Troll Blood

Troll Trilogy #3

by Katherine Langrish

The boy twisted like a cat, there was a swirl of cloak and a rasping sound. Something flashed into the air - a long steel sword .... Peer and Hilde are thirsty for adventure, so when a Viking longship docks in their village, they decide to set sail for Vinland - a mysterious place far across the perilous sea. But are the ship's captain and his sword-wielding son really honest sailors? And will Peer and Hilde ever return? The third thrilling book in the Troll Fell saga.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Novels, Fiction, Adventure, Mythology, Childrens

400 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Miss Amelia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am seriously not exaggerating when I say that the Troll Trilogy is one of the greatest series I have ever read – and I’ve read a lot of books. Within the series, readers are given hearty doses of fantasy, folklore, history, and culture of not one but two civilizations: the Vikings of 10th century Norway and the Native Ameri--er, Canadians. It delivered on action, suspense, romance, and a little bit of comedy, too.

The direction of the third (and final) book in the trilogy completely changes directions from the other two; instead of the familiar fells and surrounding areas of Norway, our characters are now part of an expedition to a whole new world (North America, in other words). Apparently, good ol’ Christopher Columbus wasn’t the first European to reach North America – the Vikings made it over about 500 years earlier, and from this piece of history, an amazing story unfolds. Troll Blood reads a little more like a historical fiction story with fantastical elements added it. I may have my terminology all wrong, but it reminds me of an MG “magical realism” story: there’s magic involved, but it’s placed in a very normal context, not overt in tone like some of your other fantasy series books. I found that really refreshing after reading so many overtly magical stories.

Plot: Like I said, this book takes the series in a different direction, and what an exciting story emerged! By removing the characters from their familiar environment, the story that develops has a bit of a suspense edge to it – you truly have no idea what’s going to happen next, because so many elements have changed. There seem to be 3 plots that unfold over the course of the story: Peer, Hilde, and Company’s expedition across the sea and everything that develops with them; the characters in Vinland and their interactions with their visitors; and finally, the emotional and psychological development of the main characters. Peer and Hilde don’t just have a physical journey – they embark on an emotional one, too.
Frequently I found myself marveling at how much action had taken place over the course of the series, beginning with Troll Fell. With each book, the plot got a little darker and a little more involved, which was a really cool progression and one that is no doubt easier said than done. I think it’s so cool how Ms. Langrish was able to progress her story so smoothly without getting too over-the-top or too mature. Books nowadays are either really superficial or have-a-meltdown- serious and thematic. So bravo for giving us great stories that amplify over the course of the series!

Characters: Peer and Hilde change so much from 12 year olds to 16 year olds, and yet they retain the same personalities and characteristics that made me love them in the first place. I love romantic storylines that are done right – and ones that aren’t the main focus of the story. It was so sweet to read about Peer and Hilde struggle with their feelings, but it was very refreshing to have more going on in the story, too. And all of the new characters were very strong and well-thought out. I personally couldn’t help but like Harald, even though he’s totally wicked! Hmm, maybe he’s one of Draco Malfoy’s ancestors? And Astrid, the reluctant wife of a Viking explorer with a few skeletons in her closet, was such an interesting character, too. I thought I had her all figured out, but boy was I wrong!

Ending: I tag on this category for series-enders – it’s a chance for me to hurrah or whine about how a series was wrapped up. I love closure, but too much closure and I think you lose some of the intrigue of the story that you had during your reading experience. I felt like Troll Blood gave me enough closure but also left a window open for me to fantasize a bit! The last few chapters of Troll Blood were just incredible – lots of action, lots of excitement, and a few “no way!” outbursts. You just have to read this for yourself!

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Peer and Hilde are offered a chance to join a viking ship heading to Vinland, it seems to good to be true. Both have dreamed of visiting Vinland and having the stories to tell from it. But when the true nature of their captain, Gunnar, and his son, Harald Silkenhair is revealed, some of the romance is gone.
Blending northern European and native American mythology in a story that has a sea voyage, warriors and a pinch of a love story makes for a compelling read.

[Kathy Moberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 3rd book in a series. I have enjoyed all three very much, and this is the best one yet. The combination of Viking history and folk tales, along with the characters growing up, is well done. And this installment has the added twist of including the native culture of Vinland. This is a children's series with much to appeal to adults, as the best children's novels do!

[Mar Mitchell]

Katherine Langrish has become one of my favorite authors after reading Troll Blood. She has wittingly written an excellent tell of adventure, Viking history, and magic in her final book Troll Blood. The characters Peer and Hilde are so well written that you actually visualize yourself being written into the story. I highly recommend everyone young and old to read the complete series.

[Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was worried when I started this book. Peer and Hilde were still around, but it wasn't taking place on Troll Fell? Some of the chapters were from the pov of a character who hadn't even been in the first two books? How can this be?

I shouldn't have worried. It was different from the first two books, but still wonderful. And again, tidbits that were dropped in the first book really paid off big time in this book. I did miss having Hilde's family and Bjorn around, but this was still a fun and satisfying conclusion to the trilogy.

[Greta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Certain aspects of this book are wonderful. The descriptive language, story and plot development are great. I didn't give it a five because for me, there was just a little too much of the supernatural mythical element that distracted me. Otherwise, I enjoyed this book as well as the other two books in the trilogy.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The last (possibly?) of the Troll Trilogy - though I can see more. A respectable and well done final book, and I'd forgive the author if she did more. I like her strong females and her hero, Peer, is a lovely young man.

[Yami · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cant believe that a simple ,childish looking book in a used book store lead me to this trilogy, talk about a diamond in the rough , the writing, the plot, the characters, every thing is measured to perfection, it is the kind of tales I adore, a kind hearted protagonist you root for, an adventure, myth and folklore. It has it all for me, I simply adored Peer.
and I think it is getting better with every single book, if there is ever a fourth I will get it with no doubt.
I think this one has the most Viking-ly aura around it, being in a ship into the Vinland. and having this trip across the seas. Peer and Hilde will face more dangers than they ever met back at home.
am so glad I stumbled into Katherine's trilogy, it was a treat.
and the extra pages in the end.

[Tirzah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun read that was filled with nonstop adventure as Peer and Hilde go sailing on a Viking ship to Vinland. This is probably my second favorite of the trilogy and it has a satisfying ending.

[Colin Graham · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not so good as the first two books.

[Pamela · Rating 2 out of 5]

She shouldn’t have wrote this book. It has nothing to do with the others. It would’ve been an awesome duology

[Helle · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’d been 7 years since I read the first two books of this Troll Trilogy, before I finally got my hands on Troll Blood. Memory of these earlier books was a bit hazy, but came back pretty quickly. I therefor do not think that the feeling that Troll Blood was “the odd one out” in the series was caused by the time-lapse in reading the books. It just did not really fit. For starters there are no trolls, not really anyway. Also, Peer and Hilde leave Trollvik, resulting not only in a completely different setting, but also different characters, since they can’t take all family and friends along.
Mind you, all these differences are by no means a bad thing. Troll Blood was still very amusing and a really nice read.

[Martyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I grew up with secondhand books and was automatically dismissive of anything modern. Then after I was introduced to the Harry Potter books I began to admit that maybe some modern children's books were quite good. And then I went through a period where I had frequent access to bookshops and began to buy any new first edition hardbacks which caught my attention. Troll Fell and Troll Mill were amongst that number. But after a while I grew disenchanted with modern publications, generally on account of the bad language which now seems to be commonplace in children's fiction. I am astonished at what writers and publishers consider acceptable, especially when it seems completely unnecessary or out of keeping with the general nature of the story in question.

