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The Crimson and the Frost
For untold millennia, the harsh frozen wastelands had been ruled by the immortal King of Winter. His power so absolute, no one dared to challenge his dominance until... ...the Crimson Wizard and his devoted followers took up residence in the heart of his realm, creating a mystical town. In their possession was a strange and powerful artifact that protected them. For centuries they had lived in peace, undisturbed, while the King of Winter waited patiently for his chance at revenge. Now, the Crimson Wizard's potent source of magic is lost and there is nothing to stop the King of Winter and his army of savage grimghouls from launching a full-scale invasion. The fate of the entire world hangs in the balance as the two face-off in an epic clash of magic and legends.
322 pages, Paperback
First published September 13, 2013
16 people want to read
About the author
John Williams
2 books1 followerCousins and co-authors John Williams and James Colletti Have collaborated creatively since they were youths, the pair share a long and successful history that includes writing music, playing in rock bands, writing screenplays, producing shows and music videos for broadcast television, and directing an internationally released movie. Now, John and James have joined forces again to write their first novel, ‘The Crimson and the Frost’
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
November 12, 2013
The Crimson and the Frost is a unique story that takes iconic characters and spins them into a tale unlike any other...
Late one night, as young Billy Hampton investigates a strange presence in the woods behind his house, he discovers a curious transport. He makes the hasty decision to climb aboard, and suddenly he is whisked away to the remote winter wastelands of the far north.
Billy finds himself in a town full of mystery and wonder, built by the legendary Crimson Wizard and his devoted followers. The residents had lived here in peace for centuries, protected by a powerful magic jewel known as the Heart of Polaris. It is their only defense against the wicked and covetous King of Winter who wants them cast out of the lands he claims are his alone.
Now, Billy accidentally loses the Heart of Polaris and without its protection, his newfound friends become vulnerable to the power and fury of the King of Winter and his army of savage grimghouls.
Its desperate race against time as Billy and his friends search for the Heart of Polaris before they fall victim to the impending onslaught.
I loved this book! This is a great holiday read. Loved all the characters & found myself pulling for them all the way. This book is a fun read for everyone..This is the first book I've read by this author, but I'd love to read more.
I rate this book 4 1/2 stars.
Late one night, as young Billy Hampton investigates a strange presence in the woods behind his house, he discovers a curious transport. He makes the hasty decision to climb aboard, and suddenly he is whisked away to the remote winter wastelands of the far north.
Billy finds himself in a town full of mystery and wonder, built by the legendary Crimson Wizard and his devoted followers. The residents had lived here in peace for centuries, protected by a powerful magic jewel known as the Heart of Polaris. It is their only defense against the wicked and covetous King of Winter who wants them cast out of the lands he claims are his alone.
Now, Billy accidentally loses the Heart of Polaris and without its protection, his newfound friends become vulnerable to the power and fury of the King of Winter and his army of savage grimghouls.
Its desperate race against time as Billy and his friends search for the Heart of Polaris before they fall victim to the impending onslaught.
I loved this book! This is a great holiday read. Loved all the characters & found myself pulling for them all the way. This book is a fun read for everyone..This is the first book I've read by this author, but I'd love to read more.
I rate this book 4 1/2 stars.
January 11, 2018
Kids bored with the annual Christmas specials have something new to look at: The Crimson and the Frost. For whatever reason—maybe the cover art—I expected this book to target a slightly older audience, but it really fits best for middle-grade readers. That said, Williams and Colletti’s novel creates a Santa-Clause-meets-Polar-Express holiday adventure aimed at the gadget-loving, phone-tapping children of the twenty-first century. While the dialogue and conflicts are often trite, the authors mix in plenty of humor to reach their intended audience and keep the plot humming along. The storyline draws on traditional scenery with some creative twists, making a modern Christmas tale with classic themes and messages that parents won’t mind their kids reading.
