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Frostfire
Chosen for the honour of bonding with a frostsliver - a fragment of the sentient glacier that crests her icy home - Sabira embarks on the dangerous pilgrimage to the top of the mountain. But when a huge avalanche traps her on the glacier and destroys the pass, Sabira is determined to find another way home. In order to survive, she must face up to the merciless mountain - but there are dark and fiery secrets hiding in its depths ...
Memorable, original world-building and an icy, Tibetan-themed setting combine in a truly stand-out middle-grade adventure.
Memorable, original world-building and an icy, Tibetan-themed setting combine in a truly stand-out middle-grade adventure.
Paperback
First published November 1, 2018
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1102 people want to read
About the author
Jamie Smith
1 book14 followersJ H B Smith is a writer of fantasy and sci-fi fiction novels for any ages willing to read them.
Between working as a software developer and dealing with the whims of capricious, sporadically violent tiny monsters (i.e. cats), he has written more books than he strictly should have and is continually working on more – there are always more stories on the Infinite Sea.
His children’s fantasy Scaled was a Runner Up for the Bloomsbury/National Literacy Trust New Children’s Author Prize 2015.
His children’s fantasy Frostfire was Shortlisted for the Times/Chicken House Children’s Fiction Competition 2016 and will be published by Chicken House in 2018.
Between working as a software developer and dealing with the whims of capricious, sporadically violent tiny monsters (i.e. cats), he has written more books than he strictly should have and is continually working on more – there are always more stories on the Infinite Sea.
His children’s fantasy Scaled was a Runner Up for the Bloomsbury/National Literacy Trust New Children’s Author Prize 2015.
His children’s fantasy Frostfire was Shortlisted for the Times/Chicken House Children’s Fiction Competition 2016 and will be published by Chicken House in 2018.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
February 4, 2020
A fast middle grade book that was a pleasant underrated surprise!
Sabira finds herself an unlikely hero when she an avalanche on an icy mountain traps her with the enemy (and yetis that may or may not be good). She hears of a plot that will devastate her village so it’s up to her to save them.
Didn’t expect much going in other than some good reviews from friends who made me aware of this. While the characters aren’t as three-dimensional as I would have liked, and Sabira does come across a little flat sometimes, I still found myself wanting to know the outcome.
A great polar fantasy that is rather short but enjoyable to read all the same.
Sabira finds herself an unlikely hero when she an avalanche on an icy mountain traps her with the enemy (and yetis that may or may not be good). She hears of a plot that will devastate her village so it’s up to her to save them.
Didn’t expect much going in other than some good reviews from friends who made me aware of this. While the characters aren’t as three-dimensional as I would have liked, and Sabira does come across a little flat sometimes, I still found myself wanting to know the outcome.
A great polar fantasy that is rather short but enjoyable to read all the same.
April 13, 2021
I LOVE this book! The adventures, the hardships, the losses... I cried, I laughed, I even dreamed! This is a book of struggle, family, pressure, and how many different trials and pain she went through and overcame. THIS is a book I would recommend to anyone who likes fantasy and adventure! I probably could've finished this book in a week if I had time!
February 2, 2021
This was an amazing polar adventure and I flew through it and I had a great time! 💙❄️
January 21, 2021
Wow! I posted this my 1st week on IG, & I’m so happy I finally read it! This was amazing! It was tense & stressful, but not too bad that it was a problem for me. Sabira had been chosen for the honor of bonding w/a frostfire-a fragment from the glacier that crests her home. She sets of on the dangerous quest to the top of the mountain. An avalanche traps her on the glacier, & blocks the path home. She is determined to find another way though. She has to face the elements, & some dark secrets hidden in the mountain. In the 1st couple of chapters we get caught up on the events from a year before leading up until now. We learn the events that happened w/men from another village in the forest, & the horrifying things that took place there. It set us up for more development on that later. We also learned the story of her brother, & his journey towards a frostfire. This is such an original, creative story. The world building is amazing, as are the details that make up the story as a whole. Truly unique, & I was so absorbed in it all. This was a dangerous, suspenseful, magical in ways, icy adventure. So atmospheric. I was cold lol Also, a story about never giving up, family, & making choices that benefit the greater good, instead of just ourselves. Also, what jealousy, anger, & bitterness to do to someone. & how easily it can be for people to spread their hate to others. Highly recommend. Looking forward to more from this author. Absolutely beautiful cover by the talented Karl James Mountford too of course.💜
March 30, 2020
This book was everything I expected. Now, I need to beg the author to write another *hunts him down on social media*
March 1, 2021
3.5
Extremely creative story. I loved the world it was in. It lacked a bit of worldbuilding, but it didn't take away from the enjoyment of the story too much. All in all, a fast-paced, quick, enjoyable middle grade read.
Extremely creative story. I loved the world it was in. It lacked a bit of worldbuilding, but it didn't take away from the enjoyment of the story too much. All in all, a fast-paced, quick, enjoyable middle grade read.
January 31, 2020
A very solid 9-12 fantasy adventure. The market is absolutely swamped at the moment with this kind of stuff but while Frostfire feels very familiar in many ways, its plot and handling of stakes elevates it
Rather than the usual road-trip quest, rote gains-and-reversals stuff, Frostfire plunges Sabira into a pretty gripping survival story. She encounters only ever-increasing obstacles. When things already seeem so desperate that only a convenient plot contrivance could save Sabira, Smith instead throws another obstacle at her. I love that she has to solve all her own myriad and mounting problems, and that the stakes are so high - if she puts a foot wrong, she will die. The stakes and peril therefore seem genuinely severe and the heroine truly heroic; she has to make her own luck.
Smith writes Sabrira her with a good balance of particular and applicable life-experience that equips her for some of the challenges, and space for her to make leaps of faith and work out things for herself.
The only thing that lets this early part of the novel down is that the parameters of the Frostsliver character/plot piece, and its capacity to help and protect Sabira, are vague. Particularly, it's not clear to what extent she is protected from exposure by the frostsliver, muddying the stakes of one of the greatest potential perils. If the Frostsliver's felt more particular in character we might forgive the vagueness of its abilities more, but since we are never really drawn into theat relationship its slightly sketched-in nature as a plot device is noticable.
The bigger problem though is that there's a whole half of the plot that feels superfluous or not suffficienty connected to that first half. I think the book would have been better for cutting the whole impending war/invasion plot entirely. As a plot it's vaguely drawn and concluded with much less flair than any of the survival stuff.
After an exellent cold open (excuse the pun) we are plunged into backstory. I wonder if there's some children's publishing edict, or advice from a popular writing course that demands middle-grade fantasy/adventure fiction must start in medias res to grab the reader before pausing to explain everything. Because I keep seeing this: a really strong opening which intrigues with, has plenty of tension and doesn't splurge its secrets, only to be followed by a second chapter which immediately rushes to fill in all the gaps.
Here as in many other examples I have read, all tension and mystery drops out of the novel when we step back into Sabira's past for the 'how we got here' section. This part is compeltely lacking in momentum due to its stakes and outcomes being pre-established by the opening we have already read. The backstory information it contains could easily have been told in bits and pieces as the present story progressed. Or else the story should have opened with this story and build to Sabira's disastrous mountain pilgrimage as a break into act II.
Regarding structure, the decision to use 'parts' in the book is also rather silly and actually works against the core strength of the book. This is a single, simple story (even with the superfluous invasion plotline), not an epic with time-skips and min-arcs.
Relationships and secondary characters are also a slightly weak point, but are adequate to the tale. As I mention, the central relationship between Sabira and her 'frostsliver' (a kind of spirit-guide helper of the sort we've seen a lot since His Dark Materials) is not as compelling as it could have been. There's rather more angles to the frostsliver device/relationship in general, and Sabira's version of it in particular, than the author is really able to deal with in this narrative. As mentioned above, this has the odd practical impact on the tension as it rests on parameters that feel vague rather than mysterious. There is also little time devoted to what in theory ought to be a huge psychological impact of the new relationship.
The important sibling relationship is of the deeply idealised sort which are very popular right now, but is touching, and while the other familial and mentor relationships could have done with more attention, they serve.
The fresh and gripping survival/get-off-the-mountain plot, the excellently manages stakes and tension for that section, and some particularly well-imagined moments, elevate this from the ranks of decent-but-samey books with which it shares many of its tropes.
Rather than the usual road-trip quest, rote gains-and-reversals stuff, Frostfire plunges Sabira into a pretty gripping survival story. She encounters only ever-increasing obstacles. When things already seeem so desperate that only a convenient plot contrivance could save Sabira, Smith instead throws another obstacle at her. I love that she has to solve all her own myriad and mounting problems, and that the stakes are so high - if she puts a foot wrong, she will die. The stakes and peril therefore seem genuinely severe and the heroine truly heroic; she has to make her own luck.
Smith writes Sabrira her with a good balance of particular and applicable life-experience that equips her for some of the challenges, and space for her to make leaps of faith and work out things for herself.
The only thing that lets this early part of the novel down is that the parameters of the Frostsliver character/plot piece, and its capacity to help and protect Sabira, are vague. Particularly, it's not clear to what extent she is protected from exposure by the frostsliver, muddying the stakes of one of the greatest potential perils. If the Frostsliver's felt more particular in character we might forgive the vagueness of its abilities more, but since we are never really drawn into theat relationship its slightly sketched-in nature as a plot device is noticable.
The bigger problem though is that there's a whole half of the plot that feels superfluous or not suffficienty connected to that first half. I think the book would have been better for cutting the whole impending war/invasion plot entirely. As a plot it's vaguely drawn and concluded with much less flair than any of the survival stuff.
After an exellent cold open (excuse the pun) we are plunged into backstory. I wonder if there's some children's publishing edict, or advice from a popular writing course that demands middle-grade fantasy/adventure fiction must start in medias res to grab the reader before pausing to explain everything. Because I keep seeing this: a really strong opening which intrigues with, has plenty of tension and doesn't splurge its secrets, only to be followed by a second chapter which immediately rushes to fill in all the gaps.
Here as in many other examples I have read, all tension and mystery drops out of the novel when we step back into Sabira's past for the 'how we got here' section. This part is compeltely lacking in momentum due to its stakes and outcomes being pre-established by the opening we have already read. The backstory information it contains could easily have been told in bits and pieces as the present story progressed. Or else the story should have opened with this story and build to Sabira's disastrous mountain pilgrimage as a break into act II.
Regarding structure, the decision to use 'parts' in the book is also rather silly and actually works against the core strength of the book. This is a single, simple story (even with the superfluous invasion plotline), not an epic with time-skips and min-arcs.
Relationships and secondary characters are also a slightly weak point, but are adequate to the tale. As I mention, the central relationship between Sabira and her 'frostsliver' (a kind of spirit-guide helper of the sort we've seen a lot since His Dark Materials) is not as compelling as it could have been. There's rather more angles to the frostsliver device/relationship in general, and Sabira's version of it in particular, than the author is really able to deal with in this narrative. As mentioned above, this has the odd practical impact on the tension as it rests on parameters that feel vague rather than mysterious. There is also little time devoted to what in theory ought to be a huge psychological impact of the new relationship.
The important sibling relationship is of the deeply idealised sort which are very popular right now, but is touching, and while the other familial and mentor relationships could have done with more attention, they serve.
The fresh and gripping survival/get-off-the-mountain plot, the excellently manages stakes and tension for that section, and some particularly well-imagined moments, elevate this from the ranks of decent-but-samey books with which it shares many of its tropes.
September 16, 2019
(3.5 stars)
Review originally published at Fantasy Literature
Frostfire (2019), by Jamie Smith, is a middle-grade fantasy set in the mountainous land of Adranna. Adranna lies in the shadow of the great peak of Aderast, and all of its magic comes from the shimmering glacier that flows from it. A handful of young people are chosen each year to climb to the glacier and claim a small piece of it, a frostsliver, which gives them special abilities and marks them as people of importance in Adranna’s society.
Sabira is a fourteen-year-old girl who has been chosen to receive a frostsliver. The novel opens as she is making her climb. The narrative then flashes back to the previous year, when Sabira’s brother Kyran was chosen. Tensions have been growing with the neighboring nation of Ignata, and after an Ignatian raiding party attacked Sabira’s family, everything started going wrong for Kyran. Now he is missing, and Sabira is determined to succeed for both his sake and her own.
It won’t be easy, though — an avalanche strikes Aderast and cuts Sabira off from the rest of the world. Now she must survive the mountain’s harsh conditions and find a way back home, while alone and injured and working with a magic she doesn’t yet understand. What follows is an exciting, grueling adventure tale. The Ignatian threat has a role to play too, as does Kyran’s mysterious fate.
The conflict between Adranna and Ignata is more nuanced than one might expect from children’s fiction. The Ignatian leader is a bad guy, but it’s clear that not all of Ignata’s citizens, or even all of the army, agree with his methods. And the Ignatians’ anger is rooted in a real problem that will need to be dealt with if a peace is to be achieved. What Sabira learns on her journey might help her shape both countries’ futures when she is older, if she can make it back alive.
I sometimes had trouble visualizing where locations were, in relation to each other. My copy was an ARC, so maybe there will be a map in the finished book. I also have some questions about geology that probably qualify as “overthinking it.”
I recommend Frostfire to middle-grade readers looking for a good adventure with lots of derring-do. The setting and magic are unique, the family relationships are touching, and the heroine is inspiring.
Review originally published at Fantasy Literature
Frostfire (2019), by Jamie Smith, is a middle-grade fantasy set in the mountainous land of Adranna. Adranna lies in the shadow of the great peak of Aderast, and all of its magic comes from the shimmering glacier that flows from it. A handful of young people are chosen each year to climb to the glacier and claim a small piece of it, a frostsliver, which gives them special abilities and marks them as people of importance in Adranna’s society.
Sabira is a fourteen-year-old girl who has been chosen to receive a frostsliver. The novel opens as she is making her climb. The narrative then flashes back to the previous year, when Sabira’s brother Kyran was chosen. Tensions have been growing with the neighboring nation of Ignata, and after an Ignatian raiding party attacked Sabira’s family, everything started going wrong for Kyran. Now he is missing, and Sabira is determined to succeed for both his sake and her own.
It won’t be easy, though — an avalanche strikes Aderast and cuts Sabira off from the rest of the world. Now she must survive the mountain’s harsh conditions and find a way back home, while alone and injured and working with a magic she doesn’t yet understand. What follows is an exciting, grueling adventure tale. The Ignatian threat has a role to play too, as does Kyran’s mysterious fate.
The conflict between Adranna and Ignata is more nuanced than one might expect from children’s fiction. The Ignatian leader is a bad guy, but it’s clear that not all of Ignata’s citizens, or even all of the army, agree with his methods. And the Ignatians’ anger is rooted in a real problem that will need to be dealt with if a peace is to be achieved. What Sabira learns on her journey might help her shape both countries’ futures when she is older, if she can make it back alive.
I sometimes had trouble visualizing where locations were, in relation to each other. My copy was an ARC, so maybe there will be a map in the finished book. I also have some questions about geology that probably qualify as “overthinking it.”
I recommend Frostfire to middle-grade readers looking for a good adventure with lots of derring-do. The setting and magic are unique, the family relationships are touching, and the heroine is inspiring.
December 31, 2018
I picked this up hoping for a well-written wintry read for the Christmas period, and having just got back from a trip to Iceland and wishing I was still back in the land of ice and fire, Frostfire didnt disappoint on that score.
Not only did it whisk me away to an epically icy mountain with all the descriptions of glaciers, blizzards and remote caves (and ash) that I could want; there was also a well-contructed fantasy world, characters that felt authentic and an insightful struggle about what is good and what is evil.
I can't say I've ever read anything like this before. I cant compare it to anything, it felt very original to me. The overdone teenage fantasy elements I braced for dont exist in Frostfire, and the imagination of the author is clear, even in such a succinct book by todays standards of fantasy writing.
On a personal and kind of strange note, I'm really put off a book when names of characters/places/creatures are uninspired or on-the-nose, but the names in Frostfire are spot on! Not too obvious, not too outlandish.
I genuinely have no criticisms for this book, congratulations Jamie Smith on a wonderful debut novel! I read a library copy of this, but will be purchasing one for myself in the near future.
Also I am a sucker for a beautiful cover, my compliments to the artist on his skill and can I commission him to decorate my walls, please and thank you.
Not only did it whisk me away to an epically icy mountain with all the descriptions of glaciers, blizzards and remote caves (and ash) that I could want; there was also a well-contructed fantasy world, characters that felt authentic and an insightful struggle about what is good and what is evil.
I can't say I've ever read anything like this before. I cant compare it to anything, it felt very original to me. The overdone teenage fantasy elements I braced for dont exist in Frostfire, and the imagination of the author is clear, even in such a succinct book by todays standards of fantasy writing.
On a personal and kind of strange note, I'm really put off a book when names of characters/places/creatures are uninspired or on-the-nose, but the names in Frostfire are spot on! Not too obvious, not too outlandish.
I genuinely have no criticisms for this book, congratulations Jamie Smith on a wonderful debut novel! I read a library copy of this, but will be purchasing one for myself in the near future.
Also I am a sucker for a beautiful cover, my compliments to the artist on his skill and can I commission him to decorate my walls, please and thank you.
November 10, 2018
In this perilous wintry adventure, we follow Sabira, a girl chosen by her village for the honour of bonding with a frostliver, after an avalanche destroys her route home and she must find another way back, amidst dangerous enemies also being present on the mountain. I thought flashbacks were utilised really well at the beginning to fill the reader in on Sabira`s backstory, particularly the focus on the loss of her brother and the political situation of where she lives. I also admired Sabira as a character, because she has so many difficult decisions to make throughout her journey and she copes incredibly well and is capable and resourceful. My favourite character though, was Sabira`s frostsliver, who really made me laugh, but also made my heart melt a little as it really began to care for Sabira the more the book went on and their interactions were fantastic. I also thought the reveal regarding what really happened to Sabira`s brother was amazing, because I had felt very smug and thought I knew what was going to happen but was completely wrong, and the truth was so much better than what I thought was going to happen. The worldbuilding of the frostlivers and the two warring groups was also super well done, with lots of detail, and the villain was impressively sinister too. Everything was wrapped up really well at the end, and overall, I thought this was a really enjoyable read, especially for the upcoming winter season. 4.5/5
January 24, 2020
I absolutely loved this one! It is now on my list of favorite middle grade books. Highly recommend the audiobook.
July 16, 2019
This was an enjoyable read set in an icy landscape where the mountain and glacier are the peoples God. The mountain is a living thing and through slithers of ice, a few chosen people can connect directly with the mountain and the ice, and get unique strength and powers. This book tells the tale of Sabira who after finding herself trapped on the mountain must use all her strength to defeat those who are threatening her people’s lives.
I would definitely recommend this book, and on a side note the cover is absolutely gorgeous the picture here doesn't give it justice.
I would definitely recommend this book, and on a side note the cover is absolutely gorgeous the picture here doesn't give it justice.
January 5, 2019
This story creates a frozen perilous world where Sabira fights for her life. I loved the icy mountain and the myths around the glacier where she must claim her frostsliver. But the ice is not simply a backdrop to an exciting adventure. Colonel Yupin's bitterness is rooted in resentment and envy of her land of ice - for his own world is smothered in ash. Sabira has to race to save her village from his plans to destroy it.
Her love for her home is easy to understand because we meet so many warm and interesting characters from it. (Although my favourite character of all was Danlin, the soldier from the ash lands who hates the Colonel as much as Sabira does.) The sad sub-plot involving her brother added another dimension to the mythology of the mountain. Then there were the intriguing ash-cats, mentioned but not significant. Yet.
Can't wait to read the next book where the ash-cats play a part . . .
Her love for her home is easy to understand because we meet so many warm and interesting characters from it. (Although my favourite character of all was Danlin, the soldier from the ash lands who hates the Colonel as much as Sabira does.) The sad sub-plot involving her brother added another dimension to the mythology of the mountain. Then there were the intriguing ash-cats, mentioned but not significant. Yet.
Can't wait to read the next book where the ash-cats play a part . . .
May 17, 2021
I loooved it! Such an interesting concept than to have a magical living mountain! The setting was alive! But besides that, the characters were amazing, the writing style was captivating I was just engrossed in the story. I read it in one sitting so if that's not telling you that you should read it I don't know what will haha
December 27, 2022
The book was described online (and on the back) in the following three words: Icy fantastical adventure. It was more of an icy devastating drama. It felt like every [other] chapter someone dies and Sabira has a new huge challenge to face. I get that the author tried to portray the main character as a hero and the book is middle grade, but god, it was a lot and too dark for me, let alone a 12-year-old. Writing was okay, the frostsliver was fun, but that’s about it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 6, 2021
Read- February 2021 for Polarthon (Team Walrus-Dark Cover)
- This is a book that I've been wanting to read for quite a few years but just never picked up until now. I found it so enjoyable but it wrapped up far too quickly for my liking. I would have preffered it to be around 400 pages just so I could get the most that I could out of this world.
- This is a book that I've been wanting to read for quite a few years but just never picked up until now. I found it so enjoyable but it wrapped up far too quickly for my liking. I would have preffered it to be around 400 pages just so I could get the most that I could out of this world.
July 31, 2019
Good read for middle years with female heroine.
January 14, 2020
I feel like this book had a plot where it should have been tailored into ~500 pages. Like there was a part where it was dedicated on the world built itself of their town and abilities from the chosen, one with her family dynamic and then, a the other about the threat of war. Each part was condensed into small pieces where I felt like it could have been stretched further and adding onto what was already given.
It was fine reading this version but again, I feel like this book's plot would have been set better if it had a chance to breathe with more pages to explore the world, the war and her family. Still people should give this book a chance!
It was fine reading this version but again, I feel like this book's plot would have been set better if it had a chance to breathe with more pages to explore the world, the war and her family. Still people should give this book a chance!
December 31, 2021
When I read the synopisis I felt that this would be something that was very much up my alley , however I had never read anything from Jamie Smith before so didn't know what to expect.
I am happy to report that i absolutely loved it! This is perfect example of how a short book can still give you insights in to the characters and and the world , without rushing the plot. I couldn't put this book down and read it in one sitting. I am eager to read more work from this author.
I enjoyed the writing style and the atmopshere that was built up within the book. I was rooting for our main character to do well.
I kept forgetting that it was a middlegrade and half expected a romace to blossom.. then i sat back and was like " no!! its a middlegrade"not that I wanted it to , it's just that is what I have been used to reading but thats a me thing. I have been so used to reading YA that I think that it was definitely an experience of reading a middlegrade like this.
The found family vibe, a young girl fighting for not only her survival but that of her home and family is juts THE most heartwarming thing. I cried but in a good way
I cannot wait to see what comes next for Jamie
I am happy to report that i absolutely loved it! This is perfect example of how a short book can still give you insights in to the characters and and the world , without rushing the plot. I couldn't put this book down and read it in one sitting. I am eager to read more work from this author.
I enjoyed the writing style and the atmopshere that was built up within the book. I was rooting for our main character to do well.
I kept forgetting that it was a middlegrade and half expected a romace to blossom.. then i sat back and was like " no!! its a middlegrade"not that I wanted it to , it's just that is what I have been used to reading but thats a me thing. I have been so used to reading YA that I think that it was definitely an experience of reading a middlegrade like this.