I recently had a clear-out of 'children's' books which I would never desire a child of mine to read. Troll Fell and Troll Mill managed to escape that cull. I hadn't read them in years but my comments on them at the time seemed to have been favourable so I decided to get Troll Blood to complete the trilogy. I read it and enjoyed it. It's not amazing. In the first chapter the names all meant nothing to me and I was wondering if the story was highly dependent on being familiar with the first two books in the series, which I wasn't. But by the time I got into the second chapter I began to engage with the story and enjoyed it from then on. Being based around Norse and North American folklore and mythology it just about managed to avoid offending my Christian sensibilities by using only the plural 'gods' in its swearing instead of the singular.

I'm not blown away by the series. They were readable and engaging, and I could let a child read them with a clear conscience, insofar as I can remember the first two in the series. But then it depends how many other good books you want to encourage them to read. This trilogy wouldn't be high on my list of priorities - just something to fill up a space in their course of reading if they had plenty of time to waste on trivialities, rather than something to specifically draw their attention to. I grew up reading the same books over and over again, and that is the way I like it to be. I don't crave something new all the time, but want to be going back reading the books I know and love. Having too many books is often a distraction from that. I would rather be economical in what I introduced a child to, filtering out the garbage and giving them only the things that I think are worthy of being enjoyed and loved so that they don't need to waste the hours reading rubbish that I have.

[Cassondra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Children's Books Too Cool For School I'm still wondering what the description for this book said when I requested it for review. Neither the words "Troll" or "Blood," or a cover with a looming Viking ship, are the sorts of things that make me go, "Oooh! I wanna read that one!" Of course, if it had a really good description, that's because it deserved a really good description. Being really good, and all! Troll Blood is actually part of a series, and I have not read the previous two novels. Yet, a major mark in the book's favor is that that didn't really seem to cripple me. Sure, I may have missed some depth, or some allusions, but this was its own self-contained story. The story is mainly told from the point of view of a teen-aged Norse boy named Peer, who is very much in love with a girl named Hilde. A girl he's known all his life, whose family has recently taken the orphaned Peer in, and who introduces him to people as her "foster brother." Uh-oh. When the wife of a Viking captain asks Hilde to journey to Vinland to keep her company, Peer also comes along, mostly to prevent Hilde fromgetting too close to a member of the crew that is rather fond of her. However, there are deep mysteries surrounding the trip. Why is the captain so afraid of ghosts? What's the thing that it seems everyone but the new crew members know? Why is the captain's son Harald so violent? Is it true that he goes berserker? And is it true that the captain's wife is part troll? Other parts of the story follow a little Norse boy whose family was massacred in Vinland, and who has taken shelter with a local Native tribe. The tribe is very worried about the site where all the white men were murdered, and fear strange undercurrents and even stranger creatures are on the loose. What will happen if those who killed the little boy's family return again? There aren't a lot of surprises here (in fact, I'm afraid as vague as I've tried to be in my description, some things are still just obvious), but it is well-written and well researched. Although there are many fantasy elements here -- local legends and creatures are treated as if they actually exist -- there's some interesting history here too. Not that, as the author warns, this is historical fiction. But she's done her legwork, and it shows. This is very much a boy's book, although the mushy romance stuff is a little pervasive, and should appeal to ages 10-13.

[Ron Bajrami · Rating 5 out of 5]

Troll Blood is about Peer joining a viking ship called, Water Snake with his friend Hilde, to go to the new world, called Markland in Serpants Bay. The setting is in the viking ship and on Markland, and the main characters are Peer and Hilde. Peer's main external conflict is him having to deal with Harald Silkenhair.Harald always harrases Peer and Peer is afraid that he might burst and fight Harald. Peer's internal conflict is thinking about what its like to be in the new world, and thinking if Harald Silkenhair is a born killer.



During reading this book, I made a text-to-self connection. When Peer and Hilde go on the viking ship to go to Markland, it reminded me when I had to take the plane to go to my country Kosova, in Europe. The trip to go to Kosova was tough, and when I had to take another plane from Austria to go to Kosova it made me really tired. Peer, was tired to when he was on his trip to. When Peer when on his trip to go to Markland it was tiring for him too.



