Alduin and Lena live quietly in their mountain village, oblivious to the threat of the terrifying Ice Warriors who pay the villagers a visit every 8 to 10 years, taking captive a woman each time. To the children, they are a thing from the past. But when Lena  is chosen as a tribute to ward off the creatures, the two of them have to find courage to defy the authority to save their lives.

Estelle Faye has crafted a lovely story of friendship. While a little cliché at first, it has some really nice twists in store for readers of all ages. Plus, it's largely illustrated with two-tone pictures that breathe even more life into the narrative. The vocabulary is rich and balanced with simple grammar, so it's a lovely way for children or people learning French (wink wink) to enrich their vocabulary!