Blood and Ice is an enthralling story which commences in early England, takes the reader through definitive wars, landmark times and personalities and crashes into the ice cold waters of the South Pole.
The story is so well written, that it aches to pull away from the alluring captivities of young Sinclair and Eleanor gently falling in love, infected Sinclair and Eleanor escaping in love, and immortal Sinclair and Eleanor being revived from the depths of the frigid waters.
On the other spectrum, the reader is immediately drawn to Michael whose personal suffering does not impede his general warm and vibrant personality.
The story culminates in the present day when beyond belief fantasy is cast aside in the name of science and Eleanor, although shrouded in circumspection, is welcomed into the little community.
The captivating exposition of Sinclair’s triumphs and degradation in the war, Eleanor’s chaste devotion to her professional calling, and their maddening journey into the undead is all described in present day by Eleanor. These accounts silently tell of a grave reluctance by Eleanor to continue her romance to the now unyielding, untrusting Sinclair whose charismatic charm and sensuality has forever been marred by the unimaginable horrors of the war.
The reader’s breath is abated as Sinclair frees himself, “releases” Eleanor from the bonds of her “captors” and convincingly tries to escape into the unknown, wide open snow field that surrounds the area.
His obstinate determination recognizes Michael’s kindness too late when he unhesitatingly joins forces with Michael to save Eleanor’s precious life; his interminable, ancient love for her being unmistakable.
It is not made known whether he survives the great fall, but the silence could, by the imaginative reader, be taken to symbolize his final acceptance of Eleanor’s rejection and her new found love for Michael.
The story ends predictably as Michael, now responsible for Eleanor, introduces her to the new world as she slowly, very slowly, settles in.
Robert Masello is a gifted story teller whose brilliance in television and writing glows in this book – the double-barrelled journey that is this book holds the reader hostage long after the final words are read. An absolute must read for anyone who loves history, fantasy and/or a damn good story!
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