Rating: 4.5 stars
Buy Link: Amazon | All Romance | Amazon UK
Length: Novella
Sorcerers live alone and Arius does not leave his tower. He spends his days communing with his brethren and sending his ice wolves to attack the kingdom of Evernesse. It is his duty, as the pact with his god was broken so long again, and only a sacrifice of royal blood can end the war. And then Loren shows up, claiming to be of royal blood, and offering his life to end the bloodshed.
Though wary, Arius agrees to Loren’s offer. Loren is relieved that the Ice Lord is treating him well. And though Loren is ready to die to save his kingdom, that doesn’t mean it’s easy. But the men get to know each other and see beyond the surface of each other. And when the time comes, Arius cannot kill Loren and sets the man free. But Arius’s god demands a sacrifice, and Loren doesn’t get far before he knows that something is wrong. He returns to the tower to find Arius near death, and Loren cannot let the man die in his place.
Loren has crafted a web of lies that mean both he and Arius remain free. Arius is nursed back to health, and together they begin to make a life for themselves. But Arius has remained alive all this time by his god’s power, and he is no longer a sorcerer after failing to complete his god’s will. Loren is finally getting the acceptance from his blood family that he has always wanted. But when the Crown Princess witnesses something she only thinks she understands, Arius must lie to save Loren. Arius is willing to die to save Loren, but Loren just may figure out a way to save them all.
The blurb for this story captured my attention and I’d had my eye on it for a bit, never quite ready to take the plunge. Anne Mok is a new-to-me author, and I can be very picky about my high fantasy. But given that this week’s challenge, I thought it was the perfect opportunity to take a risk and pick up this book. And let me tell you right now, I am so glad I did. Mok might have been new to me, but I will absolutely be interested in anything she writes in the future
Fantasy is not an easy genre to write, but this author does it beautifully. I was swept away in the perfect prose, transported to a different time and place so easily I almost felt like I was there. The descriptions made the story come alive for me in a way that I don’t often experience. The language was rich and vivid, and I was utterly entranced.
Not only is the writing itself fantastic, but the character development was wonderful too. he author did an outstanding job with Arius and Loren. I was invested from the beginning. Arius showed who he was from the first word, gave us a true understanding of his thoughts and motivations. His changes and growth came about utterly organically and were completely believable. And Loren? How can you not love this guy? Self-sacrificing, a huge heart, and yet he was sweet and believable. There was no doubt in my mind that he was just that good. I takes talent to write that kind of character without it going over the top, but Mok hit all the right notes.
So this was well written with fantastic characters, but I have to admit I had a little quibble. I wanted more romance out of this guys. It wasn’t even the lack of sex, which is fade to black, that I had an issue with. It was that I absolutely understood these guys and their relationship as honorable men and I felt the love between them. But to me it didn’t feel like romantic love, and I was missing the connection between them. There was so much love there, but I’m making the distinction here that, to me, it didn’t feel like they were in love. So, for me, that was missing a bit, and I would have really liked to see it.
But this book is absolutely still worth a read. he eloquent writing and beautiful prose, not to mention the outstanding character, really makes reading this book time well spent. If fantasy is your thing, then this is a must read. And if it’s not, I still urge you to give it a try.
This review is part of our September Reading Challenge Month for New-to-Me Author Week! Leave a relevant comment below and you will be entered to win this week’s fabulous prize sponsored by Samhain Publishing, as well as our amazing grand prize sponsored by Riptide Publishing. You can get more information on our Challenge Month here, and more details on New-to-Me Author week here. And be sure to check out our prize post for more about the awesome prizes!
A review copy of this book was provided by Dreamspinner Press.
Wow! This is an excellent review, Kris. Anne is also a new writer to me, but I have the advantage that fantasy is one of my favourite genres, so I’m certain I’ll love this story. As for Arius and Loren, they sound like really interesting characters (though I must agree with you, I do like some romance and sex in my stories. It’s not a big issue, but I enjoy them more if there is a bit of spice…)
Thanks for a great review. I’ve just added Tower of the Ice Lord to my TBR list 😉
I’m a total fantasy snob, I’ll admit it. So I have no doubt if you enjoy the genre, you’re going to like this book, Susana. It’s definitely worth a read!
Thanks for the great review! I love the Fantasy sub-genre, so am always on the look out for recommended books. This author is new to me also, but I am going to go check this book out some more. (I, too, am in agreement that some romance and spice is preferable, but will not keep from an otherwise good book.)
The world building here is really well done, and the prose beautifully lyrical and fitting to the genre.
As I said, I felt I was missing that romantic and yes, spicy, element. But this book absolutely still has a great deal going for it. I hope you give it a try Jen!
I don’t read much fantasy but your review has made me add this book to my TBR pile. Anne is a new author for me as well, but I look forward to reading someone new. Thanks for a great review.
This is would be a great starter book, Melissa. It’s really beautifully written, and it’s easy to get swept away in the story. I hope you enjoy it!
This does sound good. Thanks for a thoughtful review, Kris. I’m left wondering how a towerbound sorcerer gets his groceries; I hope he has some helpful minions!
