- Paperback: 320 pages
- Publisher: HarperCollinsChildren'sBooks (7 Jun 2004)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0007177380
- ISBN-13: 978-0007177387
- Product Dimensions: 21.4 x 13.6 x 2.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,650,357 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
Troll Fell (Troll Trilogy)
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Product Description
Review
Atmospheric, dramatic, stylish and intensely engaging, Katherine Langrish’s Troll Fell is the real thing. I’ve rarely read a more confident and assured first novel that was so mature and had as many of the ingredients that are needed to herald the arrival of a significant writing talent. Troll Fell is in turns gritty and bleak, and also magical and uplifting. I think Langrish is a natural storyteller and I look forward to discovering more of her imagination in years to come.
John McLay
John McLay
'Atmospheric, dramatic, stylish and intensely engaging. Troll Fell is in turns gritty and bleak, and also magical and uplifting.'
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This book was recommended to me by two different people. At first I wondered whether a book about trolls would be something I'd like. However, I was pleasantly surprised - and found I enjoyed it thoroughly. The fantastical creatures of Norse mythology are a refreshing change from the characters found in most contemporary fantasy. Troll Fell is set in a world where trolls are as common as mice - though considerably more dangerous!
The story begins with young Peer Ulfsson at his beloved father's funeral. Finding himself now the obligatory orphan required for most children's fiction, he goes to live with his two unpleasant uncles: Baldur and Grim. They live in an old watermill at the foot of Troll Fell - and soon put Peer to work, treating him like an unpaid slave. Fortunately, Peer has his faithful dog, Loki, with him - and soon makes friends with Hilde from a neighboring farm, whose father has just sailed off on a Viking ship. He also befriends a Nis - a mysterious little creature who cleans the mill, (badly), in return for a daily bowl of groute, (a sort of Norse porridge - not the stuff between your bathroom tiles). Peer also makes the acquaintance of Granny Greenteeth who lives in the millpond, waiting to drag the unwary down to the bottom.
The story begins with young Peer Ulfsson at his beloved father's funeral. Finding himself now the obligatory orphan required for most children's fiction, he goes to live with his two unpleasant uncles: Baldur and Grim. They live in an old watermill at the foot of Troll Fell - and soon put Peer to work, treating him like an unpaid slave. Fortunately, Peer has his faithful dog, Loki, with him - and soon makes friends with Hilde from a neighboring farm, whose father has just sailed off on a Viking ship. He also befriends a Nis - a mysterious little creature who cleans the mill, (badly), in return for a daily bowl of groute, (a sort of Norse porridge - not the stuff between your bathroom tiles). Peer also makes the acquaintance of Granny Greenteeth who lives in the millpond, waiting to drag the unwary down to the bottom.
As if slaving for Grim and Baldur isn't bad enough, Peer soon discovers his uncles have more sinister plans for him; plans that involve making a nefarious deal with the trolls of Troll fell. I'll say no more - leaving you to enjoy this beautifully crafted tale for yourself. Suffice to say it all ends well, with a twist or two along the way. An excellent first novel - hopefully the first of many.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
A Norse flavor is given to "Troll Fell," a solid and surprisingly imaginative fantasy starting off on a Cinderella note. Katherine Langrish's debut novel has a few dropped threads, but dips into traditional goblins and ghouls as its inspirations. And it's inspired indeed.
Peer's father has died, just after completing a new longship. Enter Baldur, his ogrish uncle, who takes all of Peer's money and drags him and his faithful dog away. Peer's new home is a miserable place, in a land surrounded by angry neighbors and mischief-making trolls. He's treated like a slave by his uncles Baldur and Grim, and his only solace is the Nis (a neglected house sprite) and a girl from the neighboring farm, Hilde.
But things take a nastier turn after Peer encounters the ghoulish Granny Green-teeth: She reveals that at a forthcoming double wedding for troll princes and princesses, the uncles are going to give him as a wedding present. What's worse, they also plan to kidnap Hilde and give HER as a gift too. Determined to save himself, Peer runs away from home -- only to end up right in the trolls' hands...
"Troll Fell" is a good example of what a fantasy should be -- not derivative, well-written, quick-faced and with enough quirks to keep it from being too grim. Langrish doesn't stoop to deus ex machinae, but keeps the plot simple and straightforward, while peppering it with plenty of northern ghoulies, ghosties and long-legged beasties.
Her writing is solid and descriptive, bringing to life everything from the bleak hills to the bizarre underground kingdom of the trolls. Langrish is particularly good at making the readers feel what the characters are feeling, such as Peer's almost crippling claustrophobia, or his horror at seeing faithful dog Loki thrown into a dogfight. A few threads -- such as Granny's threat to Peer -- are left unsatisfied, but a sequel might take care of those.
Peer and Hilde are a good hero and heroine, with their own flaws and squabbles and weaknesses. The supporting cast is equally good -- the scraggly, disgruntled Nis, the stupid lubbers, the grandmotherly yet homicidal pond-dweller Granny Greenteeth, feisty grandpa Eirek, and the greedy, scheming Baldur and Grim.
"Troll Fell" lives up to its promise as a suspenseful, well-written fantasy. Katherine Langrish does a good job, with plenty of promise for her future books.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Troll Fell is a good old-fashioned fairy story combining a brilliant evocation of the everyday life of Viking folk with an array of supernatural characters - not only the trolls themselves, but also the Nis, who reluctantly does the housework for the evil brothers Grimsson (but not very well as they are too mean to put butter in his porridge), the sinister Granny Greenteeth and even the lubbers who inhabit the privy! The characterisation is impressive. The hero and heroine are young Peer and Hilde, but every character is real, from Hilde's grandfather, now old and frail but evidently a Viking to be reckoned with in his youth, to Loki the dog. All this and a great story that appeals to all ages! Great fun and highly recommended.
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Unfortunately Monotonous...
Hi,
I'm 15 Years Old - and the closest thing you will ever find to an expert on all major fictional spy series ever published in English, From James Bond - to Cherub and... Read more
I'm 15 Years Old - and the closest thing you will ever find to an expert on all major fictional spy series ever published in English, From James Bond - to Cherub and... Read more
Published 18 months ago by AngusJ
really good, enjoyable read even for the older escapist!
I love fantasy, I'm twenty-five but still long to escape to the land of fairy, fantasy, magic and strange creatures! Read more
Published on 29 Aug 2009 by elaine earle
Troll Fell
This book is very exciting and one of the first books i didnt put down! It was jam packed with magical stunts and terrifying trauma's! Read more
Published on 23 July 2005
Troll Fell is worth a read!
As a childrens fantasy lover I was drawn to Troll Fell. It is the kind of book that grabs you and genuinely surprises through out. Read more
Published on 14 July 2005 by "craig-katie2"
Interesting
When i got this book i was quite excited about reading it. I was not dissapointed. The plot was excellent and the characters were realistic. Read more
Published on 25 Aug 2004
Troll Fell reviewed by Edward Grant, Age 9
I really liked this book, because I think adventure books are great. My favourite character was Peer, because he is very adventurous and brave with his dog Loki. Read more
Published on 26 Jun 2004
At last - a good Viking story!
Whether you like men in horned helmets, trolls or just something to beef up the agonies of Key Stage 2 History lessons for your kids, Troll Fell is a real find. Read more
Published on 18 Jun 2004 by A. Craig
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