Customer Reviews

A Cavern of Black Ice (Sword of Shadows)

5 star:		(73)
4 star:		(23)
3 star:		(20)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

After reading "The Barbed Coil," a truly unmemorable and rather stale tale, I was reluctant to pick up this work, regardless of an advanced reader's copy given to me or the sfsite's recommendation of the book as one of the best works of 1999. Since January of that year the book has been sitting on my shelves gathering dust and in general ignored as I turned to more obvious and predictable sources of reading pleasure. In hindsight, the only benefit I have accrued by this error in judgment is that I will have less time to wait for the next novel, which I dearly hope will soon be released.

As another reviewer has implied, it is difficult to believe this book was ever written by the same author as "The Barbed Coil." Whereas that book was common and at times self-consciously cute (and continues annoyingly here to err in this direction with an occasional use of Scottish brogue and references to "wee lassies"), this work is well above the ordinary or clichéd work that dominates most fantasy fiction, offering a tale that is complex and written with a skill only barely glimpsed in the earlier book. Interweaving plots with the skill of the best epic fantasists, if Ms. Jones is able to maintain the level of writing found here, this work will surely come to equal the recent work of authors such as Katherine Kerr, Robin Hobb, George R.R. Martin or Robert Jordan. And the author has created a cold and ice-bound world that is largely original---certainly so in terms of the mythic cosmology surrounding it and the deep, oftentimes grim mysticism with which it is imbued. The mythos surrounding this tale is as broad, complex and detailed as any to be found in fantasy fiction, equaled only contemporaneously by Steven Erikson or Robert Jordan. And while her cast follows standard types familiar to any devotee of the genre, the author has made each striking and individual in character, and for the most part has avoided singular or one-dimensional characterizations. Her players' motives are complex, and, like George R.R. Martin or Robin Hobb, the author has wisely given her cast depth and contradictions in character.

This book presents almost an almost perfect balance between slowly unfolding narrative and action, and while a great degree of mystery and unresolved questions continue to nag the reader at the book's conclusion, and no point does once feel obviously manipulated or robbed of satisfaction in the novel's denouement or progress. There is a clear sense of plot progression and resolution to this "chapter" of the series' development, and hopefully Ms. Jones will be able to avoid the extraneous and often episodic plot threads that have in part frustrated the most recent offerings by Jordan and Martin, and even more significantly Goodkind. This is a marvelous and imaginative beginning to a much larger work, already vast in potential scope. My only hope is that it does not come to feed upon itself.

This work stands as further proof for me that one should not discount future work by an obviously talented writer based upon the false starts or less than fully realized efforts of earlier work. There are any number of new and imaginative and potentially exciting authors writing today---Elizabeth Haydon, John Marco, and Juliet Marillier, to name just a few---that have revealed gifts of storytelling far stronger than anything found or ever suspected in Ms. Jone's "The Barbed Coil." "A Cavern of Black Ice" stands as certain admonishment that rewards are to be gained by continuing to follow the work of newer and more recent authors, such as David Farland or Martha Wells, allowing them time to hone and perfect their skills. After all, first-time epics such as Stephen Donaldson's "The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant" are rare indeed.

"A Cavern of Black Ice" could easily herald a work in progress that may well become, when completed, a masterpiece of epic fantasy fiction. It certainly shall if successive books prove the equal of this one. I look forward to the second installment with great anticipation, and selfishly wish the author every possible success. And I heartily concur with the sfsite that this was one of the best books of 1999, or, for that matter, any recent year. Sorry it took me so long to heed their advice.

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!

What a tremendously delightful and much welcome surprise! Its very easy to get bored with the standard plot lines and two-dimensional characters so often found in the majority of contemporary works of fantasy. Indeed, sometimes one even begins to question whether shelling out hard-earned cash yet again for basicaly the same old drab stories simply dressed up in pretty new book jackets is really worth it. Fortunately, every once in a while it does prove to be worth it -- and sometimes, on even more rare occasions, as with this wonderful new novel by J. V. Jones, it proves to be far more than worth it. Jones paints a world of rich texture and surprising depth. Her characters are psychologically engaging and emotionally captivating. The story is gripping and suspenseful with startling -- though perfectly believable -- plot turns and twists. I've read some of her other work, and while I enjoyed her efforts, this book is by far her most impressive and skillful production. There are only a small handful of fantasy authors whose work has so captured my imagination by its originality and poise that I have been inclined to read them more than once (e.g., J. R. R. Tolkien, George R. R. Martin, Kate Elliott), but this wonderful story by Jones has most definately been added to the list.

