Icefire

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. . . .

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.