Troll Fell

In the age of the Vikings, two children find themselves battling for their lives against the hideous, grasping twins Grim and Baldur Grimsson; the terrifying Granny Greenteeth and the cunning and ruthless trolls of Troll Fell.

Peer Ulfsson stood miserably at his father's funeral pyre, watching the sparks whirl up like millions of shining spirits streaking away into the dark.

But someone else is also at the funeral. Peer's half-uncle, Baldur Grimsson. Peer watches helplessly as Uncle Baldur sells his father's property and pockets the money. Peer is then dragged away to live with Baldur and his equally repulsive brother Grim at their mill near Troll Fell.

Peer lives a life of servitude, with only the company of his faithful dog, Loki, until he meets spirited Hilde and the Nis, his uncles' house spirit. Between them, they must foil an evil transaction between the Grimsson brothers and the sinister trolls who live under Troll Fell. The Grimssons want riches, and they will do anything to get them. and as everyone knows, trolls are rich… but they are also cunning.

Reviews

In Troll Fell Katherine Langrish has unearthed a captivating world. Bleak and captivating. Her style is quirky and hypnotic and her characters are instantly recognizable as someone you know, or someone you wish you didn't.
Eoin Colfer

Atmospheric, dramatic, stylish and intensely engaging, Katherine Langrish’s Troll Fell is the real thing. I’ve rarely read a more confident and assured first novel that was so mature and had as many of the ingredients that are needed to herald the arrival of a significant writing talent. Troll Fell is in turns gritty and bleak, and also magical and uplifting. I think Langrish is a natural storyteller and I look forward to discovering more of her imagination in years to come.
John McLay

The plot and subplots race along and wrap up neatly and satisfactorily in a nice, twisty ending. Even though the tale incorporates many elements common to fiction about orphans, the clearly delineated, memorable characters transcend stereotype. Goodhearted, resourceful Peer's courage, loyalty to his friends, and generosity will win reader's hearts and will ensure the appeal to readers…
Kirkus Reviews journal

…this is an exciting adventure story… Peer and Hilde are easy to identify with. The troll kingdom is well and cleverly described. Readers will love to hate the uncles, who get exactly what they deserve in the end. This fast-paced novel maintains suspense and has a nice twist at the conclusion. All in all, this is great fun.
School Library Journal

About the author

Katherine grew up in Yorkshire and has been writing stories most of her life. She took a First Class Honours BA degree in English from the University of London, winning the Sir Charles Harris Prize for External Students. Married with two daughters, Katherine and her family lived in Fontainebleau, where she began storytelling to classes at the International School. In 1997 Katherine and her family relocated again to Corning, New York State. There, Katherine joined Literacy Volunteers of America, a voluntary organisation for teaching reading and numeracy. Katherine and her family currently live in England.