Here they are, the first of the reader reviews. I don't know any of these good folk personally; they're simply people who visited my website and volunteered to read and review all 736 pages of A Cavern of Black Ice. These people read advanced copies and the book itself won't be published until March 1999. You can scroll down the page and read excerpts of the reviews or you can follow the links below to read the reviews in full.
Chris's Review
"For me, the truest measure of how much I enjoy a book is how I feel when I finish it. If it was an average book, I just move on to the next one. If it was a good book, I usually have to give myself some time to return from whatever world I was in, before entering another. But the very best books, the ones that earn a permanent spot in my library, I don't want to finish at all. Often I will ration my reading to only a few pages a day just to make the experience last longer. With A Cavern Of Black Ice, if I hadn't had a deadline to write this review, I would be stretching myself to the limit, to try and keep it from ending. Since I did finish it though, I must say, I WANT THE NEXT BOOK NOW!!!" -- Chris Van Duyn, Ocean Township, NJ
"A Cavern of Black Ice is excellent. J.V. Jones really has surpassed herself, and I can recommend it without hesitation as a long, involved, exciting, horrifying, gripping, `unputdownable` book. I also must add that the last page of a book has never left me as excited as this one did, but I'll give no more away on that. It seems to me that J.V. Jones really is one of the best fantasy writers around today, be prepared for her coronation once the trilogy is complete! "-- Denise Ball, Stafford, England
I only have one thing to say about that Mace Blackhail: Damn his black heart.-- Adriel Algiene, Alamosa, CO
The most overpowering aspect of the novel is the presence of cold. Having read the author's words on her website about the research for the novel, I expected to be bombarded with images of ice and wind and such, but I didn't expect them to be so powerful. I actually shivered more than once as I accompanied Raif and Ash on their journey to Mount Flood. Sometimes when an author really nails down a setting, it can become like another character in the book. J.V. Jones has done exactly this in A Cavern of Black Ice. -- Will Queen, Carrollton, GA
I was shocked at the twist JV had instore for us at the end.I knew then that I had truly been bested by a master of the genre.--Steven Quanborough, Sydney, Australia
"Yay! Someone who understands cold countries! The winters they have are actually WORSE than the ones I'm used to - they actually sound like the ones my friend from Saskatchewan is used to, where it gets down to -70 (Celsius) because of the windchill factor." -- Janna Hoskin, Calgary, Canada
"I think this is probably one of JV's best stories to date. I say this for many reasons, most of which I will go into in this review. While I was reading the story, I felt like I could actually see the tundra where the Clans live, see the Splinter soaring into the air and delving deep into the earth, and I shivered as the black ice glistened in the cavern, hiding the shadowy world of demons. To me, that emotional connection marks a great story."-- Jeff Scifert, Iowa City, IA
Marafice Eye is so chilling that I would definitely want that man fighting on my side. Preferably on a different continent. -- Tanja Sarna, Alpine, CA
"There are several aspects that impress me most about J.V.Jones as a writer. The detail of the characters she represents in her stories, is, in my opinion, second to none and A Cavern of Black Ice is no exception. Just as she delivered in The Book of Words, Jones practically places you inside the minds and hearts of the people of the Northern Territories. You will come to know the vile and repulsive villains of Spire Vanis, and, perhaps, wish you had not. Penthero Iss, the Surlord of Spire Vanis, whose long years of patient manipulating hides a secret darker than night itself. Marafice Eye, aka The Knife, whose single greatest pleasure seems to be in killing, and, Sarga Veys, magic user and puppet of Iss, who secretly schemes to one day become the master." -- Billy G Maberry, Webster, TX
I think my favourite scene is where the brothers cut themselves on the clean blades of their slain clan thus enabling the men to have honourable deaths. -- Denise Ball, Stafford, England
"Book one in J.V. Jones' new trilogy, Sword of Shadows, immediately gets your full attention. The first three paragraphs will have readers who are familiar with her first trilogy, The Book of Words, thinking "Oh....so that's the connection!" With that delightful knowledge in hand, A Cavern of Black Ice begins with a fast pace, and holds to it to the final, intriguing word. -- Tanja Sarna, Alpine, CA
"A Cavern of Black Ice by J. V. Jones is undoubtedly 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." -- Kevin Turcotte, Steep Falls, ME
I was about to call it a night, but how could I put the book down when I read the sentence "The assassin sat in a chair well illuminated by the amber-burning lamp, yet Penthero Iss still found it hard to behold her."-- Paul Beusterien, San Mateo, CA
"The variety of interesting and believable characters, which was a strong suit in the Book of Words trilogy, are all that I've come to expect. In particular, JV's antagonists (Penthero Iss, Marafice Eye, Sarga Veys, and Mace Blackhail) transcend the traditional "evil villains" of most fantasy works. With the exception of Mace Blackhail, we get a clear insight into the motivations of each one. As for Mace Blackhail, I don't think I've ever felt actual hatred for a fictional villain before now, not even Baralis or Kylock." -- Lionel Bailey, Silver Springs, FL
Well, to begin with, I love the opening. Both scenes are wonderful! The second one just about made me sick, but that's okay...it proves that the writing is vivid enough to put me in the moment. -- Janna Hoskin, Calgary, Canada
"This book was great! I loved it. I enjoyed how the story starts out right away. The prologue is a great way to get the reader really interested in the story. The "Binding" really scared me for awhile by how detailed and scary it started out. I was really drawn in from the beginning, especially when the girl was struggling through the snow and about ready to have a baby. Too exciting. " -- Adriel Algiene, Alamosa, CO
"A Cavern of Black Ice arrived at a perfect time for me. The last four books that I tried to read I got too bored to continue before I could finish fifty pages. A Cavern of Black Ice was completely the opposite. I couldn't wait to read it each night and it was tough to put down to go to bed. The characters are well described and interesting. The action is surprising and enthralling." -- Paul Beusterien, San Mateo, CA
The part of the story which intrigued me and really kept me turning page after page was the sense of mystery instilled throughout the story. Who was the Nameless One in the cellars of the Splinter? -- Jeff Scifert, Iowa City, IA
"J V Jones describes in much detail the setting and characters of the Northern Territories & Spire Vanis. Be ready for the harsh cold climate of the North and for your own emotions to sway between pride and hatred when encountering the various characters in this epic." -- Steven Quanborough, Sydney, Australia
Raif finds himself torn between honor and duty, between what he believes is right and what his clan leader demands of him. How he handles his dilemma might surprise you. -- Chris Van Duyn, Ocean Township, NJ