
But he doesn't have long to learn before something terrible happens. The village is attacked by Viking berserkers, and Jack and his little sister are kidnapped and enslaved, taken on a dragon-prowed ship across the sea, away from everything they've known. The berserkers are frightening to Jack and Lucy - they behave in hard, brutal ways, always fighting each other, and despising weakness in any form. Jack quickly realizes he must learn to understand them in order to survive - and keep his sister safe - but everything they do, everything they believe, is so strange and violent, and soon he will be sold as a slave, and his sister given to the half-troll wife of the berserkers' ruler, King Ivar the Boneless.
Jack's adventure is a marvellous coming-of-age story, a magnificent blend of epic fantasy and historical novel, full of mythological imagery and magic. The characters are complex and reflect the culture and beliefs of the time and place in a way that adds depth to the story. I loved that Jack is constantly having to reshuffle his preconceptions and beliefs as he witnesses the baffling contradictions of these people. At first they seem wicked and cruel and inherently evil. But how can the fearsome giant who captured them, Olaf Onebrow, be all evil if he can be so kind to little Lucy, whittling wooden animals for her to play with? Just as he thinks maybe Olaf isn't so bad, he sees him kill someone in cold blood.
This story is hard-hitting and does not shirk from portraying violence, and there is a lot at stake here. This world is a tough one, and bad things happen to good - and bad - people. Jack is not in a pleasant fantasy world, although he does seek to travel to a mythical kingdom in order to save his little sister. This is a hard place, a violent place, but also a place of great wonder and enchantment. Thorgil, the Vikings' shield maiden, is a wonderful character, full of rage and strength and an incredible stubbornness, who seems to embody the best and the worst of the berserkers. I listened to this story in audio format, as read by Gerard Doyle, and he did a wonderful job of bringing the story to life. It is lengthy, however - fourteen hours long - but it was so enthralling that I hardly noticed; I was sorry when it was over. I would recommend this to fans of historical fiction, mythology and epic fantasy, and to those who simply enjoy a gripping adventure tale. I am looking forward to reading the next volume in this evocative trilogy.
Books in the Sea of Trolls trilogy:
1. The Sea of Trolls
2. The Land of the Silver Apples
3. The Islands of the Blessed (forthcoming)
The Sea of Trolls by Nancy Farmer; narrated by Gerard Doyle (Recorded Books, 2004)
Also reviewed at:
The Silver Key: "Farmer's book is a wonderful blend of action, myth, Norse legends, viking raids, and magic, all wrapped up in a well-told, albeit lengthy, tale."
Writing Slash, Raising Kids: "It's great. Good epic fantasy, with enough twists to keep you reading, and no real missteps in plot. There is humour, though despite book reviews comparing it to Terry Pratchett... no, not quite. It does, however, compare to Tamora Pierce, though the female character is a bit of a... well, she's different."
I was dithering about what to listen to for my next audiobook, but I think you've sold me! (Especially since it's already loaded on my iPod.)
ReplyDeleteI hope you like it! I'll be looking foward to hearing what you think (in a few weeks, if it takes you as long as it took me). :-)
ReplyDeleteOh, this sounds awesome! For a moment I had her confused with Nancy Springer, but now, this is a new-to-me author. I can't wait to discover her!
ReplyDeleteIt's always fun to find a new-to-me author - I love that! I've read and enjoyed several of Nancy Farmer's books, particularly The Ear, the Eye and the Arm (a YA adventure story set in a future Zimbabwe) and The House of the Scorpion (a dystopian story set in a future Mexico that isn't Mexico any more - I couldn't put that one down!). I look forward to hearing what you think if you read any of her books!
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me of several different stories but it also seems very unique. I don't think I've heard of it before so great find!!!
ReplyDeleteLadytink - it is unusual for a high fantasy novel, particularly in the historical setting and the way the mythology and magic are woven in. I hope you'll be able to give it a try some day.
ReplyDeleteI read about this book a couple of years ago, and got myself a copy off eBay. I then lent it to my daughter, before reading it, and that was the last I ever saw of it. I'll have to nudge her because I liked the sound of it back then and, after reading your review, I like it even more!
ReplyDeleteCath - I hope you get your book back soon. You'll have to let me know what you think when you get to it!
ReplyDeleteAuctually i thougt the book was very mythical. I am the type of girl you can always find reading fiction books!
ReplyDeleteAnonymous - I'm glad you enjoyed this one!
ReplyDeleteRead all of the books-they really are amazing. Just wish Nancy Farmer would carry on writing about Jack...The world really needs more books like this one. Read it.
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