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The Frozen Curse
by Jacob North
Our take
Oswin starts his second year at a magic school built entirely around ice, right as a deadly freeze threatens to wipe out the whole territory. Getting kicked out for failing one test turns into a real problem when masters and students start disappearing and the trees themselves seem to be attacking. Second in the series, it picks up directly where the first book's monster threat left off rather than resetting the stakes. Academy-set fantasy fans get the full boarding-school structure here, strict tests, disappearing classmates, and a hero who has to prove himself twice over.
Academy structure drives the plot, tests and expulsion threats functioning as real stakes rather than background color. Monsters here aren't purely external either, trees turning hostile blur the line between magical ecosystem and threat. It builds directly on the mystery from book one about what Oswin himself still doesn't know.
Publisher's description
Journey to the very edge of the world in the second title in this INCREDIBLE fantasy adventure series. Perfect for fans of Skandar and Philip Pullman Oswin starts a second year in Tundra at the school for Ice Apprentices just as the Great Freeze threatens. He may have driven back the monsters but masters and pupils are disappearing and trees with monstrous faces seem to be on the attack. When Oswin fails a test, he's kicked out of the school for good. Tundra is running out of time and soon everyone will freeze to death . . . 'An extraordinary fantasy debut' A. F. Steadman on Ice Apprentices “North's writing has verve!” The Observer "A page-turning fantasy adventure in a world of ice, dangerous beasts and magic. " Love Reading, debut of the month. Praise for Ice Apprentices: ‘An enchanting debut, sparkling with adventure and magic.’ Natasha Hastings, author of The Miraculous Sweetmakers ‘Spine-tingling monsters, unlikely friendships and a hero to root for from page one. North's debut is bursting with adventure and vivid characterisation.’ Fran Gibbons, author of A Clock of Stars ‘Take me to Tundra! Jacob North has created a sparkling triumph of a world, with a hero readers will want to be best friends with. I loved it.’ Rachel Morrisroe, author of Felix and the Future Agency ‘I loved the Ice Apprentices - it's a thrilling adventure. The cast of characters leap off the page and pull you into a world rich in magic, monsters and the ever-present threat of the icy world they inhabit. Oswin is brave, curious and seeks to uncover the mysteries of his own past and the skills he has been born with. Such an exciting novel!' Nazima Pathan, author of Dream Hunters ‘It has all the ingredients of a perfect middle grade fantasy – epic magic, brilliant monsters and a completely unforgettable new hero. Jacob’s a really exciting new writer and as soon as I finished the book I wanted to read more.’ Zohra Nabi, author of The Kingdom over the Sea ‘Chills and thrills in this fantasy ep
- First published
- 2026
- Series
- Ice Apprentices #2
Available formats
- Print — 352 pages · ISBN 9781398533981
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