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Legends of Elessia - Age of Rekindling #1
The Daughter of The Ice
After a thousand-year slumber, she is ready to blanket Elessia in icy death.
The Daughter, ancient elemental goddess and custodian of the dead, rises after a thousand years of slumber, her power unmatched and her wrath unbridled.
Her awakening brings a time of turmoil to all of Elessia, with the City-States of the North as the first to face her fury. At the forefront of her army stand the Children of The Ice and their undead minions.
Eregar, a decorated knight living out his twilight years in relative peace, is tasked with leading a band of young mercenaries into the heart of the Frozen Plains to appraise the threat. But as they venture deeper into the icy wasteland, they will find The Daughter’s machinations in full swing and be forced to act before it is too late.
Will Eregar and his young allies be able to defend the North from the sorceress’s nightmarish armies, break the curse she casts upon them, and end the rise of The Daughter of The Ice? Or will they fall before the might of the icy goddess?
The fate of the North rests in their hands.
The Daughter, ancient elemental goddess and custodian of the dead, rises after a thousand years of slumber, her power unmatched and her wrath unbridled.
Her awakening brings a time of turmoil to all of Elessia, with the City-States of the North as the first to face her fury. At the forefront of her army stand the Children of The Ice and their undead minions.
Eregar, a decorated knight living out his twilight years in relative peace, is tasked with leading a band of young mercenaries into the heart of the Frozen Plains to appraise the threat. But as they venture deeper into the icy wasteland, they will find The Daughter’s machinations in full swing and be forced to act before it is too late.
Will Eregar and his young allies be able to defend the North from the sorceress’s nightmarish armies, break the curse she casts upon them, and end the rise of The Daughter of The Ice? Or will they fall before the might of the icy goddess?
The fate of the North rests in their hands.
- GenresFantasy
381 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 2014
118 people are currently reading
294 people want to read
About the author
Luís Falcão de Magalhães
17 books48 followersMy name is Luis, and I’m the black sheep of the family.
Born the scion of a household of magistrates and physicians, I was groomed from a young age to meet those expectations. I threw the chain of office away and became a bard instead.
I’ve since traveled the breadth of my homeland, picking up tales here and there. I’ve dined with aldermen and drank firewater with vagabonds; I’ve sung moonlit serenades to hussies and taken the daughters of wealthy merchants to grand balls. I’ve joined secret orders, learning their lore and passphrases; I’ve locked arms with tree-huggers and danced with them under the full moon.
But two things sing to my soul like nothing else. One, the roll of the dice, be it on the wood of the tabletop or within the shards of magical glass that are everywhere in our society. Two, the tales of daring, of heroism and valor, of wickedness and deceit, to be found among the dusty tomes of the world’s libraries.
To contribute to those, I have made my life’s work.
Stay a while, and listen…
Born the scion of a household of magistrates and physicians, I was groomed from a young age to meet those expectations. I threw the chain of office away and became a bard instead.
I’ve since traveled the breadth of my homeland, picking up tales here and there. I’ve dined with aldermen and drank firewater with vagabonds; I’ve sung moonlit serenades to hussies and taken the daughters of wealthy merchants to grand balls. I’ve joined secret orders, learning their lore and passphrases; I’ve locked arms with tree-huggers and danced with them under the full moon.
But two things sing to my soul like nothing else. One, the roll of the dice, be it on the wood of the tabletop or within the shards of magical glass that are everywhere in our society. Two, the tales of daring, of heroism and valor, of wickedness and deceit, to be found among the dusty tomes of the world’s libraries.
To contribute to those, I have made my life’s work.
Stay a while, and listen…
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
August 1, 2023
Review originally on JamReads
The Daughter of The Ice is the first novel in the Age of Rekindling series, written by Luís Falcão de Magalhães, and one of the SPFBO9 entries. A really solid story, which uses many of the classical tropes of the fantasy genre to create a hooking plot, in the secondary world of Elessia. And while it's not a genre-breaking novel, the author has a few surprises under his sleeve.
The Ice is returning to the world of Elessia, and an aging champion, Eregar, embarks into a mission to discover what's happening and trying to stop it; but the story is not only about him, as it follows a varied group of characters with a lesser origin that end being involved in this fantastic adventure.
Johan and her band of friends are really far from the concept I expected to read in a heroic fantasy, but once her lover, Annah, gets cursed, they don't have any other option than working together with Eregar on his task; and that implies a really arduous journey to our band of reluctant heroes guided by an experience mentor.
To those POVs, Magalhães adds another one, different. Eileen, the Daughter of The Ice, a powerful goddess who is threatening to subsume the world under ice; it's refreshing to see villains well built, with motivations and feelings. During a significant part of the novel, Eileen's chapters were my favourite to read, even if at some points, some of her actions didn't make sense (attacking towns that openly venerated her, for example).
The story has a really agile pacing, avoiding some of the overused places in the genre, such as taverns; but with significant events each few chapters. It is true that it needs two or three chapters to start picking, but once all the characters are introduced, the plot advances as a rock going downhill.
I found quite enjoyable the way Magalhães writes action scenes, especially the battle of Salina, described using several POVs that allow us to explore how the fight is going in the different parts of the city. Prose is not especially elaborated, but that makes this book a really quick read.
Magalhães has done an excellent work creating the secondary world of Elessia; while it is not too detailed, letting a gap to fill with imagination, it feels cohesive, a world that is alive and has its own history, where our crew is living their adventure.
The Daughter of The Ice is a great classical fantasy novel, with a dark touch sometimes, and that fulfills perfectly what I expected from this specific niche in the genre. If you are in the mood for something similar to The Wheel of Time or The Legend of Drizzt, Elessia is awaiting you.
The Daughter of The Ice is the first novel in the Age of Rekindling series, written by Luís Falcão de Magalhães, and one of the SPFBO9 entries. A really solid story, which uses many of the classical tropes of the fantasy genre to create a hooking plot, in the secondary world of Elessia. And while it's not a genre-breaking novel, the author has a few surprises under his sleeve.
The Ice is returning to the world of Elessia, and an aging champion, Eregar, embarks into a mission to discover what's happening and trying to stop it; but the story is not only about him, as it follows a varied group of characters with a lesser origin that end being involved in this fantastic adventure.
Johan and her band of friends are really far from the concept I expected to read in a heroic fantasy, but once her lover, Annah, gets cursed, they don't have any other option than working together with Eregar on his task; and that implies a really arduous journey to our band of reluctant heroes guided by an experience mentor.
To those POVs, Magalhães adds another one, different. Eileen, the Daughter of The Ice, a powerful goddess who is threatening to subsume the world under ice; it's refreshing to see villains well built, with motivations and feelings. During a significant part of the novel, Eileen's chapters were my favourite to read, even if at some points, some of her actions didn't make sense (attacking towns that openly venerated her, for example).
The story has a really agile pacing, avoiding some of the overused places in the genre, such as taverns; but with significant events each few chapters. It is true that it needs two or three chapters to start picking, but once all the characters are introduced, the plot advances as a rock going downhill.
I found quite enjoyable the way Magalhães writes action scenes, especially the battle of Salina, described using several POVs that allow us to explore how the fight is going in the different parts of the city. Prose is not especially elaborated, but that makes this book a really quick read.
Magalhães has done an excellent work creating the secondary world of Elessia; while it is not too detailed, letting a gap to fill with imagination, it feels cohesive, a world that is alive and has its own history, where our crew is living their adventure.
The Daughter of The Ice is a great classical fantasy novel, with a dark touch sometimes, and that fulfills perfectly what I expected from this specific niche in the genre. If you are in the mood for something similar to The Wheel of Time or The Legend of Drizzt, Elessia is awaiting you.
April 3, 2023
This is a good, solid fantasy story. I’m giving it four stars rather than five for some of the reasons mentioned below, but it’s a solid four stars — definitely worth the read.
The reader needs to understand one thing — the author is deliberately writing this story inside a standard fantasy-world trope. If you’re looking for a radical, original take on the idea of a fantasy book, you won’t find it here. BUT if you’re looking for a good story that fits the idea of a fantasy, this is the book for you. Also, despite the predictability, I’ll confess that I was surprised twice in the book by the fates of characters, and I was definitely interested in how everyone fared. That’s always a good thing!
The book picks up after the first chapter or two — if I were more of a literary critic, I would say the author loosens up when he starts talking about the some of the “lower class” characters — so once you get past the setup, you’ll find the book starts to flow.
The middle of the book reminds me of the first book in the Wheel of Time series. It feels more directed than that book, but has some of the “action for its own sake” that I felt in Eye Of The World. That said, the action itself totally suits the story and delivers what you expect from a sword-and-sorcery story.
All in all, if you’re looking for a fantasy book that knows what it wants to do and sticks to its genre, you’ll be satisfied!
The reader needs to understand one thing — the author is deliberately writing this story inside a standard fantasy-world trope. If you’re looking for a radical, original take on the idea of a fantasy book, you won’t find it here. BUT if you’re looking for a good story that fits the idea of a fantasy, this is the book for you. Also, despite the predictability, I’ll confess that I was surprised twice in the book by the fates of characters, and I was definitely interested in how everyone fared. That’s always a good thing!
The book picks up after the first chapter or two — if I were more of a literary critic, I would say the author loosens up when he starts talking about the some of the “lower class” characters — so once you get past the setup, you’ll find the book starts to flow.
The middle of the book reminds me of the first book in the Wheel of Time series. It feels more directed than that book, but has some of the “action for its own sake” that I felt in Eye Of The World. That said, the action itself totally suits the story and delivers what you expect from a sword-and-sorcery story.
All in all, if you’re looking for a fantasy book that knows what it wants to do and sticks to its genre, you’ll be satisfied!
July 25, 2023
The dead march overwhelming all in their path. All seems lost. For one town, a veteran knight & his companions provide some reprieve. But what hope against a goddess?
Loaded with tense action! Excellent fleshed out characters & world description. Outstanding!
Loaded with tense action! Excellent fleshed out characters & world description. Outstanding!
July 19, 2023
First things first, I received an advanced reader copy (ARC) for free from the author via BookSirens. I chose to sign up, thus so I chose to leave my review voluntarily. On this note, I also feel the need to say, even given a copy, my review is as honest as possible. I would never recommend a book I did not like.
