Determined to at least hold his pride, he used the nearby fountain to pull himself up. From the classroom window, Maggie watches this. Getting up from his seat, he tells two soldiers to watch over Sharley because he had just been brutally honest with him and he may need some friendly support. After a bit, Maggiore heard news that the army was coming back from the Ice Troll war. After giving up to try and tell Sharley, Charlemagne eventually finds out himself and becomes excited. Charlemagne quickly starts to speak in the wolf tongue rapidly, translating the conversation for Maggiore.
Maggie becomes pleased that Sharley's attitude had seemed to change, seeing how excited he was to see his parents again. For a long while, Charlemagne waited outside for his parents, listening to the wolf messages for any news. Eventually, he calculates that the army would be there in less than an hour and asks some guards to tell the cooks, then Maggiore. In just a matter of moments, Cressida , Eodred , and Cerdic approached Sharley, asking his for the details.
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The twins, however, keep messing around, forcing Cressida to demand their silence. After getting in an argument about whether their parents should bring them home gifts with Cerdic, Cressida tells Sharley that he could come out of the cold and just be told when their parents had arrived. After snapping that Cressida would most likely be cold because of the amour she was wearing from training, she wraps her arm around him, understanding that he was upset.
After trying to encourage him, Sharley just compares her to Maggiore. Once Cressida starts to mention he did not need a sword to be a warrior, Charlemagne hears a werewolf call and notices his parents. Eager to meet their parents, the four royal children race down to them. Up in her tower, Medea also watches as her parents come home. Despite being happy they had come home safely, she knew that they would probably greet her last.
Medea quickly becomes jealous over her siblings, Charlemagne in particular. Still, Medea knew she had one thing he siblings did not: Because of that, Oskan seemed to spend much more time with her. She knew that after all of the greetings were over with, at least her father would be looking for her. After Oskan made it home, he sat by a fire with Primplepuss , grateful for the long desired warmth. As the servants get supper prepared, some of them notify Oskan on the foods progress.
As the servants made themselves busy, Oskan thinks of how they usually have family dinners, Maggiore included, in private apartments. However, since they had just won the Ice Troll war, they had decided they would eat at a public feast so they could show themselves to the household. Oskan continued to pet Primplepuss as he thought of his children.
Medea, he knew, would appear in about an hour after her siblings greeted them. He also knew that Cerdic, Eodred, and Cressida were forcing their mother to watch and listen to their most recent accomplishments. Oskan then becomes saddened when he thought of how eager Sharley was to join them, knowing that he was not even allowed to train himself.
Oskan knew, however, that before Sharley gave up on becoming a warrior, he would be old and grey. Suddenly, Oskan jolts up and feels the Gift overcome him and realizes it is trying to tell him something about Charlemagne. After the Gift finished trying to give him a message, it leaves Oskan tired and even more ignorant than before. Oskan thinks over this and wonders of Charlemagne's true importance. Hi thoughts, however, are cut short when he hears the twins and happily compares them to Thirrin's side of the family.
After Cressida scolds them, he compares her to Thirrin herself. Disrupting the previous silence, the twins burst into the room Oskan is relaxing in, noting how quiet it was. Thirrin follows in behind them, teasing Oskan by asking him if they were disturbing him. Oskan simply replies he was spending his time in a warrior's silence, to which a twin replies that Sharley in no warrior. The twin quickly realizes his mistake when Cressida hits him for the comment. Mentally agreeing that the twins would never have diplomacy, he urges his children to sit down and talk to him while they wait for their supper.
Early on in the book Oskan has a prophecy about Sharley. About a week or two later Sharley is sent off into exile to be Prince Regent to the exiles. Maggie, his tutor, goes with him. He is sent to the Southern Continent where he makes some unexpected allies and friends. Maggie falls ill on the journey to the Sultan's palace and is sent to stay in oasis where he recovers. On the journey to Lusuland, an unexpected storm comes but the spirits of the desert the blessed women save them from harm. On the sea voyage back to Icemark the fleet of Lusu people and the desert people are attacked by the Empire's biggest allies.
Then before the final battle against the Polypontians, Medea possesses the Crown Prince of the desert people, Mehkmet, and turns him against Sharley.
With the help of the Blessed Women though, Medea is defeated. Later when Oskan is about to call down lightning, Medea steals his lightning and is about to use it against Sharley but Oskan blocks the lightning, sending it back toward Medea. Oskan attacks Medea because he found out that Medea betrayed the Icemark and banishes her to the seventh plain of the magical realms called The Circle Of Dark.
Octavius is killed by Sharley and Sulla is killed by Cressida. After the battle Scipio is beheaded by Thirrin and the Vampire Queen rips apart his body. The main character of this novel is a young boy. However, Thirrin is still a large part of this novel and her …more It depends on what you consider a hero. However, Thirrin is still a large part of this novel and her oldest daughter Cressida could be considered a rising female hero. Though not the main focus of the novel Cressida goes through her own character arc of learning the responsibilities of being the next queen. And she may play a larger part in the third book of the series.
