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The Sunsurge Quartet #3
Hearts of Ice
Summer is gone, and the world is turning to ice.The Rondian Empress Lyra has lost her husband, her army is defeated and the deadly Masked Cabal have seized the Holy City. Her allies have abandoned her and her empire is spiralling into chaos - and her only weapon is a forbidden magic she dare not use. She can't survive alone - but who can she still trust?'Vibrant, memorable characters' - SciFi NowThe Eastern conqueror Sultan Rashid is victorious on the battlefield, but now he faces an enemy more deadly than Rondian the winter. Unless he captures a major city to shelter his huge armies, his plans to overthrow the West face ruin in the snow. But standing between his men and safety is the remnants of a defeated army led by a general who knows all about fighting for survival.'An epic journey of ordinary people destined to change the course of history . . . alluring . . . gripping' - BoHoMind.comThere are no easy options left. Lyra and her fellow dwymancers must master their deadly magic, whatever the cost. Even those who believe themselves to be fighting for good must grasp the reins of power with cold-hearted determination, and use even the most terrible weapon, if they are to stop the world from falling apart . . . for ever.
- GenresFantasyEpic Fantasy
672 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 21, 2019
About the author
David Hair
47 books536 followersDavid Hair is the author of The Bone Tiki, winner of Best First Novel (Young Adult Fiction section) at the 2010 NZ Post Children's Book Awards. The Bone Tiki and its sequel The Taniwha's Tear are fantasy novels set in New Zealand. David is a New Zealander, who has worked primarily in financial services. He has a degree in History and Classical Studies. He has lived from 2007 to 2010 in New Delhi, India, but usually resides in Wellington, New Zealand. Apart from writing, he is interested in folklore, history, and has a passion for football.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 27, 2019
another superb entry in the moontide/Sunsurge series (book 7 and I am still expexting any new book with bated breath!); picks up where Prince of the Spearshad its devasting finale and continues at a non-stop breathless pace with lots of things happening including some shattering ones and obviously an ending that has some conclsuion like all the books in the series to date, but with all remaining to be decided in book 4
highly reccomended and a top 5 of the year for me
highly reccomended and a top 5 of the year for me
April 21, 2020
I picked this one up finally after a fairly long break and I am glad to have got back to the series as it's one I want to finish up and see where it goes. I have to say that the first and third in this series are certainly not as strong as the books in the first quartet, and I am a little disappointed by that, but they're still enjoyable reads on the whole.
This story focused on all the main PoV characters once again as they endeavour to either rip down or prop up the Empire and fight against the Masks. We also get to see a fair few of the new Dwymancers as they connect with one another to both help their friends and maybe even their enemies (unknowingly).
Overall, I think that this felt like a slow filler book and although I liked seeing and getting to know Ogre more, I think the other characters within this don't feel like they get too much development in this particular book. I think the final climax will hopefully wrap up a lot of things, and I look forward to seeing where it all goes very soon.
This story focused on all the main PoV characters once again as they endeavour to either rip down or prop up the Empire and fight against the Masks. We also get to see a fair few of the new Dwymancers as they connect with one another to both help their friends and maybe even their enemies (unknowingly).
Overall, I think that this felt like a slow filler book and although I liked seeing and getting to know Ogre more, I think the other characters within this don't feel like they get too much development in this particular book. I think the final climax will hopefully wrap up a lot of things, and I look forward to seeing where it all goes very soon.
March 10, 2020
Such an underrated series. His last seven books have been a formidable achievement. Now to wrap it up.....
June 3, 2019
Well, this was a surprise! Who knew that adding another character from the previous books into this series would increase its qualities so much. Lyra is still obnoxious and makes even more nightmare mistakes of sexual nature this book, honestly her POV was the worst one to read for me. The author could have written as a better character but here in this series she comes off as a confused adult who just wants somebody to hold her at night.
Admittedly when the story focuses on military combat and in turn Seth Korion / Ramon / Waqar, it shines as thats the author forte. The Tarita / Ogre / Jehana POV also was a bit of a slog and mostly an outlet for Tarita to shout out her insecurities.
The one thing I still don't understand is like man where have the main characters from series 1 gone? The only ones we know of who are actually doing something in the background are Alaron and Ramita, the rest (Cera, Elena and Co) just kinda disappeared with Ramon finally making an appearance this book. If only instead of those obnoxious Lyra pov's we got these instead :(
The book is going to its endgame now, everything is now out in the open and while this book was miles better then book 2 or 1 , improvements are needed. Like that distasteful twist at the end, It was NOT needed :S.
Recommended for a read only if your a fan of the series.
Admittedly when the story focuses on military combat and in turn Seth Korion / Ramon / Waqar, it shines as thats the author forte. The Tarita / Ogre / Jehana POV also was a bit of a slog and mostly an outlet for Tarita to shout out her insecurities.
The one thing I still don't understand is like man where have the main characters from series 1 gone? The only ones we know of who are actually doing something in the background are Alaron and Ramita, the rest (Cera, Elena and Co) just kinda disappeared with Ramon finally making an appearance this book. If only instead of those obnoxious Lyra pov's we got these instead :(
The book is going to its endgame now, everything is now out in the open and while this book was miles better then book 2 or 1 , improvements are needed. Like that distasteful twist at the end, It was NOT needed :S.
Recommended for a read only if your a fan of the series.
September 4, 2019
The ups and downs the characters go through in this book have your emotions cycling from plunging the depths to riding high on the waves of victory. It seems like every victory brings a new defeat, but the resistance to the demon-possessed struggles on. There is no lack of plot twists in the work of David Hair, and yes, people can die, in the tradition of George R.R. Martin. Well done once again, with world-building, characters and the aforementioned plot. I'm looking forward to the next installment.
April 14, 2019
Delicious
The saga continues. If you have not begun reading this series, you are missing out. I cannot see this author leaving this world behind for another because I see too many good stories yet to tell. With that said, this is a great book to add to your summer reading list. If you are an avid reader, you'll appreciate the length. Do start from the beginning of this series or you will find Hearts of Ice hard to follow. I patiently await the next installment.
The saga continues. If you have not begun reading this series, you are missing out. I cannot see this author leaving this world behind for another because I see too many good stories yet to tell. With that said, this is a great book to add to your summer reading list. If you are an avid reader, you'll appreciate the length. Do start from the beginning of this series or you will find Hearts of Ice hard to follow. I patiently await the next installment.
April 7, 2019
So, I've really loved David Hair's writing. The moontide quartet is an amazing series, with compelling characters, and lovingly built world, an amazing story, and honestly an amazing story telling structure (the vexations of emperor constant interludes were great).
The Sunsurge Quartet has been... less good, for a number of reasons, and with this book I decided to get into the details of figuring out why. Spoilers below.
So, the first part that I have issues with is the Dwymancy. This is an entire, very powerful, magic system that is never mentioned in the Moontide quartet, which honestly seems like a retcon to have this story work. Additionally, Dwymancy is sooooo much less defined that regular gnostic usage, which is very frustrating. I absolutely loved the almost painstaking detail that went into gnostic magic, that everything had its counter. Sure, there were exceptions, no question at all about that, but for the most part you knew what the results of various actions would be. At the end of this book, we have a captured Dwymancer who might be infected with a demon, and we know... what about that? The fact that the magic is not well defined reduces tension, because the author can basically do whatever they want. Mr Hair could decide that 3 Dwymancers holding hands and conducting a ritual would banish all demons from Urte, larger problem solved.
The second part that makes this quartet less fun is how terrible almost all of the characters are, at least on the personal level. In the Moontide Quartet, we had Alaron, Cymbella, Ramita, Ramon, Seth, Kazim, Elena, and Cera Nesti (and I may be forgetting some) of 'good' charater POVs. These characters might not have always done the right things, but at least you could root for them to succeed or improve.
In this series... I don't even know. I guess we still have Seth and Ramon (for what few chapters we have them for), a and their sections are great, and Tarita/Prince (name I can't remember now). I guess my point is that most of the screen time is taken up by less sympathetic characters.
Also, the big bad of Naxius is just so much less compelling of a story.
The Sunsurge Quartet has been... less good, for a number of reasons, and with this book I decided to get into the details of figuring out why. Spoilers below.
So, the first part that I have issues with is the Dwymancy. This is an entire, very powerful, magic system that is never mentioned in the Moontide quartet, which honestly seems like a retcon to have this story work. Additionally, Dwymancy is sooooo much less defined that regular gnostic usage, which is very frustrating. I absolutely loved the almost painstaking detail that went into gnostic magic, that everything had its counter. Sure, there were exceptions, no question at all about that, but for the most part you knew what the results of various actions would be. At the end of this book, we have a captured Dwymancer who might be infected with a demon, and we know... what about that? The fact that the magic is not well defined reduces tension, because the author can basically do whatever they want. Mr Hair could decide that 3 Dwymancers holding hands and conducting a ritual would banish all demons from Urte, larger problem solved.
The second part that makes this quartet less fun is how terrible almost all of the characters are, at least on the personal level. In the Moontide Quartet, we had Alaron, Cymbella, Ramita, Ramon, Seth, Kazim, Elena, and Cera Nesti (and I may be forgetting some) of 'good' charater POVs. These characters might not have always done the right things, but at least you could root for them to succeed or improve.
In this series... I don't even know. I guess we still have Seth and Ramon (for what few chapters we have them for), a and their sections are great, and Tarita/Prince (name I can't remember now). I guess my point is that most of the screen time is taken up by less sympathetic characters.
Also, the big bad of Naxius is just so much less compelling of a story.
April 6, 2026
I've been using Easter weekend to binge these books and am finding them get better and better. Initially I didn't see the relevance of a major plot/set of povs but they've come to make sense in the wider story. I've also grown to like the characters a lot more which helps but I do hate how Alaron has been effectively written out of the story because 'he's busy' it feels very forced.
March 28, 2019
A continuation
I was so excited for this book but as I finish it I find myself disappointed because I didn’t love it like I have Hair’s other books. It was missing something - I can’t put my finger on it but no one stole the show - definitely felt like a mid series book.
I was so excited for this book but as I finish it I find myself disappointed because I didn’t love it like I have Hair’s other books. It was missing something - I can’t put my finger on it but no one stole the show - definitely felt like a mid series book.
April 2, 2020
Oddly, around the 300 pages, it almost seems like another author took over. Qualities and backgrounds of main characters were re-explained. And then all of a sudden things got back on track. Hmmm. But with that exception, a great continuation of the saga.
September 25, 2020
I would have given this book a higher rating except for the gratuitous sex scenes. If I want a romance novel I’ll read one. Just didn’t feel it was necessary to. E that graphic. Spoiled the book somewhat for me
April 20, 2024
I have to say that the first half of this book was very slow. Maybe the first quarter.
Also, all the Jehanna chapters were really unbearable and the Ogre ones. I actually started to dislike the Tarita chapters till I realised it was those two I disliked.
Valdyr became really likeable in this book and everyone else was great to read.
Now, I don't know why the first bit of the book was so slow, but when it picked up it really picked up.
If it wasn't for the first bit of the book, I'd give it five stars. The latter half of this book was just as good as book 2 from the first series which was the only 5 stars for me thus far on this reread.
Also, all the Jehanna chapters were really unbearable and the Ogre ones. I actually started to dislike the Tarita chapters till I realised it was those two I disliked.
Valdyr became really likeable in this book and everyone else was great to read.
Now, I don't know why the first bit of the book was so slow, but when it picked up it really picked up.
If it wasn't for the first bit of the book, I'd give it five stars. The latter half of this book was just as good as book 2 from the first series which was the only 5 stars for me thus far on this reread.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews