Orphaned siblings Jarrod and Whisper Thornn grew up as “mercy kids” at the powerful Holy Temple of the One Goddess. Devout, law-abiding Jarrod became a loyal Temple Guardian, whereas restless, unscrupulous Whisper escaped to an apprenticeship with a rich thief as soon as she came of age. For years, they have barely seen or needed each other. Then, Whisper accepts a dangerou Orphaned siblings Jarrod and Whisper Thornn grew up as “mercy kids” at the powerful Holy Temple of the One Goddess. Devout, law-abiding Jarrod became a loyal Temple Guardian, whereas restless, unscrupulous Whisper escaped to an apprenticeship with a rich thief as soon as she came of age. For years, they have barely seen or needed each other. Then, Whisper accepts a dangerous mission to steal an arcane artifact wanted by the Temple. Meanwhile, the Temple has named Jarrod as the Foretold, the One who will heal the land and turn the absent Goddess back to Her people. But prophecy is open to interpretation, and the priestesses of the Order of the Sickle have named one of their own as the Foretold. Jarrod’s test: he and his companions must investigate a breach in the magical Boundary that has long protected the land of Caledendria from the apocalyptic influence of the Blight. When Jarrod and Whisper’s paths unexpectedly converge, Whisper joins Jarrod and his companions on a harrowing journey to seal the breach in the Boundary. Together, they must battle life-sucking wraiths and face loss and betrayal as they hurtle toward a fateful encounter at the Boundary.
Ice Will Reveal
Orphaned siblings Jarrod and Whisper Thornn grew up as “mercy kids” at the powerful Holy Temple of the One Goddess. Devout, law-abiding Jarrod became a loyal Temple Guardian, whereas restless, unscrupulous Whisper escaped to an apprenticeship with a rich thief as soon as she came of age. For years, they have barely seen or needed each other. Then, Whisper accepts a dangerou Orphaned siblings Jarrod and Whisper Thornn grew up as “mercy kids” at the powerful Holy Temple of the One Goddess. Devout, law-abiding Jarrod became a loyal Temple Guardian, whereas restless, unscrupulous Whisper escaped to an apprenticeship with a rich thief as soon as she came of age. For years, they have barely seen or needed each other. Then, Whisper accepts a dangerous mission to steal an arcane artifact wanted by the Temple. Meanwhile, the Temple has named Jarrod as the Foretold, the One who will heal the land and turn the absent Goddess back to Her people. But prophecy is open to interpretation, and the priestesses of the Order of the Sickle have named one of their own as the Foretold. Jarrod’s test: he and his companions must investigate a breach in the magical Boundary that has long protected the land of Caledendria from the apocalyptic influence of the Blight. When Jarrod and Whisper’s paths unexpectedly converge, Whisper joins Jarrod and his companions on a harrowing journey to seal the breach in the Boundary. Together, they must battle life-sucking wraiths and face loss and betrayal as they hurtle toward a fateful encounter at the Boundary.
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Casey Blair –
Loved this. The characters were compelling, all with different priorities and beliefs that made complete sense from their perspectives. I loved Whisper and Jarrod's relationship in particular. I tend to be suspicious of books that hang on prophecy as a major plot element, but this one has a really clever take on the interpretation and perception of prophecy, gods, and magic. I love the contrast of utter conviction and uncertainty characters feel about the foretold. Some parts of this book are hi Loved this. The characters were compelling, all with different priorities and beliefs that made complete sense from their perspectives. I loved Whisper and Jarrod's relationship in particular. I tend to be suspicious of books that hang on prophecy as a major plot element, but this one has a really clever take on the interpretation and perception of prophecy, gods, and magic. I love the contrast of utter conviction and uncertainty characters feel about the foretold. Some parts of this book are hilarious; some are completely horrifying (few arcs have creeped me out as thoroughly as Whisper's first big job in this book). I can't wait to see what comes next =).
Adr_enne –
Classic epic fantasy with a modern sensibility regarding the abilities of women, which made it all the more interesting.
Lindsey Duncan –
This is an intriguing fantasy novel of destiny, intrigue and what it means to be chosen ... and if that all sounds a bit familiar, the story makes it into a strength. Fantasy readers are intimately acquainted with these ideas, and "Ice Will Reveal" does an excellent job both in examining them and in playing off our expectations. This is a book that takes familiar ground and makes it new. The use of religion is also particularly vivid - we're left wondering, just as the characters might be, which This is an intriguing fantasy novel of destiny, intrigue and what it means to be chosen ... and if that all sounds a bit familiar, the story makes it into a strength. Fantasy readers are intimately acquainted with these ideas, and "Ice Will Reveal" does an excellent job both in examining them and in playing off our expectations. This is a book that takes familiar ground and makes it new. The use of religion is also particularly vivid - we're left wondering, just as the characters might be, which face of the Goddess is true? Has she intervened? Is there a plan? There are two characters developed throughout the book whose apparent role is suddenly and abruptly turned on its heel, and it's powerful both times. As a writer, I particularly appreciate when multiple perspectives are used not just to show us what more than one character is thinking, but to foreshadow and increase tension by giving us knowledge one character or the other doesn't have ... and Ice Will Reveal does this beautifully with only a handful of scenes. The two main characters are nicely balanced - one serious and faithful, the other cynical and clever. It's particularly interesting to see them through each other's eyes. As an aside, not the author's fault, I think, but the book is littered with typographical errors in the use of italics. Some thoughts are italicized, others aren't, entire paragraphs that are clearly not character thought end up in italics ... the proofing in this book is otherwise clean, though. Ultimately, I struggled with the star rating on this book because it is definitely a Book One in a series. There is an ending - which I was pretty confident for the last seventy pages or so wasn't going to be at all possible - but it feels shoehorned in and truncated solely to make sure that this was a standalone volume (and even at that, it really isn't). I definitely want to read the next book, but this was handled badly both as a traditional fantasy to-be-continued and a finished-story-arc. It's a shame, because I really have no other complaints. If you love traditional fantasy and want a thoughtful, unusual exploration of some of its core tropes, pick this one up.
