The Icebound Land

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of physical abuse, emotional abuse, addiction, and substance use.

While Evanlyn’s resilience and determination are key to her and Will’s survival, she is the only primary female character within the novel. How does the narrative dominance of men in the world of the Ranger’s Apprentice series shape the characters and themes at work? Are women other than Evanlyn given agency and power, or is Evanlyn an exception?

Perhaps fitting for the medieval-esque setting of the book, Halt and Horace repeatedly discuss and emphasize monarchic power. How do the characters define a good versus a bad king? Is this a question of morality, strength, or both? Do there seem to be any checks and balances controlling what makes a good or bad king in either Araluen or Gallica?

How does the choice to alternate between storylines affect the narrative elements in the novel? Choose one narrative element (plot, pacing, characterization, etc.) and analyze how it is affected by the alternating points of view. How would the novel change if the chapters were arranged differently?