Icefire (d'Lacey novel)
| Company type | Novel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Literature, Children's literature, Fantasy |
| Founded | 2003 |
| Founder | Chris d'Lacey |
| Products | Children's fantasy novels |
Icefire is a 2003 fantasy novel for children penned by English writer Chris d'Lacey. It serves as the follow-up to his 2001 work The Fire Within and precedes the subsequent titles Fire Star, The Fire Eternal, Dark Fire, Fire World, and The Fire Ascending.
Plot summary
David faces challenges in getting his manuscript published. Meanwhile, Lucy crafts a wishing dragon named "G'reth," which is documented by David's writing dragon, Gadzooks. Liz transports David to the university, where he expresses his hope that Sophie will allow him to live with her. Dr. Bergstrom assigns David a dragon-related project that includes a contest with an Arctic trip as the prize and presents him with a talisman designed to reveal his true destiny. David observes Gadzooks inscribing the name "Lorel."
At a later point, Lucy uses G'reth to wish for snowfall and constructs a snowman shaped like a bear. David uncovers Gruffen, a small dragon, preserved in the freezer. Liz clarifies that Gruffen was formed using auma from Gawain’s fire tear, which she retains as a keepsake.
Humans/Hybrids
- Elizabeth Pennykettle (Liz) – David’s landlady and the artisan behind living clay dragons. Her signature dragon is Guinevere.
- Lucy Pennykettle – The 11-year-old daughter of Liz, deeply convinced of dragons’ existence and passionate about creating them. Her special dragon is Gwendolen. She motivates David to craft animal stories.
- David Rain – The main character, tenant of Liz and student at Scrubbley College. Author of Snigger and the Nutbeast, he possesses the writing dragon Gadzooks and the wishing dragon G'reth. His girlfriend Sophie works at an African game reserve; he forms a relationship with Suzanna Martindale. He is fascinated by Gawain’s fire tear.
- Suzanna Martindale (Zanna) – A Goth student well-versed in dragons, descendant of Gwendolen, and marked as a sibyl (Mark of Oomara). She becomes both David’s partner and collaborator.
- Guinevere – An ancient dragon who captured Gawain’s fire tear; ancestor to Liz and Lucy Pennykettle.
- Gwendolen – Daughter of Guinevere made from clay, flesh, and blood; progenitor of Suzanna Martindale.
- Gwilanna – A malevolent sibyl known as "Aunty Gwyneth," who assists Guinevere, summons Gwendolen, curses Grockle into becoming a dragon, and plots to resurrect dragons.
- Dr. Bergstrom – David’s professor capable of transforming into Thoran, a polar bear; initially perceived as a ghost.
- Sophie – David’s girlfriend employed at an African wildlife reserve; featured in the first book aiding Lucy.
- Henry Bacon – Neighbor to the Pennykettles who hosts David during Gwilanna’s stay with him. He collects polar bear and Arctic memorabilia and supports the Pennykettles.
Dragons and creatures
- G'reth – The wishing dragon crafted by Lucy and entrusted to David.
- Gawain – The last authentic dragon and father figure to Grockle.
- Grockle – The offspring of Elizabeth Pennykettle and Gawain, originally intended to be human.
- Gretel – A potions dragon who served Gwilanna before becoming Zanna’s dragon.
- Gadzooks (Zookie) – David’s story-writing dragon with a profound cosmic link; first to detect Lorel’s presence and assists David through his writing pad.
- Grace – Sophie’s listening dragon, crucial to the narrative and traumatized near the conclusion.
- Gruffen – Guardian dragon of the Dragon's Den, frequently absent from duty.
- Gwillan – A puffer dragon fond of tending to Liz’s plants by cleaning and watering them.
- Spikey – An albino hedgehog.
- Ragnar – A legendary polar bear bearing battle scars; renowned for forming the island called the Tooth of Ragnar.
- Lorel – An ancient polar bear known as the Teller of Ways, aiming to enlighten David about the Fire Tear.
- Bonnington – The Pennykettles’ cat who acquires some dragon-like abilities after consuming melted icefire; characterized by mischievous behavior.
Reception
Beth L. Meister, writing for School Library Journal, observed that Icefire offers a narrative that is notably darker and more sophisticated compared to The Fire Within. She emphasized the enhanced realism and the expanded exploration of Liz's clay dragons' origins throughout the plot.