Throne of Bones

A collection of supernatural short stories traces the history of a cursed valley across different time periods and characters. The valley's dark past connects to its present through bones, ghosts, and ancient evil that persists across generations. The stories range from colonial America to modern day, following people who encounter the valley's mysteries and must face its dangers. Each tale stands alone but builds upon the others to reveal more about the valley's nature and influence. Elements of horror, folklore, and Christian themes intertwine as characters wrestle with mortality, redemption, and the price of confronting evil. The stories examine how past choices echo through time and space, affecting both the living and the dead.

Readers found this middle-grade fantasy novel intense and frightening for the target age range, with numerous reviews noting it may disturb sensitive children. Parents reported kids ages 8-12 staying up late to finish it. Liked: - Fast pacing and action scenes - Unique take on familiar fantasy elements - Complex world-building and mythology - Writing style pulls readers in quickly Disliked: - Too dark/scary for younger readers - Some found the violence excessive - Character development felt rushed - Several mentions of confusing plot elements Ratings: Goodreads: 3.75/5 (284 ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (48 ratings) "The scary parts were genuinely scary, not cartoonish," noted one parent reviewer. Another wrote: "My 10-year-old couldn't handle the skeleton scenes but my 12-year-old loved it." A common thread in reviews: parents recommend reading alongside children to discuss darker themes.

The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis Children travel between worlds and face supernatural forces in a Christian-influenced fantasy realm with talking creatures and epic battles.

The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper An eleven-year-old boy discovers his role in an ancient struggle between Light and Dark forces while wielding magic tied to British mythology.

The House of Power by Patrick Carman A boy uncovers secrets in a world of floating islands where ancient technology mingles with hereditary powers.

The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart Four gifted children infiltrate a suspicious institute and solve complex puzzles while confronting a mind-control plot.

The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander A young assistant pig-keeper becomes entangled in a quest involving Welsh mythology and the forces of good and evil.

🔹 N.D. Wilson wrote "Throne of Bones" as part of his "Ashtown Burials" series, which blends American folklore with ancient mythology and modern adventure. 🔹 The author grew up in Moscow, Idaho, where his father was a minister and theologian, influencing the spiritual themes that often appear in his works. 🔹 The book draws inspiration from various mythological creatures and legends, including the ancient Greek myth of the hydra and stories of immortality. 🔹 Wilson is also a filmmaker who has directed several short films and documentaries, bringing a cinematic quality to his action sequences and visual descriptions. 🔹 The author wrote much of the book while dealing with a brain tumor diagnosis, which he has said influenced some of the darker themes in the story.