Ice Wolves

This year I’ve read all of Kaufman’s co-authored books. Her debut solo novel is a children’s/middle-grade fantasy set in a land where people with the ability to transform into dragons are seen as the enemy of those who transform into wolves. Twelve year old Anders and his twin sister Rayna are war-orphans who survive on the city streets and rooftops as thieves. One of their favourite crowds to pickpocket is at the monthly Ulfar Trials, when the Wolf Guard test young candidates for their academy. But this time, things go wrong.

This story isn’t as intense and twisty as Kaufman’s YA science-fiction, but it isn’t trying to be. And it has shapeshifters, dragons, a magic boarding school and sibling relationships, a combination I show more like a lot. (I would have liked it even more when I was twelve.) Anders has always relied on Rayna to get them out of trouble, but when the twins are separated, he has to come up with a plan to reunite them.

“Maybe the guards think the dragon from last night could still be spying in the city, hiding in human form,” Anders said. “Or planning to start a fire.”
Rayna snorted. “What, and they think if they ask people, they’re just going to admit they knew where a dragon was but decided not to tell anyone?”
He nodded, lowering his voice to do his best impression of an upstanding citizen. “Yes, Guard, in fact I hide scorch dragons on my roof, because I want to be roasted alive and I don’t believe in public safety. I feel a little bit guilty about it, and I’ve been meaning to confess to somebody, but I wasn’t sure who would want to know.” show less

I loved the Illuminae Files series, so I wanted to read more by Amie Kaufman. In a bit of a reading slump right now....needed something different....and this book was the perfect change of pace for me! Ice Wolves is the first book in the Elementals series. Magic, Shape Shifters, dragons. Awesome!

Anders and Rayna are street kids. They live by their wits. Anders struggles a bit, but Rayna always has his back. But when Rayna transforms into a scorch dragon and Anders takes his form as an ice wolf, he wonders if they really are family. A wolf can't possibly be related to a dragon. Dragons are blood thirsty, dangerous creatures who want to destroy everything. How can his sister be a dragon? When dragons appear and take Rayna away with them, show more Anders is determined to get his sister back. But he's in the Ulfar Academy for training as a wolf. How can he escape and go rescue his sister?

This is such a fun, adventurous romp of a story! I listened to the audio book while working in my garden and enjoyed Anders and Rayna immensely. Nice mix of humor, adventure and fantasy.

The audio book is just under 8 hours long and narrated by Johnathan McClain. McClain's performance is very entertaining. He does the character voices quite well and reads at an even pace. I have hearing loss but was easily able to hear and enjoy the entire book.

This series has two books so far, with a third scheduled to publish in 2020. Eagerly awaiting my library to shelve book two, Scorch Dragons, so I can find out what happens next! show less

I am always on the lookout for new fantasy for my 9 year old grandson who reads on a college level. Yes, a college level! Therefore, I was super excited to get an ARC of Ice Wolves by Amie Kaufman from the publisher. He enjoys stories about dragons and wolves and after reading it I know he will love the book at much as I do.

The story is set in a world where Scorch Dragons and Ice Wolves are sworn enemies. The last battle between the two is fresh in everyone’s mind. Hence in the port city of Holbard, Ice Wolves are the police force. They are ever on the lookout for dragon spies and are trained and ready to defend the city against the next Scorch Dragon attack.

Every month in Holbard the Trial of the Staff is conducted to identify those show more youths, 12 years of age, which have the ability to transform into an Ice Wolf. Anders and Rayna, twins and orphans, are 12 and attending the trail, but for the purpose of picking the pockets of the crowd that is gathering to watch. As Anders tries to lighten one merchant’s pocket he is caught and Rayne, in a moment of insight, insists that they were both just trying to reach the que for testing and where jostling to get through the crowd. An excellent plan if you know for sure you are not going to transform. No such luck, Anders transforms to a wolf and, much to his shock, Rayna transforms into a dragon.

Upon transforming, Rayna is immediately attacked by the Ice Wolves. She manages to escape but not before a few ice daggers find there mark. Meanwhile, Anders is herded off to the Ulfar Academy where he will be expected to attend school and military training in preparation for joining the Ice Wolf patrols as an adult.

Once at the academy, Anders, at first, can only think of how to find and rescue his sister. Yet, much to his surprise he finds he likes it there. He makes new friends and loves the feeling of the pack which becomes the family he never had. Despite this he resolves to find his sister even if it means exile from the pack.

What a fantastic middle grade fantasy adventure story! It has all the makings of an outstanding series. The world building was excellent, which is essential for great fantasy. The plot was well thought out and beautifully executed. I loved the details that the author included, i.e. the exclamation, “Pack and Paws” used by the Ice Wolves. For me, it is the details that enhance a story and elevate it from a 4 star book to 5 stars. I can’t forget about the characters, I admired both Anders and Rayna, they had such tenacity and were loyal to a fault. I especially enjoyed watching Anders mature in the story. Rayna played more of a supporting role and I hope future books will delve more into the dragon realm of things.

I have to admit, even though the series is targeted for younger readers, I am looking forward to the next installment. Final note, I was planning on giving my copy to my grandson, change of plan, I am keeping mine and buying him own copy when it is released.

I know this is a middle grade book and yet I liked it and found it refreshing. I highly recommend it for ages 5 and up and even for the older folks, like myself, who are open to possibilities.

For more of my reviews, and author interviews, please see my book blog at www.thespineview.com. show less

Well, I certainly hope there is more where that came from. A well-constructed tale with interesting and engaging characters. I really like the way it fearlessly tackles questions of belinging and identity - when to run with the pack, when to assert individual identity; when to follow the leader, when to call time out and steer by your own moral compass.
Much to ponder.
A wonderful ending, which is also a beginning. Clever.

Literary Merit: great! World-building! Heavy on the themes!
Characterization: great! This book is mainly Anders' story, but I'd expect other books in the series to dive deeper into his sister and others' stories.
Recommended audience: While I've generally been critical that books for middle-readers are getting too long, this one was well-plotted and easy enough to get through. Great for boys or girls, especially those interested in fantasy. For fans of Rick Riordan or Harry Potter.

This has an Oliver-Twist type of vibe, especially as the twins don't remember anything before their time in the orphanage and running away together to escape being separated. Are they even twins at all!? Biological family vs. chosen family is a major theme, show more especially once it comes to light that Anders is an Ice Wolf. He is whisked away to a military training center/boarding school reminiscent of Hogwarts. The difference is that students don't graduate and leave: Ice Wolves tend to stick around pretty much forever. Anders' sister doesn't transform into an Ice Wolf, but their mortal enemy: a dragon. Thus begins an epic quest. Can Anders save her? Does she even need saving?

Plenty of room for spinoffs and even more character development. A lot of speculation that the next book will follow Anders' twin, Rayna, and her time spent with the Dragons. Other lands have different Elementals: Lions were mentioned by a fellow student. If the Dragon vs. Ice Wolf thing gets old, I could see the series incorporating other Elementals as well.

Other interesting things: Wolves whether students or adults always move in groups of four. (For safety, etc.) This is so ingrained along with the idea that the pack is family, that Anders' roomates and thus, bffs are a boy and two girls. There is so much emphasis on the wolves being a pack, a family, that there's nothing weird about boys and girls rooming together, especially as first years. There is no hint of romance in this whatsoever.
The city that most of the book takes place in is described as a major trading port and hub, bringing in a diverse group from all over the world. Characters are not just diverse in the way that they look, but also the way that they live. It's not a major plot point, but one of the female characters has a wife. This may bother some readers (as in parental units) as it's NOT a plot point. Not everyone is okay with homosexuality in literature being normalized. show less

I almost didn't read this when I saw it was middle school level. It's hard, I'm a well aged adult, yes well aged. I like to think I'm mature and need adult level book to be entertained. But, I really loved the Illuminae Files she wrote so I dove in. I am not not mature or this was really good writing. I loved it.
The story follows two orphans, twins as they struggle to live free in a world separated by war and hate. There are humans who need protection, wolves who provide it and dragons who cause all the trouble. When one twin changes and the other goes another way the questions start forming and the truth slowly starts to unfold. One goes to be sacrificed one goes to a magical military school. There are a lot of unknowns, lies, hidden show more secrets and magic all new to them. One of the twins struggles with the need to save the other twin and new friendships who to trust. Meanwhile something is not adding up, and the teachers know more.
I got Harry Potter like vibes from this. Young magical child who never knew he held magic, finds he is so much more and attends a school for other like him, where a smart loner type girl befriends him. That is were the likeness ends. I think fans of Harry Potter might really enjoy this. There is no sex, no romance. show less

I really loved this book alot. I normally adore any stories that have twins and this book hit my sweat spot. I also loved the characters and how we got all of anders POV. I loved the mythology and the world building of this book so much. I also really loved the presence of the school in this novel and also the plot. The plot was a slow burn and the the pacing could have been cleaner especially towards the end. But I really loved this story so much and Amie really crafted a fun world but also a fun world! I will def be tuning in for book 2 :) I would rec. you read this book if you are a fan of percy jackson and fire blood.