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.Brilliantly funny, original and a wholly new take on the Norse myths - and the travails of contemporary family life.
The Sleeping Army
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"'Breathtaking, magical storytelling. I loved this book.' (Eoin Colfer) 'A wildly original, rollicking twist on Norse mythology.' (Jacqueline Wilson)"
--This text refers to the
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Book Description
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+
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Flawless world-building in this marvellous fantasy. Highly recommended for myth and adventure fans of 8+
14 May 2012
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
This was a bedtime read with my 8 yr old which we both greatly enjoyed. The world of the novel is exactly like ours, but with the small detail that Christianity never caught on and the established religion is Norse. This shift was accomplished thoroughly and seemingly effortlessly with little details like the days being called 'Wodensday' and 'Thorsday' etc and people saying things like "oh my gods". The story begins in the British Museum, which (as well as being integral to the story of course) allows Francesca Simon to integrate details comparing the two religious systems without it ever feeling dry or lecturing. My sleepy 8 yr old happily accepted this world and learnt loads about Norse myth without getting bogged down, confused or losing sight of the story. I particularly enjoyed the idea that the Norse religion had reached the point that modern Christianity in Britain has with relatively few actual believers, but being embedded into the culture. The idea of Viking gods being seen as part of some dry, dull institution is somehow especially amusing!
Freya is a great character. A normal modern girl dragged into an adventure with children from the Dark Ages and a berserk, she's really out of her depth and seen as slightly pathetic by her co-adventurers. The narration focuses on her perspective, although it is third-person, allowing us insight into her thoughts and feelings as she undertakes the extremely daunting challenge set her by Woden.
Aspects of myth are used and incorporated extremely well - even to the point where it is clear which parts of the story deviate from the canon of Norse myth.... Read more ›
Freya is a great character. A normal modern girl dragged into an adventure with children from the Dark Ages and a berserk, she's really out of her depth and seen as slightly pathetic by her co-adventurers. The narration focuses on her perspective, although it is third-person, allowing us insight into her thoughts and feelings as she undertakes the extremely daunting challenge set her by Woden.
Aspects of myth are used and incorporated extremely well - even to the point where it is clear which parts of the story deviate from the canon of Norse myth.... Read more ›
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Soffia
Format:Hardcover
Review by Steffan (Soffia's brother). 'The Sleeping Army' is a disappointing book. The main characters are Clara, Freya and Bob. It is a story about the Lewis chessmen (a little bit like 'Alice Through the Looking Glass', which I like better), and a horn. The story starts in the British Museum and it finishes in a volcano. I thought it would be a good book because I like 'Horrid Henry' (by the same author). I didn't like the book because the descriptions were horrible.
By Cooking Up A
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I bought this book because I wanted a story that I could link with a topic on Vikings. Although this is not what I'd call a historical novel, it was a gripping adventure with lots of references tot he Viking gods and culture. I enjoyed it and I know my Year 4 and 5 s will too.
1 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By SoursopTree
Format:Hardcover
Bought on the basis that my children had enjoyed many of the Horrid Henry books, and have now moved on to longer stories.
This book lacked excitment despite the fantasy nature of the plot, and the characters were less engaging than those in Horrid Henry. In the end we abandoned it half-way due to a lack of any interest.
This book lacked excitment despite the fantasy nature of the plot, and the characters were less engaging than those in Horrid Henry. In the end we abandoned it half-way due to a lack of any interest.
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