The Cry of the Icemark

Stuart Hill

Average Rating 8/10 (1 Review)

When her father dies in battle, fourteen-year-old Thirrin becomes Queen of the Icemark, a tin kingdom forever caught between dangerous neighbours. But she bears a heavy burden. Thirrin must find a way to protect her people from the most terrible invasion that her nation has ever known - and do so before the end of the winter snows.

The Cry of the Icemark is the glorious story of how she rallies her country and finds some extraordinary allies: Vampires, Wolf-folk and most noble of all, giant Snow Leopards. But it's also a heart-felt tale of duty and sacrifice, of unexpected laughter and awful uncertainty, and of a girl whose friendships are forged in the heat of battle.

Review by Jessica (311212) Rating (8/10)

Review by Jessica
Rating 8/10
Sword and shield at the ready, 13 year old Thirrin Freer Strong-in-the-Arm Lindenshield who is heir to the throne of the Icemark, must defend her country from the most severe attack it has ever faced. Warrior Thirrin must fight back against General Scipio Bellorum and his ever-growing army and all before the winter snows set in.

Riding on horseback and dressed in battle attire, Thirrin surges on into the heat of the battle. It is there that she forges a friendship. She gains the help and assistance of some noble Snow Leopards and discovers the trust and support of ancient vampires and befriends the ever-furious Wolf-folk. Joining forces they all pull together to put a stop to Scipio’s invasion. The men in this tale make supportive allies to Thirrin, always offering an extra hand when she is down.

Can she save her people or will it be too late?!

To say that Stuart scribbled down this novel during snatched breaks at his work place, it is a truly wonderful and breathtaking debut book. Filled with everything a reader could possibly want in this unique adventure/quest fantasy. Who says you have to be young to enjoy it? I think people of all ages could happily sit down and be engrossed in the storyline and the colourful characters. It is written in a highly descriptive way with a fast pace and can easily be compared to The Lord of the Rings and other tales of its genre. Pick this up and you shouldn’t be disappointed. It deserves a place on your bookshelf.
Jessica (31st December 2012)