The Ice Queen: A Novel
17 journalers for this copy...
Got this one from a paperbackswap.com reader!
This was a good book (and sad). I especially liked the ending.
This was a good book (and sad). I especially liked the ending.
I've decided to make this a bookray! Here is the order:
twinkpuddin (NY, prefers US ship)
LyekkaMarengo (PA, can ship anywhere)
AtHomeGoddess (CA, can ship anywhere)
CarynPic (CA, prefers US ship)
Wistroll (WI, prefers US ship)
octoberskye (MA, can ship anywhere)
Aramena (OK, can ship anywhere)
terra57 (MA, prefers US ship)
well-chilled (AK, prefers US ship)
Cinnamon-Girl (NC, prefers US ship)
boogal (NJ, prefers US ship)
stacyinthecity (NY, prefers US ship)
tiatia (VA, prefers US ship)
icekween01 (MS, prefers US ship)
Maxs-Mom (prefers US ship)
DoveiLibri (US)
Bookray Rules:
1) Please journal when you receive the book to let us know it is safe.
2) Please journal when you finish the book to let us know what you think of it.
3) PM the next reader for his or her address and then send it on its way!
4) If you are the last reader, please try to keep the book moving - perhaps a new bookray? Have fun!
5) Enjoy!
twinkpuddin (NY, prefers US ship)
LyekkaMarengo (PA, can ship anywhere)
AtHomeGoddess (CA, can ship anywhere)
CarynPic (CA, prefers US ship)
Wistroll (WI, prefers US ship)
octoberskye (MA, can ship anywhere)
Aramena (OK, can ship anywhere)
terra57 (MA, prefers US ship)
well-chilled (AK, prefers US ship)
Cinnamon-Girl (NC, prefers US ship)
boogal (NJ, prefers US ship)
stacyinthecity (NY, prefers US ship)
tiatia (VA, prefers US ship)
icekween01 (MS, prefers US ship)
Maxs-Mom (prefers US ship)
DoveiLibri (US)
Bookray Rules:
1) Please journal when you receive the book to let us know it is safe.
2) Please journal when you finish the book to let us know what you think of it.
3) PM the next reader for his or her address and then send it on its way!
4) If you are the last reader, please try to keep the book moving - perhaps a new bookray? Have fun!
5) Enjoy!
Caught! Will start by next week.
I really liked this book. It felt to me the way Big Fish did - a mix of magic and reality. I'd be interested in checking out some Hoffman's other books.
Once I get LyekkaMarengo's, I'll pass along. Thanks for sharing!!
Once I get LyekkaMarengo's, I'll pass along. Thanks for sharing!!
In the mail to LyekkaMarengo today! Enjoy!
Arrived safe and sound in Central PA. This is the month of bookrings, I four waiting but I promise to not hold onto this one forever.
Alice Hoffman and I haven't quite decided if we like each other or not. The first Hoffman I read was "The Probable Future" - I loved it. Then I read "Practical Magic". While I liked it also, it wasn't quite as good as "Future". Then "The River King". Didn't care for that one much, and now "The Ice Queen". Although this was a fairly short book I felt like the first 60 or so pages really dragged. There are only so many ways a character can keep saying how cold, unfeeling, guilty, unnatural they feel before I start getting tired of hearing it and want to yell at them "Just GET OVER IT!" And while Hoffman's writing was beautiful it wasn't until Lazarus joined the story that I thought things got interesting (well, maybe I had just a tad of a crush on him). Hoffman is known for her added mystical touches and I think whether I like the story or not depends on whether those touches work or not. Mind you, I don't demand that the mystical stuff be believable, just whether it fits in and seems seamless in the story. The weird stuff in this one worked very well. The basic premise of surviving a lightning strike gives a lot of possibility and Hoffman made the most of it. The side story of the family relation was not as fulfilling as it may have been but the ending buzzed so all in all, Hoffman hasn't lost me yet. I still have several of her books on the Mt. and I have to say her plots are unusual. Oh, and of course I can't hate any book that has a Newfie in it. (just see my profile and you'll understand) and I have to say that I think a Newf is the perfect dog for a libraian, they are quite content to just lay at your feet and let you read.
I have the next person's address so this will move on this week.
I have the next person's address so this will move on this week.
Journal Entry 8 by LyekkaMarengo from Warriors Mark, Pennsylvania USA on Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Mailed 09/27/2006 to AtHomeGoddess in Fresno, CA.
Got this in the mail last night. I'm going to start reading it RIGHT NOW with my first cup of Sunday morning coffee. : )
While I didn't not love this book as much as I have other books by Alice Hoffman, I enjoyed this read.
The story was dark and brooding, but also had the undertone of hope. As the reader before me stated, the story was slow until the introduction of the character Lazarus. And I wasn't crazy about the ending - it was too tidy and the revelation about her mother just didn't fit. I guess I just expected more from the story and from Hoffman.
I'll be contacting the next person on the list and sending this on this week.
The story was dark and brooding, but also had the undertone of hope. As the reader before me stated, the story was slow until the introduction of the character Lazarus. And I wasn't crazy about the ending - it was too tidy and the revelation about her mother just didn't fit. I guess I just expected more from the story and from Hoffman.
I'll be contacting the next person on the list and sending this on this week.
Just received today! Have three bookrings in front of this one. Hopefully with the Thanksgiving holiday right around the corner, I can plow through a few then.
Just finished. I agree with some of the other reviews that the first part of the story dragged a little until the lightning strike. I really wonder what it would be like to live life without the color red. The things that make you go hmmmm...
Already have Wistroll's address, will send this out after the first of the year.
Already have Wistroll's address, will send this out after the first of the year.
Journal Entry 13 by CarynPic at -- By Hand Or Post, Ray/Ring, RABCK in Milltown, Wisconsin USA on Monday, January 22, 2007
Released 17 yrs ago (1/22/2007 UTC) at -- By Hand Or Post, Ray/Ring, RABCK in Milltown, Wisconsin USA
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
Sent to Wistroll, the next in line.
Sent to Wistroll, the next in line.
Arrived safely. Next on TBR, shouldn`t take too long!
I really enjoyed this book! I wish I would have marked some of the things I wanted to quote from it, the book I`m reading now has some things in it I want to remember so I am marking the pages with little pieces of paper to go back.
I apologize for having this so long, it was my intent to skim through it and add a few quotes from the book here that I enjoyed and I have been so busy that I won`t get to it and feel guilty that I haven`t sent this on it`s way. I did go to 2 book sales since I read this and I picked up 3 more books by this author. I did wish she would have made the story a bit more complex, but I really enjoyed it all the same!
On it`s way at the latest Monday to octoberskye.
Thanks for including me!!
I apologize for having this so long, it was my intent to skim through it and add a few quotes from the book here that I enjoyed and I have been so busy that I won`t get to it and feel guilty that I haven`t sent this on it`s way. I did go to 2 book sales since I read this and I picked up 3 more books by this author. I did wish she would have made the story a bit more complex, but I really enjoyed it all the same!
On it`s way at the latest Monday to octoberskye.
Thanks for including me!!
Journal Entry 16 by Wistroll at -- By Hand Or Post, Ray/Ring, RABCK in Milltown, Wisconsin USA on Thursday, March 1, 2007
Released 17 yrs ago (2/28/2007 UTC) at -- By Hand Or Post, Ray/Ring, RABCK in Milltown, Wisconsin USA
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
This is on it`s way...
This is on it`s way...
Just arrived today! I will read it next-thanks!
Another great story from Alice Hoffman! The lightning strike victims were a really wild and interesting addition to the tale! I really love the fairy tale and dark magic elements which she weaves through her stories. Since she lives locally, I've been lucky enough to meet her several times and she's a really sweet, soft-spoken, and kind person. I'm already looking forward to her next one! This is on its way to Aramena in OK!
Arrived today! I only have two books ahead of it, one of which I'm almost through and one of which I'm halfway through, so I should start this by the weekend!
Alice Hoffman is my all time favorite author (Seventh Heaven is excruciatingly beautiful). That said, The Ice Queen is not one of my favorite of her books so far. I had a little trouble getting into it, and like others have said, it really started to pick up for me when Lazarus made his entrance. I thought the last bit about the narrator's mother could have just been left out, and I would have liked to have learned a bit more about what happened with Renny's story. Having never been a fan of fairy tales, Grimm or Anderson, may be part of the reason the book did not have as complete a hold over me as most of Hoffman's books do.
I'm sending this to Terra57 today. Thaks for sharing this book KarenZero!
I'm sending this to Terra57 today. Thaks for sharing this book KarenZero!
Received this on 5/24. Don't know why it took so long but I am waiting on other books also that were sent out in March and April. Darn usps. Will have this back out by the end of the week. Thanks for letting me join.
This came in the mail today, along with a few others. The fun part is I already PM'd the next in line, and she's also the next in line for one of the other books I got today. What a co-inky-dink! Anyway, I'll get to it as quick as I can. It should go out middle of next week. Thanks for having me!
Parts of this book were very interesting. I found myself wondering if bits and pieces were true or possible, outlandish though they may seem. Other parts dragged and dragged with the pity party. The end was, good for all involved. It's already in the mail.
