The Empire of Ice

Empire of Ice #1

by Richard Moran

An undersea volcano south of Iceland bursts to the surface of the ocean, blocking the North Atlantic current that warms the shores of Europe, freezing the Irish Sea and the English Channel, and laying the groundwork for a fascist plot. Reprint.

Genres: Thriller, Science Fiction

371 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1994

Reviews

[Mark Muckerman]

An outstanding book at $0.50 from the used bookstore. However, for more than a dollar the reader would feel ill-used.

Decent premise and potential for the core storyline. However the overall book is thin, formulaic, underdeveloped, painfully linear in storytelling, filled with forced and obvious plot devices that stop one step short of an actual MacGuffin, and overall a disappointing and unsatisfying read.

Every element of the story (undersea volcano, climate shift, eternal winter, political intrigue and war, biosphere survival, and even the overly trite love story) all have potential as great plot devices and in the hands of a better author could be developed more individually, and more completely and with more relevant interconnection than is actually delivered.

I'm not bitter for having read it, but if I was on vacation I'd leave it behind for the next reader.

[LaShana Claude]

The Empire of Ice is non-stop, providing vivid thrills that will make your teeth chatter; when Mother Nature isn't throwing cataclysm after cataclysm at our heroes, they have to deal with the increasing tensions between Ireland and Britain, fascist politicians, and a pack of starving wolves. This winter when you imply don't feel up to the risk of frostbite and trudging through thigh-high snow in order to de-ice you windshield and drive slick roads to work, stay inside with THE EMPIRE OF ICE. - Mystery News

[Linda]

The idea in this book is interesting. A new ice age happening because of undersea volcano. The cold of this winter makes the story almost relevant. But why do authors always feel the need to add gratuitous love stories and personal details that just distract from the excitement? I just wanted more details about living with snow that never ends. and I doubt thousands of people would show up to celebrate some scientists if they are freezing and starving to death. There is a sequel and I am going to read it but just because I already have access to it! Maybe it will be more detailed.

[Fishface]

Fun little disaster novel about a volcano that blocks the Gulf Stream and causes a rather sudden climate change. It's not Shakespeare but it's a very enjoyable disaster epic. One of the many great disaster novels set in Great Britain, like DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS, KRAKEN, DELUGE, et al.

[Chad]

Kinda goofy.

[Erik Graff]

A run-of-the-mill disaster novel written in the nineties, set in 2000--ten years ago now. Near-future science fiction.

[Rhonda]

sounded good, but was just kind of lame.

[Jan O'Kane]

Read this some time ago, and totally enjoyed the book.

[Devi]

Probably should be 2.5 stars.

A fair tale with some good points but often predictable.