“Fire and ice. We are not meant to mix.”
— Ruby's internal struggle and the inherent conflict between Frostbloods and Firebloods.
Archivist's Choice
Frostblood
Elly Blake (2017)
Genre
Fantasy / Young Adult / Romance
Reading Time
7-8 hours
Key Themes
See below
Track Your Reading
Sign in to track this book
A hidden Fireblood ignites a rebellion against a tyrannical Frostblood king, battling for survival, love, and revenge in his deadly arena.
Synopsis
Seventeen-year-old Ruby, a Fireblood with heat and flame powers, has spent her life hiding her abilities from the Frostblood kingdom. After Frostblood soldiers murder her mother, Ruby is captured and taken to the capital. There, she meets rebel Frostbloods, led by Prince Arcus, who offer her a chance for revenge against King Pyre. They need her Fireblood abilities to defeat the king, who is killing all Firebloods. Ruby joins them, despite her distrust of Frostbloods, and trains with Arcus. Their relationship is tense, but they are drawn to each other.
Ruby is forced to compete in King Pyre's elemental tournaments, where Fireblood prisoners fight Frostblood champions. She navigates these trials while secretly working with the rebels, leading to a confrontation with King Pyre. Ruby discovers the king's power and his plan, forcing her to make a sacrifice. She must embrace her Fireblood potential and unite with Arcus to defeat the king, avenge her mother, and create an uncertain future for both Firebloods and Frostbloods.
Reading time
7-8 hours
Difficulty
Easy
Pacing
Fast
Mood
Action-packed, Romantic, Adventurous, Magical
✓ Read this if...
You enjoy classic YA fantasy with elemental magic, a strong heroine, and a enemies-to-lovers romance.
✗ Skip this if...
You prefer complex world-building over fast-paced plot and character-driven romance, or dislike common YA tropes.
Plot Summary
The Hidden Fireblood
Seventeen-year-old Ruby lives in a remote, Frostblood village with her mother, hiding her forbidden Fireblood powers. They keep a cooled room to prevent accidental fiery outbursts. One day, Ruby accidentally uses her fire to melt a frozen door, alerting Frostblood soldiers led by Commander Kai. Her mother returns as Kai's forces arrive. To protect Ruby, she sacrifices herself, impaled by an ice shard. Ruby, overwhelmed with grief and rage, unleashes fire, briefly fending off soldiers before she is captured and taken to the Frostblood capital.
A Glimmer of Hope in Captivity
Ruby is thrown into a freezing dungeon in the Frostblood capital, enduring harsh conditions and the threat of execution by King Praxton. Her Fireblood abilities make her vulnerable to the cold. Imprisoned, she meets a cloaked figure, Arcus, a Frostblood who hints at being part of a rebellion against Praxton. Arcus tests her powers, assessing her potential. Despite their initial animosity, he offers her freedom and revenge if she helps the rebels. He presents a difficult choice: remain imprisoned or risk everything to join their cause.
Escape and the Rebel Camp
Arcus, with a small team of Frostblood rebels, frees Ruby from the king's dungeons. They use tunnels beneath the capital, creating diversions and overcoming guards with ice magic. During the escape, Ruby sees Arcus's formidable Frostblood abilities, complicating her feelings for him. They reach a hidden rebel camp in the icy mountains, shielded by powerful Frostblood magic. Here, Ruby meets other rebels, including Elder Thistle.
Training and Trust Issues
At the rebel camp, Ruby trains, mostly under Arcus. He pushes her to control her volatile Fireblood powers, which often erupt. Their training is tense, as Ruby resents Arcus's cold demeanor and his view of her as a weapon. Despite their constant arguments and the physical demands, Ruby slowly improves, learning to channel her fire. She also observes the rebels' loyalty to each other and their goal of overthrowing Praxton.
The Oracle's Prophecy
Elder Thistle believes Ruby's arrival is important and decides they must consult the Oracle, an ancient being in a hidden temple. Arcus, Ruby, and a few rebels journey through treacherous, ice-laden terrain to reach the Oracle. The Oracle gives a cryptic prophecy: Ruby is key to defeating King Praxton, but her power alone is not enough. The prophecy hints at a darker secret about Praxton's lineage and the true nature of his power, implying a connection beyond Frostblood abilities.
A Royal Invitation and a Trap
Word reaches the rebel camp that King Praxton has announced a tournament in the capital, pitting captured Firebloods against Frostblood champions. The rebels suspect a trap, but the chance to rescue other Firebloods and challenge Praxton is too tempting for Ruby, especially after the Oracle's prophecy. Despite Arcus's warnings, Ruby, driven by revenge and a desire to help her people, decides to infiltrate the capital and participate. She is captured shortly after entering the city, confirming the rebels' fears.
The Tournament of Elements
Ruby is a prisoner again, forced to compete in King Praxton's brutal tournament. The king enjoys humiliating Firebloods, and the arena uses ice traps and freezing temperatures to exploit their weaknesses. Ruby faces increasingly difficult opponents, both Firebloods and Frostbloods, each battle pushing her limits. She often uses her powers in new ways, revealing new aspects of her abilities. During these trials, she gains Praxton's attention; he studies her with an unsettling intensity, hinting at a hidden agenda.