Journal Entry 24 by well-chilled at -- By Post Or Hand, Ray/Ring, Meet-Up, RABCK in Fairbanks, Alaska USA on Thursday, July 26, 2007
Released 16 yrs ago (7/26/2007 UTC) at -- By Post Or Hand, Ray/Ring, Meet-Up, RABCK in Fairbanks, Alaska USA
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
This book was brought to the post office by 4pm, so it is on it's way to the next person. I hope it is enjoyed!!
This book was brought to the post office by 4pm, so it is on it's way to the next person. I hope it is enjoyed!!
I'm glad to see this one finally came my way - and all the way from Alaska even! Thanks to everyone who has kept this book traveling - I hope to have it on its way again soon. I've been tempted to buy this book a couple of times since signing up for the ring but resisted temptation - I hope it's worth the wait!
I've read a few of Hoffman's books, and for me, they're either hit or miss - mostly miss. Unfortunately, this was one of them. I tried several times to get into this novel but kept putting it aside after a few pages. A lot of this had to do with the main character, whom I disliked intensely and was not interested enough in her story to get past that. I've kept this longer than I should have, hoping the right mood would catch me and I'd get through it, but that never happened and so to keep this one moving, I'm going to send it onto boogal tomorrow.
By the by, my favorite book of hers (so far) is Blackbird House, followed by Probable Future - in case anyone's interested!
Thanks, KarenZero, for starting the ring - I appreciate being a part of it!
By the by, my favorite book of hers (so far) is Blackbird House, followed by Probable Future - in case anyone's interested!
Thanks, KarenZero, for starting the ring - I appreciate being a part of it!
Received this yesterday. I'll get to it as soon as I can as I have one owed book and a bookring ahead of it. Thanks for sharing!
This was a dark tale, but a good one. There seemed to be a lot of symbolism and significance in the story, that I'm afraid that I missed most of it, and for now will just take it at face value and how it made me feel. I keep thinking about the bats and the moles. The ending was sad, but also full of hope. I also found the lighting strike survivor aspect of the story interesting, but I disagree with others in that I didn't like Lazarus all that much. I had sympathy for him, but Jack was always in the back of my mind.
I have Practical Magic on my TBR pile and I'll get to it eventually as I think I might be a Hoffman fan in the making.
I PM'd stacyinthecity yesterday and will send the book out on Monday once I get a reply. Thanks for sharing this book, KarenZero!
I have Practical Magic on my TBR pile and I'll get to it eventually as I think I might be a Hoffman fan in the making.
I PM'd stacyinthecity yesterday and will send the book out on Monday once I get a reply. Thanks for sharing this book, KarenZero!
I sent two PMs to stacyinthecity and received no reply. tiatia sent me her address and the book was mailed to her today along with the lovely bookmark that was received with it.
Slow to post the catch because I started reading it and finished it only two days later. Interesting observations about life defining moments and how personal perspective distorts reality. I probably learned more about lightening strikes than I needed to but the lessons learned about love and forgiveness rang true for me. I had actually read it before but found that I enjoyed it as much if not more the second time. Off to ickween01 as soon as I get an addy.
it's here. sorry it took me a while to journal. life has been crazy. with the holidays coming up and what not, will probably not finish before the New Year...if that is not ok, please let me know...otherwise will journal again when I finish.
I know I am way behind on my reading. Please forgive me. I have started this one today and will try to finish and send it on it's way asap! Thanks for your patience.
I finished this the other night but just now getting to journal. I have been reading over the other reviews...
This was my first experience with Alice Hoffman...and I chose to read this particular one because of the title alone. I did enjoy the book although I found the end a bit disappointing after all the build up. I also felt it was too tidy or perhaps just rushed? I'm not sure, I just know it didn't fit really with the rest of the book. Sometimes the scars of childhood are the toughest to "get over" so I could relate to the main character's struggles. Overall I really liked the book, I just wish there had been as much substance to the end as there was in the rest of the book. Thanks for sharing. I have PM'd Maxs-Mom for her address and will send this on as soon as I get it.
Happy Bookcrossing!
This was my first experience with Alice Hoffman...and I chose to read this particular one because of the title alone. I did enjoy the book although I found the end a bit disappointing after all the build up. I also felt it was too tidy or perhaps just rushed? I'm not sure, I just know it didn't fit really with the rest of the book. Sometimes the scars of childhood are the toughest to "get over" so I could relate to the main character's struggles. Overall I really liked the book, I just wish there had been as much substance to the end as there was in the rest of the book. Thanks for sharing. I have PM'd Maxs-Mom for her address and will send this on as soon as I get it.
Happy Bookcrossing!