A 17th-century whaling ship encounters the terrifying and magical King of Winter, but a mysterious and even more powerful force rises to oppose him. In the present day, young Billy Hampton competes for popularity by showing off techno gadgets from his dad’s company to his schoolmates. When Santa’s sleigh lands outside Billy’s window—driven by two bumbling elves who’d left home for a day of New England lobster fishing of all things—he sneakily stows away and winds up in Christmas Town. Along the journey, however, Billy accidentally loses the all-important jewel that powers the sleigh. Billy’s hosts try to hide the news and fix the problem themselves; meanwhile, Jack Frost seizes the opportunity to make his long-awaited move against the toy-building hamlet. While the elves and Billy seek help from Santa, Christmas Town goes on alert as Jack Frost lurks dangerously in the hills.
The light-hearted comedy definitely drives the story, and the elves’ personalities—either endearingly crotchety or hilariously hapless—play off each other to add some laughs. Billy’s tour of Christmas Town approaches something satirical even, which doesn’t mesh with the supposed gravity of the missing jewel and impending danger. Young Billy is a misfit in his own right, struggling to fit in among elves and ruining everything he touches, yet he rarely faces consequences. Even as Frost looms in the distance, the expected catastrophe never truly comes. A later reveal that losing the jewel wasn’t entirely Billy’s fault limits his character development, and the story never reaches the requisite gravitas for a power-packed moral. Still, Billy works toward an others-orientedness, which provides a necessary message for kids of any age. The authors present their take on the true meaning of Christmas directly from Santa’s mouth—a celebration of generosity and joy—but Santa’s own backstory and flashbacks are less interesting than the elves’ present-day conflicts. Critical readers will likely find some editorial issues and mid-section point-of-view shifts distracting, but a thrilling final act uplifts the story to show that even the most unlikely among us can be heroes. The Crimson and the Frost provides a kid-friendly, modern take on Christmas themes. Recommended for young readers looking for a fresh storyline with familiar holiday characters.
A 17th-century whaling ship encounters the terrifying and magical King of Winter, but a mysterious and even more powerful force rises to oppose him. In the present day, young Billy Hampton competes for popularity by showing off techno gadgets from his dad’s company to his schoolmates. When Santa’s sleigh lands outside Billy’s window—driven by two bumbling elves who’d left home for a day of New England lobster fishing of all things—he sneakily stows away and winds up in Christmas Town. Along the journey, however, Billy accidentally loses the all-important jewel that powers the sleigh. Billy’s hosts try to hide the news and fix the problem themselves; meanwhile, Jack Frost seizes the opportunity to make his long-awaited move against the toy-building hamlet. While the elves and Billy seek help from Santa, Christmas Town goes on alert as Jack Frost lurks dangerously in the hills.
The light-hearted comedy definitely drives the story, and the elves’ personalities—either endearingly crotchety or hilariously hapless—play off each other to add some laughs. Billy’s tour of Christmas Town approaches something satirical even, which doesn’t mesh with the supposed gravity of the missing jewel and impending danger. Young Billy is a misfit in his own right, struggling to fit in among elves and ruining everything he touches, yet he rarely faces consequences. Even as Frost looms in the distance, the expected catastrophe never truly comes. A later reveal that losing the jewel wasn’t entirely Billy’s fault limits his character development, and the story never reaches the requisite gravitas for a power-packed moral. Still, Billy works toward an others-orientedness, which provides a necessary message for kids of any age. The authors present their take on the true meaning of Christmas directly from Santa’s mouth—a celebration of generosity and joy—but Santa’s own backstory and flashbacks are less interesting than the elves’ present-day conflicts. Critical readers will likely find some editorial issues and mid-section point-of-view shifts distracting, but a thrilling final act uplifts the story to show that even the most unlikely among us can be heroes. The Crimson and the Frost provides a kid-friendly, modern take on Christmas themes. Recommended for young readers looking for a fresh storyline with familiar holiday characters.
June 3, 2014
Billy's father is always bring home things from work for his son. He looks at it as free advertising. After an altercation after school, Billy sees the things his father brings home for him as the reason the kids don't like him; they're jealous. Later, while stargazing, he catches a glimpse of something disappearing in the woods. As curious boys often do, he suited up to go outside without thought for how late it was or whether his parents should know. What he finds set our story in motion. Two reindeer, a sleigh with the initials "S.C." on it, a couple of stuffed bags, and no one in site.
Billy decides to stow away on the sleigh just in time to hear two elves argue about who's going to drive. With typical young boy curiosity, Billy searches for anything interesting since the elves still don't know about him. One thing leads to another and a very important jewel is removed from its setting at the back of the sleigh, only to go overboard. The greatest adventure Billy will ever have has started.
A magical adventure in Christmas Town, two rather bumbling elves that keep losing a young boy (who gets caught taking bites out of the wall of The Gumdrop Shoppe), and a sleigh that can't fly until the jewel is found. To mix things up a little more, the King of Winter (aka: Jack Frost) has learned the jewel is missing and wants it for reasons of his own.
This is a fun story, full of life, magic, laughter, trials, and woe. Hopelessness and despair are turned around as a young boy learns to find hope. Although this is a delightful Christmas fantasy, this really is for kids old enough to handle a little conflict in their holiday stories. This could become a favorite family read at the holidays. Check it out and let me know what you think.I was gifted a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Billy decides to stow away on the sleigh just in time to hear two elves argue about who's going to drive. With typical young boy curiosity, Billy searches for anything interesting since the elves still don't know about him. One thing leads to another and a very important jewel is removed from its setting at the back of the sleigh, only to go overboard. The greatest adventure Billy will ever have has started.
A magical adventure in Christmas Town, two rather bumbling elves that keep losing a young boy (who gets caught taking bites out of the wall of The Gumdrop Shoppe), and a sleigh that can't fly until the jewel is found. To mix things up a little more, the King of Winter (aka: Jack Frost) has learned the jewel is missing and wants it for reasons of his own.
This is a fun story, full of life, magic, laughter, trials, and woe. Hopelessness and despair are turned around as a young boy learns to find hope. Although this is a delightful Christmas fantasy, this really is for kids old enough to handle a little conflict in their holiday stories. This could become a favorite family read at the holidays. Check it out and let me know what you think.I was gifted a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
November 16, 2013
The Crimson and the Frost by
James Colletti & John Williams
The Crimson and the Frost is a unique story that takes iconic characters and spins them into a tale unlike any other...
Late one night, as young Billy Hampton investigates a strange presence in the woods behind his house, he discovers a curious transport. He makes the hasty decision to climb aboard, and suddenly he is whisked away to the remote winter wastelands of the far north.
Billy finds himself in a town full of mystery and wonder, built by the legendary Crimson Wizard and his devoted followers. The residents had lived here in peace for centuries, protected by a powerful magic jewel known as the Heart of Polaris. It is their only defense against the wicked and covetous King of Winter who wants them cast out of the lands he claims are his alone.
Now, Billy accidentally loses the Heart of Polaris and without its protection, his newfound friends become vulnerable to the power and fury of the King of Winter and his army of savage grimghouls.
Its desperate race against time as Billy and his friends search for the Heart of Polaris before they fall victim to the impending onslaught.
I loved this book! This is a great holiday read. Loved all the characters & found myself pulling for them all the way. This book is a fun read for everyone..This is the first book I've read by this author, but I'd love to read more.
I rate this book 4 1/2 stars.
complimentary book given for a free review. juliesbookreview.blogspot.com
James Colletti & John Williams
The Crimson and the Frost is a unique story that takes iconic characters and spins them into a tale unlike any other...
Late one night, as young Billy Hampton investigates a strange presence in the woods behind his house, he discovers a curious transport. He makes the hasty decision to climb aboard, and suddenly he is whisked away to the remote winter wastelands of the far north.
Billy finds himself in a town full of mystery and wonder, built by the legendary Crimson Wizard and his devoted followers. The residents had lived here in peace for centuries, protected by a powerful magic jewel known as the Heart of Polaris. It is their only defense against the wicked and covetous King of Winter who wants them cast out of the lands he claims are his alone.
Now, Billy accidentally loses the Heart of Polaris and without its protection, his newfound friends become vulnerable to the power and fury of the King of Winter and his army of savage grimghouls.