Mercenaries, knights, and sorcerers, oh my! Must be high fantasy.
If Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones got together, The Daughter of The Ice would be the result.
If you like either, or at the least, you will most likely enjoy this.
Granted, my current experience with Game of Thrones is through the show, not the books. The Daughter, or Eileen as she is so aptly named, could totally be related to the Night King. In her story, however, she feels more fleshed out than he was in his show. Where GoT was build up, The Daughter of The Ice was action and more direct displays of power.
"The crafty old fox is putting on a show, Eregar thought."
And this he was. Eregar, a knight of The Order of the Tower is tasked with discovering the secrets of a "claimed" Daughter of The Ice who has been wreaking havoc upon the northern lands of Elessia. Among him are a rag tag team thrown together by opportunity. None knowing the dangers of the task ahead.
"Remember this: Weak men let themselves be defined by their misfortunes; strong men live with them; and exceptional men surpass them."
Time to find out what stuff our heroes are made of.. they don't disappoint in my opinion.
The tale switches from several character's point of views at different times. Between both the protagonists and antagonists. This gave the reader more information than what some of the characters had and lent itself to world building without major overwhelming information dumps. Almost no taverns here ;). This type of story telling worked for this book, helping it mostly maintain an even pacing throughout. Allowed it even to keep some secrets that promise payout later in the series. Gave at the least, an understanding with all characters so their place and opposition made sense. I don't think there wasn't a single one I didn't like for some reason or another.
The only parts I didn't thoroughly enjoy were the fighting scenes. Don't get me wrong, they are straight forward and easy to follow. Easy to picture. I was just ready to move on with the plot midway through. More of a me thing rather than the writing. That, or there were a lot of them. I was ready for the showdown with Eileen. Which I did get.
Worth a read, in my opinion, if you want an epic adventure with classic knights and magic shenanigans. The author, Luis, is very creative and obviously has many more places to go with Elessia.
In his words, "… just by trying, you are already doing better and achieving more than most people.”
Mercenaries, knights, and sorcerers, oh my! Must be high fantasy.
If Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones got together, The Daughter of The Ice would be the result.
If you like either, or at the least, you will most likely enjoy this.
Granted, my current experience with Game of Thrones is through the show, not the books. The Daughter, or Eileen as she is so aptly named, could totally be related to the Night King. In her story, however, she feels more fleshed out than he was in his show. Where GoT was build up, The Daughter of The Ice was action and more direct displays of power.
"The crafty old fox is putting on a show, Eregar thought."
And this he was. Eregar, a knight of The Order of the Tower is tasked with discovering the secrets of a "claimed" Daughter of The Ice who has been wreaking havoc upon the northern lands of Elessia. Among him are a rag tag team thrown together by opportunity. None knowing the dangers of the task ahead.
"Remember this: Weak men let themselves be defined by their misfortunes; strong men live with them; and exceptional men surpass them."
Time to find out what stuff our heroes are made of.. they don't disappoint in my opinion.
The tale switches from several character's point of views at different times. Between both the protagonists and antagonists. This gave the reader more information than what some of the characters had and lent itself to world building without major overwhelming information dumps. Almost no taverns here ;). This type of story telling worked for this book, helping it mostly maintain an even pacing throughout. Allowed it even to keep some secrets that promise payout later in the series. Gave at the least, an understanding with all characters so their place and opposition made sense. I don't think there wasn't a single one I didn't like for some reason or another.
The only parts I didn't thoroughly enjoy were the fighting scenes. Don't get me wrong, they are straight forward and easy to follow. Easy to picture. I was just ready to move on with the plot midway through. More of a me thing rather than the writing. That, or there were a lot of them. I was ready for the showdown with Eileen. Which I did get.
Worth a read, in my opinion, if you want an epic adventure with classic knights and magic shenanigans. The author, Luis, is very creative and obviously has many more places to go with Elessia.
In his words, "… just by trying, you are already doing better and achieving more than most people.”
April 14, 2023
‘The Ice always leaves, but not empty-handed’
The same could be said for anyone not having experienced a major tragedy or survived terror. Our trials and tribulations actually do build character and we should heed the below so as to be prepared to meet our destinies head on:
‘Only together can we survive The Ice’
‘How frail must those be who have never known an Ice.’
For being a dark fantasy zombie-killing quest, this has a lot of serious topics. I won’t spend too much time on describing them – read the book.
Attitude about war ethics (or the lack thereof)
Be careful of whom and what you believe - words can be used as a weapon
‘Councils were not to be held within walls, for men of honor planned out in the open.’
There is some truth to Folktales; Science is merely a different way of explaining what people notice in nature.
The author explains quite succinctly why we should trust how animals react to people. Even for domesticated breeds, some of their natural instincts have remained. Survival is in their DNA and they will react when it is threatened. Makes perfect sense, yet still learned something new.
Some sage advice from the author that applies IRL just as well as when fighting demons and maniacs:
‘Take care of yourself and learn from your partner.’
Never underestimate an old fox or the wisdom of youth.
‘Think before you act, but don’t let thought paralyze you.’
‘You are the master of what surrounds you, not the other way around.’
Don’t just see what’s in front of you; figure out how things fit into the world.
