For teens grappling with tough choices and facing unexpected dangers, this suspenseful thriller explores themes of courage, loyalty, and justice in a high-stakes mystery.
A parent might reach for this book when their teen is navigating complex moral dilemmas or feeling the pressure of making difficult decisions under stress. "Frozen Fire" is a psychological thriller about Dusty, a fifteen-year-old girl haunted by the disappearance of her younger brother two years prior. When she begins receiving strange, cryptic phone calls from a mysterious boy, she is pulled into a dangerous investigation that forces her to confront a powerful and sinister family. The book expertly explores themes of resilience, loyalty, and the difficult pursuit of justice in a world that isn't always fair. It's an ideal choice for a mature teen who enjoys a suspenseful, character-driven story that sparks conversation about courage and doing the right thing, even when you're terrified.
Focuses on the grief and trauma of a sibling's disappearance and presumed death.
ViolenceMild
Characters are in peril and there are threats of violence and some physical altercations.
Sensitive Topics
The book's central theme is a missing, presumed-dead child. This is handled directly, focusing on the sister's prolonged grief, hope, and determination. The resolution is realistic and somewhat grim, not a simple happy ending, which might be difficult for some readers. The approach is secular. The story also contains significant peril and psychological intimidation.
Ideal Reader
A patient, thoughtful teen (13-16) who prefers atmospheric, psychological suspense over fast-paced action. This reader enjoys complex characters and piecing together a slow-burn mystery. It is perfect for a teen who is ready to tackle a story with moral ambiguity and an ending that feels true to life rather than like a fairy tale.
Parent Prep
Parents should be prepared for the book's intense psychological suspense and themes of child endangerment and murder. The villain is menacing in a realistic way, which can be unsettling. The ending is not neatly wrapped up, and parents may want to be available to discuss the concepts of justice and loss. The book can be read cold by a mature reader ready for the subject matter. A parent has noticed their teen is drawn to true crime stories, podcasts, or documentaries. The teen might be asking tough questions about justice, kidnapping, or why bad things happen. Or, the teen has simply asked for a genuinely suspenseful book that is more about psychological tension than action or gore.
Age Experience
A younger reader (12-13) will likely be captivated by the mystery plot: the secret phone calls, the chase, and the thrill of Dusty's investigation. An older teen (14-16) will appreciate the deeper psychological layers: Dusty's internal state of 'frozen fire' (fear mixed with determination), the social commentary on power and corruption, and the nuanced, bittersweet ending.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many plot-driven YA thrillers, "Frozen Fire" is a deeply atmospheric and character-focused novel. Its unique strength lies in the masterful buildup of suspense through small, unsettling details and the intimate first-person narration. The central metaphor of 'frozen fire' to describe the protagonist's emotional state provides a memorable and powerful psychological anchor for the entire story.
Read plot summary
Fifteen-year-old Dusty is still grappling with the unexplained disappearance of her brother, Josh, two years ago. Her life is upended when she starts receiving cryptic, whispered phone calls from a boy who seems to know what happened. This mysterious caller pulls Dusty into a dangerous search for the truth, putting her on a collision course with the powerful and menacing Sterne family. Dusty must rely on her own courage and wit to uncover a dark secret, deciding who to trust in a high-stakes game where she is constantly being watched.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Dusty often describes her feeling as 'frozen fire'. What do you think this means? Can you think of a time you have felt two opposite emotions at once?
2
Dusty isn't sure whether to trust the voice on the phone. What clues did she use to make her decision? Would you have trusted him in her position?
3
The ending doesn't provide perfect, clean justice for what happened to Josh. Why do you think the author chose to end the story this way? Did you find it satisfying?
4
Dusty pushes forward even when she is terrified. What do you think is the difference between being brave and not being scared? In what moments did Dusty show the most courage?
