Rating: 
Summary: WOW!
Review: I finished the book yesterday and... wow. Simply wow. I don't know if I can even begin to make sense...Ms. Jones has fastly become my favorite author. I decided that with Barbed Coil, because her books so thoroughly drag me into the storyline. I find myself loving the characters, and loving to hate the bad guys. This book is one that will surprise you from the beginning and it won't stop. Jones' characters are so real, so vivid. You can feel your own fingers start chilling with the 'bite. You can feel the freezing wind whip through your body. She so artfully brings you into the world. It's a bit confusing at first, because we go into the book knowing that it's set in the same world, but it's completely alien just the same. New people, new faces. Some old faces, too. Careful plot twists and turns.... I humor myself that I'm a writer, and a good one, and it's books like these that have me on my knees in worship. That someone could so craftily weave a tale... Julie has awed me over and over again. This book, and the series, I'm guessing, is more serious, more somber, than The Book of Words was. It has to be. The land is more harsh, the world more harsh, the social balance of the area is in hard times. It doesn't make it a bad book. I do miss Bodger and Grift, and while there is humor in the book, there is too much going on all at once to be lighthearted. You will love to hate Iss and his goonies. You will wonder about the Crouching Maiden. You will come to pity and wish well thoughts for the Nameless One. You will fear for Effie, for the Loks, for Raina. And you will be heartbroken for all of the clans, for Raif. Every time I read a bad review for her other books I have to wonder if these people actually read them. Yes, yes, to each his own. That's true. So, there is a good possibility that if you weren't pleased with the first series you may not like this one. I don't know how that's humanly possible, but... I finished it, my mouth gaping open, chanted a long stream of OHMIGOD's, and then decided that I wanted the new one. Unfortunately, this IS the new one, and I have to wait for the next one. And, wait I will... I know she'll have it out soon enough for all of her fans that are near exloding with excitment. If she doesn't, and we all explode, she's not going to have any fans left. :o) There. I left a favorable review, Julie, just like you told me to. You're going to send me an advanced copy of the next one, aren't you? So as to review that one... right? right? *lol* Guys... buy the book. Like the book. Love the book. It's a great book!! Happy Reading!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: This is by far JV Jones _best_ book to date I couldn't put this book down from the first page to the last. This is one gripping tale Five stars from me. Can't wait for book 2
Rating:
Summary: An unputdownable, totally engrossing story
Review: J.V. Jones has managed to write what is the beginning of another captivating epic. The characters she depicts so vividly become a part of you when you read the book - I was actually quite sad to have finished it, and eagerly await the sequel. And the last paragraph... what a cliffhanger!!
Rating: 
Summary: An ending with terror is better than terror without end.
Review: A Cavern of Black Ice is set in a bleak and frozen land, where trees grow twisted in the light of a midnight sun and the dead remain unburied because the land is hard froze. Raif Sevrance is a young warrior of Clan Blackhail, the First of All Clans, and his life changes forever the day he discovers the bodies of his father and chief, slain in the desolate waste of the badlands. Cavern is an epic tale, covering a world that stretches from the dark blue ice of Endsea to the warm, milk-colored rivers of the South. You'll travel to the courts and stews of the Mountain Cities, parley with the great warlords of the Clanholds, plan murder with the Crouching Maiden, the most celebrated assassin in the North, and hear tales of terror and wonder about the mysterious race known as the Sull. The world of the Northern Territories is harsh and unforgiving; armor warps in the cold as armies ride to war, men die on a Winter diet of lean meat, warriors lose fingers and toes to the black curse of frostbite, and women strap stones to their bellies to delay the birth of their babies until Spring. All is not bleak, though. You'll dance words and swords with the Dog Lord, learn the correct way to cook heart-killed possum, and discover the twelve secret uses of whale blubber! Kirkus calls Cavern "Imaginative and vivid" and Locus says, "A Cavern of Black Ice offers tough, incisive, character-driven fantasy." It's the first in a new series, and I hope you enjoy it. I'm on the net; stop by my website and let me know what you think. Cheers and Many Thanks, JV.
Rating:
Summary: The only thing I hate is the long wait for the sequel!
Review: J.V Jones' newest novel is quite brilliant. I bought it as a reward having finished my exams, and had trouble putting it down. From the vivid and sometimes painful prologue, A Cavern of Black Ice grabs hold of you, and doesn't let go until you've finished it. As usual, J.V Jones has created a wonderful gallery of characters, all excellently described, both villains and heroes. The book is set in the same world as her first trilogy, A Book of Words, so old readers will recognize similarities, yet new readers will have no trouble at all, deciding to aquaint themselves with Ms. Jones' books starting with this. I had a wonderful time reading this book, and can recommend it to everyone. Now I am eagerly anticipating the sequel, so I can find out what happens to Raif, Ash, Effie and all the others.
Rating:
Summary: The best book out there. Period.
