Icy Betrayals
Author: Anne Renwick
Reviewer: Jen
Rating: B
What I’m Talking About:
Icy Betrayals is an exciting standalone adventure romance set in Renwick’s wonderful Elemental Web world. Angela, sister of spy Jack from Venomous Secrets (Elemental Web Chronicles #4), is desperate to escape their older brother’s machinations as he plans to auction her off to the highest bidder. Airship captain Valtýr (aka Val) discovers his dying former fiancee with strange ruins carved on her skin. Both are huldufólk: Icelandic fae. Val knows the villain behind the death, and it looks like Angela is his next target.
Angela and Val’s journey is a thrilling adventure filled with fascinating science, dangerous trolls, a madman, and some sexy times. While initially a marriage of convenience, the pair have strong chemistry and a mutual respect, and their relationship quickly evolves. It’s a bit of an insta-love romance due to their undeniable passion.
The plot is two-fold, with one part centering on the coronation of Iceland’s independent king. This storyline was confusing initially, but I did some research to understand the political climate of the times bettering my comprehension of the villain’s desire to break up the royal wedding. The second part of the plot focuses on Angela’s research into recreating a fern that could potentially give fae powers, if the tales are to be believed. Both parts intertwine to create the exciting tale.
While overall, I enjoyed the story, there were a couple small issues. First, the confusion over Rømer’s drive as the primary villain in the book. The second has to do with the head of the huldufólk council, who is a relative of Angela. Sigríour is joyful to be reconnected with Angela, but intent on marrying her to someone of equal rank. We know she’s determined to break up Val and Angela, but then she disappears from the story completely.
In the end, Icy Betrayals is a great addition to Renwick’s series, expanding the world by incorporating new mythology and creatures. The series, originally heavy with steampunk technology, skews more towards a paranormal and science-driven adventure with the latest addition.
My Rating: B
Jen
About the Book:
Where living ink whispers ancient truths, the key to survival may lie in the roots they share
Lady Angela Tagert is no one’s pawn. A brilliant pharmacological botanist, she carries a secret within her skin—a living, photosynthetic tattoo. When her scheming brother sells her to the highest bidder, she makes a bold escape. A hasty marriage to a handsome stranger headed to Iceland may be far from ideal, but it buys her freedom.
Valtýr Árnason—airship captain, engineer, huldufólk—didn’t plan to return home with a wife. Smart, stubborn and beautiful, she’s a storm he never saw coming. But when a troll attacks her en route, he realizes just how deep he’s in. Past mistakes he’s kept carefully hidden are back to haunt them both.
Hunted by a villain determined to unlock the mystery of skin-bound magic, Angela and Val must unearth the truth behind a lost tradition—before it’s stolen, corrupted, and used to shatter more than kingdoms.
Release Date: September 2, 2025
Publisher: self-published
Series: Elemental Web Chronicles #5
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Historical
Format(s): paperback (448 pages), e-book
Book Source: Author
Reviews in the Series:
Elemental Web books