Icefall Book Review

Icefall is one of those stories whose greatness sneaks up on you. The plot is relatively steady in its pacing, giving the characters (and reader) time to recover from each event. Our heroine, Solveig, is not the oldest, or wisest, or most prominent character stated. The solution is brought about in a single movement, and it is not Solveig’s hand who delivers the final blow. It could have been a mediocre piece.

And yet it defies its boundaries in every meaning of the word. Solveig, the middle child of the royal family, has a ‘normalness’ that makes the work unique. By, at first glance, being no one special, the story sets itself apart. The thematic elements, revolving around identity, family, and trust, are realistically created and thought-provoking. The diction and language flow like its own personal waterfall. Every single action made by our characters adds to the overall plot in some way; Kirby does not waste a single word. The plot works in harmony with its setting and the abilities of the characters created. All supporting characters have their own identities, from Harald, heir to the throne, to the three unnamed berserkers who survive Hilda. Everything about Icefall, from the first chapter through the last sentence, keeps the reader intrigued and compelled.

“I do not know what Alric meant about me [Solveig] shaking the earth or shaping it. But I know that I feel as if I am just waking up….I know who I am. I am Solveig.”

Recommended for anyone who enjoys reading the lines and everything in between them.

-Grace Nask