Nightborn has been named a Staff Pick by Nicola's Books of Ann Arbor, Michigan. And their Staff Reviews, Nathan, who is entering the fifth grade, gives it a wonderful review.
"I think the amount of fighting and the love for games in the book is amazing! It even comes with instructions on how to play the game they play throughout the book. The game is called charioteers, and they play it to win information from people. But Karn likes games, so he plays charioteers for fun also. It is based on racing in a hippodrome, which is a racing track for chariots.
It is a good book, a little bit like The Percy Jackson series. It is definitely like the book 'Thrones and Bones: Frostborn.'
I would recommend it if you like strategy and action."
Today is the day that Nightborn is unleashed on the world! The second book in my Thrones & Bones series of middle reader adventure is now published! And I am thrilled.
Here is an amazing trailer to show you what the book is about:
And here is a ridiculously long list of fantastic endorsements already in from the critics:
"A winning testament to the value of friendship and to a surly dragon’s power of persuasion." Kirkus Reviews
"Good pacing, well-drawn characters, and engaging action scenes. And yes, there’s the promise of more to come." Booklist
"A highly enjoyable, fast-paced read." Joseph Mallozzi, co-executive producer of Dark Matter
"I thoroughly enjoyed both the books in these series, and am positive that young middle grade readers everywhere will get caught up in this action filled adventure. With characters that are easily likeable (or easy to hate), and a storyline that will grip you from the very beginning, there is a little bit of something for everyone!" Chapter by Chapter
"Nightborn was even better than Frostborn, which I didn't think would be possible!" Downright Dystopian
"I absolutely adored Nightborn....a really fun series that I think adults will also enjoy as well as younger readers." Winter Haven Books
"The author does an amazing job at grabbing your attention and keeping it." Lovely Reads
"My latest young reader obsession." All About Romance's Blog
"I went into reading this book thinking it would be a great read for my kids and I would pass it on. Little did I realize that I would fall in love with it myself. This book had everything a fantasy lover could want in a book." Seeing Double in Neverland
" I highly recommend Nightborn to everyone and can't wait to read the next book!" Short & Sweet Reviews
"I was never bored reading Nightborn! In fact, I was on the edge of my seat, following Desstra and Karn on their various (mis)adventures. The fast pace had me turning page after page, eager to see what was next." Books and Whimsy
"I love the pacing. You’re never really bored reading it, nothing is too short or too long, it’s just perfect." Words We Heart
"The climax is awesome!" Not Actually Hermione, But Pretty Close
"There’s plenty to enjoy about Nightborn, with new cities to explore and new characters, particularly the conflicted Dark Elf, Desstra, to meet. More importantly, Lou brings a sense of wonder to proceedings that often gets forgotten in many fantasy books." Sci Fi Pulse
"I highly recommend this serious to children looking for something similar to Rick Riordan’s series but meets a Lord of the Rings for kids fantasy. They won’t want to put the book down!" Twining for Books
"I loved every second of it!" Nightly Rendering
"A terrific fantasy adventure that promises much more to come, I can't wait to get my hands on the third." Children's Atheneum
"Fun, engaging, and the characters are great." Great Imaginations
"A great read for young minds looking for adventure." Reach Reads and Reviews
"This is a great series for younger readers especially if you are looking for a book that boys and girls can both enjoy." On Starships & Dragonwings
"Anders does a wonderful job of creating a vivid world, rich in detail, that makes the reader feel they are seeing it with their own eyes. The diverse cast of characters in the book resemble something from Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings. Dragons, elves, giants, gnomes and other creatures abound, making it a great introduction to the fantasy genre for any MG reader." Middle Grade Mafia
"It is perfect for middle graders, teens, and even adults. There is action and mystery. It shows how true friendship is meant to be." Mind-Ventures
"The world that Anders created is so cool. We got to see a lot more of it in this book, and I absolutely loved it! I can't wait to see more! Overall, Nightborn is a fabulous addition to the THRONES & BONES series! I highly recommend starting this trilogy!" Marie Loves Books
