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Troll Trilogy #2
Troll Mill
Fifteen-year-old Peer Ulfsson is haunted by his past. Forced to live with his evil uncles under the eerie shadows of Troll Fell, he nearly fell prey to their plan to sell children to the trolls. Now Peer lives with his friend Hilde's family, but can he ever truly belong? And will Hilde ever share his deeper feelings? One rainy night, Peer watches in shock as his neighbor Kersten pushes her baby daughter into his arms and then disappears into the sea. Rumor says that Kersten is a seal woman who has returned to her ocean home, and the millpond witch, Granny Green-teeth, seems intent on taking the "seal baby." Peer also discovers that the mill, abandoned when his uncles joined the troll kingdom, is running again -- all on its own? With angry trolls, mysterious seal people, a mischievous house spirit, and three unusual babies in the mix, Peer and Hilde have their hands full and more!Katherine Langrish returns to the magical world of her acclaimed debut, troll fell, in this second story set in an extraordinary land by the sea filled with Viking legends and lore.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published June 30, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
May 9, 2013
I enjoyed reading this, but I found it hard to connect with how the non-human sentient creatures are regarded - they are all second-class citizens of the world, but there is no explanation as to why this really ought to be the case (as in, how do the humans of the situation justify the treatment of the non-humans). There is some acknowledgement of commonality later in the book, but it just seems as though if one were to think about it, the humans are sort of bastards. The sea-people/Kersten/Bjorn storyline was interesting, with a good start where the characters debate over who is to blame - but Bjorn still gets let off for essentially abducting a woman (who is a seal yes), perhaps because "balance" is restored at the end (with a transfer of stuff) - except it seems that Kersten just has two oppressive controlling males in her life, not just one (and one might argue that she is cast as a failing mother in the process, for whom it is right to lose her baby - because we are happy in the end Ran, her baby, is not going to be a seal child...)
August 26, 2017
A lot more interesting than I thought it would be. Found the first by chance in the library, and decided it was good enough to give the second a try. I loved it more than the first!!!
September 30, 2017
Troll Mill is set 3 years after Troll Fell and Peer is living with Hilde's family. Although rid of his nasty uncles, Peer still has to work through some of the experiences and feelings he had while under his uncles' cruel reign. Besides that, he must also learn to find his place in the world while deciphering the mystery behind Bjorn and his wife's sudden disappearance. All of the characters - the loved and not so loved - are back in this one and readers enjoy more of the magical folklore of trolls, selkies, and such.
September 15, 2025
Hard to rate, I didn’t read book 1, but it didn’t really need it, giving plenty of context when needed. Celtic folklore book, Middle Ages fantasy style, seilkies and trolls and fae and such. I liked it ! But there were a little bit of SA stuff going on with the selkie kidnapper husband that everyone just brushed off … he fr stole her from her husband and kids for SEVEN years …. Don’t ignore that… but it’s realistic to the selkie Celtic legends I guess
May 13, 2019
I think it doesn't give you a chance to take your breath, it has adventure within an adventure,and the protagonists face many dangers simultaneously, love its fast pace, and the true feeling chr.
and beautifully it doesn't end with a cliffhanger, still I am interested in the third one.
and beautifully it doesn't end with a cliffhanger, still I am interested in the third one.
October 17, 2021
As intense as its predecessor, 'Troll Fell,' 'Troll Mill' introduces us to a world of even more epic fantasy involving the mythological seamen. The narrative is gutsy and avoids Harry Potter and Lord Of The Rings overtones.
May 19, 2017
Full review coming soon.
November 1, 2018
I enjoyed the first one more
April 23, 2020
When 15-year-old Peer Ulfsson witnesses the disappearance of his neighbor's selkie wife, he must protect her abandoned baby from trolls and a witch.
July 14, 2021
Awesome can't wait to read the third one
June 22, 2014
I read TROLL FELL years ago and absolutely loved it, so it was a pleasure reading the second installment. This second book shows some emotional growth in Peer and no easy solutions for his quest to become independent and win the girl he crushes on. He's not ready for independence quite yet, and sometimes in life (but rarely in fiction) the boy doesn't get the girl. Sometimes the demons--or Uncle Baldurs--of our past still tower over us, without any easy fix. Sometimes a boy looks like an ungainly heron, not a hero. Some hard experiences here for Peer.
I admired this novel's unflinching attention to Peer's dilemmas and to the overall murky moral circumstances. Peer has a slightly older friend, Bjorn, who apparently stole a seal woman to be his bride. Peer moves from condemning Bjorn to supporting him, and I appreciated this emotional arc so much--sometimes our friends will make choices that we don't applaud or fully understand, but they are still our friends. A lesser author would have cleaned this part up, and made Bjorn "rescue" the seal maiden or some such nonsense. Langrish lets characters make mistakes or make choices that aren't obviously the right ones, and she makes her leading character wrestle with this world of moral grays. She also is unafraid to write a story in which women are not paired up just to suit the needs of the male characters. Partly for this reason, the omniscient narrator picks up Hilde's and Gudrun's points of view. Some people don't like multiple points of view, and we all have our favorites and least favorites when an author chooses this style of narration, but I think it works here--it lets you see that there is more to this world than Peer's desires. It shows you that Hilde cares for Peer, just not in that way. And Gudrun coming home to an empty nest was a truly powerful moment that rose the novel's stakes (though this tension was undercut by the twin's almost risk-free adventure into the heart of the troll-world…maybe to make the story less frightening to children perhaps).
It's a beautifully rendered world. I could tell you about the lubbers or Granny Green-teeth or the Nis, but even on the level of the sentence, that vibrant world comes across. I'll just give you a sample paragraph:
"Glancing downhill, Peer felt poised like a bird, high above the world. He could imagine jumping right down into the valley. The woods below looked soft enough to stroke, like the tufts of wool in Gudrun's scrap basket. Here and there a white sparkle betrayed the stream, flickering with waterfalls. There was a dark spot buried among the trees" (101).
One thing you'll notice is that this isn't a fast-paced prose style in which you zip past pages in a blur of text. Rather, it rewards you for reading and for seeing the world along with Peer. You can feel Peer's uplifted spirits as he looks down, and the world is completely visualized in all its layers--the birdlike heights, the steep depth of the valley, the underlying layer of the stream, and the foreboding blot on the landscape, that mill just visible as a dark spot. But the other thing I like besides the visual sweep are the similes, especially the second one--the billowy tufts of wool from Gudrun's basket. Even if you don't knit or weave, you can feel what that wool feels like, and you can superimpose that feeling onto the valley's appearance. You just want to dive right in. I feel like I've seen the world through Peer's eyes and experienced metaphor that would only come from a medieval-type person like him. It's lovely writing, and renders an evocative world.
I admired this novel's unflinching attention to Peer's dilemmas and to the overall murky moral circumstances. Peer has a slightly older friend, Bjorn, who apparently stole a seal woman to be his bride. Peer moves from condemning Bjorn to supporting him, and I appreciated this emotional arc so much--sometimes our friends will make choices that we don't applaud or fully understand, but they are still our friends. A lesser author would have cleaned this part up, and made Bjorn "rescue" the seal maiden or some such nonsense. Langrish lets characters make mistakes or make choices that aren't obviously the right ones, and she makes her leading character wrestle with this world of moral grays. She also is unafraid to write a story in which women are not paired up just to suit the needs of the male characters. Partly for this reason, the omniscient narrator picks up Hilde's and Gudrun's points of view. Some people don't like multiple points of view, and we all have our favorites and least favorites when an author chooses this style of narration, but I think it works here--it lets you see that there is more to this world than Peer's desires. It shows you that Hilde cares for Peer, just not in that way. And Gudrun coming home to an empty nest was a truly powerful moment that rose the novel's stakes (though this tension was undercut by the twin's almost risk-free adventure into the heart of the troll-world…maybe to make the story less frightening to children perhaps).
It's a beautifully rendered world. I could tell you about the lubbers or Granny Green-teeth or the Nis, but even on the level of the sentence, that vibrant world comes across. I'll just give you a sample paragraph:
"Glancing downhill, Peer felt poised like a bird, high above the world. He could imagine jumping right down into the valley. The woods below looked soft enough to stroke, like the tufts of wool in Gudrun's scrap basket. Here and there a white sparkle betrayed the stream, flickering with waterfalls. There was a dark spot buried among the trees" (101).
One thing you'll notice is that this isn't a fast-paced prose style in which you zip past pages in a blur of text. Rather, it rewards you for reading and for seeing the world along with Peer. You can feel Peer's uplifted spirits as he looks down, and the world is completely visualized in all its layers--the birdlike heights, the steep depth of the valley, the underlying layer of the stream, and the foreboding blot on the landscape, that mill just visible as a dark spot. But the other thing I like besides the visual sweep are the similes, especially the second one--the billowy tufts of wool from Gudrun's basket. Even if you don't knit or weave, you can feel what that wool feels like, and you can superimpose that feeling onto the valley's appearance. You just want to dive right in. I feel like I've seen the world through Peer's eyes and experienced metaphor that would only come from a medieval-type person like him. It's lovely writing, and renders an evocative world.
October 25, 2019
This amazing book is all about Peer who now wants to own the mill that his evil uncles used to own. He doesn't know that the trolls are plotting against him so heis in alot of danger.
February 21, 2024
Whew, Troll Mill really picks up on adventure and excitement! I think I might actually like it a teeny bit more than Troll Fell! In this continuing story, 3 years have passed and Peer and Hilde and now (dum dum dum!) teenagers! I haven’t been all that impressed with teen protagonists lately, but here, both characters capture the changes in behavior and feelings without being over-the-top or annoying. Very nice! And the sweet budding romance – perfect!
Once again, a very engaging read! It seems like this story is a little more serious than its predecessor; older characters, a little more mature storyline – very cool! This may sound like an incredibly obvious observation, but I really like how Ms. Langrish tells her story: I mean, I like the progression it takes. You don’t feel frenzied or harried when you’re reading, but you don’t feel bored either. The plot progresses at a very nice pace, and that seems like a feat much harder than we would all think.
So in a nutshell: very engaging story that ups the ante a little on the drama…a very smooth transition from the first book
In addition to the two MCs, Peer and Hilde, Troll Mill offers a rich ensemble cast of very detailed and well-crafted characters. I can’t say enough how much I like the inclusion of parent figures in this story. In other books/movies, they’re usually either dead or totally useless. It was very refreshing, therefore, to see adult figures in leadership roles. I loved all the characters, even the wicked uncles! Can’t wait to see what happens to everybody in the final installment.
Amelialand Rating
V: I don’t really recall anything
S: A little (teeny weenie) bit of innuendo, but it’s in the context of a human-“magical creature” marriage, so nothing major by any means, and kids will most likely just read over it
L: Once again, didn’t catch anything! *sighs in relief*
Final Rating: 4.7/5. Yes, I know, 4.7 is a random number, but I liked this book a little more than Troll Fell, so I wanted to boost its rating a little. This series is highly recommended
Once again, a very engaging read! It seems like this story is a little more serious than its predecessor; older characters, a little more mature storyline – very cool! This may sound like an incredibly obvious observation, but I really like how Ms. Langrish tells her story: I mean, I like the progression it takes. You don’t feel frenzied or harried when you’re reading, but you don’t feel bored either. The plot progresses at a very nice pace, and that seems like a feat much harder than we would all think.
So in a nutshell: very engaging story that ups the ante a little on the drama…a very smooth transition from the first book
In addition to the two MCs, Peer and Hilde, Troll Mill offers a rich ensemble cast of very detailed and well-crafted characters. I can’t say enough how much I like the inclusion of parent figures in this story. In other books/movies, they’re usually either dead or totally useless. It was very refreshing, therefore, to see adult figures in leadership roles. I loved all the characters, even the wicked uncles! Can’t wait to see what happens to everybody in the final installment.
Amelialand Rating
V: I don’t really recall anything
S: A little (teeny weenie) bit of innuendo, but it’s in the context of a human-“magical creature” marriage, so nothing major by any means, and kids will most likely just read over it
L: Once again, didn’t catch anything! *sighs in relief*
Final Rating: 4.7/5. Yes, I know, 4.7 is a random number, but I liked this book a little more than Troll Fell, so I wanted to boost its rating a little. This series is highly recommended
August 4, 2009
The book is about Peer trying to rebuild the mill in Troll Fell. His uncles used to own it but since they are gone, Peer is trying to set a new life in the mill. The setting is in Troll Fell and the main character is Peer. Peer's main external conflict is, him having to try to make a new life in the mill and to deal with all the trolls, lubbers, and Granny Green Teeth. Peer's main internal conflict is, him thinking about his evil uncles and fearing that they might come back to haunt him.
During reading this book, I made a text-to-self connection. The part when Peer tries to make a new life at the mill reminds me of when I tried to make a new life at my grandparents house in my country. It was really hard to make a new life there even for Peer. Peer had to clean the house add new stuff in and clear the house of lubbers, while I had to do the chores in the house and try to make new friends.
I would give this book four stars, because the plot was very good, the characters were interesting and really made me read deaper into the story. The only part about this story that was bad was that the story did not have much adventure. I would recommand this book to people who read Miracles Boys, and who dont want that much adventure, in a story.
During reading this book, I made a text-to-self connection. The part when Peer tries to make a new life at the mill reminds me of when I tried to make a new life at my grandparents house in my country. It was really hard to make a new life there even for Peer. Peer had to clean the house add new stuff in and clear the house of lubbers, while I had to do the chores in the house and try to make new friends.
I would give this book four stars, because the plot was very good, the characters were interesting and really made me read deaper into the story. The only part about this story that was bad was that the story did not have much adventure. I would recommand this book to people who read Miracles Boys, and who dont want that much adventure, in a story.
March 4, 2011
Well, this is the second book, but I read it anyway without reading the first one, Troll Fell. It was an easy-read book, although the setting was kinda dark for me. Troll Fell was a place I don't want to be in. Creepy, dark, and dangerous. At first half of the book, I was bored with the seal issue. The second half was pretty exciting though.
New creatures were formulated. Yes, lubbers, the Nis, Seal people and Granny Greenteeth. If I read the first book, maybe I will understand more how they look like, especially Granny Greenteeth, lubbers and the Nis. This was the first book I read about trolls, except the Three Billy Goats and Harry Potter, where story of trolls were introduced to me in my childhood. And it didn't disappoint my expectation of gloomy environment.
Troll Mill was a fair read. I gave it three stars because I just felt I want to get it over with so I can read another book. Not the feeling of excitement of reading it to the end. Plot wise, its good. But it lack something. The author failed to capture the moment of moving you to the edge of the seat.
New creatures were formulated. Yes, lubbers, the Nis, Seal people and Granny Greenteeth. If I read the first book, maybe I will understand more how they look like, especially Granny Greenteeth, lubbers and the Nis. This was the first book I read about trolls, except the Three Billy Goats and Harry Potter, where story of trolls were introduced to me in my childhood. And it didn't disappoint my expectation of gloomy environment.
Troll Mill was a fair read. I gave it three stars because I just felt I want to get it over with so I can read another book. Not the feeling of excitement of reading it to the end. Plot wise, its good. But it lack something. The author failed to capture the moment of moving you to the edge of the seat.
September 27, 2022
Carrying on the story of the life of Peers and his adoptive family where Troll Fell left off, this book delves into slightly darker territory. The themes are edging close to a bit too mature for kids, however, by dealing with those themes from a kid's perspective, Langrish has managed to do two things.
First, she's made the story challenging and still inviting for young readers, giving them things to think about that go beyond their everyday lives, and this is important for kids learning to navigate the world, both in the fantasy world of Norse mythology, and in the real world of today.
Second, and for me most gratifying, she's taken the legends and myths held by people who lived in a much harsher natural reality than we city bred modern folk, and instead of turning them into Happily Ever After fairy tales, held true to the harsh realities those myths were trying to explain. Life has never been easy, and Langrish didn't mince her myths. I like that.
First, she's made the story challenging and still inviting for young readers, giving them things to think about that go beyond their everyday lives, and this is important for kids learning to navigate the world, both in the fantasy world of Norse mythology, and in the real world of today.
Second, and for me most gratifying, she's taken the legends and myths held by people who lived in a much harsher natural reality than we city bred modern folk, and instead of turning them into Happily Ever After fairy tales, held true to the harsh realities those myths were trying to explain. Life has never been easy, and Langrish didn't mince her myths. I like that.
December 13, 2010
This book delves into the mythos of the descendants of early viking conquerers of England. It introduces us to a boy who is taken from a small village to work for his uncles in another after his father's death. The boy never feels like he fits in and is always an outsider, which is the feeling I had after reading it. I just never got enough of the culture surrounding the hero to understand the motivations of the supporting characters. Yet the story was original and moderately paced.
February 3, 2011
I learned some unique legends, myths, folklore (at least for me) from Vikings and some Native Americans. I haven't taken the time yet to check these myths for verification. I was introduced to the "Jenu" a North American "Snow Monster" (3rd book), Lubbers, Granny Greenteeth and a few more. I also learned more about trolls, house elves and seal people. This is a fast, fun read with lots of adventure.
February 11, 2014
I really enjoyed this one. It was very fast paced. I will try to not have any spoilers. I just love how Katherine is able to blend childlike fantasy ideas with such darker happenings while keeping an ominous and anxious tone simultaneously. Mixing sometimes funny motivations behind why certain things are happening (like the want for blankets) with seriously much darker ones (like with who wants baby or even the sailors story).
March 30, 2013
I know that this is a kids book, and I know that it is the second in the series and I have not read the first one, but it was an enjoyable quick read.
It is everything that you would expect from a well put together piece of writing for children. It instantly captured my imagination and I hope that it will capture yours!
For children with big imaginations and adults who are likewise minded (or at least that want to be).
It is everything that you would expect from a well put together piece of writing for children. It instantly captured my imagination and I hope that it will capture yours!
For children with big imaginations and adults who are likewise minded (or at least that want to be).
January 29, 2016
Set three years later. The family's settled in with Peer as one of them. Now that he's older, he's developing feelings for the lovely Hilde who's always been by and on his side. Peer just wants to be grown and show how independent and self sufficient that he is to Hilde. Then, the dilemma of the story. Kersten, Bjorn's wife, runs at Peer with her baby and tells him to bring it to Bjorn. She runs off into the water and then the book starts to move.
June 21, 2015
Loved this whole series by Katherine Langrish There is 3 books in the series Troll Fell, Troll Mill and Troll Blood I would highly recommend you read them they are an awesome series when I read them I could not put them down the only problem is that there is only 3 books in the series there should have been heaps more I could not get my head out of he books and I have always got books on the go I am total bookworm and loved these books
August 15, 2008
Troll Mill isn't so much a sequel as a continuation of the story from Troll Fell - and its a good story. There is a bit of coming-of-age - though it doesn't hit you in the face with it - and learning about one's passion and talent. The bad guys aren't completely bad and even trolls and humans have a bit in common.
November 20, 2008
This is the sequel to Troll Fell. Peer is still trying to find his place with his new family—he makes shy advances to the daughter of the house but her eyes are set on someone older. Then a friend shoves his new baby girl into Peer’s arms and heads out to sea to retrieve his seal wife. What is Peer to do with a baby whom the trolls have their eyes on???
July 12, 2010
Just as good (maybe better) than the first book. The story picks up 3 years or so after the first book ends, and even though the first book stands on its own really well, there's a lot of pay-off in this volume. I loved the different folklore and folk tales that Langrish incorporates into the story as well. I'm very excited for book 3!
February 4, 2020
I read this book a few years ago - I received it as a Christmas present ages ago and kind of forgot about it. When I finally started reading I automatically fell in love with the story and thoroughly enjoyed the novel as a whole.
I plan to read the 1st novel, and eventually the 3rd which is supposed to be fantastic!
I plan to read the 1st novel, and eventually the 3rd which is supposed to be fantastic!
April 19, 2013
I find these stories about Vikings, Trolls and Scandinavian Myths enjoyable, in any case, to paraphrase the founder of the Salvation Army, when asked why he was so keen on having his people form bands and sing, he said "Why should the Devil have all the best songs".
Why should such good stories be only for YA's!
Why should such good stories be only for YA's!
October 19, 2016
Exceptional follow up to the first book. Diving right into the third and final book once I get home. I love Katherine's descriptions; they are quirky and I have quite the vivid image of the farm, the mill, the beach, troll fell, the fields, everything. Wish there was some concept art out there or a movie!
December 30, 2008
A sequel I actually liked! All I can say is Awesome Job Katherine! Once again, the characters and background come alive through the writing. Love the mythological characters that are interweaved amongst the humans.
October 9, 2009
I thought this book was constant movement with regards to the characters and plot. Very exciting tale and hard to put down. This book surpassed Troll Fell. Excellent plot weaving and character development.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews