A Cavern of Black Ice: The Sword of Shadows, book 1
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Amazon.co.uk Review
This opens the "Sword of Shadows" trilogy from J.V. Jones, whose debut novel was The Baker's Boy (1995). A Cavern of Black Ice is set in a land divided between small warring clans of hunters and more sophisticated southern cities whose lords covet the clan territories.
Young clansman Raif has a touch of "old blood" magic that guides his arrows to the heart. Bad times come when a hunting party that includes his father and clan chief is wiped out by supernaturally aided attack: Raif's open suspicion of the brutal new leader eventually drives him into exile. Meanwhile Iss, overlord of Spire Vanis city, keeps a chained sorcerer whose powers he channels by revolting means and has unexplained but horrifying plans for his "foster daughter" Ash--herself an unwilling focus of dreaded forces.
Raif and Ash find themselves fleeing together through wintry, hostile clanlands, pursued by Iss's vilest henchmen, seeking the dubious goal of the Cavern of Black Ice. What lifts this far above routine quest fantasy is Jones' deft characterisation, relentless intensity and unsparing depiction of pain and slow-healing injury. She has a flair for memorably horrid images. Here a sorcerer gloats over one of his nastier tricks: "A man could not fight when his corneas were snapped from his eyes like badges from a chest."
This hefty volume has over 800 pages but the narrative grips hard once it's gained momentum, and the pages turn increasingly fast. Book two, A Fortress of Grey Ice is coming soon. --David Langford
Review
'J. V. Jones is a striking writer . . . wonderful' Robert Jordan 'J. V. Jones is quite a find . . . a deliciously intricate tale' Katherine Kurtz 'A storyline featuring the kind of political scheming and intrigue that makes for gripping reading' SFX 'We have major new writer here. Bravo! An intriguing tale well told' Dennis L. McKiernan 'This opens the "Sword of Shadows" trilogy from J.V. Jones, whose debut novel was The Baker's Boy (1995). A Cavern of Black Ice is set in a land divided between small warring clans of hunters and more sophisticated southern cities whose lords covet the clan territories. Young clansman Raif has a touch of "old blood" magic that guides his arrows to the heart. Bad times come when a hunting party that includes his father and clan chief is wiped out by supernaturally aided attack: Raif's open suspicion of the brutal new leader eventually drives him into exile. Meanwhile Iss, overlord of Spire Vanis city, keeps a chained sorcerer whose powers he channels by revolting means and has unexplained but horrifying plans for his "foster daughter" Ash--herself an unwilling focus of dreaded forces. Raif and Ash find themselves fleeing together through wintry, hostile clanlands, pursued by Iss's vilest henchmen, seeking the dubious goal of the Cavern of Black Ice. What lifts this far above routine quest fantasy is Jones' deft characterisation, relentless intensity and unsparing depiction of pain and slow-healing injury. She has a flair for memorably horrid images. Here a sorcerer gloats over one of his nastier tricks: "A man could not fight when his corneas were snapped from his eyes like badges from a chest." This hefty volume has over 800 pages but the narrative grips hard once it's gained momentum, and the pages turn increasingly fast. Book two, A Fortress of Grey Ice is coming soon.' David Langford, AMAZON.CO.UK REVIEW
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I must admit to be a real fan of J.V. Jones, she is a wonderful author who manages to transport you to her worlds with consumate ease. A Cavern of Black Ice is no exception. As an avid reader of fantasy I can honestly say I have never read an initial book in a trilogy that promises, and gives, as much as Cavern does. It is a sweeping plot set in an ice bound land that has you turning the heating up as you read it. Julie's character's are always excellent, they are believable, human and heroic (or of course demonic and vile!). In any of their guises you very soon become caught up in their epic struggle of good and evil with ancient magic. Cavern is a long book and so much the better for it, the pace is just right the plot and characterisation is given time to develop into a deeply woven and spellbinding epic. If you only buy one book this year make sure that its A Cavern of Black Ice, you won't regret it. Just make sure you wrap up real warm while you read or you'll have frostbite before you know it!
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Very interesting and very dark.
I was reluctant to pick this up after the utter rubbish of "The Barbed Coil" and the disappointing ending to, the otherwise excellent, "The Book of Words" trilogy (by disappointing I mean boring and unmemorable) but I decided to give it a try and it is excellent.
Very dark and atmospheric with interesting characters and is so far avoiding any normal fantasy clichés.
My only worry is that this was all true of "The Book of Words" too, I just hope the ending to this series manages to match the quality of the plot!
I was reluctant to pick this up after the utter rubbish of "The Barbed Coil" and the disappointing ending to, the otherwise excellent, "The Book of Words" trilogy (by disappointing I mean boring and unmemorable) but I decided to give it a try and it is excellent.
Very dark and atmospheric with interesting characters and is so far avoiding any normal fantasy clichés.
My only worry is that this was all true of "The Book of Words" too, I just hope the ending to this series manages to match the quality of the plot!
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
An excellent start to her newest trilogy--better than the Book of Words novels even though it's set in the same world. 'A Cavern of Black Ice' is a compelling read with complex characters and a strong sense of place that permeates every page. The protagonists are strong interesting characters who are far from perfect heroes, and nobody writes 'baddies' better than J V Jones. She's a bold writer who never shirks from making shocking choices when they're needed and despite writing a long book even by fantasy terms, Jones skillfully winds up the pace and keeps you reading right to the end.
This is one you'll want to read again.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Good read
This is the first time I've read any of J.V. Jones' work and I really enjoyed this book. I look forward to reading the rest of the series. Read more
Published 14 days ago by Cerberus
Found a new series almost up there with Martin and Hobb.
JV Jones is an author who cropped up whenever I googled books like the Song of ice and fire series. Many people agree it is good; some even go as far as to say it is better. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Snikt5
Good start to a poor series
I enjoyed this book and when finished I bought the next three books. This was a mistake as what begins as a promising story quickly descends into a dull pointless experience.
Published 8 months ago by Maxieduncan
Nearly finished the 3rd book - overall impression
Plenty of reviews describing the merits of this series so ill just say what lessened my view.
This series is a rather slow paced affair. Read more
This series is a rather slow paced affair. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Syrio
Cold, grim, visceral, blood drenched and breathtakingly good
Set in the same world as (though tenuously linked and far superior to) Jones' first trilogy The Book of Words, this series is a shining example of atmospheric writing at its best. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Mike @ Books of Fantasy
Mediocre story, terrible writing style.
This book was highly recommended to me by a friend whose opinion I value highly. I must admit it was really hard to go through the whole book. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Hubble
Cheap suspense tricks
I was disappointed by the book. I gave up half way through the second part of the trilogy.
I'm fed up with the cheap silly trick to maintain suspense that the author... Read more
I'm fed up with the cheap silly trick to maintain suspense that the author... Read more
Published 23 months ago by David Tetard
Brilliant but BEWARE - NOT A TRILOGY
BRILLIANT. Utterly unique, well written, gripping....I agree with all the other reviews of 5 star that I have read. Read more
Published on 9 Dec 2009 by Faerie
Run of the mill
I think after reading Robin Hobb and George R.R. Martin I've been spoiled for most fantasy. A Cavern of Black Ice is about three main characters: Raif Sevrance, who can kill... Read more
Published on 28 Oct 2009 by L. R. Richardson
What a disappointment!
I eagerly awaited the arrival of this book. However the first two pages revolted me so much I am unable to continue the book. Read more
Published on 22 July 2009 by B. Parker
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