Perfect for fans of His Dark Materials ! A gripping adventure where "nature, magic, and legend combine to create a world like no other." — Kirkus Reviews, starred review For generations, the noble polar bears have ruled the Northern Kingdoms. But now, their society is on the brink of collapse. A group of power-hungry bears has seized control, and darkness is creeping across the snow.Cubs First and Second don't know any of this. Although they're twins, they couldn't be more different. First loves imagining stories, while his daring sister, Second, wants to live them. When their mother is taken prisoner, the cubs' world falls apart. They know they have to rescue her, but how can two cubs who've barely learned to hunt survive a treacherous journey across the ice? Their only chance is to learn to trust each other and—even more important—trust themselves. But survival is only the beginning. And soon, these two unlikely heroes find themselves at the heart of a battle unlike anything Ga'hoole has ever seen.

After learning that their mother is being held captive at the dangerous Ice Cap, cubs Stellan and Jytte continue their search for their father, Svern. He's the only one who can gather the other bear rebels and craft a plan to storm the Ice Cap. But the secret to defeating the Grand Patek lies deep in the legendary Den of Forever Frost—a place that some bears claim never existed at all. Now, it's up to the cubs to find the tool before the enemy closes in. But their chances are slim-the Grand Patek has a secret weapon at his disposal—one with the power to destroy everything the creatures of Ga'Hoole hold dear. In this second book in the Bears of the Ice series, bestselling author Kathryn Lasky lures readers deeper into a vividly-imagined fantasy world full of magic, adventure . . . and animal heroes unlike any other.