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Trollgrave
Something stirs in the Forest of Broken Trolls...
Despite all his skill in healing and runecraft, God-Speaker Alvir Einarson could not save everyone.
In the wake of failure, he seeks aid from an old mentor and witnesses a wave of darkness sweep over the land that, for a single moment, extinguishes all magic.
In the capital, he discovers a fellow god-speaker is missing and the streets swarming with Windborn - resurrected warriors gifted with supernatural powers by the gods’ enemies.
Answers await in the Forest of Broken Trolls, but within its sinister depths even the gods’ protection may not be enough, and no more so than now, when the gods’ strength may be fading and dark powers are on the rise.
One thing is Alvir Einarson would rather die than let the gods fall.
Trollgrave is a standalone Norse fantasy filled with fanatical outlaws, strange magic, and vicious monsters.
Despite all his skill in healing and runecraft, God-Speaker Alvir Einarson could not save everyone.
In the wake of failure, he seeks aid from an old mentor and witnesses a wave of darkness sweep over the land that, for a single moment, extinguishes all magic.
In the capital, he discovers a fellow god-speaker is missing and the streets swarming with Windborn - resurrected warriors gifted with supernatural powers by the gods’ enemies.
Answers await in the Forest of Broken Trolls, but within its sinister depths even the gods’ protection may not be enough, and no more so than now, when the gods’ strength may be fading and dark powers are on the rise.
One thing is Alvir Einarson would rather die than let the gods fall.
Trollgrave is a standalone Norse fantasy filled with fanatical outlaws, strange magic, and vicious monsters.
420 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 24, 2024
2 people are currently reading
83 people want to read
About the author
Alex S. Bradshaw
3 books22 followersI am a fantasy author that loves stories with unforgettable characters in epic settings.
My own work is gritty and character-driven and my books have both been semi-finalists in SPFBO.
I’m also part of Spotlight Indie, a wonderful project and team that shines a light on the amazing work of indie creatives.
If I’m not reading or writing then you can probably find me playing games (I love a good TTRPG), or daydreaming about dinosaurs (not necessarily in that order).
I live not too far from Stonehenge and the Round Table and can often be found wandering between library shelves or along countryside footpaths.
My own work is gritty and character-driven and my books have both been semi-finalists in SPFBO.
I’m also part of Spotlight Indie, a wonderful project and team that shines a light on the amazing work of indie creatives.
If I’m not reading or writing then you can probably find me playing games (I love a good TTRPG), or daydreaming about dinosaurs (not necessarily in that order).
I live not too far from Stonehenge and the Round Table and can often be found wandering between library shelves or along countryside footpaths.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
July 1, 2024
Review originally on JamReads
Trollgrave is a standalone novel set in the Windborn series created by Alex S. Bradshaw, a dark fantasy proposal with Nordic influences. God-Speaker Alvir Einarson lives as a wandering healer, trying to protect and save as many people as possible; he often regrets the impossibility of helping as many people as he would like. When he accepts a request to check on other god-speaker, he won't imagine that this journey will be a changing point for his life.
Together with a group of warriors, he will enter into the Forest of Broken Trolls, in a dangerous journey that will discover dark powers and that gods can't protect everybody; not only that, but his own powers and faith will be tested. Something stirs inside the Forest of Broken Trolls, and if it isn't stopped soon, the whole lands will be in danger.
As the book is told in a close first person, following the own Alvin, we get to know him really well; he's a really likeable character, and is defined by the trust he puts into the gods. However, when he becomes a Windborn, this faith will be tested, as the image attached to this condition means being severed from the gods. He deeply cares about those that accompany him, and on many points, he will put himself in danger if that means the possibility of saving others.
The rest of the group is also likeable, filling some archetypes that could be derived from the classic DnD party, but adapted to Bradshaw's world. They are well fleshed, characters that are influenced by their past, and not all of them bode well with Alvin's personality, but still, they put their differences aside for a greater good.
Bradshaw's prose is descriptive, but it still manages to maintain a great balance between it and the pacing, which is relatively fast; as a consequence, you can submerge yourself into this Nordic world, as the images created are vivid and detailed. The atmosphere is oppressive by moments, especially when the tension rises, but it's well balanced with some light-hearted moments, those campfire gatherings that are attached to those kind of quests.
If you are looking for a Nordic adventure with great characters, a well-fleshed world and an interesting plot, Trollgrave is certainly a great choice; a standalone alone story that leaves you craving for more of the Windborn Saga.
Trollgrave is a standalone novel set in the Windborn series created by Alex S. Bradshaw, a dark fantasy proposal with Nordic influences. God-Speaker Alvir Einarson lives as a wandering healer, trying to protect and save as many people as possible; he often regrets the impossibility of helping as many people as he would like. When he accepts a request to check on other god-speaker, he won't imagine that this journey will be a changing point for his life.
Together with a group of warriors, he will enter into the Forest of Broken Trolls, in a dangerous journey that will discover dark powers and that gods can't protect everybody; not only that, but his own powers and faith will be tested. Something stirs inside the Forest of Broken Trolls, and if it isn't stopped soon, the whole lands will be in danger.
As the book is told in a close first person, following the own Alvin, we get to know him really well; he's a really likeable character, and is defined by the trust he puts into the gods. However, when he becomes a Windborn, this faith will be tested, as the image attached to this condition means being severed from the gods. He deeply cares about those that accompany him, and on many points, he will put himself in danger if that means the possibility of saving others.
The rest of the group is also likeable, filling some archetypes that could be derived from the classic DnD party, but adapted to Bradshaw's world. They are well fleshed, characters that are influenced by their past, and not all of them bode well with Alvin's personality, but still, they put their differences aside for a greater good.
Bradshaw's prose is descriptive, but it still manages to maintain a great balance between it and the pacing, which is relatively fast; as a consequence, you can submerge yourself into this Nordic world, as the images created are vivid and detailed. The atmosphere is oppressive by moments, especially when the tension rises, but it's well balanced with some light-hearted moments, those campfire gatherings that are attached to those kind of quests.
If you are looking for a Nordic adventure with great characters, a well-fleshed world and an interesting plot, Trollgrave is certainly a great choice; a standalone alone story that leaves you craving for more of the Windborn Saga.
October 2, 2025
A beautifully written dark, Nordic-inspired fantasy!
