However, even the most unlikable protagonist should have something relatable or understandable about them it shouldn’t be the case that a character who the author clearly wants you to like is so annoying that you have to stop reading every 10 pages. Now, I’m not saying that the main character of a story has to be good, or even likeable on the contrary, unlikable characters can be just as interesting as the more pleasant ones, sometimes even more so. She constantly disregards other people’s wishes, she gets angry at every little thing (especially when someone dares to tell her “no”), and she has an awful habit of pointing out the obvious and thinking she’s “clever” or something.

In fact, I don’t get why her friends even like her, let alone risk their lives for her. Almost all of her misfortunes are the result of her own selfishness, carelessness, and downright stupidity, and what’s worse is that she and her friends barely even acknowledge it.

One of the biggest marks against Frost Arch is its main character.Īvalon Redding is one of the most annoying characters I’ve ever had the misfortune to encounter. Even when I overlook the many spelling and grammar mistakes (which were truly excruciating), it’s still impossible for me to like this book. Your premise is so promising: magic, mystery, clever animals, and an underdog main character…what could be better? Unfortunately, the delivery didn’t live up to the promise. Oh, Frost Arch…I wanted to like you so much. It all eventually leads to a deadly battle between Avalon and the most powerful Mage in all of Frost Arch. As the novel goes on, Avalon’s life repeatedly gets threatened with each secret she uncovers, from her Master’s hidden collection, to the reason why Frost Arch is stuck in a constant winter.

While there, she becomes friends with a Healer, Jack Greenwood, and, with his help, raises the winged fox (named Hawthorne) that she rescues earlier in the story. She works as a maid for the Forsythe household. Avalon, whose power is midlevel, moves to the city of Frost Arch, a place where curiosity and telling the truth can make your life very difficult. Frost Arch, by Kate Bloomfield, is the story of Avalon “Ava” Redding, a Fire Mage who lives in a world where Humans are slaves, Mages are in charge, and how you live depends on how much power you have.

Raeven Blacklock by Kate Bloomfield