The Icemark Chronicles

The Icemark Chronicles is a trilogy of books consisting of The Cry Of The Icemark, Blade of Fire, and an as yet unnamed third title. The books were written by Stuart Hill from Leicester.A film is in production with 20th Century Fox. The book is published by [Chicken House].

The Cry Of The Icemark

==Plot==

The Cry Of The Icemark tells the story of Thirrin Freer Strong-in-the-Arm Lindenshield, a fourteen year old princess to the land of Icemark.

Thirrin enjoys life as a carefree daughter. She is like many teenage girls of today, bored at school and wanting to go and do what she wants. Her father, King Redrought Bear of the North, stresses that she not only is strong in the subject of fighting, but has the sharp mind of a competent scholar. After troubles in the forests, she meets Oskan Witch's Son, a fifteen year old boy, with immense healing talents, learnt from his mother. He later becomes Royal Advisor and accompanies Thirrin throughout the story.

Icemark is a small northern country at threat of war from the massive Polypolitan Empire to the south (the equivalent of the Roman Empire, only they are more technologically advanced). The-Land-Of-The-Ghosts home of the vampires, Wolf Folk, Zombies, Dark Witches and Ghosts lie north of the Icemark and a collection of enemy islands to the East and West.

The Polyptian Empire, led by General Scipio Bellorum, have never lost a battle or war, and have taken control of all the countries around them, save the Icemark . They are said to improve the world with Science and a better quality of life. They are almost certainly inspired by the Romans, but their name comes from Egyptian.

It is in one of these Polyptian territorial wars that Redrought sacrifices his entire army to give Thirrin time, after making an alliance with the Wolf Folk, to evacuate Frostmarris, Capital of Icemark, before the entire Polyptian army invades. Thirrin suceeds to get to the Hypolitan people, an Aztec-like tribe, who were forced out of their lands for they could not live the way they wanted to, much like the exodus of the Hebrews. She is dismayed ,however, when several Wolf-Folk spies come back with her father's dead body. As a result, Thirrin becomes Queen of the tiny northern country. She embarks to further Icemark's allies by setting an alliance with the Vampires and the mythical and ferocious Snow Leopards. Later, as the harsh winter's ices begin to Thaw, the Polyptian army advances. Queen Thirrin's army of her own Housecarles, the Snow Leopards, the Wolf-Folk, and Vampires are waiting for them.

An immense battle ensues, ending with Thirrin, backed by Tharaman-Thar, leader of the Snow Leopards, one on one battle with Scipio Bellorum. She manages to cut off his hand, but before she can finish him, he is saved by his cavalry and they retreat. Thirrin later returns to Frostmarris.

Characters

Thirrin - The fourteen year old Queen of the Icemark.
Oskan Witch's Son - A fifteen year old healer, later Oskan the Warlock.
Redrought - Ex-King of Icemark, suceeded by Thirrin. Deceased.
Their Vampiric Majesties - The immortal King or Queen of The-Land-Of-The-Ghosts.
King Grishmak - King of the Wolf Folk.
Tharaman-Thar - Leader of the Snow Leopards.
General Scipio Bellorum Leader of the Polypolitan Empire.

Blade of Fire

Blade of Fire picks up twenty years after The Cry of the Icemark ended. It follows a second Polypontian invasion of the Icemark, and the adventures of Thirrin's youngest son, Charlemagne. When war threatens the Icemark again, the crippled Charlemagne is sent south as a refugee. He has no intention of sitting out his exile like a good little prince, and sets off to find some of the greatest allies the Icemark could hope for. He travels through deserts and finds refuge with the mysterious female mages of the deserts.

The main article for this category is The Icemark Chronicles.

More Information

Information regarding Stuart Hill and the writing of the next book in the series can be found at www.doublecluck.com