A review by ithaca
The Cry of the Icemark by Stuart Hill

4.0

Thirrin is the young heir to the Icemark, a small kingdom threatened by enemies to the north and south. When the massive, undefeated southern empire finally makes its move, she is forced to grow up very quickly and take on the role of queen with confidence and strength. Her struggle to be worthy of leading a country and capable of leading an army to war is well done. That everyone respects her ideas and authority even though she is barely fourteen years old speaks volumes about her abilities (although she is still sometimes childish and that comes through in her relationship with the young wizard Oskan). Thirrin is so fierce and dauntless in defending her country and making allies out of enemies that it is awe-inspiring when she finally decimates the nearly endless armies of the empire.