Review of ‘Icebreaker’ by Steven William Hannah

A gripping dystopian sci-fi novel with a shamanism / new age element, Icebreaker is the first in the Interloper trilogy. I’ll certainly be checking out the sequels, because I really enjoyed this book. The author did a great job on the setting, pacing and characterisation. Despite an edge of fantasy horror, the story was made plausible. I could imagine it as a blockbuster movie. There is really nothing to criticise, other than that the text could benefit from more thorough proofreading.

Book cover of Icebreaker, showing snowflake design with eye in the centre.

The story is set in the freezing future after an event called the Cataclysm. It follows the main character, Bear, as he investigates the Phenomenon, a mysterious and brutal energy force which is devastating what is left of civilisation. He joins up with the crew of a Crawler, an armoured machine which brings supplies and news to the towns while at risk from religious cults and the Phenomenon itself. What follows is an adrenaline-fuelled quest filled with suspense and snappy dialogue. If you’re looking for a page-turning, action-packed, smart dystopian novel without any preaching, read this one!

Independently published in 2021.

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