Illustrated by Elisa Paganelli
Published by MacMillan Children’s Books
The Frozen King: A Greenwild Adventure is a breath-taking stand-alone, fantasy adventure set ten years after the events of the Greenwild trilogy.
Twelve-year-old Annika Speedwell enjoys her life aboard the Nautilus, travelling around the Greenwild and Marindeep with its theatre troupe. She is reluctant to leave this world once a year to spend time on land with her uncle Max: the King of Iffenwild, a city of ocean magic. Although she loves her uncle, she does not enjoy taking on the mantle of heir apparent where she is expected to be on her best behaviour and welcome the attention it brings.
When the King returns from a secret diplomatic mission to the Utter North, a remote and unmapped region of the magical world, he immediately collapses. Annika soon discovers that her beloved uncle is under an enchantment that threatens his life as frost and ice spread over his body. Determined to find a cure, Annika embarks on a mission to the Utter North …
And so begins the most magical, mesmerising adventure as Annika and her companion, Connie, travel to the awe-inspiring, frozen wilds of the Utter North where they are brought closer together by their entwined missions. I was genuinely held spellbound by this epic journey of discovery and danger through a richly imagined, icebound landscape – both majestic and treacherous. I loved that this story draws on mythology, natural wonders and mystical animal bonds as well as awe-inspiring ice magic and the need to preserve the natural environment. Although this is a longer middle-grade book, the short chapters with many cliffhanger endings and gripping narrative made it impossible to put down.
As Annika and her friends learn more about the cruel ruler of the Utter North, they discover that not only is her uncle’s life at risk, but also the fate of the indigenous tribes, the natural environment, and the magical world of the Greenwild. Can she save her new friends, her uncle and the magical kingdoms of the Greenwild from a greedy, power-hungry despot intent on persecution and environmental destruction?
Annika and Connie are wonderfully likeable protagonists who develop a firm, honest friendship, despite a fractious start, on their entwined mission to the Utter North. They show great fortitude and courage as they face terrifying danger, take heart-pounding risks and use their unique talents to fight against a cruel tyrant. Both are looking for a place where they feel they belong, a place where they can be true to themselves.
Moreover, while this is a stunning fantasy epic adventure, its themes of environmental catastrophe, the plunder of natural resources regardless of the impact on the environment, and the persecution of people and communities have parallels in the real world which would open up important discussions for young readers.
The full-and-partial-page illustrations are absolutely stunning, encapsulating both the majesty and wonder of the landscape and the bonds between characters. I always prefer books to films but, my goodness, would this make the most stunning movie.
Journey to the frozen north and step into a world of ice magic, a world where courage meets danger, perfect for readers of 9+.
The Frozen King by Pari Thomson and illustrated by Elisa Paganelli is published by Macmillan Children’s Books and out on 1 October 2026.
Thank you to Anna Read and Macmillan Children’s Books for inviting me to take part in the Blog Tour and for providing me with a copy of The Frozen King. My review is my honest opinion of the book
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