We follow God-Speaker Alvir, and it was so refreshing to have a character who is already deep into his role and highly competent at what he does. He travels from village to village, homestead to homestead, healing the sick and injured using his rune weaving magic and his connection to the gods. The pacing, especially in the first half of the book, is deliberately slow, offering an almost slice-of-life insight into Alvir’s life and work, and allowing us to really get to know him and the world he inhabits.
However, there is a deeply ominous cloud hanging over everything, which only grows and darkens, especially when he discovers a shattered God-Stone - something that shouldn’t be possible.
When a request to check on another God-Speaker comes through, he agrees to look into her disappearance in the hope it’ll shine a light on the worrying omens he’s been seeing. Together with his long-lost sister, Sigrun, and a rag-tag group of other characters, including the persecuted magical Windborn, Alvir enters the aptly named Forest of Broken Trolls.
Unfortunately for Alvir, things do not go to plan. Secrets are unearthed and twists throw him from his expected paths, and he undergoes a surprising and fundamental change that throws everything he knows and believes into question - he becomes Windborn.
There are many prejudices in this world, especially against the Windborn and the gods, and each character provides additional insight into this internal conflict - which quickly becomes external - in the second half of the tale.
There are many detailed battle scenes, especially in the last third, featuring outlaws, troll born, and all manner of ghosts and other creatures. In many places, it was actually quite a bit darker and creepier than I was expecting. This isn’t a light-hearted tale of adventure and fantasy. This is dark magic, rituals, sacrifices, violence and death, all in the name of the gods. There are hardships and betrayals, but also a strong sense of faith, hope, and justice, held together by a strong cast and a central mystery.
A highly creative and enjoyable read!
We follow God-Speaker Alvir, and it was so refreshing to have a character who is already deep into his role and highly competent at what he does. He travels from village to village, homestead to homestead, healing the sick and injured using his rune weaving magic and his connection to the gods. The pacing, especially in the first half of the book, is deliberately slow, offering an almost slice-of-life insight into Alvir’s life and work, and allowing us to really get to know him and the world he inhabits.
However, there is a deeply ominous cloud hanging over everything, which only grows and darkens, especially when he discovers a shattered God-Stone - something that shouldn’t be possible.
When a request to check on another God-Speaker comes through, he agrees to look into her disappearance in the hope it’ll shine a light on the worrying omens he’s been seeing. Together with his long-lost sister, Sigrun, and a rag-tag group of other characters, including the persecuted magical Windborn, Alvir enters the aptly named Forest of Broken Trolls.
Unfortunately for Alvir, things do not go to plan. Secrets are unearthed and twists throw him from his expected paths, and he undergoes a surprising and fundamental change that throws everything he knows and believes into question - he becomes Windborn.
There are many prejudices in this world, especially against the Windborn and the gods, and each character provides additional insight into this internal conflict - which quickly becomes external - in the second half of the tale.
There are many detailed battle scenes, especially in the last third, featuring outlaws, troll born, and all manner of ghosts and other creatures. In many places, it was actually quite a bit darker and creepier than I was expecting. This isn’t a light-hearted tale of adventure and fantasy. This is dark magic, rituals, sacrifices, violence and death, all in the name of the gods. There are hardships and betrayals, but also a strong sense of faith, hope, and justice, held together by a strong cast and a central mystery.
A highly creative and enjoyable read!
May 31, 2024
Trollgrave… The most Norse of the Norse-inspired books that I’ve ever read, that is for damn sure!
It starts as something simple. A look at god-speaker Alvir’s life as a wandering healer, his troubles, his regrets, his work. But when Alvir accepts a request to go and check on another god-speaker, what he finds changes everything – himself, his beliefs and the world as he knows it.
There are some interesting conflicts in the book, both between the enemy and the people, the people amongst themselves, and additionally, the main character Alvir brings to the table not one but two difficult internal conflicts. Driven by his faith in Gods – and believe you me, Alvir’s faith is incredibly strong, indeed – I thought his personality tiptoes on the border of being very close to unreasonable with some things. I felt like we weren’t far off blatant prejudice. That’s one of the things that was well done about this story – the personal convictions of all characters were so full on strong, but as the story progressed and fate, or Gods, sent the most difficult of obstacles Alvir’s way, I became to realize that even if he is blessed by the gods and able to wield magic, he’s still human. Alvir displayed a lot of conflicting emotions and he felt rather lost, albeit with a strong purpose. I do enjoy a character who is a step beyond cookie-cutter.
Once the plot of the book explodes into epic proportions, there is no escape from the story. You’re in it for the long haul. There are twists and unexpected enemies, as well as multiple battle scenes worthy to be blown up on a big TV screen. Which brings me to the writing.
My goodness, Bradshaw can deliver. The detailed descriptions in this book? Wow. Trollgrave took me right into the time and place. It’s all pine needles, moss, fern, and mushrooms. It’s God-speakers and Windborn, and rune-magic, it’s trolls and spirits and the very nature.
Overall, admitting that whilst the pace was on the slow side for my tastes, Bradshaw really made up for it with his skill to deliver atmosphere. Particular favourites of mine were, as you can tell by the quote I chose, the forest scenes and the rune-weaving magical scenes. To die for! *chef’s kiss*
Get yourself immersed in this magical adventure with high stakes, for in the end it will all be oh, so worth it!
It starts as something simple. A look at god-speaker Alvir’s life as a wandering healer, his troubles, his regrets, his work. But when Alvir accepts a request to go and check on another god-speaker, what he finds changes everything – himself, his beliefs and the world as he knows it.
There are some interesting conflicts in the book, both between the enemy and the people, the people amongst themselves, and additionally, the main character Alvir brings to the table not one but two difficult internal conflicts. Driven by his faith in Gods – and believe you me, Alvir’s faith is incredibly strong, indeed – I thought his personality tiptoes on the border of being very close to unreasonable with some things. I felt like we weren’t far off blatant prejudice. That’s one of the things that was well done about this story – the personal convictions of all characters were so full on strong, but as the story progressed and fate, or Gods, sent the most difficult of obstacles Alvir’s way, I became to realize that even if he is blessed by the gods and able to wield magic, he’s still human. Alvir displayed a lot of conflicting emotions and he felt rather lost, albeit with a strong purpose. I do enjoy a character who is a step beyond cookie-cutter.
Once the plot of the book explodes into epic proportions, there is no escape from the story. You’re in it for the long haul. There are twists and unexpected enemies, as well as multiple battle scenes worthy to be blown up on a big TV screen. Which brings me to the writing.
