Icefire Trilogy: The complete series (Icefire Trilogy: a dark, epic fantasy series)

Make sure you read the much appreciated warning by the author of the book listed in the Editorial Reviews. "It is not a story for young people. Important characters in the story are a midwife, a butcher and a soldier wrestling with his sexuality, and includes frank discussions about homosexuality, violence, sickness and childbirth." I very much appreciate the thoughtfulness of the author in sharing that information. Unfortunately, as another reviewer pointed out, it has too many typos and editing errors to enjoy.

I am presently enjoying reading Patty Jansen's Icefire series.

Two of my marine reference books are "Seashells of South-East Australia" and "Seashells of the Central New South Wales Coast", both by Patty Jansen and the first is frequently reached for in the lab on fieldwork, being the only book that offers decent coverage *and* colour photos of the smaller species.

Reading the Icefire novels has been a delight - the first novel features people on a frozen land living in conical houses, the inner layer built of and the outer of ice. These houses are called "limpets". I did actually email Patty to ask if she was the author of these books as well as the shell books but I should have known from houses called limpets!

The second novel is vividly partly set in country Australia, with strange farm buildings constructed from metal with longitudinal waves. The farmers use steam power to drive their farm vehicles and there is a hilarious little scene of someone putting his foot down in his steam engine. Much more is explained about the ecology of the frozen land too, with the diet consisting almost purely of meat, mostly marine, and burial practices in the frozen southern land are to leave bodies out to be consumed by wild animals.

The worldbuilding is lovely, with a magic system based on technology (which I am hoping will be explained in book three which I have only just started) and it seems some flawed genetic engineering behind that technology (which should also be explained in the last volume).

I mention all this because for a while longer the Icefire series is on sale at all your favourite ebook retailers. If you have not sampled Patty's work do!

Yes, these are *not* written for younger readers, and some will be very offended by the idea that "legless lions" (warm-blooded, marine, with flippers) should be eaten. The genetic engineering of humans has caused widespread infertility amongst females so the acceptance of girls (on reaching the the right age) testing to see if they are fertile may offend. As may the behaviour of obnoxius young men bullying other young men. And the radiation associated with the magic system which is devastating to the non-genetically modified inhabitants of the neighbouring country.

I love a book written by a scientist who understands how ecology works!

I am glad that I bought the series all at once. I can easily go from the first book to the next without losing time in between and can keep the story flowing. I only gave it a 4-star because of some trouble I had with the flow of reading because of misspelling and wrong words used. A great story, different than any I have read before. A young love, magic not understood made evil because people fear it. Science versus magic. But, cars to people from the past are magic to, so it is all in all you look at it. Is Ice Fire the same as nuclear power?

What I liked: (1) Great "worldbuilding:" the setting feels "totally real." The ecological balance of the world is a huge part of this drama, with a frozen tundra nation where people live in ice houses and eat mostly "wild" meat, and a nation with a more temperate climate, where people farm and raise livestock. The differences in the cultures between the two are realistic, logical and interesting. (2) Great characters, as always in every book I have read by this author (and I have now read about a dozen of her novels, plus several novellas and short stories). Both male and female characters are strong and compelling, with complex personalities, flaws and strengths, prejudices and individual quirks that help make them "real." (3) Interesting dramatic situation: the grandson of a deposed king is plotting to retake the throne, with noble intentions of bringing a better life to his people. (4) Intriguing concept of "icefire:" The "fantastic" element in this fantasy series is a power source called icefire, which we gradually learn more about. It can be used in many ways by the minority group of people who are genetically equipped to control it, but it is deadly to others, while some seem unaffected but cannot see or use it.

What I did not appreciate: (1) "Mature" subject matter such as homosexual rape being used as a form of punishment. Yes, I realize this can happen and does happen, particularly in all-male environments such as the prison system. But I would prefer not to read about it. Hmm ... maybe that's the point ... we need to read about it & be disturbed enough to DO SOMETHING about it ... but, I read fiction for pleasure and escape, not to develop a social conscience! (2) Extreme, unbelievable "fantastic elements" that are not explained in a way that I can understand, which appear to be developing into an invincible force, and then seem to disappear suddenly, through the actions of another such creature, who is the most fantastic and unbelievable of all, and who then dies of "natural causes," as it was apparently genetically designed to do.

This trilogy kept me reading, although there were moments when I wanted to throw the book across the room. I cared about the characters and wanted to know what would happen to them, and that kept me flipping the pages. It's memorable, and offers ideas to think about which translate to our world. But it's NOT for young readers, and not for the faint-of-heart or overly sensitive souls who are prone to nightmares.

It was an okay trilogy. I believe that some proof reading in this version is in order.

A well-developed world, with complex politics, ecology and characters. There's an Arctic country and a temperate zone country, both trying to survive and develop in different ways. One has higher-level technology than the other. But-- there's a strange source of energy kept carefully hidden, one that brought down civilization before. Can it be safely used again? Jansen keeps you guessing. Is the "hero" really doing the right thing? Will his plan succeed-- and do we want it to? Other characters in the novel have other plans afoot and perhaps their goals are more worthy. Male and female characters are strong and intelligent. People have to make decisions, which they don't always know will come out right. Richly described and fast-paced. Highly recommended!

A well-developed world, with complex politics, ecology and characters. There's an Arctic country and a temperate zone country, both trying to survive and develop in different ways. One has higher-level technology than the other. But-- there's a strange source of energy kept carefully hidden, one that brought down civilization before. Can it be safely used again? Jansen keeps you guessing. Is the "hero" really doing the right thing? Will his plan succeed-- and do we want it to? Other characters in the novel have other plans afoot and perhaps their goals are more worthy. Male and female characters are strong and intelligent. People have to make decisions, which they don't always know will come out right. Richly described and fast-paced. Highly recommended!

Readable and enjoyable. Some mention of rape so not suitable for young teens

What a great read. This I a great series about how corrupt a nation can become, all the way down to each individual. This book is only for mature audiences with some rather intense subject matter but all of this adds to this wonderful world Patty has succeeded in creating.

I am finding this a very difficult book to read. It has moments when you can not wait to get to the next page to see what will happen then it just rambles.

The concept is a little confusing, even for a fantasy, people born with physical defects, imperfects, have magic capabilities those that are physically complete do not.

I will continue to struggle through it, the storyline may pick up.