Lou Anders’s research on Norse mythology while writing Frostborn turned into a love affair with Viking culture and a first visit to Norway. He hopes the series will appeal to boys and girls equally. Anders is the recipient of a Hugo Award for editing and a Chesley Award for art direction. He has published over 500 articles and stories on science fiction and fantasy television and literature. A prolific speaker, Anders regularly attends writing conventions around the country. He and his family reside in Birmingham, Alabama. You can visit Anders online at louanders.com and ThronesandBones.com, on Facebook, and on Twitter at @ThronesandBones.
"A fun, fast-paced, and highly enjoyable tale." -Garth Nix,
bestselling author of the Abhorsen trilogy
"The most delightful fantasy I have read in ages. . .
. Put me on the waiting list for book 2!" -Amy Plum,
international bestselling author of the Die For Me series
“In this Norse-flavored adventure, Anders, editorial director for
Pyr Books and editor of numerous anthologies, pits a clever boy and
a resourceful half-giant girl against numerous enemies and the
hazards of the frozen wilderness. Twelve-year-old Karn has no
desire to learn the family business of farming; he’s much more
interested in playing the strategy board game Thrones and Bones.
Thianna’s human ancestry makes her an oddity and object of derision
among her full-blooded giant peers. Nevertheless, Karn and Thianna
become reluctant allies and friends when trouble threatens: Karn
runs afoul of a malevolent undead lord, while Thianna must flee
from her human mother’s people, who seek a long-lost artifact.
Though a lot of elements are in play, Anders ties the novel’s
threads together in a neatly satisfying way, crafting a powerful,
fast-paced tale. Cleverness is valued as much as martial abilities,
swiftness of mind as much as strength of sword arm. The setting is
rich, the characters well-defined, and the danger ever-paramount.
It’s a strong and thoroughly enjoyable start to the Thrones and
Bones series.” - Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
"An obsessive gamer and a sassy half-giant affirm that power lies
in being underestimated. As the heir apparent to a powerful farm in
Norrøngard (think a fictional Norway), 12-year-old Karn is expected
to comprehend bartering techniques (six ewes + six lambs = one
cow). His predilection for Thrones and Bones (a traditional
Norrønir board game) and disdain for a bucolic existence don’t
invite any confidence from his father. Thianna is a 12-year-old
half-giant and half-human (by way of her deceased mother). At 7
feet tall, she’s considered diminutive by giant standards and would
“cut her human half out in an instant if she could.” When their
fathers meet for several days of trading goods, Thianna and Karn
strike up an unexpected friendship. Their need for an alliance is
accelerated when nemeses from Thianna’s mother’s past surface, and
Karn’s life is designated an obstacle by his Machiavellian uncle.
Enter: wyverns, a seemingly silent horn, undead assailants,
flatulent trolls and one massive dragon. A merging of comedy,
action and suspense maintains a promising pace. As present as the
lurking danger are two important messages: Focus your energy toward
accentuating your strengths rather than regretting weaknesses, and
always stand downwind from a troll. Future fans of Tolkien and
George R.R. Martin can happily cut their serial-fantasy teeth on
this first book of an eventual series. (map, illustrated guide to
the Thrones and Bones game) (Fantasy. 10-14)" -Kirkus Reviews
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