I really enjoyed this read. I loved the setting in this read. I thought some of the moments/twists in this book were predictable but still the way it was done was super fun. I thought this book had such a unique setting that was mix of both ship and sea adventure and then like snowy world. I really loved the song weaver mythology that was created. I also really liked the rag tag mix of creaw that came together for this read, it warmed my heart. I am def excited for book 2. ( )

I really enjoyed this read. I loved the setting in this read. I thought some of the moments/twists in this book were predictable but still the way it was done was super fun. I thought this book had such a unique setting that was mix of both ship and sea adventure and then like snowy world. I really loved the song weaver mythology that was created. I also really liked the rag tag mix of creaw that came together for this read, it warmed my heart. I am def excited for book 2. ( )

3.5/4 stars
I could feel the cold pouring out of this book, and it was beautiful.

There were some major cliches in here, like the trope of looking for missing parents (At least there was a line acknowledging that Ash misses the idea of a family, and not necessarily his unknown mom and dad) and some twists were pretty predictable.

However, there was a complex story inside, especially the second half. The contrast between meditation and anger as source for Ash’s Singing was really interesting. I loved that the minor death led him to choose bitter emotions over patience, though I wish that motivation was expanded upon a bit more.

It felt very much like a first-in-the-series book, but I didn’t mind that. I’m reading the second as I’m writing this. ( )

A review I wrote in 2020:

Frostheart by Jamie Littler (4.5 stars)

A brilliant fantasy adventure, with magic and humour, friendship and bravery, set in the Frozen
wilds of the north. Ash lives in a barricaded town of the Fira people, cut off from other settlements
by the horrendous Leviathans, monsters that live beneath the Snow Sea. Ash is awaiting the
return of his parents. His softly sings a forbidden lullaby to remember them by, but singing is not
only forbidden in Fira; it is feared. Song Weavers are despised.

When Hurtlers attack a visiting Pathfinder sleigh, and all seems lost, Ash can’t help but try to save
them, revealing his magic powers. He is outcast from his settlement, together with Tobu, his giantsized
guardian, and finds a place on the Frostheart sleigh, the Pathfinders seeing a use for Ash’s
incredible gift. The explorers need his help but can they also help him find his parents….?

Illustrations by the author break up the text a little and add to the story, which can be helpful for
progressing readers. Very much in the same adventure fantasy bracket as authors like Abi
Elphinstone, Vashti Hardy, Jenny McLachlan, Cressida Cowell, Catherine Fisher, Thomas Taylor,
Peter Bunzl and more. Highly recommended. ( )

In the frozen north, in the Fira Stronghold, Ash is feared and mistrusted because he's a Song Weaver; it is believed that Song Weavers can control the dangerous Leviathans and set them on unsuspecting people. His only ally is his grumpy yeti guardian Tobu. When the sleigh Frostheart calls in for emergency repairs, Ash sees his chance to escape in order to find his parents, who left him with the Fira when he was only a baby.

For a debut novel, this tale of adventure and friendship is amazingly confident, and the artwork (by the author) is simply stunning. Aimed at a readership of about nine- to eleven-year-olds, the twists and turns of the story are just right, though for a grown-up some of the passages are somewhat predictable. There are some fast-paced and exciting action sequences, and the author also tackles some bigger themes like loneliness, belonging, loyalty, kindness and compassion. My son loved it, and the second volume is already lined up to be enjoyed together. ( )