Rating: 
Summary: A brilliantly crafted cast and world of ice
Review: One difficult task in beginning a saga is avoiding too much character introduction without plot development. Ms. Jones managed to enthrall me with the plot lines surrounding all the characters in this first installment of her newest series. I also admire the way she is able (as in her past novels) to humanize all characters, even the villans, in her stories. She does this by relating convincing backgrounds for the major players in the story and by successfully altering her style of narrating depending on which character happens to be the focus of the scene. She seamslessly chages the narrator's style to reflect the thoughts of the character who is in the spotlight, as if the character's thoughts are influencing the book's perspective. Not only does her brilliance with this method engender sympathy with the characters, it also dissolves the presence of the book as a medium (you forget you are reading a book) and enthralls the reader in the world Ms. Jones has created. In A Cavern of Black Ice, there was also stunning imagery of a cold and barren land that seems a perfect setting for the barrier between humanity and a void of torutured souls. Aside from all this, the latent power of a young girl and proud but confused loyalties of a young man self-sworn to protect her in a world of clan wars, uncertain allies, and sorcerous pursuers, propelled me through the novel in three days (No mean feat considering the novel's sizable girth). Having devoured the novel so quickly, I find myself in the bittersweet situation of having many months to wait for the next course. I am sure that I will find time to read A Cavern of Black Ice at least one more time before it's sequel is released.
Rating: 
Summary: An Attention Getter
Review: I wondered what was next and if, what was next, could compare to the "Book of Words" trilogy. There wasn't any comparison. "Cavern of Black Ice" has surpassed all J.V. Jones' novels to date. The story moves and keeps one's attention. In fact, the descriptions are so alive I was forced to put a sweater on as the hero and heroine made there way through the story. If Ms. Jones keeps on the way she is going there may have to be a law passed on the limits of one's imagination. One hell of a read. Good job J.V. Jones.
Rating:
Summary: A Cavern of Black Ice
Review: An absolutely astounding book. I am not a big fan of larger books due in part to an author's rehashing of every event on every other page more times than the letter 'E' appears throughout a book. Not J.V. Jones. She does a phenomenal job of keeping the reader riveted from one character to the next and with multiple sub plots. Smaller chapters and frequent character rotation keep everything fresh in your mind which lessens the need of revisiting events to a minimal. As I look forward to the next book in the series, I will find myself exploring the other novels by this incredible weaver of tales J.V. Jones.
Rating: 
Summary: Not as good as I would have expected or it could have been
Review: As another reviewer said... this book is ok but it really only gets going after 1/2 way through.I've read all of Jones' other works and enjoyed them. This one though I could probably have done without and I'm not sure if I'll read the next one. The book was so plodding at the start that by the halfway point I thought the book's redeeming quality was that it would not be a cliffhanger. I was disappointed when I realized it would be because the remaining story left to tell is a short one and I fear it will be more plodding before it's done.
Rating:
Summary: Very promising indeed
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: fierce pride of the clans
Review: I could not put this book down. It is not true that you have to read jones previous work to fully understand this . It fully captures the mindset of those who spend every day in contest with the environment that shapes them. An incredible peice of work . I cannot wait for the sequel
Rating:
Summary: Incredible
Review: J.V. Jones is by far the most incredible author i have ever expierinced. I VERY HIGHLY recommend this to anyone who is bored with the standard fantasy or science-fiction. If anyone thinks she deserves less than 10 stars, I challenge you to the death.
Rating:
Summary: ok but... didn't really start until half way
Review: it was an ok book.. but i'll probably lose interest by the time the next book comes out the start of the book is .. not as good as most starts but great book overall
Rating:
Summary: Her best yet - with more of the same to come.
Review: J.V. Jones' style is one which strives for realism, and very much succeeds. The characters, complete with faults, and harsh landscape are especially real. Add an ever-thickening plot, and the result is well worth adding to any collection; in hardcover. As for the sequel, she leaves just enough unanswered questions to promise another great novel, and ends the book with enough of a surprise to make you go back and try to pick up on the details you missed the first time. Very enjoyable, and I can't wait for the second tale.
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant use of magic; a myth in the making; read it aloud.
Review: J.V. Jones is now the front-runner as the premiere spinner of tales, but the true impact of her personal brand of magic can really only be experienced if one reads it aloud to someone (an element the Brits seem to naturally have over us Yanks [are you listening, Mr. Jordan?] and which, unfortunately, also points up some of the sloppy editing and typo errors that I hold Warnerbooks responsible for). The Book of Words trilogy is, perhaps, requisite reading, but Ms. Jones truly taps into arterial genius for magic with the advent of "Black Ice". Jordan, Martin, and now Jones have enriched the literary firmament beyond the current understanding of most critical entities, and their crop of youthful readers will make for a very interesting first half of the next century.
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