The Cry of the Icemark

As debut novels go, bookseller-turned-novelist Stuart Hill's weighty book The Cry of the Icemark splashed down with an unusually large amount of pre-publication acclaim and even an early `fresh talent' award to its name. It's a big and bold read, fast-paced and exciting, stuffed full of fearsome battles and kingdoms lost and gained--the sort of book that young readers will consume with ease. Even at just under five hundred pages, it is certainly deserving of much of this initial fanfare.

Thirrin is the young, feisty princess who inherits the throne of Icemark--a small, northern ice-bound but proud country--when her father the king is killed after it is invaded by the army of a mighty southern empire. The invaders, who echo the style, names and conquering ambitions of ancient Rome, want nothing more than to annihilate Icemark's indigenous people and plunder its natural resources, and they quickly overrun the Capital city.

Thirrin grows up fast and takes her people further north to re-group and plan their return to power. The Young queen knows that she needs help to take back her country, and she moves quickly to bury the hatchet and longstanding animosities with Icemark's neighbours. Her potential allies include the Wolf-folk, the Forest people, Vampires from the Land-of-Ghosts and snow leopards from the top of the world. However, it is difficult to defeat an army whose soldiers never stop coming at you, despite all their losses in massive battles, but Thirrin must risk everything to try and achieve just that.

Hill's book has a readability that will make it attractive to a lot of young book lovers. Its powerful, yet familiar, narrative sweeps you along and it is quite easy to get lost amongst its many pages. Heroines triumphing in a strange and fantastical land is engaging stuff and it'll prove difficult to put down and then to forget.

(Age 10 and over) --John McLay

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More of a younger readers book? - Rated
I saw another reviewer had commented that this book lived up to it's 'young adult' target audience. Though I definately enjoyed the book, I felt it was aimed at younger readers.

Despite this I liked this book! I thought that the plot occasionally was un'real'istic and the characters sometimes did very odd things, in my humble opinion.

Thirrin is a great, strong character growing up and into her role, I loved how she reacted to so many hopeless and unusual situations.

In conclusion, a great book that, I think, younger readers will appreciate more! A few flaws but overall well written. And an even better sequel for those who enjoy it!

Cry of the Icemark - Rated
A friend of the author recommended me this book. "Look out for The Cry of the Icemark", he told me. As we were both working in a bookshop that Christmas and I worked in the children's section it proved an easy task. The moment it came in I set a copy aside for myself to peruse during a quiet period of the day, all other copies went in pride of place on the shelves! Well, I know they say "never judge a book by its cover" but good covers draw attention and I was immediately impressed with this one in particular. [When you're around books all day you tend to get a sixth sense about which ones will be good and which to steer clear of. I had a good feeling about this one! I wasn't wrong!]The quiet period came and I did peruse...

It is a story of the strong warrior people of the Icemark who unite with their neighbouring lands to fight a common enemy. Vampires, Werewolves etc, with years of enmity and disagreements between the Icemark and those who live in the Land-of-the-Ghosts they try to now put aside their differences in the face of invasion. Only united can they defeat the threat of the Polypontius Empire's invading armies. On Thirrin's young shoulders the fate of the Icemark rests.

Thirrin is a fabulous protagonist. I found her a little annoying at first because of her hot temper and slight arrogance [she is a Princess though] but if you persevere she grows on you and as the story develops certain events force her to re-evaluate her character flaws, she has to grow up faster than most. I also found the story a little slow at the beginning but don't be fooled it's just `the calm before the storm'. All of it is essential groundwork so I encourage you to continue with the story and you will be rewarded.

My favourite character has to be Oskan. He is logic and balance. As his story develops you learn more about whom he really is though never enough to lose the mystery.

I believe Thirrin is loosely based on Boudica [an amazing historical figure that you should look up if you don't know her!] A powerful warrior and Queen of the Ecceni tribe, Boudica fought the Romans when they first invaded England. She also helped many of the clans who had been warring among themselves to unite against the greater threat of the Romans. In `The Cry of the Icemark' the Polypotius Empire seem to be a representation of the Roman Empire.

I pulled my copy off the shelf recently and something urged me to give it another read. If anything I loved it more than the first time I read it.

A period of fabulous history made into amazing fantasy adventure not only for ages 10+ but also for older readers and adults alike.

Very clever fantasy! - Rated
I wont go into the plot details of this book as they are well detailed below, but i will say that this is a very clever and original book, with some touches that will appeal to all ages. I especially liked the clashes between the technologically advanced empire and the vampires and werewolves etc, instead of the werewolves being the enemy as they are in many other books. Needless to say, this is very good writing,which should be enjoyed by all ages.

Oh, and for castlelioness, this is actually a work of fiction, so doesnt really have to be that realistic.........

Some people.......

Best book ever!! - Rated
As the others said, this book is impossible to put down. Finally (sort of) wolves are good!!! I have nothing that is bad about this book. it has an exellent plot and should be compulsary reading for everyone. Buy this now!!!

Brilliant - Rated
Once i openend this book i just couldn't put it down. It was full of adventure and struggles. A teenage girl who has recently lost her father is now in charge of a country. She has to keep it from invaders while trying to keep its people safe. Along her journey she meets werwolves, vampires, snow lepoards and family members among others. this is a brilliant book!