The Arctic Fury
Fiction
Sourcebooks Landmark
December 1, 2020
Audiobook
400
Cloud library
In early 1853, experienced California Trail guide Virginia Reeve is summoned to Boston by a mysterious benefactor who offers her a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: lead a party of 12 women into the wild, hazardous Arctic to search for the lost Franklin Expedition. It’s an extraordinary request, but the party is made up of extraordinary women. Each brings her own strengths and skills to the expedition- and her own unsettling secrets. A year and a half later, back in Boston, Virginia is on trial when not all of the women return. Told in alternating timelines that follow both the sensational murder trial in Boston and the dangerous, deadly progress of the women’s expedition into the frozen North, this heart-pounding story will hold readers rapt as a chorus of voices answer the trial’s all-consuming question: what happened out there on the ice?
My review:
Another novel set before the 20th century, who am I anymore? Lol! I liked the dual timeline set forth in this atmospheric novel. The actual expedition set embarked upon is one chapter, with alternating chapters being in a courtroom for the trial of the expedition leader Virginia. I actually think I enjoyed the trial aspect more, but that may be because it took a bit before we actually got into the actual arctic part of the journey (which is where that part of the plot took off for me). I particularly appreciated the way women were portrayed here as such capable beings, when we know how women were typically looked at during this time frame. These were some gutsy ladies! The writing and characters were well formed, and I loved the descriptions of the settings, especially the Arctic cold. I thought the author did a great job fictionalizing a true historic event (Lady Franklin did exist, and her husband did disappear on an exploration).
A very engaging story about a dangerous expedition by a group of women cobbled together, but who ultimately grow to respect each other and have each others backs. Definitely a great winter read.
