Frozen Secrets

by Marisa Phillips

In the Frozen North, some secrets are best left buried under the ice.

Feebie Stoneflake wants answers about her parents, something her older brother refuses to talk about. For as long as Feebie can remember, it’s been this way. Deep down, she feels that there’s something important about her family. Some secret long left frozen that she needs to uncover.

When a crazy old lady gives her a strange warning and her village is destroyed by the army of the Ice Conqueror, Feebie knows she was right. There’s more to her heritage than she’s been told.

Genres: Christian Fiction

Kindle Edition

Published March 25, 2025

About the author

Marisa Philips, more often known as Rissy, is the adventurous middle sister of the writing trio known as Sisters Three. She loves adventure and high stakes action as well as the occasional slow day baking all her favorite pastry treats. She's an animal lover at heart and training and playing with her beloved dog friends is a pastime that never gets old.

Reviews

[Jaiden Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Action-packed and beautiful!


Language: N/A

Violence: Action and fighting, mentions of people dying, a few character deaths on page, barely described. Mentions blood and pink snow, nothing too descriptive or gory.

Magic: Talking animals. There's a cave where Feebie hears voices calling to her, later characters explain that only she can hear the voice because of who her family is. Mentions of a magical sword.


An action-packed and fast paced story for anyone looking for a quick read! Frozen Secrets is a thrilling start to a surely amazing series! (Not that I'm biased cuz my sister wrote it or anything🤪)
It's an intriguing story full of secrets, danger, and did I mention the talking animals? Well, yes, there are talking animals and lots of snow and ice and action!
Inks is probably my favorite character, he’s hilarious, and so very rude it's funny…lol…plus he's a cute little mink! What's not to love about that, am I right?
If you're looking for a quick and fast paced read, I highly recommend you give Frozen Secrets a try!😉💖

14+

[Kaytlin Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

It has been amazing to see this story come alive...I know most people don't get to see the full scale like I was privileged to see...all the ups and downs and the perseverance Marisa had in pursuing this story and getting it just right. The completed product is beautiful!

Characters:
Feebie Stoneflake is the POV and she's a darling girl who is stubborn and determined to finally get some answers about her parents. She's tired of all the lies that people tell her, yet, as the truth starts to come to light, she quickly learns that all the lies were meant to protect her.
Rorick is Feebie's older brother and I love him! I've always loved his character!
Anton is Feebie's friend and he's such a good one! Standing with her until the end!
Prince Akiak is such a sweet guy and I love how tender and understanding he is of everything that Feebie has been through. Also the fact that he sees how desperately she needs answers and is willing to give them to her. <3
Inx cracks me up! I love the little mink and he might just be one of my favorite characters. (don't tell him I said that, it might give him a big head)

Themes:
That even in the worst and most confusing times of our lives God is there. There will be times when we doubt, but God never leaves us. He is always there beside us, He has a plan and will work all things for good.

Language:
N/A

Romance:
At this point...just platonic friendships. Besides a married couple and the king and queen, but nothing to see there. ;)

Magic:
Mentions of a sword that can see both past, present, and future...and a know there's a type of curse (privy to details) that will become more important as the series goes.

Violence/Gore:
There are some fight scenes, depictions of fear, some mentions of wounds or being hurt...nothing overly detailed. Fires that destroy villages, but again nothing that's overboard detail wise.

Overall:
This is a great novella with lots of wintery, action-packed moments! There are some beautiful ice and snow descriptions as well as some emotionally packed moments.
Recommend ages 12+

[Lillian Keith · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE ENDING??!! (Why, Rissy, did you leave me with that ending?!! *sniffles*).

Okay, so as a heads up this story does end on a cliffhanger (...so I need like Book 2 since yesterday *lol*.) That being said, I really liked the premise of this novella. The pacing was good, and there's a lot of action. Also, the winter-y descriptions and analogies were really well done (I might have to go back and write some of them down in a journal.) And can I add that I really liked Queen Tatum and Auntie Jalik? They were wonderful mother figures to Feebie. I love seeing that in books.

I only wished that a certain character could have a resolution with another certain character, but I won't say more due to spoilers :) (...and I have so many more questions as to what's going on and what will happen. Alas, I'll have to wait for those answers in the next book!)

CW: just mentions of blood and stab wounds, fighting, battles, but nothing gory or over-done.

[Sydney Witbeck · Rating 4 out of 5]

My star rating: 3.75
I received an ARC of this debut novel by Marisa Phillips. I love finding clean, adventurous novels by young, Christian authors, so I was excited to read this book! Let's get into it!!

BOOKISH YAYS! ❤️

* The faith elements sprinkled in. I loved seeing how even through everything that happens, Feebie knows she has to trust God (the Maker) Her faith isn't always perfect (understandable, considering the chaos of her world <3) but it grows over the story. This is a message readers today need more than ever, so it was great to read that!

