Icefall by Matthew J. Kirby

Solveig and her royal siblings, Harald and Asa, are stranded. For their protection, the children must survive the bitter winter in a hall hidden far away from the war their father is fighting. But as the freezing months draw out and their supplies run low, mysterious deaths start to occur. Solveig can tell these deaths are no accidents. There are traitors among their small party. But when enemy ships come into the fjord, the true traitors come to light. Solveig and her siblings must escape to keep their royal lineage safe.

Kirby tells the story through the eyes of Solveig. Solveig is neither heir to the throne, like her brother Harald, or a beautiful marriage-age princess, like her sister Asa. Solveig feels alone and lost, but she keeps herself occupied by taking care of everyone’s physical needs. Solveig has a clever, attentive mind as she closely observes her fellow hall dwellers. But Kirby adds an unlikely twist to the plot with more than one traitor with diverging agendas involving the royal family. At its core the story is a medieval Nordic murder mystery. But at its heart, it’s the longings, fears, and observations of a young girl struggling to fit in. Icefall is an engrossing read great for boys and girls ages 10 and up.