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Of Ice and Villains
Why Read This?The one-sentence sell. What do you get for showing up to this book, even when it's hard?
You'll be consumed by a morally gray romance that challenges boundaries and leaves you desperate for the next twist.
Synopsis
He's a neurotic serial killer. She's his sweet, innocent maid. Or...is she? Marlowe Spencer-Astor is a killer in crisis. It’s been one hundred seventy-four days since his last murder, and not even therapy—forced upon him by his overbearing mother—can reignite his bloodlust. But then he stumbles upon Minnie. She's filthy, half-starved and homeless. She's the one. The perfect victim. His missing muse. There’s just one problem— he can’t seem to kill her. Instead, Marlowe hires her as his maid, convincing himself that he’s merely biding his time, perfecting his plan. But the longer she stays, the stranger things become. Time stands still. Technology glitches. Every man who lays eyes on her is instantly bewitched—including Marlowe himself. He tells himself he hates her, that she triggers every neurosis he has. But the truth is far more disturbing: he wants to protect her, take care of her and kill anyone who dares covet what’s his. By the time Marlowe realizes that Minnie is far more than she seems, he becomes embroiled in an ancient war between gods and demons. And when the most powerful god in the universe sets his sights on his Minnie, Marlowe is faced with an impossible choice: walk away and survive… or fight for the woman he was never supposed to want. Even if it means damning himself for eternity... of Ice and Villains is a dark fantasy romance featuring a DARK AND OBSESSIVE HERO. Please only read if you're comfortable with this. It's the first book in the House of Cryos trilogy and was previously known as Mayhem and Minnie.
At a Glance
3.86 ★ GoodreadsTop TropesPlot devices and story situations that drive the romance. These are the circumstances that throw characters together or create conflict, not how they personally relate.
MoodWhat you felt reading this. Swoony? Gutted? Deliciously unhinged? The emotional fingerprint.
Book Details
Goodreads RatingThe crowd's verdict. Take it with salt, though. Some masterpieces are polarizing.
3.86 ★
Page CountHow long the commitment is.
574 pages
PublishedWhen this hit shelves. Helpful for tracking vibes by era.
2024
Primary GenreWhat type of book this is. Romance? Fantasy? A 400-page therapy session disguised as a thriller?
Dark Romance
PairingWho's falling in love? The gender makeup of your main romance. Helps you find your specific flavor of love story.
M/F
POVWhose head are you in? First person = deep in the feels. Third = watching from above. Dual = emotional whiplash (affectionate).
Dual POV
Romance PacingHow long until they kiss? Slow burn = 300 pages of tension. Insta-love = page 12 and it's already chaos.
Slow Burn
CliffhangerEnding type: HEA = forever happy (you'll cry happy). HFN = happy for now (open to interpretation). Bittersweet = complicated feelings. Know what you're signing up for.
spoiler
AudiobookCan you experience this book while driving? Washing dishes? Working out while emotionally destroyed? Check here.
AvailableCan you experience this book while driving? Washing dishes? Working out while emotionally destroyed? Check here.
Yes
FormatHow fancy is the audio? Standard = one narrator. Full cast = theater kids went off. GraphicAudio = a MoViE iN yOuR mInD.
Standard
NarratorThe voice in your ears.
Mark Royse
Narrator Count
Single
Narration Style
Single
TropesPlot devices and story situations that drive the romance. These are the circumstances that throw characters together or create conflict, not how they personally relate.
Mood & Vibe
MoodWhat you felt reading this. Swoony? Gutted? Deliciously unhinged? The emotional fingerprint.
FMC: mysterious / enigmatic sign in to unlock
intense / passionate sign in to unlock
urban fantasy sign in to unlock
the angst delivered sign in to unlock
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