On the fifth anniversary of Garth Ingram’s passing, his four closest friends reunite to say a final farewell in the place he most wanted to visit: Freya’s Mirror, a unique glacier cave in one of Iceland’s most spectacular icefalls. Two of them bring their partners along for the guided hike, leaving Jerry and Yvonne, who share a cursed romantic past, as frustrated singletons forced to bite their tongues for one last memorial trek.
None of them have visited Iceland before, and their young guide, Magnus, is eager to keep them safe and entertained on the ice. But a series of disquieting natural anomalies suggests the glacier might not be as stable as he supposes. The neighboring mountain, Konungur, is a dormant volcano that hasn’t erupted for hundreds of years. Tonight, however, the gods of Iceland begin to stir, and the hikers find themselves trapped deep in the glacier when Konungur unleashes its full fiery wrath.
As fissures appear and lava starts to pour, the ice all around them begins to melt. They have no choice but to attempt a nail-biting traverse across the treacherous glacier roof, where softening snow bridges conceal a maze of deadly crevasses. Old passions and grudges add emotional fuel to a combustible race against the clock. When night falls, impossible survival choices mount as the team faces the ultimate battle against the elements in the Land of Fire and Ice.
Robert Appleton is a British science fiction and adventure author partial to tales of survival in far-flung locations. Many of his sci-fi books share the same universe as his popular Alien Safari series, though tend to feature standalone storylines. His rebellious characters range from an orphaned grifter on Mars to a lone woman gate-crashing the war in her biotech suit. His sci-fi readers regularly earn enough frequent flyer miles to qualify for a cross-galaxy voyage of their choosing. His publishers include Harlequin Carina Press, and he also ghost-writes novels in other genres. In his free time he hikes, plays soccer, and kayaks whenever he can. The night sky is his inspiration.
His work has been nominated for several awards, and in 2011 he won the EPIC Award for Best Historical Fiction.
Iceland – often described as the 'Land of Fire and Ice' – is the setting for this compelling action adventure. Four friends meet up on the fifth anniversary of the death of close friend Garth Ingram, to fulfil his last bucket list request. The reader never meets Garth, a big-hearted and larger than life character, but we learn that a catalytic event initially brought all five of them together in a friendship that those left behind are honouring one final time, with an expedition he never managed to achieve. This last item on Garth's bucket list is a visit to Freya's Mirror, a unique glacier cave in one of Iceland’s most spectacular icefalls. The original four friends are joined by the partners of two of them – young women – one an experienced climber and the other a complete novice.
A short way into the story there are unforeseen and unexpected signs of volcanic activity nearby, resulting in a gripping battle for survival against the elements as the group encounter a series of dangerous and nail-biting scenarios. Author Robert Appleton's accomplished writing demonstrates first hand experience of climbing and challenging survival scenarios, and he manages to describe high adrenaline events in an extreme landscape environment without ever using repetitive phrasing. I had to look up a few of the geographical features which was interesting, and also learned a few new verbs used to describe movement – of water, ice and lava. Each new challenge faced by the characters felt fresh with high tension, and the pace and plotting were expertly done, keeping me turning the pages. The characterisation is very good, with a blend of personalities that make each situation believable, and had me invested in each one right from the start. I especially empathised with Jerry and Yvonne, past lovers who never managed to 'get it together', but are thrown into forced proximity to fulfil Garth's final wish. There were some very nicely done allusions to fond memories of Garth, who was certainly no 'goody goody' but who clearly made a big impact on all who met him. I really enjoyed this story, which more than lived up to my expectations, having read a couple of Appleton's earlier books, all with a survival theme. The author's writing took me on a nail-biting adventure and I highly recommend 'Wild Elements' to anyone who enjoys survival narratives with compelling characters.
Having read and enjoyed Robert Appleton’s Wild Descent, I was looking forward to reading Wild Elements. It didn’t disappoint.
On the fifth anniversary of their late friend Garth’s death, a group of six meet in Iceland to honour one of his last requests — a series of vicarious bucket-list destinations, this time a specific glacier hike.
Another reason for looking forward to this book is that I spent a lot of time in Iceland as a child and teenager, and have been back, albeit briefly, since, and was interested to see how convincingly this extraordinary ‘land of fire and ice’ is portrayed. The answer is, very convincingly and vividly.
The friends set off with their experienced glacier guide Magnus and the expedition starts well. The characters are all deftly sketched, with just enough of their backgrounds given to set the scene while avoiding too much ‘telling’. Their interactions feel real and understandable and the reader builds up relationships with them all.
I try to avoid spoilers in reviews, so as regards the plot I will simply echo the bare bones described in the author’s blurb, namely that the long-dormant volcano adjacent to the glacier starts to stir and then erupts. The tension is built brilliantly, from the first mysterious sounds heard by the group when they are deep inside a glacial cave, to the realisation that hot lava is cascading over the glacier, melting the snow bridges that lead to safety. The panic that drives Garth’s group as well as others hiking the glacier at the time is compellingly described, and the reader is on the edge of their seat as they follow Jerry and Yvonne in particular as they try to escape the twin dangers of icy water and molten lava.
