Thrones and Bones: Frostborn by Lou Anders
Synopsis:
Meet Karn. He is destined to take over the family farm in Norrøngard. His only problem? He’d rather be playing the board game Thrones and Bones.
Enter Thianna. Half human, half frost giantess. She’s too tall to blend in with other humans but too short to be taken seriously as a giant.
When family intrigues force Karn and Thianna to flee into the wilderness, they have to keep their sense of humor and their wits about them. But survival can be challenging when you’re being chased by a 1,500-year-old dragon, Helltoppr the undead warrior and his undead minions, an evil uncle, wyverns, and an assortment of trolls and giants.
Review:
The Thrones and Bones series takes place in a Nordic land from myth and lore. Karn is a smart boy who is especially good at the board game Thrones and Bones. Thianna wants nothing to do with her human side, as she was raised among the frost giants. But when she receives a gift from her mother, it sets off a chain of events that puts her on the run for her life. Karn, too, has to flee when dangerous creatures give chase. And Thianna and Karn strike up an unlikely friendship on their journey.
Frostburn is the first in this fantasy series for youth. With colorful characters, a thrilling story, and plenty of magical creatures – it was easy to get swept away. There is plenty of humor, suspense, and drama. As a fan of Nordic culture, I was especially drawn to the Norse mythology aspect and the author’s fresh take. Pleasantly surprised with the outcome, I have high hopes for the next in this unique series.