See 1 question about Blade of Fire…. Lists with This Book. Mar 31, Joanie Greene-washington rated it it was amazing. Book 2 continues the Saga of the never ending battle of the IceMark.
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I must say that I have been totally engulfed by all species. To the point thhat sometimes I forget if I am thinking about Wolf folk , Snow Leopards or human kind. The relationship between the species are so human that sometimes their does not seem to even be a difference. Book 2 has you swapping locations within a moment.
One moment you are in the great room of the Icemark Palace. Next you will be crossing the creepy land of th Book 2 continues the Saga of the never ending battle of the IceMark. Next you will be crossing the creepy land of the Ghost Land or with Kristafitsa and her cubs in the Ice Sheet. On the Ocean on your way to meet the great desert people. All things relating to our reality at the same time. I am on page , with the third book on reserve at the library. Thanks Noodles for another good series. You know I will be hitting you up for the next series to get hooked too. May 11, S.
May I be the first to say, that this book was awesome. The first couple of chapters were refreshing in how they caught you up to speed. And as you asked yourself questions they were answered. As when I was trying to calculate, how old was Thirrin when she got married and started having all those children? Cressida comes along as says " When my mother was around my age, she was queen of the icemark, married and already had a child.
Can you believe little Charlemagne, or Sharley to anyone of any importance or was it worth knowing. Any how, I love cheering for the humble underdog, and Sharley just made me want to reach inside the book and give him a hug. So when the mighty Queen Ketshaka grabbed him, I rejoiced. Now tell me, how come her nickname had to be Keshay Keisha, lol?
Can you imagine having all that power, and using what you can from it to heal. How many times can you fall in love with a vampire I think they were related to the Cullen's? For a queen I was pleased to see how Thirrin had grown, she was everything I expected her to be. And I know it's because of her well grounded husband. Who else would dare ride a mule with earwarmers along side the Queen. I enjoyed my journey to the Hub of the world and to the oasis of the desert and all the people,creatures, and characters that came along with it. Well-written and highly readable, the original and sometimes quirky approach to a historical fantasy is like nothing I have encountered before and which is what sets this series apart from many others.
The writing is as crisp and clear as the snowy landscape that is depicted so beautifully, with fresh characters and vivid descriptions you are able to plunge into a magical world. Following on from an exceptional debut, is a wonderful read that is acutely absorbing and thoroughly satisfying throughout. Amid the fast-paced, action-packed adventure is a colorful world captured so perfectly that it is brought very realistically to life in such a compelling way. This is a piece of fiction which will also introduce new readers to the world of fantasy, catapulting them into a creation filled with wondrous delights that stretch the imagination…if a book can do this, then it is a winner!
Twenty years have passed since the tiny kingdom of the Icemark last defended itself from invasion. Now the imperial invader Scipio Bellorum is back — joined by his brutal twin sons.
But not all the royal siblings are ready for the task. What of Medea, the dark daughter, poisoning the family from within? Or Sharley, the youngest and weakest son, strangely foretold to travel far away, and return with a blade of fire? The second book in the Icemark Chronicles takes the fight to the seas, the skies, the hot lands to the south — and even beyond, to the places of the mind. Feel the heat of battle! With Vampires and Werewolves, magic both mystical and of the mind.
With formidable, imposing ships that sail across the vast Oceans to the scorching desert with a blade wreathed in flame…what more could you want?! Mar 28, Aneuwoman rated it it was amazing. This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I loved reading this book. It made my heart pound, ache, and rejoice all at the same time. The story picks up twenty years after the first book; Thirrin and Oskan are married and parents of five teenagers.
And despite the relative peace that the Icemark has enjoyed, the land still faces obliteration from Scipio Bellorum and his sons! I shuddered when I thought about his return. He was already very ruthless, so I knew that if he ever reared his evil head again that he would be new and improved. B I loved reading this book. Boy, he didn't disappoint! He was heartless and trained his sons to follow in his footsteps.
Another aspect of the second book in the Chronicles of the Icemark series that I enjoyed was the enphasis on family. Everyone has a family, legacy, or some sort of dynasty. I liked how the parents and their offspring related with each other. I was most moved by the youngest Lindenshield daughter, Medea. She broke my heart - it was Cain all over again, but super powerful.
I felt sorry for her bitter resentment of her entire family and the lengths that she went through to hurt them. I also rejoiced over the transformation of Sharley, the youngest Lindenshield. He grew by leaps and bounds and became a fearsome warrior, like his mother. Relationships dominated this story and that definitely made losses more painful and victories more sweet.
Nothing tears at the core of people like their love for their children and spouses. It made the story realistic and relatable. Even between the vampire king and queen deep and true love is felt. The best parts of all were the battle scenes. They were gritty and nail biting, and made my pulse quicken. Stuart Hill made me want to be a Hypolitan archer, a housecarl holding a shield wall, a member of the snowleopard calvary, or a wolfperson sending a howling message. The women in this story make me proud to be female - girlpower rocks!!
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Aug 11, Emma rated it did not like it. The Cry of the Icemark has long been one of my favorite books. Though I was slightly bothered by the unexplained similarities between the Polypontian Empire and the Roman Empire, the many merits of the book far outweighed the fault. Unfortunately, in this book, I felt that much of the creativity and spirit I admired in the first book were lost. I was unhappy with the naming choices the Stuart Hill made for his new characters and countries. I felt that as he expanded his setting, rather than comi The Cry of the Icemark has long been one of my favorite books.
I felt that as he expanded his setting, rather than coming up with new and creative places, he set his novel in a historically unrealistic and creatively barren planet Earth devoid of Asia and North America. Names such as "Charlemagne" and "Mekhmet" imply historical tie-ins, but these seem badly planned if planned at all. I found most of the characters to be fairly flat, and one had only to hear their names to know the fullest extent of their character.
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Equally troubling were the constant exploitations of the Lord of the Rings. The Prince named "Eodred" who has an affinity with horses is a shameless appropriation of the Eodred of Rohan. Also Prince Charlemagne's battle speech, "Today will be a red day, a death day! The humor in the book is, in my opinion, somewhat gratuitous and crude. It mostly consists of fart jokes, and "hairy arse"'s. Admittedly, the Vampire royalty's character development was a nice surprise, and the most interesting part of the book for me.
But a round character really shouldn't have been such a surprise. Overall, I was very disappointed with the Blade of Fire. It is entertaining, but does not remotely live up to the excellence of The Cry of the Icemark. Mar 03, Christina rated it really liked it Recommends it for: This is a sequel to Cry Of The Icemark. It takes place 20 years after the first book, when the teenage Thirrin from book 1 is now a grown woman, queen, and mother to 5 teenagers. The main focus of this book is 14 year old Charlemagne "Sharley" , who because of a disabled leg is the family pet and not a warrior like everyone else he knows.
War comes to the Icemark again when bad guy Bellorum decides to get revenge on this puny kingdom that defeated him 20 years earlier. I really liked this book even more than the first one, because there is more character development, more humor smelly cats and ravenous leopards, oh my! Lots of battle action just like the first one. Plus a very interesting parallel-universe look at Arab culture, Italian culture, African culture, etc. This takes place in a fantasy world but it's easy to see what everyday Earth cultures he pulled from in creating it.
Apr 24, Abigail rated it it was amazing. This book was by far my favourite of the series because the action was widespread and intense. Charlemagne journey I found most interesting because of the growth and strength that he finds within himself during the book, I am also a sucker for the stories were the 'wallflower' as such becomes the hero. Not to mention Stuart Hill excels at world building, I can truly believe everything he writes making me want to jump into the action on my page. I would recommend this book for all ages maybe not u This book was by far my favourite of the series because the action was widespread and intense.
I would recommend this book for all ages maybe not under 9s, especially those readers who enjoy epic fantasy and alternate universe. Feb 19, Ashton rated it liked it. I enjoyed this as much as the first. Fun book, interesting twists in story, etc. Easy read, but I again enjoyed the world Hill has created.
Even with all of the use of things that exist in our world, and even use of their names and some modern colloquialisms in the characters' speech. I don't think all of his choices are in the best taste, I wouldn't say it's great literature, again, but it was fun. Feb 09, Nick rated it it was amazing. In the second book of this series, I learned that small battles can win the war. I loved this book even more than the first one, and I loved the detail. Another war with the Empire leads to much more trouble, and Oskan's evil witch sister Medea is out to get him throughout the entire book.
More impossible allies are made during this book. Sep 25, Kristen rated it it was amazing. I was a tad nervous when I picked up this book. I love Cry of the Icemark and was skeptical about going back 20 years later. However, it worked and worked VERY well. The new allies were splendid and only Stuart Hill could have made them work so very well. I almost cried at one point, but there, you have to go and read the book yourself! I would recommend it to anyone to read! Jan 03, Gigi Anderson rated it it was amazing Shelves: I loved Thirrin and I love her children.
They all have problems that they over come in interesting ways. The old characters are just as remarkable and are added to perfectly with new characters. Jul 07, Shannon rated it really liked it. Though this book is set 20ish years after the first, it does not feel so distant--many of the same characters play a leading role in this story and nods to the original story are scattered throughout, something I deeply appreciate after forming such close bonds with the original characters.
The new characters have depth and can rally up your emotions just as easily as the first generation while being distinct in their own ways. I especially appreciate hearing their points of view in the book Ah! I especially appreciate hearing their points of view in the book when he shifts between characters' thoughts.