Icefall

Icefall

Author: Matthew J. Kirby
Rating: 4/5 Stars
Reviewer: Lydia

I rarely read youth fiction, but I'm happy I stepped outside of my comfort zone and read this book. Icefall is a superbly written tale for youngsters (and adults alike!), and it's a unique story which draws on various Norse myths.

The main character is a timid girl named Solveig, who has been banished to an ice-locked fortress so that she and her siblings/fellow heirs to the throne can stay safe while their father wages war. Along with her family is a legion of soldiers, maids, and a storyteller. The setting is excellently described, and the icy wonderland around them almost becomes its own character.

As the story progresses, it becomes clear that even though the king only sent his closest friends to guard his children, there is a traitor amidst the group. Strange and even violent incidents occur, and the group is in peril of starving or perishing in such a treacherous and unforgiving landscape.

What began as a plan to keep them safe backfires when it becomes apparent that the very wall of ice keeping them safe is also keeping them trapped. Solveig simultaneously tries to uncover the culprit while also coming to terms with her own interests as a future storyteller, even when these dreams clash with her family’s expectations.

This book contains an excellent message for kids: never stop believing in yourself, and don’t give up on your dreams! Cuddle up with a cup of hot cocoa and read this fantastic book before the weather turns!