4.5
The Ice Moves for No One
ByPublisher Description
The ice moves for no one, the trees do not answer, and the Svall obeys no master.
Selkie warrior Aalgur Thalon was born to fight in honor of the Dread One. She's going to win the Dusk Trials, join the elite Duskingr Air Fleet, and kiss her old life as a deckhand goodbye. But when her body betrays her, Thalon is forced to give up the biggest part of her identity.
And that might just be the least of her worries.
Thalon must learn the strength of vulnerability as she faces battles she's never trained for: Spindel Co. getting into everything and everywhere, villains in unexpected places, and worst of all, herself.
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Meet readers like you in the Fable For You feed, designed to build bookish communitiesThe Ice Moves for No One Reviews
4.5
BelievableChange and growDiverse representationOriginalStrong relationshipsStrong villainAction-packedAddictiveClever plottingEpic scopeFast-pacedUnpredictableEvocative imageryExpansiveGrittyHarshHistoricalImmersive world-buildingVivid descriptionsEasy to readFunnyOriginalWittyAbleismAbuseReligious intoleranceViolence
“I loved this. The world was well built and fascinating. I loved the turns the book took, and the way various aspects of the main character were revealed. I cannot wait for the sequel and want to know more, especially after that ending!”
“Update: Just came here to say that this book pops into my head almost daily. My brain just reminds me that it exists. Not many books do that for me and if anyone is looking for chronic illness rep for Disability Pride Month, this one packs a punch!
4.25/5 stars
This is a fiercely original story: queer, painful, defiant, and full of jagged edges softened by so much vulnerability. The Ice Moves for No One blends selkie folklore with gritty sci-fi-fantasy elements, chronic pain rep, and biting commentary on colonialism, capitalism, and identity. It’s a lot. At times, maybe too much; but when it works, it really works.
Thalon is such a raw and deeply palpable protagonist. I honestly feel connected to her in a way that I so rarely feel with characters. Watching her navigate the fallout of losing what she thought defined her (her body, her strength, her future) was honestly heartbreaking. Her past rejection from her family, especially her mother, hit so hard. The story isn’t afraid to sit with that grief, and it never flinches from the emotional weight of what she’s lost. Those with abandonment issues will really feel this one.
And yet, this isn’t a hopeless book. It’s also tender and quietly powerful. The romance is beautiful and the broader queer and disability representation is some of the best I’ve read in recent fantasy. There’s a subtle strength to how these characters live, love, and survive in a world that’s not built for them.
The world-building is bold and feels a little bit fragmented initially, but it is so lived in that it WORKS. It has folklore species, an air fleet, corporate overreach, cultural erasure, and a weirdly terrifying corporation that seems to have its fingers in everything. There’s so much ambition here, and while I loved the ideas, I do think the story got a little crowded. A few threads didn’t get the attention they deserved, and some tonal shifts felt abrupt. Still, the emotional core of Thalon’s journey of identity and recovery kept me grounded.
Overall, this is a deeply personal, gutsy story with a lot to say. It doesn’t always tie everything together perfectly, but it does leave a lasting impression. A standout for representation and a strong entry into queer speculative fiction.
Thanks so much to the author, Quills and Cosmos Publishing, and R&R Booktours for the complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.”
“The Ice Moves for No One is an utterly unique, beautiful, engaging, imaginative, and wonderful novel. I haven’t had a book suck me in like this in ages.
The world is unlike anything I’ve seen in a fantasy novel before, blending an early 20th-century American aesthetic with elements of traditional fantasy.
The main character’s voice is wonderfully defined and sharp. Within pages, you’re immersed in her world and want to follow her journey as far as it goes.
You deeply feel the trials that the main character endures throughout the book, both the literal ones and the emotional ones later on. From the author’s social media, I know Thalon’s struggles through the bulk of the book are a deeply personal thing for them, and it shows on every page.
While this is clearly the first book in a series, it stands solidly on its own, and I felt like there was a satisfying conclusion at the end of it while still leaving me eagerly awaiting a sequel.
Do yourself a favor and read it!”
“I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about The Ice Moves for No One at first. I went in expecting an epic fantasy adventure, but it turned out to be way more character-driven than I anticipated. Once I let go of those expectations, I found myself really drawn into Thalon’s journey. The world is super cool—shifters and humans, but it’s Thalon’s personal growth that steals the show. She goes through so much, physically, mentally, and emotionally, and even though she doesn’t achieve her initial goal, what she discovers about herself is even more powerful.
This story gave me such a bleeding heart by the end. Thalon’s struggles feel real, and her growth is hard-earned. If you like coming-of-age stories with battle trials, inner demons, sapphic romance, and strong queer rep, this one is worth picking up. It’s emotional, empowering, and delievers an important message about personal strength and perseverance.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.”
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