Its desperate race against time as Billy and his friends search for the Heart of Polaris before they fall victim to the impending onslaught.
I loved this book! This is a great holiday read. Loved all the characters & found myself pulling for them all the way. This book is a fun read for everyone..This is the first book I've read by this author, but I'd love to read more.
I rate this book 4 1/2 stars.
complimentary book given for a free review. juliesbookreview.blogspot.com
December 16, 2013
There were many aspects of this book that I liked. The beginning was strong. I loved the writer's voice and vivid descriptions in the story. I also loved the unique plot and the relationship of how Santa and Jack Frost came to be. Very original!
I gave this story 3-stars because it needs a good, professional editing. Two main problems I found were the constant head-hopping and the progression of the story. I understand that it is sometimes necessary to change POVs within a book. However, if a POV change is needed there needs to be a line break and a new paragraph started. The author changes POV's within the same paragraph, sometimes two or more times. This becomes confusing and disrupts the story.
The author also needs help with the progression of the story, I understand wanting to describe the town where Santa lives, but from about 20% to 85% of the book, the same things happen over and over. Billy becomes 'distracted', he tears something up, and then tours another part of the town. This became very tedious and I admit the need to take breaks from the book several times. The descriptions were detailed and nice, but there needs to be more progression and information while taking us on Billy's tour.
All in all, a good idea for a book that needs some polishing.
I gave this story 3-stars because it needs a good, professional editing. Two main problems I found were the constant head-hopping and the progression of the story. I understand that it is sometimes necessary to change POVs within a book. However, if a POV change is needed there needs to be a line break and a new paragraph started. The author changes POV's within the same paragraph, sometimes two or more times. This becomes confusing and disrupts the story.
The author also needs help with the progression of the story, I understand wanting to describe the town where Santa lives, but from about 20% to 85% of the book, the same things happen over and over. Billy becomes 'distracted', he tears something up, and then tours another part of the town. This became very tedious and I admit the need to take breaks from the book several times. The descriptions were detailed and nice, but there needs to be more progression and information while taking us on Billy's tour.
All in all, a good idea for a book that needs some polishing.
November 24, 2013
I don not like gooey Christmas stories, and I’m glad to say this is everything but that! Right from the first sentence it grabbed me, hook, line, and sinker. I read it twice with great joy, and have no remarks on it other than it made me laugh, hold my breath in anxiety, and sigh in relief. This book has humour, suspense, moments that instil a sense of urgency, and moments that allow for a breather. All paced expertly, and obviously written by a very skilled author.
The dialogue is great, very realistic and age appropriate. The child talks like how a kid would, while the adults behave accordingly too. The elves? Ha, wonderful, and exactly how I would imagine elves to be. And Santa? Well, he was a surprise, a very welcome one too.
All the scenes were set properly, while still leaving enough to the imagination of the reader. The characters are all fully developed, and have a growth in them one would expect in a story with this message.
I won’t give away the plot, but if you have a child that’s a bit spoiled, or selfish, read this Christmas story with them and have fun with it. The spirit of Christmas is in this book, and it is wrapped up in a very pleasant way.
The dialogue is great, very realistic and age appropriate. The child talks like how a kid would, while the adults behave accordingly too. The elves? Ha, wonderful, and exactly how I would imagine elves to be. And Santa? Well, he was a surprise, a very welcome one too.
All the scenes were set properly, while still leaving enough to the imagination of the reader. The characters are all fully developed, and have a growth in them one would expect in a story with this message.
I won’t give away the plot, but if you have a child that’s a bit spoiled, or selfish, read this Christmas story with them and have fun with it. The spirit of Christmas is in this book, and it is wrapped up in a very pleasant way.
December 2, 2013
Wow! What an amazing read! I stepped out of my usual genre when I got this book and I am so happy I did. It was a fantasy thrill ride from page one to the end. I was transported to my childhood with every page I read. This book is great for all ages, young and old. The characters were amazing and very likable! The description throughout the book painted a beautiful picture scene after scene. I highly recommend this book for the holidays and the rest of the year!!!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews