Ice

by Susan Brocker

Night was falling, dark and dank. The dog stood beside the wreckage, gazing up at the sky. Slowly a large red moon rose over the mountain, flooding the snow in bloody light. Ice lifted her muzzle to the moon and howled, long and sad.

When Zac chooses the rescue dog with the startling ice-blue eyes, little does he know the danger and adventure that will unravel as the mystery around the tracking dog becomes a fight for survival against a terrifying enemy.

Genres: Animals

208 pages, Paperback

Published March 1, 2022

About the author

Susan Brocker is the award-winning author of books for older children and teens. She lives in New Zealand on a small farm with her horses and many pets. Her close affinity and love of animals shines through in much of her writing. She also has a history degree and a great love of social history that is often reflected in her books.

Reviews

[Zac · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zac prefers to have adventures in his games rather than in real life. However, adventure finds him, when he adopts a snow-white dog with ice-blue eyes. From the moment that Zac hears Ice’s anguished howls he knows that Ice is sad and lonely. He knows that he needs to talk to the skiers who found Ice, alone on the mountain. When he learns of the location he knows that him and Ice must go there and find out what happened. Not only does Zac discover Ice’s amazing tracking skills, he also discovers a secret that will lead him into danger. Mr Slagter, or The Butcher as he is known, the wealthy owner of the conversation park where Zac and his dad work, has a nasty secret that he will do anything to keep quiet.

Ice is an addictive page-turner that you don’t want to put down. I devoured this book in a day because I couldn’t stand waiting to find out what happened next. Susan Brocker really builds the suspense until you’re not sure how the story is going to end. The villains are believable and totally vile, and you’re rooting for Zac and Ice the whole way.

I think Ice will appeal especially to reluctant readers, who will relate to Zac and will get hooked with the action and adventure. It would also make an amazing read aloud for Years 6-8.

[Wendy Bamber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great fast moving adventure fiction for 8-12 year olds. Zac is given a rescue dog to keep him company, and as he quickly warms to him, he realises the dog has a smart nose for trouble. Set in the wilds of Wanaka, this is perfect for kids who love the outdoors and enjoy some danger and mystery. Like a modern day Famous Five with international criminals, only this is just Zac and his dog Ice with some help from a friendly step sister.

[Pallavi Patel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read for a teenage boy. Great but predictable storyline.

[Penny · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cracking good read... fast-paced and exciting, with an environmental message.

Zac is a gamer - an indoor kid. But when he goes to live with his dad and step-mum in the South Island and he chooses a rescue dog, Ice, for a pet, he doesn't quite anticipate the mystery and adventure which will come with his new dog.

Ice was found by skiers in mysterious circumstances in the mountains and when he leads Zac back to the spot where he was found they discover a grizzly truth which Zac feel the needs to investigate further.

The tension ramps up as the story progresses, until I found myself on the edge of my seat and reading faster and faster!!!

This would make a great readaloud for Year 5 and up.

[Isa Rive · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in the Southern Alps of Aotearoa/New Zealand, Zac has joined his outdoors hunter father after a sheltered city existence. He begins to bond with a stray white dog 'Ice' with piercing eyes found at the animal shelter. When his father takes him to volunteer at the Taika Wildlife Sanctuary, he meets more exotic large animals and learns of sinister operations beneath the ground. What is the connection between Ice and the wealthy park owner? The trail takes them up into the snowy mountains where a mystery is uncovered and Zac must fight for survival against dangerous men and the elements.
My main gripe is I found the transfer of gamer skills to outdoor skills unrealistic. But then again, it is fiction and readers probably won't care. Approx age recommentation 8-10y
3.5stars

[Jaydi Waydi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about a hunting dog called Ice.
Her owner and herself were involved in a helicopter crash, causing the death of 3 men, but only she survived.
And her owners killers, are NOT happy about it.

[Nova · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a non-stop exciting adventure story for kids aged 9-14.

[Rochelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Junior read for the library. Great friendship between a boy and his dog with a dose of conservation thrown in

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Page turning adventure