Stuart Hill was born in Leicester, in the East Midlands of England, where he still lives today. He has worked as a teacher and an archaeologist, and now balances life as both a bookseller and a writer. The Cry of the Icemark is his first novel.

A beautiful princess and an intrepid warrior, Thirrin Freer Strong-in-the-Arm Lindenshield is only thirteen. But she has been preparing for this moment her whole life. Now she must find a way to protect her tiny kingdom from the most terrible invasion it has ever known. To beat back the cunning general Scipio Bellorum and his conquering army, Thirrin will forge an extraordinary coalition of noble Snow Leopards, ancient Vampires, and ferocious Wolf-folk. She will find unexpected strength in her friendship with a young warlock. And she will rally her allies with her country's fierce battle cry, "Blood! Blast! And Fire!"

A coming-of-age tale and an epic adventure, this dazzling debut heralds the arrival of a heroine who is dauntless in the face of impossible dangers and decidedly wild at heart.