The+Sea+of+Trolls

The Sea of Trolls William Merriam The book, //The Sea of Trolls// tells fascinating story that fuses adventure, history and fantasy. The main character is Jack, an 11-year boy living in the British Isles during Vikings’ invasions in the eighth century. Jack is a poor farmer’s boy who lives with his parents and 7-year-old sister Lucy in a small village. But one day, it his turn to help the town Bard and the Bard asks him to become his apprentice. Jack’s father worries who will help look after the family farm but he finally agrees. As the Bard’s apprentice, Jack does chores, learns magic, story telling and eventually becomes a skald. The Bard also tells Jack about the dreaded Northmen who live across the North Sea in the cold mountains. A wicked king commands them, Ivar the Boneless, who is married Queen Frith, a terrible half-troll/human queen. The Bard also recites the poem of Beowulf in which Jack learns about the ferocious, ugly and stupid Jotuns. He discovers the Northmen are searching for the Bard in revenge for killing Frothi, Queen Frith’s sister. One day the Bard warns the villagers that they must flee from the invading Northmen and the Berserkers as they call themselves. Quickly, the village packs up and attempts to hide in the woods. While in the woods, Jack learns of Nightmares and the Bard bestows his treasured rune of protection on Jack. Soon after the Nightmares drive the Bard crazy, and Jack finds his family is still at the farm. When Jack and Lucy are collecting food, they see some Northmen. Jack uses his magic to call up a fog to hide them, but Lucy thinks they are the knights who came to rescue her, and gives them away. The Northmen capture Jack and Lucy and bring them on their ship. Jack and Lucy travel with pillaging Northman and narrowly evade being sold at the slave market. Jack faces many challenges and adventures as he tries to protect his sister and discover a way for them to return home. The book, //The Sea of Trolls,// is one of my all time favorite books//.// The plot is a thrill ride of scary twists, turns and full of interesting characters such as, Jack, Olaf the One Brow, Bold Heart, and Gold Bristles. Jack is a courageous, intelligent, resourceful and curious boy who learns a lot throughout his journey. I also really liked how Nancy Farmer uses real events, poems and the Icelandic language to make the story seem more real. Although this book is not perfect, in my opinion it is very very close. It may be that, //The Sea of the Trolls// is my type of genre, but I think Farmer’s story is exceptional at seamless combining the elements of action, drama and adventure. The book’s only flaws are that I was hoping for more magic and, the ending is satisfying, but predictable. In my opinion, this book is a must read for everyone.

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