Best-selling author Francesca Simon tells a witty adventure set in a world still ruled by the Norse gods. Freya has problems familiar to many: she is dealing with splitting her life between her parents as they squabble and bicker. One night, staying with her dad on his night shift as a security guard in the British Museum, Freya idly blows a horn which brings the Lewis Chessmen to life. Suddenly, Freya’s everyday complications are blow away as she is swept off to Asgard, the home of the Viking gods, and into a dangerous and important mission.
One of the bestselling children's authors in the world, the creator of the Horrid Henry series, launches an exciting new novel for children aged 8+. All those legions of fans who have devoured Horrid Henry will find this one equally funny, irresistible and exciting. It's the story of a young girl, Freya who on a visit to the British Museum awakes some Norse chessmen from their slumber. Francesca Simon's hallmark humour shines through brilliantly in this test of Freya's strength and courage.
Freya is an ordinary girl living in modern Britain, but with a twist: people still worship the Viking gods. She's caught in her parents' divorce, and shuttling between bickering adults is no fun. One evening, stuck with her dad on his night shift at the British Museum, she is drawn to the Lewis Chessmen and Heimdall's Horn. Unable to resist, she blows the horn, waking three chess pieces from their enchantment; the slaves Roskva and Alfi, and Snot the Berserk. They are all summoned to Asgard, land of the Viking gods, and told they must go on a perilous journey to restore the gods to youth. If Freya refuses she will be turned into an ivory chess piece but, if she accepts her destiny and fails, the same terrible fate awaits her.
'There is much humour in the story to lighten the scary thrills, and even a few really gross-out moments.. Young readers will love it.' The Bookbag.com
'This is an exciting and witty read for boys and girls aged nine upwards.' The Spectator
'Simon blends historical detail with contemporary, funny dialogue and creates in Freya a genuinely believable heroine who yearns for excitement and security in equal measure.' Daily Mail
Author
About Francesca Simon
Francesca Simon was born in St Louis, Missouri, grew up in California, and attended both Yale and Oxford Universities, where she specialised in Medieval Studies. She worked as a freelance journalist, writing for the Sunday Times, Guardian, Mail on Sunday, Telegraph, and Vogue (US) and after her son Joshua was born in 1989, she started writing children’s books full time. One of the UK’s best-selling children’s writers, Francesca has published over 50 books, including the immensely popular HORRID HENRY series, which has now sold over fifteen milllion copies.
Francesca won the Children’s Book of the Year in 2008 at the British Book Awards for Horrid Henry and the Abominable Snowman. HORRID HENRY is published in 24 countries and is also an animated CITV series. She lives in London with her husband, son, and Tibetan Spaniel, Shanti.
