Icebreaker

Reviewed by: Jan Hamilton - Long Creek Center, South Portland, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: January 7, 2016

Review

A ship that has been sailing in frozen waters for 300 years is the unique setting for this first book in the Hidden trilogy. Perhaps the strongest character aboard is twelve year old Petrel who is a total misfit among the three warring factions of the crew. Although her personal life skills and sense of self-preservation are great she is lonely till she spots a boy on an iceberg and befriends him once he is recused and brought aboard.

Here the true adventure begins; this fantasy book becomes alive as crew members fight over the new stranger. Tanner brings sensitive moments to a boy who is all but emotionless. The writer shows concern for his characters even as he places them in danger. Readers may be confused by the boy’s background and the sleeping captain but how this ship has sailed for 300 years is the big question in the end. YA readers will be clamoring for the next two books in the Hidden Trilogy. This needs to be placed in middle school media centers and on the shelves of public libraries.

Overall Book Score: very good