Book Review: "Circle of Three" by Erica Farber and J.R. Sansevere

SPOIL-FREE SUMMARY

Both Niko and Aurora are orphans raised by their guardians in a land called Sunnebeam. But both of their lives change forever when they lose their homes and discover both are involved with an ancient prophecy, involving the empress of Sunnebeam and strangers from another world.

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Aurora is a young gypsy who has strange abilities that she would rather keep secret. She makes vague references to a mother who had a tragic end and a lost brother.

Niko has spent his whole life away from society, alone in a castle with his adopted father. He is eager to prove himself as a warrior.

Walker is the only character from our world. Not much is known about his past, other than that his parents' are divorced. Nothing seems too unique about him and it's not clear as to why he was summoned by one of the stones.

Lord Amber is a rather cryptic man and unfortunately, he isn't in the story much. But he is an important person, as it's revealed that he could be a possible regent for a future ruler.

Castor La Croix is the main villian, making an appearance in the beginning. He is a cousin of the empress.

THE LORDS OF TIME

It turns out an old nursery rhyme that everyone knows is actually an ancient prophecy that speaks of heroes that come from world. These nine people can be summoned with nine stone charms. The ryhme also speaks of a chooser and a protector. The Chooser has silver eyes and a silver sword (the one that Niko chose from the weapon's room). And the Protector will have the Sign of the Dragon's eye (a mark on Aurora).

LORD AMBER-SPOILERS

When Niko sneaks into a secret room, he finds a room full of weapons. It shocks him, because in all of his training, he has never been allowed to use real weapons. Lord Amber shows up, and instead of lecturing him and punishing him, he makes him choose a weapon.

They fight and Niko loses, which isn't surprising. What is surprising, is that Lord Amber reveals that he has trained all of a group of soldiers called the Dragons as well as their leader, Janus. And another man he refuses to name but who he implies fought Janus and it didn't end well.

LORD AMBER AND NIKO

Lord Amber is barely in the story. I understood it was necessary to move the story forward but it also caused me to become detached from the relationship between him and Niko. At least he was in the story, as Titi (Aurora's adopted mother) is not.

We mostly get told about Lord Amber, and not even that much. The most insight we gain into his character is when Niko sneaks into a weapons room and his master reveals his secret history. Perhaps this sudden harsh attitude (he say's he could easily kill Niko) is a hint at what is to come so Lord Amber is taking the kid gloves off. But either way, the reader learns a great revelation about a character they don't even know. So they don't get to be shocked.

Perhaps it would have been wiser to slow the pace of the story and show months and years going by in a matter of pages. At least then we could get some idea of how Lord Amber and Niko formed a relationship. Maybe get some idea how adequate or inadequate he was as a father figure.

THE DRAGONS

The Dragons are a group of fighters that have been disbanded since their leader, Janus died. From Aurora, we learn that they were banished before she was born, but they showed back up again when she was four. So they really haven't been gone that long. And she suspects that they are why the country of Kasmania violated their treaty and crossed the border to Sunnebeam.

INCOMPETENT NIKO & AMAZING AURORA

When Aurora first meets Niko in the forest, he's rude. He says that the castle is no place for a girl but she points out that she saw Dragons on the bridge. But they decided to leave for a moment so Aurora could later be useful when they came back five seconds later. She notes that Niko is a bad climber and catches up, missing a few times until she gets him.

To be fair we are given a reason, because she climbs trees in her camp and those are even harder to climb. I guess her skirts don't get in the way.

She pulls Niko down with all her might (even though she already had a grasp and he had to notice) so he falls into the marsh. There is conveniently another sound nearby so the dragon's rush off and don't hear Niko splash. Niko isn't grateful and instead annoyed, saying he could have handled it himself.

Then Niko's hawk shows up, named Topaz, and Niko warns her not to touch him because he is a bird of prey. But Topaz loves Aurora and even starts cooing. Does Aurora have a history with birds? Or any animals? Not as far as we know.

This entire scene was contrived to introduce two characters and make it so Niko would see her value but it makes him look stupid and arrogant.

Why do we have to tear down Niko just to show that Aurora has value? Aurora may be doubting herself, but I highly doubt that Niko really believes he can do it all alone. We just don't see inside his mind. Last we checked, he was shocked and terrified.

When Aurora is later revealed to be the Protector, you might use that to justify everything. But again, we don't need to tear down Niko, in order to show Aurora's usefulness.

I wouldn't call Aurora a Mary Sue yet but she is definitely in that territory. And her feeling bad that Niko doesn't like being protected by a girl, doubting herself and crying later, doesn't negate that. .

AURORA'S GIFTS-VAGUE SPOILERS

Aurora has many abilities. In the start of the story, she moves an item with her mind. Not long after, a secretive woman shows up and Aurora suddenly has a vision upon making skin contact with her. And when she does the cards for Castor Le Croix, she is about to make up words to tell him when she suddenly blurts out a prediction without meaning to.

When Niko breaks down and refuses to leave the bodies of friends, she takes her fear and pushes it into him so he can see it. It's kind of unclear. But then she sees his memories, where the deceased woman and man helped raise him.

On another note, Niko is finally useful after this. He uses his knowledge of a secret passageway that he used earlier to help him and Aurora escape. Now back to Aurora.

After this, she uses the “power of the spices” to summon fire from the smoke so her and Niko can escape the Dragons. Then she uses her knowledge of the forest and the constellations to guide Niko.

She saves Niko from the Dragon, Jah, by jumping on him.

WHO DIED?-SPOILERS

When Niko returns to Castle of the Seven towers he finds the dead bodies of Ruah and Mal, an older man and woman who helped raise him and take care of the castle. Niko is then seen holding a blue robe with a crest on it.

Later on, Aurora says she is sorry about what happened to Lord Amber. It was only then that I realized he had indeed, died.

In the only scene that Lord Amber was in, there a sentence revealing the color of his robe and his crest. Which I completely forgot. It wouldn't have taken much effort for him to say his master's name, as he did of the two servants.

It felt like a mistake to write what would be a very important and personal scene for Niko...and then write it from a disconnected third party, like Aurora.

Later, Walker meets an old man with torn up, blue robes. So Lord Amber never died. And there was no body for Niko to mourn over. But why didn't the authors point that out? Why didn't Niko search frantically for the body? Wouldn't he want to know where it was?

ENTER, WALKER

The modern day character, Walker, is introduced in the prologue. But isn't shown again until about halfway through the story.

I have to admit, I actually forgot about him. He ends up in the training camp of the novices who wish to be Dragons (he comes out of a secret passage there). He tries to explain he isn't supposed to be their but the instructor refuses to believe him, seeming to have a beef with him.

It didn't really make sense to me. If the Dragons are so elite, wouldn't they have a list of names of who had enlisted? Or are they so hard up for novices that they won't let anyone leave who wanders in? Or are they supposed to be a secret, so they can't let him leave? That would make sense, but it's never revealed.

AURORA AND NIKO SEPARATED

When Aurora and Niko find a sailboat, they fall asleep. When Niko wakes up first, he drags the boat to shore. He is still resentful of having a girl as a protector. He wanders off for a few minutes, and then gets kidnapped.

He ends up with the Novices. Apparently some recruits for the Dragons are kidnapped. Maybe since they are no longer supposed to exist? It would explain why the guy in charge is so awful to Walker and doesn't care if he says it's all a mistake.

But it does beg the question, why didn't Walker take someone aside (who could talk) and ask if they wanted to be here or why they were? One could have easily explained he was kidnapped. And then the confusion would be eradicated. And later on, all of the pages are excited to become dragons. If some were kidnapped, wouldn't there be less enthusiasm?

NIKO & WALKER

For the first time in the series, Niko is useful. He remembers advice that Lord Amber gave him. It's kind of vague, more about philosophy than fighting but it helps him get the red stone back from a bully. He uses more philosophy to find a secret passage. It isn't believable but at least Niko has a purpose.

CALLIOPE-SPOILERS

When Aurora is feeling bad that she lost Niko, a strange being shows up, that seems to be a spirit. She calls herself one of the sisters of Kuxan-Sunn. Turns out she lives between worlds and can see the future. She explains that the New Lord of Time has been summoned.

She tries to explain the “eternal present” which is the past and present combined, as to why Aurora is more powerful than even her (kinda Mary Sue-ish). She says to beware others like her (but not why) before she disappears. Also to remember her dreams. So Aurora thinks back to her recent dream of the empress and her baby.

THE BLACK ASHA

A huge horse is captured from the desert and brought into Black Rock (the training camp). Another novice explains the story about the five black Ashas, mares who followed the Lords of Time into battle.

I didn't mind the idea of another part of the myth nor a rescuer for Walker. What bothered me was that there was no set up. I wish I had learned of this myth earlier. Maybe from Aurora and Niko, so Walker could be confused about the horse and their relationship but the reader would know. Instead of instantly knowing she was his rescuer, when she is calm with him.

SECRET WARRIOR?

After Walker manages to mount the mare, he gets taken to a room where he is interrogated. Apparently, because he can ride a crazy horse, which is a secret skill, he must have other secret skills. Secret fighting skills. So his superiors proceed to beat it out of it.

The General just kind of looks stupid. What would have happened if they had chopped off his head? So much for secret skills.

After almost killing him, they punish him by making him serve dinner and warn him they will be keeping an eye on him.

CLARITY

I find there are a few spots of the story that lack clarity. I already mentioned the one about Lord Amber's cloak, but there not being an actual body but that doesn't get pointed out. I honestly just assumed it was lazy writing.

When it is revealed that he is alive, it's not because the man introduces himself to Walker, but because he has a slashed up blue cloak.

I understand not wanting to spell out everything to your reader but I never felt it was making me think. It just made me confused. Because I missed the one sentence that would have clarified it for me. Even if I hadn't missed it, why couldn't Lord Amber tell his name to someone as important as a summoned Lord of Time?

SENSE OF DIRECTION

For the most part, Aurora and Niko are just trying to get away from the Dragon that is hunting them. They have no set plans. Aurora follows the stars to take them to a river. They find a boat. Niko goes missing and Aurora meets a spirit who says to remember her dreams. Which means the Empress. She never points out where she must go.

It just shows her arrive in the city, which is where the Empress lives in her palace. She hopes she isn't too late. There isn't any planning, by the way. We just cut off and end up with her in some sort of waiting room in the palace, hiding. You would think we would see her sneaking in, or telling some lie, but we don't.

COINCIDENCES-SPOILERS

After Aurora is still hiding in the palace, Castor Le Croix and the Empress happen to walk in. She figures out this Empress is a fake and one of the Sister of the Kuxan-sunn (because of her eyes). But Le Croix doesn't know this. So Now Aurora knows a secret, because she snuck into the right room. Because the story calls for it.

But lots of things seem to merely happen because the story calls for it.

Walker overhears exactly why he was brought to this world, that he is a Lord of Time. Because of this, he later knows that the Asha is here for him, after the others explain the myth.

Walker and Niko learn that the wrong name has been put in the box that chooses a regent. Not through any investigation on their part, but because they overhear a conversation.

Aurora walks into a huge city for the first time and just happens to run across the man who murdered her mother. Who just happens to be apart of a gang that keeps on eye on the port. Which happens to be the way she entered the city with a boat. Which happened to have a royal sail on it. I can believe almost all of this, except when she runs into her mother's killer. That was too much.

And the Emperor happens to die the moment that Le Croix threatens Aurora with execution, so all hell breaks loose and she sneaks out through the crowd. And then she happens to end up in the chambers where it's announced who the new regent is. She gets the imporant plot information (not like she couldn't have learned it later as it would have been announced) then runs. I understand she has to be in the palace in order for her to get caught but she could just have easily overheard this news being spread.

CLIMAX-SPOILERS

Walker faces a temptation to give his stone away, with a promise he will be sent home. After overcoming it, he awakens Niko and prevents him from dying. Aurora gets arrested and taken to Black Rock.

CONCLUSION

The story wasn't exactly original but I have no problem with that.

When it comes to the characters, both Aurora and Niko have distinct personalities and start off as quite likable. Unfortunately Aurora dominates the first half of the story, while Niko trails along, mostly helpless and without any redeeming qualities.

As for relationships, Aurora and Niko spend the most time together. Their tension is mostly brought on by Niko not wanting her help. He never gets over his pride to appreciate her.

The relationships that should be important, such as Niko and Lord Amber, and Aurora and Titi are in short supply. We get one scene with Lord Amber, and are only told about Titi.

Plot wise, the story relies upon lots of coincidences. Every important plot point is overheard by the main characters who are always hidng in shadowy halls nearby.

And lastly, sometimes there is a lack of clarity which I honestly took to be lazy writing, rather then clever or cutting through unnecessary scenes (which I think it was sometimes intended).

It's not a terrible story, but it's not good either.

I give “Circle of three” two stars.

Book Review: "The Cry of the Icemark" by Stuart Hill

SPOIL-FREE SUMMARY

Thirrin, the princess of Icemark, spends her days as she likes (usually learning how to use new weapons) until rumors of war surface. Suddenly she is thrust into the position of a diplomat as well as a warrior. Along the way, she befriends a warlock with no forseeable magic as well as werewolves, cat beasts and vampires.