Maxs-Mom asked to be skipped so PMing the next in line now. Will journal where and when sent once I find a taker for it.
sent to DoveiLibri
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
Hi! I received this book today in the mail! Found it at the new house when we went to paint and fix up. I will be off the internet for a while during the move, cable service will be interrupted and they have to hook up the new cable and internet at our new place. I have two books ahead of this one, but it won't take long, I promise ... and then The Ice Queen will be on its travels again!
Edited to Add: Wait! This appears to be a ray and not a ring. Is that correct? In addition, I seem to be the last one on the list. Please let me know if I have to contact anyone else to send the book along again ... If not, I'll offer it as a RABCK at the wish list forum. Let me know!!!!!
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Feb 12, 2008: When I'm done reading this, will release as part of the "49 Books Released in Memory of DemonLlama's Mom" Challenge (Link).
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May 21, 2008: Moved to the short list and reserved for BookChick88 when I'm done!
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8/18/08: Started reading this book today, and it should be in the mail to BookChick88 by the middle of the week! I've only read a few pages, and as always with Alice Hoffman's books, I am taken up by the prose already!
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08/19/08: What an interesting and peculiar book! Just when you thought you knew what was happening, another surprise comes along, all with very introspective inner voices. Finished very quickly, and will mail to the next reader on Wednesday, since we're expecting a hurricane today!
Edited to Add: Wait! This appears to be a ray and not a ring. Is that correct? In addition, I seem to be the last one on the list. Please let me know if I have to contact anyone else to send the book along again ... If not, I'll offer it as a RABCK at the wish list forum. Let me know!!!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Feb 12, 2008: When I'm done reading this, will release as part of the "49 Books Released in Memory of DemonLlama's Mom" Challenge (Link).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
May 21, 2008: Moved to the short list and reserved for BookChick88 when I'm done!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
8/18/08: Started reading this book today, and it should be in the mail to BookChick88 by the middle of the week! I've only read a few pages, and as always with Alice Hoffman's books, I am taken up by the prose already!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
08/19/08: What an interesting and peculiar book! Just when you thought you knew what was happening, another surprise comes along, all with very introspective inner voices. Finished very quickly, and will mail to the next reader on Wednesday, since we're expecting a hurricane today!
Journal Entry 37 by 
Dove-i-Libri
at -- By Hand Or Post, Ray/Ring, RABCK, Meet-Up in Fort Myers, Florida USA on Monday, August 18, 2008
Dove-i-Libri at -- By Hand Or Post, Ray/Ring, RABCK, Meet-Up in Fort Myers, Florida USA on Monday, August 18, 2008
Released 15 yrs ago (8/20/2008 UTC) at -- By Hand Or Post, Ray/Ring, RABCK, Meet-Up in Fort Myers, Florida USA
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
WILD RELEASE NOTES: Sent to BookChick88 today via media mail!
Delivery Confirmation # 0308 0730 0001 6164 7116
Delivery Confirmation # 0308 0730 0001 6164 7116
Received today safe and sound, thank you!
This book quite actually surprised me, a lot. My first novel by Alice Hoffman. I'm on the fence as to whether or not read another novel by her. The book was good, but for the first 60 pages it wasn't the best, then it picked up, and then by page 112 I was about to yell at the main female character, tell her to get over herself, and throw the book out the window.
But as a dedicated reader, I pressed on, and I am pleased that I did. Not ecstatic, not happy, but definitly pleased. The ending, as surprising as it was, filled me to the brim with the book where all the other spots had been left out.
Some parts were difficult to get through, others whizzed by. I believe the ending was possibly my faveorite. For the last 100 pages or so I was pleased by many things. Although I don't quite understand whatever happened to Lazarus/Seth Jones. Perhaps I'm just one for a happy ending for everyone.
Anyways, I did enjoy this book in the end, and am really glad I kept up with it. It's not one of those quite serious memorable stories, but its one of those books that makes you go: "Ya know, I read a book one time..." (:
~~~
Reserved for my best friend, she wants to read it.
But as a dedicated reader, I pressed on, and I am pleased that I did. Not ecstatic, not happy, but definitly pleased. The ending, as surprising as it was, filled me to the brim with the book where all the other spots had been left out.
Some parts were difficult to get through, others whizzed by. I believe the ending was possibly my faveorite. For the last 100 pages or so I was pleased by many things. Although I don't quite understand whatever happened to Lazarus/Seth Jones. Perhaps I'm just one for a happy ending for everyone.
Anyways, I did enjoy this book in the end, and am really glad I kept up with it. It's not one of those quite serious memorable stories, but its one of those books that makes you go: "Ya know, I read a book one time..." (:
~~~
Reserved for my best friend, she wants to read it.
Thanks for sending this to me, Juanet! Sounds like a good book based on the other reviews ... :)
