Heir to Frost and Storm: Court of Broken Bonds, Book 2

I love reading books in this genre and have many authors I follow and love to read. I have noticed though, the very conspicuous lack of non-white characters who get their HEA. This book not only had a really engaging story, the fact the love interest is a person of color has made this series one of my favorites

The story line is intriguing, engaging, and a great page turner. I have enjoyed this series so far and look forward to the 3rd book.

I’m gonna say I’m actually pretty relived that the main character keeps losing loved ones, so now he only has 2 people in that entire world that he loves. So many tragic deaths, his father, his mother, his world seems to get smaller and smaller. And I like that, call me a villain, a heartless monster. But I like when its streamlined like that, no more distractions, now he can focus all his energy on his boyfriend and his best friend that’s basically his sister. It works out better this way, plus all the other people had betrayed him in some way and I can’t stand betrayal. His mother lied, his father went along with it. Too many lies and betrayals, they needed to go.And with the story getting more interesting, its about time. Tho I am disappointed he didn’t bond with Oribon himself, I was expecting that and was disappointed it didn’t happen. I’m definitely buying the the third book, since I’ve been waiting for Max and Sim to actually get together for basically 2 books now.I’m still upset they did my man Cam like that, I still liked him more than Sim. But what can you do

I can not begin to explain how excited I was to see this was finally released. And yet I delayed reading it because well. Second book syndrome. I was worried book two would not level up and be just not quite as good as book one was. Nope. This one manages to pull, entice, cajole, giggle (it’s used several times to memorable effect), and wrench emotions. There are still dragons, phoenix minions, bitter mages, and not sure a better description can be used than star crossed lovers to describe Max and Simion. There is mild spice in this book (it’s more than just kissing but isn’t just endless pages of ahem. So maybe two spice packs of five?) but get your tissues ready. And maybe a pillow to punch. Because yeah this book made me feel all the feels and now I need a fluffy book and a large mug of coffee. So yeah go read book one, then book two and then we can sit for a bit and contemplate in that place a really good story leads you to.

One of the greatest joys of following Ben Alderson's books from his earlier works to now is seeing how much he has grown as an author, and it is ever more apparent in Heir to Frost and Storm. I hesitate to call it a fun book, necessarily, because it hit on a few topics that felt a little close to home given the general state of the world over the past few years, but I meant it when I said that it felt like one of those old school fantasy books that we all grew up reading and adoring.Max is the quintessential fantasy hero, born to a great destiny but raised from nothing and fighting to find his way in the world. My complaint about him in the first book was that he was largely too wishy-washy about his wants and feelings, so it was great to see him finally have things he wanted to achieve and protect and actually stand up for himself throughout the course of this book. He grows throughout the story and by the end, leading into the finale coming with book three, we can see a genuine fantasy hero rising.Simion is just a precious bean of a character. I don't know how else to put it, y'all. He's sweet and needs to be protected at all costs. He's just the perfect fantasy love interest of old; magical and supportive and mostly just there to be good for Max. I'm excited to see where his story goes with the finale because he is fun.Leska and Bea and all of the other secondary characters also get their time to shine in this book. As with book one, it's hard to know who to trust throughout the story because truths and alliances are constantly shifting, but I found it much less frustrating this time around because at least we had a set Big Bad from the very beginning. And it's fun seeing how it all ramps up to that reveal at the end, leading into the final book!I'm genuinely excited to see where the next book goes (and with that stunning cover to boot!) and to see how Alderson continues to grow from here.

I feel hurt, I feel betrayed and yet I could not stop reading . Look at me being like this to myself. Simion 💞 is what I need to restore my faith in love and heal. I need one for me. Beautiful beautiful beautiful work of art this is. It just drives me off to the deep end now and then.

I forget that I struggle with liking this series. The protagonist, Max, is very unlikable and a huge coward. He spends the majority of the books running away from all the logical answers to his problems until they become life or death situations for everyone around him. It makes it very hard to root for him. It also makes it unlikely that the levelheaded Simion, his lover, would put so much faith in his decision making when all Max does is lie, throw temper tantrum‘s and ignore obvious red flags. The writer also tends to seem to lose details when it comes to action sequences. It feels like everything is very coherent until something very important happens and suddenly The writing is damn near abstract and you feel like you have no idea what just happened no matter how many times you reread the paragraph. I’m hoping the third book shows a braver more likable Max, and we don’t lose out on the details in what is sure to be a showdown.

An amazing follow up to the first book. Can’t wait to read through the next installment.

Couldn’t put this down was so engrossed with the story now on to the next one to find out what’s happening next 😄😄😄

I have never binged two books faster! I love the fantasy, romance and aura these books hold and the second book so did not disappoint, I can’t wait until book 3 😍

Ben Alderson has such a magical way with words. Both his character and world creation are beautiful. I felt every high, every low, every love and every heartbreak in this book.The pace was quite slow to begin with but then the book rocketed into a fast pace and thrilling ride. I experienced so many emotions on this roller coaster of a ride I think I’m suffering from vertigo.Max is a brilliantly written character who experiences guilt, anxiety and loss in such a relatable way it makes him more identifiable. His relationship with Simion is something I live for, despite the fact I was definitely team troubled prince, but I can’t wait to see how they progress in book 3.Questions were answered. More questions arose. Problems were solved. More problems arose. There were twists and turns. Betrayal and deception. Love and loss.If you love dragon trials, mages, elemental magic, m/m love interests and trust no one feels then I highly recommend this trilogy. If you don’t then just read them anyway because they’re incredible.

Oomph! This book did a number on my already frayed nerves, scratching relentlessly at my book-angst-resilience like a feral cat.Definitely NOT A STANDALONE, Heir to Frost and Storm is the second book in Alderson’s very intense, very compelling high-fantasy M/M series, Court of Broken Bonds.Our protagonist, Maximus Oaken, has been through a world of loss and trauma already in his young life, burdened (or gifted) with newly discovered magic beyond the likes of the already formidable mages he now trains amongst in his new sanctuary at Saylam Academy, in the city of Wycombe.He’s keeping secrets, and for good reason, because beyond the support of his mother and his dearest friend (and love interest), Simion Hawthorne, Max finds himself facing phantoms from his past and insurmountable scrutiny from the leaders and people of the very place he’s meant to call his new home.Max has a lot to contend with, what with the secret weight of his legacy, the rebels plotting against Wycombe (the North) at every turn, a magic-devastating plague threatening to cause a pandemic, and his upcoming life-or-death trial to find a dragon egg during the barbaric Claim (think the Hunger Games and Threshing combined).It’s a lot for anyone to deal with. But Max is also just a boy, longing for another boy—in the form of sweetheart protector and healer, Simion—and, sweet lord, do these two go through it just trying to find a way to be together that won’t literally kill Max because of a pesky unwanted magic-bond (from book one) that won’t let off and let them be.This story was very long, nearing 500 pages, and I’ll admit I felt it during the first half of the story, which was slower in pace and perhaps broader in telling than it needed to be. But, the second half more than made up for it, locking into full gear around the time Max entered The Claim and not letting up in pace, excitement, trauma and reveals until the final page.My heart was in my throat a handful of times and I definitely let out a gasp or two over a few of the losses Max (once again) experienced in his ongoing, emotionally-fraught journey to come into his own power and hopefully save and unite a kingdom in the process (no biggie).Thankfully, the sweet, tender scenes shared between Max and Simion—scattered throughout the story as expertly placed intervals—really went a long way in calming my anxiety and warming my heart in all the right ways. At this point, I may be fairly smitten with Simion Hawthorne and his utter adoration and awe of Max, eating up their quieter moments with gusto and delight.I can safely say I’m hooked at this point, fairly ravenous (and stressed-out) to find out what lies in store for Max and Simion in the final instalment of this grandiose fantasy romance trilogy.

Fantastic book, I am absolutely loving this series and the writing is brilliant, it completely draws you in and a real page turner. I personally would have liked to have seen a bit more of Camron, more of his story, and explore the bond and relationship between him and Max before his demise and gaining forgiveness/peace, or potentially it could have been fun to have Camron be the God he's been transformed into and needed in the fight against Lilyth, that he isn't the mad monster Max once thought and explore more of the love triangle storyline? That's just my preference, this does not take away how brilliant this book and series is, it would make a fab tv series. Adventure, heartbreak, love, intrigue, action, this series has it all! On to the next book xxx