Audible Book Review: Followed by Frost by Charlie N. Holmberg

I liked the fairy tale nature of this story.

Followed by Frost
By: Charlie N. Holmberg
Narrated by: Angela Dawe

Length: 7 hrs and 31 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 09-22-15
Language: English
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Genre: Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Romance, Teen, YA
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.250; Narration 4.25.

Publisher's Summary
Seventeen-year-old Smitha has the wealth, status, and beauty that make her the envy of her town - until she rejects a strange man's marriage proposal, and disastrous consequences follow. Smitha becomes cursed, and frost begins to encompass everything she touches. Banished to the hills, hunted by villagers, and chilled to the very core of her soul, she finds companionship with Death, who longs to coax her into his isolated world. But Smitha's desire for life proves stronger than despair, and a newfound purpose gives her renewed hope. Will regrets over the past and an unexpected desire for a man she cannot touch be enough to warm Smitha's heart, or will Death forever still it?
©2015 Charlie N. Holmberg (P)2015 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved

Review:
Young Smitha is self-absorbed, vain, proud, shrugs her chores and allows her sister to take the blame for some of her mischief. Her father has taken on a stranger to work in the family business. The dark, mysterious man is infatuated with Smitha even though she snubs him. He finally gets her alone to propose and she rejects him cruelly. Before disappearing, the angered man curses Smitha to be like her cold heart. Immediately she becomes chilled and frost spreads on everything she touches. If she stays in place the snows become relentless.

Smitha is sent away when it is feared that her remaining at home will bring death to her own family as well as the community where one young boy has already sickened and died. Smitha isn’t prepared to live in the wilds alone, but what choice does she have? Death invites her to become his companion but Smitha refuses that offer even as she struggles to stay alive.

After years wandering Smitha gets a chance to use her curse to help people. Even then, people fear her and she has to live in solitude. She begins to develop a relationship with a fierce warrior but circumstances beyond her curse will apparently keep them apart. Will there ever be a chance for Smitha to live without her curse? Will she succumb to Death’s offer so she won’t have to be alone?

Seventeen-year-old Smitha isn’t the most likeable girl. I did like her determination and strength to survive. I especially liked how her spirit and character grew. I was glad when she began to accept responsibility for her actions. Her warrior friend is a complex, attractive character and I found myself rooting for a way for them to find a way to be together.

I was impressed with the clean writing, imaginative settings for the plot and nice moral messages. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from this story and I was pleased to enjoy it. I recommend it to readers (teens or older) who like fairy tale quality stories.

Audio Notes: Angela Dawe does a fine job with the narration. The reading is crisp and direct, with distinct male and female voices. I enjoyed the audio presentation.

Source: February 2017 Audible Daily Deal $2.95. This qualifies for 2019 TBR and 2019Audiobook goals.