I picked up A Soul as Cold as Frost while looking for a great Christmas read, and it definitely hit the mark. This story reminds me of so many classic fantasy stories. I’m not certain where to begin, but the ones that come immediately to mind are:
- Alice in Wonderland
- Narnia
- Rise of the Guardians
- Polar Express
- Harry Potter
Though the last 2 might have more to do with the trains than anything else. Here’s my video review from YouTube, but I’ve added a few additional points below.
Characters
The main character Helen is the kind of character everyone can identify with. She is the normal girl (a bit older than some of the other fantasies) who slips into another fantastic world. This is the trope that so many enjoy because she’s “just like me.” You’ll definitely relate to her if you read it, and you’ll love the people she loves implicitly.
Even though he’s not the main character, I think Zane is a bit more complex and interesting. He’s the person that Helen travels with and they end saving one another multiple times. This book is mostly a hero’s journey, but in this one thing, I see an aspect of the Heroine’s Journey. We, as readers, enjoy this character for the pure and simple reason that the point of view character adores him. In A Soul as Cold as Frost, it’s done to perfection.
Some quotes I loved
This quote struck a theme for me. You might say it spoke to my heart in that the truth is often something quiet…
This one just reminded me of all the scenes of Christmas.
What might have been better
There’s not much to write in here. However, if there is one thing I could point out, it’s that the book is description heavy. That’s not to say I’d remove a significant portion, but there were a few times when I felt it could have moved along a bit faster. Note: this will not take away from the reading experience in the slightest.
All in all
For the young adult holiday adventure this is, it deserves 5/5 stars. If I had children in the house, it would be a wonderful read along.