What do you think?
Rate this book
The Trolled Saga #1
Trolled
Seventeen-year-old student Nat Lawler doesn’t know her orc from her elf bow. She’s never swung a sword before, never ridden a unicorn, or fought a troll outside of the internet. And yet here she is, trapped in a fantasy world and tasked with defeating its evil queen, Drensila the Black.
Thankfully, some of Nat’s roleplayer friends were thrown into the mix too, and join her on her epic quest. They’ve spent their lives preparing for this moment, but now it's time for action, because this fantasy just got real!
Thankfully, some of Nat’s roleplayer friends were thrown into the mix too, and join her on her epic quest. They’ve spent their lives preparing for this moment, but now it's time for action, because this fantasy just got real!
- GenresYoung AdultFantasy
233 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2016
17 people are currently reading
40 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
February 6, 2023
Maybe the last thing I expected when I started this book was that one aspect of my review would include the word "humbling". But here it is. I was pretty confident that I was pretty familiar with British slang. I'm not. I'm really not. And it was humbling to see how much not. I was fine with stuff like "bin bags" and suchlike – but I have to admit in the context I stupidly thought "well jells" meant pudgy: like Santa, with a belly like jelly and all that. Nope: jealous. Jelly. Jells. Well = Very. 'K. "Chirpsing" was entirely new to me.
This is one of those Netgalley selections which is obviously self-published, and has the sort of slipshod editing that unfortunately so often goes along with that – but which has a level of writing that deserves better. It's funny and fun and gritty and occasionally surprising; it made leaps between making me smile at a really lovely turn of phrase ('Eathon laughed. "If you loosed an arrow at me I’d whip out my blade and whittle it into an unflattering portrait of you before it hit the ground."' or "The pregnant pause ran to its third trimester") to making me snarl over some stupid mistake (like mention of a rider's "reigns").
This is, of course, separate from the intentional wordplay, like "Sting with his tantrum sex" – it's pretty clear when someone is being a Dogberry and when there's an error.
Obviously, I loved the geek cred the author shows throughout. There's Middle-earth and Dragonlance and Monty Python and stops in between. This book does not take itself too seriously. There's a very serious story going on – first the shocking reality that this handful of kids has been transported to another world, with no knowledge of how to get back and a deadly mission they're supposed to pull off; then that mission, a legitimate war against horrifying monsters which seems all but impossible to survive, much less win. But the way the story is told is light, irreverent, funny. These aren't Lawful Good characters eagerly taking up arms to fight for the good – oh, no, these are ordinary geeky teenagers who are as likely to see what they can steal from any given setting as to fight the bad guys. They're pretty much unpredictable – which is kind of great.
Now (say it with me) if only someone would clean these books up.
One thing, though - you can't beat that cover. I adore that cover.
And remember:
"The Chosen One might be a special snowflake, but when the heat's turned up, every snowflake melts."
The usual disclaimer: I received this book via Netgalley for review.
This is one of those Netgalley selections which is obviously self-published, and has the sort of slipshod editing that unfortunately so often goes along with that – but which has a level of writing that deserves better. It's funny and fun and gritty and occasionally surprising; it made leaps between making me smile at a really lovely turn of phrase ('Eathon laughed. "If you loosed an arrow at me I’d whip out my blade and whittle it into an unflattering portrait of you before it hit the ground."' or "The pregnant pause ran to its third trimester") to making me snarl over some stupid mistake (like mention of a rider's "reigns").
This is, of course, separate from the intentional wordplay, like "Sting with his tantrum sex" – it's pretty clear when someone is being a Dogberry and when there's an error.
Obviously, I loved the geek cred the author shows throughout. There's Middle-earth and Dragonlance and Monty Python and stops in between. This book does not take itself too seriously. There's a very serious story going on – first the shocking reality that this handful of kids has been transported to another world, with no knowledge of how to get back and a deadly mission they're supposed to pull off; then that mission, a legitimate war against horrifying monsters which seems all but impossible to survive, much less win. But the way the story is told is light, irreverent, funny. These aren't Lawful Good characters eagerly taking up arms to fight for the good – oh, no, these are ordinary geeky teenagers who are as likely to see what they can steal from any given setting as to fight the bad guys. They're pretty much unpredictable – which is kind of great.
Now (say it with me) if only someone would clean these books up.
One thing, though - you can't beat that cover. I adore that cover.
And remember:
"The Chosen One might be a special snowflake, but when the heat's turned up, every snowflake melts."
The usual disclaimer: I received this book via Netgalley for review.
May 30, 2017
Nat Lawler is just about done with her unrepentant nerd of a boyfriend, Terry, and his merry band of misfit LARPers in DK Bussell’s nerdy fantasy story, Trolled.
