The Curse of Slagfid

The Wizard's War #2

by Elizabeth H. Boyer

Leifr and Thurid were in trouble - worse than usual. In Leifr's efforts to recover his lost love, Ljosa, and Thurid's attempt to escape the Inquisitors they had fallen into the hands of the evil Master Wizard Djofull. Djofull had tricked them into swearing in blood that they would destroy the curse that afflicted Hraedsla-dalur or return to serve his vile plans.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Science Fiction Fantasy, Science Fiction

341 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published May 13, 1989

Reviews

[Mike (the Paladin) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adventure, humor, folklore (I mean actual folklore, Scandinavian and Norse mythology), great prose, enjoyable story, well developed characters...what's not to like. I started running these down when when I found the writer 20+ years ago and (actually...happily) there are still a few I need to run down (at a price less than $50 of course). Great book(s).

[Arwen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A unique fantasy novel, that about halfway through sucked me in so far that I read almost non stop. I even snarled once at the Big D for trying to get me to put it down. That's a sure sign that it was a good book.

[Richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

"It gave me a genuine pain to kill Sorkvir, that first time. He was the most promising of all my pupils, and I could not guess whether or not I would be able to reclaim him from Hela."

While this is a good follow up to "The Troll's Grindstone", it is also somewhat unsatisfying.

Whereas "The Troll's Grindstone" is a roller coaster ride of action and adventure, "The Curse of Slagfid" is much less.

After being snared by Sorkvir's creator, Djofull, Leifr and Thurid are compelled on a quest to destroy the curse that afflicts Hraedsla-dafur or become Djofull's servants.

This book is much slower. There is, honestly, only the set up with Djofull, followed by them trying to unravel the curse. Compared to the previous book, I found myself wanting much more adventure. As it is, the book is too long and could easily have been a third to half the length (but I am sure the publisher had a requirement the books in the series be about the same length).

What is most frustrating is how slow the characters are to realize the true nature of the curse - something the reader easily figures out quite early on.

[Rebecca · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book because I so enjoyed the first one, Troll's Grindstone. That book was original, exciting, and very good. This one was less so. The setting was, of course, no longer unique since it was similar to the first book. The writing seemed less gripping to me, and the "mystery" was so transparent that I figured it out about 100 pages before the characters did, but I don't think I was brilliant, I think it was just obvious. However, it was still a pretty good book, and not so bad that I'm not going to read the last two in this series.

[Cameron · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very odd lol A good read though the story flowed well and the Magic system was entertaining if a bit ambiguous. I enjoyed the character interaction though good conflict though the "suprise" ending wasn't Hahahahah

[Gene Turlington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

The second in the Troll's Grindstone trilogy. Not as good as the first and third, but still a good read.

[Sara · Rating 1 out of 5]

Terribly written.