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Trollheim: Tale of Sýstir
Not yet published
Expected 19 May 26When their mother is burned at the stake, Sýstir and Ada have two run or die. For fans of The Ten Thousand Doors of January and Circe, this lyrical tale of magical realism rooted in Nordic folklore is written by a no.1 Sunday Times bestselling author.
Young Sýstir’s world is small and seemingly quiet, but shrouded in secrets. Outside of the cottage where she lives with her beloved mother and adored older sister, lurks the constant danger of being discovered by the villagers for what she truly unwanted, dangerous, Huldra. When their mother is accused of being a witch and dragged to the stake, the sisters must run for their lives.
Sýstir finds herself alone in the Dark Forest that she later comes to know as Trollheim - a magical realm for mythical beings and a sanctuary for those with nowhere left to turn. Here she finds a kindred spirit in the rogue Troll Agagkantor who takes her in and encourages her to live life as her true self, to understand and use the powers she has been hiding away. However, Agagkantor carries secrets of his own and Sýstir comes to realize that her loyalty might have been misplaced. In the end she has no other choice but to sacrifice everything in order to protect that which matters most - her home.
Young Sýstir’s world is small and seemingly quiet, but shrouded in secrets. Outside of the cottage where she lives with her beloved mother and adored older sister, lurks the constant danger of being discovered by the villagers for what she truly unwanted, dangerous, Huldra. When their mother is accused of being a witch and dragged to the stake, the sisters must run for their lives.
Sýstir finds herself alone in the Dark Forest that she later comes to know as Trollheim - a magical realm for mythical beings and a sanctuary for those with nowhere left to turn. Here she finds a kindred spirit in the rogue Troll Agagkantor who takes her in and encourages her to live life as her true self, to understand and use the powers she has been hiding away. However, Agagkantor carries secrets of his own and Sýstir comes to realize that her loyalty might have been misplaced. In the end she has no other choice but to sacrifice everything in order to protect that which matters most - her home.
Kindle Edition
First published March 3, 2026
226 people want to read
About the author
Georgia Summers
4 books482 followersGeorgia Summers is half-British, half-Trinidadian, and spent most of her life living across the world, including Russia, Colombia, and the US. When she’s not doing bookish things, she’s planning her next great adventure. She currently lives in London, but she dreams of one day living in a haunted château with a ghost that cleans.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Trollheim: Tale of Sýstir by Georgia Summers
4 🔮 orbs
Est. Pub. Date: May 19, 2026
Titan Books
Tranquil chaos…
💡 Orbs Prologue: I have long since passed. My troll body gave way to the nature of time. As a petrified stone, I sit in a graveyard overlooking green swathes of forestry known simply as the Trollheim or the Dark Forest. Filled with magical beasts, often referred to as väsen, we occupy this place in utmost benevolence. From above, my innate senses remain aware of the incoming changes, much like the winter season’s stark reminder amid the flurries of freezing snow. This year, it would seem we have a visitor, an outsider who, dear reader, in her own naivety, brings forth a new set of complexities to our land. Agagkantor, our self-exiled ex-leader, has brought this lost huldra into his home as family, saving her from certain death, but at what cost?
🧐 A small glimpse: Follow the gnomes peddling their wares as author Georgia Summers takes readers on a wondrous journey. Similar to a Puritan witch hunt, Sýstir and her sister, Ada, have become motherless in a pyre-infested town ravaged by skepticism and hate. Proving that persecution holds no boundaries over those who attack for fear of the unknown. On the run from the local soldiers, Ada and Sýstir become separated, and Sýstir is left to fend off the bitter cold alone. With hungry wolves on the prowl, a troll named Agagkantor provides protection and safety in his personal cave dwelling. A coming-of-age story rings true, and Sýstir questions everyone in her past, propelling her to gather an inner strength with guarded intensity. For Sýstir is half huldra, half human, both of which have raised skepticism of those within this magical community, particularly those of the troll leader, Queen Hilda. More than anything, Sýstir wants to feel accepted, a part of a family with whom she can share memories and let her cow-like tail hang freely without fear. With the overseeing tree, Natteskur, providing peace among the creatures of Trollheim, relationships remain hospitable. However, there is a darkness lurking, a dark heart pumping a rabid evilness through spidery-like veins and forever changing this beautiful landscape.
👍 Orbs Pros: Being that I reside in Norway, anything Scandinavian-lore-related is fascinating to me. What captivated me more was a similar tie-in with witchery that caught me off guard. After reading Brom’s Slewfoot, I wholeheartedly admit that I have begun to become enamored by this subject matter. Fairy-tale-like vibe! If you love trolls, gnomes, and an emotional rollercoaster, you may indeed enjoy this novel. Discovery! Huldras! What are they? Beautiful succubus-like creatures, with singing prowess and seductive natures, armed with a strange cow-tail. For some reason, trolls became more than just what I had pictured in my simple mind, as big, oafish characters carrying the proverbial clubs. Georgia Summers does an excellent job at creating characters with complex depth, ones that will have me give trolls and gnomes their proper respect in the future.
👎 Orbs Cons: The older sister! What happened? Without giving too much away, I was a bit shocked by how this relationship panned out. Perhaps that is due to the very nature of how Sýstir changed, but what once was of the utmost importance was simply thrown by the wayside, and I, for one, was not a fan! Parts seemed to drag! Perhaps it could have used fewer pages?
Recommended! However, there may be enough reasons for some people to lose interest. I acknowledge that some parts of the story felt long in the tooth, or perhaps, as in my case, I felt a character should have gained more traction and made a significant impact on the outcome. But, overall, I rather enjoyed my experience!
💡 Orbs Epilogue: Humans! The bane of our existence! The threat to harm all walking creatures, and to what end! The tentative sounds precede a leeriness towards this huldra named Sýstir, the creatures giving her appropriate pause and space. She is not one of us! After a monumental situation transpires, the winds of the trees tell me that the tides have turned, and the trolls have become friendly with Sýstir. This existence for Sýstir, here in Trollheim, while comforting, still lacks the finality she so desperately craves. Where is her sister, Ada? Exiting the forest, she sets off in search of Ada, entering her hometown, which appeared sadly the same as when she was chased out. Yet, Sýstir was different this time. A resolute huldra invoked her powers to “take” the answers she sought. Once again, reentering Trollheim, a slash of chaos slices the dewy mist of the Dark Forest as Sýstir brings a reckoning. A narcissistic power consumes her, and for us, the väsen, a brutal transformation is about to be unleashed upon the calmness and beauty of our home!
Many thanks to Titan Books for the ARC through NetGalley. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
4 🔮 orbs
Est. Pub. Date: May 19, 2026
Titan Books
Tranquil chaos…
💡 Orbs Prologue: I have long since passed. My troll body gave way to the nature of time. As a petrified stone, I sit in a graveyard overlooking green swathes of forestry known simply as the Trollheim or the Dark Forest. Filled with magical beasts, often referred to as väsen, we occupy this place in utmost benevolence. From above, my innate senses remain aware of the incoming changes, much like the winter season’s stark reminder amid the flurries of freezing snow. This year, it would seem we have a visitor, an outsider who, dear reader, in her own naivety, brings forth a new set of complexities to our land. Agagkantor, our self-exiled ex-leader, has brought this lost huldra into his home as family, saving her from certain death, but at what cost?
🧐 A small glimpse: Follow the gnomes peddling their wares as author Georgia Summers takes readers on a wondrous journey. Similar to a Puritan witch hunt, Sýstir and her sister, Ada, have become motherless in a pyre-infested town ravaged by skepticism and hate. Proving that persecution holds no boundaries over those who attack for fear of the unknown. On the run from the local soldiers, Ada and Sýstir become separated, and Sýstir is left to fend off the bitter cold alone. With hungry wolves on the prowl, a troll named Agagkantor provides protection and safety in his personal cave dwelling. A coming-of-age story rings true, and Sýstir questions everyone in her past, propelling her to gather an inner strength with guarded intensity. For Sýstir is half huldra, half human, both of which have raised skepticism of those within this magical community, particularly those of the troll leader, Queen Hilda. More than anything, Sýstir wants to feel accepted, a part of a family with whom she can share memories and let her cow-like tail hang freely without fear. With the overseeing tree, Natteskur, providing peace among the creatures of Trollheim, relationships remain hospitable. However, there is a darkness lurking, a dark heart pumping a rabid evilness through spidery-like veins and forever changing this beautiful landscape.
👍 Orbs Pros: Being that I reside in Norway, anything Scandinavian-lore-related is fascinating to me. What captivated me more was a similar tie-in with witchery that caught me off guard. After reading Brom’s Slewfoot, I wholeheartedly admit that I have begun to become enamored by this subject matter. Fairy-tale-like vibe! If you love trolls, gnomes, and an emotional rollercoaster, you may indeed enjoy this novel. Discovery! Huldras! What are they? Beautiful succubus-like creatures, with singing prowess and seductive natures, armed with a strange cow-tail. For some reason, trolls became more than just what I had pictured in my simple mind, as big, oafish characters carrying the proverbial clubs. Georgia Summers does an excellent job at creating characters with complex depth, ones that will have me give trolls and gnomes their proper respect in the future.
👎 Orbs Cons: The older sister! What happened? Without giving too much away, I was a bit shocked by how this relationship panned out. Perhaps that is due to the very nature of how Sýstir changed, but what once was of the utmost importance was simply thrown by the wayside, and I, for one, was not a fan! Parts seemed to drag! Perhaps it could have used fewer pages?
Recommended! However, there may be enough reasons for some people to lose interest. I acknowledge that some parts of the story felt long in the tooth, or perhaps, as in my case, I felt a character should have gained more traction and made a significant impact on the outcome. But, overall, I rather enjoyed my experience!
💡 Orbs Epilogue: Humans! The bane of our existence! The threat to harm all walking creatures, and to what end! The tentative sounds precede a leeriness towards this huldra named Sýstir, the creatures giving her appropriate pause and space. She is not one of us! After a monumental situation transpires, the winds of the trees tell me that the tides have turned, and the trolls have become friendly with Sýstir. This existence for Sýstir, here in Trollheim, while comforting, still lacks the finality she so desperately craves. Where is her sister, Ada? Exiting the forest, she sets off in search of Ada, entering her hometown, which appeared sadly the same as when she was chased out. Yet, Sýstir was different this time. A resolute huldra invoked her powers to “take” the answers she sought. Once again, reentering Trollheim, a slash of chaos slices the dewy mist of the Dark Forest as Sýstir brings a reckoning. A narcissistic power consumes her, and for us, the väsen, a brutal transformation is about to be unleashed upon the calmness and beauty of our home!
Many thanks to Titan Books for the ARC through NetGalley. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was a sad fairy tale that unfortunately missed the mark for me, unlike Georgia Summers' other books. While I thought it would be right up my alley (I love nordic folklore!), and the book started out strong, I felt the plot was rather slow and didn't resolve in a satisfying way. I did finish it, but felt it was a challenging read and the Dark Forest itself was a bit underwritten.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Georgia Summers, Titan Books, and NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
Trollheim: Tale of Sýstir begins with Sýstir, a Huldra - half-human half-Vasen (fairytale creature) - and her sister fleeing their mother’s murder at the stake. Sýstir is rescued by a Troll and grows up within the Dark Forest, surrounded by other Vasen. All is not as it seems in the Dark Forest, as rot has set in and begun to seep outwards and infect the inhabitants.
This novel is a historical (perhaps 16/17th century?) fantasy inspired by Swedish fairytale creatures and is well written. The world-building was executed well (although I would’ve loved to see an expansion on the world beyond the local Dark Forest). The writing style was also engaging and I enjoyed the characterisation of each creature, as each felt unique. The character arc for Sýstir was interesting although it had it’s weaknesses (more below).
I will say that the book came across a little YA and I believe this was mainly due the first half being a ‘coming-of-age’ story more than anything. Also, as a reader, you had to suspend your belief for a few situations / plot points that didn’t quite make sense. Not in a fantastical way but more of a ‘if they know all the symptoms, why was this not addressed / identified earlier?’ and ‘if this character is cunning, why was this allowed to happen?’. For a book that is marketed as adult, these weaknesses should have been addressed better.
Overall, I wish I had Fenrir as a pet.
Trollheim: Tale of Sýstir begins with Sýstir, a Huldra - half-human half-Vasen (fairytale creature) - and her sister fleeing their mother’s murder at the stake. Sýstir is rescued by a Troll and grows up within the Dark Forest, surrounded by other Vasen. All is not as it seems in the Dark Forest, as rot has set in and begun to seep outwards and infect the inhabitants.
This novel is a historical (perhaps 16/17th century?) fantasy inspired by Swedish fairytale creatures and is well written. The world-building was executed well (although I would’ve loved to see an expansion on the world beyond the local Dark Forest). The writing style was also engaging and I enjoyed the characterisation of each creature, as each felt unique. The character arc for Sýstir was interesting although it had it’s weaknesses (more below).
I will say that the book came across a little YA and I believe this was mainly due the first half being a ‘coming-of-age’ story more than anything. Also, as a reader, you had to suspend your belief for a few situations / plot points that didn’t quite make sense. Not in a fantastical way but more of a ‘if they know all the symptoms, why was this not addressed / identified earlier?’ and ‘if this character is cunning, why was this allowed to happen?’. For a book that is marketed as adult, these weaknesses should have been addressed better.
Overall, I wish I had Fenrir as a pet.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A slow folklore filled story! With the twisty anger, consequences, and vengeance that comes from being outcast. Feels like a dark fireside story being told you! Thank you to Titan books and Netgalley for the eARC!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews