Frostborn explodes into action on the very first page,
propelling readers into the story at a breakneck pace that continues throughout
the novel.
Karn and Thianna couldn’t be more different. Karn want’s
to escape his birthright, leave the family farm, and find out what’s
beyond Norrongard’s borders. Half frost giantess, half
human Thianna only wants to fit in with the other giants and live out her life
in peace on the giant’s frozen Northern mountain, but the
pureblood giants bully her and take every opportunity to remind her that she
isn’t one of them. Karn and Thianna meet at a trading fair, and
a tentative friendship is born.
At the end of the fair Karn’s Uncle Ori betrays
him, tricking him into challenging the undead warrior Helltopper for a battle.
Karn’s father is lost instead, and Karn runs away in fear and
guilt, chased by Helltopper’s undead servants. Meanwhile Thianna
and her father return to their home to find foreign warriors riding wyvern
looking for Thianna. She must act quickly to get away, though somehow the
warriors are able to track her and follow close behind.
Chance, or fate, throws the two friends together again and each
quickly comes to rely on the other’s unique skills to survive. Thianna is
strong, loyal and brave. Karn’s years honing his Thrones and Bones
game have given him an eye for strategy and an ability to see the enemy’s
weaknesses. Together they battle draugs, giant linnorms, evil uncles and fierce
warriors in an effort to save themselves and their loved ones.
Anders’ middle grade tale seizes the reader’s
interest and keeps it. Karn and Thianna are fun, intelligent characters, and
their friendship has chemistry. Personally, I appreciated that the two never
viewed each other romantically, instead naturally falling into an easy
camaraderie. The plot is well thought-out and fast-paced, written to capture a
reader’s imagination. This is a book to hand boys and girls,
adventure lovers, fantasy fans, and those who don’t think they like
to read. I look forward to the next installment.
Anders, Lou. Frostborn (Thrones and Bones book 1). New York: Random House Children's Books/Crown, 2014. 4 stars.
No comments:
Post a Comment