I would give this book five stars, because it has alot of adventure, the beggining, grabs you into the book. The plot really is worth thinking about. And the characters are interesting. It is also suspenful I would recommand this book to people who read the Harry Potter series and people who read the Artemis Fowl series, for they have adventure and suspense too.

[Jaime · Rating 4 out of 5]

Peer and Hilde are a little more grown up in this story, and take on more grown up adventures. This isn't really a light read. It is entertaining and gripping, though, especially for a kids' book. Nothing has changed. Langrish keeps to her commitment to be true to the time period and myths she's writing about, and this time, the legends and mythology of native Americans is included in that commitment.

There's a lot in this book that could be called gruesome and horrific. But Langrish handles it in a way that is sensitive to the younger audience who might be reading the books. I'll tell you, they certainly gave me some hard questions to answer, and that's good. It means the kids were listening and asking questions, which any good book should foster.

As a homeschooling mom, I'd recommend these books. They're great jumping off ground for a host of learning for kids on morals, history, legends, and any number of other things.

[Kate Forsyth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third in Katherine Langrish’s Troll trilogy, which I have absolutely loved! The books are set in the world of the Vikings, a place where trolls skulk in the hills and Granny Green-teeth lurks at the bottom of the millpond. Katherine is a wonderful lyric writer who brings this world vividly to life without ever once letting the compelling pace flag. The three books are currently available in Australia in an abridged form as one complete book called West of the Moon. I’d recommend these books to anyone!

[Joel LeBlanc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book! A really fresh mythical fantasy that is unlike anything else I have read. Vikings, house spirits, trolls, snow giants, and more! A wonderful look back in time to when Vikings traveled the world, and every culture, from Norway to North America, was steeped in superstition and magic. Langrish has gone to great lengths to research actual folklore and mythology from the various cultures portrayed in all three of her "Troll" novels, and it lends an authentic depth of atmosphere to the whole story. Highly recommended.

[J. Else · Rating 4 out of 5]

I felt this book really enhanced the series. Though I would have liked some magic from the world you get to know in the previous two books, I felt the descriptions were infinately more rich and really enhanced the experience. In this book, Hilde and Peer travel to "the New World." You get to experience magic from the Native Americans as well as the Norsk beliefs. A fun work of fiction, albeit with a slightly predictable ending. Good character development.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this whole series by Katherine Langrish There is 3 books in the series Troll Fell, Troll Mill and Troll Blood I would highly recommend you read them they are an awesome series when I read them I could not put them down the only problem is that there is only 3 books in the series there should have been heaps more I could not get my head out of he books and I have always got books on the go I am total bookworm and loved these books

[Jakethackeray · Rating 4 out of 5]

I note now that this was not published before 2007, which means when I read this final installment to my sons on our annual summer holiday, my eldest son was 15!!! It wasn't usual for him to join storytime with his younger brother but this book was long overdue and much anticipated since we had begun the trilogy years before
Lovely memories of the entire saga!

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great conclusion of the troll trilogy. I wish there were more stories in this world Katherine has put together. I will miss the character's and the wonderful way the books brought out the lore within their daily lives.

[Tara Flynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favourite of the whole trilogy. It was more interesting

[Tiffany-Krystal Bristol · Rating 5 out of 5]

The troll series was fabulous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I loved the ending it was just the way I had wanted it to end.

[jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting historical fantasy. Norse/viking stuff YA or JF

[Laramort · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ending was perfect.

[Keʻalohi Wang · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is by far my favorite book of the troll series. It's entertaining, exciting, and you really feel for the main character. two thumbs up. ;)

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great conclusion to a wonderful series. Didn't want it to end!

[Amanda C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!!!!! It was amazing!!!!!!

[Quinn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was going for 2 bucks at Basement Books. TWO DOLLARS!!! I couldn't help but pick it up.^^^^Wasn't too bad. Interesting usage of viking myths and legends.