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| Troll Fell | 
| Author: Katherine Langrish
Category: Book
List Price: $15.99
Buy New: $10.46
You Save: $5.53 (35%)
New (6) from $10.46
Avg. Customer Rating:  15 reviews
Sales Rank: 2212728
Format: Bargain Price
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 272
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.1
Dimensions (in): 9.4 x 6.4 x 1.3
ASIN: B000IOEQOO
Publication Date: June 1, 2004
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
 An Entirely Entertaining Book February 4, 2006
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
I would really recommend this book because it is about a boy who is in a desperate situation and still manages to find hope. He is forced to live with his two uncles who have stolen everything he owns, including his only remembrances of his father. There he must clean their boots and do other work including work in their mill. They are widely hated, for when they grind people's flour, they often intentionally throw in dirt and other yucky substances. What upsets me most is the fact that they nearly get their dog to kill the boy's dog.
Trolling along January 17, 2006
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
2004 was the year of the trolls. Not literally, I suppose, but it certainly seemed that way in the world of children's literature. First Nancy Farmer (of "The House of the Scorpion" fame) came out with the fabulous, "Sea of Trolls". Then hot on her heels was the somewhat similar, "Troll Fell" by Katherine Langrish. Trollophiles everywhere could rejoice in the lovely variety of troll-laden-lit. I didn't actually read "Troll Fell" the year it was published, even though it appeared on the New York Public Library's "2005 100 Books For Reading and Sharing" list. I meant to get around to it but the moment never came up. Then the other day I was informed that Langrish had gotten around to publishing the sequel, "Troll Mill". Not wanting to fall behind in my reading I plucked a copy of "Troll Fell" from my library's shelves and sat down for a good read. What I found was a kind of Dickensian adventure transposed to either Scandinavia or the Yorkshire Dales (I'm not entirely certain which) with a whole heaping bunch of trolls, sprites, and water spirits added in for good luck. I'm confused by the people who keep writing reviews saying that this book isn't for teens. Of course it isn't! It's great children's literature. If you've a teen who wants something with fairies and frights, hand `em, "Tithe" by Holly Black. If you have kids who like a little darkness with their delights, definitely give, "Troll Fell" a try.
You would think losing your only parent would be bad enough. Peer Ulfsson's father died not long ago and his mother died when he was a baby. That's unfortunate. More unfortunate still though is where Peer is headed next. Out of nowhere a man who says he's Peer's uncle (and, unfortunately, this turns out to be true) roughly claims Peer as his own and practically drags the kid away during his own father's funeral. Worse still, Peer's not living with just one cruel heartless uncle. He's living with two! Twin uncles! It isn't long before Peer gets wind of the reason he's been so quickly claimed. It seems as if Uncles Grim and Baldur have a scheme to get their hands on a little of the gold held in the heart of the mountain Troll Fell. And they're in the mood for a trade (hint hint). If Peer can bust the scheme and avoid the countless magical and dangerous creatures lurking about his uncles' mill, he may be all right. The problem is, Peer's good heart may be little match for his uncles' cruel cunning.
The book doesn't do anything too too original, but that doesn't mean that it doesn't make for a great read. It does feel like a bit of a throwback novel. But "throwback" is just another word for "classic" sometimes. The characters are appropriately cruel or kind, though certainly none of the villains exhibit much in the way of three-dimensions. And the story is somewhat predictable, though the solution to everyone's problems at the end is cute and somewhat unexpected. The protagonists are active, rather than letting events sweep them where they may. It's actually rather difficult for me to write a review of this book in some ways. I mean, there's nothing particularly extraordinary about it just as there isn't anything particularly terrible. It's just a nice read that some kids (already into fantasy) will get into and some kids will not.
I'm always looking for good fantasy-laden books to recommend to the kiddies. For example, "The Spiderwick Chronicles" fans are always looking for something new and exciting. "Troll Fell" offers the same range of sprites and trolls with similar results. Another great recommendation for kids who like this book would be "The Boggart" by Susan Cooper (beloved by pretty much every single person who comes across it). Also take a gander at Terry Pratchett's, "The Wee Free Men" and you've a pretty great combination of freakish fairy literature. "Troll Fell" is a lovely little book, but don't expect something with the originality of Pratchett's fare or Cooper's depth. It's just a nice tale about belonging and being brave. All well and good.
 Great Book but Bad Ending January 16, 2006
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
This is a great book. I got it from my school library because it caught my eye. I started reading and I loved it. It starts out with Peer at his father's funeral where his uncle comes to take him. He takes him to his mill on the foot of Troll Fell to live with his twin Grim. They are very cruel to him. Peer then makes friends with Hilde, a girl at a nearby farm who's father went away on a viking ship. Peer thinks his uncle's are being cruel to him but then he discovers a much more sinister plot: to sell him and Hilde to the trolls for troll gold for the gaffer of troll fell's wedding, which are abundant in the area. This book is full of twists and turns, up until the last part of the second to last chapter. I won't spoil anything, but all I can tell you is that it's very childish and Katherine Langrish wanted a really happy ending to please children, but she made it too childish
Loads of Fun November 21, 2005
A book with vikings and trolls, sort of. The story is rooted in Norse mythology, which is both a little different and fun. The This book is very original with compelling young characters that will please younger readers, as well as, older ones. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a good story that is written strongly and clearly.
Good, but for a younger audience October 18, 2005
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Troll Fell was a good bedtime story for younger children. The storyline was good and would facinate anyone 13 or younger, but anyone older will find it dull and childish. Not only was he plot childish, but so was how it was written. There were simple phrases and no complex detail to explain something important or indepth. I gave this book 4 stars because it was generally a good book and I highly recommend it or younger kids but for the older audience I recommend you find another book.
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