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When David is assigned an essay on the history of dragons, there is only one thing he knows for sure---he wants to win the prize of a research trip to the Arctic. As David begins to dig deeper into the past, he finds himself drawn down a path from which there is no going back . . . to the... read more

Summary edit see section history

The sequel to Chris d'Lacey's bestselling novel, The Fire Within, Icefire continues the story of student, David Rain, and his life in the Pennykettle household.
Life isn't exactly normal lodging at the Pennykettles - not when you're surrounded by hundreds of clay pottery dragons. Fate... read more (warning: may contain spoilers)

The sequel to Chris d'Lacey's bestselling novel, The Fire Within, Icefire continues the story of student, David Rain, and his life in the Pennykettle household.
Life isn't exactly normal lodging at the Pennykettles - not when you're surrounded by hundreds of clay pottery dragons. Fate seems to be dictating an unusual course for David when his college tutor Dr. Bergstrom gives him a writing project on the existence - or not - of dragons. The tantalizing prize - a fully-funded research trip to the Arctic - seems just within his grasp. David starts to research the subject and soon discovers a connection between dragons and the Arctic just as it begins to snow. Is it only a coincidence? Or could deeper forces be at work? As David starts to uncover more about the dragons, he finds himself drawn down a path from which there is no going back to a time when dragons really did exist, and their secrets were guarded by the polar bears of the Arctic. If David is going to have any chance of winning the research trip, he has to open his mind to the legend of dragons and the mysterious secret of Icefire... He starts receiving messages from Lorel (a polar bear with amazing knowledge, and also the Teller of Ways who seems to have a connection with the mysterious Dr. Bergstrom). He also makes friends with a Goth at his college named Suzanna Martindale, and they eventually fall in love. Zanna is invited by David over to Liz's house, and David takes her to the Dragons' Den without permission, which results in Zanna touching a bronze egg, quickening (fertilizing) it. It becomes a real egg, with a real dragon (Grockle) in it.
Unfortunately, Grockle is born without fire and turns to stone without it. Sophie returns from a trip to Africa, with Zanna in the house. David tries to tell Sophie that Zanna isn't his girlfriend. Over a walk, Sophie tells him that she cannot be with him anymore, and will be going on a long trip to Africa, and tells him to look after Zanna. Sophie takes Grace with her to Africa. David learns that he has won the chance to go to the Arctic-with Zanna. Liz has a snowball she has kept since she was a child, which is the icefire. The icefire keeps all the dragons alive.

Characters/People edit see section history

Show all 18 characters
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First Sentence edit see section history

David, if your face grows any longer your chin will be scraping the soles of your shoes."

Table of Contents edit see section history

1. The Wishing Dragon
2. A Very Strange Essay
3. A Sticky Encounter
4. Breakfast News
5. The Mystery of the Tear
6. Online With Zanna
7. Bonnington's Treasure
8. The Hunt For Spikey
9. Zanna in the Garden
10. David Makes A Wish
11. Aunty Gwyneth Calls
12. Flower Power
13. The Quickened Egg
14. Flight
15. A Surprise at Henry's
16. To the Library Gardens
17. A Meeting with Dr. Bergstrom
18. The Tooth of Ragnar
19. An Open-and-Shut Case
20. David Makes Plans
21. Welcome to the Family
22. Crossed Words with Henry
23. A Dash of Honesty
24. Blazing Ice
25. Aunty Gwyneth Tells a Story
26. Something in the Air
27. Hobnobbing with Dilys
28. David Turns
29. The Secret of the Rose
30. The Cold Before the Storm
31. The Storm
32. The Truth about Gwilanna
33. The Fire That Melts No Ice
34. Cleaning Up
35. Departures

Series & Lists edit see section history

This is book 2 of 8 in The Last Dragon Chronicles. (standard series)

Preceded by The Fire Within, and followed by Fire Star.

This book is in Fantasy. (community list)

Authors & Contributors edit see section history

  1. Chris d'Lacey (Author)

Other Contributors:

  1. David Caplan (Designer)

First Edition edit see section history

Original Language: English
Publisher: Orchard Books
Country: United States of America
Publication Date: 2005
ISBN: 0439672465
Page Count: 421

Classification edit see section history

  • Library of Congress: PZ7.D6475 Ic 2005
  • Dewey: 22

Notes for Parents edit see section history

Reading Level: Ages 9-12

Excellent, clean and a good read for all ages


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