Not for the fainthearted
The Ice Sea Pirates by Frida Nilsson is a chilly tale with a warm heart published by Gecko Press. It is set amongst the snowy skerries in the Ice Sea where legend has it that the evil pirate, Whitehead, scours the islands and steals children to work in his diamond mine.
Finding Whitehead against all odds
Legend becomes a reality when Siri’s little sister, Miki, is snatched. Siri leaves their ailing father behind, setting out to find her, even though no one knows where Whitehead’s island is and no one has ever actually tried to find him. People are terrified of the pirate and his ship, the Snow Raven, and few will help.
Only kind, ginger bearded Fredrik, a ship’s cook, offers but Siri’s quest does not run smoothly.
Dark themes and an iron will to survive
This may be a middle grade book but there are dark themes and it is not for the faint hearted. Siri endures much hardship, being double crossed and thrown overboard. Her bravery and resolve beat all odds and, at times, I wondered how she could possibly survive. But this girl walks across the frozen sea to find her only sister!
Mermaids, pirates and missing children
Siri meets several interesting characters along the way, my favourite being the mermaid baby. But Siri’s real challenge only begins when she finally finds Whitehead’s Island and the mine. Packed full of pirates and the missing children who have become like animals, she has her work cut out in overthrowing the pirate tyrant. Is Miki there? Well, you will have to read the book to find out…
The Ice Sea Pirates is not a glamorous portrait of the icy wastelands; this is a gritty reality where children as well as wolves are hunted, food is scarce, people have unscrupulous morals and it is survival of the quick witted as well as the fittest. It is not for the fainthearted!
Read My Book Corner’s interview with Frida Nilsson.
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