Book review: Daughter of Fire and Ice by Marie-Louise Jensen

Daughter of Fire and Ice by Marie-Louise Jensen (Published by Oxford University Press, February 4, 2010)

Fifteen-year-old Thora is a gifted healer who has visions of the future. When her family’s enemy, Bjorn Swanson, the chieftain of their district in Norway, kidnaps her, he plans to force her to accompany him on a voyage to Iceland, the new world. But a very different journey begins when Swanson’s slave, a young man that Thora has seen in her visions, kills the cruel chieftain to avenge Swanson’s murder of his sister. The slave takes on the identity of Bjorn Swanson, and Thora knows her destiny is to travel with this young man to Iceland.

During the voyage, Thora begins to care deeply for the young man she now knows only as Bjorn, and believes she is falling in love with him, and that he may have feelings for her as well. However, circumstances make it difficult for them to be together. And as Thora, Bjorn, and their fellow travelers struggle to build a home in the harsh and dangerous land that is Iceland, Thora realizes there is a murderer among them.

Daughter of Fire and Ice is a fascinating, exciting, and romantic young adult historical novel. I loved the unusual historical setting of ninth century Norway and Iceland, as I have not read much set in this time period. Thora is a wonderful narrator who brings to life the story and setting. I have loved everything I have read so far by Marie-Louise Jensen - I highly recommend her books to readers who love young adult historical romance, and I can’t wait to read her next book.