** spoiler alert ** The Snow Queen’s Heir by Keilah Jude has successfully cemented itself as one of my favorite fantasy worlds. The story starts in modern day Chicago, and you’re following a group of friends who are obsessed with a woman in a myth that revolves around the snowy winter storm they are having. The main character, Noelle, is extremely likable as an FMC and you will be thrilled to know she very realistically approaches fantasy situations with a dash of realism instead of being magically perfect at everything. Noelle soon finds out that in her reality, not everything may be as it seems. There is a group of core characters but the main people you’ll be following are Noelle (our FMC), Lumi (our snow queen) and Eli (the brooding, sarcastic and charming brunette, dimpled… okay okay he’s perfect. I love him as an MMC)

The plot twists on this were so brilliantly done, that I found myself constantly gasping. It was very well paced, and brought new elements of magic into fantasy.. when the romantasy genre as a whole was starting to feel pretty rinse wash repeat. Keilah made romantasy come alive again. I was explaining this book to a friend who also had an arc of it, and she mentioned that it sounded very much tone wise like Once Upon a Time (the tv show). And I agree! It was the perfect balance of relatability with modern age problems, conversations and characters, mixed with the fantasy genre. It was somehow both cozy AND engaging at the same time.

Keilah did a fantastic job at creating likeable characters, and painting a world so vividly that you can’t help but feel immersed in it while you are reading.

I absolutely cannot wait for the next book because THAT CLIFFHANGER!!!!!

The Snow Queen's Heir takes place in Chicago (at first) before it portals into another world. Chicago honestly became its own character and that was one of my favorite parts. I enjoy books where the setting feels like a character and a major part of the story. They run around Chicago and try to find a powerful necklace through hints and go to major landmarks around Chicago that exist in real life. I enjoyed the characters and seeing how they progressed over the book. My favorite parts were the plot twists. The ending was a great twist! I did not see the plot twist coming that was in the middle either. Overall, it is a fun story and I enjoyed it.

This was such a fun adventure with so many twists and turns that I did not see coming!

Noelle and her friends are thrown into a mission retrieving the snow queens necklace based on causes that her grandmother left her but everyone seems to have their own agenda for the prize.

Despite the secrets between them, the heart of the story is about love, friendship and found family. I loved the individual and overall bond between all the characters!

I loved the world building, the magic system and the trials! That ending was insane! I need book 2 asap! I highly recommend picking this one up! Thank you NetGalley and the Keilah for the arc copy!

The Snow Queens Heir
I COULD NOT PUT THIS DOWN

Noelle thinks shes on a hunt for a necklace, but shes finding so much more.
The found family, is beautiful, tugging at your heart strings through every page.


Sitting there in suspense, you'll realise the Keilah Jude wrote, felt, and bled throught the thorns of suspense.

A must read for 2026!!

Omg, I truly was hypnotized by this book. It was hard to put down.
This story was amazing. The characters were heartfelt in everything they did. Their journey and quest to find the truth about their lives, the secrets from the past and what the future may hold was riveting!
This story has magic from different realms all while combining it with the human world in modern time. It will have powers, royalty, found family, friendships, lies, secrets and love along the way.
I didn't see the twist coming at the end and now I need book two as soon as possible.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone. This was a chef's kiss!!!!
#thesnowqueensheir

This book was so wholesome. The found family and relationships that they formed between each other was an amazing development. I loved seeing how the characters grew into their own people. There were plot twists, trials, and betrayals. The trials created more tension and the last 100 pages had me on the edge of my seat! I am excited to read the next book and continue to follow Noelle’s story!

I LOVED this book. Like… could not put it down loved it. The twists caught me completely off guard, the characters were so lovable and compelling, and the world was written with such rich detail that I never wanted to leave it. It feels cozy yet high stakes!!

I genuinely cannot believe this was the author’s debut—what an incredible first book. I haven’t had a 5-star read in a while, and this one reminded me exactly why I love reading. I’m already counting down until the next book.

If you’re a fan of YA fantasy, magical worlds, and Keeper of the Lost Cities vibes, you NEED to read this.

I absolutely loved The Snow Queen’s Heir. From the first page, the rich, icy world pulled me in with its intrigue, dangerous magic, and plenty of clever twists that kept me guessing.

The enemies-to-lovers romance is a deliciously slow burn, made even more intense by the high stakes of the Heirling Duel. I was fully invested.

If you love morally gray characters, forbidden romance, fairy-tale vibes similar to The Cruel Prince, Powerless, or Once Upon a Broken Heart, this book is absolutely for you. I’m still thinking about it and can’t wait for more.

The snow Queen's Heir
By @keilahjude

Publication date 1st March 2026
Genre-Romantasy YA

Enemies to lovers - forbidden love & found family.

Firstly I'd like to say thank you to @netgalley & @keilahjude for giving me the opportunity to read this fabulous story I absolutely loved it a real page turner kept me interested all the way....Bring on book number 2 I cannot wait.

Noelle is searching for a mysterious, powerful necklace to bring her grandmother back. Her grandmother has left letters with clues as to the whereabouts of the necklace. But noelle isn't the only one searching for it.

Lumi the Snow Queen also wants to get her hands on the necklace to bring her daughter back & her people that got killed.

Noelle & Lumi become friends & embark on the journey together.

Eli then turns up on the scene & turns noelle's life upside down & into his world. They have to fight against time to save the people they love.

They have to compete in a heirling Dual against each other & it won't end until someone dies....

Please 🙏 I need book 2......👌🫶🫶

#netgalley
#keilahjude
#thesnowqueensheir #arcreview #romantasy

I would have never guessed the plot twists in this book. My jaw was literally on the floor. This is a must read YA Fantasy. Can’t wait for the next one!

The Snow Queen's Heir is amazingly well done for a first book. The flow, and pace with the POV is interesting. A love hate romance puts you on a roller coaster ride of emotions, and at times you don't know who to root for. Lots of conflict, and actions. Well done for a first book.. so looking forward to the next book.

A lush, ethereal reimagining that feels both classic and fresh. Jude excels at creating a sense of "cold" magic that leaps off the page. The character development is nuanced, making this a sophisticated choice for YA fantasy lovers.

Honestly, the only thing that could’ve made this better would be if there was spice 😂 I know it’s not an adult book, so I’m just kidding… Sort of! I really love this, and I’m already planning a reread of it!

I loved this book and read it all on one day because I could not put it down. I'm ready for book 2 asap. This book is full of plot twists and along the way Noelle is faced with wondering who to trust to include the new people she just met and people she's known longer. I loved Noelle and her found family and how everything wove together so intricately the entire story all the way to the bombshell revelation at the end.

The Snow Queen’s Heir is such a lovely breath of fresh air in the YA romantasy world!

The Snow Queen follows Noelle, whose life basically unravels after mysterious letters (from non other than her grandmother) start appearing, and lead her to a powerful necklace that everyone is on the hunt for, including the Snow Queen. Noelle befriends the Snow Queen, and the two work together to uncover the secrets of this necklace. Enter Eli, who is handsome, charming, and scheming, and his schemes trick Noelle into spying on the Snow Queen, Noelle learns that everyone around her has their own secrets and agenda.

This book has fun icy royal drama, found family, deadly trials, and enemies to lovers. Yay, Keilah! :)

The Snow Queen’s Heir is a stunning blend of wintery atmosphere and high-stakes adventure. Keilah Jude’s writing has a beautiful, fairytale-like quality that makes the icy landscapes and shimmering magic feel completely immersive. I was immediately drawn into Noelle’s journey; watching her navigate her grandmother’s legacy while dealing with a crew where everyone seems to have their own secret agenda kept me hooked from the very first page.
The heart of this story really lies in the characters and the "found family" bonds that feel so sincere and tender. While the world-building and the mystery of the necklace were fantastic, it was the emotional depth and that jaw-dropping ending that truly blew me away. I’m already counting down the days until the sequel! This is a must-read for anyone who loves a magical quest with a lot of heart! ❄️👑

Keilah Jude did an amazing job with this snow queen retelling. I absolutely love The Snow Queens Heir. I was hooked from the beginning and the plot twists kept me wanting to read more. Chicago is plunged into a brutal winter and everyone believes it is the snow queen. Noelle the fmc is trying to find a necklace that her grandma owned and hid. She has clues to solve and her friends agree to help find it. Along comes Lumi into the friend group, however what secrets does Lumi have? Next Noelle meets Eli and he tells her, you can't trust Lumi she is not who you think she is. Noelle soon learns that Eli is not who he said he was. Can Noelle trust anyone?

