In Caverns of Blue Ice

Though this book purports to be a novel, an epilogue seems to place its events and characters firmly in the real world. A stiff, distant narrative tone, along with a somewhat superficial recounting of facts, gives the impression that this is a biography rather than a work of fiction. While this blurring of genres is likely to frustrate some readers, fans of the sport of mountain-climbing will find plenty of excitement in the story of Louise DeMaistre, the first woman mountain guide. Daughter of a famous climber, Louise's innate climbing talent propelled her into the limelight, and on to some of the most difficult mountains in the world. Detailed, breathtaking descriptions of various ascents convey a lasting impression of the hardships endured by climbers in their sometimes fatal pursuit of glory. Ages 10-up. (May)