I’d like to review for you a book I just read, From Mountains of Ice by Canadian author Lorina Stephens.
Although classified as ‘dark fantasy horror fiction’ and ‘paranormal fantasy’, it’s one of those hard-to-categorize stories that straddles both fantasy and science fiction. The world building in From Mountains of Ice is so thorough that the story could be an alternative history incorporating fantastical elements grounded in alternative science.
One of the unique characteristics of the society created by this author is a profound reverence for, and connection to, the dead. It sounds ghoulish but I found it to be anything but. Rather, the protagonist and his people venerate their ancestors and departed loved ones, and these turn out to play a surprising role at the story’s climax. From the living-dead, to bows created from laminations of wood and bone from a deceased loved one, the theme of death was executed in a truly original way.
Set in a fictional version of olden-days Italy, ‘From Mountains of Ice’ is a tale about societal collapse resulting from bad leadership and the predatory politics of neighbouring states. (I say “olden-days” because I’m not enough of a student of history to tell if the time period was meant to be pseudo-Renaissance, or some other time period.)
The pace of the writing is leisurely and filled with imagery. Character development is detailed and believable. I especially love the story’s celebration of honour and integrity. These are values largely forgotten in modern times, so it’s refreshing to visit a world where the protagonist has a strong code of responsibility and obligation.
In its avoidance of garish drama in favour of understated conflict that feels very true to life, From Mountains of Ice has a uniquely Canadian sensibility. It seemed fitting to discover that the author lives about an hour’s drive away from me. In Canadian terms, this makes us practically neighbours!
If you enjoy a literate, lyrical read, I recommend From Mountains of Ice by Lorina Stephens.