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Isa's hunt to find a cure for the Varg's curse has failed and the stakes are only getting higher. The curse is spreading fast, and the runes keeping the Varg from reaching his soul will not hold forever.

Eskal has his own agenda: Find the Jera rune before Fenrisborg and claim the power of the Varg for himself. When Eskal leads Ulfheim's strongest warriors to the wild and hostile high north, Karel's plans to save his sister and prove himself to his father finally seem to fall into place.

In the middle of it all is Rakkian, struggling to find his footing amongst beasts and monsters both human and inhuman. In the unforgiving frozen wild, he will have to call on new strengths to stay alive.

Claws is the final book in The Icefjord Saga.

305 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 18, 2019

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187 people want to read

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Zaya Feli

8 books304 followers

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
Profile Image for jessica ☾.
742 reviews98 followers
August 16, 2019
1.5/5 - I feel so awful giving this such a low rating. After the disappointing first installment, I was really hoping this would pick up- and while at a few points it did, I just could not get into this book to save my life. I’ve read so many glowing reviews from others, I honestly feel like we’ve read two different books.
Profile Image for Carrie-Anne.
698 reviews60 followers
April 16, 2020
This was such a great close to the story.

I just want to applaud Zaya Feli right off the bat for not so I was so glad when it didn't.

All of the characters seemed to grow, even the secondary characters have enough personality that you root for them or at least understand them. I'm a big fan of Kjartan and his tall tales, I wish I could sit round a fire and listen to his wild stories of Gods and men! Signy is the sweetest, and I'm 100% here for her and Alma being a thing. Rakkian is the softest boy and takes so much shit in his stride, while Isa is so flipping guarded around everyone, I loved to see him open up and let down his walls a bit. Obviously Skygge is the best girl ever, she deserves all the tasty scraps and plume snuggles.

The scenes in the ~mysterious~ forest from the point of view of Isa and Rakkian back and forth were a joy to read.

I loved the will he / won't he have a redemption arc for Karel. Karel is such a complex character and it's easy to see why he struggles with every decision. He just wants his father to be proud of him, but when does that stop being enough of a motivation when time and time again it doesn't come to fruition?

The battle scenes were wonderful and the writing seems to have improved from the first book.

Basically if you love magic and runes and Nordic life and Gods, multilayered characters and great animal companions, super slow burn romance and an inclusive world (there are gay, lesbian, asexual characters throughout and no one bats an eyelid) then you should read this duology!

Profile Image for Shan( Shans_Shelves) &#x1f49c;.
1,084 reviews94 followers
June 24, 2020
If I was being completely honest I’d probably rate both the plot and world building three stars. HOWEVER, that ending and the CHARACTERS, stole my heart. The gays and the sapphics won people!!

Let me provide you with reasons you should all read this hidden gem:

•Isa and Rakkian have a connection from the beginning and watching- especially in this one- as they fall for each other even as they remain oblivious- until they don’t- was so cute. Seriously they’re the definition of grumpy x sunshine. Also THE SLOW BURN!!

•Rakkian himself was adorable. I never tire of characters who are just sweethearts. Even after everything he keeps his light and I love him.

•The Norse mythology was so freaking cool and I loved the way the books are set.

•Skygge is the up there with Chainsaw as the best RAVEN EVER.

•Wolf companions and Rakki names one, SNOWBALL!!

•ALMA AND SIGNY. YESS THE SAPPHICS KEEP WINNING.

•Kjartan is so entertaining and I loved that he liked Rakkian even with people stayed away.

•THE VARG!!

•There’s a glorious death if I do say so myself.

•Karel is cannolly Aromantic/Asexual

Basically, this whole duology provided me with such excitement and it’s been a while since a book has been able to do that. Therefore, regardless of whether this is the best fantasy I’ve ever read- I’m giving it five starts for that excited feeling alone!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for coco's reading.
1,171 reviews36 followers
June 21, 2019
As much as I liked the first book in The Icefjord Saga, I found it a bit average. Claws definitely stepped things up a notch in quality (which I kind of expected, having read Feli's other series and experienced the same thing with it). Everything I enjoyed about Teeth was only magnified here, with the weaker aspects being better developed to make for a strong conclusion.

At the forefront of Claws was the conflict with Fenrisborg and the existence of the Varg, so this book felt more grounded in plot than the one before. The author expanded on her world by taking the story north for the first half, exploring the bastard gods and the lawless people who lived there, as well as creatures both evil and benign. It was also nice to see the changes the characters sought to bring about between Runiks and Sjaelers and how the bonds between them could adapt. The three protagonists all received arcs in this installment, and the growth they experienced made for a stronger narrative; watching Karel overcome the limits he'd been bound by his entire life, Isa step into his role as leader, and Rakkian understand and embrace his connection with the Varg, all made for compelling narratives. And the romance...I loved how soft Rakkian and Isa were together and the strength they took from each other, one's hesitancy balanced by the other's surety.

As for the climax, I did wish Torvald and Hakon had gotten better characterization—been easier to distinguish from one another, more motivated, perhaps more of a threat. The ending itself, though, I found extremely satisfying, and I cannot wait to read more from Zaya Feli.
Profile Image for ollie.
102 reviews
July 27, 2021
What I liked:
- the storytelling
- slow burn (oh my god was it slow)
- the ~vibes~
- my sapphic viking queens
- the character arch didn't seem "too easy", they struggled and were complicated human beings
- that few last chapters in the forest when

What I didn't like:
- it moved really fast that sometimes I didn't know what the fuck was going on
- tHE SLOW BURN (IT WAS KILLING ME SOMETIMES OK)
- some events were really not properly explained, like

ANYGAYS, GAY AND SAPPHIC VIKINGS, MYSTERY, MAGIC AND OLD, NORSE TALES - WE LOVE TO SEE IT, GO READ SOME ZAYA FELI'S BOOKS < 3

Profile Image for Alex (HEABookNerd).
2,451 reviews
May 19, 2023
CLAWS continues the story of Isa and Rakkian as well as the mysterious Karal. Now that the Varg has been found and the forgotten rune identified, Karal is even more determined to use both to save his sister. I don't want to spoil anything, because a lot happens, so I won't go into much detail on the story itself. I enjoyed Claws more than the first, in part because it fixed one of the things I didn't like about the first one. Isa and Rakkian drive the plot forward though most of the book and I liked seeing them begin to take the lead. It was also interesting to see the different ways the Runik and Sjaelir relationship is treated throughout the realm and I'm glad Isa wants to make changes to protect the Sjaelir.

One thing I really liked is that all the characters are complex and no one is perfectly good or bad and they've all made hard decisions to protect those they love or further their own agendas. We also finally get to see the relationship that was hinted at in the first book and I loved seeing Isa learn to trust Rakkian and the Varg. Overall, this was a good fantasy series and I liked the unique world Zaya Feli created.
Profile Image for Francesca.
590 reviews2 followers
June 24, 2020
what a brilliant duology. Very entertaining, highly recommended.

Profile Image for Pip.
11 reviews
August 10, 2023
Teeth: 4/5 | Claws: 3/5 | Series: 3.5/5 (rounded up to 4)

Okay, let me start by saying I love Zaya Feli. I read Wild Skye just before reading this series, and just like with that book, I love the world-building and character development she can infuse into her books. While I would absolutely recommend both the Icefjord Saga to almost anyone, one thing I do want to make clear is that it would not be recommended for romance.

This is probably my biggest letdown with this series, which is a shame because I loved so much of it otherwise. I, like Karel, am asexual, and can't stand when books are overly smutty, or don't develop the characters to justify their steaminess. But this series had even myself going, give me something. There is a reason given as to why things don't progress relationship-wise, but to me, it wasn't fleshed out enough to stand on its own.

My second gripe with the series is that I almost feel like these two books should have been combined into one. I definitely would still have loved a second book to follow, if that had been the case! But to me, there was a large part of this second book that just seemed... unnecessary? I don't know, it just seemed like a lot of pages were dedicated to not a lot happening.

My last point of note is that the ending felt a little too rushed and a little too happily ever after. I wish more time had been dedicated to really fleshing out the vision that Zaya had for the final act. A lot of the seemingly unnecessary time I mentioned prior could have easily been cut to accommodate for this, I feel.

