FrostMarianna Baer
400 pages
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Release Date: September 13th, 2011
Source: ARC from Publisher
Leena Thomas’s senior year at boarding school begins with a shock: Frost House, her cozy dorm of close friends, has been assigned an unexpected roommate: confrontational, eccentric Celeste Lazar. But while Leena’s anxiety about a threat to her sanctuary proves valid, it becomes less and less clear whether the threat lies with her new roommate, within Leena’s own mind, or within the very nature of Frost House itself. Mysterious happenings in the dorm, an intense triangle between Leena, Celeste, and Celeste’s brother, and the reawakening of childhood fears, all push Leena to take increasingly desperate measures to feel safe. Frost is the story of a haunting. As to whether the demons are supernatural or psychological . . . well, which answer would let you sleep at night?
Marianna Baer's debut was a novel I was looking forward to for quite sometime. The cover was dark and compelling. The synopsis caught my interest from the very first lines. So all seemed good... on the outside.
In the end, disappointment was all I could muster. I struggled to continue on. My need to finish was urged only because I felt I had to - and because the two books I picked up before Frost House were also disappointments.
I kept turning the pages because I thought things would get better further in. It didn't. The storyline continued onwards in slow-motion. I didn't even notice the climax because everything was just... lacking.
To top it off, I just couldn't bring myself to connect with the main character, Leena. I did find myself enjoying Celeste, however, an eccentric girl, completely opposite to Leena.
Despite my feelings for the latest HarperTeen release, I recommend reading other reviews. I know a bunch of people enjoyed this debut, though I'm sad to say I'm not one of them.
I always find it hard to get into a book where I don't have any connection to the characters. I'm sorry this didn't work out for you and I hope you do better with your next read.
ReplyDeleteI've decided this is going to be my Halloween book. I'm sad you didn't like it as much as you were hoping. Thanks for the honest review!
ReplyDeleteI so understand. I thought this was going to be an amazing book! (I also call BS on the ending. So anticlimactic.)
ReplyDeleteGreat review.
This cover is so cool. Creepy! I love it. But it sucks that it's slow moving. I usually like faster paced books. I may still check it out. We'll see. Great review.
ReplyDeleteGiselle
Xpresso Reads
Aw, bummer! I really liked Frost. Celeste was definitely one of the best characters; I loved her quirkiness! Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Hafsah! :)
ReplyDeleteAw, hate when that happens! I've got this one on my bookshelf, purchased because of so many rave reviews. Hope I love it and am not disappointed.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear that you didn't enjoy this one. =( I thought it was alright, but it was pretty hard to connect with Leena.
ReplyDeleteAw, it's too bad that you couldn't connect with Leena and found the story to be slow going. I've seen some mixed reviews for this one and so will probably give it a try but in the distant future. Thanks, Hafsah!
ReplyDeleteIt's always so tough when you don't connect with the main character. For me, at least, characters are the main part of the book. I still want to check this one out, but I'm glad I'll be going in to it with some more realistic expectations.
ReplyDeleteI read this one and I thought it wasn't too bad! Great review :)
ReplyDeleteSorry you didn't enjoy this book. Thanks for such an honest review. I haven't read too many reviews on this book good or bad. So I guess I'll read it if I get the time.
ReplyDelete