* The ice language/metaphors. The world this book is set in is very much winter/Scandinavian based (or at least that's how it felt to me as the reader!) and the language reflects that. From character names (like Stoneflake - a fun play on "snowflake") to beautiful descriptions of winter and snow themed similes and metaphors, it definitely pulled the reader in!

*talking animals! This had a Narnia vibe to it which was fun! I haven't seen a lot of books use this (or maybe they just haven't come across my radar) 🥰🥰

*Feebie's growth over the story (I won't say more because I'm afraid of giving spoilers, but she had a strong arc as she sought answers to the mysteries of the past...)

*Auntie Jalik!! I know she didn't have as much "page time" but I loved every page with her on it!

BOOKISH OKAYS...

* There were times (in the beginning and near the middle) where I wished Feebie would have listened more to the people trying to protect her. Honestly, y'all this is the only real thing that tipped me off a star, and it's not a huge deal. I wanted her to listen to her brother and Yura instead of coming along (on a what seemed to be a trip men made, called a "disgrace" for women to join) when they said to stay.

*Her parents seemed to be married and have kids at a very young age. They met when her father was 17. Her mother is mentioned to be around Feebie's age, maybe a bit older - I'd say 15/16. Even assuming they waited a year or so, it just seemed very young to me, with both of them still being teenagers.

*The epilogue was a bit confusing to me, but I assume once the second book comes out, it will make more sense to me!

BOOKISH NAYS!
*none! There wasn't anything that tipped off alarm bells in my head. Honestly, it is so refreshing to see a book written very clean, content wise. I can see a potential for a romantic subplot sometime in the future if the author writes another book (which, given the ending, is happily very likely), but nothing here. No gore or language.

I received an ARC of the book "Frozen Secrets" from the author, and I was not required to leave a positive review. The thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

[Ellie Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Apologies to the author that I managed to not post the review until now!🤦🏻‍♀😅*
Content Rating: 4.9/5
Content Notes: Pretty minimal- there were some light fantasy elements, and lots of loss and grief.
Theme Rating: 5/5
Age rating: 10+

This was such a fun, winter themed YA fantasy! Once I sat down to read it I binged it quickly and it actually pulled me out of a reading slump! I loved Feebie and her relationship with Auntie Jalik in particular was really sweet. And I definitely felt her frustration with certain characters refusing to tell her certain things.

I did feel like some of the character motivations/the inciting incident could've been a little stronger, but those were honestly the only issues I had with this book. It was pretty well written and very enjoyable. I especially liked the parts set in the palace. It also had some really good faith themes and I can't wait to see how they play out as the series goes on.

I guess I did have one other issue with this book... the ending. *humph* What. was. that?!😂 I need book two, and I really need it now! XD I cannot wait to see where this series goes! Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, especially the themes of faith and some of the shocking twists- though the ending did leave me wanting answers and wanting them now. Definitely recommend this book!

[Bcs (Sarah. B) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frozen Secrets by Marisa Phillips

Rating: Four Stars

Language/Profanity: The only thing might be 'Great Glaciers'

Faith: Feeling like the Maker isn't there when we need him; praying; saying that He has a plan (Note: God doesn't plan the evil, but He can use the evil for our good... Romans 8:28 KJV
[28] And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.); wondering why we are here.

Romance/Sex: NA

Violence ect.: Towns being destroyed; wild animals attacking; blood (not descriptive); parents killed (past); character died; epilogue is in the bad guy's POV.

Other: Talking animals; a girl (fourteen years old) alone, in a group of men.

Part of a Series: Yes, the first and so far only published book in a series called The Frozen North.

Synopsis:
In the Frozen North, some secrets are best left buried under the ice.

Feebie Stoneflake wants answers about her parents, something her older brother refuses to talk about. For as long as Feebie can remember, it’s been this way. Deep down, she feels that there’s something important about her family. Some secret long left frozen that she needs to uncover.

When a crazy old lady gives her a strange warning and her village is destroyed by the army of the Ice Conqueror, Feebie knows she was right. There’s more to her heritage than she’s been told.

Thoughts:
This was a really cool book! I like the characters, and the storyline. And Inx... So funny, yet... I would hate to have his comments directed at me! The world making is very well done, with unique animals, land and weather, and history. I can't wait for the next book where, hopefully, we see what happened to Anton. And, honestly, see what is happening to Siku and Suka. I hope that Siku will change.

Favorite character:
Rorick...

Bible Verse:
Luke 6:36 KJV
[36] Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.



Good job!

[TheRoer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this all in one setting yesterday! Ach! I enjoyed it so much!!! Why’d you have to end on a cliffhanger?? Why did he have to die?? Why did that twin (whose name I cannot remember…) have to kill his father? Ane who is this Ice Conqueror??

There’s so much more I want to know!!! 😱 💯 percent neeed to have moreeee!!! 😆

It’s a pretty short book but worth it! Ya guys need to go read it! Right now!! XD. No I’m actually serious. Really. *nods* tis an amazing book and I need to know what happens!

Too bad there aren’t more stars because it deserves more than five.

***I received an ARC for this amazing story! All thoughts are honestly my own!!