The Cry of the Icemark

By Stuart Hill

Review by Alex

The opening paragraph grabs the reader’s attention.

·Put reader right into the action

·Make reader imagine the unimaginable (ie. It’s not everyday that a 13 year old girl is accused of murder…)

·Don’t start with “the book I read was…” That’s way too BORING! Hook us into the plot!

Imagine a world where your country is bordered in the north by a country of ghosts, monsters, vampires, werewolves, black witches, and monsters, while to the south you’re bordered by an evil empire that is slowly conquering the world. This is what the people of Icemark are facing. They are lead by King Redrought Strong-in-the-Arm Lindenshield, Bear of the North, Guardian of the People and his daughter Princess Thirrin Freer Strong-in-the-Arm Lindenshield. The king dies in a battle against The Empire leaving Thirrin to rule Icemark.

The title and author are worked in naturally

·Don’t say, “My book was The Giver” when you can say, “Jonas, a twelve year old boy and the main character of Lois Lowry’s Newbery Award winning novel The Giver, must make decisions that impact his entire society.”

As Thirrin is out riding, she meets a boy by the name of Oskan Witch’s Son. He soon becomes her fast friend and royal adviser. Thirrin, Oskan, and Thirrin’s teacher, Maggiore Totus, become the main characters of Stuart Hill’s amazing novel, The Cry of the Icemark. Thirrin must make decisions that affect the whole country of Icemark.

The overall idea and plot are discussed, without giving away the ending

·Keep it short and sweet, even if it’s a long book

·Just give the reader the gist of the book. Be clear, make sense, don’t give away the ending

As they travel north to the Hypolitan Province, leaving the capital of Icemark deserted, they face soldiers from The Empire while defending all the citizens of Icemark. Thirrin and her companions are forced to travel into the Land of the Ghosts and make allies with the most unusual creatures. Will they and their reinforcements make it back in time to save Icemark?

Describe one exciting incident in detail

·Again, don’t give away the ending

·Be clear enough so that someone who HAS NOT read the book can follow

This book was full of excitement and adventure. I find it hard to choose a favorite part, but here is one part I really liked, “He called on all his strength and forced his mind far and wide questing for power. He ranged over the realms of the four winds, and slowly ions began to gather and accumulate in the air high, high above him. The sky seemed to thicken and roll like muscled water, and then the power started to fall through the sky, crackling and snapping as it tumbled toward the small figure of the boy who stood on the plain, thousands of feet below.” From page 412. This is one of the most exciting parts, but I didn’t write all of it.

End the review with your opinion and recommendation

·Who might like this type of book? (Sports fans? People that love to laugh? History buffs? Late night readers that like to be freaked out?

·What did you think? Is it worth reading? If it won an award, is it worth the hype?

Anyone who likes fantasy, adventure, or both will love this book. It’s full of suspense, adventure, and magic. This book is worth reading in my opinion because it’s so exciting. It is a truly great book.