The Heroic Age of Polar Exploration and the war that would change the world forever.
The first of two books in the Endurance saga from Terrill Sullivan and Black Rose Writing, The Frozen Keep establishes the lives of a core cast of characters spread between South Georgia Island in the South Atlantic, the battlefields of Europe in the opening months of World War II, and Ernest Shackleton’s treacherous Antarctic expedition aboard the Endurance, mounted under the shadow of war. The book’s opening paints a larger picture—of the violent whaling industry, of young people charting their futures through a world in turmoil, of the tension between warfare and exploration in these waning days of global discovery. At the heart of the story is Jack Robinson, newly a man and suddenly filling his brother’s shoes on Shackleton’s expedition while the older Robinson sets sail for European trenches. Back home, Leah Carlberg is horrified by what she has seen of the whaling industry but feels powerless to make a change or escape the rough island that has become her home. Intertwined with the other similar lives, The Frozen Keep chronicles the upheaval of the era and one ship’s determined push into the frozen landscape at the bottom of the world.
Sullivan’s writing follows closely alongside his chosen characters while incorporating larger facts and elements from Shackleton’s journals. This grounds the book in real history even as much of the story offers a more personal perspective rather than a global one. Though the book largely serves to set up the expedition—taking the characters to Antarctica but not much further—it is paced well and manages to blend historical facts and multiple storylines with balance and care. A good portion of the dialogue feels obvious and expository, and some of the characterization lacks the depth that might otherwise have been achieved, but the authorial narration running through the book maintains an engaging literary thread which moves the story forward. The sum of these parts succeeds in capturing a sweeping narrative across lives and continents.
Sullivan’s art is easy to engage with, showcasing a consistent style of heavy line art and straightforward coloring. This is interspersed with more stylized moments as well as touches of realism which do well to emphasize key aspects of the story, such as imposing landscapes and war-torn battlefields. It feels like an art style mainly designed to carry the reader through the story hand in hand with the writing. But Sullivan does not forget the value of comics as a medium to, at times, do what words cannot. One creative choice of note which elevates the tensions underlying the story is the inclusion of a grim reaper character who appears at moments to whisper dread into characters’ ears. At odds with the otherwise realistic story, this dramatic flourish nevertheless works well to personify the depths of danger and uncertainty nipping at these characters’ heels in a way that might otherwise have been missing from the pages.
Black Rose Writing categorizes The Frozen Keep as Young Adult and with the central coming of age themes stemming from Jack and Leah, there’s plenty here for teens of varying ages to engage with. There are semi-graphic depictions of whales being butchered, some language and violence, and scene of sexual harassment—but at no point do these cross over into markedly adult territory. Beyond the central character threads, Endurance is a compelling way to experience a moment of world history that many readers may not be familiar with. While it does have its rough edges, The Frozen Keep is a worthwhile historical fiction read for teens and adults alike, especially those who are interested in historical narratives that emphasize characters and storytelling over simple recounting of facts.
Endurance, book 1: The Frozen Keep
By Terrill Sullivan
Black Rose Writing, 2024
ISBN: 9781685133986
NFNT Age Recommendation: Older Teen (16-18), Teen (13-16)
