Bone Warriors by Bron Bahlmann

Bone Warriors
by Bron Bahlmann

Middle Grade/YA Fantasy
278 pages, softcover
Target Reader: 11-15

Sweetwater Books
978-1599553221
Release Date: May 15, 2009



From the publisher:

Craving power and lusting for human souls, the wicked necromancer sweeps the land, leaving behind nothing but death and devastation. Returning home, fifteen-year-old Derrik and his friend Tweaks find their homes burning and families missing. They immediately embark on a rescue quest for redemption and retaliation. Such evil cannot be allowed to roam exempt.

Sinister Giants, colossal green jungle cats, and undead monsters confront them as Derrik and Tweaks encounter inconceivable threats in the forbidden woods, as well as gain unlikely allies. The boys soon realize that their only hope to save their families comes from the very creature they cannot trust. But they re running out of time. How can they put an end to the necromancer's terrifying reign?

Read the first two chapters HERE.

Derrik and Tweaks—best friends since children—are out in the fields when their village is destroyed and their parents and neighbors are taken hostage by the necromancer. The two boys set out on a long journey to rescue their families. Along the way, they meet Ssaska (a reptile man), Clatterin (a set of reanimated bones), a group of giants, "scales" and "furries" (man-like reptiles and mammals), boar-men, old men that turn to stone, and a whole host of other intriguing creatures—born from the imagination of Bron Bahlmann.

Derrik and Tweaks, the two main characters, were well developed. They grow and change, and become prepared to make the final battle when they stand against the necromancer and his army of bone warriors. I loved Tweaks (almost cried at the end). I wasn't quite as fond of Derrik, but that's probably because he behaved more like a typical 15-year-old boy. They gain a couple of traveling companions on their journey to save their family. I liked Ssaska; I wish Clatterin had been a little better developed.

I was amazed at the unique characterizations of the various groups of "people" Derrik and Tweaks encountered—the giants, the boars, the bird people, the alligator pirate, and more. Bahlmann gave them very distinct voices and personalities. I also thought the various fauna and flora in this world were ingenious and very clever.

The storyline was complex and kept me interested. However, as a hero's journey, I felt there needed to be a little more change and growth in Derrik's character. I also thought we needed a little more foreshadowing of the eventual demise of the necromancer and his bone warriors.

The writing was pretty good, with just a few exceptions (a couple of story holes, like how did they know Clatterin was female?). The plot and dialogue were good and tight. My biggest complaint about this book is the overuse of adjectives. It was sometimes too distracting. I'd recommend that on his next book, Bahlmann pull out half of them. And I do hope there is a next book. Bahlmann's book was good, regardless of his age. Overall, I really liked the book and read it in two days.

Oh, and one more thing—the author, Bron Bahlmann, is only 15! Yes. Remember when Eragon came out? And everyone was raving over what a wonderful book it was and that a 15-year-old was capable of writing such a great story? Personally, I didn't like it. I didn't think it was a wonderful book. The writing was weak. Good for a 15-year-old, perhaps, but not good enough to stand against other books in the genre. But guess what? Bone Warriors really is good.

If you like fantasy, I think you'll enjoy this book. I'm looking forward to seeing what this young man will come up with next.



Plot:

Characters:

Ending:

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Content Ratings

Language:

Violence: The necromancer is evil. His army slaughters people in real time, but it's not gorey. The main characters fight various "people" and get hurt. Some of the good guys die.

Drugs/Alcohol: The alligator pirate, an adult, drinks something that is similar to ale.

Immorality: No romance.

Values/Themes: Good wins; evil loses. Selfless acts save the day.

Age Appropriate: Pre-teens, teens.

Writing Mechanics: A few typos; adjectives run amok. Other than that, pretty good.



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