Disney Frozen Polar Nights: Cast Into Darkness - by Jen Calonita & Mari Mancusi (Hardcover)

Polar Nights is a great addition to the world of Frozen: a fun little side story that gives insight into how the characters are spending their lives post-Frozen 2. It patches up a few loose ends that the movie left out, for example, how often Anna and Elsa get together (which is quite often!) The plot itself is suspenseful and interesting too. Overall, an enjoyable story starring beloved characters that will serve as a great "in between" for Frozen 2 and an eventual Frozen 3.

Love this story! Fantastic characterization of Elsa and Anna and a great expansion of what goes on in Arendelle after the events of Frozen 2. The chapters toggled between the POV of the two sisters in a really effective storytelling technique. The central mystery was thrilling and suspenseful in a way middle grade readers in particular will be intrigued by. All the hallmarks of Frozen are present - humor, heartfelt moments, and characters we know and love. There are even minor details that super fans will notice and appreciate. If you like it, I also recommend Conceal Don't Feel and Dangerous Secrets, other Frozen stories by these authors.

I was really disappointed with this book. Elsa & Anna's characterization felt off, and as a result their bond didn't work in the story. It was in the subtle things they would say or how they would act in certain situations. Elsa acted very emotionless throughout the story. She only seemed happy when she was alone & isolated in Ahtohallan looking at past memories of her parents or in her parent's room remembering what they were like. She didn't seem to really want to be with Anna at all. This was really out-of-character for Elsa. The story even came right out and basically said their home was without each other, which I thought was really strange because that was always the foundation of Frozen before. As a parent, I can appreciate a child wanting to remain connected with a lost parent but never at the cost of them moving forward with their life or causing them to remain in the past. Elsa spent so much time living in the past in this book that it cost her precious time and new memories with Anna. I would want my child to take me with him to make new memories with his family & friends, not keep him in the past away from everyone else. I know this was advertised as a "sister adventure" and they were together for most of the story, but I felt like the romance somehow overshadowed everything. The story kept trying to replace Elsa with Kristoff in everything in the kingdom and in Anna’s life. Things that were special for Anna & Elsa were given to Kristoff & Anna like eating chocolate together. Elsa’s POV seemed to focus a lot on Anna & Kristoff and their relationship. It was almost as if Elsa felt Kristoff was a good replacement for her, so she could spend more time in Ahtohallan & the forest without feeling guilty that Anna didn’t have someone to do things with. I appreciated the authors trying to write a sister story, but it didn’t come together like I was hoping it would. I really enjoyed the "sisterhood" series, so I was hoping this would be like that.