K.A. Tucker

Ivy, a talented tattoo artist who spent the early part of her twenties on the move, is finally looking for a place to call home. She thinks she might have found it in San Francisco, but all that changes when she witnesses a terrible crime. She's ready to pack up her things yet again, when a random encounter with a stranger keeps her in the city, giving her reason to stay after all. That is, until Ivy discovers that their encounter wasn't random.

A Novel

Surviving Ice

Sven Test

This review was originally posted on Latte Nights Reviews.

I honestly believe this is K.A. Tucker's most intense and suspenseful story to date that left me gasping through most of the story. I was gripped by the suspense and the story right from the start.

When I read about Ivy in Chasing River, I knew I wanted her to have a book on her own and K.A. Tucker didn't disappoint! I consider Ivy to be on the badass side. She's an incredibly strong female character and her strength is shown by how well she handles the death of her uncle. Ivy never stays in one place for long so when she arrives in San Fransisco and starts to work with her uncle in his tattoo shop, she feels like she finally has found a home. Her world is shaken when her uncle dies and she's ready to move once again but she meets Sebastian and her heart is telling her to stay.

I've gotten inside her head without even trying.

Sebastian was a Navy SEAL who now works for a security company. What Ivy doesn't know is that her uncle died knowing valuable information which was recorded and that tape was hidden. Sebastian's job is to look for that tape and the prime suspect is Ivy and he'll do whatever he can to find that tape.

Ivy's and Sebastian's character were intricate but molded into each other so perfectly. They are very strong and independent characters. Each character gave me different feelings: Ivy had me concerned for her well-being but her want to stay strong helped me trust her choices and believe that she will be all right. Sebastian was a complicated matter and I had no idea what to think of him in the beginning. Later on he made me feel safe and I learned to trust him especially with Ivy. Both of these characters have gone through a lot and they understand each other extremely well.

"Your scar," I admit. I wonder how he got it, and if it bothers him but I don't ask. "I've covered a lot of scars for clients."

"I don't need it covered," he says. "Scars give you—"

"Character," I finish in unison with him. "I don't mind them, either. They make people more interesting."

The mystery and suspense of what would happen had me biting my nails. I was scared and excited to find out the end result of things and I have to say everything was handled so well! And I cannot end this review without mentioning the chemistry between Ivy and Sebastian, which was OFF THE CHARTS! Right from the start when they meet, you could feel the sexual tension between them and it wasn't long before they gave in to their desires.

This story was exhilirating, suspensful and entertaining from beginning to end. K.A. Tucker gave a great ending to this series and I highly recommend everyone to read.This review was originally posted on Latte Nights Reviews.

Find this review and more at 
  kimberlyfaye reads
.

Surviving Ice was of the "read in one sitting" variety for me. It grabbed me right from the very start and there wasn't a chance I was stopping until I finished it. I loved Ivy and Sebastian both, so I was as gripped by their chemistry – and eventually the romance – as I was the suspense. 

Ivy was a great, strong female lead and I admired the way she was handling everything surrounding the death of her uncle. A lesser woman would've broken, but she remained strong. She intrigued me in Chasing River, so I was thrilled to learn the final book in the series would be hers. Sebastian was a fantastic male lead. I loved that we got to spend roughly half the book inside his head. (Dual POV, when done right, are my favorite.) He was keeping plenty of secrets and could've been quite dangerous to Ivy, but I still liked him. And I LOVED the sexual tension between him and Ivy. 

It was impossible not to find Ivy and Sebastian a perfect match. They complemented each other so well. They were both strong and independent. Their chemistry was smokin' hot right from their very first meeting. I couldn't wait to see how the story between them progressed as secrets were revealed. Oh, and it's worth mentioning their chemistry at the beginning and the resulting sexual tension gave way to some SERIOUSLY HOT sexy times. I was definitely fanning myself. 

Surviving Ice wasn't an "edge of your seat" type of suspense book, but I liked that part of the storyline. I was so sad for Ivy and her loss and I was legitimately concerned about how much she knew and what danger that knowledge would land her in. I NEEDED to know how things would turn out and that's definitely part of what kept me obsessed with finishing this book – in a matter of just a few hours. The other parts, of course, was the characters and the kissing. :)

Man, I hate to see this series come to an end, but I'm glad it wrapped up the way it did. I had pretty high expectations for this final book and it exceeded all of them. I thought it was a great way to finish up this series and, though I'm sad it's over and that I have to give these characters up for now, I can't wait to see what Kathleen gives us next. 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

Lisa ✩ @lifeinlit

I jointly reviewed this with my co-blogger, Becca!

 
  THE STORY:
 

  LISA
: I can't believe this favorite series of ours is over!!


  


Okay, I may be being a bit melodramatic, but this has been one of my favorite series, and I'm just so sad to see it come to an end. This group of characters, mixed with these mysterious, jaw-dropping story lines have kept my up late reading many, many nights. K.A. Tucker is amazing, plain and simple.

We first meet Ivy in Ireland in Chasing River, where she gets reacquainted with Amber while traveling the world, looking for a place to call home. Ivy is now in San Francisco, tattooing with her uncle, and finally feeling like she's found somewhere to stay. That is until she witnesses a horrific crime that throws her entire life upside down.

I love how vague the synopsis is for this book. Going into this story with little to no knowledge of what this story is definitely the way to go. The twists and turns, ups and downs, and all around DRAMA was incredible. This unputdownable book had Becca and I fangirling from beginning to end.


  BECCA
: I know Lisa it is so sad that it's over :( This has been a truly amazing series and Surviving Ice was an epic finale!

I loved that synopsis gave almost nothing away! It made every twist and turn of this story so perfect and surprising! This was one of our fastest buddy reads because we did not want to put it down and would devour it each time we read!
 
 
  THE CHARACTERS:
 

  BECCA
: KA Tucker does it once again! She is unparalleled when it comes to character development. I feel as if I truly get to know each character that she writes. I think that was why I was so excited to read Ivy's story. After meeting this abrasive but totally cool tough girl in Chasing River I couldn't wait to get to know her in Surviving Ice. Honestly, she was so bad ass and even a little intimidating and I was a bit scared I wouldn't like her... I am so happy to say that I LOVED her! She is seriously a chic I would love to hang out with, but I totally do not think I am cool enough LOL! Tucker took it slow with Ivy and chipped away at her persona a piece at a time throughout the book and it was perfect! I think that I loved her creativity most, she was a true artist that lived and breathed her art. Her passion was infectious! The moments she broke out the spray paint and went tagging were my absolute favorite!

  
    
  

Sebastian *swoons* *sighs* *places hand on forehead* I never think about it until I read about these sexy, military boys with stealth movements and bad ass protective skills that I love me some military boys! Sebastian/Ice was one hot and sexy man! He was one part protective and kind and the other cerebral killing machine... so in other words a cyborg of some sort. Even when he was being deceitful I kept making excuses for him, because "it wasn't his choice" or "he had to do it." Yup I think I'm still in denial! I dare you not to fall for him when you read this book!


  LISA
: Haha. I totally agree. I'm usually not a fan of military boys in general... but Sebastian was impossible not to love. His protectiveness mixed with is deceitful ways definitely made for an interesting man at times. Let's just say you will love him AND hate him throughout this story. ;)

Becca's so right with how amazing Ivy is. She was instantly one of my favorite characters in this entire series when I first met her in Chasing River. I don't know if it was her snarky sarcasm (which I LOVE!) or her creativity when it came to tattoos as well as tagging buildings, or maybe a combination of both, but she was immediately a girl I felt myself looking up to. Ivy obviously hasn't always had the easiest life, but she's a fighter, and I really respect that. She doesn't let guys boss her around and rarely accepts help from others, even when she needs it badly. She may not be perfect, but she's REAL, and I immediately loved her.

I also have to mention Ivy's BFF, Dakota, who's quirkiness is impossible not to laugh at. Between her unique house guests (from homeless men to a psychic medium), the way she always says what she's thinking, even when it's not entirely appropriate, and her over-the-top self-confidence, this girl is really one in a million! I wish Dakota got her own story - I'd definitely love to know more about her.


  

 

 
  OVERALL:
 

  LISA
: This was such a great story. One of my very favorites in this entire series. The unstoppable action, romantic scenes when you least expect them, and balls-to-the-wall attitudes of these characters, you can't help but love this story.

But thus, all good things must come to an end. Including this amazing series.


  


Do I really have to say goodbye? I'm in total mourning over this. I know K.A. Tucker's next book, 
  He Will Be My Ruin
, will be releasing soon, but I'm definitely going to miss this suspenseful series of hers. With this eclectic array of characters, gorgeous locations, and outright incredible story lines, this series will remain as one of my favorites. If you haven't read this series yet, please go grab yourself a copy of Burying Water and get on it!


  BECCA
: I seriously love that last GIF Lisa! It is exactly how I feel! Surviving Ice was a brilliant ending to this series and possibly my favorite??? I don't know, I loved them all! I am so sad it's over :( I would have loved for Dakota to get her own novel! But my biggest regret is Warner from Becoming Rain... he was so amazing and I really feel that he had a story to tell. But truthfully, I think that I will always find characters I love in Tucker's writing and her series would continue forever LOL!!

I am really excited for He Will Be My Ruin and it helped me get over the loss of this series (a little) knowing that she has something new coming out! The Burying Water series was so different from the Ten Tiny Breaths series and yet I loved both of them so much! These two series are always on my top recommendation list and contain some of my very favorite books of all time. KA Tucker is an amazingly versatile writer, with character building skills that always astound me. I literally cannot wait to see what she comes up with next! Between Lisa and I, Tucker will always have long time readers and total Fangirls!!

  
    
  


(Thanks to Atria Books for the review copy!)

Find this review and others like it at Lost in Literature!

Lacey

Originally posted at Booklovers For Life

I’m such a big fan of K.A. Tucker’s Burying Water series, because each book I’ve read I have enjoyed so much. Surviving Ice is another solid, entertaining addition to the series – I think it might be my new favorite! I highly enjoyed Ivy and Sebastian characters, who are much different than the series’ previous characters. They are unique and refreshing, and I was addicted to their story from the start. Fans of the series won’t want to miss this intense, romantic tale between an edgy tattoo artist and a former Navy SEAL with a secret.

Ivy is a nomad at heart, never able to settle in one place for long. But for now, she’s in San Francisco, where her beloved uncle lives with his tattoo shop. She’s actually thinking about staying in SF for longer than the norm, until her uncle gets murdered – and she’s the only witness. In between having to deal with her grief and the tattoo shop that now belongs to her, she unknowingly becomes a target to a dangerous organization who wants to take her out.

I would become a reaper of sorts, delivering an end to those who needed it.
Without medals, without fanfare, but with quiet honor.

I kind of dig books whose main character is hiding his/her identity, and in the case of Surviving Ice, Sebastian – also known as Ice – is hiding one hell of an identity. A former SEAL and a mercenary, Sebastian has incredible skills he uses on targets when his employer sends him off on a mission. And his next mission is to find a missing tape that could incriminate his employer, and the only connection to that tape goes by the name of Ivy Lee.

I honestly couldn’t put this book down. K.A. Tucker has a way with words that kept me hooked onto each page. She’s created incredible characters in Ivy and Sebastian, who couldn’t be more perfect together. Ivy is a sassy, strong, badass chick I admired. Sebastian is the calm and quiet kind of hero, though his character is tinged with mystery and danger. I loved how the two of them form a connection through a seven-hour long tattoo session, despite the fact that Sebastian enters Ivy’s life with a false identity. Ivy is supposed to be Sebastian’s target, but what happens when he starts falling for her, and vice versa?

Who are you, really, Sebastian?
Besides the stranger who strolled in and seized my heart?

The romance between Ivy and Sebastian developed so naturally, I applaud the author for being able to make me root for them despite the lies. And I loved how K.A. Tucker was able to weave the suspense perfectly well within the romance. The suspense is heart-pounding and nail-biting, with enough action throughout the book to keep me satisfied and never bored.

A seamless mix of romance and suspense, Surviving Ice is a brilliant NA novel not to be missed.

Quotes are taken from the ARC and are subject to change in the final version.

Thanks to the publisher for generously providing me an ARC to review.

Amazon Ebook: http://amzn.to/1DK36id
Amazon Paperback: http://amzn.to/1Gppvlh
Audible: http://amzn.to/1hUWjZe

Liked this review? Subscribe to Booklovers For Life for more!

Gretchen Gomez

Another perfect book to the Burying Water series! I can't believe it's over with this last installment. It was beautiful. I honestly was scared about Ivy since we briefly meet her in the 1st book and she rubbed off as an unlikeable character. Then Tucker inserts her again in Chasing River and we start to see more of her and she becomes this likable kick-ass character. Sebastian was the perfect fit for Ivy and I'm so happy she found her match!

Surviving Ice A Novel

Reviews