The found family vibe, a young girl fighting for not only her survival but that of her home and family is juts THE most heartwarming thing. I cried but in a good way
I cannot wait to see what comes next for Jamie
July 29, 2019
Lovely book! Loved that it was a standalone, quick to get through and easy to read. I loved the world it was set in (and for that reason would have loved a duology too). I loved the setting and the magic and Sabira’s journey.
February 18, 2019
3,5...?
3.75.......???
This was an enjoyable short read and I just can't get enough of the cover. I just didn't like some smallish aspects (one of them has been resolved, yay)....like....the whole sideplot which became the mainplot and was...unexpectedly violent ^^'?
3.75.......???
This was an enjoyable short read and I just can't get enough of the cover. I just didn't like some smallish aspects (one of them has been resolved, yay)....like....the whole sideplot which became the mainplot and was...unexpectedly violent ^^'?
October 22, 2019
Perhaps I am too harsh on this book, but the pacing was too slow for it to be fun, and I didn’t connect with the characters at all. The plot twists were predictable and the stakes never felt real since the protagonist kept lucking out of difficult situations.
March 11, 2024
Minor spoilers but trying my best to dance around them!
In short, I loved this book. Full of brutal honesty, injuries that actually matter, and at times I fully expected the protagonist would be killed (and was completely wowed at the incredibly creative ways in which she wasn't). The setup to the climax was super well done, with that particular feature of the frostslivers being first shown in small scale, explained and therefore confirmed on how it works, then when it comes to the climax there is no confusion, you know exactly what the stakes are.
In terms of things that felt a bit off, the main one is that I found the prologue spoiled what was to come the first few chapters. I also felt like in the first few chapters especially there was a bit of lore-dumping without actually explaining it clearly, in particular mentioning the names of Aderast, Adranna, and Aderasti, but not clearly stating until later which was the mountain and which the country. I found even by the end I was still confused about whether or not the frostslivers spoke within the bonder's head.
And... I have to state my disappointment in how the amputee character was handled. Riddled with "due to disability, this person is no longer able to do basically anything and they are constantly wallowing in sorrow because of it". As someone with disability and many disabled friends, I can confidently tell you that is not how most disabled people consider themselves and it is not at all productive to have that outlook in a book without addressing that it's unhealthy. I've come to expect this from most media but I was especially disappointed because of the great way in which all of Sabira's injuries were handled! Some more research into the community being represented here would have been nice, but at the same time I can respect the amount of research that had already gone into this book, and understand skipping on a couple aspects, especially as this is a debut novel.
All in all a brilliant story that felt very refreshing in many ways, and I will definitely be coming back to read more of Jamie Smith's work as it comes out
In short, I loved this book. Full of brutal honesty, injuries that actually matter, and at times I fully expected the protagonist would be killed (and was completely wowed at the incredibly creative ways in which she wasn't). The setup to the climax was super well done, with that particular feature of the frostslivers being first shown in small scale, explained and therefore confirmed on how it works, then when it comes to the climax there is no confusion, you know exactly what the stakes are.
In terms of things that felt a bit off, the main one is that I found the prologue spoiled what was to come the first few chapters. I also felt like in the first few chapters especially there was a bit of lore-dumping without actually explaining it clearly, in particular mentioning the names of Aderast, Adranna, and Aderasti, but not clearly stating until later which was the mountain and which the country. I found even by the end I was still confused about whether or not the frostslivers spoke within the bonder's head.
And... I have to state my disappointment in how the amputee character was handled. Riddled with "due to disability, this person is no longer able to do basically anything and they are constantly wallowing in sorrow because of it". As someone with disability and many disabled friends, I can confidently tell you that is not how most disabled people consider themselves and it is not at all productive to have that outlook in a book without addressing that it's unhealthy. I've come to expect this from most media but I was especially disappointed because of the great way in which all of Sabira's injuries were handled! Some more research into the community being represented here would have been nice, but at the same time I can respect the amount of research that had already gone into this book, and understand skipping on a couple aspects, especially as this is a debut novel.
All in all a brilliant story that felt very refreshing in many ways, and I will definitely be coming back to read more of Jamie Smith's work as it comes out
February 13, 2022
"You can’t fight the mountain."
Frostfire is the story of Sabira who has been chosen to retrieve a magical frostsliver from the glacier on the mountain. But her journey is fraught with danger both in surviving the harsh and cold climate, monsters living on the mountain, as well as the brewing of a war in her home-village.
What a book! So much good happened here: great and interesting plot that kept me turning the pages (I read it in one sitting in a couple of hours because I had to know what happened), engaging characters, and a fascinating magic system (I loved the frostsliver! Its sarcasm and humour really made me smile so much throughout this book!). But what really shined above all else was the great writing and atmospheric work! The chapters focusing on Sabira trying to survive in the harsh climate through blizzards and ice and snow was so well done. I could feel the hopelessness and how freezing it must have felt. So well done!
