FROZEN TEARS

This mystical, contemporary, Alaskan adventure tale follows the love between a young environmentalist and her laconic Ennuit husband, with a supporting cast that includes a gun-happy, spurned ex-lover; a wise old “wolf shaman;” a feral child; a trusty sidekick (named Rusty, of course); and wolves. Lots of wolves.

When Kale meets Elliot at The Crusty Miner–the local bar and pool hall in Midland, Alaska–it’s love at first sight. Well, at least heavy attraction, since both of them have clearly been around the block a few times. After meeting again at the town’s hoot-n-holler Gold Days founders celebration, the unlikely couple–she a California-bred white girl drawn to the cold North country for personal and professional reasons, he a commercial pilot of native ancestry–get married and seem set to live happily ever after, despite their cultural differences. But while on an emergency flight to the village where Elliot’s family lives, an accident leaves him dead and Kale–pregnant and scared–lost and alone in the snowy wilderness. With the help of an entity she names Gray Wolf, she eventually finds her way back to civilization. Years pass, and though her preternaturally wise son Matthew yearns to explore his own Ennuit heritage, he is rejected by the tribe. When tragedy strikes again, Kale finds the inner strength to do what she knows to be right by seeking the spiritual guidance of the wolves she loves and protects. Again the ancient wisdom leads her to the right path, difficult as it may be. The action-packed plot often veers dangerously close to pure tabloid melodrama in this bracing, though meditative novel. Still, MacAfee’s controlled poetic tone and obviously deep sympathy for environmentalism and respect for native customs mostly keep the potential cringe-factor at bay. While less metaphysically inclined readers might find Frozen Tears’ transformative spiritual aspects a trifle off-putting, sentimental animal lovers with a fancy for rugged terrain and high tragedy will find much to relish.

Enduring love and the endless cycle of death and rebirth.