A review by ailsaod
The Icebound Land by John Flanagan

adventurous dark emotional hopeful fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

 Reread. I was a bit intimidated to reread this book because it delves into some darker topics (drug addiction and withdrawal and -very obliquely - referenced prostitution which I would say are very well handled for the book's target demographic) and is a bit of an angst fest but actually it was better than I remembered!

The book alternates between the POVs of Will and Evanlyn who have been kidnapped by Skandians (Vikings) and Halt and Horace who are trying to rescue them. This book ultimately serves as a kind of mid-trilogy book with books 2 and 4 being parts of the same story arc. It isn't the most action packed book in the series but it makes up for that in other ways. I particularly enjoyed Halt's arc in this book as while Will is going through the wringer physically, Halt is doing so emotionally. We see just how far he is willing to go to save Will and it was very heart warming but also sad (I shall not go into more detail but ow). I'm now very curious if Flanagan had already thought ahead as far as book 8 because Halt straight up says
he is related to Hibernian royalty at one point (and then later completely denies it!)
!! Halt and Horace also deal with the main conflict of this book - Deparnieux. I did not remember much about him at first and thought he was a dramatic little goth but then I was quickly like oh no I am very mistaken. The man is just NASTY and I'm surprised I forgot about him as he is probably worse than Morgarath when it comes to being nice! 
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