Icefire by Chris D'Lacey

From the Publisher

When David is assigned an essay on the history of dragons, there is only one thing he knows for sure--he wants to win the prize of a research trip to the Arctic. As David begins to dig deeper into the past, he finds himself drawn down a path from which there is no going back . . . to the very heart of the legend of dragons, and the mysterious, ancient secret of the icefire. . . .

Children's Literature

This is the sequel to The Fire Within, and the prequel to Firestar, but it stands alone perfectly well. If any reader has an idea that writing fiction can be fun and profitable, that myth is thoroughly debunked on the first page. Elizabeth Pennykettle (Liz) makes clay dragons for a living; her daughter Lucy designs them, and their tenant, aspiring writer David Rains, is learning how to live with them—that is, the dragons. Liz made one for David when he moved in, with a notepad in one hand and a pencil in the other. Occasionally, when David is having trouble with his writing, Gadzooks will scribble something on the pad that has been helpful to him. He is not sure if he has imagined the writing, but now "he was embarrassed to realize that he had once allowed himself to believe that they might, in some way, be real." Of course, they are real, and David must soon embark on a journey to the Arctic, where it seems that polar bears have a mystic link with dragons. Readers who are familiar with dragon lore probably already know the stories—how dragons' fire tears are formed and how they can be used. But evil enters the story in the guise of "Aunty Gwyneth," an ancient sybil claiming to be Liz's relative, who steals her dragon's egg (and here it gets more than a little muddled) which is ready to hatch and puts the entire household in her power. By the time this story is over, we are ready for the next one. Recommended.

Rachel L. Wadham - VOYA

This sequel to d'Lacey's The Fire Within (Orchard, 2001) continues the story of college student David Rain. David rents a room from Liz Pennykettle and her daughter, Lucy. The Pennykettles make clay dragons that become real when imbued with Liz's power. When a visiting professor assigns David an essay about dragons, the adventure begins. David wishes on a dragon to find the truth behind an ancient legend about the dragon Gwain, who shed a fire tear. Intent to steal the tear for her own use, the evil Gwillana infiltrates and takes control of the Pennykettle household. Aided by his special writing dragon Gadzooks, Lucy, and goth-girl Zanna, David builds his connection to the polar bears that guard the tear, uncovers the legend's truth, saves Liz and her dragons, and finds a new love. Strongly rooted in the real world, the magic, evil, adventure, and romance give this novel all the elements of good traditional fantasy. The writing style is solid, and even though plot twists get tangled up, the fast-paced excitement will capture reader's attention. Appealing to a much younger juvenile audience than the publisher's marketing target or the age of the main character suggest, this book will enable teachers to find connections to environmentalism and global warming hidden in the plot. Although this sequel is able to stand on its own, the background given in the first novel is helpful, and librarians will want to buy the first volume as well as the third volume Fire Star (Orchard Books, 2005). VOYA CODES: 4Q 4P M (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses; Broad general YA appeal; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8). 2006, Orchard, 421p., Ages 11 to 14.

School Library Journal

Gr 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 2006 Reed Business Information.

Product Details

• ISBN: 0641915071
  
• ISBN-13: 9780641915079
• Format: Hardcover, 432pp
• Publisher: Scholastic, Inc.
• Pub. Date: May 2006
• Edition Description: Bargain
• Age Range: 9 to 12
• Series: David Rain's Dragons Series, #2