Broken Promises, Shattered Dreams

Ava, a fae outcast living among humans, returns home early to find her boyfriend Andrew cheating on her. The betrayal is not just romantic but financial and existential—her dreams of opening a bar, her sense of belonging, and her faith in love are all destroyed in a single night. Humiliated and heartbroken, she seeks solace with her best friend Shalini, vowing never to trust or love again. This emotional devastation sets the stage for Ava's journey, as she is forced to confront her own worth, her identity as a fae, and the harsh realities of both human and fae worlds. The pain of loss and the sting of public humiliation become the crucible in which her resilience is forged.

The King's Tournament Announced

As Ava drowns her sorrows in a bar, news breaks that King Torin, ruler of the fae, will choose his queen through a televised tournament. The spectacle is both ancient tradition and modern reality show, drawing fae and human fascination alike. Torin's selection process is a blend of pageantry and power, promising danger and glory. For Ava, the announcement is a distant curiosity—until the king's entourage arrives at her bar, and she finds herself face-to-face with the most powerful fae alive. The encounter is electric, antagonistic, and public, setting Ava on a collision course with destiny and the machinations of the fae elite.

A Drunken Encounter with Power

In a haze of heartbreak and alcohol, Ava refuses to bow to Torin, challenging his authority and mocking the tournament. Her defiance, broadcast and recorded, makes her a viral sensation and a pariah. The king is both amused and intrigued by her resistance, while the world watches her meltdown with a mix of scorn and fascination. This public spectacle costs Ava her job and privacy, but it also marks her as someone who cannot be ignored. Torin, recognizing her as the perfect candidate for his own secretive purposes, sets his sights on her, and the wheels of fate begin to turn.

Bargain with the Fae King

Torin approaches Ava with a proposition: marry him, win the tournament, and help restore magic to Faerie in exchange for fifty million dollars. Both are clear—this is not about love. Torin needs a queen he cannot love, lest his curse kill her; Ava needs a way out of her ruined life. The deal is transactional, cynical, and fraught with risk, but it offers Ava a chance at agency and a new future. With Shalini as her advisor, Ava enters Faerie, stepping into a world of beauty, danger, and ancient magic, where every alliance is suspect and every gesture is watched.

Into Faerie's Frost

The journey to Faerie is both wondrous and chilling. The landscape is breathtaking, the castle gothic and alive with secrets. Ava is transformed—her appearance, her status, and her sense of self all shifting as she is thrust among princesses and rivals. The castle itself seems to reject her, a constant reminder of her outsider status. Yet, with Shalini's support and Torin's grudging guidance, Ava begins to navigate the treacherous social and magical hierarchies of the fae. The sense of not belonging is acute, but so is the possibility of transformation.

Among Queens and Rivals

The other contestants—princesses from powerful clans—view Ava with contempt and suspicion. The opening ceremonies are a display of opulence and veiled threats, with alliances forming and rivalries simmering. Ava's lack of pedigree and her viral infamy make her a target, but also an object of fascination. The rules of the tournament are brutal: strength, wit, and skill will be tested, and failure means exile or death. As Ava is fitted for her role and introduced to the court, she realizes that survival will require more than luck—it will demand cunning, courage, and the willingness to fight dirty.

The First Deadly Trial

The tournament's first challenge is a race through a deadly, enchanted forest. The princesses set lethal traps, and violence erupts—limbs are severed, lives are lost, and the brutality of fae competition is laid bare. Ava, injured and outmatched, uses Torin's magical aids and her own resourcefulness to survive, barely crossing the finish line. The experience is harrowing, stripping away any illusions she had about the glamour of Faerie. The cost of victory is high, and the trauma lingers, but Ava's determination hardens. She is no longer just a participant—she is a contender.

Training, Temptation, and Trust

In the aftermath of the race, Torin heals Ava, and their relationship deepens through nightly training sessions. The line between animosity and attraction blurs as they spar, confide, and test each other's limits. The castle's secrets begin to unravel—hidden passages, ancient curses, and the ever-present threat of assassination. Ava's skills sharpen, but so do her feelings, complicating the terms of their bargain. The specter of Torin's curse looms, and both struggle with desires they cannot safely acknowledge. Trust is fragile, and every victory feels like a step closer to disaster.