I wouldn’t want to spoil it for you Kareni! :).
As a rule, I don’t read a lot of fantasy, but I think it’s because other genres are much easier to find. I’ll add this one to my wishlist & if the chance to grab it by loan or for a challenge comes along, I’ll give a try. Thanks for the review!
I do hope you get a chance to read it, Lisa. It does justice to the genre!
Not familiar with either the author or this book. So this review was an eye-opener on both accounts. Fantasy is not a genre I would usually read, but might be one I’ll try. Thanks.
It’s a quick read too, kek219. So if it’s not something you usually go for, this may be a good place to start. Well written and on the shorter side, it’s a great leap into the genre without having to commit to a huge novel.
I adore high fantasy, so I’m going to put this book on my list! Sounds like a winner all around. 🙂
That’s great to hear, Ashley! Enjoy it!
I received this book as a gift from a friend and after reading such an interesting review I wonder… why haven’t I read it yet????? I don’t even remeber reading the blurb but I guess the main reason is because it’s not a long book -I’m a sucker for long stories- and even though fantasy is one of my fav genres -being Megan Derr one of my fav authors- I tossed this book into a corner. Now it goes straight to my TBR list!
Don’t let the length deter you! A lot of story was packed into the pages. You definitely get a complete and thorough tale despite the size. 😀
Too bad about the lack or romance. I was actually led to m/m romance in a roundabout way because I read so much fantasy. It seems like it was more likely to find m/m and f/f in fantasy than in other genres. Even with you minor quibble, I think I’ll have to try this author because the book sounds great. 🙂
I think you make a good point, Barbara. A lot of fantasy blurs the lines with sexuality and orientation. I know a few pairings I’ve shipped myself in my fantasy! but this book was really great, so I hope you give it a try.
I am a huge fantasy fan from way back, but have nowadays mostly only read m/m romance. However, I absolutely loved the blurb and the review for this book, so I might give it a chance. I’m a bit of a fantasy snob as well, so I’m glad to hear that the world-building is good in this story. My biggest pet peeve for fantasy is great character- and world-building only to kill a character off. I still want a HEA. 🙂
I want the HEA too! Please don’t kill my favorite characters. One series in particular I won’t read just because I know the author kills multiple MCs throughout the series. Don’t worry! Definitely an HEA here! 😀
Thanks for the great review! I love fantasy, and I’m adding this one to my list for when I feel like reading something more fantasy than romance.
It does fall into that category for me, but it’s absolutely worth a read!
I have the book but haven’t gotten the chance to give it a read. I love fantasy so I already had high hopes for this one even if this is a new author for me too. Thank you for the informative review =)
You’re welcome! I think you’re already a fan of fantasy, you’re definitely going to enjoy this. 🙂
Great review, I won’t be able to resist reading this book sooner or later so I might as well add it to my TBR right away.
When you say you’re picky about fantasy, is it the fantasy genre in general or within mm romance? Because I would love some more fantasy rec’s for mm romance.
I was talking in general, A. I’m very particular about what I like in my fantasy. Sadly, I haven’t read too many and ones that I’ve truly enjoyed? Even less. One that I did enjoy, if you haven’t read it, is Swords, Sorcery, and Sundry by Mina McLeod, which I reviewed here last summer. Another fade to black with the sex, but the world building is pretty solid and I liked the characters a whole lot
Sounds like a great read to pick up when I’m looking for something different!
Your new-to-me author is new to me as well, Kris. I don’t know what it is, but I have a mental block with fantasy. I have loved plenty of fantasy books and some of my favorite authors write in it, but when I look at books, my eyes just pass right over them. That’s just when I’m browsing, though. If I’m specifically given a recommendation, I’m happy to get it. So, I’m glad to hear about Tower of the Ice Lord, and I’m just fine with fade-to-black and even less romance if it’s a good story, so I’ll definitely add this to the list. Thanks!
I think I have a similar mental block, Carolyn, so I totally know what you’re talking about. Enjoy the book!
I read an other book this summer with a sorcerer in a tower he seldom left(Uprooted), so that alone about Anne Mok’s book is enough to make me intrigued. I don’t mind that it’s fade to black in the sex department or that the “in love” aspect of the story has taken a step back in favor of more urgent matters. And I love the cover, it would have caught my attention even without the review.
Goodness, yes. The cover is gorgeous!! And it totally fits the feeling of the book.
I don’t read much fantasy, but I’m always impressed by great world-building! Beautiful prose would be a treat, too…
Great review. I don’t read a lot of fantasy, but after being blown away by TJ Klune’s The Lightning-Struck Heart, I’m looking forward to reading more in this genre.
Great review. I don’t read a lot of fantasy but this sounds intriguing. I will definitely recommend it to a friend of mine that loves fantasy. Thank you.
I don’t read much fantasy, but it’s always nice to read something out of the norm to give my mind a rest from the other genres I do read. So I might add this one to the to-be-bough list.
I used to read a TON of fantasy, and don’t read nearly as much anymore but I still love it, so it’s always great when I find a really solid fantasy novel that also has m/m elements in it! This is going on my to-read list immediately.