A Knot of Trolls

by J.M. Ney-Grimm

North-lands spellcasters who reach too boldly for power transform into trolls - grotesque villains wielding a potent magic and destined for madness.

Spanning the North-lands history, from ancient times to the pastoral present, A Knot of Trolls features seven such evildoers. Seven trolls and the ordinary youths called by chance or by destiny to take a stand.

"The Troll's Belt" stars motherless Brys Arnsson, challenged as much by his own deceit as by his troll foe. "Crossing the Naiad" presents shepherd girl Kimmer with a dangerous tragedy from the distant past.

"Skies of Navarys" follows two friends with a vehement difference, their contested decision to decide the fate of thousands. In "Resonant Bronze" Paitra and his brother struggle to claim appropriate guilt - neither too much nor too little - and thereby defeat a troll warlord.

"Rainbow's Lodestone" offers the spirit of the rainbow a chance to learn that the smallest places birth freedom. "Star-drake" stalks a pitiless troll-herald to defeat - or is it victory? - utterly unforeseen.

And in "Perilous Chance" young Clary needs a miracle. But her miracle - when it comes - sports razor-sharp talons, world-shaking power, and a troll-witch to guard its sleep.

Seven tales of magic balance death and destruction against destiny and hope.

298 pages, Paperback

First published February 19, 2014

About the author

J.M. Ney-Grimm lives with her husband and children in Virginia, just east of the Blue Ridge Mountains. She’s learning about zero-carb eating, container gardening, and the discounted benefits of getting vitamin D from exposure to sunlight. The rest of the time she reads Robin McKinley, Diana Wynne Jones, and Lois McMaster Bujold, plays boardgames like Settlers of Catan, rears her twins, and writes stories set in the magical realms of myth, fantasy, and the far future.

Look for her novels and novellas at your favorite bookstore—online or on Main Street.

Reviews

[Alisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

*3.5 stars*

A Knot of Trolls is a collection of seven tales that span the history of the North-lands from ancient times to the present. Entwined in each fairytale like story are subtle moral lessons. In this Norse fantasy world, spellcasters that reach too greedily and boldly for more power are inflicted with a disease that slowly transforms them into trolls, grotesque insane creatures with powerful magic. From the first spellcasters that become inflicted to the present day where 2 young sisters stumble upon a cure, these tales detail the history of this Troll disease.

I don't read a ton of high fantasy so I was a little apprehensive to start reading this book. However, I found these stories to be a fun and interesting read. Ney-Grimm has created a fascinating new world rich with details and memorable characters. Very well written, Ney-Grimm paints a vivid world full of magic.

One drawback of this book was that it could get a little confusing regarding the language and time frame of events . Since this was set in another world, there were quite a few unfamiliar terms and I think it would have been beneficial to the reader to include a broader dictionary in the back of the book to help lessen the confusion. While I was able to figure out meanings it would have made the reading smoother to have a page to turn to for unfamiliar terms.

Overall, A Knot of Trolls was an interesting read. I was glad to be introduced to this author and I'm looking forward to reading a full length novel based in this fascinating Norse fantasy world.

I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.