After reading this book I could only wonder why Julie wrote The Barbed Coil. Cavern is from another planet and can't be mentioned in the same sentence with. It.

The book lies strongly on its characters. They feel real and most importantly, are interesting. Sarga Veys, Vaylo Bludd, Marafice Eye, Angus Lok and many others are finely crafted and stand as proof of Julie's writing skills.

However, there are a few exceptions. Mace Blackhail as the plotting clan chief is at times too shallow and simple a character. Ash begins as a good character, but as the book goes on, it's easy to lose interest on her. I hope they get a bit more flesh over their bones in the next books.

The story told in the plot is a bit schizophrenic (you get the meaning). A LOT of it is very good material indeed. The Clans, the political intrigue, characters and most of the other stuff is first-rate, but I found the "Horrible evil will be freed unless..." -style driving force behind our heroes actions to be horribly cliched. It's small part of the book and it didn't detract one single star from my enjoyment. It has potential to evolve a lot during the next books and I hope it does.

Cavern of Black Ice is a great book. It's a sister to the Book of Words trilogy, but an older sister that has more grace and style. Book of Words was a diamond in rough. Cavern is that same diamond with polished edges and a deeper colors. However, it's not a fiver. It came very close, but didn't quite reach it. Very recommended reading to anyone who is into fantasy.

I really enjoyed this story, the hero is a dark, brooding,character, with a finely refined sense of honor. I am very muchlooking forward to the next book.... This is an outstanding tale setin a harsh and bitter land. Her use of magic in the story is quiteclever and struck a cord with me for some reason. Imagine a personwith the power to kill anyone or anything? Sure it costs him, buthaving that kind of power, it's has a major effect on his development,and I can't wait to see where the road leads. Also I liked herdivision between simple, flashy tricks and the the true altering ofevents, like moving a fog bank being nearly impossible. The limitsare fairly rigid and I like that because it adds an element ofrealism. I mean why be afraid too much if you know your hero has thepower to crack the earth in half if he or she wants? I picked up thisbook based on my enjoyment of the author's "The Book ofWords" trilogy. Which I highly recommend to anyone who likedthis book. All I end with is I want the next book NOW NOW NOW. :)

A Cavern of Black Ice is the first part of the story of Raif Severance, a young exiled clansman, and Asharia "Ash" March, the runaway step-daughter of a city's sorcerer-lord. Their stories begin separately but merge into one, as Ash--inside of whom a massive, frightening power is building--must reach the legendary Cavern, the only place where Ash can discharge the power without breaching the world of the damned. The story thus becomes a race against time and the merciless elements of Jones' northern lands.

Jones deserves credit for painting such a _different_ landscape: stark, vivid, and breathtakingly cold. Breath instantly condenses to ice crystals on fur-lined hoods; eyelids freeze shut in the night; and wounds and frostbite . . . it's all very intense, to say the least. Some may find all of this engaging; others may find it an exercise in shock-value. Personally, a bit of each appears to be true.

Jones writes with a brutal power of description, frequently employing creative and graphic similes which sometimes work and sometimes are just too over the top. The book is _very_ long and could have been shortened without much loss, and some parts are confusing and need a bit more explanation of the history and powers involved. (And some are simply designed to bait hooks for the next volume.) The supporting characters and villagers--they, their names and voices never quite find a comfortable niche, falling somewhere between medieval Scots and American hillbillies. Though often described in detail, the main characters themselves are not especially unique (with the exception of Magdalena Crouch, assassin), yet you find yourself caring for the young heroes, alone in the deadly wilderness on their desperate quest.

A solid, graphic, often gripping effort, yet one that demands significant time and attention and seems to require much more reading for an appreciable payoff. Recommended for mature, hard-core fantasy readers.

This is a wonderful start to the author's latest series. However, the big question is: "Where has she gone?"

I have read Ms. Jones' books, in chronological order, as they have been published. This has left a tremendous gap between books for this "current" series. This book is so good a read that I actually suggest that you don't read it -- wait until Book Two is out to avoid the frustration that has dogged fans of Ms. Jones' writing over the delay in producing Book Two.

Not since reading Tolkien as a child (and the Harry Potter books to my kids) have I found an author who fleshes out a fantasy realm so realistically and satisfyingly. Top to bottom, characters, plot, humor, horror, pain -- it's three dimensional story telling at its best. As some reviewers have noted, this book contains some graphic descriptions. However, I was never "grossed out" or felt that the story was not being served.

So the mystery of the missing author is becoming more interesting as time goes by. I won't guess as to what has happened, but if Book Two is as good as Book One, will Book Three be written in my life time?

Update: After posting this review, I have had a chance to read other reviews and found that Ms. Jones' has her own website. Thanks fellow readers! Ms. Jones' second book is completely written and the editing/publishing process is busily underway for an April publishing date.

I purchased this book on a whim (okay, so the cover art did its job!) and was quite pleasantly surprised at its quality and depth. J. V. Jones has crafted a masterful and exciting novel that relies on depth of character more than it does on any trite plot devices to move the story along and keep a reader's interest. In my experience, much of contemporary literature (fantasy and otherwise) lacks characters of genuine psychological or emotional depth or interest. A Cavern of Black Ice is a much-welcome alternative to many of the emotionally and intellectually flat fantasy novels currently on the market. I applaud her efforts and look forward to reading the next installments in the series. I see this work as fully the equal of that of such others authors as Georege R. R. Martin, Terry Goodkind, Orson Scott Card and Kate Elliot.

When I first saw this book I must admit that I was a bit hesitant. Stories that get close to one thousand pages tend to mean that the author has gotten a little long winded in their descriptions of the small mundane things. I quickly discovered, however, that this was definitely not the case.

J.V. Jones tells a brilliant story full of rich characters and a well thought out world. From page one you will be pulled into the plight of young Raif Sevrance and Ash March as they make their way through hostile lands to purge a force that threatens to release the minions of hell. In the process Raif is banished from his clan by a scheming Mace Blackhail just as his people prepare for war. Ash tries to come to grips with the nightmares and power that she doesn't understand. Along the way they learn that the world they thought they knew is much more then they could have expected and that people they thought they knew aren't who they seemed.

Ms. Jones previous books have shown that she can tell a story. "A Cavern Of Black Ice" shows that she can develop characters and a complex world that is visually spectacular. This is by far the best book that I've read in the last few years. The only drawback that I can find is that we still have to wait another eight months to find out what happens next.

Do yourself a favor and delve into this one. It will change your view of what fantasy can and should be.

A Cavern of Black Ice is the first novel in the Sword of Shadows series. This novel is set in the same world as The Book of the Word series, a few years later and further to the north of the four kingdoms. Bren is the only common point on the two maps.

In this novel, Penthero Iss, the surlord of Spire Vanis, has ambitious plans and his foster daughter, Asarhia March, is an integral part of them. Sixteen year ago, Ash had been found outside Vaingate within ten paces from the city wall by then Protector-General Iss. Since such foundlings were traditionally Protector's Trove, Iss brought her within his own household. Lately she has been troubled by bad dreams, even while awake.

Raif is the second son of Tem Sevrance. Raif has inherited an unusual talent: he can heart kill any living thing. Raif and his older brother Drey are hunting and contesting at archery when Raif feels a powerful shock that blurs his vision and spurts metallic-tasting saliva into his mouth. Fearing danger to those left behind in the camp, the two hurry back as fast as they can travel. Easing into the camp, they found none living and only twelve corpses, including the clan chief, Drago Blackhail, and their father Tem. The adopted son of the chief, Mace Blackhail, is missing.

Elsewhere, the Listener of the Ice Trappers dreams that the One with Reaching Arms has reached out to the darkness. Angus Lok is preparing for a supply run when a raven comes with a message that changes his plans. And deep under Spire Vanis lies the Bound One, suffering in the dark.

This novel begins a new quest in fulfillment of prophecies that the questers only discover little by little as they strive for unknown goals and are guided by hidden forces. Ash finds herself with powers that she doesn't understand and can't control. Raif discovers that he too has powers, but doesn't know how they are to be used.

This novel sets the stage, leaving much unexplained and introducing new factors at the very end. While this book is not as complex as Jordan's Wheel of Time series, it does have something of the same feel. The author writes vivid descriptions of some very bleak scenery and has a good touch with characterization. This series should be interesting.

Recommended for Jordan fans and anyone else who enjoys well plotted sword and sorcery adventures with strong characterization.

-Arthur W. Jordin