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Thirrin is a princess and an only child. She is portrayed rather inconsistently throughout the story. Said to be incredibly smart, but without much interest in her studies and only at home when she is practicing her fighting skills with other fighters. It's revealed when she meets Oskan that she is arrogant and condescending. But she never seems to realize this and apologize. So development is rather out of the question.

Oskan was brought up by his mother, who was a witch. He lives a relatively secluded life in the woods, which is where he meets Thirrin and her party. It isn't made clear that he has any special powers, as he merely uses knowledge of herbs and medicine to tend to an injured man. That is how he earns Thirrin's respect.

Maggiore has been Thirrin's tutor since she was a small child. He believes in her completely. But he seems to have appeared out of thin air, as there is no reference to his past. Was he married and did he have a family? I have no idea.

Redrought is the king of Icemark. Unlike his daughter, he can't read, so he made sure she knew how (it isn't explained why he never learned, as you would think it was essential). He is described as having foxlike guile and amazing fighting power. I believed the latter, just not the former. He came across as more of a joke to me, who just happened to have muscles.

WILL THE REAL THIRRIN PLEASE STAND UP?

I mentioned before how Thirrin is a confusing character that often times makes no sense.

In the beginning of the story, it is said she is naturally shy but can pretend to be charming and smart (even though Maggie thinks she is actually very smart). But it's clear throughout her encounters with Oskan and the vampires that she has little acting ability. She even admits to herself she only just learned the skill of keeping her thoughts to herself, hardly the admittance of a skilled actor.

Yes, she turns on the princess attitude, but for the most part, that seems like the real her. She spends the majority of story starting fights with Oskan. Why wouldn't she try acting charming when she believes that Oskan is a powerful warlock and a great ally? That would have actually made their relationship interesting.

Also, she randomly experiences thoughts and feelings that come from nowhere. She is leading her people away from the city when she suddenly wonders if she cares about any of them.

The questions leaves as fast as it comes and I was left wondering if Thirrin would ever add up to one, consistent character. Or just a bi-polar one.

NOW BACK TO OUR NORMALLY SCHEDULED BREAKDOWN

Throughout the story, Thirrin will do amazing things or have great pressure thrust upon her, only not to realize it until way later. Then she has a five minute breakdown, then goes back to normal. Rinse and repeat.

I wouldn't mind the idea of a breakdown (but the timing could have been better) if it hadn't been so repeative and if she had actually confided in someone.

Everytime she freaked out, I kept thinking, you just realized the fate of your country depends on you, only right now? The more she did it the more it felt less believable.

And if relationships were to develop, she should have gone to Maggiore, her long time teacher and mentor, or she should have gone to Oskan. She doesn't even confide her doubts to him until much later in the story, and then it's a rather exhausted and sarcastic comment. For once she is too tired to be angry with him. It hardly feels like a trust has developed.

And when she should react in a panic, she doesn't. Ever. When a bear charges her and her men she doesn't freak out at all. She acts, then calmly wonders if she can defeat a huge bear on her own.

Has she done this before, or something? In reality, she should have panicked, questioned her own skills and thought she was going to die. Like a normal person in a crisis. Unless she is a skilled bear fighter, and they just forgot to mention that.

But she hunted a werewolf, remember? Except she never got close enough to one to realize that they could think like humans do. So there goes that idea.

And when she enters her first real battle, it's said that all fear has left her. But she never actually experienced any fear. Unless the author forgot to add that part.

THIRRIN THE MARY SUE?

Thirrin never fails. Not once. The most that happens is that she struggles with a task, then she succeeds. She wins over the werewolves with no effort. She wins over the vampires after she feels humiliated. She wins over the cat beasts with her amazing swordsmanship.

I think the author thought making her struggle slightly before achieving every goal would be enough to make her relatable and likable. When in reality, it just made her annoying. Why do I care if she keeps feeling inadequate when she keeps succeeding at everything?

Also, I felt disconnected from her. But I can't fully call her a mary sue thing, because I felt detached from every character. And with a story with an omniscent point of view (randomly jumping into different characters' persepectives) that's quite a feat. Or maybe that made it worse, since Thirrin isn't our consistent narrator. And the author makes a point to never let us in her head in key moments.

In one moment near the climax, Thirrin scolds Oskan for him acting like she cannot understand the sufferings of her soldiers. She says if they mess up, they just get flogged (I guess most won't die or anything) but if she messes up, lots of people will die. So she is the one who he should feel bad for.

