Reviewed by Nikyta
Title: Tower of the Ice Lord
Author: Anne Mok
Heroes: Arius & Loren
Genre: M/M Fantasy
Length: 77 pages
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Release Date: July 1, 2015
Available at: Dreamspinner Press & Amazon
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads
Blurb: Don’t you believe someone can love enough to die for another?
Arius the sorcerer has lived in solitude for centuries, watching over his frozen tundra and sending his ice wolves against the kingdom of Evernesse. Only a sacrifice of royal blood can end the war, and it comes when Loren, son of the king of Evernesse, arrives at the Ice Lord’s tower, willing to die to procure peace. Though stunned and mistrustful, Arius agrees. But as the fateful day draws nearer, Arius learns Loren’s bravery and commitment run deeper than he suspected, and Loren begins to see the lonely man beneath the Ice Lord’s mask. Arius’s god demands a sacrifice, Loren might be his people’s only hope, and both men must choose between the conflicting demands of duty and love.
Review:
Arius has been a sorcerer for longer than he can remember. He’s watched over the land as part of his duty to his goddess and fighting the war that started after a pact was broken. The only thing that can stop the war is the sacrifice of royal blood. So when a man shows up, claiming to be the king’s son and willing to make the sacrifice, Arius is skeptical to say the least. But as the days go on, Arius and Loren start to understand each other and when the time comes to make the sacrifice, will they be able to go through with what’s needed to end the war?
When I started this story, I didn’t expect much but a light read and while it IS a light read, I found it to be very captivating. I adored the fact that Arius was a sorcerer, the Ice Lord, who lived by himself for so long. At the same time, I loved that Loren was so courageous and willing to sacrifice himself for people who didn’t even understand him. It was intriguing to see how they got under each others skin and even after knowing one another for only days, how much devotion they had for the other.
This was quite an interesting story but I had a few issues with it. For one, I wish it had been more fleshed out. I would have liked to go deeper into the pact that was broken, into what exactly the Ice Lord and the other sorcerers were there for. I didn’t really understand that part and I didn’t understand the ‘resolution’ either. I was confused by the whole thing and a bit disappointed that it was over so quickly. I just wish it had been longer and more detailed so some questions could have been answered..
In the end, though, I really enjoyed this book. It’s a cute, quick story about a bastard son willing to give his life for his people but in the process, captures the heart of an Ice Lord. I loved Loren and Arius together and while we don’t get to explore much of them, it was interesting to see the connection that formed so quickly. I hope the author considers writing more about these two, especially since they have so much more ahead of them!
Overall Impression: I really liked it!
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in return for a fair and honest review.*
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