Brian Palmer –
It's fantasy that strongly reminds me of the Dragon Age video game series. Magic is badly understood and had strong costs for those who use it; there are alien races who hang about meddling with it, and a lot of humans with conflicting ambitions. Mixed up in this are politics and religion (the dominant religion of the area worships a Goddess who in years past had actively struck down enemies of the state). A number of other reviewers have highlighted that this features strong female characters. I It's fantasy that strongly reminds me of the Dragon Age video game series. Magic is badly understood and had strong costs for those who use it; there are alien races who hang about meddling with it, and a lot of humans with conflicting ambitions. Mixed up in this are politics and religion (the dominant religion of the area worships a Goddess who in years past had actively struck down enemies of the state). A number of other reviewers have highlighted that this features strong female characters. It does do that, and manages to keep the society from feeling too anachronistically egalitarian but also without a lot of gender strife. The two main characters are twins, one male and one female, that have spent their time making their own way in adulthood after being raised in a Temple orphanage, so it had good excuse to cover a range of society. There are a number of conflicting hidden agendas, but they don't fully boil over as the main quest turns out surprisingly linear. I wouldn't mind if the author stretches her narrative chops a bit later on, but this was a good read.
Karin Gastreich –
This novel will appeal to fans of quest fantasy, especially those who like to see woman characters take on traditional quest fantasy roles. The story is grounded in prophecy and religious devotion to the Goddess, to whom mortals look for guidance in their efforts to contain an encroaching evil called the Blight. Whisper, co-protagonist along with her brother Jarrod, carries most of the show with her spirit, humor, and practical cynicism. Jarrod's religious conviction and all-around unfailing Goo This novel will appeal to fans of quest fantasy, especially those who like to see woman characters take on traditional quest fantasy roles. The story is grounded in prophecy and religious devotion to the Goddess, to whom mortals look for guidance in their efforts to contain an encroaching evil called the Blight. Whisper, co-protagonist along with her brother Jarrod, carries most of the show with her spirit, humor, and practical cynicism. Jarrod's religious conviction and all-around unfailing Goodness proved a little less engaging for this reader, but that may be a matter of personal preference. An original take on magic and wizardry spice up the plot. Ice Will Reveal is the first in a series, and as such is not shy about leaving loose ends untied. I look forward to seeing what happens with these characters in subsequent installments.
Heather –
As grand fantasies go, this one is full of things I love: smart, often kick-ass women; interesting politics; weird magic; strange folks who are probably bad but not exactly, specifically villainous; and of course, the undead. The writing is excellent, the story is adeptly-told and well-paced. My only beef is that I wanted to know what happened to everyone! But we'll have to wait for the sequel for that, I suppose. As grand fantasies go, this one is full of things I love: smart, often kick-ass women; interesting politics; weird magic; strange folks who are probably bad but not exactly, specifically villainous; and of course, the undead. The writing is excellent, the story is adeptly-told and well-paced. My only beef is that I wanted to know what happened to everyone! But we'll have to wait for the sequel for that, I suppose.
Kim Vandervort –
Fantastic debut fantasy with plenty of twists and turns, beginning with the main characters: brother and sister, as different as night and day, both essential to the plot. With strong characters that defy stereotypes and themes that delve into questions of fate and chance, Dvorin's Ice will encourage re-readings and keep fans waiting breathlessly for the next installment. Fantastic debut fantasy with plenty of twists and turns, beginning with the main characters: brother and sister, as different as night and day, both essential to the plot. With strong characters that defy stereotypes and themes that delve into questions of fate and chance, Dvorin's Ice will encourage re-readings and keep fans waiting breathlessly for the next installment.
Cheryl –
Solid fantasy book. I have some criticisms, but I'm eager to read the sequel (whenever it finally gets written!) so you know I enjoyed it overall! Solid fantasy book. I have some criticisms, but I'm eager to read the sequel (whenever it finally gets written!) so you know I enjoyed it overall!
Katrina –
First in what promises to be an original fantasy with a bit of a twist on prophecy stories.
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