My goodness, Bradshaw can deliver. The detailed descriptions in this book? Wow. Trollgrave took me right into the time and place. It’s all pine needles, moss, fern, and mushrooms. It’s God-speakers and Windborn, and rune-magic, it’s trolls and spirits and the very nature.
Overall, admitting that whilst the pace was on the slow side for my tastes, Bradshaw really made up for it with his skill to deliver atmosphere. Particular favourites of mine were, as you can tell by the quote I chose, the forest scenes and the rune-weaving magical scenes. To die for! *chef’s kiss*
Get yourself immersed in this magical adventure with high stakes, for in the end it will all be oh, so worth it!
July 4, 2024
In the darkest depths of the most terrifying of places. The Forest of Broken Trolls. Where even the gods grow feeble.
Here he will stride within toward confrontation.
A relentless dark Scandinavian tale. Rich prose & heart! Absorbing, tense & exciting!
Here he will stride within toward confrontation.
A relentless dark Scandinavian tale. Rich prose & heart! Absorbing, tense & exciting!
May 8, 2024
You can guarantee an Alex Bradshaw novel will whisk you into the ancient world of Scandinavian culture. You are instantly immersed in the lifestyle, the beliefs, the ever-present threat of bloodshed that reflects how violence is never far away. It’s not that Vikings are naturally bloodthirsty or aggressive, it’s more about the hardship of the environment and the need to protect yourself and those you love from those who want to harm you. The world building is so well informed, research permeates every aspect of the story and its characters. You are there, amongst these people, desperate for them survive, fearful of what threatens them.
In Trollgrave, those threats are enormous, ruthless and seemingly impossible to defeat. The story opens with mystery that hooks you from the start and leads you into the darkest forest where something awful waits. It’s a wonderfully long fuse that allows characters to develop and established relationships before all hell breaks loose.
It’s also a lead-in that is beautifully written. I thoroughly enjoyed Alex Bradshaw’s first novel, Windborn for the reasons outlined already. This book is a step up because of the quality of writing. Description is beautiful. “My breath was deep, ragged, and I felt the sharp teeth of terror gnawing at my insides,” or “The scent of outlaw was thick on the ground,” and “The squirming whisper came from the tree.” The beauty of the language pervades everything, there were times I went back to re-read a passage because of its skill. Language which evoked places, events and people in ways that left me smiling.
Characters are also a strength. They are real people. It’s easy to imagine them existing long ago, talking about the same concerns, sharing their beliefs, even though some characters have powers that make them more than human. Windborn are people who have died but are reborn, imbued with the strength, speed and awareness of the elements that make them formidable warriors. Yet, they remain human in their insecurities, their love for other people, their ignorance.
The main character, Alvir Einarson, is a classic Viking hero. You can imagine him as someone about who the skalds would sing songs, declaring his bravery. However, to the reader he’s simply someone striving to save others, his sister especially, even if it means risking his own life. Courage never enters the equation. Once again, this is a quality you believe to be a crucial element of Viking culture. Death is no more than a form of transition and not to be feared. This issue pervades the story.
The best stories are ones that stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page. Trollgrave is like that. It is a real page-turner, exciting, unpredictable and filled with tension from the start. For me, the added ingredient, the Alex Bradshaw USP, is his ability to transport us to the land of the Viking. We live among them, able to understand everything they do. We are made to feel part of their lives, we become Viking in this respect. This isn’t just world building. This is world immersion and it remains with you.
In Trollgrave, those threats are enormous, ruthless and seemingly impossible to defeat. The story opens with mystery that hooks you from the start and leads you into the darkest forest where something awful waits. It’s a wonderfully long fuse that allows characters to develop and established relationships before all hell breaks loose.
It’s also a lead-in that is beautifully written. I thoroughly enjoyed Alex Bradshaw’s first novel, Windborn for the reasons outlined already. This book is a step up because of the quality of writing. Description is beautiful. “My breath was deep, ragged, and I felt the sharp teeth of terror gnawing at my insides,” or “The scent of outlaw was thick on the ground,” and “The squirming whisper came from the tree.” The beauty of the language pervades everything, there were times I went back to re-read a passage because of its skill. Language which evoked places, events and people in ways that left me smiling.
Characters are also a strength. They are real people. It’s easy to imagine them existing long ago, talking about the same concerns, sharing their beliefs, even though some characters have powers that make them more than human. Windborn are people who have died but are reborn, imbued with the strength, speed and awareness of the elements that make them formidable warriors. Yet, they remain human in their insecurities, their love for other people, their ignorance.
The main character, Alvir Einarson, is a classic Viking hero. You can imagine him as someone about who the skalds would sing songs, declaring his bravery. However, to the reader he’s simply someone striving to save others, his sister especially, even if it means risking his own life. Courage never enters the equation. Once again, this is a quality you believe to be a crucial element of Viking culture. Death is no more than a form of transition and not to be feared. This issue pervades the story.
The best stories are ones that stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page. Trollgrave is like that. It is a real page-turner, exciting, unpredictable and filled with tension from the start. For me, the added ingredient, the Alex Bradshaw USP, is his ability to transport us to the land of the Viking. We live among them, able to understand everything they do. We are made to feel part of their lives, we become Viking in this respect. This isn’t just world building. This is world immersion and it remains with you.
September 25, 2024
Really enjoyed this even though I've tended to veer away from Norse for some time (for a while every other book I read seemed to be Norse inspired)
I've also had Alex Bradshaw's Windborn on my TBR list since it was entered into a previous SPFBO (think that made the semis like Trollgrave has)
This was so different from the majority of Norse books I've read and everything about it felt a lot fresher.
*Putting Windborn on the currently reading list as of now.
I've also had Alex Bradshaw's Windborn on my TBR list since it was entered into a previous SPFBO (think that made the semis like Trollgrave has)
This was so different from the majority of Norse books I've read and everything about it felt a lot fresher.
*Putting Windborn on the currently reading list as of now.
February 22, 2025
“I closed my eyes and prayed that I had not stumbled upon the opening verse of a song that would end the world.”
Alex S Bradshaw is an author I’ve been meaning to read for ages and I’m pleased I’ve now rectified that at long last. His standalone novel Trollgrave is inspired by the Norse myths and did really well in the 10th Self-Published Fantasy Blog Off Competition, reaching the Semi-Finals. That’s no great surprise, since Trollgrave is an excellent book and I had a lot of fun reading this.
