The Cry of the Icemark
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| The Cry of the Icemark | |
| Author | Stuart Hill |
|---|---|
| Cover artist | Kinuko Craft |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Series | The Icemark Chronicles |
| Genre(s) | Fantasy novel |
| Publisher | The Chicken House |
| Publication date | 2005 |
| Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
| Pages | 472 pp |
| ISBN | ISBN 0-439-68626-1 |
| Followed by | Blade of Fire |
The Cry Of The Icemark is the first book in the Icemark Chronicles by English author Stuart Hill. The plot revolves around a fourteen year old girl, Thirrin Freer Strong-in-the-Arm Lindenshield, as she must fight to save her small home, the Icemark, from the invading Polypontian Empire. The Polypontian Empire has never been resisted, and many believe the Icemark will not change this.
The novel won the Ottakar's Children's Book Prize in 2005. [1]. It also won the 2006 Highlands Children's Book award for Long Novels in 2006. [2] Fox has bought the rights to the movie, and it is planned. However, no release dates or production information exist. [3]
[edit] Plot summary
The Polypontian Empire has conquered much of the known world in recent years, much thanks to its fearsome general, Scipio Bellorum. Bellorum has finally decided to invade his small neighbor to the north, the Icemark. After King Redrought of the Icemark sacrifices his entire army to stop the invasion, Thirrin, his daughter, is left alone to save the nation.
Thirrin, having just made an alliance with the werewolves by saving their king, must now seek out more allies, as the Icemark and the werewolves alone cannot defeat the Empire. Although they have the support of their vassal, the Hypolitan, more are needed. Thirrin, with the aid of a young warlock, Oskan Witch's Son, must attempt to win over the Vampire King and Queen. They know this will be difficult because of the centuries of distrust and hate between the two races. Because the Empire hates all that is unscientific and irrational, the Vampires know that if the Icemark falls, the Empire will wipe out the Vampires next. With this is mind, the Vampires reluctantly agree to send aid.
On the advice of King Grishmak of the werewolves, Thirrin and Oskan travel to the Hub of the World, to try to ally themselves with the Snow Leopards, led by Tharaman-Thar, who live there. The leopards are tall as warhorses at the shoulder, Tharaman-Thar even bigger, and are fearsome fighters. With the threat of the Empire again winning the argument, the Snow Leopards choose to fight with Thirrin.
The combined forces of the Icemark, the Snow Leopards and the Hypolitan clash with Bellorum's forces. The werewolves have not yet arrived, as a muster of their nation takes several months. The Vampires have also not arrived, as they are stubborn, and are not reliable. While the allies fight brilliantly, the Empire's sheer numbers begin to turn the tide.
As the final battle is being waged, which the allies believe will surely end in their destruction, the Werewolves, the Vampires, and many of the creatures from the Land-of-the-Ghosts finally arrive. In addition, the forces of the Holly King and the Oak King of the nearby forest join the war, as they have made themselves allies with Thirrin. With their numbers, and the sheer terror they inflict, the battle turns into a rout.
[edit] Characters
See List of Characters in the Icemark Chronicles.
[edit] References
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