A review by barbarahowe
Troll Fell by Katherine Langrish
3.0
I wanted to love this book. I have a fondness for Norse mythology, Scandinavian folklore, and the Icelandic sagas, and this YA adventure is thoroughly grounded in that world. From the longship with its dragon head covered to avoid frightening the timid land spirits as the warriors return home, to the little Nis (house spirit) just wanting a dab of butter in his grout (porridge), the details are terrific, and the feel for life in the Viking era is very well done.
Unfortunately, I never quite warmed to the main character, Peer, and his abusive uncles are over-the-top caricatures with no redeeming qualities to make them interesting (Granny Greenteeth was a much more intriguing character, but she only had a cameo appearance). The story also gets bogged down a bit in the middle, with not enough going on to make up for the repetitious misery the uncles heap on poor Peer.
The story wasn't bad, it just wasn't as good as I had hoped for when I stumbled across it.
Unfortunately, I never quite warmed to the main character, Peer, and his abusive uncles are over-the-top caricatures with no redeeming qualities to make them interesting (Granny Greenteeth was a much more intriguing character, but she only had a cameo appearance). The story also gets bogged down a bit in the middle, with not enough going on to make up for the repetitious misery the uncles heap on poor Peer.
The story wasn't bad, it just wasn't as good as I had hoped for when I stumbled across it.