Thraxas and the Ice Dragon: A Fantasy Mystery Adventure by Martin Scott - Download EPUB
Thraxas and the Ice Dragon: A Fantasy Mystery Novel
If you are looking for a fun and exciting read that combines fantasy, mystery, humor, and adventure, then you might want to check out Thraxas and the Ice Dragon by Martin Scott. This is the ninth book in the popular Thraxas series, but it can also be enjoyed as a standalone novel. In this article, I will give you an overview of what Thraxas and the Ice Dragon is about, who wrote it, why you should read it, and what you can expect from it. I will also provide a plot summary, an analysis of the genre, style, themes, messages, strengths, and weaknesses of the book, and a conclusion with my personal opinion and recommendation.
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Introduction
What is Thraxas and the Ice Dragon?
Thraxas and the Ice Dragon is a fantasy mystery novel that was published in 2019. It is part of the Thraxas series, which follows the adventures of Thraxas, a private investigator and former soldier who lives in the city of Turai. Turai is a medieval-like world where magic, dragons, elves, orcs, dwarves, and other fantastical creatures exist. Thraxas is a cynical, overweight, alcoholic, but also clever, brave, and loyal hero who often gets involved in dangerous cases that threaten the peace and stability of Turai.
In Thraxas and the Ice Dragon, Thraxas has to deal with a new threat: an ice dragon that has been unleashed by an unknown enemy. The ice dragon is wreaking havoc in Turai, freezing everything in its path. Thraxas has to find out who is behind this attack and how to stop it before it destroys the city. Along the way, he also has to deal with other problems, such as a missing princess, a corrupt senator, a mysterious cult, a rival detective, and his own personal demons.
Who is the author of Thraxas and the Ice Dragon?
The author of Thraxas and the Ice Dragon is Martin Scott, which is a pseudonym for Martin Millar. Martin Millar is a Scottish writer who was born in 1958. He is best known for his humorous novels that often feature urban fantasy elements, such as werewolves, vampires, fairies, witches, etc. Some of his most famous works include Lonely Werewolf Girl, The Good Fairies of New York, Milk Sulphate and Alby Starvation, Lux the Poet, Ruby & The Stone Age Diet, etc.
Martin Scott started writing the Thraxas series in 1999 under a different name because he wanted to try something different from his usual style. He wanted to write a fantasy series that was inspired by classic detective novels like Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe or Dashiell Hammett's Sam Spade. He also wanted to add some humor and satire to his stories. He has written nine books in the Thraxas series so far, and he plans to write more in the future.
Why should you read Thraxas and the Ice Dragon?
You should read Thraxas and the Ice Dragon if you are a fan of fantasy, mystery, humor, or adventure. This book has something for everyone: a captivating plot, a fascinating world, a memorable protagonist, a colorful cast of characters, a witty and engaging writing style, a lot of action, suspense, twists, and turns, and a good dose of humor and satire. This book will keep you entertained from start to finish, and it will also make you think about some important issues, such as politics, religion, morality, justice, etc.
Thraxas and the Ice Dragon is also a great book to read if you are new to the Thraxas series or to Martin Scott's/Martin Millar's works. You don't need to have read the previous books in the series to enjoy this one, as it provides enough background information and explanations for newcomers. You can also appreciate this book as a standalone novel, as it has a satisfying ending that wraps up the main story arc. However, if you like this book, you might also want to read the other books in the series or in the author's bibliography, as they are all equally enjoyable and entertaining.
Plot Summary
The main characters of Thraxas and the Ice Dragon
The main characters of Thraxas and the Ice Dragon are:
Thraxas: The protagonist of the book and the series. He is a private investigator and a former soldier who lives in Turai. He is overweight, alcoholic, addicted to makri (a drug that enhances magical abilities), cynical, sarcastic, but also smart, brave, loyal, and compassionate. He has some magical skills that he learned during his military service, but he prefers to rely on his wits and his sword. He often works for the Palace or the Senate of Turai, solving cases that involve magic, politics, or crime.