The novel has a great opening, infused with a strong sense of place. This is a world of mysterious magic where the gods are real and runes confer great magic upon those who understand their true power. The plot unfurls in a slow, unhurried manner. Consequently, some might find this book a bit of a slow burn, although Bradshaw increasingly mixes up the character study elements with various action scenes as the story progresses. Overall this is mature fantasy for grown-ups, Bradshaw carefully building a creeping, inevitable sense of dread as the tale unfolds.
The story centres on the God-Speaker Alvir Einarsson and Sigrun, Alvir's estranged half-sister. Alvir helped deliver Sigrun when he was young but his step-mother died whilst giving birth. As a consequence Alvir blamed himself and in the face of his father’s wrath he left his childhood home, becoming a travelling healer. As a God-Speaker Alvir is welcomed in the towns and villages he visits but he is only ever passing through, never staying long enough to put down roots and make friendships.
When one of the sacred godstones which protects his people from evil is discovered to have been broken, Alvir finds himself on a quest which reunites him with his sister in the town of Vidsetr. Together with a group of brave companions they journey into the forbidding Forest of Broken Trolls to try and find the missing God-Speaker of Vidsetr, Ulfrun, whom Alvir hopes can shed some light on the meaning behind the shattered godstone.
There are times in this story when Alvir is really annoying and I wanted to reach into the pages and shake him. Alvir's single minded focus on the meaning behind events in the woods and the source of the magic affecting the godstone often puts his companions at risk. Alvir's become far too used to living on his own and doing exactly what he wants. He is also prejudiced against beings known as ‘Windborn’, two of whom accompany Alvir and Sigrun on their mission. The Windborn are resurrected spirits, granted magical powers by the ancient enemies of the gods. They represent the opposing side to the magic of the gods utilised by Alvir and thus he views them with great suspicion.
I liked how Bradshaw went with this creative choice, which makes the tale more interesting and gives Alvir much greater depth. As he uncovers the truth behind the mystery which lies at the heart of the forest, Alvir also learns much more about himself and I really enjoyed the development of his character throughout the story. Alvir’s journey went in a completely different direction to the one I was expecting and his personal growth is adroitly handled and very believable.
The forest is like another character, full of wonder, mystery and menace. The magic of the gods entwines with nature in this place, although it soon becomes clear something else is at work. This is a claustrophobic, intense tale at times, mirroring the older, darker, deeper parts of the forest. The various forms of magic and their uses throughout this tale are another standout aspect of Trollgrave, where Bradshaw is ceaselessly inventive and creative.
Towards the end the action really ramps up with various battles against a variety of enemies, who range from the mundane to the truly extraordinary and terrifying. As a result it does all get rather frantic in the final quarter. I was a little frustrated that whilst we slowly got to know all the members of Alvir’s party at the start of their quest in the increasingly frenetic conclusion we lose sight of a number of them and don’t learn their eventual fate. I suppose that element is realistic, capturing the chaos and confusion that is inevitably part of any conflict. It also highlights how invested I was in the overall story that I cared so much!
Whilst there were some points of detail I would have liked answering with more certainty, this is clearly a work of exceptional imagination told with great skill. Bradshaw has a poetic, descriptive writing style and there's a rich sense of history to this novel, deftly blending Nordic myth with fantasy. The setting is amazing but the characters are the ones who really bring it to life. The sense of found family, both by blood and the bonds forged through friendship and adversity, is the beating heart of this novel. Overall, I really enjoyed Trollgrave and would thoroughly recommend this book if you enjoy Norse myth and dark fantasy with real depth to its characters, setting and magic.
Alex S Bradshaw is an author I’ve been meaning to read for ages and I’m pleased I’ve now rectified that at long last. His standalone novel Trollgrave is inspired by the Norse myths and did really well in the 10th Self-Published Fantasy Blog Off Competition, reaching the Semi-Finals. That’s no great surprise, since Trollgrave is an excellent book and I had a lot of fun reading this.
The novel has a great opening, infused with a strong sense of place. This is a world of mysterious magic where the gods are real and runes confer great magic upon those who understand their true power. The plot unfurls in a slow, unhurried manner. Consequently, some might find this book a bit of a slow burn, although Bradshaw increasingly mixes up the character study elements with various action scenes as the story progresses. Overall this is mature fantasy for grown-ups, Bradshaw carefully building a creeping, inevitable sense of dread as the tale unfolds.
The story centres on the God-Speaker Alvir Einarsson and Sigrun, Alvir's estranged half-sister. Alvir helped deliver Sigrun when he was young but his step-mother died whilst giving birth. As a consequence Alvir blamed himself and in the face of his father’s wrath he left his childhood home, becoming a travelling healer. As a God-Speaker Alvir is welcomed in the towns and villages he visits but he is only ever passing through, never staying long enough to put down roots and make friendships.
When one of the sacred godstones which protects his people from evil is discovered to have been broken, Alvir finds himself on a quest which reunites him with his sister in the town of Vidsetr. Together with a group of brave companions they journey into the forbidding Forest of Broken Trolls to try and find the missing God-Speaker of Vidsetr, Ulfrun, whom Alvir hopes can shed some light on the meaning behind the shattered godstone.
There are times in this story when Alvir is really annoying and I wanted to reach into the pages and shake him. Alvir's single minded focus on the meaning behind events in the woods and the source of the magic affecting the godstone often puts his companions at risk. Alvir's become far too used to living on his own and doing exactly what he wants. He is also prejudiced against beings known as ‘Windborn’, two of whom accompany Alvir and Sigrun on their mission. The Windborn are resurrected spirits, granted magical powers by the ancient enemies of the gods. They represent the opposing side to the magic of the gods utilised by Alvir and thus he views them with great suspicion.
I liked how Bradshaw went with this creative choice, which makes the tale more interesting and gives Alvir much greater depth. As he uncovers the truth behind the mystery which lies at the heart of the forest, Alvir also learns much more about himself and I really enjoyed the development of his character throughout the story. Alvir’s journey went in a completely different direction to the one I was expecting and his personal growth is adroitly handled and very believable.
The forest is like another character, full of wonder, mystery and menace. The magic of the gods entwines with nature in this place, although it soon becomes clear something else is at work. This is a claustrophobic, intense tale at times, mirroring the older, darker, deeper parts of the forest. The various forms of magic and their uses throughout this tale are another standout aspect of Trollgrave, where Bradshaw is ceaselessly inventive and creative.
Towards the end the action really ramps up with various battles against a variety of enemies, who range from the mundane to the truly extraordinary and terrifying. As a result it does all get rather frantic in the final quarter. I was a little frustrated that whilst we slowly got to know all the members of Alvir’s party at the start of their quest in the increasingly frenetic conclusion we lose sight of a number of them and don’t learn their eventual fate. I suppose that element is realistic, capturing the chaos and confusion that is inevitably part of any conflict. It also highlights how invested I was in the overall story that I cared so much!
Whilst there were some points of detail I would have liked answering with more certainty, this is clearly a work of exceptional imagination told with great skill. Bradshaw has a poetic, descriptive writing style and there's a rich sense of history to this novel, deftly blending Nordic myth with fantasy. The setting is amazing but the characters are the ones who really bring it to life. The sense of found family, both by blood and the bonds forged through friendship and adversity, is the beating heart of this novel. Overall, I really enjoyed Trollgrave and would thoroughly recommend this book if you enjoy Norse myth and dark fantasy with real depth to its characters, setting and magic.
June 12, 2024
There were five words in the blurb that peaked my interest in Trollgrave. As soon as I saw them, I tossed my hat into the ARC ring. The Forest of Broken Trolls. I mean, if that doesn't immediately make you want to read this book, are we even reading the same genre? Why were the trolls broken? How did they end up in a forest? What does that have to do with this story? Luckily for me, the author kindly granted my an arc, so I could sate my rapid curiosity and, doubly lucky, all of these questions are answered. But there is so much more!
Trollgrave is a Norse-infused fantasy with some interesting elements. It is part of Alex Bradshaw's Windborn series but it can be read as a standalone. I have not read Windborn, first of the series, yet but I was able to follow the story with no problems. From what I can tell, there are several characteristics similar, such as the Windborn people, but there are not overlapping characters or plot elements that could leave you confused if you haven't read Windborn. It's more that it will feel like a comfortable return to a familiar world that a necessity. The Windborn themselves are a fascinating concept. This has jumped Windborn further up my TBR, if nothing else and I will be keeping a keen eye out for any further editions to this series.
I have to say I am not a massive fan of Norse fantasy, as they can get a bit "samey" after a while. What I liked about Trollgrave was that, although the Norse influences are there and the magic system is heavily Norse influenced, there are still enough elements to keep this fresh. The Windborn are a major one but the characters themselves are well written and are well rounded. Alvir Einarson is our main POV and is a Godspeaker. He views Windborn as the enemy but is forced to team up with them when a fellow Godspeaker has gone missing in the Forest. I liked Alvir and his sister, Sigrun, but my favourite was Fafnir. The big baddie was suitably creepy, made my skin crawl at several points and had an horrifying backstory. What more could you need from your antagonist!
The worldbuilding was spectacular, particularly once we get into the Forest of Broken Trolls. The magic system really comes into it's own here, leading to some spectacular fight scenes. Nature is very much a part of the magic system here (a very soft system but it needs to be to maintain that mystique), enforcing those Nordic elements. The forest feels very alive but has a very spooky feeling to. I was constantly waiting for something bad to happen! That atmosphere really helped to give the story the edge it needed. There are several twists that are heavy foreshadowed; in fact I did guess a couple fairly early on. However, this did not take any enjoyment away from the story and I had the satisfaction of being proved right.
I had a great time reading Trollgrave. I was immensely pleased that the Forest of Broken Trolls delivered all that it promised and then some. Trollgrave is a must read for anyone that loved Norse fantasy, a soft nature-based magic system and a protagonist that just doesn't know when to give up. This is an exciting joyride of a story. Now I just need to go find my copy of Windborn, buried somewhere in my Kindle TBR....
I received an advance review copy from the Author in exchange for an hones review. Thank you
Trollgrave is a Norse-infused fantasy with some interesting elements. It is part of Alex Bradshaw's Windborn series but it can be read as a standalone. I have not read Windborn, first of the series, yet but I was able to follow the story with no problems. From what I can tell, there are several characteristics similar, such as the Windborn people, but there are not overlapping characters or plot elements that could leave you confused if you haven't read Windborn. It's more that it will feel like a comfortable return to a familiar world that a necessity. The Windborn themselves are a fascinating concept. This has jumped Windborn further up my TBR, if nothing else and I will be keeping a keen eye out for any further editions to this series.
I have to say I am not a massive fan of Norse fantasy, as they can get a bit "samey" after a while. What I liked about Trollgrave was that, although the Norse influences are there and the magic system is heavily Norse influenced, there are still enough elements to keep this fresh. The Windborn are a major one but the characters themselves are well written and are well rounded. Alvir Einarson is our main POV and is a Godspeaker. He views Windborn as the enemy but is forced to team up with them when a fellow Godspeaker has gone missing in the Forest. I liked Alvir and his sister, Sigrun, but my favourite was Fafnir. The big baddie was suitably creepy, made my skin crawl at several points and had an horrifying backstory. What more could you need from your antagonist!
The worldbuilding was spectacular, particularly once we get into the Forest of Broken Trolls. The magic system really comes into it's own here, leading to some spectacular fight scenes. Nature is very much a part of the magic system here (a very soft system but it needs to be to maintain that mystique), enforcing those Nordic elements. The forest feels very alive but has a very spooky feeling to. I was constantly waiting for something bad to happen! That atmosphere really helped to give the story the edge it needed. There are several twists that are heavy foreshadowed; in fact I did guess a couple fairly early on. However, this did not take any enjoyment away from the story and I had the satisfaction of being proved right.
I had a great time reading Trollgrave. I was immensely pleased that the Forest of Broken Trolls delivered all that it promised and then some. Trollgrave is a must read for anyone that loved Norse fantasy, a soft nature-based magic system and a protagonist that just doesn't know when to give up. This is an exciting joyride of a story. Now I just need to go find my copy of Windborn, buried somewhere in my Kindle TBR....
I received an advance review copy from the Author in exchange for an hones review. Thank you
May 8, 2024
Trollgrave is the second Windborn saga I have read, both of which are standalone novels and do not share characters. What they do share is the concept of Windborn warriors, people who died and were resurrected by the Winds - the name given to the Northern Lights by these Viking Age warriors. Once resurrected a Windborn discovers he has superhero powers, some can fly, others are super fast and all of them are immensely strong and therefore used by the King as weapons.
In this story we meet Alvir, a tattooed god-speaker and magic user travelling from place to place healing and acting as midwife to those who need him. He is determined to protect and not to let any more people die under his care since his stepmother died while giving birth to his half sister, Sigrun.
Alvir is a very likeable character, intent on healing and putting aside his own desires for a stable life in order to help the people living remotely, far away from towns and god-speakers.
On one of his journeys he runs into Sigrun by chance and the two begin to rebuild their broken relationship.
Sigrun is another great character, with emotional depth, hurt by Alvir not having sought her out since childhood and yet willing to welcome him into her home warmly and to do what she can to keep him in her life now she has found him again. She is a brave huskalar warrior but also a mother with two children and a wife who mean everything to her.
The town is built on the edge of a legendary forest and a group of warriors and two Windborn decide to head into the forest to search for the town’s missing god-speaker who Alvir was hoping to meet up with.
The mysterious forest is brought to life by Bradshaw’s wonderful prose and becomes a character in its own right. Its characteristics are mystifying and varied, it is strewn with the stony body parts of long dead trolls whose magic lingers among its boughs, along with their trollways, deep passages they used to get around quickly. But what of their spirits? Alvir asks himself if they might remain in the forest, keeping watch over their rocky limbs and the boulders which once formed their heads and torsos. As a god-speaker he is able to see spirits among the trees, their flickering lights enticing him deeper.
“At night, the forest was a small thing. Only as vast as the nearest tree, but now it stretched out an endless parade of straight-backed sentinels that seemed to sway and watch us pass. The morning light could not pierce the canopy except in sparse, solitary spears and left us trudging through an unnerving twilight.”
The story that follows is filled with mysteries and outlaws, magic, monsters and ghosts. There is plenty of bloodshed for those readers who like their Norse fantasies filled with Viking skirmishes but there is also a lot of heart and depth of feeling from Alvir, from whose point of view the story is told, as he has to adjust to a completely new and unanticipated way of life.
Trollgrave is an intriguing smorgasbord of one mystery after another, played out under the canopy of a dark and mysterious forest where you get the feeling that anything unexpected could happen. A highly enjoyable novel that is hard to put down with a finale that will get your heart racing!
In this story we meet Alvir, a tattooed god-speaker and magic user travelling from place to place healing and acting as midwife to those who need him. He is determined to protect and not to let any more people die under his care since his stepmother died while giving birth to his half sister, Sigrun.
Alvir is a very likeable character, intent on healing and putting aside his own desires for a stable life in order to help the people living remotely, far away from towns and god-speakers.
On one of his journeys he runs into Sigrun by chance and the two begin to rebuild their broken relationship.
Sigrun is another great character, with emotional depth, hurt by Alvir not having sought her out since childhood and yet willing to welcome him into her home warmly and to do what she can to keep him in her life now she has found him again. She is a brave huskalar warrior but also a mother with two children and a wife who mean everything to her.
The town is built on the edge of a legendary forest and a group of warriors and two Windborn decide to head into the forest to search for the town’s missing god-speaker who Alvir was hoping to meet up with.
The mysterious forest is brought to life by Bradshaw’s wonderful prose and becomes a character in its own right. Its characteristics are mystifying and varied, it is strewn with the stony body parts of long dead trolls whose magic lingers among its boughs, along with their trollways, deep passages they used to get around quickly. But what of their spirits? Alvir asks himself if they might remain in the forest, keeping watch over their rocky limbs and the boulders which once formed their heads and torsos. As a god-speaker he is able to see spirits among the trees, their flickering lights enticing him deeper.
“At night, the forest was a small thing. Only as vast as the nearest tree, but now it stretched out an endless parade of straight-backed sentinels that seemed to sway and watch us pass. The morning light could not pierce the canopy except in sparse, solitary spears and left us trudging through an unnerving twilight.”
The story that follows is filled with mysteries and outlaws, magic, monsters and ghosts. There is plenty of bloodshed for those readers who like their Norse fantasies filled with Viking skirmishes but there is also a lot of heart and depth of feeling from Alvir, from whose point of view the story is told, as he has to adjust to a completely new and unanticipated way of life.
Trollgrave is an intriguing smorgasbord of one mystery after another, played out under the canopy of a dark and mysterious forest where you get the feeling that anything unexpected could happen. A highly enjoyable novel that is hard to put down with a finale that will get your heart racing!
May 24, 2024
Trollgrave is a genuine masterpiece. It is Alex S. Bradshaw’s second novel in the Windborn saga and - having read and really enjoyed the first one - I wasn’t going to miss it.
This book is a triumph. If possible, I enjoyed Trollgrave even more than Windborn. The narrative is compelling, and the story unfolds at a pace that kept me wanting to turn the page.
The book’s main character, Alvir, finds himself facing challenges and conflicts he never thought he’d have to grapple with. They call into question his most fundamental beliefs and force him to reshape his very identity. This, in my view, is one of the ways in which Trollgrave outshines Windborn. Without wanting to reveal too much, the author manages to create the sort of tension – based in the character’s personal struggle – that really binds a reader to him. What we learn of Alvir’s past and his yearning for a family, paired with his feelings of guilt over what happened a long time ago, make for very poignant and emotional moments which make the character very relatable.
When a dark menace starts stirring in the Forest of Broken Trolls and Alvir – together with a group of heroes that includes his sister – sets out to discover what it is and how it can be stopped, they soon realise that they may be facing a much greater threat than they could have imagined. The stakes could not be higher.
I loved many of the characters, Fafnir being a new favourite of mine. The dynamic between them and the friendships they build as the story unfolds are a joy to read. The book’s finale creates a fast-paced and gripping crescendo, parts of which I know will stick with me for a long time.
Just like in Windborn, the worldbuilding and mythology are absolutely masterful and Bradshaw’s style and skill are up there with the very best. The world of Trollgrave feels 100% lived in and real - there are no gaps to leave the reader wondering what individual places, scenes or characters look, sound, feel and smell like. I can still picture the particular green light of the forest and its atmosphere very clearly even now that I’ve finished reading, and I believe I'll be able to conjure up memories of this for a long time to come. The beautiful cover really speaks to that, too.
If you liked Windborn, you will love Trollgrave. If you haven’t read Windborn, Trollgrave can be read as a standalone and it makes for an excellent introduction to the Windborn universe. Readers with a love for epic fantasy, magic, Vikings, and Norse mythology won’t be able to put this down, but even if that’s not your usual fare, I don’t think regular readers of fantasy or even lovers of superhero stories can go much wrong with this. If nothing else, it’s an absolute joy to read just for the way the author chooses his words and uses language. The writing is always original, but never pretentious.
Trollgrave is of those rare books that are almost impossible to fault.
Deserves more than five stars.
This book is a triumph. If possible, I enjoyed Trollgrave even more than Windborn. The narrative is compelling, and the story unfolds at a pace that kept me wanting to turn the page.
The book’s main character, Alvir, finds himself facing challenges and conflicts he never thought he’d have to grapple with. They call into question his most fundamental beliefs and force him to reshape his very identity. This, in my view, is one of the ways in which Trollgrave outshines Windborn. Without wanting to reveal too much, the author manages to create the sort of tension – based in the character’s personal struggle – that really binds a reader to him. What we learn of Alvir’s past and his yearning for a family, paired with his feelings of guilt over what happened a long time ago, make for very poignant and emotional moments which make the character very relatable.
When a dark menace starts stirring in the Forest of Broken Trolls and Alvir – together with a group of heroes that includes his sister – sets out to discover what it is and how it can be stopped, they soon realise that they may be facing a much greater threat than they could have imagined. The stakes could not be higher.
I loved many of the characters, Fafnir being a new favourite of mine. The dynamic between them and the friendships they build as the story unfolds are a joy to read. The book’s finale creates a fast-paced and gripping crescendo, parts of which I know will stick with me for a long time.
Just like in Windborn, the worldbuilding and mythology are absolutely masterful and Bradshaw’s style and skill are up there with the very best. The world of Trollgrave feels 100% lived in and real - there are no gaps to leave the reader wondering what individual places, scenes or characters look, sound, feel and smell like. I can still picture the particular green light of the forest and its atmosphere very clearly even now that I’ve finished reading, and I believe I'll be able to conjure up memories of this for a long time to come. The beautiful cover really speaks to that, too.
If you liked Windborn, you will love Trollgrave. If you haven’t read Windborn, Trollgrave can be read as a standalone and it makes for an excellent introduction to the Windborn universe. Readers with a love for epic fantasy, magic, Vikings, and Norse mythology won’t be able to put this down, but even if that’s not your usual fare, I don’t think regular readers of fantasy or even lovers of superhero stories can go much wrong with this. If nothing else, it’s an absolute joy to read just for the way the author chooses his words and uses language. The writing is always original, but never pretentious.
Trollgrave is of those rare books that are almost impossible to fault.
Deserves more than five stars.
October 26, 2025
I picked up Trollgrave as I haven’t read any Norse-inspired fantasy for a long time. Yes, I love John Gwynne’s writing, and was there from the outset with The Bloodsworn Saga, but after that, not-so-much. And with Trollgrave, one of Bradshaw’s Windborn books, you feel immersed in that era, as if there is a deep-felt love for the subject, carefully researched and crafted into a world that feels lived in. Real. I can’t tell you how hard that is to achieve, and after the first few pages, the author has you walking through the roots of a story around which a tale of the darkest magic is forged.
We follow Alvir, a god-speaker, as his world descends into chaos and the foundations of his beliefs upon which he weaves his magic are not only torn apart, but sundered. That journey is filled with mythology that is tightly written and sings to the reader. You believe what Alvir believes, and that the magic wrought both in everyday life and battle as a seamless connection with the people’s daily lives. The initial part of the book draws the reader in, and here the pace is perfectly judged. You are drawn into Bradshaw’s prose and beautifully balanced descriptions that walk the fine line between imagery and the reader’s imagination.
And then … boom!
From the moment Alvir is sent on the hunt for a missing god-speaker, the pace ramps up. Each additional event ratchets up the tension, the action and the desperation. Alvir and the people who look to him for protection enter a frenetic race for survival as discovery upon discovery of what lies deep within the depths of the forest comes to light. It is here when some readers may wish for a pause, a breath to think. There are moments, but these are brief as Alvir’s understanding of his world splits at the seams.
For me, I rode the crest, loving the battles, the emergence of multiple antagonists and the peeled back layers of mythology — each wrapped in Bradshaw���s excellent prose. I will be returning to the Windborn series; you should check it out.
We follow Alvir, a god-speaker, as his world descends into chaos and the foundations of his beliefs upon which he weaves his magic are not only torn apart, but sundered. That journey is filled with mythology that is tightly written and sings to the reader. You believe what Alvir believes, and that the magic wrought both in everyday life and battle as a seamless connection with the people’s daily lives. The initial part of the book draws the reader in, and here the pace is perfectly judged. You are drawn into Bradshaw’s prose and beautifully balanced descriptions that walk the fine line between imagery and the reader’s imagination.
And then … boom!
From the moment Alvir is sent on the hunt for a missing god-speaker, the pace ramps up. Each additional event ratchets up the tension, the action and the desperation. Alvir and the people who look to him for protection enter a frenetic race for survival as discovery upon discovery of what lies deep within the depths of the forest comes to light. It is here when some readers may wish for a pause, a breath to think. There are moments, but these are brief as Alvir’s understanding of his world splits at the seams.
For me, I rode the crest, loving the battles, the emergence of multiple antagonists and the peeled back layers of mythology — each wrapped in Bradshaw���s excellent prose. I will be returning to the Windborn series; you should check it out.
May 10, 2024
Trollgrave is the second novel in the Windborn saga by author Alex S. Bradshaw. It follows Alvir Einarson as he investigates the disappearance of his fellow God-Speaker from a neighbouring town.
The beginning of the book sees Bradshaw leisurely building his world, as the plot slowly yet deliberately unfolds before us. I really enjoyed this soft, delicate introduction to the world, lore and characters.
Whilst I was comfortable with this gradual build it did feel a long time before anything really happened. Generally I felt the pacing was abit too slow for my personal preference.
The high point for me was the pictures Bradshaw created, there were some beautifully descriptive elements within the novel.
“Each finger whipped in the wind like willow branches.”
“With a sound like tearing fabric, it ripped its foot out of the ground.”
This is a standalone novel, but I did feel I was missing some detail, possibly covered in the previous novel. I struggled sometimes with motivation, specifically the friction between God-Speakers and the Windborn.
Overall I did enjoy Trollgrave and I would encourage you to give it a try, although the slower pace didn’t always work for me, there is some wonderful writing here. I would however suggest you read Windborn first.
The beginning of the book sees Bradshaw leisurely building his world, as the plot slowly yet deliberately unfolds before us. I really enjoyed this soft, delicate introduction to the world, lore and characters.
Whilst I was comfortable with this gradual build it did feel a long time before anything really happened. Generally I felt the pacing was abit too slow for my personal preference.
The high point for me was the pictures Bradshaw created, there were some beautifully descriptive elements within the novel.
“Each finger whipped in the wind like willow branches.”
“With a sound like tearing fabric, it ripped its foot out of the ground.”
This is a standalone novel, but I did feel I was missing some detail, possibly covered in the previous novel. I struggled sometimes with motivation, specifically the friction between God-Speakers and the Windborn.
Overall I did enjoy Trollgrave and I would encourage you to give it a try, although the slower pace didn’t always work for me, there is some wonderful writing here. I would however suggest you read Windborn first.
May 12, 2024
Trollgrave by Alex S Bradshaw is a Norse inspired fantasy. I have never read a story like this and so enjoyed all the new-to-me aspects of the world. The author's writing style feels perfectly suited to this genre as it wields the strength needed to build the credibility and substance of a fantasy world. The world-building is, in fact, very thorough, subtle and as you would expect, detailed. It isn't detail heavy though, so I never felt the pacing lag or the story become ponderous. I liked the open magic of the world and how it was welcomed and revered by the people. There are darker aspects to the magic however, and they are cleverly used to build the narrative. The characters were all interesting, with family and bonds being a strong central theme. There are surprises for the reader, so be prepared for mystery and character growth through challenges.
July 21, 2024
Trollgrave is part of Bradshaw's Windborn series, but can absolutely be read as a standalone.
And you should read it, because it's great.
A Norse-infused epic fantasy, Trollgrave delves into all aspects of Norse mythology and Bradshaw translates it into his own world, and very much creates his own language in doing so.
Alvir, the story's protagonist, is a super character. A healer and runemaster before anything else, we follow him as he strives to uncover reasons behind world-shattering events, and joining a party of warriors, Alvir finds his faith, character, and skills tested in the Forest of Broken Trolls.
And, look, frankly, you should just read this because of THE FOREST OF FREAKING BROKEN TROLLS. Really.
Anyway, a super book. And a perfect entry point for anyone wanting to check out a new voice in fantasy.
And you should read it, because it's great.
A Norse-infused epic fantasy, Trollgrave delves into all aspects of Norse mythology and Bradshaw translates it into his own world, and very much creates his own language in doing so.
Alvir, the story's protagonist, is a super character. A healer and runemaster before anything else, we follow him as he strives to uncover reasons behind world-shattering events, and joining a party of warriors, Alvir finds his faith, character, and skills tested in the Forest of Broken Trolls.
And, look, frankly, you should just read this because of THE FOREST OF FREAKING BROKEN TROLLS. Really.
Anyway, a super book. And a perfect entry point for anyone wanting to check out a new voice in fantasy.
June 3, 2024
What a stunningly written book. To be honest, I picked up this book based on its cover and didn't really pay attention to what I was getting myself into. The author does a marvelous job weaving a story of a god-speaker in Norse lands, who travels the back lands to heal those that don't have access to healers. He is asked to visit a village to check on an old friend of another, which sets him on his journey into the Forest of Broken Trolls.
It takes a little bit of building to set this world, but again, the author does such an amazing job painting the landscape with words you could almost touch it. The tension is palpable as they face the unknown forest, and the darkness feels oppressive, I will read it again just to feel the authors words come alive.
“we lose nothing to try.”
It takes a little bit of building to set this world, but again, the author does such an amazing job painting the landscape with words you could almost touch it. The tension is palpable as they face the unknown forest, and the darkness feels oppressive, I will read it again just to feel the authors words come alive.
“we lose nothing to try.”
July 23, 2024
(I gave this four stars but on a 10 point scale I give this 8/10)
God-Speaker Alvir Einarson couldn’t save everyone. Alvir enjoys traveling the country side doing the work of God-Speaker. Helping people physically and spiritually is the most important thing to him. But deep in the Forest of Broken Trolls something threatens to destroy everything Alvir loves and gods he serves. Trollgrave is a standalone Norse fantasy that will keep you turning the pages.
This story was written in first person present tense, which at times can be challenging for some readers but worked very well in my opinion. Trollgrave is a Norse fantasy through and through from its longboats to its god-cursed forest. The author does a great job building a world that any reader can fully immerse themselves in.
I especially enjoyed the characters in this story. Whether exploring family dynamics or the interpersonal relationships between outlaws, Bradshaw writes well rounded characters that draw on many emotions. The main character Alvir will battle himself with forgiveness and personal worth as well as his relationship with the gods he’s so passionate about serving.
If you are a fan of interesting magic that gives a glimpse not only into the one using it but also in those being affected by it, I believe you will love this story.
God-Speaker Alvir Einarson couldn’t save everyone. Alvir enjoys traveling the country side doing the work of God-Speaker. Helping people physically and spiritually is the most important thing to him. But deep in the Forest of Broken Trolls something threatens to destroy everything Alvir loves and gods he serves. Trollgrave is a standalone Norse fantasy that will keep you turning the pages.
This story was written in first person present tense, which at times can be challenging for some readers but worked very well in my opinion. Trollgrave is a Norse fantasy through and through from its longboats to its god-cursed forest. The author does a great job building a world that any reader can fully immerse themselves in.
I especially enjoyed the characters in this story. Whether exploring family dynamics or the interpersonal relationships between outlaws, Bradshaw writes well rounded characters that draw on many emotions. The main character Alvir will battle himself with forgiveness and personal worth as well as his relationship with the gods he’s so passionate about serving.
If you are a fan of interesting magic that gives a glimpse not only into the one using it but also in those being affected by it, I believe you will love this story.
June 15, 2024
This book is really good! It captivated me right from the start and I couldn't put it down. The characters are believable and interesting - even if I would have liked to shake Alvir from time to time to bring him to his senses 😉
But that's the art of Bradshaw's writing, that you can go along with the characters and immerse yourself in the fantastic world.
But that's the art of Bradshaw's writing, that you can go along with the characters and immerse yourself in the fantastic world.
December 18, 2025
I don't normally read books with such a serious or sombre tone, but the prose was so smooth and immersive that I couldn't help but enjoy this book. I put the writing quality up there with James Lloyd Dulin, so if you like No Heart for a Thief, definitely give Trollgrave a shot.
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