves rather than detracts from it. For those who want to focus on the plot, these scenes can be skipped without disrupting the story’s flow.

The plot itself is engaging and full of unexpected turns. The themes of power struggle, loyalty, and self-discovery are handled with elegance, elevating the work beyond the traditional romance.

Amy Pennza’s background as a lawyer and soldier lends a unique viewpoint to her writing. Her mastery of strategy and conflict is clear, lending reality to the fantasy parts. This experience adds to the story, making the conflicts and political maneuvering feel genuine and well-thought-out.

This is a must-read for fans of Sarah J. Maas, Rebecca Yarros, and overall romantasy literature.

Quick Summary: A supernatural romance with a major twist

My Review: The Frostbound Queen by Amy Pennza is book #1 in the Realms of the Covenant series.

About the Book: Winter Court. Elves. Death. Sorrow. Neglect. Dysfunction. Princess. Fire. Guardian. Ice. Magic. Suitors. Revenge. Secrets. Danger. Threats. Expressed and hidden interests. Passion. Triangles. Conflict. Drama.

About the Narration: This novel was narrated by Benjamin D. Walker, Ellis Evans, and Mollie Stark.

My Final Say: This was one super spicy read. I'm no prude, but it was a bit too much for me. It started with just the right amount of tension, suspense, angst, and action. It hit major points, presenting the three leads in such a way that I wanted to know them and their circumstances in totality. Then... it dropped me off at the place of a polyamorous situation-ship. Unfortunately, that is not my cup of tea. It took the story in a completely different direction than I expected. It was a no, thereafter.

Other: Some readers will appreciate the MMF partnering featured in this book, while others will not. With that said, I think it might be helpful to label this book more appropriately, so that potential readers will know what to expect from the get-go.

Rating: 2.5/5
Recommend: -
Audience: M
Status/Level: 🚨🕸🌶
Audiobook: Yes
Narration: +

Thank you to the author, to the publisher (Dreamscape Media), and to NetGalley for granting access to an ALC of this title in exchange for an honest review.

I request a lot of books going in blind or just reading a little bit of the info.

I thought yes a new fantasy romance. It starts good. I was just starting to enjoy it and the next thing I know the plot has gone away and its just a sex fest. I'm here for the romance but when it started to take place didn't make sense then the next thing I know there are 2 new partners and then I'm guessing everyone gets a turn together and mix and match. I stopped at 64% through and I just wanted my plot back. Not sure if it turns around but I sadly wont be going back to find out.


Thank you NetGalley for this audio arc in exchange for my opinions.

ARC Rating 5/5 ⭐️ Amy Pennza has knocked it out the park as always. I requested this audioARC without reading the blurb, just knowing a perfect story was guaranteed. And it was wonderful.

This is a fae romance with MMF, with a great storyline and perfect romance. I really really enjoyed this book and the characters growth and development throughout. The audiobook was very nice with great narrators.

The cover of this book is so pretty ✨️

Thank you, NetGalley, Dreamscape Media, and Amy Pennza, for sending this eARC for review. All opinions are my own.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

"The Frostbound Queen" by Amy Pennza is an enchanting and thrilling journey into the Winter Court, masterfully narrated by Benjamin D. Walker, Ellis Evans, and Mollie Stark. The story is a captivating blend of duty, power, and heart, with a strong heroine caught between two compelling men. The characters are richly developed, and the plot is full of twists and secrets that keep you hooked from start to finish. The narrators bring the story to life with their brilliant performances, adding depth and emotion to every scene. A must-listen for fantasy lovers!

The first half of this book plays out like a fantasy with a romantic subplot. About halfway through, it switches and it becomes very much a romance plot with a fantasy subplot. I thought it would be the start of a series and it had the promise and the complication to do so, but then it didn't. I enjoyed the open door scenes quite a bit, but I wish that it had been more apparent from the beginning that was the book that I was getting into. I think it may surprise some people in an unpleasant method.

The audiobook was good and narrated well. Include MM, MMF scenes.