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booklover160's review against another edition
3.0
I read this a while ago when I believe the third novel in the series came out. It looked awesome so I picked up the first, but it was a struggle to get through. I love viking tales, I like Magic the Gathering, however I couldn't get into this book. I tried so hard to love it, but it didn't work for me.
I'd like to reread it someday with the intention of continuing the series.
I'd like to reread it someday with the intention of continuing the series.
justlily's review against another edition
I really wanted to love this but I'm just finding it too slow. Maybe it picks up in the second half but the first was meh.
librarygirlreads's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
malreynolds111's review against another edition
4.0
my son enjoyed reading this book out loud with me.
brandypainter's review against another edition
4.0
Originally posted here at Random Musings of a Bibliophile.
Fans of Norse legends and fantasy that incorporates that, Frostborn by Lou Anders, the first book in the Thrones and Bones series, is for you. It is a fun, adventurous MG fantasy with wyverns, frost giants, barrows, and one very large dragon.
Karn is the youngest child but only son of a hauld. One day all the responsibilities of the family farm will be his to be bear including the bothersome and boring art of trading. All Karn wants to do is work on his Thrones and Bones game, a strategy game similar to chess. He often plays himself working out new and inventive ways to win. Unfortunately, Karn isn't paying enough attention what is going on around him and doesn't realize that real life is a strategy game all its own, where someone has marked him as a pawn to be moved off the board. Tricked into awakening an old dead king trapped in a barrow, Karn is forced to flee for his life into the mountains. Thianna is half human and half frost giant. She is at constant war with herself, discontent with her weaker human half. Growing up on the mountain with her fellow giants, she always felt less than she should be. When Thianna discovers something that belonged to her human mother, she unwittingly draws the attention of teh very villains who sent her mother fleeing into the mountains in the first place. Betrayed by a nemesis, Thianna must flee her home in order to protect it. Karn and Thianna had met and spent time together on a trading mission with their fathers. Fleeing for their lives, they meet up again and join forces to survive and defeat their foes.
Both Karn and Thianna have strong characters and their development happens in a believable and wonderful way. They find the power within themselves they need to do what must be done, coming to terms with the things that were holding them back, and learning so much. This is woven organically into the story of their adventure. I loved their friendship and how it developed over time. This too was realistic. They start out wary of each other, as most children are and break the ice with rough play. Karn and Thianna are different, but respect each other's differences and honor each other's strengths. It's a partnership that works well.
In the course of their adventures Karn and Thianna encounter trolls, a massive city burning (and eating) dragon, and the mysterious wyvern riders who will do anything to capture the object that Thianna holds, not to mentions the draugs (zombie soldiers of barrow king) who are after Karn. These adversaries are a nice balance of funny, frightening, fiercely cruel, and, in the dragon's case, all of these things plus witty and intelligent. It gives the story a nice feeling of peril while balancing that with a lighter tone. There is a lot of fighting and perilous scenes, and the pace is quick. It is hard book to put down and vastly entertaining.
This is a perfect read for young fantasy fans, particularly ones who like fantastical creatures.
Fans of Norse legends and fantasy that incorporates that, Frostborn by Lou Anders, the first book in the Thrones and Bones series, is for you. It is a fun, adventurous MG fantasy with wyverns, frost giants, barrows, and one very large dragon.
Karn is the youngest child but only son of a hauld. One day all the responsibilities of the family farm will be his to be bear including the bothersome and boring art of trading. All Karn wants to do is work on his Thrones and Bones game, a strategy game similar to chess. He often plays himself working out new and inventive ways to win. Unfortunately, Karn isn't paying enough attention what is going on around him and doesn't realize that real life is a strategy game all its own, where someone has marked him as a pawn to be moved off the board. Tricked into awakening an old dead king trapped in a barrow, Karn is forced to flee for his life into the mountains. Thianna is half human and half frost giant. She is at constant war with herself, discontent with her weaker human half. Growing up on the mountain with her fellow giants, she always felt less than she should be. When Thianna discovers something that belonged to her human mother, she unwittingly draws the attention of teh very villains who sent her mother fleeing into the mountains in the first place. Betrayed by a nemesis, Thianna must flee her home in order to protect it. Karn and Thianna had met and spent time together on a trading mission with their fathers. Fleeing for their lives, they meet up again and join forces to survive and defeat their foes.
Both Karn and Thianna have strong characters and their development happens in a believable and wonderful way. They find the power within themselves they need to do what must be done, coming to terms with the things that were holding them back, and learning so much. This is woven organically into the story of their adventure. I loved their friendship and how it developed over time. This too was realistic. They start out wary of each other, as most children are and break the ice with rough play. Karn and Thianna are different, but respect each other's differences and honor each other's strengths. It's a partnership that works well.
In the course of their adventures Karn and Thianna encounter trolls, a massive city burning (and eating) dragon, and the mysterious wyvern riders who will do anything to capture the object that Thianna holds, not to mentions the draugs (zombie soldiers of barrow king) who are after Karn. These adversaries are a nice balance of funny, frightening, fiercely cruel, and, in the dragon's case, all of these things plus witty and intelligent. It gives the story a nice feeling of peril while balancing that with a lighter tone. There is a lot of fighting and perilous scenes, and the pace is quick. It is hard book to put down and vastly entertaining.
This is a perfect read for young fantasy fans, particularly ones who like fantastical creatures.
cassroberts89's review against another edition
4.0
My 10yo and I loved this! He gave it four stars as well. I’m not super familiar with Norse or Celtic mythology, but I loved how all the different elements were woven together. Draugs (creepy yet somewhat humorous undead guys), giants, Orm (giant dragon/serpent thing with a great personality), wyverns (two-legged dragons), etc. 10yo is really into games like Risk and Stratego, and Thrones & Bones reminded me of that a bit. I have been meaning to look up the origin of the game. It seems like it was created specifically for this story, but I wanted to see if it was at least inspired by a game played in that culture. Anyway, great book and I think we’ll pick up the sequels at some point.
danicamidlil's review against another edition
Fast paced? I don't think so.
Tried this book twice actually. Still couldn't get through it.
Tried this book twice actually. Still couldn't get through it.
amymck05's review against another edition
3.0
This was hard for me to finish but it is one of out battle of the book selections and it was on my list to read. I liked the title but wasn't in the mood for made up countries and trolls and draugs and dragons. . I think my students would like it though.
xandra_lyn's review against another edition
The plot was really slow, and it didn't click. I know I'm not the intended audience, but 🤷🏼♀️