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dovedapple's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and War
merrinish's review
3.0
Not the most amazing book in the world, but it's entertaining. Coming of age story of a young princess, Thirrin, who lives in the small country of the Icemark, which stands between a large empire set on ruling the world, and the country of the Ghosts (or something to that effect), which ruled by vampires. The empire attacks on her fourteenth birthday and she has to forge alliances with the living legends on her northern border in order to repel the military advances of the empire and it's ruthless general, Scipio.
Anyway. I'm relatively certain it's a first novel and has first novel flaws but on the whole it's (again) entertaining, enough so that I'd be interesting in visiting the world again in future installments.
Anyway. I'm relatively certain it's a first novel and has first novel flaws but on the whole it's (again) entertaining, enough so that I'd be interesting in visiting the world again in future installments.
sleepydoe's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely amazing! A very refreshing read if you're someone who really likes war-oriented and kingdom politics-oriented novels. The story of Queen Thirrin is just the right mix of courage, kindness, war and peace, love and hatred, life and death.
jordym's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
medievalwitch's review against another edition
3.0
This was baby's first epic/military fantasy!! I first read this when I was about 13/14, the same age as the protagonist. You can imagine how pumped I was to be reading about a girl my age kicking ass, taking names and riding giant snow leopards into battle. I remember reading this around the same time I read Harry Potter for the first time. A grand old time for baby me. So I thoroughly expected this to be a nostalgic and 5-star read. It wasn't. It wasn't super disappointing- it was ok- but it wasn't like I remembered it either.
The military bit of it is laughable for someone who is a more hardcore fan of that genre. It's all simplified and too easy for the main character, Therein Freer Strong-in-the-arm Lindenshield, Queen of the Icemark and wildcat of the north to gain allies (and man did that title get tiring to hear again and again)at some points. Things happen the right way almost all of the time. Allies always appear right in the nick of time. Very few of the main cast die. (I've heard this called 'junior Game of thrones'. for that last reason alone i'd have to say that's not true LMAO)
The epic bit was pretty epic. Many great and interesting characters, cultures and concepts. Pretty fun journey. Main character not too annoying. The thing I found nauseatingly annoying was the bickering between Thirrin and her friend/crush Oskaan. So. Much. Bickering. So many inconsistencies and useless arguing. No wonder why I don't care for YA books, I don't deal well with immature protagonists who stay semi-immature throughout the book. Sure they did kind of get better, but they were irritating as SHIT.
My favorite character was Thirrin's dad King Redrought. I want a book full of just him, living his life with his big fluffy slippers with that kitten sticking out of his beard. :3 Too bad he died in the first goddamn third of the book!!
All in all a pretty fun read. I listened to the audiobook and was impressed with the range of voices and eveness of O'nell's narration. Very good, would actually recommend the audiobook over the text alone.
The military bit of it is laughable for someone who is a more hardcore fan of that genre. It's all simplified and too easy for the main character, Therein Freer Strong-in-the-arm Lindenshield, Queen of the Icemark and wildcat of the north to gain allies (and man did that title get tiring to hear again and again)at some points. Things happen the right way almost all of the time. Allies always appear right in the nick of time. Very few of the main cast die. (I've heard this called 'junior Game of thrones'. for that last reason alone i'd have to say that's not true LMAO)
The epic bit was pretty epic. Many great and interesting characters, cultures and concepts. Pretty fun journey. Main character not too annoying. The thing I found nauseatingly annoying was the bickering between Thirrin and her friend/crush Oskaan. So. Much. Bickering. So many inconsistencies and useless arguing. No wonder why I don't care for YA books, I don't deal well with immature protagonists who stay semi-immature throughout the book. Sure they did kind of get better, but they were irritating as SHIT.
My favorite character was Thirrin's dad King Redrought. I want a book full of just him, living his life with his big fluffy slippers with that kitten sticking out of his beard. :3 Too bad he died in the first goddamn third of the book!!
All in all a pretty fun read. I listened to the audiobook and was impressed with the range of voices and eveness of O'nell's narration. Very good, would actually recommend the audiobook over the text alone.
mscoutj's review against another edition
4.0
Excellent beginning to yet another young adult novel set in vaguely med/renn times. Thirrin Freer Strong-in-the-Arm Lindenshield, Wildcat of the North, is heir to the throne of the Icemark and a skilled warrior, though only 13 at the start of the tale. She has a lot of responsibility laid in her lap very early on and must succeed or her homeland will be doomed to fall to the great Polypontian Empire. Great pacing, interesting story, looking forward to #2!
magsnificentmils's review against another edition
5.0
This was my absolute favorite series when I was about twelve years old. Rereading it now, I feel the same wonder I remember in the world of the Icemark.
There are some people who complain about the amount of exposition, our that Thirrin is an unlikable protagonist. But, as someone who has slogged through Tolkien and who has a literary soft spot for brash girls, neither of those really bother me. Icemark is a medieval fantasy with a more complex set of characters and a more complex vision of good and evil than much of the fantasy I read as a kid, and it all happens in a beautifully constructed world. I'm glad I had a chance to come back.
There are some people who complain about the amount of exposition, our that Thirrin is an unlikable protagonist. But, as someone who has slogged through Tolkien and who has a literary soft spot for brash girls, neither of those really bother me. Icemark is a medieval fantasy with a more complex set of characters and a more complex vision of good and evil than much of the fantasy I read as a kid, and it all happens in a beautifully constructed world. I'm glad I had a chance to come back.
eestots's review against another edition
4.0
Wonderful book! The book has a very strong female character and you are really in tune with the feelings of all of the characters. The setting was also very easy to see and the action sequences were well written.
vermidian's review
1.0
Nope. No. Not for me. Vampires and werewolves with a badly written warrior princess. The writing is childish and feels a little condescending at times, which I absolutely loathe about some books aimed at younger readers. I’m setting this book down and running to the next one.