The book ends on a cliffhanger and oh, that bonus scene was amazing. I am eagerly awaiting the next book. 10 out of 10 recommend.

Just finished this book & can I just say — WOW. This authors debut novel is absolutely stunning. There were many twists and turns & that cliffhanger 😭 it was unexpected and now I’m impatiently waiting for book two. If you need a good easy romantasy read, check this one out.

Some internal thoughts while reading⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️
If he dies I’m going to be so mad!!! No, I’m gonna cry😭 oh nvrm😂
WHAT🤯 I mean yeah? But WHAT?!?!?!?
That’s the end???? NOOOO I can’t wait that long for book 2🫠🫠😭😭 I NEED it now!!!!

I really loved this book! At first I wasn’t sure and bit confused but as the story went on the pace picked up and everything really came together. It became impossible to put down!
That plot twist!?!? I did not see that coming!! And that second plot twist twist, somehow I didn’t see that one either🫠 I don’t want to wait so long for book 2😭
I loved the main characters so much but also the side character were so amazing, Marko has my heart💖
I definitely recommend reading this one, but be prepared a bit of an emotion roller coaster, whew! But I loved every second of it, truly spectacular🥰

❄️YA
🔥Romantasy
❄️Forbidden Love
🔥Enemies to Lovers
❄️Found Family
🔥Magic Powers

🌶️: None
🤬: None
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was a fun read. It is a clean, fantasy for young adults that will keep your attention the whole way. Told from multiple POVs, this book will not disappoint and there is something for everyone. I really enjoyed this book and give 5 stars. I received a complimentary review copy of this book and am writing this review voluntarily.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Snow Queen’s Heir by Keilah Jude is an enchanting fantasy romance that pulled me in from the very first page ❄️✨. The worldbuilding is vivid and immersive — icy courts, hidden secrets, and a magic system that feels both atmospheric and fresh. Jude’s writing beautifully balances tension, emotion, and lyrical prose.
The protagonists are magnetic — their slow-burn connection had me hooked and emotionally invested in every twist and turn. The stakes feel real, the relationships are layered, and the way the romance unfolds alongside a high-stakes fantasy journey is just chef’s kiss.
This book is perfect for anyone who loves snow-soaked worlds, high-emotion fantasy, and love that grows in the most unexpected moments. I finished it with a smile, a racing heart, and absolutely craving the next installment ❄️💫.

WOW! If your reading this you may as well go and add this book to your TBR! I was so torn on digesting this book in one weekend and ended up doing a 24 hour read and re-read of it again! It was an adventure I want to re-read over and over again. This story is more than just a fantasy world that takes time to pull you in, from page one I was hooked. This story allows for new friendships to unfold in a journey searching for a necklace with a twist and turn of events not even I expected while reading. I loved the clues it felt like the reader was apart of the journey itself. The way the author paints the other realms makes the reader want to experience them. I will admit was not able to finish a book this year till I picked this one up and I have been raving about it to my friends. 10/10 recommending to anyone- this YA was everything I want in a YA found family, hidden identity, and an ending that now has added anticipation for book2.

LOVE LOVE LOVE! I cant wait to see what Keilah has in store for us next 🤗 The Snow Queens Heir is exactly what I needed right now to get out of my reading slump. The pace was great, the story was easy to follow, I laughed a few times especially when Lumi wanted ketchup... girl saaame 😭😭

This book was such a magical adventure to read! I adored the connections and dynamics between all of the characters. The elemental magic system was intriguing and easy for me to follow. I absolutely loved the world building as well. Overall, I had a great time and this was an exciting read for me.🤩

5 star must read!!

From the flow of the story and the beautiful descriptions of the worlds...I couldn't get enough! From the sassiness of the FMC and the character growth of the characters...this book is such a beautiful, magical tale that is woven to perfection! From deception to friendships....this book has all emotions packed into its pages!

I need it on my shelf because I know, I KNOW I will be doing a reread of it!