RuneWarriors

February 1, 2010
Gr 7-10-Dane the Defiant and his gang of young warriors, having defeated Thidrek the Terrifying and returned the Hammer of Thor to its rightful owner in "RuneWarriors" (HarperCollins, 2008), now must deal with the fact that gratitude can be short-lived. The villagers are blaming them for everything from limited food supplies and torrential rain to armpit lice. Dane's summons to the fortress of King Eldred to receive his father's final legacy arrives at just the right time. But the legacy itself comes with a dreadful curse that puts the lives of his mother and friends in mortal danger. Angry trolls, warring frost giants, rampaging sea monsters, a reluctant Valkyrie, and the Goddesses of Time make the quest to save his kidnapped mother and stop the evil Godrek from achieving his nefarious goals particularly difficult. Fast-paced and fun, filled with plenty of gross humor (farting, vomiting, and the like) and violence, along with the rather splendid Astrid, girl-warrior, and the hint of a tender romance, this sequel should appeal to many readers. Fans of the first book will enjoy visiting old friends, and newcomers will have no trouble finding their place."Mara Alpert, Los Angeles Public Library"

Copyright 2010 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2010
After Dane (RuneWarriors) discovers a cursed sword belonging to his dead father, he and his crew must brave frost giants, trolls, and an ancient sea serpent to save Dane's mother--and the world--from the greedy Godrek. This second series entry is powered by the same type of hair-raising yet comical adventures that attracted reluctant readers to the first one.

(Copyright 2010 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

January 1, 2009
Dane wants to be acknowledged as a warrior by his father, the lovely Astrid, and all the Norsemen. When Astrid is kidnapped by Thidrek the Terrifying, Dane and the other "Norseboys" will do whatever it takes--even cooperating!--to rescue her and save their village. Though the story is overly packed with fart jokes, its well-paced battles will keep pages turning.

(Copyright 2009 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

December 1, 2008
Gr 7-10-Dane, a Viking-style warrior, must make a name for himself, avenge his father's death, and rescue his lady love from an evil despot. It sounds like the novel should be a rollicking adventure tale full of battles and romance. And while there are some exciting moments, and the character development is good, the book is, for the most part, a hodgepodge of disparate elements. The beginning of the tale reads like historical fiction, and then fantasy is woven in, and readers are often jolted and surprised by the next scene or scenario. For a story that has a more seamless marriage of historical fiction and fantasy, try Nancy Farmer's "The Sea of Trolls" (S & S, 2004)."Saleena L. Davidson, South Brunswick Public Library, Monmouth Junction, NJ"

Copyright 2008 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.