Fave quote:
‘Humanity cannot stop The Ice.’
‘When corpses touch the ground, vultures leave their branches.’
The ending (no spoilers) totally sets up for ‘The Champion of The Ice’. Until then, ‘may the ice keep you strong and unbreakable’.
The same could be said for anyone not having experienced a major tragedy or survived terror. Our trials and tribulations actually do build character and we should heed the below so as to be prepared to meet our destinies head on:
‘Only together can we survive The Ice’
‘How frail must those be who have never known an Ice.’
For being a dark fantasy zombie-killing quest, this has a lot of serious topics. I won’t spend too much time on describing them – read the book.
Attitude about war ethics (or the lack thereof)
Be careful of whom and what you believe - words can be used as a weapon
‘Councils were not to be held within walls, for men of honor planned out in the open.’
There is some truth to Folktales; Science is merely a different way of explaining what people notice in nature.
The author explains quite succinctly why we should trust how animals react to people. Even for domesticated breeds, some of their natural instincts have remained. Survival is in their DNA and they will react when it is threatened. Makes perfect sense, yet still learned something new.
Some sage advice from the author that applies IRL just as well as when fighting demons and maniacs:
‘Take care of yourself and learn from your partner.’
Never underestimate an old fox or the wisdom of youth.
‘Think before you act, but don’t let thought paralyze you.’
‘You are the master of what surrounds you, not the other way around.’
Don’t just see what’s in front of you; figure out how things fit into the world.
Fave quote:
‘Humanity cannot stop The Ice.’
‘When corpses touch the ground, vultures leave their branches.’
The ending (no spoilers) totally sets up for ‘The Champion of The Ice’. Until then, ‘may the ice keep you strong and unbreakable’.
April 14, 2023
I don’t often read this kind of book, and I certainly wouldn’t choose this genre, but I was given a review copy, and these are my honest opinions. One of the main reasons that I don’t choose this kind of book is that I find them quite dense and complex, and I definitely found myself rather lost in the opening chapters of this novel. There is a LOT going on, and there are lots of characters to get to know. Maybe if you’re used to the genre you’d also be more au fait with such a cast, but for me, it did little to help me enjoy the novel.
Once I started to get into the story, it was pretty much okay. It was what I expected from this kind of fantasy novel. There’s adventure and peril and a decently wrapped up ending. If you like this kind of book, then you’ll no doubt not be disappointed.
Once I started to get into the story, it was pretty much okay. It was what I expected from this kind of fantasy novel. There’s adventure and peril and a decently wrapped up ending. If you like this kind of book, then you’ll no doubt not be disappointed.
May 5, 2025
3.5 stars...I liked this one. It was definitely intriguing. It's book one in a series. I may decide to carry on with the series at a later time. The characters and world building were all well developed and I liked the concept of the story. There's war, undead, ice age, Treason, an evil sorceress and some magic. I enjoyed it enough. I would recommend if you like a good fantasy concept.
July 8, 2023
An excellently paced and well told fantasy adventure. Plenty of action, loads of suspense and surprising happenings that leave openings for many more facets in the world of Elessia.
I loved it. Gave me the feel of reading Terry Brooks again.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I loved it. Gave me the feel of reading Terry Brooks again.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 6, 2023
The Daughter of the Ice is a ‘group of diverse people going on a quest to save the world’ type of fantasy. And an extremely enjoyable one at that. The action never stops, and Luís Falcão de Magalhães’ characters are interesting and well-rounded. And the twist at the end... I never saw that coming!
So keen am I to find out what happens next, I’m off to start the Age of Rekindling Book II right this second!
So keen am I to find out what happens next, I’m off to start the Age of Rekindling Book II right this second!
March 9, 2025
This is the first book I have read by this author, but I am hoping it won't be my last as I loved this epic fantasy, sword and sorcery novel, about the rise of the ice goddess, known as the daughter of the ice. Elaine has woken up after hundreds of years, she wants to bring back the ice to the lands which she feels have drifted from their belief in her. She uses an army of undead, and unleashes horrors untold, using ice monsters and her black armoured warriors who wield her magic attacking the villages in the North. Eregar is a knight of the tower, living his life in well deserved peace in his golden years, however when the threat rises he is sent out to seek news taking with him a group of young mercenaries. What they encounter is beyond horror, and though they do their best, not all survive and even those who do are not left unscathed. Can this group of young heroes save the North from total annihilation? This book is a powerful first book in the series, it is riveting and full of action, battles galore and a great cast of characters who I found myself rooting for. I look forward to reading the rest of this series as the ending is unexpected and very intriguing!
April 9, 2023
The Daughter of the Ice is the first in an epic new series that takes the time honoured premise of a band of hurriedly thrown together misfits who are tasked with saving the world as we know it.
The author has built an excellent world with well developed characters that you can't help but care about as the highs and lows of their quest play out. Like all the best fantasy adventure stories, not everyone is guaranteed to stay the distance and sacrifices are made in the battle against evil.
Interesting plot twists and an ending filled with shocks and surprises that nicely sets up book 2
Fantasy is not my usual fare but this one pulls you in, keeps you hooked and finally spits you out exhausted at the end.