Arcus's Intervention and a Revelation
Arcus, unable to abandon Ruby, infiltrates the capital with a small rebel force. He covertly aids Ruby during the tournament, providing subtle assistance and trying to communicate with her. During one match, Arcus intervenes more directly, angering Praxton. This leads to a confrontation where Praxton reveals his true nature: he is not just a Frostblood but an ancient Shadowblood, controlling both ice and darkness. He plans to absorb Ruby's Fireblood power to become invincible, consolidating his rule over all elements.
The King's Plan and Ruby's Sacrifice
King Praxton, having revealed his Shadowblood nature, outlines his plan: he will perform a ritual during the final tournament match to drain Ruby's Fireblood essence, making him unstoppable. He believes her unique, untamed power will complete his own. Ruby, aware of the danger, realizes she is fighting not just for her life but for the balance of all elemental powers. Arcus, despite his injuries, tries to plan her rescue, but Ruby knows she might have to make a sacrifice to stop Praxton.
The Final Confrontation
The final battle begins as Praxton starts the ritual to absorb Ruby's power. Arcus and the remaining rebels launch an assault, creating a diversion. Ruby, fueled by rage and new control over her fire, fights Praxton directly. She uses her fire to melt and disrupt his ice and shadow magic. Arcus, despite injuries, uses his frost powers to create openings and protect Ruby. In a moment, Ruby, understanding the Oracle's prophecy, combines her raw Fireblood power with a strategic attack, exploiting Praxton's arrogance and his Shadowblood form's instability, defeating him.
Aftermath and a New Beginning
With King Praxton defeated, his hold over the kingdom shatters. Loyalist Frostblood forces are subdued or flee. Ruby and Arcus, exhausted but victorious, survey the aftermath. The balance between Firebloods and Frostbloods is uncertain, but there is hope for cooperation. Ruby, no longer a weapon, embraces her identity as a powerful Fireblood. Her relationship with Arcus, deepened through shared trials and respect, enters a new phase. They both recognize the long road ahead to heal their broken world and establish peace between the elemental peoples.
Principal Figures
Ruby
The Protagonist
Ruby transforms from a fearful, hidden girl into a powerful, controlled Fireblood leader, learning to master her abilities and accept her destiny.
Arcus
The Love Interest / Supporting Protagonist
Arcus learns to trust and open himself to others, especially Ruby, moving beyond his stoic facade to embrace his true feelings and leadership potential.
King Praxton
The Antagonist
Praxton's arc is one of escalating tyranny and ambition, culminating in his defeat.
Elder Thistle
The Supporting
Thistle remains a steadfast source of wisdom and guidance, helping to steer the rebellion towards its ultimate goal.
Kai
The Supporting / Mentioned
Kai remains a steadfast antagonist, embodying the cruelty of Praxton's rule.
Brother
The Mentioned
His memory serves as a constant reminder of the stakes for Arcus.
The Oracle
The Supporting
The Oracle provides crucial plot points and foreshadowing, remaining a mysterious source of wisdom.
Mother (Ruby's)
The Supporting
Her sacrifice initiates the main conflict and Ruby's character arc.
Themes & Insights
Identity and Self-Acceptance
Ruby's journey is about accepting her Fireblood identity in a world that fears her kind. She initially hides her powers, seeing them as a curse. Through training with Arcus and the trials she faces, she learns to control and embrace her abilities. She realizes they are a source of strength, not a weakness. This is clear when she stops seeing her fire as destructive and uses it with precision in the tournament, ultimately defeating Praxton, who wanted to suppress all elemental diversity.
““I was fire, and I would burn the world to ash if I had to.””
Revenge vs. Justice
The central conflict is driven by Ruby's desire for revenge against King Praxton for her mother's murder. While revenge initially fuels her actions, her motivations change. As she sees Praxton's tyranny and the suffering of Firebloods and oppressed Frostbloods, her quest becomes one of justice for all, not just personal retribution. This shift is highlighted when she commits to overthrowing Praxton for the greater good, even when it means putting herself in danger.
““Revenge was a burning ember in my heart, but justice… justice was a roaring inferno.””
Prejudice and Discrimination
The world of Frostblood is divided by elemental powers, with Frostbloods oppressing Firebloods. This theme is central to the narrative, shown in laws forbidding Firebloods, violence against them, and the hatred between the groups. Ruby's experiences, from her mother's death to imprisonment and forced tournament, are direct results of this prejudice. The rebels, composed of both Frostbloods and Firebloods, work to end this prejudice, aiming for a world where both elemental types can coexist, reflecting hope for overcoming division.
““They feared what they didn’t understand, and what they feared, they destroyed.””
Love and Sacrifice
Love and sacrifice underpin several character relationships and plot points. Ruby's mother sacrifices her life to protect Ruby, which starts Ruby's journey. The developing romantic love between Ruby and Arcus is also marked by mutual sacrifice. Arcus risks everything to save Ruby from the tournament, and Ruby is willing to sacrifice herself to stop Praxton from gaining ultimate power. Their love grows from shared hardship and a willingness to put the other's well-being first, showing that love motivates courageous acts.
““I would have burned the world down for her, and she, I knew, would freeze it for me.””
Power and Corruption
King Praxton embodies the corrupting influence of unchecked power. His ambition drives him to oppress Firebloods, usurp the throne, and absorb all elemental magic to become an unstoppable force. His reign is marked by cruelty, manipulation, and disregard for others' lives. The narrative explores how power, without empathy or justice, leads to tyranny. Praxton's Shadowblood abilities, controlling both ice and darkness, symbolize this dangerous mix of power.
““Absolute power corrupts absolutely, and Praxton was the living embodiment of that truth.””
Plot Devices & Literary Techniques
The Oracle's Prophecy
A cryptic prediction that guides the protagonist's journey and reveals crucial plot points.
The Oracle's prophecy serves as a significant plot device, offering foreshadowing and direction for Ruby's quest. Its cryptic nature initially leaves room for interpretation but ultimately points to Ruby's unique role in defeating King Praxton. This device builds suspense, provides motivation for the characters to seek out the Oracle, and validates Ruby's importance, shifting her perception from a mere weapon to a destined savior. It also introduces the idea of a deeper, ancient conflict beyond just Fireblood and Frostblood animosity.
Elemental Magic System
A defined system of powers (Fireblood, Frostblood, Shadowblood) that drives conflict and character abilities.
The elemental magic system is the foundational plot device, defining the world's societies, conflicts, and character abilities. Firebloods control heat and flame, Frostbloods control ice and cold, and the rare Shadowbloods (like Praxton) control both ice and darkness, and can absorb other elemental powers. This system dictates the power dynamics, the prejudice between groups, and the unique challenges and strengths of each character. The contrast and interplay between fire and ice magic are central to the action sequences and the development of Ruby's powers, creating inherent tension and dramatic potential.
The King's Tournament
A deadly competition used by the antagonist to humiliate and eliminate enemies.
King Praxton's tournament is a crucial plot device that forces Ruby into direct confrontation with the king and his champions. It serves multiple purposes: it showcases Ruby's developing powers under immense pressure, creates high-stakes action sequences, and provides a public stage for Praxton to display his cruelty and power. More importantly, it acts as a trap designed to capture and exploit Ruby, directly leading to the revelation of Praxton's Shadowblood nature and his ultimate plan to absorb her power, thus escalating the conflict to its climax.
Hidden Identity / Secret Powers
The protagonist conceals forbidden abilities, leading to discovery and conflict.
Ruby's hidden Fireblood identity in a Frostblood-dominated world is the initial inciting incident. This device immediately establishes the stakes and the dangerous world she inhabits. The accidental exposure of her powers leads directly to her mother's death and her capture, propelling her into the main conflict. This secrecy also builds character, as Ruby learns to navigate a hostile environment while suppressing her true self, making her eventual embrace of her powers all the more impactful.
Critical analysis
Notable Quotes
“My blood was a weapon. And I was learning how to wield it.”
— Ruby embracing her Fireblood powers and agency after years of hiding.
“Sometimes the best way to hide is in plain sight.”
— Ruby reflecting on her past and the deceptive nature of her life.
“Fear can be a powerful motivator. It can also be a cage.”
— Ruby's thoughts on the role of fear in her life and the lives of others.
“He was a storm, and I was the lightning.”
— Ruby's intense perception of Arcus and their volatile connection.
“There are no heroes here, only survivors.”
— A pragmatic view of the world and the harsh realities faced by the characters.
“Hope is a dangerous thing, but it's all we have.”
— Ruby's internal struggle with despair and the necessity of maintaining hope.
“The world is not black and white, Ruby. There are shades of grey, and in those shades, truth often hides.”
— One of the older, wiser characters imparting wisdom to Ruby about the complexities of morality and perception.
“Every secret comes with a price.”
— Ruby's experience with keeping her Fireblood nature hidden and the consequences.
“I was a weapon, yes, but I was also a girl, with a heart that beat for more than just vengeance.”
— Ruby grappling with her dual identity as a powerful Fireblood and a young woman with emotions.
“Sometimes, the coldest hearts hide the deepest fires.”
— A reflection on the true nature of seemingly cold characters, hinting at hidden depths.
“To truly live, you must first be willing to die.”
— A philosophical quote about bravery and embracing the risks of life.
“My fury was a furnace, and I would burn them all.”
— Ruby's intense anger and resolve to fight against her oppressors.
Quiz
Test Your Knowledge
Ready to see how well you understood this book? Take our interactive quiz with 10 questions.
10
Questions
~5
Minutes
?
Best Score
Key Questions (FAQ)
Ruby's initial core conflict is her struggle to conceal her Fireblood powers in a world ruled by oppressive Frostbloods, a necessity that becomes impossible after her village is raided and her mother is killed protecting her. This tragedy propels her from hiding into a quest for revenge against the Frostblood king.
