What do you think?
Rate this book
Greenwild #4
The Frozen King
Return to the magical world of the Greenwild ten years later in The Frozen King for an epic adventure with a brand new heroine and a perilous voyage to the ends of the earth!
Readers were enchanted by Pari Thomson's bestselling, award-winning Greenwild trilogy...
'I couldn’t put them down . . . This series is a must read!' - 5 star review
'My daughter loved this book and couldn't wait for the sequel' - 5 star review
'Fantasy, magic and marvel.' - 5 star review
'This book brought me all the warm, fuzzy feelings I remember from the likes of Narnia, the Golden Compass, and Harry Potter' - 5 star review
'Phenomenal . . . If you don’t believe in magic, you will after you’ve read Greenwild.' - A. F. Steadman, author of the Skandar series
Eleven-year-old Annika Marina is heir to the throne of Iffenwild, a kingdom ruled by its ocean magic. Preferring to spend her time at sea with her travelling theatre troupe rather than in stuffy halls discussing politics, Annika hopes the day never comes when she is called upon to take up the throne.
But then the unthinkable happens and her uncle Max, king of Iffenwild, returns from a secret mission to the Utter North injured and close to death. At the prospect of losing her beloved uncle, she decides to make the perilous journey to the Utter North - where the landscape is treacherous and the people wield dangerous with the ice - to find a long-forgotten cure.
But beneath the snow, a dark force is threatening the Utter North. And if Annika fails, it’s not only her uncle’s life, but the fate of the magical world that hangs in the balance.
Readers were enchanted by Pari Thomson's bestselling, award-winning Greenwild trilogy...
'I couldn’t put them down . . . This series is a must read!' - 5 star review
'My daughter loved this book and couldn't wait for the sequel' - 5 star review
'Fantasy, magic and marvel.' - 5 star review
'This book brought me all the warm, fuzzy feelings I remember from the likes of Narnia, the Golden Compass, and Harry Potter' - 5 star review
'Phenomenal . . . If you don’t believe in magic, you will after you’ve read Greenwild.' - A. F. Steadman, author of the Skandar series
Eleven-year-old Annika Marina is heir to the throne of Iffenwild, a kingdom ruled by its ocean magic. Preferring to spend her time at sea with her travelling theatre troupe rather than in stuffy halls discussing politics, Annika hopes the day never comes when she is called upon to take up the throne.
But then the unthinkable happens and her uncle Max, king of Iffenwild, returns from a secret mission to the Utter North injured and close to death. At the prospect of losing her beloved uncle, she decides to make the perilous journey to the Utter North - where the landscape is treacherous and the people wield dangerous with the ice - to find a long-forgotten cure.
But beneath the snow, a dark force is threatening the Utter North. And if Annika fails, it’s not only her uncle’s life, but the fate of the magical world that hangs in the balance.
Hardcover
About the author
Pari Thomson
12 books206 followersPari Thomson is Editorial Director for picture books at Bloomsbury Children’s Books. Half Persian, half English, she lived in many places while she was growing up, including India, Pakistan, the USA, the UK and Belgium. She studied at Oxford University and now lives near the river in London, not far from Kew Gardens.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
Read
April 4, 2026Can we please come back to proofreading the blurbs on Goodreads? Those LLM generated non-sequitur word salad resembling things on the top of the page are a disgrace!
What even is this: "... where the landscape is treacherous and the people wield dangerous with the ice ..."?
What even is this: "... where the landscape is treacherous and the people wield dangerous with the ice ..."?
October 8, 2026
And then she reached out and touched the sky with her mind.
Dit boek was onder mijn radar gebleven tot op de dag van uitgave, dus ik wist eigenlijk nauwelijks waar het over gaat. Het is een soort sequel, een nakomertje, dat zich ongeveer tien jaar na het einde van de Groenwoud-trilogie afspeelt. Het heeft er verder tamelijk weinig mee van doen, behalve dan dat Max een paar scènes meedoet, Daisy eens vermeld wordt en helemaal op het einde ook op het toneel verschijnt en het zich natuurlijk niet in onze wereld maar de hunne afspeelt.
In dit boek staan de noordelijke, ijzige landen centraal, die in de oorspronkelijke reeks niet aan bod komen. Daarmee breidt Thomson haar wereld dus nog wat verder uit. Dat is, net zoals we van haar gewend zijn, weer heel geslaagd. Het zit origineel in elkaar, met een paar goede vondsten, en de werking is duidelijk.
De tekeningen van Paganelli zijn ook weer prachtig, dat spreekt voor zich, en ze handhaaft haar tekenstijl heel goed. De lijnen en tinten zijn erg knap gedaan.
Maar ik geef toe dat ik de andere boeken op vrijwel alle vlakken wel beter vind.
Annika als hoofdpersonage is goed, maar kan niet aan Daisy tippen. Er hangen een paar geheimen om haar heen, maar niks wereldschokkends, het zijn allemaal dingen die je al goed kunt zien aankomen. Constantin, het tweede hoofdpersonage, komt nooit helemaal uit de verf. Ik vraag me af of het de bedoeling van de auteur was om een soort transgenderpersoon op te voeren zonder dat echt zo te benoemen - maar hij houdt van ballet en wil door iedereen 'Connie' genoemd worden, iets dat nooit verklaard wordt maar echt ontzettend bizar klinkt. Ragnar - als er een mislukte Vikingkoning in een boek zit, tien tegen één dat hij Ragnar heet - blijft een beetje vaag. Op het einde kom je iets meer te weten over zijn beweegredenen, maar die vind ik zelf maar mager. En ik vond het jammer dat Fen er maar een paar keer in komt, al bij al. Ik had ook gedacht dat haar aandeel in het verhaal groter zou zijn, dus dat deed er geen goed aan. Maar ik geef toe: die husky's zijn plezant!
Het verhaal op zich is spannend, bij tijd en wijle, maar ik kon er nooit helemaal in komen. Er gebeurt wat te veel, heb ik het idee - het is zo'n boek waarin het ene probleem in het vorige wordt ingebed, als in: er moet een probleem opgelost worden, maar dan duikt er een nieuw probleem op dat éérst moet opgelost worden enzovoorts. En op den duur ging dat hier wat vervelen en maakte het de zaken ook wat onoverzichtelijk. Op den duur wist ik soms niet goed meer waar iedereen nu eigenlijk mee bezig was.
Ten slotte kan ik me ook niet van de indruk ontdoen dat Thomson dit boek vooral heeft geschreven omdat ze een probleem wil aankaarten van de huidige tijd: het smelten van de ijskappen. En ja, natuurlijk is dat een probleem en natuurlijk moet daar iets aan gedaan worden en moeten de mensen ervan op de hoogte zijn, maar het kwam in dit verhaal echt zo nadrukkelijk aan bod dat ik het idee had dat het hele achterliggende thema en idee van dit boek was. En ik wil er niet 340 bladzijdes aan één stuk door aan herinnerd worden, dank je feestelijk. Dat had wel iets implicieter verwerkt mogen zijn.
6,5/10
Dit boek was onder mijn radar gebleven tot op de dag van uitgave, dus ik wist eigenlijk nauwelijks waar het over gaat. Het is een soort sequel, een nakomertje, dat zich ongeveer tien jaar na het einde van de Groenwoud-trilogie afspeelt. Het heeft er verder tamelijk weinig mee van doen, behalve dan dat Max een paar scènes meedoet, Daisy eens vermeld wordt en helemaal op het einde ook op het toneel verschijnt en het zich natuurlijk niet in onze wereld maar de hunne afspeelt.
In dit boek staan de noordelijke, ijzige landen centraal, die in de oorspronkelijke reeks niet aan bod komen. Daarmee breidt Thomson haar wereld dus nog wat verder uit. Dat is, net zoals we van haar gewend zijn, weer heel geslaagd. Het zit origineel in elkaar, met een paar goede vondsten, en de werking is duidelijk.
De tekeningen van Paganelli zijn ook weer prachtig, dat spreekt voor zich, en ze handhaaft haar tekenstijl heel goed. De lijnen en tinten zijn erg knap gedaan.
Maar ik geef toe dat ik de andere boeken op vrijwel alle vlakken wel beter vind.
Annika als hoofdpersonage is goed, maar kan niet aan Daisy tippen. Er hangen een paar geheimen om haar heen, maar niks wereldschokkends, het zijn allemaal dingen die je al goed kunt zien aankomen. Constantin, het tweede hoofdpersonage, komt nooit helemaal uit de verf. Ik vraag me af of het de bedoeling van de auteur was om een soort transgenderpersoon op te voeren zonder dat echt zo te benoemen - maar hij houdt van ballet en wil door iedereen 'Connie' genoemd worden, iets dat nooit verklaard wordt maar echt ontzettend bizar klinkt. Ragnar - als er een mislukte Vikingkoning in een boek zit, tien tegen één dat hij Ragnar heet - blijft een beetje vaag. Op het einde kom je iets meer te weten over zijn beweegredenen, maar die vind ik zelf maar mager. En ik vond het jammer dat Fen er maar een paar keer in komt, al bij al. Ik had ook gedacht dat haar aandeel in het verhaal groter zou zijn, dus dat deed er geen goed aan. Maar ik geef toe: die husky's zijn plezant!
Het verhaal op zich is spannend, bij tijd en wijle, maar ik kon er nooit helemaal in komen. Er gebeurt wat te veel, heb ik het idee - het is zo'n boek waarin het ene probleem in het vorige wordt ingebed, als in: er moet een probleem opgelost worden, maar dan duikt er een nieuw probleem op dat éérst moet opgelost worden enzovoorts. En op den duur ging dat hier wat vervelen en maakte het de zaken ook wat onoverzichtelijk. Op den duur wist ik soms niet goed meer waar iedereen nu eigenlijk mee bezig was.
Ten slotte kan ik me ook niet van de indruk ontdoen dat Thomson dit boek vooral heeft geschreven omdat ze een probleem wil aankaarten van de huidige tijd: het smelten van de ijskappen. En ja, natuurlijk is dat een probleem en natuurlijk moet daar iets aan gedaan worden en moeten de mensen ervan op de hoogte zijn, maar het kwam in dit verhaal echt zo nadrukkelijk aan bod dat ik het idee had dat het hele achterliggende thema en idee van dit boek was. En ik wil er niet 340 bladzijdes aan één stuk door aan herinnerd worden, dank je feestelijk. Dat had wel iets implicieter verwerkt mogen zijn.
6,5/10
September 2, 2026
What an amazing addition to the series! I didn’t think I could love this more but than the first one ..! It was great from start to finish and I got locked in so quickly.
It works as a standalone within the same series so it could easily be tackled without having read the others but I do recommend it purely for enjoyment because they are awesome too!
We follow Annika, the to be Princess of Iffenwild along with her companion Connie. They are both on a race against time with a countdown that marks the end of someone she loves unless she can recover an artefact that will save their lives. Oooo - so good. And I was so invested. I always looker forward to coming back to read this book at the end of the day and it was purely enchanting !
Thank you to the author and publisher for this book on NetGalley in return for my honest thoughts and review.
It works as a standalone within the same series so it could easily be tackled without having read the others but I do recommend it purely for enjoyment because they are awesome too!
We follow Annika, the to be Princess of Iffenwild along with her companion Connie. They are both on a race against time with a countdown that marks the end of someone she loves unless she can recover an artefact that will save their lives. Oooo - so good. And I was so invested. I always looker forward to coming back to read this book at the end of the day and it was purely enchanting !
Thank you to the author and publisher for this book on NetGalley in return for my honest thoughts and review.
October 20, 2026
A worthy successor to the previous book in the series, Greenwild, The Frozen King is an atmospheric middle grade fantasy story with excellent world building and plenty of action.
Since I read the first book on Kindle, I found I really enjoyed experiencing the second story as an audio book.
It will be thoroughly enjoyed by those in the target age group, as well as some who may be a little older - though it is probably best suited to middle grade readers.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Since I read the first book on Kindle, I found I really enjoyed experiencing the second story as an audio book.
It will be thoroughly enjoyed by those in the target age group, as well as some who may be a little older - though it is probably best suited to middle grade readers.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Books for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.
I love the Greenwild series so much and I was sad when the last book said it was the end of the trilogy. So I was super excited that Pari hasn't left the world of Greenwild completely.
If you want to believe in magic again, read the Greenwild books - you won't doubt the existence of magic anymore. And once again Elisa's illustrations are beautiful and really add an extra layer to the story.
It's been a while since I read the last Greenwild book and whilst I know this is set in the future of that trilogy, I was still a little worried I'd forget important aspects but I didn't. You're immediately drawn into this world, and even though it's a new story, there's still so much about it that was recognisable, like returning home.
The way she's described the location gives it so much atmosphere. You'll find yourself almost shivering with the cold like the characters - which after what seems like a never-ending heatwave was a nice change.
I like how she's given two views on magic. In books, kids books especially, magic is often seen as fun and exciting. And it is. But it can also be harsh and dangerous and I like that Pari has balanced both.
I wondered if I'd miss the original characters because, whilst they are in this book, they're more mentions, used to propel Annika's story. But I didn't. They're great little flashbacks for those of us who have read the original trilogy, but the new characters are just as interesting to read about and follow on this journey.
There's one thread that goes through the original series and now this one, and that's the connection to nature and animals. It's a beautiful thing and I think Pari does an exceptional job at depicting it.
There are some serious topics in it - I won't spoil it - and whilst they're done sensitively, at no point does it lose its foundation which is a fun, exciting, adventurous, fantasy story for young readers.
It's one of those books where you say, "Just one more chapter", and you keep saying that until you're finished. It's not a short book and would probably be considered quite a long one for the reading age, but it's so addictive that it flies by.
I wonder if this is the start of a new series or just a one-off visit, but I'm really hoping it'll be a new series because it's just epic.
I love the Greenwild series so much and I was sad when the last book said it was the end of the trilogy. So I was super excited that Pari hasn't left the world of Greenwild completely.
If you want to believe in magic again, read the Greenwild books - you won't doubt the existence of magic anymore. And once again Elisa's illustrations are beautiful and really add an extra layer to the story.
It's been a while since I read the last Greenwild book and whilst I know this is set in the future of that trilogy, I was still a little worried I'd forget important aspects but I didn't. You're immediately drawn into this world, and even though it's a new story, there's still so much about it that was recognisable, like returning home.
The way she's described the location gives it so much atmosphere. You'll find yourself almost shivering with the cold like the characters - which after what seems like a never-ending heatwave was a nice change.
I like how she's given two views on magic. In books, kids books especially, magic is often seen as fun and exciting. And it is. But it can also be harsh and dangerous and I like that Pari has balanced both.
I wondered if I'd miss the original characters because, whilst they are in this book, they're more mentions, used to propel Annika's story. But I didn't. They're great little flashbacks for those of us who have read the original trilogy, but the new characters are just as interesting to read about and follow on this journey.
There's one thread that goes through the original series and now this one, and that's the connection to nature and animals. It's a beautiful thing and I think Pari does an exceptional job at depicting it.
There are some serious topics in it - I won't spoil it - and whilst they're done sensitively, at no point does it lose its foundation which is a fun, exciting, adventurous, fantasy story for young readers.
It's one of those books where you say, "Just one more chapter", and you keep saying that until you're finished. It's not a short book and would probably be considered quite a long one for the reading age, but it's so addictive that it flies by.
I wonder if this is the start of a new series or just a one-off visit, but I'm really hoping it'll be a new series because it's just epic.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is another perfect children’s magical adventure by Parí Thomson. The narrative is engaging and exciting, and written for children to enjoy as are the previously published ‘Greenwild’ books. Pacy, magical, exciting and imaginative fiction.
Annika has had a yearning for something missing all of her young life. This book is the story of her discovering what that is.
Children are going to lap this up whither reading it for themselves or listening to it being read to them. The simple drawings found every so often aid to help the reader to access this story book.
This is the sort of book as a child I would have excitedly picked up to read myself. Or would have happily shared and read to my daughter at bed time. I’m sure if adults choose to do that children will have happy winter dreams, of flying through the snow on giant huskies.
The story is also one for our times, where climate change threatens our world, and where money and wealth are seen as the prize with our World’s wildlife and environment left to suffer for people’s greed.
If only we could save our frozen landscapes as Annika does.
Thank you to Macmillan’s Children’s Books and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.
Annika has had a yearning for something missing all of her young life. This book is the story of her discovering what that is.
Children are going to lap this up whither reading it for themselves or listening to it being read to them. The simple drawings found every so often aid to help the reader to access this story book.
This is the sort of book as a child I would have excitedly picked up to read myself. Or would have happily shared and read to my daughter at bed time. I’m sure if adults choose to do that children will have happy winter dreams, of flying through the snow on giant huskies.
The story is also one for our times, where climate change threatens our world, and where money and wealth are seen as the prize with our World’s wildlife and environment left to suffer for people’s greed.
If only we could save our frozen landscapes as Annika does.
Thank you to Macmillan’s Children’s Books and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A Welcome Return To The Greenwild & Iffenwild World, The Frozen King Works Well As A Standalone But Is Full Of Little Character Cameos To Appeal To Readers Of The Original Trilogy. The Frozen King Follows 12 Year Old Annika (A Baby In The Original Trilogy) Along With Her Companion Connie Travel On A Thrilling Adventure Across The Utter North To Find A Cure, To Save Her Uncle King Max Before It's Too Late. The Book Is Full Of Beautiful And Wonderfully Detailed Illustrations And The Writing Style Is Fast-Paced And Makes The Rich & Vibrant World Come Alive With Magic (Green, Blue Or Ice). I Loved Elska & Bjorn The Husky's And The Story Had Some Fabulous And Unexpected Twists. I Loved The Ending And The Story Was So Captivating, I Got Lost In The Pages For Hours Without Realising.
Thank You To NetGalley And The Publisher For The ARC.
Thank You To NetGalley And The Publisher For The ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
The Frozen King should be "must be read" by all that love an adventure book...or a book that shows how someone can belong in a place and with people without knowing that place or people even exist.
The characters jump off the page, almost literally, and will keep you on the edge of your seat and reading "just one more chapter" until the very end.
Annika is the new strong female character that everyone will be talking about.
The characters jump off the page, almost literally, and will keep you on the edge of your seat and reading "just one more chapter" until the very end.
Annika is the new strong female character that everyone will be talking about.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A stunning return to the magical world of Greenwild. A rich, adventurous story full of love, loss, wondrous creatures and found family. I loved Annika, Connie, Jesper and everyone. It had everything, heart, humour, danger, peril, high stakes and some very formidable villains. I loved the illustrations too. A perfect read. Five stars. Thank you so much to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This whole series is amazing & this one did not disappoint! Great for readers who enjoy reading about fantasy, environment and adventure this is the perfect fit. As a dog lover I especially loved the MC connection to her huski. Such a great story! Hopefully Ms. Thomson has more stories in the works!
I received a free E-ARC from Netgalley & Macmillan Children's Publishing Group | Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) for my honest review
I received a free E-ARC from Netgalley & Macmillan Children's Publishing Group | Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) for my honest review
Review of advance copy
What a joy to step back into the world of Greenwild (and the Marindeep!)
What I particularly loved about this book is that there are so many recognisable characters, and people we already know from the original trilogy, and yet it doesn’t necessarily feel like a sequel. It feels like its own little adventure.
I absolutely loved it, and am feeling all wintery and cosy and magical inside now!
What I particularly loved about this book is that there are so many recognisable characters, and people we already know from the original trilogy, and yet it doesn’t necessarily feel like a sequel. It feels like its own little adventure.
I absolutely loved it, and am feeling all wintery and cosy and magical inside now!
September 6, 2026
My daughter loves this book and she wants to read it again. What it means by frozen 🥶 king is he is frozen.
Sorry but this is a spoiler! It is amazing 🤩 5stars!!!
We are hoping for a another book in this series
READ THIS BOOK NOW!!! ITS SO GOOD
Sorry but this is a spoiler! It is amazing 🤩 5stars!!!
We are hoping for a another book in this series
READ THIS BOOK NOW!!! ITS SO GOOD
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 13, 2026
I have loved EVERY ONE of the books in the Greenwild series and this one wasn't any different. It felt like a welcome home to a series that I loved. I cried, screamed, and laughed. Cannot praise these books enough.
September 27, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and publishers for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review to come
Review to come
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews