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Olde School
Kingdom City has moved into the modern era. Run by a lord mayor and city council (though still under the influence of the High King of The Land), it proudly embraces a blend of progress and tradition. Trolls, ogres, and other Folk walk the streets with humans, but are more likely to be entrepreneurs than cause trouble. Princesses still want to be rescued, but they now frequent online dating services to encourage lords, royals, and politicians to win their favor. The old stories are around, but everyone knows they're just fodder for the next movie franchise. Everyone knows there's no such thing as magic. It's all old superstition and harmless tradition. Bookish, timid, and more likely to carry a laptop than a weapon, Paddlelump Stonemonger is quickly coming to wish he'd never put a toll bridge over Crescent Ravine. While his success has brought him lots of gold, it's also brought him unwanted attention from the Lord Mayor. Adding to his frustration, Padd's oldest friends give him a hard time when his new maid seems inept at best and conniving at worst. When a shepherd warns Paddlelump of strange noises coming from Thadd Forest, he doesn't think much of it. Unfortunately for him, the history of his land goes back further than anyone can imagine. Before long he'll realize that he should have paid attention to the old tales and carried a club. Darkness threatens to overwhelm not only Paddlelump, but the entire realm. With a little luck, a strange bird, a feisty waitress, and some sturdy friends, maybe, just maybe, Padd will survive to eat another meal at Trip Trap's diner. It's enough to make the troll want to crawl under his bridge, if he can manage to keep it out of the clutches of greedy politicians
378 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 18, 2014
1 person is currently reading
6 people want to read
About the author
Selah Janel
18 books67 followersSelah Janel has been blessed with a giant imagination since she was little when she wondered if fairies lived in the nearby state park and worried that vampires hid in the old barns outside of town. Her appreciation for a good story was enhanced by a love of reading, the many talented storytellers that surrounded her, and a healthy curiosity for everything. A talent for warping everything she learned didn’t hurt, either.
She gravitates to writing fantasy and horror but has a deep love of children’s and YA literature and can be convinced to pursue any genre if the idea is good enough. Often her stories feature the unknown creeping into the “real” world and she loves to find the magical in the mundane.
Her first title ‘Mooner’ is a historical, vampire-centric horror story from No Boundaries Press. She will have stories included in upcoming issues of 'The MacGuffin,' 'The Realm Beyond,' and the 2012 Wicked East Press Anthology 'Bedtime Stories for Girls.' She also writes about women's roles and perceptions in genre fiction and film for the Fandom Fest blog Fandom Scene.
She gravitates to writing fantasy and horror but has a deep love of children’s and YA literature and can be convinced to pursue any genre if the idea is good enough. Often her stories feature the unknown creeping into the “real” world and she loves to find the magical in the mundane.
Her first title ‘Mooner’ is a historical, vampire-centric horror story from No Boundaries Press. She will have stories included in upcoming issues of 'The MacGuffin,' 'The Realm Beyond,' and the 2012 Wicked East Press Anthology 'Bedtime Stories for Girls.' She also writes about women's roles and perceptions in genre fiction and film for the Fandom Fest blog Fandom Scene.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
April 21, 2015
From toll bridge to troll bridge, from magic to television, and from “rags to riches” to the end of the Golden Age, it might be “a warm day in the Snow Queen’s castle” before this troll will let the banks cheat him with credit cards, but picking up Selah Janel’s Olde School will offer you a cool fun read presented in a nicely new “olde school” style of fairytale. The dialog is brisk, bright, and appropriately irreverent, descriptions are vividly imaginative and delightfully self-consistent, and action scenes alternate between hilarious and terrifying.
Olde School starts in a pleasingly modernized land of fairytale and troll. Characters blend contemporary archetypes with fable and charm, and all seems well up to an unmissably ridiculous fight scene. But dark deeds are afoot in the forest beyond the bridge, and some truly scary horrors lie in wait. When a “certified crone” is called to the hospital, it’s obvious there’s more than natural fairytale stuff going on here, and I would love to read more stories of this realm and Paddlelump’s ongoing quest.
Add a touch of mystery, a pinch of romance, and a healthy dose of unimagined power to modern-day fable, and you’ll get the picture. This novel is fun. Its characters are fun. And its world is just waiting for more.
Disclosure: I was given a free ecopy during the author’s blog tour. I just wish I’d had time to read it earlier.
Olde School starts in a pleasingly modernized land of fairytale and troll. Characters blend contemporary archetypes with fable and charm, and all seems well up to an unmissably ridiculous fight scene. But dark deeds are afoot in the forest beyond the bridge, and some truly scary horrors lie in wait. When a “certified crone” is called to the hospital, it’s obvious there’s more than natural fairytale stuff going on here, and I would love to read more stories of this realm and Paddlelump’s ongoing quest.
Add a touch of mystery, a pinch of romance, and a healthy dose of unimagined power to modern-day fable, and you’ll get the picture. This novel is fun. Its characters are fun. And its world is just waiting for more.
Disclosure: I was given a free ecopy during the author’s blog tour. I just wish I’d had time to read it earlier.
October 17, 2014
Originally published at Reading Reality
It’s not just that the hero of Olde School is a troll, but that he’s a troll caught on the cusp between traditional and modern that makes this story such an absolute hoot.
There’s a lot of marvelous commentary on the problems and perils of modernization, as well as a few digs at racism, sexism, luddite-ism and everything else under the sun.
The story as a whole is about the dangers of believing that you can get something for nothing. That magic is what we make it, and that wishing for the mythical “good old days” without knowing exactly what you are wishing for is a fast way to get dead. Or worse.
The snarky commentary about various fairy-tale princess cults was a hoot and a half all by itself.
But the story itself is a modern take on classic fairy tales. What makes it different is that all the characters are themselves fairy-tale creatures who have either stopped believing in magic or believe in it a little (a whole lot) much too much.
Paddlelump Stonemonger is a forward-thinking businesstroll in Kingdom City. His bridge over the Crescent Ravine has brought him a lot of well-earned gold, and the attention of the Mayor of Kingdom City. Mayor Addlelump is a conniving pixie who is running the city like it’s his own private business, lining the pockets of his highborn friends and taking away land and businesses from anyone who seems to be making lots of money.
Paddlelump is in the Mayor’s sights, but he seems to be everyone’s target.
His troll friends just tease him for not standing up and firing his new housemaid. Which he should, because she’s stealing from him and she’s set him up for murder. She wants his money, and she thinks she can get some prince from a tiny kingdom to kill him in order to free her from his supposed evil clutches. Which Padd doesn’t even have.
Flora,the barmaid at Padd’s favorite diner, wishes he did.
But there is much more clutching at Padd than just his lying, sneaky maidservant. There is old evil awake in the Thadd Forest, and Padd is the only one who can stop it. If someone can find a clue-by-four big enough to knock some sense into him before it is too late for him, for the kingdom, and possibly for the entire world.
The “Olde School” magic that has awakened in the forest wants flesh and blood sacrifices. And the princess cult members are totally programmed to believe that magic works. It just doesn’t work the way that they think it does, and certainly not for their benefit.
The moral of the story seems to be; “Be careful what you wish for, you might get it. Or someone might make you think you’ve gotten it, when they’ve really gotten you.”
Escape Rating B-: The world that the author has built is a marvelous work of invention. It’s not just that this is a fantasy confection, but everything hangs together really well.
On the other hand, the story takes about half the book to pull itself together and launch into the real action of the plot. The earlier build-up pays off in the second half, but the story takes a while to really get going.
The injected commentaries on our own modern world are funny but not overbearing. And it is an absolute scream when the pro-technology and pro-traditional voices both come from trolls. (Also that internet trolls are actually, well, trolls).
Unionized barmaids and maidservants just feels like an idea that needs to come to more fairy tale worlds.
At the same time, Olde School is very firmly in the tradition of contemporary fantasy, where everyone believes that the magic has gone out of the world, when in fact it hasn’t. So people have read all the wrong stories to have any knowledge of how to fight the evil that has reappeared out of the mythic past.
In some ways, Padd makes a great point-of-view character because he has so much self-doubt that he second-guesses everything, which means he mulls over a lot of stuff and we get introduced to the world through his mulling.
On the other hand, there are times when Padd seems thick as a brick, even for a troll, and we want to hit him with the proverbial clue-by-four. Hard, multiple times and with extreme prejudice.
His less modern troll friends are sometimes more on the ball than his supposedly forward-thinking self. But the way that they continually rib him about all his short-comings, yet stand with him with the chips are down is wonderful. Also snarky and funny.
As a fairy tale story that owes way more to the grimmer original versions of the Brothers Grimm than anything ever created through Disneyfication, Olde School is a lot of fun.
It’s not just that the hero of Olde School is a troll, but that he’s a troll caught on the cusp between traditional and modern that makes this story such an absolute hoot.
There’s a lot of marvelous commentary on the problems and perils of modernization, as well as a few digs at racism, sexism, luddite-ism and everything else under the sun.
The story as a whole is about the dangers of believing that you can get something for nothing. That magic is what we make it, and that wishing for the mythical “good old days” without knowing exactly what you are wishing for is a fast way to get dead. Or worse.
The snarky commentary about various fairy-tale princess cults was a hoot and a half all by itself.
But the story itself is a modern take on classic fairy tales. What makes it different is that all the characters are themselves fairy-tale creatures who have either stopped believing in magic or believe in it a little (a whole lot) much too much.
Paddlelump Stonemonger is a forward-thinking businesstroll in Kingdom City. His bridge over the Crescent Ravine has brought him a lot of well-earned gold, and the attention of the Mayor of Kingdom City. Mayor Addlelump is a conniving pixie who is running the city like it’s his own private business, lining the pockets of his highborn friends and taking away land and businesses from anyone who seems to be making lots of money.
Paddlelump is in the Mayor’s sights, but he seems to be everyone’s target.
His troll friends just tease him for not standing up and firing his new housemaid. Which he should, because she’s stealing from him and she’s set him up for murder. She wants his money, and she thinks she can get some prince from a tiny kingdom to kill him in order to free her from his supposed evil clutches. Which Padd doesn’t even have.
Flora,the barmaid at Padd’s favorite diner, wishes he did.
But there is much more clutching at Padd than just his lying, sneaky maidservant. There is old evil awake in the Thadd Forest, and Padd is the only one who can stop it. If someone can find a clue-by-four big enough to knock some sense into him before it is too late for him, for the kingdom, and possibly for the entire world.
The “Olde School” magic that has awakened in the forest wants flesh and blood sacrifices. And the princess cult members are totally programmed to believe that magic works. It just doesn’t work the way that they think it does, and certainly not for their benefit.
The moral of the story seems to be; “Be careful what you wish for, you might get it. Or someone might make you think you’ve gotten it, when they’ve really gotten you.”
Escape Rating B-: The world that the author has built is a marvelous work of invention. It’s not just that this is a fantasy confection, but everything hangs together really well.
On the other hand, the story takes about half the book to pull itself together and launch into the real action of the plot. The earlier build-up pays off in the second half, but the story takes a while to really get going.
The injected commentaries on our own modern world are funny but not overbearing. And it is an absolute scream when the pro-technology and pro-traditional voices both come from trolls. (Also that internet trolls are actually, well, trolls).
Unionized barmaids and maidservants just feels like an idea that needs to come to more fairy tale worlds.
At the same time, Olde School is very firmly in the tradition of contemporary fantasy, where everyone believes that the magic has gone out of the world, when in fact it hasn’t. So people have read all the wrong stories to have any knowledge of how to fight the evil that has reappeared out of the mythic past.
In some ways, Padd makes a great point-of-view character because he has so much self-doubt that he second-guesses everything, which means he mulls over a lot of stuff and we get introduced to the world through his mulling.
On the other hand, there are times when Padd seems thick as a brick, even for a troll, and we want to hit him with the proverbial clue-by-four. Hard, multiple times and with extreme prejudice.
His less modern troll friends are sometimes more on the ball than his supposedly forward-thinking self. But the way that they continually rib him about all his short-comings, yet stand with him with the chips are down is wonderful. Also snarky and funny.
As a fairy tale story that owes way more to the grimmer original versions of the Brothers Grimm than anything ever created through Disneyfication, Olde School is a lot of fun.
July 26, 2023
Originally posted on Books are Delicious!
Fairy tales merge with the modern era in Selah Janel’s fantasy adventure Olde School.
Paddlelump “Padd” Stonemonger is a business man first and a troll second. He runs a successful troll bridge that leads to a beautiful clearing and a mysterious forest beyond. But don’t worry, if you don’t have the coin you can always pay for passage with your card instead. These are modern times and while the inhabitants of Kingdom City live in castles and cottages, they can also be found at the local diner or plopped in front of the television. One thing hasn’t changed: they still want their happy endings and some will stop at nothing to obtain them. When the Olde World threatens Kingdom City, Padd will have to embrace the olde ways or risk losing everything he holds dear to darkness.
Olde School is a fairy tale for adults with all the fun of Jim Henson features like Labyrinth and The Dark Crystal. Fans of these films will love Janel’s colorful characters: a crotchety troll, an unusual bird, a feisty waitress and bookish, humble Padd. I loved their quick-witted, sometimes bawdy humor. I particularly, enjoyed the character’s banter and their quotable slang. I won’t be surprised if I exclaim, “Bluebeard’s balls!” the next time I stub my toe.
Olde School is as dark as it is funny. There are passages in this novel that would make even the most seasoned horror enthusiasts squirm. There is also action, drama, fantasy and subtle romance. Janel pushes the boundaries of the fantasy novel by introducing it to the modern era. This creates a unique culture and setting for the characters and gives the author an uncharted playground to create conflicts unlike any readers have read before.
Janel brings this story to life with an incredible amount of detail and description. The author’s imagery materializes off the page, vibrant and visual. However, there are moments were the description is difficult to get through, particularly during the second act where the narrative is dense with exposition. While the history of Kingdom City is interesting, the back story is at times confusing and requires patience from the reader. Much of this is likely because this book if the first in the Kingdom City Chronicles and the story is laying the foundation for not only this adventure but the series to come. The ending in particular reads more like the first act in a sequel than a conclusion.
Fantasy and fairy tale readers will likely be so enraptured by the plot that they will be undeterred and while, there is much to take in, the details are compelling and serve to move the narrative forward.
Olde School is a treat for fantasy fans looking for a unique story that crosses multiple genres. An imaginative read!
*Tomorrow Comes Media provided me with a review copy of Olde School through WatchPlayRead in exchange for an honest review. No compensation was provided.
To see more of my reviews, visit my blog Books are Delicious!
Fairy tales merge with the modern era in Selah Janel’s fantasy adventure Olde School.
“Caught in a tug of war between past and future, that's what I am.”
Paddlelump “Padd” Stonemonger is a business man first and a troll second. He runs a successful troll bridge that leads to a beautiful clearing and a mysterious forest beyond. But don’t worry, if you don’t have the coin you can always pay for passage with your card instead. These are modern times and while the inhabitants of Kingdom City live in castles and cottages, they can also be found at the local diner or plopped in front of the television. One thing hasn’t changed: they still want their happy endings and some will stop at nothing to obtain them. When the Olde World threatens Kingdom City, Padd will have to embrace the olde ways or risk losing everything he holds dear to darkness.
Olde School is a fairy tale for adults with all the fun of Jim Henson features like Labyrinth and The Dark Crystal. Fans of these films will love Janel’s colorful characters: a crotchety troll, an unusual bird, a feisty waitress and bookish, humble Padd. I loved their quick-witted, sometimes bawdy humor. I particularly, enjoyed the character’s banter and their quotable slang. I won’t be surprised if I exclaim, “Bluebeard’s balls!” the next time I stub my toe.
Olde School is as dark as it is funny. There are passages in this novel that would make even the most seasoned horror enthusiasts squirm. There is also action, drama, fantasy and subtle romance. Janel pushes the boundaries of the fantasy novel by introducing it to the modern era. This creates a unique culture and setting for the characters and gives the author an uncharted playground to create conflicts unlike any readers have read before.
Janel brings this story to life with an incredible amount of detail and description. The author’s imagery materializes off the page, vibrant and visual. However, there are moments were the description is difficult to get through, particularly during the second act where the narrative is dense with exposition. While the history of Kingdom City is interesting, the back story is at times confusing and requires patience from the reader. Much of this is likely because this book if the first in the Kingdom City Chronicles and the story is laying the foundation for not only this adventure but the series to come. The ending in particular reads more like the first act in a sequel than a conclusion.
Fantasy and fairy tale readers will likely be so enraptured by the plot that they will be undeterred and while, there is much to take in, the details are compelling and serve to move the narrative forward.
Olde School is a treat for fantasy fans looking for a unique story that crosses multiple genres. An imaginative read!
*Tomorrow Comes Media provided me with a review copy of Olde School through WatchPlayRead in exchange for an honest review. No compensation was provided.
To see more of my reviews, visit my blog Books are Delicious!
November 5, 2014
Kingdom City, formerly known as Thadd’s Kingdom, has been modernizing for the last few decades. Now trolls, humans, and pixies can all enjoy a nice steaming cup of coffee at the local diner while checking their emails on the free local wi-fi. But not all are ready to modernize and many pick and choose what they want to modernize. Flat screen tvs and fold up concealed maces are popular while online banking and dating has only been accepted by certain parts of the population. Paddlelump Stonemonger is one of the first businesstrolls the kingdom has seen and he runs a toll bridge. Folks use it to cross a ravine to his lands of open meadow and forest. His older troll friends, Uljah and Izzpick, give him quite the ribbing over his business suit and lack of weaponry. But, hey, he’s a troll. Who the hell is going to mess with an 8 foot tall troll?
This book is heavy on the humor and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s a great read for this time of the year if you are looking for the lighter side of Halloween. While it does take a while for the main plot to put in an appearance, you won’t be bored adventuring around Kingdom City, experiencing the ambiance and getting to know the characters. Flora (the waitress at the diner) and Nobody (maid to Paddlelump) are the two major female characters, though they both take back seat to the male characters. Flora has a sharp wit and isn’t cowed by troll, ogre, or studly prince wannabe. Nobody is introduced as a maiden in distress, who is looking for work and a place to pasture her pet cow. Paddlelump hires her to do the cleaning, laundry, and cooking, meanwhile allowing her to pasture her cow in his meadowlands. As she repeatedly fails to get the daily chores done, Paddlelumps friends encourage him to let her go, but he hesitates, much to his detriment later on when the plot arrives.
More characters are introduced as the story unfolds. I enjoyed learning about Grimclaw, the head detective/sheriff ogre, as the body count starts to build. Then there is Clyde. Ah, Clyde! Such a fun character. I loved his snooty attitude and his humor. Paddlelump himself is forced to grow as a character as life’s roadblocks continue to pile up on him. There’s the aforementioned issue with the maid, he’s in a tiff with the City Mayor, and then, about a third of the way in to the book, things turn grim indeed. I have to say I didn’t see the shift in tone coming for this book, but I liked the darker note intruding into this story. It gave it weight and made me care more about the characters. I won’t spoil it for you, but if you were thinking about reading this aloud at story time for small kids, you might want to give the entire book a skim first.
Over all, this was very enjoyable read. It kept me up way to late a few nights in a row as I didn’t want to put it down. I am very much looking forward to future installments in The Kingdom City Chronicles.
This book is heavy on the humor and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s a great read for this time of the year if you are looking for the lighter side of Halloween. While it does take a while for the main plot to put in an appearance, you won’t be bored adventuring around Kingdom City, experiencing the ambiance and getting to know the characters. Flora (the waitress at the diner) and Nobody (maid to Paddlelump) are the two major female characters, though they both take back seat to the male characters. Flora has a sharp wit and isn’t cowed by troll, ogre, or studly prince wannabe. Nobody is introduced as a maiden in distress, who is looking for work and a place to pasture her pet cow. Paddlelump hires her to do the cleaning, laundry, and cooking, meanwhile allowing her to pasture her cow in his meadowlands. As she repeatedly fails to get the daily chores done, Paddlelumps friends encourage him to let her go, but he hesitates, much to his detriment later on when the plot arrives.
More characters are introduced as the story unfolds. I enjoyed learning about Grimclaw, the head detective/sheriff ogre, as the body count starts to build. Then there is Clyde. Ah, Clyde! Such a fun character. I loved his snooty attitude and his humor. Paddlelump himself is forced to grow as a character as life’s roadblocks continue to pile up on him. There’s the aforementioned issue with the maid, he’s in a tiff with the City Mayor, and then, about a third of the way in to the book, things turn grim indeed. I have to say I didn’t see the shift in tone coming for this book, but I liked the darker note intruding into this story. It gave it weight and made me care more about the characters. I won’t spoil it for you, but if you were thinking about reading this aloud at story time for small kids, you might want to give the entire book a skim first.
Over all, this was very enjoyable read. It kept me up way to late a few nights in a row as I didn’t want to put it down. I am very much looking forward to future installments in The Kingdom City Chronicles.
March 14, 2015
Olde School is a well written, solid book, and one of the best fantasy novels I’ve ever read, Selah Janel – Olde School
Olde School is a well written, solid book, and one of the best fantasy novels I’ve ever read, and an answer to everything wrong with the fantasy genre.
Most fantasy authors try to emulate Tolkien, and end up with dry, boring historical accounts of kingdoms and generals at war, completely missing the layer of mythology that he wove into the fabric of Middle Earth.
Janel uses the mythology of folk tales to weave her foundations and it works. She addresses the inherent racism of the fantasy genre (humans uber alles) and the literary obsession with royals at the expense of common folk. It also launches a fairly solid (and well deserved) attack against the Disney idea of being a princess.
When I started to write this review, I was going to compare it to Harry Potter or Twilight, but then Terry Pratchett died yesterday, and suddenly I realized what makes Olde School special - it tells an interesting story about ordinary, realistic people who just happen to live in a fantasy realm. The setting is secondary to the characters and the story.
I mean, not to say there aren’t kingdoms and knights and crones and magic and all of the other standard trappings of the fantasy genre, but the heart of the story is a simple middle class troll who inherited a toll bridge from his father, and has a lazy housekeeper who he can’t get rid of.
Most fantasy authors try to emulate Tolkien, and end up with dry, boring historical accounts of kingdoms and generals at war, completely missing the layer of mythology that he wove into the fabric of Middle Earth.
Janel uses the mythology of folk tales to weave her foundations and it works. She addresses the inherent racism of the fantasy genre (humans uber alles) and the literary obsession with royals at the expense of common folk. It also launches a fairly solid (and well deserved) attack against the Disney idea of being a princess.
When I started to write this review, I was going to compare it to Harry Potter or Twilight, but then Terry Pratchett died yesterday, and suddenly I realized what makes Olde School special - it tells an interesting story about ordinary, realistic people who just happen to live in a fantasy realm. The setting is secondary to the characters and the story.
I mean, not to say there aren’t kingdoms and knights and crones and magic and all of the other standard trappings of the fantasy genre, but the heart of the story is a simple middle class troll who inherited a toll bridge from his father, and has a lazy housekeeper who he can’t get rid of.
Olde School is a well written, solid book, and one of the best fantasy novels I’ve ever read, and an answer to everything wrong with the fantasy genre.
Most fantasy authors try to emulate Tolkien, and end up with dry, boring historical accounts of kingdoms and generals at war, completely missing the layer of mythology that he wove into the fabric of Middle Earth.
Janel uses the mythology of folk tales to weave her foundations and it works. She addresses the inherent racism of the fantasy genre (humans uber alles) and the literary obsession with royals at the expense of common folk. It also launches a fairly solid (and well deserved) attack against the Disney idea of being a princess.
When I started to write this review, I was going to compare it to Harry Potter or Twilight, but then Terry Pratchett died yesterday, and suddenly I realized what makes Olde School special - it tells an interesting story about ordinary, realistic people who just happen to live in a fantasy realm. The setting is secondary to the characters and the story.
I mean, not to say there aren’t kingdoms and knights and crones and magic and all of the other standard trappings of the fantasy genre, but the heart of the story is a simple middle class troll who inherited a toll bridge from his father, and has a lazy housekeeper who he can’t get rid of.
Most fantasy authors try to emulate Tolkien, and end up with dry, boring historical accounts of kingdoms and generals at war, completely missing the layer of mythology that he wove into the fabric of Middle Earth.
Janel uses the mythology of folk tales to weave her foundations and it works. She addresses the inherent racism of the fantasy genre (humans uber alles) and the literary obsession with royals at the expense of common folk. It also launches a fairly solid (and well deserved) attack against the Disney idea of being a princess.
When I started to write this review, I was going to compare it to Harry Potter or Twilight, but then Terry Pratchett died yesterday, and suddenly I realized what makes Olde School special - it tells an interesting story about ordinary, realistic people who just happen to live in a fantasy realm. The setting is secondary to the characters and the story.
I mean, not to say there aren’t kingdoms and knights and crones and magic and all of the other standard trappings of the fantasy genre, but the heart of the story is a simple middle class troll who inherited a toll bridge from his father, and has a lazy housekeeper who he can’t get rid of.
November 3, 2014
Paddlelump Stonemonger is not your average troll. Sure, he is eight feet tall, built like a tree and fearsome to look upon. He does have a bridge where he charges tolls. But Paddlelump is a modern troll. He uses his laptop to keep his accounts, and hires a goblin lawyer to watch his business interests.
Paddlelump is mild-mannered. In fact, he is so laid back that people tend to take advantage of him. He is one of the wealthiest beings in Kingdom City and everyone wants some of his money. Even his maid is taking advantage of him, taking his money, refusing to clean the house and leaving early and coming late. His watchbird, Clyde, is sarcastic about Padd's strength and character. His friends, more traditional trolls, worry about him and want him to just 'troll up'.
Things are changing in Kingdom City. Under the rule of High King Thadd, all creatures, trolls, ogres, humans, elves, brownies, fairies and anything else, have learned to live and work together. Now, suddenly, all seemed to be scheming against each other, willing to do anything for an advantage. Paddlelump seems to be a target, with low-level princes suddenly appearing and trying to kill him, willing to do that to win a princess' love; a princess they have only met online.
Then people start going missing, and the signs point to the Forest on the other side of Padd's bridge, the forest he owns. When Paddlelump goes to investigate, he finds something so vile and horrendous that he can't believe it. He also finds King Thadd who gives Paddlelump a quest to fulfill. Can Padd fulfill the quest and save the kingdom?
Selah Janel has written a charming modern fantasy that turns the tradition on its head. Paddlelump is a hero everyone can relate to, a troll with a heart of gold who isn't sure he is up to the demands life places on him. Readers will be charmed by him and cheer him on as he attempts to follow his quest and save his town and friends. The mix of modern technology and attitudes with traditional magical creatures is well done. This book is recommended for fantasy readers and can be read by young readers as well.
Paddlelump is mild-mannered. In fact, he is so laid back that people tend to take advantage of him. He is one of the wealthiest beings in Kingdom City and everyone wants some of his money. Even his maid is taking advantage of him, taking his money, refusing to clean the house and leaving early and coming late. His watchbird, Clyde, is sarcastic about Padd's strength and character. His friends, more traditional trolls, worry about him and want him to just 'troll up'.
Things are changing in Kingdom City. Under the rule of High King Thadd, all creatures, trolls, ogres, humans, elves, brownies, fairies and anything else, have learned to live and work together. Now, suddenly, all seemed to be scheming against each other, willing to do anything for an advantage. Paddlelump seems to be a target, with low-level princes suddenly appearing and trying to kill him, willing to do that to win a princess' love; a princess they have only met online.
Then people start going missing, and the signs point to the Forest on the other side of Padd's bridge, the forest he owns. When Paddlelump goes to investigate, he finds something so vile and horrendous that he can't believe it. He also finds King Thadd who gives Paddlelump a quest to fulfill. Can Padd fulfill the quest and save the kingdom?
Selah Janel has written a charming modern fantasy that turns the tradition on its head. Paddlelump is a hero everyone can relate to, a troll with a heart of gold who isn't sure he is up to the demands life places on him. Readers will be charmed by him and cheer him on as he attempts to follow his quest and save his town and friends. The mix of modern technology and attitudes with traditional magical creatures is well done. This book is recommended for fantasy readers and can be read by young readers as well.
April 8, 2014
As a member of the “Acknowledgements” family at the beginning of this book, I had the rare luxury of reading it in all of its incarnations over the last few years. I’ve watched it grow and change from a silly idea in a hobbyist writer’s imagination to the epic folk-fantasy adventure before me as I write this.
The simple response to the “give your review” statement would be this:
I love it.
And I’m not just saying that as an insider. I say that with all the respect and admiration that this book deserves. It’s a non-stop wild ride through classic folk and fairy tales, modernized to include every generation and genre under the sun. It’s fantastical, it’s out there, it’s knee-slapping hilarious, it’s pushing the limits and stretching the boundaries, and it’s even oddly poignant at certain moments.
From my first glance into Trip-Trap’s all the way up to the very last word, I was entranced. Paddlelump is a doll, and if I were Flora, I’d have a soft spot for him too. Ippick is my new personal hero, as cranky and crotchety as he is. And then there’s Clyde, the newfound love of my life. But I won’t spoil that surprise.
The characters have such great chemistry, and even poor, little Nobody and her pitiful need for acceptance.
Between the witty conversation and the intricate and winding European-style fairy-tale plot lines, I couldn’t put it down. There’s so much going on in Kingdom City, and every page is a brand new adventure. Every time I pick it up and start rereading, I catch onto a subtle, new joke and I laugh a little bit harder.
Would I recommend it to others? Absolutely. I whole-heartedly recommend this book to anyone that happens to see the pretty cover and stop to look.
My only complaint is this: she hasn’t written the next book in the series yet, and I have to wait.
The simple response to the “give your review” statement would be this:
I love it.
And I’m not just saying that as an insider. I say that with all the respect and admiration that this book deserves. It’s a non-stop wild ride through classic folk and fairy tales, modernized to include every generation and genre under the sun. It’s fantastical, it’s out there, it’s knee-slapping hilarious, it’s pushing the limits and stretching the boundaries, and it’s even oddly poignant at certain moments.
From my first glance into Trip-Trap’s all the way up to the very last word, I was entranced. Paddlelump is a doll, and if I were Flora, I’d have a soft spot for him too. Ippick is my new personal hero, as cranky and crotchety as he is. And then there’s Clyde, the newfound love of my life. But I won’t spoil that surprise.
The characters have such great chemistry, and even poor, little Nobody and her pitiful need for acceptance.
Between the witty conversation and the intricate and winding European-style fairy-tale plot lines, I couldn’t put it down. There’s so much going on in Kingdom City, and every page is a brand new adventure. Every time I pick it up and start rereading, I catch onto a subtle, new joke and I laugh a little bit harder.
Would I recommend it to others? Absolutely. I whole-heartedly recommend this book to anyone that happens to see the pretty cover and stop to look.
My only complaint is this: she hasn’t written the next book in the series yet, and I have to wait.
December 7, 2014
Note: As a tour host selected by TLC virtual book tours, I received a complimentary copy from the publishers in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are completely honest and completely my own.
Trolls with security cameras on their bridges, and laptops for their records. Cinderella fangirls searching for their prince on online dating websites. Unionized housemaids and waitresses. A mixture of progress and tradition, Kingdom City is trying to welcome in modernity while still glorifying the Golden Age.
Paddlelump Stonemonger is a successful businesstroll, earning his fortune through the tolls from his bridge. It seems he has been a bit too successful, because now the Lord Mayor is after his land. Furthermore, Padd recently hired a maid from a website to help out at home. Her name is Nobody, and she’s a little shady. Padd, however, is too gentle to confront her. As he tries to figure out what she’s up to with the help of his friends, Padd gets in deeper than he expected. Not only so, but there have been some strange goings-on in the forest beyond his bridge. First he thinks he’s got enough on his plate. However, he soon learns that he can’t ignore Thadd Forest.
When I read the synopsis for this book, it intrigued me right away. With an interesting and creative premise, I thought it would be the perfect book to dive back into fantasy. I love the blending of fairytale and modernity:
"Now [Paddlelump] took his bookwork home and finished his records in comfort. Besides, he could always send his attorney after any trespassers he caught on the security cameras he'd installed the month before. Ippick would bash him upside the head for it, but it was a changing realm and he had to keep up."
Read more on my blog here:
http://www.fuelledbyfiction.com/2014/...
Trolls with security cameras on their bridges, and laptops for their records. Cinderella fangirls searching for their prince on online dating websites. Unionized housemaids and waitresses. A mixture of progress and tradition, Kingdom City is trying to welcome in modernity while still glorifying the Golden Age.
Paddlelump Stonemonger is a successful businesstroll, earning his fortune through the tolls from his bridge. It seems he has been a bit too successful, because now the Lord Mayor is after his land. Furthermore, Padd recently hired a maid from a website to help out at home. Her name is Nobody, and she’s a little shady. Padd, however, is too gentle to confront her. As he tries to figure out what she’s up to with the help of his friends, Padd gets in deeper than he expected. Not only so, but there have been some strange goings-on in the forest beyond his bridge. First he thinks he’s got enough on his plate. However, he soon learns that he can’t ignore Thadd Forest.
When I read the synopsis for this book, it intrigued me right away. With an interesting and creative premise, I thought it would be the perfect book to dive back into fantasy. I love the blending of fairytale and modernity:
"Now [Paddlelump] took his bookwork home and finished his records in comfort. Besides, he could always send his attorney after any trespassers he caught on the security cameras he'd installed the month before. Ippick would bash him upside the head for it, but it was a changing realm and he had to keep up."
Read more on my blog here:
http://www.fuelledbyfiction.com/2014/...
November 15, 2014
Olde School opens up in a diner. A nice diner, called Trip Trap’s, in an out of the way location in Kingdom City. Uljah Toothgnasher and Ippick Bonecrusher are waiting for their friend, Paddlehump Stonemonger, to join them. While waiting they chat it up with what every good diner possesses, a sassy waitress named Flora. When Paddlehump arrives, he is obviously younger than his friends, he has only recently began growing his tusks. You see, Toothgnasher, Bonecrusher and Stonemonger are trolls. They live in Kingdom City along with ogres and pixies and, of course, princesses. But Kingdom City isn’t your old fashioned Kingdom, there is internet and email and even internet dating.
Paddlehump is very successful, his land beyond the bridge that he trolls on, is in much demand by some of the unsavory city officials. He is not successful in finding help however, and his cleaning girl, Nobody, turns out not to be who she says she is. Leading Paddlehump and his friends on a frightening journey to save Kingdom City from the Olde Ones.
This was such an enjoyable book. It reminded me of The Princess Bride, an adult fairy tale, humorous and yet suspenseful. It would make a great movie! I am pleased to see that Olde School is titled The Kingdom City Chronicles Book 1 - which means there will be more to come, and I will be here waiting impatiently for more!
Paddlehump is very successful, his land beyond the bridge that he trolls on, is in much demand by some of the unsavory city officials. He is not successful in finding help however, and his cleaning girl, Nobody, turns out not to be who she says she is. Leading Paddlehump and his friends on a frightening journey to save Kingdom City from the Olde Ones.
This was such an enjoyable book. It reminded me of The Princess Bride, an adult fairy tale, humorous and yet suspenseful. It would make a great movie! I am pleased to see that Olde School is titled The Kingdom City Chronicles Book 1 - which means there will be more to come, and I will be here waiting impatiently for more!
May 29, 2014
This was a delightfully fun story featuring trolls and ogres, magic and curses. With a very fairy tale feel, the story was quite charming.
In the beginning, I was a bit unsure of the troll main character and whether I would connect enough with him to enjoy the story, but my fears were unfounded as Padd turned out to be an extremely likeable character. There were a few times when I felt he was a little slow on the uptake, but he was an all around nice guy who made a charming hero.
He was surrounded by a cast of lovable supporting characters. I enjoyed his troll friends. They were amusing and picked on Padd a bit, while being very supportive of him. Flora was a fiesty addition, and I love Padd’s slightly awkward crush on her.
Much of the story stayed really true to the fairy tale feel. This made it a tad predictable, but that familiar feeling is one of the draws of fairy tales. The story had enough new elements that it stood its own ground, and wasn’t just another retelling.
Overall, this was an enjoyable fairy tale story. I liked the variety of characters, and hope this is the start of a series as I want to go on another adventure with them.
In the beginning, I was a bit unsure of the troll main character and whether I would connect enough with him to enjoy the story, but my fears were unfounded as Padd turned out to be an extremely likeable character. There were a few times when I felt he was a little slow on the uptake, but he was an all around nice guy who made a charming hero.
He was surrounded by a cast of lovable supporting characters. I enjoyed his troll friends. They were amusing and picked on Padd a bit, while being very supportive of him. Flora was a fiesty addition, and I love Padd’s slightly awkward crush on her.
Much of the story stayed really true to the fairy tale feel. This made it a tad predictable, but that familiar feeling is one of the draws of fairy tales. The story had enough new elements that it stood its own ground, and wasn’t just another retelling.
Overall, this was an enjoyable fairy tale story. I liked the variety of characters, and hope this is the start of a series as I want to go on another adventure with them.
May 31, 2014
It is hard to put into words what I think of this book. I am not sure love is enough. This book was refreshing, fun, engrossing, thought provoking and awesome. Selah Janel is Brilliant. This is a cross genre book which I was intrigued by from the start. Fantasy, paranormal, urban fantasy, horror, comedy and it is a tried and true Fairy Tale. I love Fairy Tales but (excuse the pun) old school ones and this one fits the profile. This book is smart and witty. Janel has created a word full of interesting and engaging characters and a world so vivid at times I could picture myself in Kingdom City. The first night I started reading this I read until I could not keep my eyes open and that night I dreamed of Kingdom City, that is how vivid it is and how it stays with you. I could not wait to get back to the story. I adored Padd and would love to sit down with him at Trip Trap's diner for a chat and a meal. I am looking forward to more books in the series. Janel has quickly climbed the ranks of must read for me.
Olde School also has some amazing art work. Another high quality book from Seventh Star Press.
My Rating:
An Easy 5 out of 5.
Olde School also has some amazing art work. Another high quality book from Seventh Star Press.
My Rating:
An Easy 5 out of 5.
November 19, 2014
I couldn’t stop picturing Shrek while reading Olde School. This is such a wacky fantasy tale that I find it tricky to review. Ogres hired for contract killers? It’s so… eccentric, but in a really good way.
Padd, our main protagonist, is a relatable character. He’s gone from timid to a character worth rooting for.
Olde School started out well, but it was a bit of a yawn by the time I got midway through it. I was practically skimming the pages and I couldn’t wait for it to end.
I should point out that it’s not my taste, but I appreciate the attempt. I wouldn’t say the book has great pace, but it certainly has an atmospheric vibe to it.
Full review on Priscilla and her Books
Padd, our main protagonist, is a relatable character. He’s gone from timid to a character worth rooting for.
Olde School started out well, but it was a bit of a yawn by the time I got midway through it. I was practically skimming the pages and I couldn’t wait for it to end.
I should point out that it’s not my taste, but I appreciate the attempt. I wouldn’t say the book has great pace, but it certainly has an atmospheric vibe to it.
Full review on Priscilla and her Books
Read
January 20, 2016My kids and I read 20-40 minutes each night before bed. They are ages 8 & 11. We met Selah Janel at Imaginarium in Louisville and could not wait to read her book. It took us a bit to get it to our rotation, but we did and we finished it.
It was very appropriate for my 11 year old, my 8 year old, since it was a read aloud, yes, there were a few scenes of violence, but she understood it was a story and all was fine.
Selah does an amazing job bringing the reader into the world she has created. This isn't a typical fairy tale, but I can really see the influence of fairy tales. I love how imaginative this story is and it really goes to show there is much yet to discover!
So to the story. It's a story of trolls, ogres, maidens who will stop at nothing to get the happy endings they believe they deserve. However, when those happy endings come with a price, the most unlikely heroes emerge and alliances are formed among some of the most unlikely characters.
My kids and I recommend!
It was very appropriate for my 11 year old, my 8 year old, since it was a read aloud, yes, there were a few scenes of violence, but she understood it was a story and all was fine.
Selah does an amazing job bringing the reader into the world she has created. This isn't a typical fairy tale, but I can really see the influence of fairy tales. I love how imaginative this story is and it really goes to show there is much yet to discover!
So to the story. It's a story of trolls, ogres, maidens who will stop at nothing to get the happy endings they believe they deserve. However, when those happy endings come with a price, the most unlikely heroes emerge and alliances are formed among some of the most unlikely characters.
My kids and I recommend!
April 4, 2014
Olde School was creative & entertaining.
Janel's highly inventive world Kingdom City, KC for short, was a fun and fanciful blend of modern meets fairy tale. It's residence, include trolls, goblins, ogres, pixies, & humans alike all living together and somewhat getting along. There's more to the story then that but I'll let readers find out the rest for themselves.
Mostly I've just got to say that author Selah Janel has built a world I can't wait to spend more time in, which is why I am delighted its a first in a series.
Janel's highly inventive world Kingdom City, KC for short, was a fun and fanciful blend of modern meets fairy tale. It's residence, include trolls, goblins, ogres, pixies, & humans alike all living together and somewhat getting along. There's more to the story then that but I'll let readers find out the rest for themselves.
Mostly I've just got to say that author Selah Janel has built a world I can't wait to spend more time in, which is why I am delighted its a first in a series.
November 8, 2016
Olde School is a modern day Fairy tale.
Kingdom city has slowly been modernizing for the last few decades. But not everyone wants to modernize and they are slow to pick up new technology. Such as online banking and dating has only been accepted by certain parts of the population. The book is heavy on humor . It is also a cross genre
Book Fantasy,Paranormal, Horror, Comedy and Urban Fantasy all in one book. A fantastic read for Y/A to Adult readers. I look forward to reading more books by Selah Janel.
Kingdom city has slowly been modernizing for the last few decades. But not everyone wants to modernize and they are slow to pick up new technology. Such as online banking and dating has only been accepted by certain parts of the population. The book is heavy on humor . It is also a cross genre
Book Fantasy,Paranormal, Horror, Comedy and Urban Fantasy all in one book. A fantastic read for Y/A to Adult readers. I look forward to reading more books by Selah Janel.
January 13, 2015
I love modern day fantasy books, and this one is no different. Unique characters, with a great storyline, and it is book one! Which means there should be at least one more of these beauties coming!
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