Secrets in Stone and Blood

Ava and Shalini uncover forbidden histories in the castle's library and secret rooms. The truth about the fae's bloody past, the massacre that orphaned Ava, and the existence of monstrous Unseelie fae come to light. A hidden diary reveals Torin's tragic love and the deadly consequences of his curse. Moria, a rival princess, warns Ava of her impending doom, and the lines between friend and foe blur. The castle's magic, the thrones' power, and the legacy of violence all converge, forcing Ava to confront her own origins and the darkness within.

The Ball and the Betrayal

At a grand ball, Ava and Torin's chemistry ignites in a sensual dance, but jealousy and rivalry simmer beneath the surface. Moria orchestrates a public shaming, leaking Ava's private photos and fueling scandal. The court's judgment is swift and merciless, and Ava's sense of isolation deepens. Yet, in the midst of disgrace, she finds unexpected support and a renewed resolve. The ball is a crucible—testing loyalties, exposing vulnerabilities, and setting the stage for the final, most dangerous phase of the tournament.

Assassins in the Night

An assassin strikes, killing a rival and nearly claiming Ava or Shalini. The sense of safety is shattered, and paranoia spreads. Torin's protective instincts intensify, but so do the dangers. Secret passages, hidden motives, and the ever-present threat of death force Ava and her allies to question everyone and everything. The violence is not just external—Ava must grapple with her own capacity for ruthlessness and the cost of survival in a world where mercy is weakness.

The Library's Forbidden Truths

In the castle's library, Ava and Shalini discover records and magical texts that hint at Ava's origins. She is not just a common fae—her birth is tied to a massacre, and her nature is more monstrous than she realized. The Unseelie, ancient enemies of the Seelie, are part of her bloodline. The knowledge is both empowering and terrifying, casting her role in the tournament and her relationship with Torin in a new, dangerous light. The past is not dead—it is alive in Ava, and it may be the key to Faerie's salvation or destruction.

The Tournament of Blades

The last trial is a gladiatorial duel, where only the strongest and most cunning survive. Ava faces Moria, who fights with both skill and magical deception. The battle is savage, pushing Ava to the brink of death and forcing her to embrace the wild, predatory instincts within her. With the help of allies and her own ingenuity, Ava triumphs, but the victory is pyrrhic—blood stains the snow, and the cost of the crown is etched in trauma and loss. The crowd roars, but Ava is left questioning what she has become.

The Price of Victory

As the winner, Ava is poised to become queen, but the aftermath is fraught with peril. Moria's warnings echo, and Torin's distance is both a shield and a wound. The kingdom's magic is restored, but the personal cost is immense. Ava's sense of self is fractured—she is both savior and monster, beloved and reviled. The promise of power is hollow without trust, love, or belonging. The throne is not just a seat of authority—it is a crucible that demands sacrifice.

Revelations and Warnings

Moria confronts Ava with the story of her sister Milisandia, who died by Torin's cursed touch. The diary's secrets, the warnings of death, and the evidence of Torin's guilt converge. Ava is forced to confront the reality that love with Torin is not just forbidden—it is fatal. The bargain that brought them together now threatens to destroy them both. The line between victim and executioner blurs, and the future is shrouded in dread.

The Queen's Throne

In the climactic ceremony, Torin's curse is triggered, and his touch nearly kills Ava. Only by seizing the queen's throne does she survive, channeling the vernal magic that restores Faerie. The experience is transcendent and terrifying, blending agony and ecstasy, life and death. The throne's power reveals Ava's true nature and destiny, transporting her to a place beyond Faerie—a realm of monsters and wild magic. The transformation is complete, but the cost is unknown.

Home Among Monsters

The throne delivers Ava to the realm of the Unseelie, where she is confronted with her monstrous heritage. Horns sprout from her head, and the enchanted forest teems with danger and beauty. Ava is no longer an outcast—she is home among monsters, a changeling destined for a fate beyond the Seelie court. The journey that began with heartbreak and exile ends with self-discovery and the promise of a new, untamed life. The story closes on a note of ambiguity and anticipation, as Ava embraces her wildness and the unknown future that awaits.