"I think that this is an amazing series!" This Kid Reviews Books
"This novel is a wonderful adventure for readers of all age; it is not just for middle grade bookworms. Because of the adventures that friendship tends to bring in this series, I greatly enjoyed this book, and I am very excited to read more exciting novels that Anders has written." Cavalier House Books
"Heavy on the Lloyd Alexander when sharpened with Rowling, Lou Anders has hit his follow-up to Frostborn right out of the park. With a new games, challenges, and adventures, Thianna and Karn have returned for a rollicking good time in Nightborn!" Sit.Write.Bleed
"I adored these books." The Lovely Books
"The sense of adventure never slows down, teetering from challenging riddles and games (this book introduces the game called Charioteers) to battles and sieges and even a manticore driven chariot race that would impress and amuse Ben-Hur." The Bibliosanctum
"Mr. Anders has written a good story. A very good story. A really, really very good story. You get the point." View from Valhalla
"Nightborn is a fun middle grade adventure in a rich fantasy world and great for those young readers sick of gendered books. There are also instructions for board games at the end of each book, which sounds like a great afternoon activity wink emoticon. If you’re looking for a light and fun fantasy adventure or something to give to a young reader after they finish the popular middle grade fantasies, Nightborn is a great choice." On Starships & Dragonwings
"With Nightborn not only has Lou Anders told a thoroughly entertaining story, he is starting to reveal a long game for these characters and this world." SF Signal
"I highly recommend this book to every fan of fantasy books, no matter the age... Nightborn is a great fantasy adventure both for boys & girls, and I'm looking forward to the next book in the series!" Aleksandra's Corner
Kirkus has reviewed Nightborn,the forthcoming second book in the Thrones & Bones series. It's a fantastic review, especially for the second book of a series. They say:
"Whereas the first book was characterized by a fair amount of adult guidance, this tale is primarily propelled by young protagonists and antagonists (an enthralling doppelgänger dark elf pair also seeks the horn). In turn, Karn and Thianna are more defiant, less naïve, and have more to lose this time around—namely each other—but they refuse to lose themselves. A winning testament to the value of friendship and to a surly dragon’s power of persuasion."
The first review for Nightbornis out! It's actually a joint review of Frostborn and Nightborn from All About Romance's Blog, who calls the Thrones & Bones series, "My latest young reader obsession." It's a good review but spoiler without a lot of quotables.
They do say, "I loved meeting the new character Desstra, seeing new parts of the realm and watching Thiana and Karn grow as characters."
Erik is the twelve year old behind This Kid Reviews Books. There have been a lot of great reviews of my novel Frostborn,but I especially like the ones that come from the kids themselves. This Kid gives me a 5 out of 5 and says:
"As a fan of Norse mythology, I am a huge fan of this book, and its Nordic-like setting and lore. The frost-giants are just plain cool. Literally. I like the fact that there is a tough (7′) female protagonist, along with a short boy who can’t even swing a sword. They were great opposites in characters. The Nordic legends are a wonderful touch, and I can’t help but want more. Mr. Anders has written a fine book. His style is a spot-on epic fantasy for middle-graders, with tons of humor, friendship, and adventure. I can’t wait for the next book, especially after that dang-blasted awesome cliffhanger that makes me both happy and angry! (happy that there will be another book, angry (or maybe sad) that I will have to wait)."
"Anders has beautifully written a fun and energetic middle grade book filled with many adventures.... The people that would enjoy this book are the people that have enjoyed books such as Magisterium by Cassandra Clare and Holly Black and The Unwanteds by Lisa McMann. Because of the magic and adventures present in this book and the challenges that relate to the common struggles in life, I recommend this book to people that have read similar books. This book was a very good read and I cannot wait to get my hands on the second book in this series, Nightborn."
"This is a fantasy adventure great for those who love games and historical fantasy. Karn and Thianna have to use cunning as well as Thianna’s battle skills to defeat their enemies, and both of them must confront their various prejudices – serious themes underlying battles against treachery, zombies, wyverns, and an ancient dragon. I have several young readers I’d be happy to give this one to, and I’m looking forward to the next book in the series."
bookstore or library to do so! Katie of Mockingbird writes:
"If you’re like me and are on the lookout for fast but enjoyable reads to squeeze into a busy schedule, look to Frostborn. Anders is a veteran of the fantasy genre and it shines through the first installment of Thrones and Bones. We’re given two young leads who are forced to confront their duties, fates, and families which intertwine after an ancient spell is broken. There is Karn, a reluctant heir to his family’s farm and avid board game player. There is Thianna, a half-human and half frost-giantess eager to prove herself to both humans and giants alike. The pair is as unlikely friends as they are heroes, but it is their differences that ultimately prove to be their greatest weapons."
Update: Oh and look.... Frostborn is also a Staff Pick at Eagle Harbor Book Co. of Bainbridge Island, Washington - which makes 7 bookstores and one library that have made Frostborn a Staff selection! Alison of Eagle Harbor writes:
"Karn is destined to take over the family farm in Norrongard. His only problem is he’d rather be playing the complex board game Thrones and Bones. Living in the mountains of this Nordic-like land is Thianna, half human, half frost giantess and unable to fit into either group. These two unlikely allies join forces to survive in the wilderness and fight off dragons, undead warriors and an evil uncle."
"Twelve-year-old Karn is a master gamer when it comes to playing Thrones and Bones. He’s not so good at striking hard bargains for the sake of his father’s tribe. If only there wasn’t so much pressure on him to be the next leader! Likewise, Thianna is a disappointment to her clan of ice giants, standing at only 7 feet tall, half the size of her peers. The two unlikely friends meet when their different tribes converge on an icy mountain for a tense round of trading. When unexpected enemies attack, they find themselves on the run, outracing wyverns and avoiding avalanches. Pulling on little-known Norse mythology, this brilliantly accessible fantasy really is for all those Percy Jackson fans clamoring for a new series."
"This novel has much to offer to a variety of readers. It can appeal to both boys and girls, since the point of view switches from Thianna to Karn equally. It’s also a great pick for kids who enjoy fantasy movies like The Hobbit and even Frozen. It is a great middle grade read for upper elementary and middle school students, but it would make an excellent read-aloud for kids who aren’t ready to tackle it on their own yet. I can’t recommend it highly enough. The characters display growth, courage, brains, and resourcefulness that I think kids will identify with and hopefully emulate. Also, the author, Lou Anders, is a Birmingham resident. I love to support local authors, especially when their books are so good!" Mollie McFarland, Springville Road Library
This high praise from io9 will have me giddy all week. Charlie Jane Anders (no relation) proclaims in the post's title that "Frostborn Is The Fantasy Adventure Book I Wish I'd Had When I Was A Kid", then goes on to say "Lou Anders' new novel Frostbornis one of those middle-grade fantasy books that you'll buy for your kid, just so you can have an excuse to read it yourself. The highest compliment I can give Frostbornis it gave me Lloyd Alexander flashbacks."
I'm also thrilled when Charlie Jane writes, "The theme of not fitting in is present in both characters, but it's different enough for each of them that they wind up complimenting each other rather than reinforcing. Thianna's status as a mixed-race kid who gets bullied by the other kids is poignant, but it's never overplayed. And Karn's desire to be something other than what his father expects is a much subtler form of identity crisis — you can see the two of them learning from each other pretty much from the moment they meet."
Books Inc has named Frostborn a Staff Pick (the sixth bookstore to do so). Their review, from Anna from Books Inc. Palo Alto says:
"Frostborn is a magical and exhilarating story that’s perfect for fans of Harry Potter and Fablehaven. I can even see it going as far as being a Game of Thrones for young readers. Dragons, wyverns, after walkers, and giants all play a part in this story making it exciting and magical. Anders’ use of Viking mythology also plays a subtle roll in Karn’s history and the legends of Norrongard, which always has me wanting more. We need more Viking stories! I loved it, and it’s definitely worth picking up!"
The first is from Random Musings of a Bibliophile, who calls my book "a fun, adventurous MG fantasy with wyverns, frost giants, barrows, and one very large dragon."
