Lassa the Viking and the Dragon’s Inferno
by Dean Yurke
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Pub Date Oct 22 2020 | Archive Date Feb 28 2021
Golden Productions LLC | CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
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Description
“Vikings, Saxons, and dragons meet in this middle-grade fantasy novel sprinkled with humor and magic... A fast-paced, funny, and adventurous read.” - Kirkus Reviews
“Sweeping atmosphere and a zippy pace will draw adventure-minded middle grade readers to this tale of Viking and Saxon warfare and romance.” - Booklife Reviews
LASSA ERIKSON likes 'normal' teenage things like reading ancient texts on chemical analysis and studying books on advanced alchemy. He's never read anything frivolous like "The Joy of Axe Wielding" or "Uthbert's Guide to Decapitation." So, when he's conscripted into the 11th century Viking army, and finds himself surrounded by an ocean of the fiercest, toughest, ugliest warriors the world has ever seen, he accepts his hapless brother Sven's brilliant idea of hiding at the back of his first battle, while everyone else does all the fighting.
But, when Lassa trips over a tree root and impales the enemy Saxon leader by accident, he’s hailed as a hero. His epic decision of cowardice thrusts him on a terrifying mission deep into enemy territory, where he battles hordes of saber-clawed witches, rescues a princess, marries a leper, and discovers the true enemy of the Vikings: a half man, half demon Dragon King, intent on wiping out the human race with his army of dragons.
Lassa must rally the warriors, overcome his cowardice, buckle up his breastplate, and rise up as a hero before his world is burned to a crisp.
"This short, fun, humorous novel feels like a cross between Horrible Histories and Game of Thrones, and it deftly combines elements of a comedy of errors and a fantasy epic.” - Kirkus Reviews
"Great for fans of Neil Gaiman’s Odd and the Frost Giants, Terry Jones’s The Saga of Erik the Viking.” - Booklife Reviews
Advance Praise
LASSA THE VIKING AND THE DRAGON’S INFERNO - Kirkus Review
Vikings, Saxons, and dragons meet in this middle-grade fantasy novel sprinkled with humor and magic.
All 13-year-old Lassa Erikson wants is to be a quiet, studious apprentice alchemist in Denmark, but he and his brother, Sven, are conscripted into the Viking army and find themselves heading to fight the infamous Saxon Lord Mordred. The kids know they have no place in the company of the fiercest warriors they’ve ever seen, and they try to hide during their first battle. But after Lassa accidentally kills Mordred, he’s hailed as a hero, deemed a fierce “berserker,” and given a prominent position in a Viking group that aims to rescue King Magnus, who’s imprisoned in England. Meanwhile, in English King Harold’s castle, 14-year-old Princess Ann would rather be a warrior than be married off for political purposes. Her opportunity arises when hooded figures, apparently Norsemen, invade the castle and capture her father and sister. Ann escapes to get Mordred’s help—not knowing he’s already dead—and ends up joining Lassa’s group of warriors to fight a common enemy. Both kings have been captured by a mysterious half-man, half-dragon cult leader who has witches and druids under his control. This short, fun, humorous novel feels like a cross between Horrible Histories and Game of Thrones, and it deftly combines elements of a comedy of errors and a fantasy epic. It also features a plethora of lovable secondary characters, but Ann and Lassa are the real draws, the former as a tough, loyal fighter, and the latter as a coward-turned–brave hero who uses his scientific knowledge to face problems. The comedic tone is quite goofy at some points, even in the face of very real danger, and the story is almost entirely ahistorical, but readers likely won’t be bothered by either of these factors.
A fast-paced, funny, and adventurous read.
Categories: CHILDREN'S ACTION & ADVENTURE FICTION | CHILDREN'S DRAGONS & MYTHICAL CREATURES | CHILDREN'S SCIENCE FICTION & FANTASY
Available Editions
| EDITION | Paperback |
| ISBN | 9781508435730 |
| PRICE | $10.99 (USD) |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Account D, Reviewer
this was a great start to a young adult series, the story was mature enough for teens and will kept younger children hooked on reading this.
Melinda S, Reviewer
A fun book!
I am an adult reading this book intended for middle grade readers. That being said , I enjoyed it. The story is about two young boys who are Vikings and end up on the battlefield and are trying to survive. The brothers, Lassa, the book reader, and Sven, who is more the athletic type, end up on a dangerous mission. One reviewer found the story childish but children are it’s intended audience. When my children were that age, I believe they would have enjoyed the book, as I did. Recommended for children. Happy reading!
Tammy H, Reviewer
Terrific middle grade read that s packed with fun and action. Norse mythology is a great topic for this age group and this book is a terrific step into that world.
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