Makri: Thraxas's assistant and friend. She is a half-human, half-elf, half-orc woman who works as a waitress at the Avenging Axe tavern. She is also a former gladiator who fought in the arena for many years. She is beautiful, strong, skilled in combat and magic, but also kind-hearted, optimistic, and loyal. She helps Thraxas with his investigations and often saves him from trouble. She also has a crush on Thraxas, but he doesn't seem to notice or reciprocate her feelings.
Gurd: The owner of the Avenging Axe tavern where Thraxas and Makri live and work. He is a former soldier who fought alongside Thraxas in the Orc Wars. He is a big, muscular man who is good at fighting and cooking. He is also friendly, generous, and honest. He supports Thraxas and Makri in their adventures and provides them with food, shelter, and information.
Lisutaris: The leader of the Sorcerers Guild of Turai and one of the most powerful mages in the world. She is also Thraxas's friend and occasional employer. She is a young, beautiful woman who dresses in extravagant clothes and jewelry. She is arrogant, ambitious, reckless, but also brilliant, charismatic, and courageous. She is always involved in some scheme or experiment that affects the fate of Turai or the world.
Dandelion: A young princess who is the niece of King Verence of Turai. She is also Thraxas's client in this book. She hires him to find her missing cousin Princess Du-Akai who disappeared while visiting Turai. She is a sweet, innocent girl who loves animals and nature. She is also naive, curious, and adventurous.
The setting of Thraxas and the Ice Dragon
The setting of Thraxas and the Ice Dragon is Turai, a city-state that lies on the coast of the Western Ocean. Turai is a medieval-like world where magic, dragons, elves, orcs, dwarves, and other fantastical creatures exist. Turai is ruled by King Verence, who is advised by a Senate composed of nobles, merchants, sorcerers, priests, etc. Turai is divided into several districts, such as the Palace District, where the royal family and the elite live; the Temple District, where various religions have their shrines; the Merchant District, where trade and commerce take place; the Sorcerers District, where magic users study and practice their arts; the Orcish Quarter, where orcs live in poverty and oppression; etc. Turai is also surrounded by enemies, such as the Orcish Empire, The main events of Thraxas and the Ice Dragon
The main events of Thraxas and the Ice Dragon are:
Thraxas is hired by Princess Dandelion to find her missing cousin Princess Du-Akai, who disappeared while visiting Turai. Thraxas suspects that she was kidnapped by someone who wants to use her as a bargaining chip in the upcoming peace talks between Turai and the Orcish Empire.
Thraxas and Makri start their investigation by questioning various suspects and witnesses, such as Senator Clootius, who is in charge of the peace talks; Senator Rittius, who is Clootius's rival and opponent; Glixius, a shady merchant who deals in illegal goods; Zalasta, a mysterious sorcerer who claims to be Du-Akai's friend; etc.
Thraxas and Makri also encounter a rival detective named Slixus, who is working for Senator Rittius. Slixus tries to sabotage Thraxas's investigation and steal his clients. Thraxas and Slixus have a history of animosity and competition.
Meanwhile, an ice dragon appears in the sky above Turai and starts freezing everything in its path. The ice dragon is controlled by an unknown enemy who wants to destroy Turai. The ice dragon also targets Thraxas and Makri several times, as if it knows they are trying to stop it.
Lisutaris, the leader of the Sorcerers Guild, tries to fight the ice dragon with her magic, but she fails. She then asks Thraxas to help her find out who is behind the ice dragon and how to stop it. Thraxas agrees, as he thinks that the ice dragon and the missing princess are somehow connected.
Thraxas and Makri discover that the ice dragon was created by Zalasta, the mysterious sorcerer who claimed to be Du-Akai's friend. Zalasta is actually a member of a cult that worships an ancient evil god named Tharn. Zalasta kidnapped Du-Akai and used her blood to summon the ice dragon. Zalasta plans to use the ice dragon to destroy Turai and then resurrect Tharn with Du-Akai's life force.
Thraxas and Makri manage to track down Zalasta's hideout in an abandoned temple. They fight their way through Zalasta's minions and reach the inner sanctum where Zalasta is performing his ritual. They confront Zalasta and try to stop him.
Thraxas and Makri manage to free Du-Akai from Zalasta's clutches and break his control over the ice dragon. The ice dragon turns against Zalasta and kills him. The ice dragon then flies away, leaving Turai in peace.
