A Fortress of Grey Ice is the second novel in the Sword of Shadows series, following A Cavern of Black Ice. In the previous volume, Raif and Asarhia are captured by Bludd warriors. The Dog Lord sends Ash back to her foster father, but Raif is thrown into a cell. On the way back to Spire Vanis, her escorts decide to rape Ash, but she panics and uses some of her power to kill her attackers. Raif is freed from captivity by his brother Drey and a band of Hailsmen. Later he rejoins Ash and they continue their journey northward, but cold, storm and wolves catch them and Ash collapses. Raif is standing over a dead wolf when two Sull, Mal Naysayer and Ark Veinsplitter, find them and then help them reach the Cavern, where Ash finally discharges her power into the black ice. Unfortunately, her prior use of the power has created a hairline crack in the Blindwall.
In this novel, Raif and Ash have been taken to the land of the Ice Trappers. There they are parted, with Ash continuing on with the Sull. The Listener of the Ice Trappers treats Raif as a guest and gifts him with an arrow named Divining Rod and the sword of a Forsworn knight. Although not certain of his proper course, Raif finally decides to head for the Rift and the territory of the Maimed Men.
Meanwhile, a very large man escapes from a diamond mine and travels north, following a call from his master and gaining a small dog as a companion. The Dog Lord frees Angus Lok from his cell, but fails to listen to his warnings. Marafice One Eye gathers an army and the surlord of Spire Vanis decides where to use it. Mace Blackhail conspires against the clan he leads and surrounds himself with Scarpemen. Robbie Dhoone sets out to become a King.
Raif learns a song and finds in it a prophecy about himself. Ash begins the transformation into a Sull. The Unmade are walking the land and the Taken are beginning to stir.
This novel is an exciting read, but probably is a little too long. As with Jordan's Wheel of Time series, this reader was sometimes overwhelmed by the numerous plotlines and lost track of the action. Maybe it would have been an even better read if it was somewhat shorter.
Highly recommended for Jones fans and anyone else who enjoys epic fantasy with great characterization.
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