Followed by Frost

By: Charlie N. Holmberg

Narrated by: Angela Dawe

Length: 7 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's summary

Seventeen-year-old Smitha has the wealth, status, and beauty that make her the envy of her town - until she rejects a strange man's marriage proposal, and disastrous consequences follow. Smitha becomes cursed, and frost begins to encompass everything she touches. Banished to the hills, hunted by villagers, and chilled to the very core of her soul, she finds companionship with Death, who longs to coax her into his isolated world. But Smitha's desire for life proves stronger than despair, and a newfound purpose gives her renewed hope. Will regrets over the past and an unexpected desire for a man she cannot touch be enough to warm Smitha's heart, or will Death forever still it?

©2015 Charlie N. Holmberg (P)2015 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved

Romance Alert

I don't usually read pure romance and although there are a lot of fantasy and cultural elements woven skillfully into the story it is ultimately a romance. Not a dig at the genre but I didn't feel this was obvious from the write-up so be sure a romance is what you're looking for.

I've heard this before. Loved it all the same

Any additional comments?

Story-wise it's a very familiar story. Proud and vain girl gets cursed for being horrible. And it's only through being cursed that she begins to learn being a better person.

Not that I'm complaining. The author made it interesting enough for me to listen until the end. But I think it's mainly because of the character's relationship with Death and Lo. And the most important of all is Smitha's character development. She really goes from being this really annoying girl (who I kinda thought deserved her curse) to this compassionate and selfless young woman. It's unfortunate that she started out so self-centered that it took a curse to finally get her to put herself in other people's shoes. But all in all, I loved the journey that got her to be who she is by the end of the book.

Readers/Listeners who usually find themselves rooting for characters in Smitha's vein would be satisfied with the ending. However, personally, I feel that there are a couple of loose ends that never get answered (such as what happened to the person who cursed Smitha in the first place and what exactly was this person's history prior to coming to Smitha's town). I get that Smitha forgives this person even without meeting this person again. But it just doesn't seem satisfying enough for me.

But maybe that's just me. All in all, it's a good story. I'm afraid it will be compared to Disney's Frozen. But it is its own unique story.

Those who like Fairy Tale-like stories and the more wholesome romances would like this book

When Love Has Wings

I got "Followed by Frost" cheap when I got the kindle version first (also cheap...), and when I first started listening to it, I thought that was a good thing. Smitha starts out being so detestable and self-absorbed that I wasn't sure I even wanted to give her character arc a go.
I'm glad I did because this book winds up being such a sweet fairy tale-esque story that it's hard to see how it can be disliked. Who can't relate to just wanting to have a home, a safe place, someone to love after your world has been ripped apart by the consequences of your own foolish actions? It shows that we're greater than our worst sin.
Smitha starts by being forced to move all the time, because if she doesn't, well, whatever she touches, wherever she stays, freezes. Plus she's hunted and haunted (by a rather amusing "Death"). She eventually finds a place where her curse can be used to save, but even then, there are sometimes deadly costs, and Death never lets her forget it.
This is a story of vanity, homelessness, an inability to bond due to the heavy weight she carries. It's a story of love growing, love coming home to roost, love being questioned.
Mostly it's a story about learning to accept yourself and learning to let go, just because you're a better person than your most selfish action.
And hey; it's about finding home too.
Sweet without being sentimental, pretty without being heavy-handed, it's a delightful story, the greatest weakness being that Angela Dawe's male voices sometimes are too throaty and so low that they're hard to hear. But other than that, the narrative flows well, and we get to watch someone grow, fear, love.

Great for young adults & regular adults!

What made the experience of listening to Followed by Frost the most enjoyable?

The story really sucked me in and it just kept getting better.

What did you like best about this story?

No swearing or sex. Great story. Great narrator.

What about Angela Dawe’s performance did you like?

She was good on the voices and fit the characters very well.

Any additional comments?

I'm glad I gave this book a chance. It was easy listening throughout (ok, it was a little slow when she was wandering around, but I'm so glad I didn't stop there). It's got a bit of predictability, as do most movies anymore! But it was a great read and I'll recommend it to people.

Interesting and unique but not enough happened.

I had the same issue with the paper magician series. great ideas, but lots of time spent on mundane moments or boring places.

Couldn't listen to the Narrator

The book could be good I suppose but I couldn't get past the first chapter with the way the narrator reads. She sounds like Christopher Walken.. If he were a girl that is.

Excellent!!!!

This book is sooo good. It has a very good message with hardship and trials to help guide and teach. I would recommend this to anyone! Especially those having a hard time with life right now.

Amazing!!

Literally one of the best books I've ever had the pleasure of listening/reading!! I strongly recommend reading this one.

Frosty

Setting: Fictional land in an unknown time.
Genre: YA
I'm not going to give you much of the synopsis in this review because I'm afraid I'll inadvertently produce a spoiler. Let me say this though. A mean girl gets her comeuppance and has to deal with a lot of trials and tribulations before she finds a purpose.
I don't usually like YA, but, hey, it was on sale, and the synopsis intrigued me. It has the usual sturm und drang of the the genre, so it will appeal to the target audience. However, it is appealing to an adult audience for the quality of the writing. It doesn't "talk down" to its reader, and the description of the environments is quite vibrant. It is also interesting when Smitha faces death. I found it quite enjoyable.
This is a definite "go" for both YA and adult audiences. It would be a good family listen - but do expect emotional responses.

Fantastic

Great book and great story. a little slow at first by then you can't stop... great reading voice too

Too good for words

I cannot put into words how original, touching, emotive, fun, unique this book is. Another fantastic story from Charlie. Holmberg

wonderful!

once again I could not stop listening!until star mother I had not heard of the author.I am so pleased I gave the books a listen!please give the book a chance.as with the authors other books this book is written with empathy,understanding and a very believable ,brave, heroin.The way the feelings of fear,anger ,selfishness ,ultimately selflessness and deep love are well written in a deeply moving way. The narrator chosen to read this book read it with feeling. I loved it!!💫

Another great story from Charlie N. Holmberg!

Brilliant story, extremely well written characters and really good narration! Every book I have read by this author I have really enjoyed and highly recommend!!

Great Story

Yet again this author hasn't let me down. I loved this tale about a truly conceited young woman learning the error of her ways via a particularly nasty curse. The figure of death as an occasional companion to the main character was a surprising bonus, as was the love interest and his people (such rich world building!). As I'm not a romance fan I appreciate how the romance element is never in-your-face with this author. It just sort of happens quietly. Naturally. And it's one of my favourite things about her stories.

4.5 stars, rounding up to 5.

Extremely good!!!

I was not sure about this book when I first started it but within five minutes I realised it was going to be something special. Brilliantly read by Angela Dawe and the story is so very unusual.
Very enjoyable and looking for the next book in the series.