Thraxas and Makri return Du-Akai to Dandelion and receive their reward. They also receive praise from Lisutaris, King Verence, Senator Clootius, and other important people for saving Turai from the ice dragon. They also get rid of Slixus, who is arrested for his involvement in Zalasta's plot.
Thraxas and Makri celebrate their success at the Avenging Axe tavern with Gurd and their friends. They also share a romantic moment, as Thraxas finally realizes his feelings for Makri.
Analysis
The genre and style of Thraxas and the Ice Dragon
Thraxas and the Ice Dragon is a novel that belongs to the genre of fantasy mystery. Fantasy mystery is a subgenre of fantasy that combines elements of mystery fiction with elements of fantasy fiction. Fantasy mystery novels usually feature a protagonist who is a detective or an investigator who solves cases that involve magic, supernatural phenomena, or fantastical creatures. Fantasy mystery novels often blend humor, satire, action, adventure, romance, and social commentary with their plots.
The style of Thraxas and the Ice Dragon is humorous, witty, engaging, and fast-paced. The author uses a first-person narrative from Thraxas's point of view, which allows him to express his thoughts, feelings, opinions, and humor in a direct and personal way. The author also uses a lot of dialogue, which makes the characters more realistic, lively, and distinct. The author also uses various literary devices, such as irony, sarcasm, similes, metaphors, etc., to enhance the humor and the meaning of his words. The author also uses a lot of action, suspense, twists, and turns, which keep the reader interested and entertained throughout the book.
The themes and messages of Thraxas and the Ice Dragon
Some of the themes and messages of Thraxas and the Ice Dragon are:
The importance of friendship, loyalty, and trust. Thraxas and Makri are not only partners, but also friends who care for each other and support each other in their difficulties. They also trust each other and rely on each other's skills and abilities. They also have other friends, such as Gurd, Lisutaris, Dandelion, etc., who help them in their quest. Friendship, loyalty, and trust are essential values that help them overcome their enemies and their challenges.
The danger of fanaticism, corruption, and greed. Zalasta is a fanatic who is willing to sacrifice innocent lives and destroy an entire city for his twisted beliefs. He is also corrupted by the power of Tharn, who promises him eternal glory and domination. He is also greedy for more magic, more blood, more destruction. Zalasta is an example of how fanaticism, corruption, and greed can lead to evil and madness.
The value of diversity, tolerance, and cooperation. Turai is a diverse city that hosts various races, cultures, religions, and factions. Thraxas and Makri are also examples of diversity, as they are both hybrids of different races. Diversity, tolerance, and cooperation are important values that allow Turai to survive and thrive in a hostile world. Thraxas and Makri also show that diversity, tolerance, and cooperation can lead to friendship, love, and harmony.
The strengths and weaknesses of Thraxas and the Ice Dragon
Some of the strengths of Thraxas and the Ice Dragon are:
The plot: The plot is well-structured, coherent, original, and captivating. It has a clear beginning, middle, and end. It has a good balance of exposition, action, dialogue, description, etc. It has a lot of twists and turns that keep the reader guessing and surprised. It has a satisfying resolution that ties up all the loose ends.
The characters: The characters are well-developed, realistic, memorable, and likable. They have distinct personalities, backgrounds, motivations, flaws, etc. They have dynamic relationships with each other. They have character arcs that show their growth and change throughout the book.
The setting: The setting is well-crafted, vivid, immersive, and original. It has a rich history, culture, geography, etc. It has a lot of details that make it believable and interesting. It has a lot of contrast between the different districts, races, classes, etc. It has a lot of potential for further exploration.
The style: The style is humorous, witty, engaging, and fast-paced. It has a lot of personality, charm, and flair. It has a lot of literary devices that enhance the humor and the meaning of the words. It has a lot of action, suspense, twists, and turns that keep the reader interested and entertained throughout the book.
Some of the weaknesses of Thraxas and the Ice Dragon are:
The length: The length is too short for some readers who might want more depth, complexity, or development in the plot, characters, setting, etc. The length might also make some readers feel that the book is rushed or incomplete.
The tone: The tone is too light-hearted or humorous for some readers who might want more seriousness, realism, or darkness in the plot, characters, setting, etc. The tone might also make some readers feel that the book is trivial or superficial.