Unfortunately for her, their D&D knowledge is about to come in very handy when the gang is suddenly transported into an actual Tolkien-esque world in need of a few heroes.
Trolled was an absolute riot. The writing is smart, snarky, and snort-out-loud funny, with a cast of characters to match.
Full review on Striking13.com
LARP. Live Action Role Play. Four words that – as far as Nat were concerned – went together like “Bad News, It’s Cancer.”
Unfortunately for her, their D&D knowledge is about to come in very handy when the gang is suddenly transported into an actual Tolkien-esque world in need of a few heroes.
Trolled was an absolute riot. The writing is smart, snarky, and snort-out-loud funny, with a cast of characters to match.
Full review on Striking13.com
January 4, 2017
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book was so fun.
While begrudgingly participating in LARPing, Nat, along with her friends, come across the body of a dying elf. The elf tells them to grab his sword and to kill Drensila the Black, to finish what he started. After convincing them to do so, Nat and her friends jump into a portal and find themselves in their very own real-life adventure.
Although the characters were very much "typical teenagers", and had a few moments of being a tiiiiiny bit annoying, overall I liked them all, especially Neville. I loved the villain, and how despite being a murderous wench, she was quite hilarious. The world-building was unique, and the concept of traveling to another "fantastical" dimension, while not wholly original, felt fresh. The writing, however, was probably my favorite part of this book. The author manages to write in third person omniscient without the writing feeling messy, or the characters feeling underdeveloped.
I highly recommend this book to YA fantasy fans. It was a fun, quick read. I look forward to more of Bussell's work.
4.5/5
This book was so fun.
While begrudgingly participating in LARPing, Nat, along with her friends, come across the body of a dying elf. The elf tells them to grab his sword and to kill Drensila the Black, to finish what he started. After convincing them to do so, Nat and her friends jump into a portal and find themselves in their very own real-life adventure.
Although the characters were very much "typical teenagers", and had a few moments of being a tiiiiiny bit annoying, overall I liked them all, especially Neville. I loved the villain, and how despite being a murderous wench, she was quite hilarious. The world-building was unique, and the concept of traveling to another "fantastical" dimension, while not wholly original, felt fresh. The writing, however, was probably my favorite part of this book. The author manages to write in third person omniscient without the writing feeling messy, or the characters feeling underdeveloped.
I highly recommend this book to YA fantasy fans. It was a fun, quick read. I look forward to more of Bussell's work.
4.5/5
December 27, 2016
A group of teenage fantasy roleplayers, from Ongar in England, find a porthole to another dimension – where elves and dwarves and magic are real – and get caught up in a real-life fantasy adventure. What’s not to like about that? This is a great concept, that hooked me immediately, and I’m not somebody who reads a lot of fantasy (outside of Pratchett and Tolkien). In fact, although this is a fantasy style quest, the light-heartedness and comic timing reminded me more of the comedy film “Galaxy Quest”. The simple concept that these teenage role-players get to live out their role-play for real is simple and genius.
I’m a reader that has, foremost, to be hooked by the flow of the writing, and then by the story/genre – that’s just how my brain works with novels. I found that there were a few bumps in my reading experience on the opening few chapters, mainly where the author sets up the backstory to the fantasy world in a novelistic version of a voice-over flashback, which I struggled to engage fully with. But then – whoosh – a new, great novelist is born; a rare kind of novelist whose future novels I’ll await with interest and will put on my to-read list. I love the flow of the writing, the concept, the character interaction and development. This is a lovely, funny, lighthearted, easy-to-read story.
I’m a reader that has, foremost, to be hooked by the flow of the writing, and then by the story/genre – that’s just how my brain works with novels. I found that there were a few bumps in my reading experience on the opening few chapters, mainly where the author sets up the backstory to the fantasy world in a novelistic version of a voice-over flashback, which I struggled to engage fully with. But then – whoosh – a new, great novelist is born; a rare kind of novelist whose future novels I’ll await with interest and will put on my to-read list. I love the flow of the writing, the concept, the character interaction and development. This is a lovely, funny, lighthearted, easy-to-read story.
February 10, 2017
Talking swords and trees? Get in! A shame about some of the americanisms, I suppose that's part of the world these days. Fun, quick, enjoyable reading.
December 2, 2016
Fantastic start to the series.
Thank you D.K. Bussell for writing a humorous sword and sorcery debut. I found the jokes excellent. A new fan.
Thank you D.K. Bussell for writing a humorous sword and sorcery debut. I found the jokes excellent. A new fan.
September 30, 2018
*I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review*
Trolled is the first novel in the Trolled saga and follows the exploits of Nat Lawler, her boyfriend and his roleplaying friends when they are transported into the middle of a real life fantasy adventure.
When Nat is talked into joining her boyfriend Terry and his friends LARP-ing (Live Action Roleplaying) she never imagined that they would end up being transported to another realm and aligning herself with Elves and Dwarves to fight against the evil Drensila the Black. Taking things in her stride, Nat embraces her new-found destiny as the chosen one, but her new path soon drives a wedge between her and Terry. Nat realises that this isn’t just a fight to save the inhabitants of this other world, but to protect her friends. If she fails then they might never get home.
Trolled is a really fun read. The style of writing is upbeat and filled with British slang and pop culture references that made me smile on many occasions. Nat is a flawed but very likeable heroine whose stubbornness and determination gets her into trouble on more than one occasion. The supporting cast develop as the novel progresses and whilst at first they seem a little bland they quickly come into their own.
There are some darker moments, but overall this is a light-hearted and entertaining read and I am looking forward to reading the second novel in the series.
Trolled is the first novel in the Trolled saga and follows the exploits of Nat Lawler, her boyfriend and his roleplaying friends when they are transported into the middle of a real life fantasy adventure.
When Nat is talked into joining her boyfriend Terry and his friends LARP-ing (Live Action Roleplaying) she never imagined that they would end up being transported to another realm and aligning herself with Elves and Dwarves to fight against the evil Drensila the Black. Taking things in her stride, Nat embraces her new-found destiny as the chosen one, but her new path soon drives a wedge between her and Terry. Nat realises that this isn’t just a fight to save the inhabitants of this other world, but to protect her friends. If she fails then they might never get home.
Trolled is a really fun read. The style of writing is upbeat and filled with British slang and pop culture references that made me smile on many occasions. Nat is a flawed but very likeable heroine whose stubbornness and determination gets her into trouble on more than one occasion. The supporting cast develop as the novel progresses and whilst at first they seem a little bland they quickly come into their own.
There are some darker moments, but overall this is a light-hearted and entertaining read and I am looking forward to reading the second novel in the series.
November 20, 2017
This was a very fun romp through a mystical work. Full of jokes, colourful characters and subverted expectations.
The reason why this doesn't get 5 stars is the story itself. We spend a quarter of the book with the characters before they enter the fantasy world. This is a little too long, and it meant that the rest of the book felt rushed.
In fact, I simply wanted this book to be longer. I wanted to spend more time in this world, with these characters, exploring their adventure. The ending was a little too open ended for me (I don't really know what happened to most of the main cast), but I know that this is fishing for a sequel.
The thing that really stood out for me was the writing style. It was very modern and full of humour. The idea of having a talking sword that swears like a trooper and has a cockney accent is this story in a microcosm.
I will definitely keep an eye out for the rest of the saga.
The reason why this doesn't get 5 stars is the story itself. We spend a quarter of the book with the characters before they enter the fantasy world. This is a little too long, and it meant that the rest of the book felt rushed.
In fact, I simply wanted this book to be longer. I wanted to spend more time in this world, with these characters, exploring their adventure. The ending was a little too open ended for me (I don't really know what happened to most of the main cast), but I know that this is fishing for a sequel.
The thing that really stood out for me was the writing style. It was very modern and full of humour. The idea of having a talking sword that swears like a trooper and has a cockney accent is this story in a microcosm.
I will definitely keep an eye out for the rest of the saga.
September 29, 2017
DNF
I had hopes, but alas, it was not to be.
The book had a writing style that I like, but the story did not captivate me at all. Which is okay- people have preferences, right? I mean, maybe if all the extra stuff hadn't been there, I would've been hooked somewhere in the book. Heck, I would've at least kept reading... but;
--
Language- Jesus, Christ's sake, b*tch etc
Romance- Her mother sleeps around... its mentioned. In a very upfront, crass way.
And that's as far as I got...
I had hopes, but alas, it was not to be.
The book had a writing style that I like, but the story did not captivate me at all. Which is okay- people have preferences, right? I mean, maybe if all the extra stuff hadn't been there, I would've been hooked somewhere in the book. Heck, I would've at least kept reading... but;
--
Language- Jesus, Christ's sake, b*tch etc
Romance- Her mother sleeps around... its mentioned. In a very upfront, crass way.
And that's as far as I got...
February 12, 2017
A group of teenage role-players are transported to a fantasy world where they face an evil witch-queen and her evil army of trolls.
Serious student Nat is dragged down to the woods for a live-action role-playing (LARP) session with her boyfriend and his fellow nerds. There they run into a dying elf, a magic sword, and a portal to a fantasy realm. Obviously, they go through and find themselves up against a real war of real swords and sorcery. They work together, discover unexpected talents, etc.
While the premise is hardly original, this is a well-written story with good characters, fast-paced and funny, with some interesting twists, and few distracting editing errors. There’s a sprinkling of teenage romance but nothing too mushy or icky.
This is intended as book 1 of a series and does end with something of a cliffhanger, but is a decent read stand-alone.
Serious student Nat is dragged down to the woods for a live-action role-playing (LARP) session with her boyfriend and his fellow nerds. There they run into a dying elf, a magic sword, and a portal to a fantasy realm. Obviously, they go through and find themselves up against a real war of real swords and sorcery. They work together, discover unexpected talents, etc.
While the premise is hardly original, this is a well-written story with good characters, fast-paced and funny, with some interesting twists, and few distracting editing errors. There’s a sprinkling of teenage romance but nothing too mushy or icky.
This is intended as book 1 of a series and does end with something of a cliffhanger, but is a decent read stand-alone.
February 6, 2018
Received an ARC copy for an honest review.
As a girl who grew up playing pretend and even roleplaying/LARPing as a young adult and adult, this book appealed to me; hence why I was excited to read it. The cover didn't really draw me in, but the description was enough for me to want to pick it up.
I have one very large pet peeve with this story: It jumped back and forth between reality and the fantasy elements so much that my head spun. It was so easy to become disconnected and no longer care about what was happening. I like a certain flow to the style of writing when I read a book and this lacked that.
I did, however, enjoy the characters for the most part. Being teenagers they annoyed me a bit, as teenagers seem to do these days. They had enough depth, though, that I began to find myself caring about them. This is one of the most important things for me when I read a story. If I can't care about your characters, I won't care for your book.
The concept of going to another realm is not new to me and the author did a decent job with world building. It didn't fall completely flat as I was afraid that it would.
Overall, I liked it. It didn't awe me, but I found myself smiling a decent amount and that's in the end what has me rating this a 3-star.
February 7, 2018
I think I would've like this more if I could've gotten into the writing style. It's a fun idea - teens LARPing stumble across a fantasy realm. I watched that movie with the LARPing and thought it was fun. What really did me in the from the start, through, is how the story went back and forth between fantasy/reality so fast without any real breaks in the story. Flip-flopping. It immediately put me at a distance from the story, and thus from the characters.
Because of this, I don't think I ever connected with the characters. Which is sad, because YA fantasy is one of my favorite genres. And reality mixing with fantasy is a common thing - one I have always liked.
Which is why I'm sad to give this only 2 stars. I just can't get over the disconnect I felt with the story and the characters.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Because of this, I don't think I ever connected with the characters. Which is sad, because YA fantasy is one of my favorite genres. And reality mixing with fantasy is a common thing - one I have always liked.
Which is why I'm sad to give this only 2 stars. I just can't get over the disconnect I felt with the story and the characters.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
February 3, 2017
3.5 Stars
If you would like to see all my thoughts on this book, be sure to check out the review on my blog:
www.abooktropolis01.blogspot.co.za
But here is a snippet and overview of what I thought:
Overall, the book was enjoyable. There was never a dull moment and whilst the story did present itself as humorous on some occasions, I didn't always get the humor. But other than that, it was a delightful quick read.
If you would like to see all my thoughts on this book, be sure to check out the review on my blog:
www.abooktropolis01.blogspot.co.za
But here is a snippet and overview of what I thought:
Overall, the book was enjoyable. There was never a dull moment and whilst the story did present itself as humorous on some occasions, I didn't always get the humor. But other than that, it was a delightful quick read.
December 30, 2016
The main character is annoying, wishy-washy, and is just constantly pissed off. Her friends are just as annoying in their own separate ways. Nobody grows in this story, which makes it rather irritating to read. All that being said, I did finish it because I had to know how it would end. Not sure if I'll read the next book in the series or not...
January 19, 2017
It took me a while (about one third of the pages) to get in the book because of the background history part. Once I got past it: plenty of action and depth in characters!
An uncommon group of people who take on the battle to save the world as they know it.
Plenty of unexpected victories.
All in all a good read, but because of the slow start three stars.
An uncommon group of people who take on the battle to save the world as they know it.
Plenty of unexpected victories.
All in all a good read, but because of the slow start three stars.
December 21, 2016
A fun ride
Yay! A female protagonist. I enjoyed the English street street slang take on portal fantasy. Some dorky D&D larpers fill out very crew. Elves, dwarves, magic and of course Trolls make for a grand funny adventure.
Yay! A female protagonist. I enjoyed the English street street slang take on portal fantasy. Some dorky D&D larpers fill out very crew. Elves, dwarves, magic and of course Trolls make for a grand funny adventure.
January 6, 2019
An extremely frustrating book.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews