Prisoner of Ice and Snow by Ruth Lauren (review)

Valor will risk her own life to save her twin sister, so it’s an easy decision for her to get herself sent to a grim, icy prison just to be with Sasha, who was arrested for stealing. Thirteen-year-old Valor doesn’t even care if her sister is innocent or not, but she soon learns that Sasha was framed, and a political plot unfolds (with plenty of red herrings) about the ruling family of this land and who is actually wielding power. That knowledge matters little since Valor is trapped in a horrific prison where the best she can hope for—and not be assured of—is survival. Valor is the type to dive in first and only then think through what she should be actually doing, and in this she is both an exhilarating and exasperating character. She’s going to mess things up and be brash and foolish, but fortunately she’s surrounded by staunch and clever allies who can save her when she goes too far. Sasha’s a bit too perfect to be interesting, but Valor’s undying loyalty is at least understandable even if Sasha’s appeal and alleged charisma aren’t effectively conveyed. Readers will therefore mostly root for the defiant Valor instead, and they’ll cheer her eventual success, even if it does come with some inevitable costs.