Review: Well, I couldn't wait for U.S. bookstores to stock this book. As soon as I heard it was available in the U.K. I had to order it, because I am a huge fan of the Book of Words trilogy. Even though different, anyone that has read any of J.V. Jones work will LOVE this book. Actually, anyone who can READ will love this book! I had heard people say that a book they were reading was "impossible to put down", but I have never before read a book that kept me that deep in the story. That has now changed! The characters are complex, the descriptions of the landscape and weather are enough to make you wrap up in a blanket or two, and the story line keeps you turning the page until deep into the night (or early the next morning)! In addition to worrying about Ash (who one of your reviewers gave a bit too much away about) escaping her horrible foster father and his devious plans, you feel heartsick for Raif and the pain he must endure for the sake of his clan. Sometimes you just want to reach into the story and shake him and yell "Just tell them what happened!" Their story alone would keep you turning pages, but you also have to wonder if Drey will be the one to stop the loathful Mace and how will he keep his and Raif's sister Effie safe? Or their clan? What of Angus (and the whole Lok family)? Who are the Phage? Why won't the Dog Lord just pull those darned teeth? What will happen to Raina? And that psychotic Marafice Eye, Penthero Iss' right hand man. Why won't he just die already? These are just a FEW of the questions you'll be asking yourself! I, for one, can't wait to learn more about the Sull! (And of course, all the new questions you'll be asking yourself after reading the last word on the last page! I'm warning you, don't ruin it for yourself and read the last page first, you'll be very sorry! And if you figure it out for yourself before the last page, my hat's off to you!) Just so you know, this is a darker book than the Words trilogy. There's not a lot of comic relief running through the story (sorry, no Grift and Bodger wannabes in a alehouse handing out advice to unsuspecting baker's boys), but don't for a minute think that's a bad thing! The unforgiving land this story is set in doesn't leave much room for lighthearted humor. The humor it does have is very earthy and real, just like the surroundings and the people that make up this world. All in all, I can't recommend this book highly enough. I have read A LOT of Fantasy, but this is by far my number one pick of all time. Don't miss out!
Rating:
Summary: A strong, character driven story
Review: I loved this book, and highly recommend it. This book is full of strong, multidimensional characters. The plot is both complex and compelling, making this book one that is difficult to put down because there is always the chance that one of your questions will be answered in the next chapter. An excellent start to the series.
Rating:
Summary: Unforgettable and Breathtaking
Review: A Cavern of Black Ice by J. V. Jones is undoubtably her best work. The world and characters that she has created are moving, enjoyable, and unforgettable. The character of Ash is a very sympathetic character. The reader feels sorry for her when her foster father, Penthero Iss, treats her badly (which is almost always). However, she manages to show off her strong will at certain times, like when she drags her servant Katia up to her room and demands to know what her foster father has been planning for her. She usually loses battles with Iss, and retreats back to her room to be taken care of by Katia. Raif Severance is a very enjoyable character, though at times, frustrating. When Raif and his brother Drey return to the clanhold after finding members of their clan dead, he must swallow the new clan chief's excuses and explanations of what happened. He always stands up for what he believes is right, and is a great obstacle for the new clan chief. Chief Mace Blackhail weaves a great web of lies and deceit, while reminding the reader of Kylock from the Book of Words series. His machinations come to a boiling point when he rapes his foster mother, the wife of the former clan chief's wife, so that they can wed, and nobody will challenge his right to be clan chief. He is revolting, maddening, and evil, though one loves to hate him. A Cavern of Black Ice has very haunting similarities and connections between it and the Book of Words, the new trilogy's predecessor. At the beginning of the novel, there is a girl born that could be the daughter of the rightful king of the Four Kingdoms from the Book of Words. And magical drawings still leave the user with the metallic taste in their mouths, and make them weak. In conclusion, I again state that A Cavern of Black Ice is unforgettable and breathtaking. The characters are fresh and exciting, and will leave every reader satisfied.
Rating:
Summary: Another page-turner from J.V. Jones
Review: This book is another strong outing by the author, full of Julie's usual well-developed characters and unexpected plot twists. I highly recommend this book.
Rating:
Summary: Unforgettable and Breathtaking
Review: A Cavern of Black Ice by J. V. Jones is undoubtably her best work. The world and characters that she has created are moving, enjoyable, and unforgettable. The character of Ash is a very sympathetic character. The reader feels sorry for her when her foster father, Penthero Iss, treats her badly (which is almost always). However, she manages to show off her strong will at certain times, like when she drags her servant Katia up to her room and demands to know what her foster father has been planning for her. She usually loses battles with Iss, and retreats back to her room to be taken care of by Katia. Raif Severance is a very enjoyable character, though at times, frustrating. When Raif and his brother Drey return to the clanhold after finding members of their clan dead, he must swallow the new clan chief's excuses and explanations of what happened. He always stands up for what he believes is right, and is a great obstacle for the new clan chief. Chief Mace Blackhail weaves a great web of lies and deceit, while reminding the reader of Kylock from the Book of Words series. His machinations come to a boiling point when he rapes his foster mother, the wife of the former clan chief's wife, so that they can wed, and nobody will challenge his right to be clan chief. He is revolting, maddening, and evil, though one loves to hate him. A Cavern of Black Ice has very haunting similarities and connections between it and the Book of Words, the new trilogy's predecessor. At the beginning of the novel, there is a girl born that could be the daughter of the rightful king of the Four Kingdoms from the Book of Words. And magical drawings still leave the user with the metallic taste in their mouths, and make them weak. In conclusion, I again state that A Cavern of Black Ice is unforgettable and breathtaking. The characters are fresh and exciting, and will leave every reader satisfied.
| 