The genre: The genre is too niche or specific for some readers who might not like or appreciate fantasy mystery novels. The genre might also make some readers feel that the book is cliché or predictable.
Conclusion
A brief recap of Thraxas and the Ice Dragon
and other fantastical creatures exist. Thraxas has to solve two cases: finding a missing princess who was kidnapped by a cult that wants to resurrect an ancient evil god, and stopping an ice dragon that was unleashed by the same cult to destroy Turai. Thraxas is helped by his assistant and friend Makri, a half-human, half-elf, half-orc woman who is also a former gladiator and a waitress. Thraxas and Makri face many dangers, challenges, and enemies, but they also have many friends, allies, and supporters. Thraxas and Makri manage to save the princess, stop the ice dragon, and save Turai from destruction. They also receive praise, reward, and recognition for their deeds. They also share a romantic moment, as Thraxas finally realizes his feelings for Makri.
A personal opinion of Thraxas and the Ice Dragon
My personal opinion of Thraxas and the Ice Dragon is that it is a very enjoyable and entertaining book that I would recommend to anyone who likes fantasy, mystery, humor, or adventure. I liked the plot, the characters, the setting, and the style of the book. I found the plot to be original, captivating, and well-structured. I found the characters to be realistic, memorable, and likable. I found the setting to be vivid, immersive, and original. I found the style to be humorous, witty, engaging, and fast-paced. I also liked the themes and messages of the book, such as friendship, loyalty, trust, diversity, tolerance, cooperation, etc. I think the book has a lot of personality, charm, and flair.
The only things that I didn't like about the book were the length, the tone, and the genre. I thought the book was too short for my taste. I would have liked more depth, complexity, or development in the plot, characters, setting, etc. I thought the book was too light-hearted or humorous for my mood. I would have liked more seriousness, realism, or darkness in the plot, characters, setting, etc. I thought the book was too niche or specific for my preference. I'm not a big fan of fantasy mystery novels. I would have liked more variety, originality, or unpredictability in the plot, characters, setting, etc.
A recommendation for Thraxas and the Ice Dragon
My recommendation for Thraxas and the Ice Dragon is that you should read it if you are looking for a fun and exciting read that combines fantasy, mystery, humor, and adventure. You should read it if you are a fan of fantasy mystery novels or of Martin Scott's/Martin Millar's works. You should read it if you are new to the Thraxas series or to Martin Scott's/Martin Millar's works. You should read it if you want to enjoy a captivating plot, a fascinating world, a memorable protagonist, a colorful cast of characters, a witty and engaging writing style, a lot of action, suspense, twists, and turns, and a good dose of humor and satire.
You should not read it if you are looking for a long and complex read that requires a lot of concentration and analysis. You should not read it if you are looking for a serious and realistic read that deals with dark and heavy topics. You should not read it if you are looking for a novel that belongs to a different genre or style than fantasy mystery.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about Thraxas and the Ice Dragon:
Q: Is Thraxas and the Ice Dragon part of a series?
A: Yes, Thraxas and the Ice Dragon is part of the Thraxas series by Martin Scott/Martin Millar. It is the ninth book in the series.
Q: Do I need to read the previous books in the series to understand Thraxas and the Ice Dragon?
the Ice Dragon. The book provides enough background information and explanations for newcomers. You can also appreciate the book as a standalone novel, as it has a satisfying ending that wraps up the main story arc. However, if you like the book, you might also want to read the other books in the series, as they are all equally enjoyable and entertaining.
Q: Who is Martin Scott/Martin Millar?
A: Martin Scott/Martin Millar is a Scottish writer who was born in 1958. He is best known for his humorous novels that often feature urban fantasy elements, such as werewolves, vampires, fairies, witches, etc. He writes under two different names: Martin Millar for his usual style and Martin Scott for his fantasy mystery style.
Q: What are some other books by Martin Scott/Martin Millar?
A: Some other books by Martin Scott/Martin Millar are: Lonely Werewolf Girl, The Good Fairies of New York, Milk Sulphate and Alby Starvation, Lux the Poet, Ruby & The Stone Age Diet, Thraxas and the Oracle, Thraxas and the Dance of Death, Thraxas and the Warrio