Characters

Ava Jones

Ava is a fae woman raised among humans, marked by her pointed ears and outsider status. Her early abandonment and subsequent adoption by a loving human mother leave her with deep wounds around belonging and self-worth. Betrayed by her human boyfriend, Ava's cynicism about love hardens into a shield. She is resourceful, sarcastic, and fiercely independent, but also vulnerable and haunted by loss. Throughout the story, Ava's journey is one of self-discovery—she is forced to confront her own darkness, her capacity for violence, and her longing for connection. Her relationship with Torin is fraught with tension, desire, and danger, as both are drawn to each other but cursed to bring harm. Ava's arc is one of transformation: from broken-hearted exile to queen, from victim to predator, and ultimately, from Seelie outcast to Unseelie heir. Her psychological complexity is rooted in trauma, resilience, and the search for identity.

King Torin

Torin is the young, powerful king of the Seelie fae, burdened by a curse that kills any woman he loves. Haunted by the death of his beloved Milisandia and the loss of his parents to monstrous forces, Torin is emotionally isolated, stoic, and driven by duty. His public persona is one of icy control and regal authority, but beneath the surface, he is tormented by guilt, loneliness, and the fear of his own power. Torin's relationship with Ava is a paradox—he chooses her because he believes he cannot love her, yet she becomes the one person who breaks through his defenses. His arc is one of self-denial, sacrifice, and the desperate attempt to save his kingdom without dooming himself or those he cares for. Torin's psychological struggle is the tension between love and destruction, power and vulnerability, and the hope for redemption.

Shalini

Shalini is Ava's best friend and emotional anchor, a brilliant and adventurous human who craves excitement and meaning beyond her successful but unfulfilling career. She is witty, supportive, and unafraid to challenge Ava or the fae. Shalini's presence in Faerie provides both comic relief and a grounding influence, as she navigates the dangers and wonders of the magical world with curiosity and courage. Her budding romance with Aeron offers a counterpoint to Ava's tumultuous relationship with Torin, highlighting themes of trust, risk, and the search for belonging. Shalini's arc is one of awakening—she moves from observer to participant, from skeptic to believer, and from sidekick to heroine in her own right.

Moria

Moria is a highborn fae princess, beautiful, cunning, and ruthless. She is both a rival and a mirror to Ava, embodying the dangers of ambition and the costs of power. Moria's motivations are complex—she seeks the crown not just for herself, but to avenge her sister Milisandia, who died by Torin's cursed touch. Her premonitions and warnings add a layer of fatalism and tragedy to the narrative. Moria's arc is one of obsession, loss, and the destructive power of grief. She is both antagonist and victim, her actions driven by pain and the desire to expose the rot at the heart of the Seelie court.

Aeron

Aeron is Torin's most trusted footman and Shalini's love interest. He is loyal, brave, and principled, bound by vows of chastity and duty. Aeron serves as a guide and protector for Ava and Shalini, offering insight into fae customs and the dangers lurking in the castle. His relationship with Shalini is tender and genuine, providing a rare oasis of warmth in a world of intrigue and violence. Aeron's arc is one of quiet heroism, as he risks his own safety to shield those he cares for and to uphold his sense of honor.

Orla

Orla is Torin's younger sister, blind but preternaturally perceptive. She is both vulnerable and wise, carrying the weight of family curses and hidden knowledge. Orla's magical abilities allow her to sense truths others cannot, and she serves as a confidante and advisor to both Torin and Ava. Her warnings and gifts are crucial to Ava's survival, and her own suffering underscores the costs of power and the fragility of life in Faerie. Orla's arc is one of sacrifice, insight, and the quiet endurance of pain.

Milisandia

Milisandia is Moria's sister and Torin's former lover, whose death by his cursed touch haunts the narrative. Though she appears only in memories and diaries, her presence is felt throughout the story as a symbol of what is lost and what is at stake. Milisandia's fate is a warning and a wound, shaping the actions and fears of both Torin and Moria. Her story is one of doomed love, innocence destroyed, and the inescapable consequences of magic and power.

Alice

Alice is a kelpie princess, sweet, hopeful, and out of her depth in the brutal world of the tournament. Her vulnerability and desire for love make her an easy target, and her murder is a turning point in the story, shattering any remaining illusions about the stakes of the competition. Alice's arc is brief but poignant, highlighting the costs of ambition and the dangers of naivete.

