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Beyond the Frozen Sea
Not yet published
Expected 12 Jan 27She is hired as a seamstress. She must survive an arctic expedition. And she does it all to save her son. Inspired by the incredible true story of Ada Blackjack.
Alaska, 1921: Ada Blackjack's six-year-old son Bennett is dying of tuberculosis in a Nome orphanage. When an arctic expedition offers the Iñupiaq woman a seamstress position―sewing clothes for four men on a remote island―the wages could save his life. Ada accepts, despite being raised in a mission school and knowing little of the skills that might help her survive. It's Bennett or nothing.
But Wrangel Island becomes a frozen hell. As they wait for a relief ship that might never come, her male companions fall ill or disappear, forcing Ada to learn how to hunt seals, trap foxes, and fight off polar bears―or Bennett will lose his mother forever.
As starvation and scurvy ravage her body, Ada transforms herself into someone unrecognizable, driven by a love so fierce it refuses to surrender to the ice―because every day she survives is another day Bennett might live.
From the bestselling author and A Military Writers Society of America gold medal winner comes an unforgettable story that will mesmerize fans of Kristin Hannah, The Frozen River and Where the Crawdads Sing.
Alaska, 1921: Ada Blackjack's six-year-old son Bennett is dying of tuberculosis in a Nome orphanage. When an arctic expedition offers the Iñupiaq woman a seamstress position―sewing clothes for four men on a remote island―the wages could save his life. Ada accepts, despite being raised in a mission school and knowing little of the skills that might help her survive. It's Bennett or nothing.
But Wrangel Island becomes a frozen hell. As they wait for a relief ship that might never come, her male companions fall ill or disappear, forcing Ada to learn how to hunt seals, trap foxes, and fight off polar bears―or Bennett will lose his mother forever.
As starvation and scurvy ravage her body, Ada transforms herself into someone unrecognizable, driven by a love so fierce it refuses to surrender to the ice―because every day she survives is another day Bennett might live.
From the bestselling author and A Military Writers Society of America gold medal winner comes an unforgettable story that will mesmerize fans of Kristin Hannah, The Frozen River and Where the Crawdads Sing.
391 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication January 12, 2027
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I’m always drawn to historical fiction where there’s a spotlight on an unsung hero or heroine!
This time I was fascinated by the journey of a young Inupiaq woman and the quest to save her family.
Author Emerson Ford explores the depth of love and the proof that we can do the extraordinary when love is involved.
Real life heroine, Ada Blackjack, was driven to join the 1921 Arctic exploration as a means to an end; her son had tuberculosis and she needed money for his care. I was in awe of her fortitude and willingness to do what was needed despite the cost.
I needed this book this week and was thankful for the lessons learned, the perspective given, and the encouragement received from Ada. Sometimes we get so focused on our own problems that we forget that there are others out there struggling … some with much bigger problems than we have. Ada is an inspiration to us all.
I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.
This time I was fascinated by the journey of a young Inupiaq woman and the quest to save her family.
Author Emerson Ford explores the depth of love and the proof that we can do the extraordinary when love is involved.
Real life heroine, Ada Blackjack, was driven to join the 1921 Arctic exploration as a means to an end; her son had tuberculosis and she needed money for his care. I was in awe of her fortitude and willingness to do what was needed despite the cost.
I needed this book this week and was thankful for the lessons learned, the perspective given, and the encouragement received from Ada. Sometimes we get so focused on our own problems that we forget that there are others out there struggling … some with much bigger problems than we have. Ada is an inspiration to us all.
I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I feel like I’m going to be the outlier that is not a fan of this book. There’s tremendous irony in Ford writing about Ada Blackjack not being compensated or getting royalties for her story of survival, while once again a white person (Ford herself) is set to make money off publishing Ada’s story.
More and more, I’ve come to understand the importance of Indigenous voices speaking about their own culture and telling the stories of their people, and I think Ford represents the white person who hears a compelling story and swoops in to retell it (and make money). To her credit, it does seem like she did plenty of research and spoke with some of the remaining Iñupiaq members.
But the more painful aspects of forced assimilation in the boarding school/orphanage and how badly Ada was treated by the four men are glossed over significantly. Ford took care to show as positive a side as possible for the white people in the story, from Mrs. Anderson in the boarding school to Knight and the other men on the island. And the craft of the writing itself is technically fine, but on the bland side.
It’s meant to be light reading, a book showing a woman’s courage and resilience. But it seems to have missed the deeper point that all the things that went wrong in Ada’s life were caused by white people taking over native lands. Which again highlights the importance of Indigenous people telling Indigenous stories, so the narrative doesn’t become white-washed into an inspiring tale readers will forget soon after reading it.
More and more, I’ve come to understand the importance of Indigenous voices speaking about their own culture and telling the stories of their people, and I think Ford represents the white person who hears a compelling story and swoops in to retell it (and make money). To her credit, it does seem like she did plenty of research and spoke with some of the remaining Iñupiaq members.
But the more painful aspects of forced assimilation in the boarding school/orphanage and how badly Ada was treated by the four men are glossed over significantly. Ford took care to show as positive a side as possible for the white people in the story, from Mrs. Anderson in the boarding school to Knight and the other men on the island. And the craft of the writing itself is technically fine, but on the bland side.
It’s meant to be light reading, a book showing a woman’s courage and resilience. But it seems to have missed the deeper point that all the things that went wrong in Ada’s life were caused by white people taking over native lands. Which again highlights the importance of Indigenous people telling Indigenous stories, so the narrative doesn’t become white-washed into an inspiring tale readers will forget soon after reading it.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks to NetGalley for this! Omg I feel like this is a book which is going to stay with me for a while. And I don’t think I can write all my thoughts without spoilers, so proceed with caution!
Finding out this was based on a true story has absolutely devastated me because I can’t believe that we honestly don’t know whatever happened to Galle, Maurer and Crawford. That broke me. The idea of them going off alone to save Knight and Ada and then just disappearing… did they fall through the ice so it was at least I assume instant? Or did they get attacked by a bear? Did they hunker down somewhere and starve/freeze? What happened to them??!!! Lost out in that wilderness and their bodies never found, that thought just haunts me. Especially young Galle :(
I was amazed at the end to read how much of this was true. What a story and I’m amazed Ada survived it, but then she did have the skills to know what to do, unlike the men. It was really interesting and educational to read all of the things she did. This felt like two stories in one - her life growing up in the mission and then her time on the ice, and both were equally fascinating. I’d love to read more from this author for sure!
Finding out this was based on a true story has absolutely devastated me because I can’t believe that we honestly don’t know whatever happened to Galle, Maurer and Crawford. That broke me. The idea of them going off alone to save Knight and Ada and then just disappearing… did they fall through the ice so it was at least I assume instant? Or did they get attacked by a bear? Did they hunker down somewhere and starve/freeze? What happened to them??!!! Lost out in that wilderness and their bodies never found, that thought just haunts me. Especially young Galle :(
I was amazed at the end to read how much of this was true. What a story and I’m amazed Ada survived it, but then she did have the skills to know what to do, unlike the men. It was really interesting and educational to read all of the things she did. This felt like two stories in one - her life growing up in the mission and then her time on the ice, and both were equally fascinating. I’d love to read more from this author for sure!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Emerson Ford has a knack for digging up ordinary heroes lost to history, and bringing them back to life. Among them, Ada Blackjack stands tall. From the first moment we meet her on the page, she has a quiet tenacity, the soul of a fighter, that carries her all the way through her harrowing, epic life story. Woven throughout are the threads of a mother's love--the lengths she'll go to in order to save her child and the self-sacrifice that takes her literally to the ends of the earth for his sake. Ada's story is both heartbreaking and breathtaking, and Emerson paints it in such theatrical detail that I could feel the frostbite and see the Northern Lights as if I was right there with her. This story is stunning from start to finish, and I can't wait to watch readers discover it!