I'm looking forward to Book 2
The author has built an excellent world with well developed characters that you can't help but care about as the highs and lows of their quest play out. Like all the best fantasy adventure stories, not everyone is guaranteed to stay the distance and sacrifices are made in the battle against evil.
Interesting plot twists and an ending filled with shocks and surprises that nicely sets up book 2
Fantasy is not my usual fare but this one pulls you in, keeps you hooked and finally spits you out exhausted at the end.
I'm looking forward to Book 2
August 26, 2023
Upon the first pages, you're instantly thrown into the chaotic nature of the world's political situation. It ultimately leads to the characters working to stop the antagonist along with whatever means they can in such a trying predicament.
It took me a while to realize that it was a third person omniscient story and was initially thrown for a loop when it came to all of the POVs but I soon reflected on that in a better light.
There are a good many compelling characters within the story's plot line and a kind of jumps between them in a way that works.
Each of the other's actions lead into one another's until they eventually meet up.
They all had their strengths and weaknesses in this book.
After a good long while and it started to get even better than I had previously thought.
I found quite a bit of the world building compelling as well.
Descriptions of vast lands covered, locations such as towns, the cave in which the enemy has dwelt, and the vastly unique creatures are sure to draw you into the lore of it all.
Plot points were weaved easily enough to follow the action end was filled with pain and emotional energy. It was also filled with a great matched action which I find a key in most fantasy stories.
How did I feel while reading it?
Reading this I felt immersed into a world of chilling adventure, actionable scenes, and lore.
Overall there was much fun to be had reading this book and I would look forward to reading another.
Daughter Of The Ice by Luìs Falcao De Magalhaes is one of what may lead to a great series of escapism, especially for readers of High Fantasy.
I loved every moment of this fast-paced adventure full of danger,action,and compelling plot. Looking to read the next installment.
It took me a while to realize that it was a third person omniscient story and was initially thrown for a loop when it came to all of the POVs but I soon reflected on that in a better light.
There are a good many compelling characters within the story's plot line and a kind of jumps between them in a way that works.
Each of the other's actions lead into one another's until they eventually meet up.
They all had their strengths and weaknesses in this book.
After a good long while and it started to get even better than I had previously thought.
I found quite a bit of the world building compelling as well.
Descriptions of vast lands covered, locations such as towns, the cave in which the enemy has dwelt, and the vastly unique creatures are sure to draw you into the lore of it all.
Plot points were weaved easily enough to follow the action end was filled with pain and emotional energy. It was also filled with a great matched action which I find a key in most fantasy stories.
How did I feel while reading it?
Reading this I felt immersed into a world of chilling adventure, actionable scenes, and lore.
Overall there was much fun to be had reading this book and I would look forward to reading another.
Daughter Of The Ice by Luìs Falcao De Magalhaes is one of what may lead to a great series of escapism, especially for readers of High Fantasy.
I loved every moment of this fast-paced adventure full of danger,action,and compelling plot. Looking to read the next installment.
November 17, 2025
This one had been sitting in my Kindle library for a while. One of those “compelling ad, 99 cent sale price, why not?” purchases that quietly pile before you realize you’ve built a digital mountain of unread books. I finally decided to crack this one open, and I am pleased to report it didn’t feel like wasted pocket change.
There’s a confidence to the worldbuilding here that I appreciated right from the get-go. The author had a confidence in how he delivered it. Never overexplained, nothing talked to death. Just enough detail to let the setting feel lived in without drowning me in lore and info dumps. The tone hits that familiar modern-fantasy groove that’s become popular lately: atmospheric, and just a little melodramatic, but in a harmless, genre-appropriate way.
The plot itself moves at a steady clip...and that’s probably the best word to sum up my experience: steady. The kind of book you pick up on a whim and don’t regret spending time with, even if it doesn’t burrow its way into your long-term memory.
I can’t say it set my world on fire, but I also can’t say I wasn’t entertained. For 99 cents, it more than delivered. If you’re looking for a low-commitment fantasy read with some charm and atmosphere, this one scratches the itch just fine.
Recommended for when you want something reliable and pleasantly diverting. I picked up the sequel in the same sale. I'll be hitting it up soon.
There’s a confidence to the worldbuilding here that I appreciated right from the get-go. The author had a confidence in how he delivered it. Never overexplained, nothing talked to death. Just enough detail to let the setting feel lived in without drowning me in lore and info dumps. The tone hits that familiar modern-fantasy groove that’s become popular lately: atmospheric, and just a little melodramatic, but in a harmless, genre-appropriate way.
The plot itself moves at a steady clip...and that’s probably the best word to sum up my experience: steady. The kind of book you pick up on a whim and don’t regret spending time with, even if it doesn’t burrow its way into your long-term memory.
I can’t say it set my world on fire, but I also can’t say I wasn’t entertained. For 99 cents, it more than delivered. If you’re looking for a low-commitment fantasy read with some charm and atmosphere, this one scratches the itch just fine.
Recommended for when you want something reliable and pleasantly diverting. I picked up the sequel in the same sale. I'll be hitting it up soon.
Want to read
March 11, 2024This is not a full review. I read through the beginning of all 300 SPFBO9 contest entries. This was a book I wanted to read more of.
A coup attempt is foiled, the mastermind and his assassins caught in their own trap. An old knight shows his prowess.
This wastes no time. It starts right away, introducing its two primary characters, the knight and the old fox who has plotted a coup. The old man has a hard spirit, and is evocatively described as such.
This tells me just exactly what I need to know and hurries along. The dialogue is pointed. The action punches across the page. The fight is bloody, but thoughtful, and has good tension.
Ch1 (I read the prologue) follows the old schemer. I don’t know whether we’ll be leaving our knight behind now. I hope not, but I’m nonetheless eager to know more about this hard old man.
I’d like to know more about who he is and why he’s tried to kill the patriarch, and what this ice culture is he’s come from, etc, but I don’t mind the opening focusing more narrowly on the action.
The prose is competent, active, and detailed, and those details make the world of the story feel unique. I’ll happily keep reading to find out where this goes next. I’m in.
A coup attempt is foiled, the mastermind and his assassins caught in their own trap. An old knight shows his prowess.
This wastes no time. It starts right away, introducing its two primary characters, the knight and the old fox who has plotted a coup. The old man has a hard spirit, and is evocatively described as such.
This tells me just exactly what I need to know and hurries along. The dialogue is pointed. The action punches across the page. The fight is bloody, but thoughtful, and has good tension.
Ch1 (I read the prologue) follows the old schemer. I don’t know whether we’ll be leaving our knight behind now. I hope not, but I’m nonetheless eager to know more about this hard old man.
I’d like to know more about who he is and why he’s tried to kill the patriarch, and what this ice culture is he’s come from, etc, but I don’t mind the opening focusing more narrowly on the action.
The prose is competent, active, and detailed, and those details make the world of the story feel unique. I’ll happily keep reading to find out where this goes next. I’m in.
April 4, 2023
An easy-to-read fantasy with a world anyone can imagine, The Daughter of the Ice centers on Johan the thief and his lover Annah, a prostitute-assassin. Cursed, Annah and Johan meet with friends who are mercenaries, a knight sworn to serve, and his friend the alchemist. To remove Annah’s curse, they embark on a quest which takes them across difficult terrain and through armies.
They defend a city, fight the undead, and encounter multiple hazards on their journey. Attraction, self-doubt, insecurity, and other emotions push them away from each other or toward something new. Despite differences which separate or unite, they band together for survival with each holding a vital role on their mission.
I was a little confused during the first few chapters as the characters were introduced, but once they came together, the story flowed beautifully. In minimalist style, the author provides a setting yet gives the reader the opportunity to imagine. The characters were well-written, each with flaws and a personal code of nobility. I highly recommend this book and found myself reading throughout the night.
They defend a city, fight the undead, and encounter multiple hazards on their journey. Attraction, self-doubt, insecurity, and other emotions push them away from each other or toward something new. Despite differences which separate or unite, they band together for survival with each holding a vital role on their mission.
I was a little confused during the first few chapters as the characters were introduced, but once they came together, the story flowed beautifully. In minimalist style, the author provides a setting yet gives the reader the opportunity to imagine. The characters were well-written, each with flaws and a personal code of nobility. I highly recommend this book and found myself reading throughout the night.
December 29, 2024
The beginning of the book was quite intriguing, but around the 25% mark, the pacing slowed significantly until the village attack. Unfortunately, I found it difficult to connect with the characters, which made it hard to invest in their journeys. The narrative relied heavily on telling rather than showing, leading to excessive information dumping throughout—both in inner thoughts and dialogues.
For instance, there's a scene where soldiers are rushing toward the enemy, and one character asks, "Oh, who are you?"
"I'm YX, and I'm with XZ,"
"Oh, I once fought alongside XZ, info dump, info dump" which feels awkward. Who engages in such a conversation while sprinting toward battle and mere seconds away from engagement?
While the writing itself is competent, the reliance on exposition and unnatural dialogue detracted from the overall experience.
I believe the book has potential, but it would benefit from trimming down to the essential elements of the story.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
For instance, there's a scene where soldiers are rushing toward the enemy, and one character asks, "Oh, who are you?"
"I'm YX, and I'm with XZ,"
"Oh, I once fought alongside XZ, info dump, info dump" which feels awkward. Who engages in such a conversation while sprinting toward battle and mere seconds away from engagement?
While the writing itself is competent, the reliance on exposition and unnatural dialogue detracted from the overall experience.
I believe the book has potential, but it would benefit from trimming down to the essential elements of the story.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 16, 2025
Daughter of the Ice is a book I can objectively see the appeal of, even though it didn’t fully work for me.
The world is harsh and atmospheric, and the story leans heavily into dark themes, political cruelty, and inherited power. There’s depth here, especially in how the protagonist is shaped by her environment and the expectations forced onto her. The tone is cold and uncompromising, which clearly feels intentional and will absolutely resonate with the right reader.
For me personally, I struggled to really get into the story. The writing and pacing made it difficult to connect early on, and that initial distance never fully disappeared. As a result, I found myself more aware of the craft than emotionally invested in the journey.
That said, this is very much a case of “it’s not for me, but that doesn’t make it bad.” If you enjoy bleak, character-driven fantasy with a slow burn and heavy themes, this could be a great read. I can easily see others connecting with it far more strongly than I did.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The world is harsh and atmospheric, and the story leans heavily into dark themes, political cruelty, and inherited power. There’s depth here, especially in how the protagonist is shaped by her environment and the expectations forced onto her. The tone is cold and uncompromising, which clearly feels intentional and will absolutely resonate with the right reader.
For me personally, I struggled to really get into the story. The writing and pacing made it difficult to connect early on, and that initial distance never fully disappeared. As a result, I found myself more aware of the craft than emotionally invested in the journey.
That said, this is very much a case of “it’s not for me, but that doesn’t make it bad.” If you enjoy bleak, character-driven fantasy with a slow burn and heavy themes, this could be a great read. I can easily see others connecting with it far more strongly than I did.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 10, 2023
The cover was what drew me in and I'm so glad I got to read this, it had a great concept in the fantasy genre. Luis Falcao de Magalhaes has a great writing style that I was invested in getting to know. The characters were what I was looking for and were written really well and worked in the world. I can't wait to read more in this world and more in the series. I can't wait for more in the Legends of Elessia series.
"But where to go? He was not a hunter like Joseph; he could hardly find traces of others passing through the forest. Should he assume that the others had escaped? In that case, he would head for Kurissalar, hoping they would do the same. Or should he assume the raiding party had taken them? In that case, he would have to climb down now and follow the stragglers back to their base… unseen."
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
"But where to go? He was not a hunter like Joseph; he could hardly find traces of others passing through the forest. Should he assume that the others had escaped? In that case, he would head for Kurissalar, hoping they would do the same. Or should he assume the raiding party had taken them? In that case, he would have to climb down now and follow the stragglers back to their base… unseen."
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 25, 2024
It's the beginning of a great epic fantasy adventure.
Fighting against a greater army of tireless undead and a goddess rise the odds against the characters up to madness.
They can only fail. But it's an epic adventure, so they must achive a success.
But it's only the first book in the series.
Then you need a twist so there's hope shinning in the fail or the success it's not enough. And there is.
Knowing the tittle of the next book in the series, it's not difficult to realise what that twist will be. Even though it's entertaining, thrilling and sows the seed for a third series.
Focused and almost linear, it means the writer knows what he's doing and where he's going. That makes a consistent world with separate adventures and a hint that they'll collide.
There's a lot of Elessia to be explored, and deities to intervene.
So this book is the beginning of a great story in the beginning of a burst of magic.
Maybe not a great story, but certainly a huge one.
Fighting against a greater army of tireless undead and a goddess rise the odds against the characters up to madness.
They can only fail. But it's an epic adventure, so they must achive a success.
But it's only the first book in the series.
Then you need a twist so there's hope shinning in the fail or the success it's not enough. And there is.
Knowing the tittle of the next book in the series, it's not difficult to realise what that twist will be. Even though it's entertaining, thrilling and sows the seed for a third series.
Focused and almost linear, it means the writer knows what he's doing and where he's going. That makes a consistent world with separate adventures and a hint that they'll collide.
There's a lot of Elessia to be explored, and deities to intervene.
So this book is the beginning of a great story in the beginning of a burst of magic.
Maybe not a great story, but certainly a huge one.
April 25, 2023
I loved the cover of this characteristic, fantasy story. Aging knight Eregar is tasked with leading a quest in The Daughter of the Ice, book one in the Legends of Elessia, series. His ragtag team of delinquents and an alchemist venture across the Frozen Plaines to find out why villagers are going missing under mysterious circumstances. They discover a powerful Goddess has awoken after a thousand years of peace in the far north. As fantasy fate would have it, she has built an army of ice zombies and is wielding her power to the ruination of the northern City States. Can Eregar and his young heroes overcome the cold and the undead ‘Children of the Ice’? What will it take to break the curse that threatens the world as they know it? Read this well written, G.O.T. style fantasy with dark tropes for fans of the genre. Includes a helpful map of the ‘City States of the North’.
February 28, 2024
Uncaged Review: This is a nicely done epic fantasy, that has terrific world building and characters that are well developed. This tells the journey of an older knight and some mercenaries that journey together to find and defeat the Ice Queen to remove a curse. This is a fantasy in some of the most traditional sense of sword and sorcery books, and those enjoy that trope will find a good fantasy book in this one. There is a lot of action/fight scenes that are well thought out.
This book ran a bit slow for me, but I did enjoy it. Good vs. evil is a bit predictable, but the author does a good job making me want to find out what happens to the group and keep me reading. I appreciated the epilogue and can see that the author has plenty of material to continue on in this world of Elessia. Reviewed by Cyrene
This book ran a bit slow for me, but I did enjoy it. Good vs. evil is a bit predictable, but the author does a good job making me want to find out what happens to the group and keep me reading. I appreciated the epilogue and can see that the author has plenty of material to continue on in this world of Elessia. Reviewed by Cyrene
May 18, 2018
Este livro prendeu me pela sua capa , pensei que fosse um livro mais calmo , mais virado para os jovens mas assim que o comecei a ler vi totalmente o contrário , tanto que até à passagens na história que me fizeram "estremecer" a barriga .
