Stuart Hill (1) (1958–)

This was one of my favorite books as a child, though this is the first time I've read it since I think I was sixteen (when I tried and failed to finish the trilogy).

Still, there's nothing like talking giant snow leopards to bring you back to childhood.

Rereading this book makes me realize there are things I used to appreciate in literature which I don't necessarily anymore, and things that I didn't used to appreciate that I do now. For instance, when I was younger, I glossed over the battle show more scenes in this book because they weren't what I was here for. This time, I read them closely, wanting to know how these battles were won. That was the story, how this country won this impossible war.

But, something I'm sure I enjoyed when I was younger, was the scene where Oskan must "choose" whether to be good or evil, and respect that choice forevermore. It was extraneous and tonally out-of-place, and the scene came from nowhere and contributed to nothing (as far as this book goes. I think the scene was supposed to foreshadow things in book 3, but again, I never finished book 3 so idk). It made me think of how children and adults view the world differently--for a child, a scene wherein a child must make a choice about his character that will then inform his character forevermore seems completely legitimate. As an adult, I viewed this scene with extreme skepticism. Oftentimes, the material that makes up out characters is a series of choices that we make continually, and very few choices can have lasting affects on our characters. show less

Loved this book. I love the choice of Stuart Hill's heroes. Sharley, the most unlikely warrior ends up being the one to save them all as he travels into unkown territory to seek alliance with the most distant lands. The Icemark is looking grim as they fight the Polypontian empire, until Sharley comes back with his aliance of the Desert Kingdowm. And of course Medea, the evil daughter. No book is good without a nemesis. As evil as she was, I found her being my favourite character throughout show more the book. I was always thinking there was maybe a little hope for her. Great read show less

Last Battle of the Icemark is the last of the Icemark Chronicles, so be warned from reading any further if you have not read the first two! The Icemark Chronicles are the stories of Queen Thirrin and her battle to keep her tiny kingdom safe from enemy hands, and maintain her tenuous alliance with the werewolves, giant snow leopards and vampires.

Following the events of Blade of Fire, the Icemark is safe from the Polypontian Empire, which lies in ruins following the death of Scipio Bellorum. show more But there is a new threat which Thirrin and her family must face, a legion of Hypolitan warriors determined to wipe out their enemies, including every person in the Icemark, and all their allies.

Meanwhile, Medea, Thirrin and Oskan's daughter, has been banished to the Underworld, where she is bent on revenge, attempting to form an alliance with the most powerful sorcerer, Cronus, her grandfather and King of the Darkness. Oskan Witchfather is chosen by the Goddess, and tasked with saving the world from Cronus, who is determined to wipe out all creation, but Oskan finds it difficult, faced with possibly having to destroy his own daughter and the price of saving the world may be too high.

I have loved this series since the beginning, finding it absolutely impossible to put these books down once I have started reading them (which has caused numerous problems!). The allies are quite the motley crew, each with memorable and likeable characters, perhaps even the vampires. It has been quite a journey following Thirrin and Oskan from their youth, to their reign as Queen and Consort, and then to the birth of their own family. Oskan has always been my favourite character, especially when he allows himself to delve into the darkness, while attempting to remain good. I have also found myself intrigued by Medea and her conflicting desires for power and the love and acceptance of her father. Cronus himself is a little 2-dimensional, but his army of Ice Demons are fabulous! Sharley, as usual, irritated me a lot in this story, but luckily he is reduced to a minor role, leaving the bulk of the story to Thirrin, Oskan and Medea, with Cressida also having her own, amusing, sideline.

With lots of action and typical Norse style drinking celebrations, The Icemark Chronicles are fabulously inventive stories, and I would recommend them to anyone who enjoys children's fantasy. show less

Most YA fictions tend to focus solely on the romance and supernatural. Not Stuart Hill's 'Icemark'. In fact almost everything about this richly penned and plotted novel is unconventional, from talking snow lepeords to friendly werewolves. And to my joy, vampires are actually evil creatures for a change.
The dialogue was hilarious at times and the themes entertaining as well as moving.