Icefall – Matthew J. Kirby

© 2011, Scholastic, New York

Last year I discovered a brilliant new writer—Matthew J.Kirby—by virtue of our school’s “Book Fair.” His first book—The ClockworkThree—was filled with signs of a master wordsmith. Buildings and forests came to life. There was magic in the words—from beginning to end. The result of that read was two-fold: I am in the process of reading The Clockwork Three in pieces to my children as part of their bed-time routine (it takes awhile because we’re only good for about five pages at a time); and I couldn’t resist getting his second book (which I also found at a school book fair).

Icefall mixes myth and legend with period adventure and coming of age. It is the story of Solveig told in her own words. She is the second daughter of a Norse chieftan/king, sent with her older sister and younger brother to a safe haven while her father wages war against a would-be suitor for her sister, Asa. The story begins slowly but builds as you read—you will need to allow three or for chapters to get into the story—and the window into the world of old Norse legend is priceless.

We encounter berserkers, the elite fighting force of the king. Men who have learned to call upon the beast within for power during battle have been sent to protect the small band made up of the king’s children, their guards and the servants who attend them. The berserkers arrive with Alric the skald (story-teller) just as winter arrives at their fjord.

As you read you will hear tales of Odin and Thor and Fenric (the Wolf). You will get caught up in the intrigue, the battles, and the stories of treachery. All the while you will laugh with Solveig, cry with her, hurt with her, tremble with her as she develops her skill as a skald in her own right.

One of the drawbacks to the book is the story that is inserted between most of the first chapters—meant to provide some of the characterization and aid the plot development, these little one- and two-page breaks do more to distract the reader than to further the story (it is my opinion that the book would read actually better without them). Another tactical error on the part of the author is the choice of first person active voice. He is consistent throughout the book, and the first person telling is good. However, the present active voice takes some getting used to.

Once you have mastered the voice of the story, you will be caught up, though—so get this book—buy it, borrow it, don’t steal it—and read it. I give the author three and three-quarters stars for a grand story with some issues (mostly at the beginning—by the end of the story you won’t want to put it down) in the telling.

—Benjamin Potter, January 24, 2012

[Just another note, in case you think Kirby is not worth reading (because I think he is): Icefall has received nomination for both the Edgar for best juvenile fiction and the Cybil for best Middle Grade Science Fiction/Fantasy. I think we'll be looking forward to much more from Mr. Kirby!]

The Clockwork Three – Matthew J. Kirby

©2010, Scholastic Press, New York

Matthew Kirby is a new author (for both me and the reading audience in general). In his day job, he works with children as a school psychologist in Utah. If this debut novel is any indicator, he may be changing his day job soon. “Why?” you ask. I think that the success of this first novel can be attributed to his love for telling stories—according to his bio, he’s been doing it since he was a youngster.

The city in the story bears a strong resemblance to 19^th century New York because of the inspirational story of a boy who almost single-handedly derailed the abusive child-labor practices. Kirby’s story focuses on three children who have their own spectacular stories to tell. Giuseppe is a young street musician whose life is changed the moment he fishes a beautiful green violin from the wreckage of a shipwreck in the bay. Hannah, a maid in the grand hotel in the heart of the city, is struggling to be the sole support of her family (a disabled father, his wife who must stay home to care for him, and two younger sisters—twins). She has given up her hopes of education although she continues to read the classics. A strange guest with a Russian protector becomes her friend and provider. And then, there is Frederick, the orphaned apprentice of a humble clockmaker. Frederick is focused on becoming a journeyman so that he can open his own shop.

The story brings these three together in the most unlikely of situations. It is filled with action, adventure, and magic. The characters—heroes and villains alike—are compelling and lifelike. But the most exciting part of the book is its destiny to become a classic. Kirby’s use of descriptive language and movement provides excellent examples to be used in any literature or creative writing class. He is truly a wordsmith of the highest degree.

I have to give him five out of five reading glasses for his first effort, and can’t wait to get my hands on Icefall (his second novel due out in October). [Modesty prevents me from begging for a review copy—actually no it doesn't and I'm begging, Scholastic are you listening?]

—Benjamin Potter, September 15, 2011