Status
Available
Call number
Publication
Aladdin Paperbacks (Simon & Schuster)
Pages
216
Description
When a power-hungry sorcerer decides to bridge the Great Chasm and conquer the elves and fairies who live on the other side, he inadvertently enables a gentle troll to reach for a much nobler dream.
Description
THE TROLLS OF BONESPITTLE AREN'T PRETTY, and centuries of bad press have given them a rep for meanness. But the truth is that they are merely poor serfs -- underlings to the ogres, ghouls, and sorcerers who wield power.Once upon a time, the trolls were great warriors, respected throughout the land. But then they were enslaved by a power-hungry king, and now and told terrible stories about fairies, elves, and the other creatures who live across the Great Chasm.Enter Rollo, a handsome young troll who is surprised when Stygius Rex, Bonespittle's ruler, passes through his village. Stygius is recruiting trolls to construct a bridge to span the Chasm. Rollo wants to sign on for the task -- but is he prepared for what really lies beyond the realm of the trolls?
Series
Collection
Language
Original language
English
Physical description
216 p.; 7.6 inches
ISBN
0743424123 / 9780743424127
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User reviews
LibraryThing member nmhale
I didn't know what to expect when I started reading this book. Sometimes, the synopsis on the back doesn't give me a good feeling about the book, and this was the case here. I actually only bought it because the title intrigued me, and I stocked it so many times when I worked at the bookstore.
And I
He tells all of Bonespittle that he wants to unite the two areas and create alliances, when really he only has plans of conquest on his mind. And since he knows that his subjects won't be too eager to build the bridge, due to the deathly drop that is so deep no one can see the bottom, he enlists trolls by abducting them and forcing them to work. Rollo, one of those unlucky enough to be found in the first threshing, is at first terrified. However, he is a young and strong troll, with a mind far more cunning than most of his peers, and he soon stands out as the most promising troll in the whole camp. Stygius Rex takes a personal interest in Rollo, elevating his status even above the ogres, and Rollo starts to think that his life is turning around; that is, until he realizes how horrible Stygius is, and learns how kind a faerie can be.
I love how this story embraces the hideous and underused supernatural creatures. Just because they're ugly doesn't mean that they are all bad! I rarely read about trolls or ogres except as villians, or comic relief, or side kicks, so that it was refreshing to see some of them as heroes. The author follows through, too, and keeps Rollo ugly even if he is kind, and his crush extra repulsive which makes her so special (instead of making the trolls we're supposed to like more human looking so we sympathize with them, he lets them stay true to their troll appearance). The characterization was great, the writing was solid, and the plot was well constructed and so unique. I highly recommend that fans of fantasy give this story a try. I fully intend to seek out further books in the series.
And I
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am glad I did. The story was one of the more original children's fantasies that I have read. It features a young troll named Rollo, who lives in Bonespittle. Trolls may have a bad reputation, but they aren't the real threats of Bonespittle; in fact, trolls are on the bottom of the social ladder, almost the servants of the ogres, ghouls, and gnomes who also populate the land. The leader of all Bonespittle, the sorcerer Stygius Rex, decides he has a good use for his multitude of trolls: to help him build his bridge across the Great Chasm. The land across the bridge is home to fairies and elves and other fearsome creatures, and Stygius Rex wants to span the divide and bring the two worlds together. He tells all of Bonespittle that he wants to unite the two areas and create alliances, when really he only has plans of conquest on his mind. And since he knows that his subjects won't be too eager to build the bridge, due to the deathly drop that is so deep no one can see the bottom, he enlists trolls by abducting them and forcing them to work. Rollo, one of those unlucky enough to be found in the first threshing, is at first terrified. However, he is a young and strong troll, with a mind far more cunning than most of his peers, and he soon stands out as the most promising troll in the whole camp. Stygius Rex takes a personal interest in Rollo, elevating his status even above the ogres, and Rollo starts to think that his life is turning around; that is, until he realizes how horrible Stygius is, and learns how kind a faerie can be.
I love how this story embraces the hideous and underused supernatural creatures. Just because they're ugly doesn't mean that they are all bad! I rarely read about trolls or ogres except as villians, or comic relief, or side kicks, so that it was refreshing to see some of them as heroes. The author follows through, too, and keeps Rollo ugly even if he is kind, and his crush extra repulsive which makes her so special (instead of making the trolls we're supposed to like more human looking so we sympathize with them, he lets them stay true to their troll appearance). The characterization was great, the writing was solid, and the plot was well constructed and so unique. I highly recommend that fans of fantasy give this story a try. I fully intend to seek out further books in the series.
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LibraryThing member Inky_Fingers
I agree with nmhale. I came across this book by accident, but thoroughly enjoyed it, and it has stayed in my mind far longer than most books I read. How is it that good books like this get overlooked? I wish it could get into the hands of more kids.
Call number
J4A.Vor