This book is really fast-paced. And I mean really! So much is going on with surviving on the mountain, learning about the magic of the frostslivers, as well as the tensed relationship with the Ignatians. And it is this fast pace that let me down a little. First of all, I almost couldn't keep up with everything that was going on; keeping track on people, motivations, as well as magic lore felt like too much for me. One of the storylines was enough to fill this book, but all of them felt a bit too much. Perhaps if the book had been a little bit longer because it is a relatively short one. Second of all, the fast pace also meant that I didn't really feel like we had the time to dwell on some of the more emotional scenes (and there were quite a lot of them!). But they were over before they almost began, and we never really got the time to actually process what happened, lessening their impact for me.
If you want an atmospheric survival story with a fast-paced adventure, then I cannot recommend this book enough. Despite my small criticisms, then this really is a good book!
Frostfire is the story of Sabira who has been chosen to retrieve a magical frostsliver from the glacier on the mountain. But her journey is fraught with danger both in surviving the harsh and cold climate, monsters living on the mountain, as well as the brewing of a war in her home-village.
What a book! So much good happened here: great and interesting plot that kept me turning the pages (I read it in one sitting in a couple of hours because I had to know what happened), engaging characters, and a fascinating magic system (I loved the frostsliver! Its sarcasm and humour really made me smile so much throughout this book!). But what really shined above all else was the great writing and atmospheric work! The chapters focusing on Sabira trying to survive in the harsh climate through blizzards and ice and snow was so well done. I could feel the hopelessness and how freezing it must have felt. So well done!
This book is really fast-paced. And I mean really! So much is going on with surviving on the mountain, learning about the magic of the frostslivers, as well as the tensed relationship with the Ignatians. And it is this fast pace that let me down a little. First of all, I almost couldn't keep up with everything that was going on; keeping track on people, motivations, as well as magic lore felt like too much for me. One of the storylines was enough to fill this book, but all of them felt a bit too much. Perhaps if the book had been a little bit longer because it is a relatively short one. Second of all, the fast pace also meant that I didn't really feel like we had the time to dwell on some of the more emotional scenes (and there were quite a lot of them!). But they were over before they almost began, and we never really got the time to actually process what happened, lessening their impact for me.
If you want an atmospheric survival story with a fast-paced adventure, then I cannot recommend this book enough. Despite my small criticisms, then this really is a good book!
September 16, 2019
Reviewed from an ARC.
A year has gone by since Sabira’s brother was injured before he could embark on a pilgrimage to bond with a frostsliver, a slice of the glacier that flows down the mountain near her village. She has been selected for this, so it is her time to venture forth on this dangerous journey. Along the way, she learns that the Ignations, a violent group armed with muskets from a nearby region, are moving toward their village to overtake the land of the Aderasti – for their clean air and enchanted mountain with its glacier. There is a battle for the mountain between unlikely opponents.
This debut novel by Smith, a survival/fantasy, follows a logical path to its conclusion. Divided into six parts, each ends with a cliffhanger to keep the reader engaged. Sabira is a resourceful, strong young woman, facing danger and taking risks along the way. She does not play it “safe” in any instance. Once she bonds with a frostsliver, they are able to communicate telepathically. Readers see the frostslivers’ responses in a full caps text, while her thoughts are italicized. Her brother is a somewhat stereotypical angry young man. The writing style is primitive and approachable. Many plot twists in the story are predictable.
Young fantasy readers will enjoy this fantasy/survival trip back to a time long ago.
Optional Purchase for grades 5-8.
A year has gone by since Sabira’s brother was injured before he could embark on a pilgrimage to bond with a frostsliver, a slice of the glacier that flows down the mountain near her village. She has been selected for this, so it is her time to venture forth on this dangerous journey. Along the way, she learns that the Ignations, a violent group armed with muskets from a nearby region, are moving toward their village to overtake the land of the Aderasti – for their clean air and enchanted mountain with its glacier. There is a battle for the mountain between unlikely opponents.
This debut novel by Smith, a survival/fantasy, follows a logical path to its conclusion. Divided into six parts, each ends with a cliffhanger to keep the reader engaged. Sabira is a resourceful, strong young woman, facing danger and taking risks along the way. She does not play it “safe” in any instance. Once she bonds with a frostsliver, they are able to communicate telepathically. Readers see the frostslivers’ responses in a full caps text, while her thoughts are italicized. Her brother is a somewhat stereotypical angry young man. The writing style is primitive and approachable. Many plot twists in the story are predictable.
Young fantasy readers will enjoy this fantasy/survival trip back to a time long ago.
Optional Purchase for grades 5-8.
January 30, 2020
“An Action-Packed Survival Novel Full of Adventure”
As a citizen of Adranna, fourteen-year-old Sabira is overjoyed, but even more terrified that this year, she is picked and has the honor to climb to the peak of Aderast to claim her piece of the glacier, her frostsliver. Frostslivers provide magical abilities. Although her parents are happy that she is chosen, they are reluctant to let her go up the glacier after what happened to her brother, Kyran. Last year, Kyran was chosen, but he is now missing, and his fate is unknown.
