The Cry of the Icemark

**A magnificent epic fantasy story of adventure, daring

and a girl who defies an empire ...**

THE FIRST EVER WINNER OF THE WATERSTONES CHILDREN'S BOOK
PRIZE

'A dazzling, confident debut about power and personal discovery'
THE TIMES

'A supremely satisfying read which really deserves to be called
a page-turner' THE GUARDIAN

'A wonderful, swashbuckling read and an exceptional debut.'
BOOKS FOR KEEPS

When her father dies nobly in battle, fourteen-year-old Thirrin
becomes Queen of the Icemark, a tiny kingdom forever caught between
dangerous neighbours.

Thirrin must raise an army to protect her people from seemingly
invincible Imperial invaders. Her search for allies takes her beyond
her northern borders, to former enemies in The-Land-of-the-Ghosts
and onwards to the frozen Hub-of-the-World.

But can she save her kingdom in time?

• A new stunning cover look for the previous winner of
  the Waterstones Children's Book Prize

• A gloriously dramatic and heartfelt story about a remarkable
  girl faced with a throne

• Combines breathtaking description, steely-edged action
  and warm characterisation

• Perfect for junior Game of Thrones fans aged
  9+

'The characters are so fresh, and the writing so vivid,
that Hill should win many new recruits to fantasy fiction among
10- to 14-year-olds' SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

'A first novel with a distinctive and seductive voice'
THE INDEPENDENT

'A wonderful, swashbuckling read and an exceptional debut'
BOOKS FOR KEEPS

'A sensational new author who is going to take the children's
book world by storm … read it, read it, read it'
THE BOOKSELLER