This is such a nitpick, but the only other thing I can think of is I cannot believe this series had all these cool Viking names and places, only for Every time I read that name, it almost took me out of the book. It just seemed so silly.

ALL of that said, I really did enjoy this series. Again, Zaya does an amazing job at worldbuilding and character development. The magic system created for this series is really interesting and brings about some interesting dynamics. The fight scenes are very well written and painted. The depiction of Viking and Norse life was enthralling. While I had my issues, I still overall am very happy I read this series.
Profile Image for Blodreina (Red Queen).
503 reviews50 followers
June 18, 2019
He didn't look back.

♠ Va bene. Ok. D'accordo. Ma alla fine, cos'è che ha mosso tutto? Se il Varg voleva davvero proteggere lupi e corvi come viene ipotizzato alla fine, e noi non sapremo mai il vero motivo, perchè si è incarnato in Rakkian che non sa combattere, non sa guarire, è uno sjaelir ed è vissuto nelle isole occidentali? Come avrebbe dovuto e potuto proteggere le creature stando dall'altra parte del mondo a farsi prosciugare la forza vitale? Perchè invece di maledire Isarin non lo ha semplicemente scelto come recipiente? Che senso ha avuto maledirlo se poi questa maledizione non gli crea dei veri problemi se non il fatto che alcuni membri del fiordo gli stanno alla larga? Fiordo che tra l'altro continua a dipendere dalle sue magie per difendere il villaggio e dalle sue doti di guerriero. Isa. poi, nonostante la maledizione resta comunque bravissimo, il runik più potente di Ulfheim e ne la sua magia ne le sue capacità combattive subiscono mai alcun tipo di calo o impedimento. Boh. Forse per creare un legame tra i due? Un legame mistico? Che non ha senso? Anche se è in fondo quello che succede perché io ricordavo di aver lasciato il primo libro con i due che si trattavano come amici per poi iniziare il secondo e trovare un sacco di pensieri rivolti l'uno all'altro che boh, colpo di frusta. Ma poi per quale diavolo di motivo il Varg dovrebbe volersi legare o stare vicino all'umano che ha maledetto e da cui è stato ucciso? Perchè maledirlo se poi la sua vicinanza riduce la maledizione? Poi alla fine mi dici che Rakkian e il Varg vanno d'accordo? Che sono un uno? Quando è successa questa cosa visto che in due libri Rakkian non fa mai alcun pensiero positivo sulla bestia e i due non hanno modo di comunicare?

Mi è dispiaciuto inoltre non trovare a fine libro un indice delle rune, ho apprezzato il glossario norreno e mi sarebbe piaciuto avere una rappresentazione visiva delle rune perché durante la lettura continuavo a confonderle non ricordando quale facesse cosa.
Profile Image for Hira Chaudhary.
1,688 reviews14 followers
May 17, 2020
This was such a great conclusion to the series, and I loved getting more of Rakkian and Isa's relationship. Things pick up right after the end of Teeth, with and the aftermath of Isa not knowing how to deal with that. But I liked seeing the two of them come back together and just how good and true Rakkian's heart was. I die over how he always wanted to help and do what was best for Isa even when the other boy hated him.

I liked how Karel's story played out and how he finally broke free of his father and chose for himself. And then Alma taking a leadership role was amazing. I liked how Isa took over, and how much his people liked and respected him, despite all the years of being avoided because of his curse.

This was just a great duology and I loved all the characters and the extremely slow burn romance. It was so beautiful and well-developed. I loved watching Isa and Raki grow closer, how they came to care for one another, and how they finally got to be together at the end.

TW: parental manipulation/abuse, death
Profile Image for Lynn Give 'Em Hel Vetica.
223 reviews12 followers
February 23, 2021
Isa's hunt to find a cure for the Varg's curse has failed and the stakes are only getting higher. The curse is spreading fast, and the runes keeping the Varg from reaching his soul will not hold forever.

Eskal has his own agenda: Find the Jera rune before Fenrisborg and claim the power of the Varg for himself. When Eskal leads Ulfheim's strongest warriors to the wild and hostile high north, Karel's plans to save his sister and prove himself to his father finally seem to fall into place.

In the middle of it all is Rakkian, struggling to find his footing amongst beasts and monsters both human and inhuman. In the unforgiving frozen wild, he will have to call on new strengths to stay alive.

Fantasy | Magic | Slow Burn Romance | Norse | YA | LGBT | Multiple POV
Profile Image for Vivi Pro.
117 reviews
April 1, 2020
The second book amped up the brutality in such a delicious way! Things get more time-pressed and plot-driven while also focusing on much-needed character development. The romance is more prominent in this book, especially towards the end as they work for their happy endings- and Karel... Oh man, that chapter was so satisfying and lovely, I actually cried and had to take a step back before I finished the book. Such a lovely cast of characters, I would part the skies for Isa, Rakkian, and Karel.
Profile Image for ˗ˏˋ maddie ˊˎ˗.
1,534 reviews11 followers
January 9, 2021
a high 3.5 for me, i think. it took me a while to remember what was going on and there was no help, you either get there or you don't (thankfully i got there, haha). so the first fifty or so pages i was stumbling around (i really should've reread after the long break, c'est la vie) but eventually it clicked back into place.

it has all the things i really fall for in fiction: found family, gray villains (karel), and a romantic relationship with a legitimately felt foundation. plus, norse mythology which is always a bonus, and a neat and natural way to incorporate a lot of their critters. i liked the varg, and the solution to the varg especially!!, and the use of the forgotten rune. i liked that even with karel being karel, during the final confrontation isa continuously checked himself against draining him, too.
Profile Image for Littlebookterror.
2,328 reviews92 followers
June 20, 2021
What a letdown.
The characterization was botched, everyone's motivation changed with each new chapter. The growing romance was not compelling at all. The finale held no tension whatsoever.
Karel was done dirty.

Profile Image for PaperMoon.
1,836 reviews85 followers
July 2, 2020
This is a direct continuation from the previous book rather than a sequel, but there's a noticeable elevation of dramatic intensity. MCs Rakkian and Isa (and also Karel) face numerous threats to their lives from human enemies and non-human entities/monsters. I got quite dizzy at one point from all the double-crossing and sneaky sleight-of-hand maneuvers undertaken by Karel - just didn't know whether to curse him or kiss him LOL. The raven and wolf familiars tied to Rakkian and Isa further added to my reading interest and enjoyment. Brilliant ending 4.5 stars.
Profile Image for Ellie.
4 reviews
June 2, 2024
I usually don't write reviews, but omg i loved this book so much. I've grown so fond of Rakkian and Isa and their story, that I'm actually sad that it's over. But I'm so glad I found this gem of a book and I can recommend this to everyone who wants a book filled with action, thrilling plot and two absolutely lovable main characters.
Profile Image for Soph.
47 reviews7 followers
June 1, 2019
I just finished it and I already miss the boys. This was soooo good! I love this world and the characters. Took my time with this one because I really didn't want it to end. This was such a good series!
105 reviews
June 20, 2019
Get the series.

A fun well researched story about a Viking age villages with magic, violent infighting and romance. You have to read them in order since the second one simply continues where the first one stops, one narrative in two volumes. I would read more from this author.
Profile Image for Angelica Dominguez.
136 reviews2 followers
November 3, 2019
Yo diria que un 3.5 es una historia buena, con un mundo y una descripción del mundo increible, pero me parece muy lento, y me falto mas escenas de amor, sabia que pasaria con la pareja, pero necesitaba mas amor de parte de ellos...esperaba más
Profile Image for theo's bananabread .
109 reviews1 follower
March 7, 2020
i loved it!, since there was much more plot than in Theeth i genuily enjoyed it and even though it took me a long time to like Karel at least a bit i just live for Rakki and Isa. also, i propose a spin-of with Alma and Signy...
Profile Image for Sarah Peters.
Author 7 books14 followers
February 12, 2021
Enjoyed the second part! A HEA ending, and I guess my only gripe is that the dialogue is all so... modern, with lots of slang thrown in. Characters saying things like "wow" and "okay" was a bit jarring in the Viking-era setting.
Profile Image for Manu.
118 reviews3 followers
June 4, 2021
Not a lot of romance, I'm usually a slow burn story lover myself but I felt that the outcome of all the buildup wasn't enough. Too bad because otherwise I really liked the book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews

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