Frost by Marianna Baer

Title: Frost
Author: Marianna Baer
Publisher: Balzer & Bray
Release: 9/13/2011

Format: Advanced Readers Copy
Source: Publisher 

Leena Thomas’s senior year at boarding school begins with a shock: Frost House, her cozy dorm of close friends, has been assigned an unexpected roommate: confrontational, eccentric Celeste Lazar. But while Leena’s anxiety about a threat to her sanctuary proves valid, it becomes less and less clear whether the threat lies with her new roommate, within Leena’s own mind, or within the very nature of Frost House itself. Mysterious happenings in the dorm, an intense triangle between Leena, Celeste, and Celeste’s brother, and the reawakening of childhood fears, all push Leena to take increasingly desperate measures to feel safe. Frost is the story of a haunting. As to whether the demons are supernatural or psychological . . . well, which answer would let you sleep at night? 

Marianna Baer jumps into the YA community with a big splash. Frost is an eerily suspenseful novel that anyone willing to have unyielding creeps that cause them to sleep with a nightlight on, would enjoy reading.

This is first and foremost a haunted house story. Leena and her friends decide to dorm at the Frost House for their senior year at boarding school. An unlikely roommate is forced upon them, but that's only the beginning of their problems. Odd things begin to happen in their timeworn dormitory that cause them to blame each other - knocking noises, missing objects, vandalism, etc. Celeste, the high-strung and unwanted roommate seems to be in the middle of it all. Leena is left to decipher if Celeste is the cause of all the freaky mishappenings, or if it is actually paranormal forces behind it all. The weird thing is, Leena feels an undeniable connection to the house, as if it wants her to live and stay there... forever.

This book is as terrifying as it sounds. Regretfully, I read a majority of this before I went to bed. I turned off my lights at 11 pm and couldn't fall asleep until 2 am. Frost mentally wore me out! Still, the pacing of it was a little off for me. I read the first two chapters, and was hit with anxiety to see where the story would go. That anxiety built up into frustration. Everything leading up to the climax is a bit monotonous and repetitive. Still, an ominous feel is kept throughout. It really does pick up towards the end and mostly every question I was restlessly awaiting an answer for is answered.

Marianna Baer created characters that I easily connected with. Each roommate has their own little personality. Leena, who narrates the story, has a simple personality with a distinct voice. She's your average do-gooder. The absence of obvious complication is quite refreshing for this genre. There is a little romance in Frost, but in no way is it the central focus. If anything, it just adds another obstacle that ultimately has to do with the house.

In all, Frost is quite the worthwhile read. There were times that I just wanted to skip to the end and see what happens, but gladly I didn't. The anticipation and suspense resulted in a jaw dropping conclusion. Fair warning though, the ending is one that leaves you guessing and not knowing what to believe. If you can find satisfaction in that, pick up this thrilling ghost story!