Beautiful story of Kanzim and her family, her desire to be an explorer and see the world besides her town (feeling I can easily relate to). I loved her courage and determination, I hated her sister, so harsh and I felt pity for Them, in love with her and nothing he can do to fix it. I actually felt very very sad with some deaths, some of them unnecessary...

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Content Warning: Abandonment, Alcohol consumption, Physical injuries, Animal death & death of a pet.

This book was somewhere in the middle of being great and being not the best. I wanted more action and thrills of this, but it was a hugely atmospheric read. While that was interesting in and of itself, without having that extra tension of worry that popped up always looming over the characters, I mostly didn't care about their plight.

There was a lot of really unique aspects to this and Fawcett must have spent a lot of time researching mountaineering and hard climbs because it was easy to get lost in the climb at times. I also really enjoyed the romance and the aspects of relationships within this that really added to the story.

But it just didn't feel all that high stakes at some points. It was also a pretty predictable set of events and just didn't keep me on the edge of my seat until the very end. I also don't know why there wasn't more of a focus on witches and magic when it's brought up a lot! It seemed like a weird addition to not really get into.

I might read the sequel, but maybe not until next year so that I can finish books I actually want to read this year! Not the book for me, but could be the book for you!

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Lots of adventure and tons of surprises. The pace was almost perfect - and I loved seeing all the challenges Kamzin, River and Tem face.

My only wish was for more backstory of Kamzin's life and more details about the magic system.

Why, just why every YA book needs to begin with the main character being treated unfairly (on character's opinion, of course)? The beginnings are always the same. And there was nothing surprising at the beginning of this book as well.

Moreover, there was nothing surprising in this book at all. And you have to look for a YA novel with so many plain stupid decisions in a row.

I've known how the story will end after a couple of chapters. And the big twist was such not a twist, that Kiss of Deception was more surprising.

I can't fathom why I've even finished this book. Maybe that was my optimism. Or hope for at least something. Huh, fat chance.

Anyway, what happened, that is already done. Let's move to the other things now.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I loved pretty much everything about it. I will say though if you don’t like questing / journeying books, this is not the book for you. And that the blurb is ever so mildly misleading, though not in a bad way. So with that out that way: review!
I liked Kamzin’s fire. She has a good mix of belief in her abilities, knowing her strengths, stubbornness, and self-doubt. In the village she’s stuck being someone she’s not and not quite at home, but once she’s on the quest it becomes a strength. And I loved that her familiar is a mangy fox lol! I feel that there should be more to that and I want to know all of it.
While I liked her relationship with Tem, to me that totally read as friends, so I was surprised when it turned out they were exes. I get that maybe that’s Kamzin’s feelings on it, but it felt unnecessary and unexplained. Their friendship was, however, excellent. Strong and willing to follow the other into madness. Again only mild niggle is Tem’s unresolved feelings and jealousy issues - as they’re not dealt with it felt a bit too much like ownership in places. Mild and infrequent though. His magic was awesome though, and I liked the early stuff between him and Kamzin’s about the shaman.
Let’s get on to River. I get that this is the first in the series, but there is SO MUCH left unsaid here. I need explanations! I loved him and the fire demon though. His character until the end (which I won’t go into for keeping it spoiler free) is pretty solid, and this is why I want more - I feel there is so much behind his decisions and actions throughout. The relationship between River and Kamzin doesn’t feel forced but does feel a little rushed.
It’s hard to read this and not compare it to A Shiver of Snow and Sky, which I also recently read. Both are quests and mountains and snow. In many ways ASOSAS is better written, it’s lyrical and mythical, which I loved. But there was something about the journey and the twists with this one too! Both excellent.

2.5*
Im not sure what I was expecting with this book but it wasn't my favorite. It was an adventure fantasy complete with witches, dragons, and high stakes. I thought the setting was beautiful and perfect for the winter.
What I didn't like about this book is that it was plot-driven not character-driven. I felt as though our characters never really developed through the book which was quite annoying because, on a high-stakes adventure like this one, you would think there would be some development. I wish more focus had been paid to the characters as opposed to the setting but I've seen the second book in this series has higher reviews so maybe that is something that is changed and I look forward to finding out!