Book Title: Stormbringer: The Predator’s Stone (Book 1)
Author: G.R. Boden
Genre: Fantasy
Ideal Age Group: 10-14
# of Books in Series : 2 with a potential 3rd in the works
Publisher: Bushel and Peck
Summary
I was recently gifted Stormbringer: The Predator’s Stone, and it turned out to be an exceptional middle-grade fantasy chapter book. If you enjoy mythology of any kind, this story does a wonderful job of introducing Norse mythology in a way that feels exciting and easy to follow.
Stormbringer: The Predator’s Stone by G.R. Boden blends Norse mythology with a fictional tale about 12-year-old Cinder Moss, a girl caught up in an ancient prophecy. What makes this book stand out is how naturally the mythology is woven into the plot. You directly encounter Odin, the father of Thor, along with several other gods, including the God of War, the son of Loki, Tristan, the son of the God of Inspiration, and others.
Cinder is an orphan living among humans and going about her normal school life when she comes face to face with an invisible beast called the Grint that is trying to kill her. Before she can make sense of what is happening, a group of girls rushes in to rescue her with formidable fighting skills unlike anything she has ever seen. They are known as Predators, and they have been sent to protect Cinder with their lives.
Cinder later finds out that she has a key role to play in a prophecy connected to the destruction of the Nine Realms. Her challenges include navigating a world of immortals unknown to her, following rules that are hard to comprehend, and dealing with many who don’t understand her ways.
This story is very well laid out and is not the kind of book you can skim through. Every sentence seems to matter, and the author drops important details throughout the story in a way that keeps you alert and invested. Needless to say, this is not a book to skim. Be prepared to read carefully, all the way to the end as the plot continues to evolve.
Cinder is also a wonderful main character. She is deeply trusting of the goodness in the world, despite danger, conflict, and powerful beings. She is the kind of character who cannot ignore injustice. She seeks fairness for others, stands up when something is wrong, and refuses to back down when doing the right thing. I loved that about her. She is bold, morally grounded, and brave in a way that feels earned. Even without experience, she is willing to fight because of her conviction. That courage makes her incredibly compelling to read.
Overall, readers who enjoy adventure stories with depth, strong pacing, and a heroine who stands firmly for what is right will find a lot to love here.
Why kids may love it:
- If your child has watched Thor, they will be quite familiar with some of the characters from Norse mythology
- The protagonist, Cindrheim is a formidable character – brave and admirable heroine
- It feels like a big adventure with real moral courage at its center
Other Books from this Publisher
If you are looking for good books for younger kids, Bushel and Peck has a series we recently read called Survive and Decide. This is so fun to read because you choose how the story goes. When you get to a point in the book, the author asks you to choose the path you want to take. Once you make a choice, you turn to that page which continues the storyline.
I think this would be great for kids ages 7-10, would make a nice pick for a read-aloud, and is a great way to introduce historical events while enjoying the interactive detail of the book. Check them out.
Bushel and Peck has a sweet offer on their website where you get 2 book free if you buy 2 books. Check them out to see their selection of books. Also, this publisher donates a book to children in need for every book you purchase from them. Support good publishers who create reliably good clean content for our kids.
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