There are conflicts between the people of Adranna and the citizens of Ignata. Ignatian warriors attacked Sabira’s family.
Sabira faces many challenges during her climb and on her return home. But, she fights to survive the difficult conditions for both her brother and for herself. She keeps telling herself that she can successfully bond with the glacier, but she keeps remembering what happened to Kyran. She is determined to survive and to prove to herself that she can succeed where many others, even her brother, didn't. After going up the glacier, she experiences an avalanche and must embark on a journey to find her way home, and to bond with her frostsliver.
Review by Ashlynne N., 12, North Texas Mensa
As a citizen of Adranna, fourteen-year-old Sabira is overjoyed, but even more terrified that this year, she is picked and has the honor to climb to the peak of Aderast to claim her piece of the glacier, her frostsliver. Frostslivers provide magical abilities. Although her parents are happy that she is chosen, they are reluctant to let her go up the glacier after what happened to her brother, Kyran. Last year, Kyran was chosen, but he is now missing, and his fate is unknown.
There are conflicts between the people of Adranna and the citizens of Ignata. Ignatian warriors attacked Sabira’s family.
Sabira faces many challenges during her climb and on her return home. But, she fights to survive the difficult conditions for both her brother and for herself. She keeps telling herself that she can successfully bond with the glacier, but she keeps remembering what happened to Kyran. She is determined to survive and to prove to herself that she can succeed where many others, even her brother, didn't. After going up the glacier, she experiences an avalanche and must embark on a journey to find her way home, and to bond with her frostsliver.
Review by Ashlynne N., 12, North Texas Mensa
March 1, 2022
Although this was easy to read the writing had its own appeal that i liked a lot. What it lacked in poetic lines it made up for in the story which continuously gave me goosebumps. It was much more grim than i originally anticipated but that positively surprised me!!
The protagonist had to endure many struggles which are obviously unfit for anyone to experience, especially a 14 year old. I was glad to see her age reflected in her train of thought as it wasn't the one of a cold-hearted warrior but of a scared child that would give anything to save her loved ones. The frostsilvers were a very interesting tool that didn't feel overpowered and i really enjoyed the way they worked.
The one thing i didn't like about the reading experience was that i was having a hard time imagining the whole setting and my head couldn't help but form the image of a winter-themed Mario level which made it very hard to understand Sabira's environment at times. I don't know if this is my fault or the authors, but it bothered me nonetheless. This might just be a me-problem.
Otherwise a really solid book that has a special place in my heart from now on because of the person who gave it to me :)
The protagonist had to endure many struggles which are obviously unfit for anyone to experience, especially a 14 year old. I was glad to see her age reflected in her train of thought as it wasn't the one of a cold-hearted warrior but of a scared child that would give anything to save her loved ones. The frostsilvers were a very interesting tool that didn't feel overpowered and i really enjoyed the way they worked.
The one thing i didn't like about the reading experience was that i was having a hard time imagining the whole setting and my head couldn't help but form the image of a winter-themed Mario level which made it very hard to understand Sabira's environment at times. I don't know if this is my fault or the authors, but it bothered me nonetheless. This might just be a me-problem.
Otherwise a really solid book that has a special place in my heart from now on because of the person who gave it to me :)
March 16, 2022
Sabira is chosen to go on a quest to get a Frostsliver. To get it, she must go to a glacier that towers above her home. While she is retrieving her sliver there is an avalanche that separates her from her home. Even worse, the two guardians that are with her, one of whom is her uncle, are badly injured. Now her quest includes finding a way around, over, or through the glacier to find a way back home before supplies run out.
This was an exciting adventure story. Sabira is scared, but she doesn't let her fear get in the way of trying her best to save her injured uncle. Then the stakes get higher and higher, but not to a ridiculous extent. It all makes sense, and Sabira's bravery comes through.
Sabira's relationship with the Frostsliver is interesting, and I would have liked to have seen more development there. As fast paced as the book was, I would have liked more development of the characters and setting.
I do think more mature middle school kids would like this. There is some violence that may be disturbing for some. I also think this is a fun story for adult readers, so it would make a great read-along.
This was an exciting adventure story. Sabira is scared, but she doesn't let her fear get in the way of trying her best to save her injured uncle. Then the stakes get higher and higher, but not to a ridiculous extent. It all makes sense, and Sabira's bravery comes through.
Sabira's relationship with the Frostsliver is interesting, and I would have liked to have seen more development there. As fast paced as the book was, I would have liked more development of the characters and setting.
I do think more mature middle school kids would like this. There is some violence that may be disturbing for some. I also think this is a fun story for adult readers, so it would make a great read-along.
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