🍷🍷🍷 #Review of Omen of Ice by Jus Accardo

Title: Omen of Ice

Series: Omen of Ice #1

Author: Jus Accardo

Format: 356 pages, Kindle Edition

Published: August 1, 2023 by Entangled: Teen

Links: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N 

Source: Entangled/NetGaller

Reviewer: Crystal

Rating: 3/5

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Keltania Tunne has spent her whole life training to become a bodyguard for a Winter Fae. It’s the highest of honors for a druid…only when Tania arrives at the Winter Court for the first time, nothing is what she expected.

Her assignment is the heir to the throne, Valen, and he doesn’t want her protection. In fact, he wants her gone. Yesterday. But Tania will not compromise, even if he is the most arrogant jackass she’s ever met—because something isn’t right in the Winter Court.

Everyone has secrets. From the Winter Lord to the kitchen maids to the rising faction that wants the prince dead—no one is who they seem. And now it’s up to Tania to keep her sacred oath and protect Valen, even when his smart mouth makes her skate the razor-thin edge between love and hate.

But the more she gets to know him, the more she realizes his secret is the biggest of all—and might just get them both killed.

Crystal's Thoughts:

"When the right one comes along- human, fae, male, female- it doesn't matter- gender, lifespan- allegiances- you love who you love, Valen. It is the simplest thing there is. "

Keltania Tunne has spent her entire life training to be a Aphelian, a role she was taught is sacred. When she is called to be a bodyguard for the prince of the Winter Court, she doesn't expect for her presence to be unwanted and disregarded. But Tania is determined to prove her worth, and if the continuous dangers the spoiled prince seems to find himself in is any indication, her presence is needed despite his denial. But something isn't adding up and if the prince's violet eyes are any indication, than Valen is more than he seems.

Valen doesn't need or want an Aphelian by his side, especially after what happened to his last one and the secrets he is hiding. But when Talia refuses to fall victim to his wit and charm, or the nasty tricks he pulls on her, Valen reluctantly accepts her by his side. His secrets aren't the only ones in the Winter Court though. As he and Talia navigate the halls of the Winter Court and beyond, both Valen and Talia will have to decide to continue following the path they've been groomed for, or to risk everything they've ever known for the truth.

Druids and Fae, political scheming and royal intrigue, magic and mayhem, secrets and betrayal... Omen of Ice has it all making for a fun and easy read!

Having a druid as the FMC was new for me, and I looked forward to that, as I have only previously read about druid characters in historicals. However, I was a bit confused by the druid's history here, and even with the huge info dump at the end, the order never really made sense for me. I appreciated Talia's character and her take no sh*t attitude, as well as her dedication to her order. She believed in what she was doing, even after some of those views changed. Valen was a bit of a rogue and his quips of drinking and brashing while redundant, I could see them as the shield against the world that it was. I would have liked to see more of a romantic connection between these two, though I assume that will grow with further books in the series, but in this book it was very much PG and lacked any substance for me as a reader to connect with.

The world building by Jus Accardo was wonderfully done and I could easily picture the settings in my mind. All in all though Omen of Ice was just an okay read for me. I predicted the big twist early on and I found the ending to be lack luster. As I mentioned, there was a lot of info dump that unnecessarily drug it out. The book ends on a cliffhanger and I'm not sure if I want to continue reading to find out how if things work out. However, if you're looking for a YA fantasy full of adventure, this may be up your alley! 

"You will be the end of me."

✔️ YA Fantasy

✔️ Forbidden Romance

✔️ Forced Proximity

✔️ Dual POV

✔️ Fae, Druids, Humans

✔️ Secrets & Betrayals

✔️ Magic

✔️ Royal Politics

✔️ Found Family