Book review: The blade of fire

Summary:
This book is the second of the Icemark Chronicles by Stuart Hill. In this book, the same characters are used, with some developments from the previous book. Set 20 years after the first novel, Oskan and Thirrin are now husband and wife, and they have five children, the eldest, Cressida, a pair of twins, Cedric and Eodred, also known as Cedrie and Eddie, their withdrawn and mysterious daughter who has inherited Oskan’s psychic powers, and Charlemagne, who is crippled, known as Sharley. The story revolves about Sharley’s quest of fulfillment, to overcome his disability, and to save his country and family before the dreaded armies of the Polypontian Empire return and exact revenge. In the first novel, the head general, Scorpio Bellorum had his right arm cut off, and his armies destroyed by the timely help of vampires from the land of the ghosts, the tree folk and the great risk taken by Oskan by burning himself using lightning and redirecting it towards the opponents. Now, having recovered, Scorpio is out for revenge, with new weapons, which he calls the sky navy, consisting of hot air balloons with flaps that can be opened to drop bombs. However, before they can attack, Sharley is sent away to the southern continent, where he persuades the doge to rebel, and goes to Arifica to gather other allies, while his family remains in Frostmarris to gather other allies. The vampires are reluctant to help, but eventually, agree after Oskan threatens them with arson and banishing them to hell. Hence, they arrive, and are tasked with protecting the skies, with their armies of snowy owl and vampire. However, in a battle with Scorpio himself, the vampire king is killed, and, stricken with grief, the vampires become more vicious, destroying hundreds of war balloons before retreating to the north. While this goes on, Sharley is almost murdered by his sister, Medea, by a severe storm, and according to Captain Sidgurdson, the commander, it was the fiercest storms ever. Sharley escapes alive, and goes in search of the Sultan of the desert kingdom. However, as a way of making the trip easier, he looks for the prince, Mekhmet, instead. However, on the way to the city, Maggie, falls ill, and has to rest in their guide’s house. Soon after, the armies of the Polypontian Empire began to invade the southern riding, and Scorpio Bellorum let a column of refugees escape, as an ambush. Although Thirrin and the allies see through it, Thirrin still insists on rescuing them. Hence, she leaves Cressida in charge, and brings soldiers in to battle. However, she almost loses the battle, sandwiched between Scorpio, Sulla and Octavius Bellorum. However, Cressida had secretly led a backup force, and destroyed Sulla’s regiment, thus paving a way out for the soldiers and refugees. In return, she is rewarded with her own regiment and insignia, which is a striking eagle. However, it is also a time of grieving, as Cedric has died in the battle of a gut wound, shot from below by an officer he had defeated. While this is happening, Sharley has made friends with Prince Mekhmet, and also the desert kingdoms’ neighbor, the lusu people, and is on a voyage back to the Icemark. Meanwhile, Oskan becomes aware that a weather witch is up to her tricks. She has caused an early thaw to allow the empire’s forces to enter the kingdom. By now, everyone has to be evacuated underground because the empire has bombed the city, and have free control over the skies due to the vampire’s retreat. As soon as Sharley steps on shore, Medea senses his presence, and is livid with rage, and plots to destroy him. Soon, reinforcements of zombies, rock trolls, ghosts, and tree folk join him, but Sharley is too late, the attack has begun. Oskan, sensing that to defend would be hopeless, decides to draw lightning down. However, Medea realizes what is happening, and steals the lightning, also increasing its power several times, before blasting it at Sharley, who has just come out of the forest and given the order to charge. Oskan understands at once, and redirects the lightning back at Medea. Unable to retaliate, Medea is struck, and grievously wounded. Oskan takes this opportunity to bore into her mind and speak to her, but seeing that she is unremorseful, he banishes her to the spirit world, hoping to kill her. Soon, Sharley enters battle, and meets Octavius, who stabs Mekhmet, but is beheaded by Sharley. Cressida leads a secret force, and kills Sulla, and eventually, the retreating empire soldiers are rounded up, and Bellorum is beheaded, and his body torn apart by the vampire queen, who had arrived at the last minute.
Review: Extremely interesting, always keeps the reader on the edge to see what happens next, and at the same time describing each scene with pristine clarity. Definitely a book worth reading.