Ice Apprentices by Jacob North

What worked:

Placing the story in a land of ice is very unusual. Tundra has two seasons, the Freeze and the Thaw. There is no food production during the Freeze, so hunger will follow. The book opens at the beginning of the Thaw, but all of the ice and snow make it hard to tell. Most of the story is set at the Corridor, an academy for apprentices learning to become useful to Tundra. A wall of ice sits right next to the dormitories, and no one has ever returned after entering the Teeth That Snatch. Creatures roam the icy wasteland, and they haven’t entered Corridor grounds in ten years, until now. Living in this environment is difficult and dangerous, which adds a level of wonder and uncertainty to the story.

Oswin is the main character, and his unique qualities make him appealing. His curiosity is insatiable, and readers will be amused when it irritates other characters. He constantly asks questions of other apprentices and teachers until they eventually tell him to stop. Oswin’s super-sensitive hearing allows him to detect sounds others can’t hear, and he can recall the smallest details of things he sees. He doesn’t remember being taught to read or write, yet he unexpectedly reads a book and scribes class notes. Oswin has an unexplained fear of heights, even climbing a ladder, and any kind of fire, even a candle. He doesn’t remember anything about his early life, but still views himself as an undeserving stray.

Oswin’s various classmates have distinct relationships with him. Maury comes the closest to being a friend, but Oswin’s low self-image keeps him from letting it grow. Cathy detests Oswin for being a stray and makes it her mission to put him in his place or get him kicked out of the Corridor. Ennastasia may be the most interesting character. Her last name is Barkmoth, and she wields it like a weapon. Teachers and other apprentices treat her reverently and do their best not to offend her. However, she also seems upset when she’s not treated like others. Oswin doesn’t know why her last name is special, so he asks her questions endlessly and doesn’t go out of his way to impress her. Their rapport may seem contentious, but friendship develops (very slowly!) as their paths constantly cross.

What didn’t work as well:

The book’s opening pages provide a map of the Tundra, but it would help to have a map of the Corridor. Characters move to different locations, but it’s challenging to create mental images when guessing how they’re situated with each other. Almost the entire book takes place at the academy, so the Tundra map doesn’t serve a purpose.

The final verdict:

Oswin’s low self-image, insatiable curiosity, and strange qualities make this a charming book. Young readers will root for him to succeed, as he battles dangers and the shadow of his disgraced and dangerous uncle. His relationship with Ennastasia is a highlight. Overall, I highly recommend you give this book a shot.