melting the ice witchRating: 3.5 stars
Buy Links: 
 Amazon | All Romance
Length: Novella


Being kidnapped and held captive in the ice wastes by the Tribe of the White Dragon was the best thing that could have ever happened to Kam. Rumored to be the offspring of a witch, making him part witch himself, has made Kam’s life hard. The first time he felt any sort of acceptance was being part of the tribe who kidnapped him. They took him in hopes that he would produce an offspring with one of the tribe’s ice witch descendants and hopefully the child would be born with magic and save the tribe’s dwindling numbers. The plan was doomed to fail from the beginning however, as Kam only has eyes for Lor, the tribe’s very male ice witch.

As the tribe continues to search for ways to survive, they make a place for Kam. When a blizzard pushes the tribe from their camp and into the cave of the White Dragon, Kam is surprised to find that Lor has the same feelings for him, especially since Lor has ignored him since his rushed confession of attraction. While in the cave, Kam wanders into a secluded cavern where the White Dragon and his hoard are frozen. No manner of magic has been able to free him for centuries, but Kam, who is just finding his affinity to speak to animals, feels a connection to White and is determined to find a way to free the dragon in hopes of saving the tribe.

Melting the White Witch is the fourth and final installment in the Dragon’s Hoard series by Mell Eight. It’s probably my least favorite book of the series. It’s not a bad story, but it is kind of slow and monotonous. I was hoping that since this is the final book in the series that it would go out with a bang, but it ends with questions and I found a few holes in the story that were frustrating. The biggest highlight of this book, for me, is the cameo by Tori and Jerney from book three. I loved Tori then and I found that I still love him. But I had hoped that this story would have had more oomph.

I like Kam. He’s a very tender character. He’s never fit in, never belonged anywhere, and he’s finally finding his place in the world. He’s very subtle, nothing really stands out. I would have liked more from him. The story is in Kam’s point of view so we only see Lor through his eyes. I would have really liked more of Lor. His development is very minimal in this book.

I think my biggest quibble with this story is the relationship building. There is very little. It’s almost as if the relationship is an afterthought to the rest of the story. I don’t mind stories that don’t focus on the romance, but if it’s going to have any sort of focus on a relationship, I want some sort of foundation. The relationship between Kam and Lor is very superficial, and really, it didn’t add much to the story.

I can say that this author has created a wonderful world that grows with each new book in this series. In this story we travel to the far north, the Ice Wastes, where barbarians struggle to survive. They are a nomadic people with a culture similar to that of Native Americans. The world itself – cold, barren, and dangerous – is wonderfully portrayed. I have been in awe of the world of Dragon’s Hoard since the beginning.

So in the end, Melting the Ice Witch is a good book, but definitely not as good as the previous installments. The basis and set up of the story is good, but the delivery is lacking. The characters are okay, but not memorable, nor is the relationship. But as always I’m impressed with the world. I’m disappointed that this book is the finale to this series. I was hoping for more from the last installment and instead I’m left wanting.

crissy sig