  | Full Text Reviews: Booklist - 07/01/2015 In the opening scene, dark elves Desstra and Tanthal are teammates in a war game leading to membership in—or banishment from—the 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. - Copyright 2015 Booklist. School Library Journal - 09/01/2015 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 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission. Loading...
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