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September 2007

The Cry of the Icemark
by Stuart Hill

"Listen!" Thirrin said urgently, waking from a pleasant daydream about winning her father's respect and gratitude. "Just ahead – I can hear snarling!"

The soldier took her word for it and leveled his spear. "Pull in behind me," he said, forgetting all formality in the moment of danger.

But before they could move, the thick undergrowth that lined the path burst open and a huge animal leaped out. It was vaguely man-shaped but extremely hairy, and its face was a strange mixture of wolf and human. For a moment it stared at them, its eyes full of hate, then it charged. It easily dodged the soldier's clumsy thrust and headed straight for Thirrin, but her horse was battle-trained and it leaped forward to meet the attack, lashing out with its steel-shod hooves.

Taken by surprise, the werewolf took the full force of the kick, but it only staggered back for a second before growling with fury and attacking again. By this time, Thirrin had drawn her long cavalry saber and, in one fluid movement, she wheeled her horse around, leaned from the saddle, and hacked deeply into the werewolf's arm.

Thirrin is a beautiful and stunning princess, a capable and confident leader, who is expertly trained for combat and self-defense and she's only thirteen. All of her military training has been in preparation for a time like this. Her tiny kingdom, Icemark, is threatened by an impending invasion from the Polypontian Empire that could result in its complete destruction. To defend themselves from the cunning general Scipio Bellorum and his conquering army, Thirrin will forge a remarkable coalition of noble Snow Leopards, ancient Vampires, and ferocious Wolf-folk. She will find unexpected strength in her friendship with a young warlock. And she will rally her allies with her country's fierce battle cry, "Blood! Blast! And Fire!"

This synopsis was written by a San José Public Library librarian.

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