Icefire [Library Binding]

Chris D'Lacey (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 22, 2008

Second title in the Last Dragon Chronicles fantasy sequence that started with the bestselling Fire Within continues the story of student, David Rain, and his life in the Pennykettle household. David begins a research project on the existence of dragons and finds himself drawn down a path from which there is no going back, into a time where dragons did really exist.

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 7 Up–This book expands on the dragon lore created in The Fire Within (Scholastic, 2005). College student David Rain's new professor, Dr. Bergstrom, a polar research scientist, introduces him to legends from the Arctic and invites him to write an essay about dragons to qualify for a research trip. A succession of paranormal events leads to David's flamboyant classmate Zanna inadvertently quickening a dragon egg belonging to his landlady, Liz. A powerful woman who calls herself Gwyneth, and who claims to be Liz's aunt, arrives to help with the arrival of the new dragon. David discovers that Gwyneth is a figure from dragon legends, and that her motivations may lead to harm for him and for his friends. His attempts to oppose her result in an action-packed conclusion, expanding further on the legends and leaving room for the final volume in the series. In contrast to the domestic story of The Fire Within, Icefire offers a darker and more mature story. Liz's clay dragons develop a greater degree of realism within the story, and their background is further explored. Readers will find action and mysteries aplenty in this fantastic tale, as well as a group of appealing dragons who are tricky, heroic, and often charming.–Beth L. Meister, Pleasant View Elementary School, Franklin, WI
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

Praise for Icefire "Chris D'Lacey's writing is sometimes exciting and sometimes silly. But that seems in keeping with the worlds he created- one that seems almost real and one that is beyond imagination." -The Washington Post --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Library Binding: 421 pages
• Publisher: Paw Prints 2008-05-22; Reprint edition (May 22, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1435289323
• ISBN-13: 978-1435289321
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.1 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (45 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,635,505 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Bestselling author Chris d'Lacey was born in Malta. He has published more than 20 books, including nine novels. His books have been widely translated and his first children's novel, Fly, Cherokee, Fly, was highly commended for the Carnegie Medal. Other titles include The Salt Pirates of Skegness, A Break in the Chain, and From E to You. Writing was not d'Lacey's first career choice. "I never had plans to be a writer," he says. "When I was in my teenage years my dream was to be a famous songwriter. It wasn't until my early thirties that I tried my hand at any sort of fiction. I kicked off with a gentle 'Christmassy' story that grew, alarmingly, into a 250,000 word adult saga about polar bears. I realized then I had the writing bug. "After he wrote his first story, he waited seven years to write another. "Then a friend told me about a competition to write a story for young children," states d'Lacey. "I wasn't going to have a go at first--until I found out the first prize was £2,000. So I started scribbling, fast!" The story, entitled A Hole at the Pole, didn't win the award, but he sent it to a publisher and they accepted it. The Fire Within is the magical story about mysterious hand-crafted clay dragons that have unusual powers. d'Lacey's inspiration was a craft shop that sold clay dragons. He fell in love with the dragons, but he didn't have enough money to buy one, so the owner pointed him to a section of the store reserved for dragons that have been chipped. "They were a bit cheaper than the other dragons but no less beautiful," says d'Lacey. "And it was there that I saw the most appealing creature in the whole shop. He had a slight chink out of one foot and his 'topknot' was missing (a 'topknot' is on the top of a dragon's head and looks a bit like a shark's fin) but I bought him in an instant." d'Lacey felt that he needed a magical name, so he called him Gadzooks. Chris alternates writing with full-time employment at Leicester University. He lives in Leicester with his wife, Jay.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A total page turner!, August 31, 2005

By 

J. Spitz (OK, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Icefire (David Rain) (Paperback)

I have recently read the first book, The Fire Within, and was pleased to see this second book. I cannot say this loud enough: I LOVED THIS BOOK! The first one touched on dragons and was sweet, funny and a joy. THIS one was thrilling and I could barely put it down, and since I'm the mother of 3, with a farm full of dogs, cats, horses and chickens, there is always something that needs doing, BUT I just couldn't put it down! I hate that I have to wait 8 days for the NEXT one! Way to go Chris, this was great. My husband will be reading this to our children, and they are NOT going to want him to stop each evening....Come on Fire Star! Okay, going back to re-read IceFire, it is so worth another look.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What an exccellent read., March 10, 2005

By 

Book_Luver (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Icefire (Red Apple) (Hardcover)

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I had bought it for my daughter who is 13, and she suggested that I read it. I was pleasantly surprised at the way the writer was able to appeal to both a younger and older audience much like J.K. Rowling. I recommend this book to anyone who believes in the unbelievable and enjoys fantasy.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A FASCINATING BOOK, February 15, 2007

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Icefire (The Last Dragon Chro) (Paperback)

If you enjoyed The Fire Within then the sequel Ice Fire will thrill you. This book expands on the dragons that were mentioned in the first book of the series. David Rain is attending college in a small town called Wayward and his new professor Dr. Bergstrom invites him to write an essay about dragons. David could win a trip to the Arctic and do some research with the professor. There are many strange perplexing incidents that occur in the story. When his friend Zanna accidently quickens an egg that belongs to Liz an ominous person shows up. Liz's Aunt Gwyneth moves into the house to help with the new dragon. David has a premonition that the Aunt is up to no good. With the help of his dragons and the professor he finds out the real reason for the Aunt's visit. Does He win the essay contest? I guess you will have to read the book to find out. The dragons are tricky, charming and they are able to elude the Aunt. The ending leads up to the next book in the series Firestar