I was privileged to receive an early copy from the author. No positive review was required and all thoughts are my own.
I was privileged to receive an early copy from the author. No positive review was required and all thoughts are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is one of those rare books that the synopsis of the story does NOT do the book justice.
Ada Blackjack is extraordincary mother and woman. This book tells her real life story in fictional form and most of it is nonfiction!
This book is about survival, resilience, humor, and above all love.
If you love adventure stories, survival against all odds, and the power of love,...this book is for you.
I kept having to stop reading the book and google about Ada. What a remarkable woman!
I highly recommend reading this book, its one of my favorite reads so far this year.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for this honest review.
Ada Blackjack is extraordincary mother and woman. This book tells her real life story in fictional form and most of it is nonfiction!
This book is about survival, resilience, humor, and above all love.
If you love adventure stories, survival against all odds, and the power of love,...this book is for you.
I kept having to stop reading the book and google about Ada. What a remarkable woman!
I highly recommend reading this book, its one of my favorite reads so far this year.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for this honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I have been following Emerson Ford since her first book, "What The Silent Say". Her historical research into the persons and events that she writes about are so well done. I am very impressed with her writing skills. Ada is presented as she was in history, a very heroic woman, brave, sacrificial, kind, loyal and caring woman. I felt as if I was transported to the isle in the Arctic along with her and her companions, living each moment with them, desperately hoping for return to their homes. This book is going to be a best seller!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Received as an ARC through Netgalley to read and review, this is an honest review.
Thank you to Storm Publishing for the pre - approved copy of the book to read.
Beyond the Frozen Sea is a profound, raw journey of family survival as Ada Blackjack's is serious trouble dying from tuberculosis and with little hope of living. But this iron sould Alaskan native woman isn't done fighting for her precious child; even joining a dangerous expedition crew to do so. Mother Nature is no kind guide as Ada or the crew - as to survive a literal frozen hell means doing everything to survive... challenging oneself to what it means to be human.
Highly recommended.
Thank you to Storm Publishing for the pre - approved copy of the book to read.
Beyond the Frozen Sea is a profound, raw journey of family survival as Ada Blackjack's is serious trouble dying from tuberculosis and with little hope of living. But this iron sould Alaskan native woman isn't done fighting for her precious child; even joining a dangerous expedition crew to do so. Mother Nature is no kind guide as Ada or the crew - as to survive a literal frozen hell means doing everything to survive... challenging oneself to what it means to be human.
Highly recommended.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Emerson Ford can take an obscure person from a random place and time in history and turn their story into a heartrending saga that grips my attention and heart.
This book affected me deeply. My heart was breaking. I cried. When nature is the antagonist, and the novel is based on a true story, you truly don't know what will happen. Is there hope?
I will re-read this story and add more of my thoughts.
I received an early copy from the author. Opinions are my own.
This book affected me deeply. My heart was breaking. I cried. When nature is the antagonist, and the novel is based on a true story, you truly don't know what will happen. Is there hope?
I will re-read this story and add more of my thoughts.
I received an early copy from the author. Opinions are my own.
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October 24, 2026Beyond the Frozen Sea by new to me author Emerson Ford is published by Storm Publishing.
I read the blurb and the high praise this book received and was intrigued.
The story remembers of a dark chapter inn the history of native people in the USA.
I tried really hard, but I couldn't for the life of me stand the awkward writing style. This is not the book for me. I really wanted to like the book, the story is very intriguing and I hate to be a low rater, so here it goes - 2.5 stars.
I read the blurb and the high praise this book received and was intrigued.
The story remembers of a dark chapter inn the history of native people in the USA.
I tried really hard, but I couldn't for the life of me stand the awkward writing style. This is not the book for me. I really wanted to like the book, the story is very intriguing and I hate to be a low rater, so here it goes - 2.5 stars.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I could not put this book down! Every time I did, I looked forward to seeing how each situation resolved. All the things she went through, the sacrifices she made to help her son, were so difficult. The courage of this woman and the will to survive were amazing. Very inspirational and I highly recommend this book.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews