LoveReading4Kids Says
January 2025 Debut of the Month
Everything changes for young Oswin Fields when he is summoned to Corridor, a very special school, and enrolled as an ice apprentice to be taught magical skills.
Previously in this frozen world, Oswin has toiled as a labourer in the produce fields, barely cared for by his adoptive mother who has shown him little if any affection. Arriving as ‘a stray’, the other apprentices greet him with cold disdain and suspicion too but Oswin, quirky, indomitable and warm-hearted, still manages to win friends and form one particularly important alliance. Just as well, because when the settlement is attacked by terrifying beasts, it’s Oswin and his unlikely ally Ennastasia who confront them.
We’ve been to magical schools before, but Corridor and its world are wholly original and Oswin a distinctive protagonist. There are several LGBTQI+ characters in the story, including Oswin, and this is handled naturally, never as an issue. The ending will both satisfy readers and leave them desperate for the next adventure.
Andrea Reece
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Jacob North Press Reviews
"The Ice Apprentices is an extraordinary fantasy debut."A.F. Steadman, author of the Skandar series
'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
'An enchanting debut, sparkling with adventure and magic.' Natasha Hastings, author of The Miraculous Sweetmakers
'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 is 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, I am excited to keep reading and can't wait for the next book!' 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 epic that brims with frosty magic! We're in great hands with Oswin: fantasy's most exciting new hero.' Alex Foulkes, author of Rules for Vampires
About Jacob North
Jacob North was born in South England and grew up with a longing for magical adventures that centred LGBT+ characters. Struggling to find them on bookshop shelves, he decided to write them himself. When he's not butchering the Dutch language or holding out for a snowy winter, he's crafting whimsical worlds with characters who happen to be diverse.
His first book is The Ice Apprentices, his debut magical middle-grade series.
More About Jacob North
