THE CRY OF THE ICEMARK

Along with a marvelous and multi-species cast, this debut doorstopper features a teenaged warrior queen, naïve but a quick study, desperately seeking allies against the invading armies of a mighty empire. When her beloved, larger-than-life royal father falls while repelling the first army sent by the sprawling Polypontus Empire, Thirrin quickly discovers that effective rule requires more than an abiding delight in feats of arms. Aided by Oskan, a quarrelsome young warlock, and other unlikely advisors, she sets out to create alliances with both old friends, old enemies—the latter including both the long-persecuted Werewolves, and the bored, dissolute, undead Vampires—and with such creatures from legend as huge snow leopards and forest elementals. Then, she has the Polypontian second wave, numbering several hundred thousand and led by wily, never-defeated General Scipio Bellorum, to face. Hill brings Thirrin closer to readers with occasional modern touches (she calls her father “Dad,” for instance), and throws her up against genuinely knotty challenges to her wit, courage and spirit. With plenty of strange creatures, growing relationships, well done battle scenes and set pieces both terrifying and triumphant, this above average epic has something to please high fantasy fans of every stripe. (Fantasy. 11-14)