Evangeline Kane is thrust into a world and a role she never asked for. She finds herself questioning her sanity as she finds herself bound to a bridge as its Troll when the previous champion died in her arms.
The gateway from the Under-Veil to the city of Cincinnati lies unprotected, open to malicious fae intent on chaos and corruption of the mortals that dwell in it, if she does not stand against them.
International bestselling author of #lesfic f/f romance, scifi, urban fantasy, paranormal & more. Consummate geek & sarcasm connoisseur. Any pronouns are fine.
A fun urban fantasy read! On sale for 99 cents and I think is still that price, and I decided to give it a go, to see if it would be as interesting as the blurb made it seem.
Evangeline is a tough badass lady who has been through a lot in life. She sees mysterious shadow creatures beyond a lot of humans identities and it caused her no end of trauma growing up, until she learned to block out this strange phenomena and pretend to be 'normal'. Only on a morning run across a main bridge, she sees a strange creature attacking a man, and he dies in her arms - seemingly gifting her a strange power.
She haphazardly learns that she has become a troll, a keeper of a bridge that is a portal to the fae world! Where she now has the responsibility to stop any of the evil intentioned supernatural creatures from entering. She is reluctant at first, but then finds friendship, and even a bit of romance with a lady Custodian who oversees the bridge-keepers - during her adventures of learning about fae, and protecting the portal and becoming one with the bridge.
My complaint is that it sped up toward the end, to get over a lot of her training and to reach a penultimate moment. Which I think did a slight disservice for us getting to know her and other characters and their connections; which I sorely wanted MORE from. But all in all it was a fascinating read, with lots of neat details in the world of magic and fae presented.
I would genuinely look forward to seeing how the other installments go, with cautious optimism. But I do think it suffers overall from a lack of real shown emotion. There's a bit too much 'tell', and not enough 'show' to really experience things emotionally.
A very fun urban fantasy. Well constructed, believable (within the limits of the world it's set in) and the main character was great and relatable too.
This book was riveting. I started it at six this morning and finished just after noon. The characters in this book really come to live, and Evangeline Kane is certainly a character to be reckoned with. She snotty, smart, sassy and quick thinking. I loved her humor, probably because it’s so similar to mine. The world Schubach has created in this new series is one very interesting. I’m left with so many questions after just the introduction to it, and I’m not sure those questions can be answered without about five or six more books in the series.
This is a fast-paced novel, which suits me very well. There was only one time where I could really tell the book was written by a man, and that was when Kane was in the shower and there was blood—my mind went someone other than to her nose which happened to be bleeding. Which would have added a lot of humor had the novel gone where I thought it was going.
I’ve read a few books by Schubach at this point, and his writing is certainly improving. There is still a strong need for a copy-editor to go through the work, as there are typos littering the document. At least this one mostly stayed in one tense, meaning it wasn’t switching every sentence but at least two or three times in each chapter.
If you’re look for a world that is original, interesting and in depth with a touch of romance—as always—on the side, then this is definitely a book and soon to be series for you.
I was given this in return for an honest review by Inked Rainbow Reads.
"I am Evangeline Kane, Troll of the Roebling. This gateway is protected, defy me at your own peril! This is my bridge!"
Stories the solely focused or centers about Fairies/Gnomes/Trolls weren't really my thing but there's a saying, "don't knock it till you try it". I don't think I've read other novels with Faes aside from The Mortal Instrument and Iron Fey (which I unfortunately DNF) series so The Bridge would be setting the bar for me from now on on this genre.
Trolls provids the readers an interesting setting, a sharp, stubborn (ha) and badass heroine once again, and lots of training, battles and action. I like the shadow-bound thing, it was new (for me, is it really a thing?), that was a cool concept and I must say I like where the story is heading. The relationship between Kane and her friends makes me laugh. Esepcially the bat. Trust Erik to always give her MCs a solid circle of friends. The romance was practically non-existent except for the too obvious sexual tension in the air and few teasings to others (which was fun to read instead of those where the characters can't take each others hands off one another after meeting .343258 seconds ago).
Overall, the pacing was great, the characters were awesome as always, the action was blowing!!! but I felt that there could be MORE. So I'd be expecting more from the next one.
*Thank you to the author for providing me a copy but this has definitely not affected my review of this book in anyway.
Please don't let the title or cover deter you as I almost did.
I really liked and enjoyed this book, and am soooooooo looking forward to the next installment. It was fast paced and covered a lot of of interesting (to me and quite possible to those who enjoy urban fantasy) subject matter.
I genuinely liked the major and minor characters. Aside from almost being scared away by the title/cover, I'm usually hesitant when a male author (previously unknown to me) writes a female protagonist who happens to be a Lesbian (unfortunately, I've encountered many stories where the motivation behind their character choices was, uh... lascivious - to be kind). But what a good job! Not only did the characters feel authentic, but the protagonist was a smart ass and I loved it!
Before starting the story, many reviews mentioned many of the the grammatical mistakes. This is usually a huge no-no for me (I have a difficult time getting by them). However, I "read-listened" to the audiobook version and this was not an issue.
I gave this book 4 stars owing to the amount of enjoyment it gave me. Don't get me wrong, it's not literary, but what a fun story!
I liked this book a lot. I'd been searching for sci-fi/fantasy books featuring queer women protagonists, and discovered this author has a lot of ongoing series that fit the bill. I read this one first, and started (but do not know that I will finish) his "Asgard" series, which was written earlier. Trolls is a nice adventure and easygoing read. The story is an interesting new take on a "reluctant hero" type of trope. I liked the characters a lot and am eager to read the next installment when it comes out.
***Important Note*** I read the audiobook version of this book. I commute and cycle a lot and audiobooks allow me to fit more reading in. The following addendum is a commentary on the voice acting for this book.
I very much enjoyed Hollie Jackson's voice work. She keeps a nice, even tone with emphasis when needed and exasperation when you feel it.
So Kath told me to try this one out. It was the series I was least interested in reading by the brief summary.
I was wrong.
This is a great series that sprang from Erik's mind like his other works. Something original and fun. Holly brings this book to life with her narration of the characters. Don't let the trolls turn you away, for the book will surprise you.
Once again a solid start to an interesting series. I have really been pounding down Mr Schubach's book the last couple of weeks. A neat spin on the trolls under the bridge fairy tail. My reviews are getting shorter as I am having a hard time coming up with nice things to say without repeating myself.
One of the things I love about Erik Schubach is that he doesn't need his protagonist to be the strongest, or fastest, or richest. With many writers the Main Character seem like little more than a prosthetic ego extension. Ask yourself if the mightiest warrior is the best perspective from which to view the unfolding story. Erik Gets it. He does not write characters who lose sight of the goal, blinded by the need to be seen winning. That is one of the many reasons why I love this guy's books.
Here the main character is presented with an overwhelming job. A task she never asked for, does not want, and can't succeed at. The big problem is that this job absolutely has to get done, and there is no one else. This is where Erik Schubach really shines, with characters who rise to the challenge. Not for ego, or the prove they are the best, or to put someone else in their place. They rise when it is important to put aside selfish for the greater, and they usually end up forming a community over trash talking every perceived threat. Let the other guys flex and preen. Schubach heroes get the job done and make the world around them better.
This was a wonderful surprise. It was a whole new spin on 'Trolls'. Erik jumps in with both feet and starts running with this tale of a somewhat troubled girl in the big city. 'Doing the right thing' gets her mystically bound to a bridge between this world and the next. She goes from trashy friends, a nothing apartment, and a dead-end job, to money, new friends, and a surreal world of supernatural creatures threatening to overrun the physical world. The only thing standing between our world and the next, is her-- the troll on the bridge.
This book is like a candystore, nothing too intricate to bog you down. Kind of like the 'Harry Potter' movies it's fun, colorful, dramatic, but you don't want to slow down and question the story too deeply-- you just run with it and have a roaring good time.
Erik opens up a whole new page on Trolls and makes things much more interesting than the current rash of 'Vampires, werewolves, and zombies' that seem to infest the bookshelves. (I can see this idea catching on and giving a whole new cultural meaning to 'Bridge troll' in the future.)
Warning- Even though her relationships were little more than flirting throughout the book,for those folks really offended by a gay protagonist, avoid this book.
Anyway, I just peeked under the cover on Amazon and after reading a few pages I said, 'Well this is fun, I'll buy it.' I'm certainly glad that I did.
“Okay, I’m super excited that I was finally able to get you guys to read an Erik Schubach book,” Sigrun says. “He’s been one of my favorite authors for a long time. I discovered him because as a Valkyrie myself I’m always on the lookout for a good Valkyrie novel. Though I think I prefer The Bridge series, Schubach’s Valkyrie Chronicles will always have a special place in my heart.”
Summary:
“Since I started writing, I’ve only come across two series that I read and wished I’d come up with that idea,” Maggie says. “This is one of those two series. We’ve all been told the story of the billy goats and the bridge troll, but out of all the urban fantasy I’ve read this is the one book that actually does something unique with bridge trolls. I always complain about weres, vamps, and zombies, because I’m looking for something unique and original in the world of urban fantasy. If you are too this is the book for you! The Bridge: Trolls follows Evangeline Kane as she gets thrust into the role of being the bridge troll for the Roebling Bridge in Cincinnati.”
I love the world building in this book. It’s fun and complete. Schubach’s play on fairytales and myths are always fun. The characters are awesome. Kick arse sapphic warrior types and of course a side character who takes much offence with being called small. It’s a Fae and human world with a curse Kane never wanted and a history that she holds a lot of anger and resentment over. The start is a bit shaky, but then we time jump and oh the story flies by with Kane’s learning she is not crazy, and never has been. Erik Schubach’s worlds are my go to lightish fantasy that helps get me smiling and is almost a palate cleanser between the heavier epic fantasies. I am loving this series of his and will dive into the rest of the bridge books soon.
Cursed to stand guard until the day she dies, Kane takes on the duties of Troll of the Roebling Bridge. AND in full Schubach form, makes friends into a Scooby Gang that helps to ground her, finds the love of a badass woman to give her flight, and turns herself into one ridiculously overpowered supernatural being...you know, all in a day's work.
I loved the story and plan to read the whole series.
I enjoyed this book immensely. Both main and secondary characters were fun to get to know. Though Kane has her struggles with her new responsibilities she warms to the task of being the new Troll of the bridge and gains quite a few friends in the process as well as a possible love interest with Sharee better known as the Custodian. Looking forward to next installment.
Loved the book. The story was action packed. Loved how Kane struggled with becoming the Troll yet totally excepted it at the end. The storyline kept me interested throughout and I can't wait to read the next book.
Punchy punctuation sometimes threw me, but the energy of the plot and characters recaptured me once again, keeping me intrigued, interested, and chuckling as Evangeline Kane evolved, grew, and accepted every challenge which came her way after an act of heroism made her the troll of a bridge between the world of the fae and the world of mortals. Fast-moving and loaded with action, only pausing for a moment for the characters to catch their breath, flirt, and enjoy life before hurtling to the next obstacle; this book was hard to put down. Watching her become buddies with Rupert, only to have him question her sanity as Evie flirted with the dangerously hot Custodian was a delight as was watching flirt with the fox at her bar…literally. Speaking of flirting, the way Evie and Sharee, the Custodian, sparred, bantered amidst a growing attraction and respect between each other wound through the action with steamy intensity, making it all the more absorbing.
All in all, this world and its characters were a lot of fun. I look forward to seeing more of them.
Plot is 5/5. I loved the concept of bridges being opening between the realms and beings bound to the bridge are the "trolls" that must protect our world. Clever take on class fairy tale concept.
Writing is 2/5. Does a lot of telling instead of showing and uses way too many adverbs. Everything one character does is always "cutely" or "sexily." She smiled cutely. She laughed sexily. She blushed cutely. Etc. Etc. Etc.
Characters are 3/5. Main character is ok, but falls a bit into "Why is every female attracted to her?" The two main side characters are pretty good, but not much development going on. Hopefully that is explored in the sequels.
I have yet to find a book from this author that I haven't enjoyed. Wonderful entertainment. The editing in this one was a bit lacking but the story was fun.
Never listened to a book about trolls I really enjoyed this take on things! Worth the listen. 3 stars I hope there will be a second story about the same troll and her bridge
I really enjoyed this book, I love the interesting take on Trolls and how Erik builds this world. He's a damn good world builder! It's a typical Erik novel, but I believe that this book and this series is his best world for the personalities he writes so often. Now, while I stand by my decision that this is one if his best, that doesn't mean it doesn't have it's flaws, but I can overlook most of them because this story is so interesting. One common flaw which showed up in all his books is every single character, is that no matter how different their personalities are, all seem to have the same ticks. Everyone likes beer at pubs, and everyone with power (political mostly) who's meant to be "good" hates signs of respect and want to be spoken to by first names and none of that stuffy business. Like I said before, it's Erik's writers trap that he uses the same personalities and romantic combinations of the serious woman with the sassy one in every book, but for this particular tale, it fits better so I don't mind. Read enough of this author and you'll begin to see the patterns for yourself. The idea of being shadow bound is a pretty cool concept, but I expected nothing less since Erik is good at concepts and the bigger picture. Not so good on details and nuances. If this is your first taste of his works, it's a good place to start. It's a fast paced, funny book with action and an interesting plot. Just know that character wise, there's really not much deviation or variety in his novels, and you'll see the same personalities pop up again and again with different names and features but are essentially the same. So if that's what you want, then these are your kind if books. Personally, I prefer character continuity where if someone is built up to be classy and rich, not ever having mixed much with 'commoners' and not really be exposed to pubs as a natural relaxing environment, I don't expect them to reach for a beer instinctively and start being colloquial and at ease right away. I expect them to be more into wines if that's how they're supposed to be viewed. It's not just a writers technique to. bust a stereotype or show a friendlier side, this author really just seems to see it as universal. you can read his works and find out for yourself. I personally get annoyed at it, but if it doesn't bother you, that's great! So, good book, fun read, interesting story and for this theme, the typical writers trap seems to fit the tale so points there. Give it a go.