That was probably the worst bit of dialogue in the entire book. Thirrin came off as a spoiled child who thought of no one but herself. And in response to others' suffering, got offended that hers wasn't put first and foremost. It was the most narcisstic thing I had ever read. I felt like I was reading a politician's speech deflecting blame.

MOSTLY DUMB OR NAIVE?

What is mary sue-ish are the times that everyone else is made to look dumb, so Thirrin can look smart. For instance, when a werewolf is brought into the banquet hall in chains, only Thirrin notes the collar he is wearing is that of the werewolf king (I thought we just learned that werewolves can think, how do we now know they have a king? Whatever). How did no one else see that?

She insists they make an alliance with the Land of Ghosts, but no one else could think of that? Are there no advisors to the king? What would make a child smarter and more experienced in diplomacy?

When people question if the werewolves are trustworthy, Thirrin “burns with a hating rage”. Because, how dare anyone question her decision to blindly trust a being that she has just met and a group of beings she knows absolutely nothing about? Of course he is a perfect ally, because Thirrin is never wrong.

In another scene, an older man loses his wife and wishes to mourn, instead of lead. Thirrin goes into a frenzied lecture, reminding him of his responsibilties and how important he is. Luckily he realizes how stupid he was and how wise beyond her years, that Thirrin is. I am sensing a pattern here.

The vampires attempt to trick Thirrin into signing a treaty that they rewrote, because they think she is too stupid to read. That's the extent to their intelligence it seems. It came off as cartoonishly dumb.

And when her wise, elder tutor stupidly says he wishes he could have glory in battle, she has to inform him that there is no glory in battle. Luckily she is fourteen and he is just an old guy who has been teaching her since she was a toddler.

THIRRIN'S FIRST BATTLE

Thirrin goes into battle and after winning, suddenly starts sobbing. She takes in the dead people and realizes they are dead. Apparently she can just shut down like a robot. Must be all of her wartime experience. Except she has none.

If the author had wanted us to feel sympathy for her, he should have had Thirrin feel this in battle. She should have froze up or hesistated before a fight and had to be saved (she hadn't killed any one before this, only facing a bear and hunting a werewolf she thought was an animal). Or she took a life only to realize what she had done after.

But her reactions are always at the wrong time, or completely random, disconnecting her from the reader, who expects Thirrin to be a relatable teenager in at least some aspects.

A WELL LEARNED PRINCESS?

Remember how Thirrin is the first in her family to learn how to read? And how she thinks of herself as intelligent and enlightened? Well apparently she doesn't know any words in any foreign languages. Because when she is asked to provide proof of foreigners, she can't do it. This makes no sense at all. Unless she can barely read and has low intelligence, it's impossible that she wouldn't have been introduced to other languages by Maggiore.

INSTANT LOVE

Another mary sue quality is the instant respect and admiration she earns from everyone (except the vampires).

Right after she commands they let go of the werewolf king, we learn that the werewolf is impressed with her. Even though as far as we know, he cares nothing for humans, which is why he didn't have any communication with them.

He later comes to Thirrin's defense when the vampires are making fun of her. He even thinks how much he admires her...even though they have spent no time together.

We get the same thing from the leader of the cat beasts. We get told through their thoughts, that they admire Thirrin and are very close to her. Even though we never see this closeness occurring.

EQUALITY NOW!

Thirrin decides the fact that a small group of her soldiers are elite and more skilled than most is a bad thing. She wants everyone to be trained equally. Which is probably the silliest and most naive thing anyone could want. But because Thirrin can't make mistakes, it all works great.

In reality, the majority of soldiers would fail, suddenly pushed far beyond their limits. They would resent Thirrin for making them look stupid and the elite forces would resent her for not appreciating their skill and their sacrifices (and assuming everyone could be just like them).

No doubt they had formed a relationship with the King and had proven their skill only now to be told they're existance is mean. This would have been a great chance for Thirrin to make a mistake, admit it, and grow as a character. Perhaps forming a relationship with an elite soldier. She would learn that everyone has a role, and the importance of a hierchy (which she should already know, because she is royalty).

OSKAN'S USEFULNESS

When Thirrin meets Oskan she learns that he is the son of a witch. But when she inquires if he can do magic, he has no idea what she is talking about. He can interpret weather patterns, use herbs for healing, and knows the language of the werewolves. So we learn right away, he doesn't know any magic. Eventually we learn he has visions, but they are usually vague.

Not that he doesn't have value, just not much to do with magic. He does end up revealing that the towns folk have nothing to fear because the enemy calvary is a day's ride away (for some reason he didn't decide to share this even though it was obvious to Thirrin that everyone was still afraid). He just knows, so I guess that's magic.

He ends up being well spoken and a diplomat, calming down the fleeing people of Icemark as well as persuading the vampires to help. I found those skills rather unlikely and tacked in, so he could keep being useful (not that the other nonmagical skills weren't already useful). This young man spent his life in seclusion, living in a cave in the woods with his mother. Just where did he learn his great people skills? His lack of tact with Thirrin when refusing to notice her status as a princess would say otherwise.

It would make more sense for there to be other characters that Thirrin could confide in or have them offer advice, like the weaponsmaster, who we learn has been training her for three years. Or a fellow warrior, that she admits are the only people she feels comfortable with. Oskan seems to have been forced to fill rolls that don't make sense for him. He carries a huge responsibilty, that should belong to a group of trusted advisors instead.

And yet Thirrin seems to believe he is a powerful warlock before she has any evidence.

OSKAN THE CHOSEN ONE?

In order to remind you that Oskan is an amazing warlock (who has vague visions that don't help much) he ends up being called a chosen one by a group of powerful witches. Thirrin tells the reader all about their history that she didn't bother mentioning until now.

But neither Oskan nor Thirrin take them seriously and I was left wondering if I wasn't supposed to either. In fact, they don't even discuss it. I was left confused, wondering what the point of it all was. Oskan should have either been annoyed or confused. Maybe worried. The last thing I expected was him to make light of it. He is not a lighthearted character.

Also, his character is almost as inconsistent as Thirrin. As I mentioned above, his skills don't really make sense. As for his personality, because of his lack of backstory, we don't really understand his motivation. During a huge fight with Thirrin, Oskan suddenly thinks he can use his amazing powers for “glorious selfishness”. Because his mother said he had to choose light or dark, eventually. But nothing has seemed dark in him at all and suddenly he is as dramatic as a cheesy villain. He had been selfless until this moment, even though he knows no one nor cares for the people of his country (he hasn't had any relationships with anyone his whole life, besides his mother, remember?)

Also, there is another moment where he goes crazy when he thinks he is going to be left behind. It is as if he suddenly has another personality. But instead of being scared by his irrational behavior, Thirrin is impressed. He came off as nuts to me. But I suppose it's just another case of an inconsistent character, just like Thirrin.

MYTHS COME TO LIFE

Thirrin eventually learns that the Holly King and the Oak King (characters in nursery rhymes) are real people. She is in awe over this, for about a page. Then she goes back to yelling at Oskan.

Speaking of Oskan, he, on the other hand, explains that they have always existed and he has always known about them. He just never bothered to tell anyone this amazing fact. Or maybe he and his mother were always secluded so he didn't know they were thought to be a myth? It's never explained.

In reality, Thirrin should be rethinking her whole life. If nursery rhyme characters are real, what else is? And why has no one else known about this? Thirrin never bothers to ask anyone, not even Oskan. She should be confused about who he is and why he knows such secretive things. But instead she ignores this huge question mark, standing right next to her

Was Oskan's mother a great witch with power so amazing that mythical beings revealed themselves not just to her but her son as well? And was he too dumb to realize no one else knew they were real?

They merely appear because the story calls for Thirrin to accomplish amazing things, without earning them. And to show Oskan is amazing, without ever doing anything to prove it. If his mother was the true cause of this revelation, then she should have merited more than a paragraph of the story.

THIRRIN & OSKAN

Most of the drama between Thirrin and Oskan is brought on by Thirrin's sarcasm and defensive nature. But it's hard to tell if that's really her or her pretending to be a princess. Maggieore says she can be charming when she is not trying to be a princess, and it's made clear when she is trying, as in when she first takes tea with Oskan in his home. But even before that she is sarcastic towards him.

I also didn't get why she had to rely on him alone when it's said that she gets on well with the warriors in her castle. Shouldn't she have a few friends, or at least people she respects and trusts?

There is a time where she admits to herself she trusts him, but doesn't know why. Unfortunately, this is missing a chance to actually develop a relationship and ask actual questions of Oskan. How did he know about mythical beings? That could be an actual conflict, if Oskan was keeping a secret. But this is forsaken for boring arguments where Thirrin always ends up in the right anyway. I think there is only one time in the whole story where she is wrong.

MAGGIE & THIRRIN

Maggiore is introduced being frustrated with Thirrin, but not because she is unskilled, merely that she hasn't revealed her skills yet. They are portrayed as being very close but we are merely told this. Nothing is shown. When they are separated and then brought back together, Thirrin acts like a little girl, reminding us that she is close to Thirrin. Because we wouldn't know otherwise.

THIRRIN & HER FATHER

In the beginning we learn that Thirrin wishes to earn her father's respect and gratitude. She also feels guilty when he notes that she only comes to see her when she wants something. Whatever the relationship could have been, it doesn't have the chance because her father is in less than half of the story. But since it isn't clear who Thirrin is exactly, perhaps the relationship couldn't have ever been anything other than shallow anyway.

For instance, when Thirrin is out with some soldiers they hunt down a werewolf. He attacks her and she fights him off. When she tells her father he doesn't seem overly concerned, which is odd, seeing how she is his only daughter and the heir.

So one would think that Thirrin is independent and a skilled fighter. And yet the whole story is about proving herself. She already seems kind of amazing. What's really to prove? And who to prove it to? Maggiore already thinks she is great or will be soon. Her father isn't in the story long enough for her to prove anything to him.

MODERN WORDS AND ANCIENT PEOPLES

Thirrin says she doesn't believe in the superstitions of her people, as she is rational and scientific. But according to her, she was the first in her line to be taught to read. I am guessing in her world, the idea of Queens and Kings were just starting. It would make sense that they would still be holding onto traditions of their culture. And yet Thirrin dismisses them all.

Perhaps this was so she would have an arc, because when she meets all sorts of beings that she doesn't even believe in, she could change. But she never alters in any meaningful way. She just says, "Oh! Those are real. Wow. That's amazing." Then she forgets about them.

I feel these truths are revealed in order to show how amazing Thirrin is. As Maggiore points out, he learns all of these secrets because of her.

Then we come to the enemy, a group of people so secluded and ignorant, that they don't believe in things like vampires and werewolves. How can this be? Have they never left their country? Have they never been invaded? Do they have some amazing, huge wall that no one can get through? I have no idea. They just believe in science. Like in Nacho Libre.

Thirrin's people have met with vampires and witnessed werewolves often enough. But they don't have any evidence to share with these guys and no one else has ever bothered either.

I found this unbelievable, nor did I think such an ignorant people stood a chance against beings they didn't even know existed. Thirrin again, uses the word “science” to explain why they are so stupid.

Later Thirrin inquires about the cat beasts and their creation myths. And yet according to her, mythical beings exist. But she knows that the cat beast's story is indeed a myth.

I wish the author would stop inserting modern terms into a culture that is supposed to have just been learning to teach its royalty to read and write. There was no science in ancient times like there is today. They did not even have the word. Nor did pagans consider others' stories to be myths, but not their own. When an ancient people were conquered, the foreign gods were added to the worship list. And yet modern ideas are forced awkwardly into the story.

CARTOONS IN UNEXPECTED PLACES

There are a few scenes scattered throughout that feel weirdly cartoonish. The fact that Redrought has a pet kitten that he hides in his beard is one. His fluffy slippers are another. And apparently there is a fat, old elf who brings present around Yule. So he is the precursor to our Santa (don't tell Saint Nicholas). I found it weird that adults and thirteen year old Thirrin would believe in a gift giving being that no one had ever seen.

Thirrin sends a messenger to the invading army to blow a raspberry. For some reason.

A DEATH IN THE FAMILY-SPOILERS

Redrought ends up dying in battle, and we see his battle. I have to admit I found the battle dull but that's not my main issue. My main issue is the fact that I barely knew him so when he died I felt nothing. I almost would have rather had not known and had to find out with Thirrin. My other issue is later on, we get shown the afterlife. A valkyrie comes to Redrought to take him to Valhalla. There is no mention of norse mythology in any other part of the story. It felt completely out of place.

SHOW, DONT TELL

Like I mentioned before, other characters tell the reader how much they love and admire Thirrin but we never see any relationship forming. Same with Maggiore. The only attempt made at a relationship is Oskan.

King Grimask steps forward to defend Thirrin from the vampires, explaining to the reader how much he has grown to admire her. Even though there have been zero scenes of this happening. We just have to take his word.

At her father's funeral, we zoom far away when Thirrin breaks down crying, so we can know how strangers will never forget the sight of her. It's as if the author has no idea what is important to the reader. So we can never properly bond with Thirrin. We just keep being told about her.

THE MATRIARCHY

When everyone enters a neighboring country, Maggie notes that no men are in power. And all of the people worship goddesses, not gods. He think's that strange but then says: “everyone seems happy so it's okay.” Which is the weirdest reaction I have ever seen.

It should have made him question his own country's system (which I guess was a patriarchy but is now willing to be led by a girl). It would be normal to be skeptical and wonder just how woman do all of the leading but the men do all of the fighting and dying. How would that kind of system function? How are the men treated in comparison to the women? How did this system form? But the studious educator doesn't bother thinking these questions let alone asking them.

WORLD BUILDING

There is an attempt made at building Thirrin's world throughout the story. I admit, I found most of it dull because I never cared for Thirrin or Oskan. And If I didn't care about them, why would I care for their world?

For the most part, it feels like the author thought of cool things like, vampires, werewolves and talking cats and threw them all in there without any thought to their backstories and the fact that these cultures should have all had a huge intermixed history.

Instead the cat beasts are creatures the Icemark people have never met. The Oak King and the Holly King were just discovered. We just learned the werewolves can think (and therefore must have an actual history and culture) and the only creatures we know about, the vampires, come off as cartoonish.

Even the witches come out from thin air to tell Oskan that he is a chosen one. He has no idea what that means and neither does Thirrin. Because the author didn't bother setting up this idea.

Later on, I learned there were cannons and pistols. So, it's like an ancient pagan world before Christianity but also like the 1600s. It feels like a hodgepodge of things were thrown together without any rhyme or reason.

INSIDE THE ENEMY'S MIND-SPOILERS

We get whole chapters from the enemies view. I am not sure what the goal was. I suppose it was to introduce the villain, otherwise we wouldn't see them until the majority of the story was over.

Even so, they come across as shallow, power hungry villains with no rational reason to invade. They are just the bad guys. They think Thirrin is dumb. And even when Thirrin miraculously defeats the general in a one on one fight, they decide that means that the people must all be killed. Because they are too hard to rule over? I guess. The author works hard to show you that the bad guys are bad, and that's basically it.

I didn't need to wonder if the bad guys were bad, I just would have liked them to be less cartoonish. Who knows, maybe once Icemark made a mistake and wronged them? Maybe they are lacking in a resource and feel they have no choice but to invade? Maybe they were slighted long ago and decades of resentment has finally led to a leader willing to go to war? Maybe there was a misunderstanding? Or...they could just be bad. So Thirrin could have an enemy to defeat and look good by comparison.

OSKAN'S MOTHER

Oskan's mother passed away, leaving him the home and his skills. But I honestly can't recall if they mentioned how long ago she had passed. Oskan didn't seem to be too upset about it. Perhaps he had finished mourning her passing, long ago.

His relationship is mentioned sporadically with minimal details throughout the story. You would think Oskan might have some mixed feelings about his upbringing. After all, he never met his father and his mother never told him who he was. Maybe some anger issues or having to forgive his mother's careless nature?

Oddly enough, Oskan came across as only slightly curious about his father, who he had been told wasn't a human. That's it. What could have been a huge part of his character is ignored. We never learn who his father is and by the time the book was done I didn't care. Why should I? If Oskan barely gave it a passing thought, why should I?

CLIMAX-SPOILERS

In the final battle, Oskan decides to try summoning lightning, because Thirrin asked him if he could. And even though he never has and was never taught how to do so, he tries anyway. He fries himself but is healed by a woman that Thirrin takes him to.

CONCLUSION

The story wasn't original, but it wasn't a bad idea. A young princess has to rise to power during wartime and lead her country, gathering allies and meeting fantastic creatures.

The main problems are the shallow characters (some with no backstories at all, others with bare bones that the author seems to forget to expound upon) and their nonexistant relationships with one another.

There is also the inconsistent portrayals of Thirrin and Oskan and the constant telling about relationships that have formed, without ever seeing them happen.

And of course, Thirrin's Mary Sue-like nature at getting everyone to like her instantly and never failing at anything (but at least she feels bad sometimes).

And then there are the plot holes. Like Oskan knowing about magical creatures, but never mentioning this to Thirrin, and Thirrin never asking him how he knew them and why.

Thirrin believing that Oskan is a powerful warlock, without ever seeing any power other than vague prophecies and vague feelings about stuff he just knows.

And a young man who grew up with his mother in a cave becoming a well spoken diplomat who is willing to risk his life for a country that he doesn't even call his own. Because Thirrin is just that amazing (he forms no relationships with anyone else).

And a princess that has been tutored from a young age but doesn't know one word in a foreign tongue. As well as important information that no one bothers to mention until the last second.

I give “The Cry of the Icemark” a half a star.