A review by scribesprite
Icefall by Matthew J. Kirby
5.0
More people need to read this. Really it’s such a great book. The writing was unique in a way that I liked. It wasn’t overly flourished, using big words and lenghty sentences to convey a message and yet it added to the story’s magic. When people scoff about YA and middle grade books I think of these kinds of books. They are worth reading even though it’s written for a younger audience. I just don’t know how authors can do it.
In this book we have Solveig who is the second daughter of the king but because she isn’t pretty enough to be of use with marriage like her sister, she feels inadequate. The setting is in a fortress that is surrounded by mountains and they are trapped for the winter. There is a war going on outside these mountains and they were sent there for protection but they soon discover that it’s anything but safe. There is a traitor in their midst.
I would say who my favorite characters are and why but I might give something away. So I’ll just say my favorite characters are Solveig and her little brother, who is also the heir to the throne, Herald. He is easy going and has a playfulness that still belongs to young boys. Herald has an effortless way with people, but he is still young and wants so much to prove himself. And Solveig, Solveig, Solvieg, who doesn’t love an underestimated underdog? She has to discover her self-worth during this winter. She has to be stronger than ever now and realize her talents.
The Berserkers are big thug looking guys that at first sight seem barbaric but Solvieg has a way of seeing the best in people. I grew to care about them as Solveig does and she grows to love everyone in the fortress even though she knows one of them has betray her, those she loves, and her poeple. Everyone is a suspect (only Solveig and Herald you are sure about) and when they are revealed Solveig is more sad than angry because it doesn’t matter, she still loves them. I was left guessing right up until the reveal, but that isn’t a surprise I’m not usually one of those reader who figures out the twist and tries to look for clues.
With self-discovery, betrayal, twists, treachery, love, Nordic myths, forgiveness, and even a little action there is a lot to look forward to in this book. Please try it if you are at all interested in fairy tales.
In this book we have Solveig who is the second daughter of the king but because she isn’t pretty enough to be of use with marriage like her sister, she feels inadequate. The setting is in a fortress that is surrounded by mountains and they are trapped for the winter. There is a war going on outside these mountains and they were sent there for protection but they soon discover that it’s anything but safe. There is a traitor in their midst.
I would say who my favorite characters are and why but I might give something away. So I’ll just say my favorite characters are Solveig and her little brother, who is also the heir to the throne, Herald. He is easy going and has a playfulness that still belongs to young boys. Herald has an effortless way with people, but he is still young and wants so much to prove himself. And Solveig, Solveig, Solvieg, who doesn’t love an underestimated underdog? She has to discover her self-worth during this winter. She has to be stronger than ever now and realize her talents.
The Berserkers are big thug looking guys that at first sight seem barbaric but Solvieg has a way of seeing the best in people. I grew to care about them as Solveig does and she grows to love everyone in the fortress even though she knows one of them has betray her, those she loves, and her poeple. Everyone is a suspect (only Solveig and Herald you are sure about) and when they are revealed Solveig is more sad than angry because it doesn’t matter, she still loves them. I was left guessing right up until the reveal, but that isn’t a surprise I’m not usually one of those reader who figures out the twist and tries to look for clues.
With self-discovery, betrayal, twists, treachery, love, Nordic myths, forgiveness, and even a little action there is a lot to look forward to in this book. Please try it if you are at all interested in fairy tales.