Voyage of the Frostheart is quite an adventure. The author, Jamie Littler, creates an eclectic cast of characters both of the human and non-human variety, living harmoniously in a winter wonderland. Okay, maybe not everyone is living harmoniously. Enter leviathans: creepy, lightning-fast, large creatures (some bigger than others) who will make multiple appearances in your future nightmares. These speedy monsters make for some serious suspense throughout the story as they seem to constantly be chasing their prey. Luckily, there are many characters who understand the dangers of these creatures but aren’t willing to be overtaken by them as they race away in their unique mode of transportation. The main character, Ash, has a special ability but is in serious need of training to help use the ability properly. His first unlikely trainer, Tobu, the quiet yet fierce warrior (and yeti) is a great support to Ash but in ways that Ash doesn’t appreciate. We later meet another trainer for Ash, Shaard, who is mysterious and a bit creepy. Along the journey, we are also introduced to many characters who keep us laughing with their antics or who we can only admire with their tenacity. Voyager of the Frostheart is a creative and compelling story that will enchant fans of both fantasy and action.
Review of an Advance Reading Copy
This book was sent to Compass Book Ratings for review by Viking Books for Young Readers
Content Analysis:
Profanity/Language: 3mild obscenities.
Violence/Gore: Many (35) brief incidents including reference to snow being deadly; characters being afraid to die; joke about someone being a murderer; character feels intense pain and it is compared to being crushed and torn in two; character trains to hunt and to avoid getting killed; verbal threats; references to war and people dying; hunting and a character carries a dead animal; reference to a cannibal; character is hit with an ice snowball and pushed down; animal attacks characters, one of which ends up with a broken arm; characters fight each other; animals chase characters, one is killed. One extended incident of animals attacking characters.
Sex/Nudity: One brief incident of characters making kissing noises and teasing another that he likes animal characters.
Mature Subject Matter:
Parents abandon a young child; rude bodily humor and mention of bodily functions; reference to haunted spirits of the dead.
Alcohol / Drug Use:
One incident of characters (including minors) drinking at a party.
