Ogden: A Tale for the End of Time

by Ben G. Price

A story full of elemental magic It tells a tale about how an emissary from the Spirit of Nature arrives in the early days of industrialization, in the form of a young troll, to judge humanity's fitness for survival, or to doom us to extinction. The evil intrigues of men bent on eradicating the last of the trolls are offset by profound epiphanies as Ogden grows and matures from a callow babe in the woods into a burly troll who communes with the spirits of Nature. Through many adventures he learns the similarities and differences between the black magic of men conjured through deceit and clever technology and the life-affirming magic of Nature expressed in ways mysterious and infinite. Ogden is a unique fantasy novel set in the 18th century, full of magical creatures, learning, and love.

432 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 24, 2023

About the author

Ben G. Price is the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund’s education director, with twenty years of experience organizing communities across the country to challenge state and federal legalization of corporate assaults against people and their environments. He pioneered Rights of Nature legislation in the United States and assisted scores of communities to enact rights-protecting laws.

Reviews

[Barbara Cooper Steele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ogden, A Tale for the End of Time, is a feast for the senses. Ben Price constructs the tale much like a fine chef would choose ingredients for a gourmet dish. The main ingredient is historical fiction with a dash of “My Fair Lady”, a pinch of “Beauty and the Beast” and a heaping spoonful of “Huckleberry Finn”. It’s seasoned with a profound love of nature and Ogden the troll is the ingredient that makes the tale taste like more of a fantasy than purely historical fiction. It did take me a few chapters in to embrace all the flavors, but once I savored it a bit I couldn’t stop eating—I mean reading. Delectable!

[Kara Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

A complete leap into a magical world, and a challenge to put down from beginning to end. The characters become familiar and the ending is not predictable. I highly recommended this read and challenge the reader to connect this story to our modern world. Thought provoking!

[Kelly Jarvis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Readers will revel in the wisdom of trolls and other nature spirits in Ben G. Price’s fantasy novel Ogden: A Tale for the End of Time. The book begins with a prologue presenting language as a “Spell of Words” that creates false memories in our minds and separates us from nature. Then it launches into the tale of a baby troll born deep in the wilderness. The troll’s father, Huth, has been instructed by the voices of his ancestors to abandon the baby in the woods where it will be found by humans. Erebus Drowden, a wealthy 18th century man with a keen interest in folklore, decides to raise the orphaned troll, teaching him to speak and behave properly. Known as Odgen, the troll grows quickly, and his interactions with Drowden’s family and the rest of the human world are both humorous and poignant. Unlike the human characters who are living on the cusp of industrialization, Ogden is one with the natural world, and he listens to the stars which sing without words. He speaks of places “without names” and explains that “some things are real even if you can’t say them.” Although Drowden’s wife and children are initially skeptical of Ogden’s place in their home, they come to love his endearing personality, unique wisdom, and authentic approach to life.

In addition to being a story about Ogden’s adventures, Price’s novel is a parable about our interaction with the natural world. The Spirit of Nature has sent Ogden to live among people and remind them that their industrialization may have devastating effects upon the planet. Price, a member of the Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature, is a passionate advocate for peace between the natural and human worlds, and his mission to educate is on display in every word of his heartwarming novel. His book’s conclusion is a call to action that will redefine the way readers understand their place in the natural ecosystem.

Price’s narrative is classic in its construction with prose that will draw readers into the plot of his story. Those who enjoy books like The Hobbit will delight in Price’s magical world building. Ogden: A Tale for the End of Time is an entertaining and poignant read about memory, magic, learning and love.

[Deviant Quill Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

https://www.deviantquill.com/post/ogd...

A historical fiction with fantasy elements that will remind you how important Mother Nature is for us all

Ogden: A Tale for The End of Time is a fantasy story like no other. Readers of the genre won't likely find something similar, which is a breath of fresh air in the fantasy literary world. Imagine reading a classic English novel but with magical creatures and elemental magic, skillfully covering themes of environmental protection.

In a world where magic and non-human beings are despised, Ogden, a baby troll abandoned in the woods, is adopted and raised by a respectable landowner, in an imposing countryside manor. His remarkable progress and clumsy attempts to act like a human make him a highly lovable character. However, Ogden turns out to be more than anyone else thought.

Despite taking place around the 18th century, the story is a wake-up call relevant to modern times. It takes remarkable skill to do this but it's not surprising considering the author, Ben G. Price has assisted more than forty U.S. communities to enact laws recognizing legal rights for ecosystems. He's passionate about protecting the environment and he poured all this passion into creating a spectacular fantasy novel.

Overall, Ogden: A Tale for the End of Time is a captivating novel with a unique protagonist who has the power to teach and delight. Highly recommended.

[Alanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m really unsure how to rate this so I’m going with the safest, middle of the road option. Ogden is really three books in one- the first third is a cozy fantasy about a loving family adopting a baby troll that their farm-hand found in the woods. The second third is a crime/mystery where the troll klan frames Ogden for a horrifying crime and his friends work to clear his name. The last third is where we actually get the worldbuilding, magic system, and the fantasy elements. While there is some really beautiful prose, I just didn’t enjoy Ogden as much as I was hoping I would. I think I would have liked the world building and everything that was introduced at the END of the book to be brought in sooner. I had to keep reminding myself that it was a fantasy.

[Graisi · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thank you Ben G. Price, Netgalley, Independent Publishers Group, and Addison & Highsmith Publishers for this free ARC in exchange for a review.

My rule is that if I don't care about any of the characters by about 10% in, I stop reading. Life is too short for bad books. So I stopped at 13%.

Not one of the characters is appealing in general as a possible protagonist, and most are quite unpleasant, so I can't imagine reading the whole book.

[Salonika Neupane · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is rare to read something written from a nonhuman perspective without forcing humanlike qualities on them. Ben Price does exactly that in “Ogden: A Tale for the End of Time.” The shift from human's to troll's to bear's to deer's perspectives seems authentic and genuine. The book resonates with anyone who grieves over the loss of natural world. I would highly recommend it to our readers.

[Kenda Hanuman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't want it to end but couldn't stop reading!
Ben's vision and mastery kept me entranced.
I certainly hope it's not the end.