I'm particularly gratified by this paragraph:
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.
And can't complain about "...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."
Meanwhile, I am just thrilled by a review that was posted on LitPick, from a 13 year old reviewer in Arizona, who gave Frostbornfive stars and said:
I really liked Thrones and Bones: Frostborn. It was very thrilling, adventurous, and funny. It was also fairly descriptive, like when the author, Lou Anders, described Helltoppr's draug minions as smelly, rotting, undead beings. One of my favorite parts in the book was where Karn and Thianna faced the dragon, Orm, and they outsmarted him. This book didn't really feel like it had any bad parts to it, other than a few very minor parts where it confused me a bit. My favorite character was Karn because he was a boy who always wanted to go adventuring to explore lands near and far. I would recommend this book to anyone aged eleven through seventeen or to readers who enjoy books with action, suspense, and excitement, yet can also handle a minimal amount of death.
This isn't my Hobbit, but after reading it twice through, I am almost certain it would have been if I was eleven in 2014. Anders has crafted a tale filled with ages-old themes and lessons that I think are often missing from a lot of today's fantasy, be it Middle-Grade or Adult. Friendship, Courage, Intelligence, and Trust--these are things that are often assumed to be in the background of every children's novel, but rarely are they talked about openly and pursued passionately, let alone done well. I believe this to be a major reason why I dislike Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson series so much--when it is done out in the open it is too campy to my taste, and when it hidden in the background I just don't care. Anders falls more in with JK Rowling and Lloyd Alexander, so much so with the latter that I almost felt like I was reading The Book of Three (another classic everyone should read.) To put a point on it, I was taken on a great adventure and learned something.
Meanwhile, I'm interviewed on Adventures in SciFi Publishing. I used to be a frequent guest of the show, though haven't been on since host/founder Shaun Farrell stepped away. Now Shaun has returned (yay!) and I join him, Moses Siregar, and Brent Bowen for a discussion of:
Worldbuilding with the help of modern technology;
Gaming culture and how that works in medieval societies;
The distinction between YA and middle grade writing;
Traveling to Norway to research the setting and cultural inspiration for Norrengard;
Working with Robert Lazzarreti;
The incredible video game found on the Thrones and Bones website, not mention other media tie-in products and experiences!
Meanwhile, yet another bookstore has chosen Frostborn as a Staff Pick. Sue Mason at the Waucoma Bookstore of Hood River, Oregan recommends the novel and says:
"This is being touted as being in the same league with John Flanagan and Rick Riordan. It does have the feeling of a Flanagan story. Frostborn is a great adventure of a young boy and a girl who is half human/half giant.... The boys and girls will love this. Our giantess, Thianna, is a very brave adventurer and saves Karn mostly from himself. This will be a series so it will be fun to see where Thianna ends up next."
Reading Rumpus Book Reviews, run by librarian Barb Middleton at the Taipei American School in Taiwan, has an incredible review this morning. WARNING: The review is very, very SPOILER heavy, but really says some wonderful things, particularly about Frostborn's depiction of being biracial and a minority. Such as:
"The action-packed, well-plotted story has plenty of humor and a female character that defies stereotypes. A biracial girl named, Thianna, searching for her identity along with the message to girls to embrace yourself no matter what your size makes this story rise above your average fare."
And:
"Thianna's biracial background captures what it is like to be a minority."
And concludes:
"This will appeal to fans of Percy Jackson, The Lord of the Rings series, and The Inheritance Cycle. Don't miss it."
Frostborn is a week old today. And the good things just keep happening.
Powells.com, Portland's giant independent bookstore chain, has just selected Frostborn as one of their Staff Picks! Richard C. of Powells.com writes, "Drawing on Norse legends is the first of a series involving Karn, a farm boy who would rather play board games, and Thianna, a half-frost giantess. They join together to battle trolls, walking dead, and a fire-breathing dragon. This is a wonderful summer read filled with humor and adventure."
Storytime Hooligans called Frostborn "A great addition to public and upper elementary/middle school libraries" and said that, "When a writer pack a fantasy novel with this many mythological elements, the resulting book can feel like a checklist instead of a story. Anders, however, knows how to create a believable backstory and personality for each species and individual, resulting in an exciting pseudo-Norse world in which our heroes may romp."
So, one day past Frostborn'sdebut, and the interweebs are booming.
Publishers Weekly, who also gave Frostborn a Starred Review, selected it for one of only eleven PW Picks: Books of the Week, August 4, 2014. They write, "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."
The wonderful John Freeman reviewed Frostborn for SciFi Pulse, calling it "a terrific debut novel in what I’m sure is going to be a great trilogy, crammed with action and adventure, believable characters you can genuinely care about and some wonderfully funny moments as Karn and Thianna battle all manner of foes, including the undead and a really petulant dragon," and adding, "I’m looking forward to the TV series/ films, the game, the figurines… because I can see them coming!"
Fantasy Literature calls Frostborn, "a sweet middle grade story" and says, "Middle Grade readers are sure to love Frostborn and, as an adult, I liked it, too. It’s an exciting fantasy adventure and I’m looking forward to the next THRONES & BONES novel. I listened to Listening Library’s audio version which is 8½ hours long and narrated by Fabio Tassone, a European actor. He gave a great performance. I’ll definitely choose this format for the sequel."
The Librarian of Snark was very unsnarky when they wrote, "I will definitely be recommending this to my fantasy-loving tweens and I think it will easily find its audience."
Mom Read It says, "I thoroughly enjoyed this book; fans of mythology-based fantasy will, too. Anders is a Hugo Award-winning editor; this is his first book, and kicks off a promising fantasy series that will appeal to boys and girls alike. I love that Karn is a 'gamer' – and so are other characters in the book, which will appeal to gamer boys and girls out there, who try to explain to their disapproving parents that games help sharpen their mental acuity. The characters have rich backgrounds, with the promise of more to be revealed in future books, and Anders’ description of various terrain is so vivid, I could feel the chill of the frozen land of the frost giants. If you’ve got middle graders looking for a fantasy series along the lines of Kelley Armstrong’s Blackwell Pages, this is a great place to steer them. The book hits stores today – go get your copy!"
A wonderful review has appeared today on Read Love. Here's an excerpt from the review.
4.5 of 5 hearts. A Delightful Fantasy That Will Entertain and Inspire. Frostbornlies
in a literary sweet spot — the gap between middle grade and young
adult. Within its pages, kids aged 10 to 14 will find a perfect
introduction to the fantasy/adventure genre, one with just the right mix
of humor, suspense, and adventure. Lou Anders’ Norse-influenced work
couldn’t be released at a better time. The popularity of Disney’s Frozen should make picking up this book feel natural!
ANDERS, Lou. Frostborn. illus. by Justin Gerard. 320p. (Thrones and
Bones: Bk. 1). Crown. Aug. 2014. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9780385387781. Gr 5-8–Karn
would rather be playing his beloved board game, “thrones and bones,”
than learning to become hauld of his father’s farm, which has been
passed down many generations. He meets Thianna, a half-giant, half-human
girl who longs to fit in with the club-wielding frost giants, the only
community she’s ever known. When a tragedy reminiscent of Shakespeare’s
Hamlet occurs, the two pair up in order to survive. They soon realize
the danger that they’re in and that they need each other’s unique skills
to survive. Aside from the sometimes difficult-to-decipher Norse names,
the language is quite easy to understand and that, coupled with the
shorter-than-your-average-fantasy length, makes this an excellent choice
for readers new to the genre. The themes of staying true to oneself,
teamwork, and individuality will resonate with readers. Fans of Matthew
Kirby’s Icefall (Scholastic, 2011) who bemoaned the lack of magic in
that book will enjoy this new series. A good addition to a fantasy
collection with potential for future entries.–Jessica Ko, Los Angeles
Public Library
is unleashed on the world! The second book in my 
but I especially like the ones that come from the kids themselves. This Kid gives me a 5 out of 5 and says:
