Name: The Arctic Fury
ISBN: 9781728215693

Greer Macallister

The Arctic Fury

Jordan Heustis

On the CAWPILE rating system, this book got an 8.64 which is a very high four and almost five stars! The book was a bit confusing at first but I imagine that was done on purpose. I loved the feminism and my mind was blown at the end!

Shawna Gavas

I really enjoyed this one. It took me a while to get through it, not because it wasn't good, but because it was the first book I purchased after my dad passed. Strangely, the book ended up mentioning a piece of my family history which I wasn't expecting! I took it as a sign from my dad, but of course it through me off for a bit while I pondered the coincidence. 

If you enjoy reading strong women leads in a male-dominated world this book will fit you perfectly. A group of women taking on the Arctic? What's not to love?

I will definitely be checking out the rest of this authors works!

erin s

I'm always on the hunt for arctic exploration books, fiction or nonfiction. Greer Macallister's The Arctic Fury is a formidable entry into that specific category, with a welcome emphasis on female fortitude. Macallister imagines an expedition of thirteen women sent in secret by Lady Jane Franklin in the years after her husband's disappearance in the arctic. Chapters alternate between the expedition in 1853 and the 'present' of 1854, where group leader (and main POV character) Virginia Reeves is on trial for the murder of a fellow explorer, Virginia maintains her innocence, but the fact that only six survivors are present in the courtroom, along with the ferocious prosecution and lackluster defense, works against her. 

The women in this novel are an eclectic variety, each exhibiting distinct strengths and weaknesses that forge friendships and tension across the group. Issues of race, class, gender, and sexuality emerge as the thirteen explorers make their way north and, when things go wrong, back south again. The snippets from Virginia's past life as a guide in the west along the Oregon/California Trails also give a welcome respite from the claustrophobic courtroom and the chill of the tundra.

[4.5/5: An exciting and tense work of historical fiction that centers women. The writing style is descriptive and engaging, and I would love to read more novels like it. Readers that are interested in 19th century exploration will find something to like here, and those that like historical fiction as much as I do will find an excellent exemplar in The Arctic Fury.]

Many thanks to NetGalley & the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Heather Harrington

It's 1853, and there are not many ways for a woman to make her way in the world, but Virginia Reeve has made a name for herself by being a trail guide in California. Her expertise has caught the eye of a mysterious benefactor who has her brought out to Boston for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: lead an all-female crew into the depths of the Arctic in search of the lost Franklin Expedition. Virginia and her team each bring something vital to the dangerous mission, but soon find themselves completely out of their depths when faced with the bracing wilderness, and as time passes it becomes clear that not everyone will make it out alive. Virginia uses every trick in her arsenal to keep herself and her crew alive, but her good intentions fall upon deaf ears as she's put to trial a year and a half later for the lives of the women who never made it back. No one knows what happened out on that ice, and when dark secrets from Virginia's past come to light, any hope she had of going free starts to slip away.

This is a dual timeline story chronicling this group of women as they make their way through the harsh Arctic terrain, and then the sensationalized trial of the crew's leader when not all the women come back alive. The premise sounded like it was going to be this whirlwind adventure/mystery story, and while it had those elements, I couldn't help but feel a little bored at times. The parts showcasing the women's journey were very atmospheric and you could feel how bleak it was as any hope of them surviving just dwindled with each step. It also seemed very true to the time in regards to how women were treated which lead to a lot of frustrating moments especially when it came to the trial. I think it was an interesting reimagining of events, and there were a few twists thrown in that I appreciated, but overall, it just didn't grip me as much as I was hoping for.

Geneviève Rouleau

When I first started this book, I was a bit annoyed by the dual timeline. It felt like forever until the women were actually out on the Arctic ice. I just wanted to get to the action already 😅😂 However, this wonderful story slowly but steadily unfurls bit by bit, allowing the readers to immerse themselves into the frigid atmosphere. This book was a true roller-coaster ride of emotions, mystery, and unexpected twists. 

I appreciated the diversity of the women's ethnic and societal backgrounds, each bringing a unique perspective and set of skills to the expedition. The party far from trusted each other, and I was moved by how their bonds strengthened over the hardships they endured together. 

This was such a unique read, perfect for winter. I definitely recommend. 4⭐

A dozen women join a secret 1850s Arctic expedition—and a sensational murder trial unfolds when some of them don't come back. Eccentric Lady Jane Franklin makes an outlandish offer to adventurer Virginia Reeve: take a dozen women, trek into the Arctic, and find her husband's lost expedition. Four parties have failed to find him, and Lady Franklin wants a radical new approach: put the women in charge. A year later, Virginia stands trial for murder. Survivors of the expedition willing to publicly support her sit in the front row. There are only five. What happened out there on the ice? Set against the unforgiving backdrop of one of the world's most inhospitable locations, USA Today bestselling author Greer Macallister uses the true story of Lady Jane Franklin's tireless attempts to find her husband's lost expedition as a jumping-off point to spin a tale of bravery, intrigue, perseverance and hope.

A Novel

Francine Corry

Ro Grayson

Steph

A dozen women join a secret 1850s Arctic expedition--and a sensational murder trial unfolds when some of them don't come back. Eccentric Lady Jane Franklin makes an outlandish offer to adventurer Virginia Reeve: take a dozen women, trek into the Arctic, and find her husband's lost expedition. Four parties have failed to find him, and Lady Franklin wants a radical new approach: put the women in charge. A year later, Virginia stands trial for murder. Survivors of the expedition willing to publicly support her sit in the front row. There are only five. What happened out there on the ice? Set against the unforgiving backdrop of one of the world's most inhospitable locations, USA Todaybestselling author Greer Macallister uses the true story of Lady Jane Franklin's tireless attempts to find her husband's lost expedition as a jumping-off point to spin a tale of bravery, intrigue, perseverance and hope.

The Arctic Fury

Reviews

Highlights