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The Cry Of The Icemark is the first book in the Icemark Chronicles by English author Stuart Hill. The plot revolves around a fourteen year old girl, Thirrin Freer Strong-in-the-Arm Lindenshield, as she must fight to save her small home, the Icemark, from the invading Polypontian Empire. The Polypontian Empire has never been resisted, and many believe the Icemark will not change this. Thirrin's first act to help in this upcoming was when she pleaded with her father to not kill a werewolf that she earlier punched in the nose. She then finds out he is a king, and allies with the "Wolf-folk". She later allies with vampires from the "Land-of-the-ghosts" and the snow leopards of the Icesheets.

'Names' One of the most striking aspects of the Polypontian empire is their similarity to the Roman Empire. Most of the names have Latin derivatives. Scipio Bellorum-His first name is undoubtably taken from Publius Scipio Africanus, one of Rome's most famous generals. His last name is taken from the word Bellora, meaning war. However the "um" at the end is in the genitive state, meaning in Latin that he is of the wars. So it literally translates into Scipio of the wars. Octavius Bellorum-Scipio's eldest son has a more obscure name. Octavius literally translates into eight, a name usually given to the eighth born son. Since Octavius is the oldest we can assume that it is taken after Octavius Augustus Caesar, one of Rome's most brilliant emperors. Polypontian Empire- As Maggiore explains to us, this means many bridges, a reference to the many rivers that run through the empire, requiring the building of many briges. Sulla Bellorum, Scipio's other son also is named after one of Rome's most famous dictators, Lucius Cornelius Sulla (he was in charge of Rome just before Julius Caesar.)

The novel won the Waterstones Children's Book Prize in 2005. ^[1]. It also won the 2006 Highlands Children's Book award for Long Novels in 2006. ^[2] Fox has bought the rights to the movie, and it is planned. However, no release dates or production information exist. ^[3]

Plot summary

The Polypontian Empire has conquered much of the known world in recent years, much thanks to its fearsome general, Scipio Bellorum. Bellorum has finally decided to invade his small neighbor to the north, the Icemark. After King Redrought of the good sacrifices his entire army to stop the invasion, Thirrin, his daughter, is left alone to save the nation.

Thirrin, having just made an alliance with the werewolves by saving their king, must now seek out more allies, as the Icemark and the werewolves alone cannot defeat the Empire. Although they have the support of their vassal, the Hypolitan, more are needed. Thirrin, with the aid of a young warlock, Oskan Witch's Son, must attempt to win over the Vampire King and Queen. They know this will be difficult because of the centuries of distrust and hate between the two races. Because the Empire hates all that is unscientific and irrational, the Vampires know that if the Icemark falls, the Empire will wipe out the Vampires next. With this in mind, the Vampires reluctantly agree to send aid.

On the advice of King Grishmak of the werewolves, Thirrin and Oskan travel to the Hub of the World, to try to ally themselves with the Snow Leopards, led by Tharaman-Thar, who live there. The leopards are as tall as warhorses at the shoulder, Tharaman-Thar even bigger, and are fearsome fighters. With the threat of the Empire again winning the argument, the Snow Leopards choose to fight with Thirrin.

The combined forces of the Icemark, the Snow Leopards and the Hypolitan clash with Bellorum's forces. The werewolves have not yet arrived, as a muster of their nation takes several months. The Vampires have also not arrived, as they are stubborn, and are not reliable. While the allies fight brilliantly, the Empire's sheer numbers begin to turn the tide.

As the final battle is being waged, which the allies believe will surely end in their destruction, the Werewolves, the Vampires, and many of the creatures from the Land-of-the-Ghosts finally arrive. When they arrive, Thirin is overjoyed. They find a new strength within them to fight the Polypontion Army and defeat them. They use everything in their power to defeat them, and they succeed. In addition, the forces of the Holly King and the Oak King of the nearby forest join the war, as they have made themselves allies with Thirrin. With their numbers, and the sheer terror they inflict, the battle turns into a rout.

Characters

See List of Characters in the Icemark Chronicles.

The Movie

Fox 2000 has brought the rights to The Cry Of The Icemark movie and it is currently in development. Little information is available at the current moment but what is known is that it will be produced by Courtney Pledger and the screenplay will be by Michael Hirst (The Tudors, Elizabeth: The Golden Age)^[4]

References

Trivia

The Polypontian army is split into divisions, each with its own color.

The character of Thirrin is based on Stuart Hill's sister.