Will bring back memories for anyone who battled with love, loyalties and grief as well as puberty. I struggled with the book at times though - when the motives of the 11-year-old heroine seemed as impenetrable as the ice palace of the title - but found the book worthwhile because it is beautifully written and does have a happy ending.
When she said it like that, they dimly realized it was a promise made to Unn, and nobody knew whether she was alive or dead.