Monday, April 04, 2005

The Sea of Trolls



The Sea of Trolls by Nancy Farmer, 2004

Reading this book is like enjoying a fabulous meal where all the flavors, , colors and aromas are perfectly balanced. No one thing stands out as the item that "made" the meal but the overall effect is a satisfying and unforgettable experience.

Jack has been accepted for training by a bard. When the berserkers arrive to pillage and burn his Saxon village, Jack is abducted along with his young sister Lucy by the frightening Norse men. He must develop his fledgling skills as a bard to save them both.

The story is rich and steeped in Norse mythology. A reader who is a fan of Tolkein senses the professor at his elbow as the story unfolds. Under the protection and enslavement of Olaf One-Brow, Jack attracts the enmity of the evil Queen Frith and must embark on a quest to free his little sister from the queen's death sentence. He is accompanied by a wiley crow named Brave Heart and his glory driven shipmate, Thorgill.

So many interests came together for me in this book, Beowulf, Tolkein, Norse mythology: this was a very satisfying read.

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