Foi uma história interessante mas infelizmente não me cativou logo logo pois houve partes , que é principalmente a do combate que achei "maçador" e foi complicado ter uma ligação com o livro .
Porém tive uma grande surpresa com o final , não estava nada à espera que acabasse assim e sem dúvida que o autor acabou da melhor maneira !
Para mais visitem a minha opinião completa no meu blog : https://oolhardamarina.blogspot.pt/20...
Foi uma história interessante mas infelizmente não me cativou logo logo pois houve partes , que é principalmente a do combate que achei "maçador" e foi complicado ter uma ligação com o livro .
Porém tive uma grande surpresa com o final , não estava nada à espera que acabasse assim e sem dúvida que o autor acabou da melhor maneira !
Para mais visitem a minha opinião completa no meu blog : https://oolhardamarina.blogspot.pt/20...
April 13, 2023
The time is nigh—the Ice Goddess has returned to cast her depredations on Elessia once more! The only thing standing between her and the utter ruination of the land is the aging warrior Eregar and his motley band of youthful aspiring heroes.
The Daughter of the Ice is a standard heroic fantasy featuring intrepid fighters, undead creatures and dark magic in a memorable frigid setting. The world building is complex and consistent, the various locations well-described and the quest a worthy one. If the story has a fault, it’s the shifting POVs in the beginning that make it somewhat hard to get into. The ending is satisfying, and sets up the next volume perfectly.
The Daughter of the Ice is a standard heroic fantasy featuring intrepid fighters, undead creatures and dark magic in a memorable frigid setting. The world building is complex and consistent, the various locations well-described and the quest a worthy one. If the story has a fault, it’s the shifting POVs in the beginning that make it somewhat hard to get into. The ending is satisfying, and sets up the next volume perfectly.
April 12, 2023
This is a mostly traditional fantasy novel, for fans of Lord of the Rings or the Wheel of Time. The cast expands as the novel expands, but the focus is on an aging warrior named Eregar. He's joined by thieves and assassins as they attempt to stop the ice goddess The Daughter, who's unleashed her wrath on the world. If you're not a fantasy fan, nothing here will likely convert you, but it's competently told and there's plenty of action. I might personally quibble with the length, but it's standard for the genre.
January 18, 2024
I really enjoyed reading this. A good thrilling fantasy story.
It has many classic elements of the genre, while having its originality.
Good fighting, multiple povs, and evoking world-building. I could feel the Ice.
The characters aren’t the strong point, but the story does its job and keeps you on the edge. I will read the next book!
If you enjoy fantasy, you might like this book.
A complete review will come.
I received an advanced reader copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
It has many classic elements of the genre, while having its originality.
Good fighting, multiple povs, and evoking world-building. I could feel the Ice.
The characters aren’t the strong point, but the story does its job and keeps you on the edge. I will read the next book!
If you enjoy fantasy, you might like this book.
A complete review will come.
I received an advanced reader copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 29, 2023
I really enjoyed this story! It started with a slow but steady foundation and then just built into a fever pitch. Each character was well developed and had its own distinct feel, which I really enjoyed.
I also enjoyed the explanation of the conflict and how simple it seemed at first but as the story went on, nuances added to the tension.
I'm looking forward to reading the next part of the series.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I also enjoyed the explanation of the conflict and how simple it seemed at first but as the story went on, nuances added to the tension.
I'm looking forward to reading the next part of the series.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 23, 2023
This is a very slow paced magical story. The characters are amazing and the world building is done very well.
There many twists and turns that lead the characters on a difficult journey. Will they survive to the end and defeat the Ice Queen? Only time will tell.
I highly recommend this book from teen to adult.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
There many twists and turns that lead the characters on a difficult journey. Will they survive to the end and defeat the Ice Queen? Only time will tell.
I highly recommend this book from teen to adult.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 1, 2022
A capa é magnífica e retrata bem o estilo do livro.
Adorei a riqueza das personalidades das personagens, e a imaginação dos nomes.
Pessoalmente gostei muito de uma das personagens, a Erika, a guerreira, e as descrições das batalhas são completas e vívidas. Permite criar uma imagem bastante interessante ao estilo dos livros do Senhor dos Anéis.
Irá Eregar erguer-se novamente do seu túmulo no frio para um segundo volume?
Adorei a riqueza das personalidades das personagens, e a imaginação dos nomes.
Pessoalmente gostei muito de uma das personagens, a Erika, a guerreira, e as descrições das batalhas são completas e vívidas. Permite criar uma imagem bastante interessante ao estilo dos livros do Senhor dos Anéis.
Irá Eregar erguer-se novamente do seu túmulo no frio para um segundo volume?
December 31, 2023
This was different than any book I've read before! The characters were fleshed out well and the battle scenes were descriptive and action-heavy.
I did find the beginning a bit slow at first but I understand why because the story had to develop and characters had to be introduced.
I'm really looking forward to the sequel :)
I did find the beginning a bit slow at first but I understand why because the story had to develop and characters had to be introduced.
I'm really looking forward to the sequel :)
December 5, 2024
Quick page turner that captivates you all the wat through. If you are looking for an epic fantasy with great world building and character development, this is the book for you. I enjoyed this authors wrting style and look forward to reading more.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews