Bitter Cold: A Steampunk Snow Queen

The Clockwork Republic Series, Volume 4

By: Katina French

Narrated by: Rachel Ahrens

Length: 3 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

Childhood friends Kit and Greta live in an alternate 1886 powered by mechanical marvels and alchemical magic. When Kit is captured by a ruthless industrialist known as the Snow Queen, Greta risks everything to save him.

Can a stubborn young lady defeat the most powerful woman in the world with a little alchemy, a lot of luck, and a clockwork reindeer? Or will the Snow Queen's diabolical device, the Eternity Engine, wreak an icy reckoning?

©2015 Katina French (P)2015 Katina French

Love Crosses Any Alchemical Divide

What does Rachel Ahrens bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Other than a few oddly repeated lines I truly enjoyed Rachel Ahrens' performance of this book. It could be a glitch in my Audible App or even a typo within the script that she read from. She brought emotions and depth to the characters I would have missed by just reading the book myself. I will definitely be looking for more titles narrated by her and sincerely hope she continues on with this series as she seems to be an amazing fit!

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Steampunk Alchemists &Tinkers Can Be A Dangerous Combination

Any additional comments?

This series does not need to be listened to (or read) in order as it consists of stories just based in the same world and not necessarily connected to each other via plot or storyline. This is the fourth book based in this world.


Greta lives in her own world of imagination and discovery. The outside world truly does not interest her unless it impacts her Alchemical experiments. She really only cares about her best friend from childhood, Kit, a Tinker. Together they build amazing things. They are both geniuses in their respective fields. When Kit tells her he has something to say she freaks out completely and retreats (thinking he is leaving for a lucrative position) not even bothering to listen to even one word. What did he want to tell her? Where is he? What happened to him? Can she find him? Save him?


Kit needs to save his best friend... Even from herself. He has loved her since the first moment they met. Now her father is threatening to sell her to the highest bidder out in the wilder parts of the continent... She would never survive! He has made her the most perfect ring and now all he has to do is convince her to marry him. He could make her happy. He just knows it! Will he be able to make her listen? Will she agree to marry him? Or is he not what she wants? Can he save her from all the dangers in their world?


Filled with mystery, action and adventure this amazing fantasy was a truly unique telling of the archetype Snow Queen tale! The setting and world suck you in and immerse you in a world more fanciful than ever existed in our plane of existence. It is a treat for anyone who loves fairytales, fantasy, steampunk or historical fiction.


***This series is suitable for mature young adult through adult listeners (or readers) who enjoy steampunk fantasy fairytales with a dash of horror, romance & plenty of action and adventure :)

The Steampunked Snow Queen

I really, really enjoyed seeing the Snow Queen classic fairy tale re-imagined in a steampunk world. It was a perfect fit and did more than justice to the original published story.

This is listed as book 4 of the series and I suspect that some of the characters mentioned briefly had appeared in the past books and hopefully future ones. Based on the descriptions of the other books, I did notice that the Snow Queen appears in at least one of the past episodes. I definitely want to know more about Cornelius 'Neil' Sims and the mysterious Valentine. Katina French has also intrigued me into wanting to know more about the make up of this world's North America.

The early action scene had me giggling and remembering my chemistry days, luckily mine were not as dramatic as Greta's. I also liked the twist on Greta's sled and the 'animals' pulling it.

Rachel Ahrens' narration is perfect for this project. She did a great job expressing the emotion in the characters and made the narration interesting enough to really keep my ADHD interest.

This audiobook was provided by the author/narrator/publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of Audiobook Blast.

Entertaining all the way through

Would you consider the audio edition of Bitter Cold: A Steampunk Snow Queen to be better than the print version?

The audiobooks are always better the print. So much depth us added with audible books

What did you like best about this story?

It was a differentiate of book for me. Nth is is my first Steampunk book. All those go it did take me a little bit to adjust to this gendr it was well worth it

What about Rachel Ahrens’s performance did you like?

All of it. She has a great voice inflection which made the book interesting and kept me entertained

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

I doubt know. I kept thinking it was a unique twist of the wizard of oz. I guess they flying sleds and robotic people were why

Any additional comments?

Great stork. I loved Great and Kit. Sweet romance with lots of adventures mixed in

Bitter Cold review

Where does Bitter Cold: A Steampunk Snow Queen rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

High among my favorites.

What did you like best about this story?

The plot, and story idea, the way it's told. It's interesting and kept my interest.

Which character – as performed by Rachel Ahrens – was your favorite?

Greta.

Any additional comments?

I received this to give an honest, unbiased review.

Great story!!

what a fun adventure! I finished it in 1 day! The narrator was fantastic, she completely took me into the story and brought the characters alive.

Bitter Cold : perfect winter read

Would you consider the audio edition of Bitter Cold: A Steampunk Snow Queen to be better than the print version?

Rachel Ahrens is a great narrator. I believe a good narrator adds a lot to the written word. In this case, both the writing and the narration were top notch. I would recommend 'Bitter Cold' to everyone who enjoys Steampunk themed books , and to all those who are looking for a well written book, easy to fall into new world and action amidst the intrigue.

What other book might you compare Bitter Cold: A Steampunk Snow Queen to and why?

I only just recently started reading Steampunk books. I love Darkest London series by Kristen Callihan and The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer. No matter what age group the book is for, an author that writes about strong heroines is a must read for me and I beleive Bitter Cold folows that line.

Which scene was your favorite?

Every scene that featured Greta. I love female sentric books and Bitter Cold is a good example of a book that revolves around a strong, smart heroine.

Any additional comments?

Too short!! I l know Bitter Cold is part of a series, but I always wish books were longer, especially book I enjoyed. I will definitely check the rest of the books in the series.

really good

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

this is a fascinating fantasy

What other book might you compare Bitter Cold: A Steampunk Snow Queen to and why?

have not listened to any other book like this before

Which scene was your favorite?

can't say there was 1 scene I liked more then others

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

not really

I loved this book

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Anyone that loves Steam Punk will really enjoy this book. It's got it all. Adventure, a sting female lead, and mystery.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Bitter Cold: A Steampunk Snow Queen?

When the reindeer was made to fly without the sleigh.

What does Rachel Ahrens bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Her calm voice is really soothing and relaxing. She is able to transition to other characters comfortably which makes the story easy to listen to.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Oh no you didn't!

Any additional comments?

I was wondering in the beginning if I was going to like this book, however, it didn't take me long to get into it. I really loved the story and will follow this author.

This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBlast.

Bitter cold

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

I was not able to follow the story because this is Vol 4. I should have started with Vol 1