This is a story of relationships.  Being a princess is a bit overrated, especially according to Princess Sofia.  It’s hard to always be in the spotlight and Sofia struggles with the desire to be invisible so she can just live her life and enjoy it.  Her sister, Katrine, is the crowned princess and she rules everything in the kingdom, including Sofia. 

Throughout the story, Sofia has many things to teach us.  She likes to think of herself as strong and independent, yet when faced with the opportunity to follow her dream, she still has to consciously choose to be brave.  When confronted with evil, she decides to be a heroine even though she’s convinced herself she’s not the one for the job.  Her friendship with Jasper is a good example of friends learning from each other and working together through hard times.  Throughout the story, she discovers that family is worth fighting for.  

Although there is a central problem to be solved, a good half of the book is Sofia facing her circumstances and choosing how to handle them.  In the process, she matures.  Discovering new friends is life changing for her and she’s shrewd enough to realize that even though they look different and talk differently from her, that’s ok, because Sofia finds there’s always something valuable in everybody if she gives them the time to reveal it.

The pacing is well-done and moves along comfortably.  It was thoroughly enjoyable to walk with Sofia and Jasper on their adventures.  Painting an imaginative world for the reader, the author made it easy to become immersed in this story of people, dragons, and ice.  The author, Stephanie Burgis, has written at least eighteen books.  I would recommend this book and also the first two in the series.  With both a male and female lead characters, it could be enjoyed by anybody looking for a light-hearted action story.  With plenty of back story, this book stands alone well.  For fans of E.D. Baker, dragons, and strong and smart female lead characters, this book packs a powerful punch.  

Review of an Advance Reading Copy

This book was sent to Compass Book Ratings for review by Bloomsbury Children’s Books

Content Analysis:

Profanity/Language:  None 

Violence/Gore:  Mention of a mother who died previously; a young woman remembers a time when evil creatures abducted her and her home was on fire, slightly scary description with limited details; story of a family who was taken captive by bad guys; a young woman remembers when her family was taken prisoner in their home; bad guys abduct several adults. 

Sex/Nudity:  None

Mature Subject Matter:

Social differences, death of a mother, homelessness, adult daughter kicked out of home/land, traitors, theft, bad guys, home fire, abduction.

Alcohol / Drug Use:

None