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stephxsu's review
4.0
This is some delightfully well-written storytelling that contains everything a good middle-grade novel needs: strong characters, a compelling plot and conflicts, fluid writing that pushes plot and theme along.
mary00's review
4.0
I had heard great things about this YA book, which was written by a local author, and I was not disappointed. The characters are fleshed out and real, the ambiance is tangible, and the writing is gorgeous. The writing style puts me in mind of Shannon Hale, another local author and one of my favorites. The only caveat - I wonder if the pace for much of the book might be a little slow for much of the youth in this fast-paced world. That is not a knock on the book, by any means, rather a lament that our current society may prevent some from being able to appreciate a book that deserves to be appreciated.
4 1/2 stars
4 1/2 stars
hnbb's review
2.0
It took a very long time to get into. I read it because my teenager asked me. Interesting that it won an award...
lanica's review
5.0
Librarians Review:
Kids today are used to fast pace...well, everything. Novels, computer games, songs, whatever they do...they expect it to be fast. This book is not fast-paced; even so, I would recommend this book to almost any middle school student. It has a mystery, treachery, romance, magic, battle, history, mythology, tension, redemption, realism...and it's just a darned good read.
Personal Review:
This is a book written for smart kids. A lot of it may be interesting to a wider audience, but overall it's a bit too simple for an everyday adult to read. If you like YA and/or Norse mythology and 'history', you'll probably love this book. If you are looking for something with 'teeth' - this isn't it.
Audiobook Review:
Excellent! I highly recommend this as an audio book.
Kids today are used to fast pace...well, everything. Novels, computer games, songs, whatever they do...they expect it to be fast. This book is not fast-paced; even so, I would recommend this book to almost any middle school student. It has a mystery, treachery, romance, magic, battle, history, mythology, tension, redemption, realism...and it's just a darned good read.
Personal Review:
This is a book written for smart kids. A lot of it may be interesting to a wider audience, but overall it's a bit too simple for an everyday adult to read. If you like YA and/or Norse mythology and 'history', you'll probably love this book. If you are looking for something with 'teeth' - this isn't it.
Audiobook Review:
Excellent! I highly recommend this as an audio book.
tien's review
3.5
🎧 Audiobook Review 🎧
<i>Icefall</i> is a coming of age tale where a young girl finally realises her worth. The protagonist, Solveig, struggles with being the middle child and "plain" looking. Her older sister is as beautiful as her mother and her youngest sibling is a boy and therefore, her father's heir. She, the one her father always passes over, does not believe she has anything to offer her family nor anyone else. However, in this story, we see her kindness, generosity, and intelligence. And despite her heartache, she will finally start to find that she is worth quite something after all. But she was not the only one who needed to find their feet.
While this story is told in an isolated island, it was told well and with a 'locked room' sort of mystery, rather engaging. Even if, I didn't think it was really that hard to guess who. There was a slight twist which I wasn't quite happy about though. Yet, I just loved Solveig as a protagonist. We could all learn from her.
<i>Icefall</i> is a coming of age tale where a young girl finally realises her worth. The protagonist, Solveig, struggles with being the middle child and "plain" looking. Her older sister is as beautiful as her mother and her youngest sibling is a boy and therefore, her father's heir. She, the one her father always passes over, does not believe she has anything to offer her family nor anyone else. However, in this story, we see her kindness, generosity, and intelligence. And despite her heartache, she will finally start to find that she is worth quite something after all. But she was not the only one who needed to find their feet.
While this story is told in an isolated island, it was told well and with a 'locked room' sort of mystery, rather engaging. Even if, I didn't think it was really that hard to guess who. There was a slight twist which I wasn't quite happy about though. Yet, I just loved Solveig as a protagonist. We could all learn from her.
mahaofhyrule's review
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
jennymock's review
5.0
I truly enjoyed this story based upon Norse culture and lore. Kirby has created a well balanced and exciting story that goes beyond adventure and touches on self worth and the intricate nature of human relationships, especially that of father and daughter.
kraley's review
4.0
I read this book because it was on mp3 and available at my library (not always the best criteria), but I was pleasantly surprised. The author did a great job telling the Norse stories without being heavy handed. He wove us a tale of ice and snow to be followed by a great thaw. It was more pleasurable than I hoped for. Kirby did his research and made the time period come alive. Well done.