Sydoc

Sydoc is a redcap princess, fierce, violent, and unrepentant. She relishes the bloodshed of the tournament and serves as a reminder of the fae's savage nature. Her actions and fate underscore the story's themes of violence, tradition, and the thin veneer of civilization. Sydoc's arc is one of escalation and inevitable destruction.

Eliza

Eliza is a selkie princess, skilled but unwilling to kill for the crown. Her alliance with Ava during the tournament is a rare moment of solidarity and mercy. Eliza's arc is one of survival, compromise, and the recognition that honor can exist even in a world of brutality.

Plot Devices

Tournament as Social and Psychological Crucible

The tournament structure serves as both a literal and metaphorical crucible, testing the contestants' strength, wit, and morality. Each trial—race, party, duel—forces Ava and her rivals to confront their own limits, desires, and fears. The tournament is a stage for public spectacle, private ambition, and the negotiation of identity. It exposes the brutality of fae society, the fragility of alliances, and the costs of victory. The structure allows for escalating tension, shifting power dynamics, and the gradual revelation of secrets. The tournament is not just a means to an end—it is the engine of transformation for every character.

Curses and Forbidden Love

Torin's curse—that his love is fatal—drives the central conflict and shapes every relationship. The curse is both a plot device and a psychological metaphor for trauma, guilt, and the fear of intimacy. It creates a barrier that cannot be crossed, forcing characters to navigate desire, denial, and sacrifice. The curse also serves as a source of suspense and tragedy, as every moment of connection is shadowed by the threat of death. The interplay of magic and emotion is central to the story's tension and its exploration of love's dangers.

Glamour, Deception, and Identity

Glamour—magical disguise and manipulation—is a recurring device, used to conceal, protect, and deceive. Ava's transformation, the enchanted weapons, and the hidden passages all play with the theme of appearance versus reality. The question of identity—who Ava truly is, what she is capable of, and where she belongs—is mirrored in the shifting illusions of the fae world. The use of glamour allows for dramatic reversals, surprise revelations, and the constant threat that nothing is as it seems.

Foreshadowing and Prophecy

Moria's visions, the diary of Milisandia, and the warnings of Orla all serve to foreshadow the story's tragic turns. Prophecy is both a source of dread and a challenge to agency—can fate be changed, or is doom inevitable? The use of prophecy heightens suspense, deepens psychological complexity, and frames the narrative as a struggle between destiny and choice.

Hidden Histories and Secret Passages

The castle's secret rooms, the forbidden library, and the lost records of Ava's birth all serve as devices for uncovering hidden truths. The physical exploration of the castle mirrors the psychological excavation of trauma, memory, and identity. The secrets of the past—massacres, curses, betrayals—are not dead; they shape the present and threaten the future. The uncovering of these secrets is both a quest for knowledge and a confrontation with horror.

Narrative Structure: Dual Perspectives and Escalating Stakes

The story alternates between Ava's and Torin's perspectives, allowing for deep psychological insight and dramatic irony. The structure builds tension by revealing information to the reader that the characters do not yet possess, and by escalating the stakes with each trial, betrayal, and revelation. The pacing is relentless, with each chapter driving the characters closer to transformation or destruction.

Analysis

C.N. Crawford's Frost is a dark, romantic, and psychologically rich reimagining of the fae fantasy genre, blending the brutality of ancient myth with the spectacle of modern reality TV. At its core, the novel is an exploration of identity, trauma, and the search for belonging in worlds that are both beautiful and cruel. Ava's journey from broken-hearted exile to queen—and ultimately to monster—mirrors the universal struggle to reconcile our wounds with our desires, our need for connection with our fear of vulnerability. The tournament is both a literal and symbolic crucible, exposing the violence beneath the veneer of civilization and forcing characters to confront the costs of power, love, and survival. Torin's curse is a powerful metaphor for the ways in which trauma can make intimacy dangerous, and the story's refusal to offer easy resolutions speaks to the complexity of healing and transformation. The novel interrogates the allure and danger of fairy tales, the seductive power of beauty and strength, and the necessity of embracing one's own darkness in order to survive and thrive. In the end, Frost is a story about the price of victory, the inevitability of change, and the possibility of finding home—even among monsters.

Last updated: December 11, 2025