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Junior
Collins
Hardback £10.99
ISBN: 0007170718
Reviewed by Lee Weatherly
[Armadillo 6.2 Summer 2004]
When Peers father dies, leaving him an orphan, he cant imagine life getting any worse. But then his uncles, the Grimsson brothers, take him in for evil reasons of their own, and Peer realises what 'worse really means. When he discovers what they really want of him ¨ to barter him away into slavery to the trolls of Troll Fell ¨ he is determined to stop them at any cost. But then the stakes get even higher, with the family of his new friend Hilde being threatened by his uncles greed, and Peer must choose between his own freedom and helping those he loves.
Langrishs first novel resonates with the strength and assurance of a classic. The wonder of Troll Fell is the wonder of all fairy tales: utterly down to earth and believable, yet rich with magic. This is a world where trolls infest farms like rats (there is a wonderful scene with Hilde shooing one away with a broom), and where a sulky house-spirit called a nis might help a lonely boy to escape ¨ or then again, might not. A wonderfully fun, atmospheric read, hugely recommended for readers of around nine and above. This is one that adults are sure to love as well.