Nightborn

June 1, 2015
Caution: a wyvern's talons might pluck you up and drop you smack in the middle of a legendary quest. Indomitable duo Karn and Thianna went their separate ways after battling the undead and outwitting ornery dragon Orm in Frostborn (2014). Karn now lives the life of a lauded hero. Content but somewhat jaded, he pines for the excitement and camaraderie he shared with Thianna. Enter Orm, who recruits Karn to seek the second Horn of Osius, an ancient relic capable of commanding dragons (Orm digested the first horn in book one to safeguard his kind). Karn is reluctant until he learns that Thianna was the initial recruit and has since disappeared. As Karn endeavors to solve an ancient riddle that will lead him to the horn and, more importantly, to Thianna, reminders abound that a soft heart is compatible with strength and resilience. As he did in the preceding volume, Anders presents a captivating world of richly imagined biomes, grim outlooks, plenty of gaming, and fantasy fauna (giant bats, gnomes, a pride of manticores preoccupied with manure). 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 doppelganger dark elf pair also seeks the horn). In turn, Karn and Thianna are more defiant, less naive, 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. (maps, glossary, game rules, "historical" note) (Fantasy. 10-14)

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September 1, 2015

Gr 4-6-Placing your head in a dragon's mouth hardly seems the most sensible way to begin one's quest. And yet Karn, protagonist of Nightborn, does just that. Like Frostborn (Crown, 2014), this novel takes place on the continent of Katarnia but expands beyond the frozen landscape and also introduces a new character, Desstra. Desstra is a dark elf training to join an elite group called the Underhand. To do so, she must retrieve the horn of Osius, which controls the dragons. But our hero Karn must also find the horn if he wants to rescue his friend Thianna. Anders continues the world-building and character development begun in Frostborn and also further develops the friendship themes with the new characters-all without sacrificing pacing or making things too complicated. Anders includes instructions on how to play Charioteers, a game within the story, making this book ideal for teachers or librarians who may want to supplement the reading with extended activities. Maps and a "historical" time line are also included for the fantasy obsessives who want to further study this intricate world. VERDICT A must-purchase for fans of the first book in the series.-Jessica Ko, Los Angeles Public Library

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2015
Grades 4-6 In the opening scene, dark elves Desstra and Tanthal are teammates in a war game leading to membership inor banishment fromthe secret order protecting their homeland. Both competitors are courageous and clever, but Tanthal is unencumbered by such petty concerns as friendship or ethics. Later sent on a mission with Tanthal in charge, Desstra chafes under his leadership. Along the way, she forms an unexpected bond with a human boy, devoted gamer Karn, and his friend, the half-giant Thianna, the duo whose exploits were chronicled in Frostborn (2014), the first volume in the Thrones & Bones series. Bent on solving an ancient riddle and completing a quest, the characters' overlapping paths lead them all toward an epic battle with a satisfying conclusion. The extensive back matter includes a glossary, invented history, and instructions for playing a board game mentioned in the novel. This sequel offers an adventure story with good pacing, well-drawn characters, and engaging action scenes. And yes, there's the promise of more to come.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)