A Soul as Cold as Frost

The Winter Souls, Book 1

By: Jennifer Kropf

Narrated by: Mia Hutchinson-Shaw

Merry Christmas to all! And, to all a good fright...

The Quarrel of Sword and Bone was a death sentence for anyone who stepped into the arena with the deranged Queen, whose soul had crisped to frost in an age long since past.

Sixteen-year-old Helen Bell understood tragedy better than most kids growing up—she knew what it was like to wear clothes from donation bins and be mocked by the beautiful girls in school. She thought these brutal experiences made her ready for anything. But, she wasn't ready for this. After an eccentric girl opens Helen's eyes to let her see the realm of winter—a world with intersects tucked carefully into the cracks of our own, where monarchs have risen and fallen, it's forbidden to mention the name of the dead king of winter, and the currency is gold rings—Helen comes to realize the downtown confrontation was more significant than what the eccentric girl let on. When Helen receives a summons from the Crimson Court to enter into the Quarrel of Sword and Bone, a traditional duel performed before 1,000 witnesses that leaves only one survivor, she's forced to finally pay attention to the boy who's been following her around with a warning on his tongue.

With an underlying Christian message of hope, the Winter Souls series blends action and Christmas tradition, bringing the old forgotten tales of the season to life with new and grittier versions of famous characters out of old holiday legends, such as St. Nicholas, the Snow Queen, and the Nutcracker.

A Soul as Cold as Frost is Jennifer Kropf's debut novel, ideal for fans of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis, and The Nutcracker and the Four Realms by Meredith Rusu and Ashleigh Powell.

"Wow, I loved this book! This book was a magical twist between Narnia, Alice in Wonderland, and Spirited Away, yet somehow read as effortlessly original. The descriptions are vivid and really make you feel like you're freezing, trudging through snow, or drinking the best hot chocolate of your life. It was gripping, fast paced, and full of action, yet not lacking in heart. High recommend for young YA readers upwards." (USA Today best-selling author Alice Ivinya)

"The Chronicles of Narnia meets Harry Potter. This fantastic winter tale is the perfect blend of classic portal fantasy and the magical world co-existing with our own. This magical Christian fantasy adventure totally hits the spot and got everything right. It is a beautiful reminder of what is truly important in life." (USA Today best-selling author Astrid V. J.)

"A Soul as Cold as Frost instantly transports you into a magical world that the whole family will adore. Fans of Chronicles of Narnia will be thrilled with this new wintery adventure!" (Nikki Mitchell, author of Nightshade Forest)

"Wow! I can't believe this is Jennifer Kropf's debut novel. The writing is absolutely stunning and the characters are so easy to fall in love with. Fantasy isn't my usual genre, but I could not put this book down. I loved letting myself get lost in the wonderful world this author created. 5 out of 5 stars, without a doubt." (Heather Garvin, author of Take What You Can)

Do you love YA fantasies with Chronicles of Narnia vibes? A Soul as Cold as Frost, book one in the Winter Souls series, will probably be a perfect fit for you.

©2020 Jennifer Kropf (P)2022 Jennifer Kropf

Beautiful Story! A Must Listen!

This book was amazing! From the beginning, the descriptions were so vivid that I felt like I was right there. Kropf has the ability to create a scene so real that it is easy to picture. Once the story got started with the mystery and action, I was entranced. There is a similarity to The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, which is only enhanced by the winter setting. There is also a bit of Christian underpinning similar to the Narnia stories, but like the Narnia stories, it's not heavy-handed; as such, this is a story that can be enjoyed by anyone, whether they are Christian or not.

Not only is the descriptive language beautiful, but the character development is really well done. As the story developed and we learned more about Zane and Helen, I was drawn even more deeply into the story. I loved learning more about them and seeing how their relationship developed, and as the tension increased at later points in the story, I found myself tensing up until they were out of the situation because I didn't want either one of them to get hurt! LOL.

Also, and I admit this is probably strange, but I absolutely loved the way Kropf formatted the chapters, calling them all "Chapter, the xth" for whatever number it was. It was such a little thing, but it gave such a different feel that it helped maintain the fantasy.

In addition to the author's gift with words pulling me into the story, the narrator - Mia Hutchinson-Shaw - had a gift with her voice. Her narration enhanced the story so much that I really hope she narrates the rest of this series because I would LOVE to listen to her read it to me.

I can't wait to read (or listen, hopefully) the rest of the series, and I really, REALLY hope someone makes a movie out of this one.

goodread it was enjoyable

it was a good book and I liked it not something that I started and couldn't put down. but really good I'm excited for the next ones

Thoroughly Meh

I was recommended this series because I liked Harry Potter and am forever on a hunt for literature which is captivating in the way it’s written and has a compelling, dynamic plot which keeps my interest. It may have been because my expectations were high, but I think this fell far short of the league of Harry Potter. The characters are built out as much as any YA book would be and the plot made sense but the language of the world fell flat for me. I’ll be stopping the series after this book and continue my pursuit of a similar read to HP.

Incredible

this story was amazing, and the narrator was perfect. everytime I listened on my way to college, I was transported to this other world. the skill in which the biblical accounts are woven in is impressive. the language and ways everything is described it beautiful. definitely going to listen to the rest of the series asap!

Great story

It was a little overly descriptive at first but once the the story ramped up I was hook! A wonderful story to listen to with a good blanket and a cup of hot chocolate. Highly recommend.

Soul Cold Frost

Pleasant story... would share with my class. Story line will maintain wonder for fairy worlds around each corner.

Good.

I'm not a big fan of fantaay. That said it was a good story. Good fighting evil.

Impressive!

A Soul as Cold as Frost is a brilliantly written and wholly captivating story. It's beautiful with descriptive and vivid imageries; I was literally sucked into Jennifer Kropf's innovative world. She is an absolute talent, and with her masterful storytelling and writing, she left a long-lasting impression. Her world-building and character development are phenomenal and refined. The storyline is utterly riveting, exciting, and enchanting; I listened to just over twelve hours in one sitting; that's how captivated and enthralled I was.

Mia Hutchinson-Shaw did an excellent job with the narration. She was able to breathe life into the characters and Kropf's words. A Soul as Cold as Frost is an impressive start to The Winter Souls series, and I can't wait for the second installment. I'm highly recommending this audiobook.

Book that gave me warmth

A Soul as Cold as Frost is a book that definitely made me warm inside while reading it. Now I know those two are probably opposites but the author's description of what people do during Christmas just reminded me of some of our traditions here in the Philippines. Coming and eating together as a family, the food, gifts, and lots more.
I enjoyed reading (or rather listening) to this book. There are some points that are a bit too descriptive and the pacing went slow but understandable since I think the author wants her reader to really have a view of the world in ASACAF.
There are tons of allegory in this book that you have to read it to know what is it. :P
And oh, I could definitely see some Narnia in it. 😍
And the end made me want to read the next!

Forgot to add that the voice actor is so awesome!


I got an audio copy via StoryOrigin but all of the words above are mine. 😊

An imaginative and adventurous masterpiece!

A Soul as Cold As Frost is an imaginative and adventurous masterpiece! The book is a mix of Narnia, Wonderland, and Howl's Moving Castle, and in the best way!

Helen receives a mysterious orb from an even more mysterious stranger. What happens next is unexpected and wonderous! She can now see a whole new world, but with this power comes danger! A witch named Maura Rouge is seeking her with vicious intentions. Luckily, Helen meets Zane, who happens to be my favorite character! Zane is sworn to protect Helen, who learns she is something called a truth carrier. Can Helen survive The Quarrel of Sword and Bone? Will she ever get home again? Can she ride Cornelius Britely's train forever? (Gosh, I wish! I would love to!) Only time will tell!

If you're looking for a magical read, I highly recommend this book! The characters are fleshed out. The story is fast-paced and unpredictable. The world is unique but also somehow familiar. I absolutely loved it and need more! Off to the sequel I go!