Thoroughly recommended for anyone who likes fast-paced, heart-in-the-mouth action adventure in an unusual setting.
Garth Ingram is the key character who begins the entire story of the novel. Wealthy and wealthy, a lover of adventurous and risky travel, he dies of cancer and leaves enormous wealth to his dearest friends, on the condition that part of it be used to make five trips. His friends then decide to grant Garth's wish and meet in Iceland for an adventurous excursion to the Freya Mirror, a picturesque Icelandic glacial cave that their recently deceased friend had long wanted to visit but which his early death prevented him from granting. They will be joined by Magnus, an experienced young guide, whose expertise is being severely tested by the’ sudden eruption of the Konungur volcano, the mountain next to the cave that has remained dormant for centuries. Thus began a new adventure for the group of hiking friends and for the guide himself, one never experienced before by any other hiker in the cave. They will find themselves navigating crevasses and melting ice. The group of friends will thus find themselves embarking on a journey in honor of their deceased friend, which will turn into a fight for survival. This story can be read as a metaphor for life: sometimes we stop too long to reflect on the past, losing sight of the importance of acting in the present and risking being overwhelmed by the surrounding reality. This is what happens to Jerry, one of Garth's friends, who just as he leaves sees Yvonne again, the woman with whom he has never managed to build a lasting bond. If he previously lingered in regret, the threat of the volcano forces him to stop: to survive he must find the courage to act, protecting and helping Yvonne, finally living in the 'here and now'.
When Garth Ingram, a well-off thrill-seeker, dies of cancer, his closest friends discover he has willed them unimaginable wealth. A stipulation requires them to devote a portion of their funds to five trips. The friends have reunited to meet at the last location, Iceland, where they will hike to a glacial cave and witness a natural wonder few have seen. The story is told from Jerry (Mac) McAlinden’s perspective. He has conflicting feelings about the trip. Jerry is in love with one of his fellow adventurers, Yvonne Cushing. Despite their feelings, they never succeeded in a lasting relationship. The pair are joined by a South African couple, Frikkie and Alletta, popular extreme sports YouTube bloggers, and Dan, accompanied by his new to the group girlfriend Melanie. During the trip, they share stories about their benefactor, a charming man who could be both generous and manipulative. In Wild Elements by Robert Appleton, the adventure begins well. Their guide is well-qualified and friendly, and the weakest of the group, Melanie, is gamely managing. Then disaster strikes when a dormant volcano erupts. This book reminded me of every great disaster film I’ve ever seen. I cared about the characters and cheered them on. The setting was both beautiful and terrifying. And the author took time with the ending to share what happened to the survivors, which was one of the many factors in what made Wild Elements such a satisfying read. If you are into heart-racing adventures with interesting characters, you’ll love this book.
Wild Elements: Beyond Limits #3 is a vivid, cinematic plunge into Iceland’s glaciers and volcanic wilds, written with the kind of sensory precision that makes you feel the crunch of ice underfoot and the hiss of geothermal vents.
Robert Appleton’s command of language is impressive; the landscapes are rendered with such clarity that the novel often reads like a travelogue grounded in real science. There’s a surprising amount of glacier physics and wilderness geology woven into the narrative, and it’s delivered cleanly enough that even casual readers can appreciate how the natural world shapes the story.
At the center of the novel is an intriguing premise: Garth, a super‑rich, deeply flawed man, has essentially bought the loyalty of five college friends. After dying young of cancer, he leaves them each a fortune—on the condition that they reunite annually to scatter portions of his ashes in places he loved. It’s a compelling setup, though Garth himself comes across as boorish and hard to like, and the fractured couple in the group seems locked in a pattern of inevitable doom.
Their Icelandic pilgrimage culminates in a harrowing journey inside a glacier, where Mother Nature unleashes a hellacious finale. The story is strong, though at times the writing starts to feel like it’s trying too hard as one gets tired waiting for the all-but-inevitable conclusion.
But still, the experience is memorable and striking.
The Icelandic setting in this story provides a vivid backdrop that feels both cold and dangerous. The contrast between the ancient ice and the heat of the volcano creates a sense of tension. This book captures the spirit of a group of friends who face their past while they fight for their future. The characters feel like real people with deep histories and complicated bonds. It is a joy to read about a team that must rely on grit and trust to survive a disaster. The environment acts as a force that strips away all pretenses and forces the survivors to show their true selves. This tale of endurance and memory is a testament to the strength found in human connection.
Reading this book brings a rush of excitement and a feeling of relief. The constant shift from quiet moments of reflection to the terror of the melting glacier keeps the heart rate up. There is a specific kind of warmth in the way the hikers honor their late friend despite the chaos around them. The story makes the reader think about their own friendships and who would stand by them in a crisis. The pace stays steady as the stakes rise, which keeps the focus on the internal courage of the group. It is a pleasure to find a story that relies on heart to see the journey to the end. The final chapters leave a lasting impression of hope.
Wild Elements by Robert Appleton is a gripping, atmospheric thriller that combines survival, grief, and the complexity of old friendships. Set in Iceland, the novel makes excellent use of its dramatic landscape, turning glaciers, caves, and volcanic danger into more than a backdrop—they become an active force in the story. The setting feels vivid, eerie, and immersive throughout.
What makes the book especially effective is the balance between external danger and emotional tension. Beneath the survival plot, the novel explores loyalty, buried resentment, unresolved love, and the lingering influence of a man whose presence continues to shape the group even after death. The friendships feel layered, and the emotional undercurrents give the story real weight.
Appleton’s pacing works well, shifting naturally from quieter, reflective moments to scenes of rising suspense. The writing is clear and accessible, with strong sensory detail that helps build tension. The cave sequences in particular create a steady sense of dread before the danger fully unfolds.
The result is a novel that feels both cinematic and human. Wild Elements is as much about surviving a natural disaster as it is about facing the truths, memories, and emotional fractures that surface under pressure. It’s an engaging, well-crafted read with both heart and intensity.
Adrenaline junkie here: Ten stars, very highly recommend this story if you like action and exotic locales.
This very well written book has a multi layered plot even within its short length. It’s a perfect adventure read when you just want to treat yourself and don’t have time for a long book, or if you just want a fun read and length doesn’t matter.
The characters are well developed with depth so it’s easy to know who is talking or acting. It's such a pleasure to read a book when the characters in the story are easily identifiable throughout. The plot ties up well at all points. (Trying to avoid spoilers here.)
The setting on and in a glacier on a volcano in Iceland is magically immersive.
The pace of the book is perfect, alternating moments of relative peace with life threatening terror that ratchets up in the most believable unbelievable ways.
An exhilarating and gripping addition to the series. I haven’t read many adrenaline pump stories, but I was very impressed by Appleton’s work in “Wild Elements.” It’s a short read, yet easily shoots to a five star rating because of the harsh pull you get into this disaster story. The concept is well-established— a group of friends aiming to send their last goodbyes to their late buddy, Garth Ingram, by taking on an adventure together in Iceland. The characters are crafted carefully, all likeable and thriving in their own charming lives (especially the two who are no longer together, but share mutual, unsaid feelings.) I loved how real it felt and how human it is for these characters to face reality after the volcano erupts, and still, they take time to think about their lives and what made them who they are. This wasn’t just a high-stake disaster story, it’s morally entangled by a true telling of the person you are when real danger comes.
I finished this adventure novella yesterday and I’m still thinking about it. My impressions from the cover were that it might be a bit amateur (maybe it’s just me but using a photo as the background makes it look a little dated in my eyes and the fonts for the author name etc) but it was expertly done - the plot, descriptions, pacing and characters. In the early set up sections I worried I was starting to see the authors efforts behind the scenes - but he pulled it off and all that set up was so worth it for when the action started (which was GRIPPING) and I really cared about the characters. Better yet the characters were flawed and their relationships were complex. This is not my usual genre and I haven’t read any other books by this author but this one is going to stay with me for a while.
Either the author is a climber familiar with volcanoes and glaciers or he did a lot of research because the details in this story are very appropriate for the setting. The story involves a group of friends or hangers on who go on a glacier hike in Iceland to commemorate the death of their friend. It starts slowly with a lot of information about the group and their previous connections. The action starts halfway through the book. From then on, it’s a wild ride of adventure and catastrophe. It’s told in a realistic way with realistic consequences. The epilogue-like ending is so realistic, I wondered if it was based on a true story. There are a few love interests throughout the story, but they aren’t developed much after the first half. Threaded through the plot is a bit of mystic supernaturalism. This never gets too bold to force the reader to make judgements, just adds a bit of flavour.
Firstly, Wild Elements is a fantastic example of the way one can successfully blend an adventurous plot with realistically depicted protagonists who seem to be flesh and blood. In fact, the very beginning of the story establishes so much tension that readers are hardly able to stop.
There is an extremely thorough characterization, "inside and out." This helps a reader grasp the motives of the characters and the extent to which they are afraid when they have to endure the severe weather conditions of Iceland. Personally, I appreciated it that the focus of the novel remained on humans despite all the action going on. What I liked the most is a romantic sub-plot involving Jerry and Yvonne; the fact that they used to date each other adds some "meat" to the story.
Overall, the story is brilliantly written and perfectly paced. The tension is constantly growing but not excessively so. As an admirer of thrillers that involve a lot of human feelings, I strongly recommend reading this book.