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The Wizard's War #1
The Troll's Grindstone
To escape his enemies, Leif agreed to impersonate the long-lost Fridmarr. But Fridmarr was one of the Alfar, as Leifr learned when he was taken into the legendary Alfar realm and given a magic jewel to aid the deception.
Fridmarr, he soon discovered, was hated by everyone. Forty years before, he had betrayed his people by helping the evil, powerful wizard Sorkvir despoil their land and destroy their weapons with a spell. Not content with that, Fridmarr had then betrayed Sorkvir, and Sorkvir had vowed to torture him to death if he ever appeared again in the Alfar realm.
To save himself, Leifr needed only to get his hands on a certain magic sword and then find the troll's grindstone to sharpen it. But Sorkvir had hidden the grindstone. And the magic sword was hanging on the wall of Sorkvir's throne room!
Fridmarr, he soon discovered, was hated by everyone. Forty years before, he had betrayed his people by helping the evil, powerful wizard Sorkvir despoil their land and destroy their weapons with a spell. Not content with that, Fridmarr had then betrayed Sorkvir, and Sorkvir had vowed to torture him to death if he ever appeared again in the Alfar realm.
To save himself, Leifr needed only to get his hands on a certain magic sword and then find the troll's grindstone to sharpen it. But Sorkvir had hidden the grindstone. And the magic sword was hanging on the wall of Sorkvir's throne room!
342 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 1, 1986
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
May 4, 2015
I read this years ago and never found the rest of the series (I think this one is not the first installment).
August 22, 2021
I wish I had taken a weekend to read this cover to cover. It has been an incredible journey from beginning to end, with many surprising revelations and alliance changes. I can’t wait to see what the remaining 3 books have in store!
I particularly enjoyed the authors authenticity when writing about the dokkalfar and the ljosalfar (dark and light elves) of nordic mythology. She clearly demonstrates that she researched existing mythology and poetic eddas before writing this epic saga.
I particularly enjoyed the authors authenticity when writing about the dokkalfar and the ljosalfar (dark and light elves) of nordic mythology. She clearly demonstrates that she researched existing mythology and poetic eddas before writing this epic saga.
September 4, 2024
Overall I really enjoyed this book. However, it was very difficult to pronounce and recognize names. Some names are rather long and look quite similar to others. Which caused some confusion early on. But I'm glad I stuck with it. Great writing and a great story.
March 13, 2020
Loved it as a teen and still do today, some 30 years later.
Once I pick it up, I just have to finish it.
Once I pick it up, I just have to finish it.
December 24, 2023
This one is a long slog through endless dark volcanic terrain punctuated by battles in which the good guys beat the bad guy - found this one hard going . . .
January 25, 2017
"We are at war, and during wars, people die."
This is one of my all time favorite books and I have read it several times and wish someone would turn this onto movie.
It was the first of her books that I read. While waiting for the others to come out, I read her earlier works. Which were all fine (except for "The Elves and the Otter Skin" which I found dreadfully dull).
Boyer's previous books were stand-a-lone stories set in the same realm. "The Troll's Grindstone" is the first in a four book series titled "The Wizard's War". I suspect her publisher had asked for a series (seeing as they were all the rage back in the 1980s). Unfortunately, the rest of the books in the series do not measure up. "The Curse of Slagfid" is a solid follow up, but much less happens in it than in this one. "The Dragon's Carbuncle" is much weaker. And the concluding "Lords of Chaos" was, erm, a chaotic mess - I think she just wanted to get the series over with (or perhaps the publisher was pushing her to get the books out faster).
The biggest problem most people have with the book is the names. They do not lightly roll off an English speakers tongue (Leifr, Raudbjorn, Gotiskolker, Ofrodursknoll). But if you are looking for Norse flavored fantasy, this is probably one of the best.
The story is fast moving, with lots happening - which is why follow up "The Curse of Slagfid" seemed so slow.
I would summarize it as follows:
"In a bid to escape his enemies, Leifr, a young Viking, agrees to escape into the Alfar realm and assume the identity of the long-lost Fridmarr, only to discover that Fridmarr is hated by everyone in the realm. The Alfar hate him because he betrayed them and destroyed their lands by working with the evil wizard Sorkvir. To top that off, he then betrayed Sorkvir. Friendless and despised by all, Leifr teams up with an inept wizard and tries to right the wrongs of of the man he is impersonating - all the time being goaded and manipulated by the mysterious Gotiskolker."
It is very much an out-of-the-fire and -into-the-frying-pan situation for our hero.
This is one of my all time favorite books and I have read it several times and wish someone would turn this onto movie.
It was the first of her books that I read. While waiting for the others to come out, I read her earlier works. Which were all fine (except for "The Elves and the Otter Skin" which I found dreadfully dull).
Boyer's previous books were stand-a-lone stories set in the same realm. "The Troll's Grindstone" is the first in a four book series titled "The Wizard's War". I suspect her publisher had asked for a series (seeing as they were all the rage back in the 1980s). Unfortunately, the rest of the books in the series do not measure up. "The Curse of Slagfid" is a solid follow up, but much less happens in it than in this one. "The Dragon's Carbuncle" is much weaker. And the concluding "Lords of Chaos" was, erm, a chaotic mess - I think she just wanted to get the series over with (or perhaps the publisher was pushing her to get the books out faster).
The biggest problem most people have with the book is the names. They do not lightly roll off an English speakers tongue (Leifr, Raudbjorn, Gotiskolker, Ofrodursknoll). But if you are looking for Norse flavored fantasy, this is probably one of the best.
The story is fast moving, with lots happening - which is why follow up "The Curse of Slagfid" seemed so slow.
I would summarize it as follows:
"In a bid to escape his enemies, Leifr, a young Viking, agrees to escape into the Alfar realm and assume the identity of the long-lost Fridmarr, only to discover that Fridmarr is hated by everyone in the realm. The Alfar hate him because he betrayed them and destroyed their lands by working with the evil wizard Sorkvir. To top that off, he then betrayed Sorkvir. Friendless and despised by all, Leifr teams up with an inept wizard and tries to right the wrongs of of the man he is impersonating - all the time being goaded and manipulated by the mysterious Gotiskolker."
It is very much an out-of-the-fire and -into-the-frying-pan situation for our hero.
April 15, 2013
This was the first Elizabeth Boyer book I read. I didn't realize at first that it was the first of a series. I am usually not interested in reading series unless they are all completely published. I was hooked from the first chapter. When I finished it, I had to find more of her books. I filled the interim between the trilogy releases with other previously published works.
I would recommend this book and the whole series. The second book was a little weak, in my opinion, but the following books made up for it.
I would recommend this book and the whole series. The second book was a little weak, in my opinion, but the following books made up for it.
August 12, 2021
Elizabeth Boyer is an oft-overlooked fantasy author from the 1980s, but she is worth seeking out. Setting her books against a backdrop of Scandinavian myth and folklore, her works convey a true feel for the way the magical realm of the Alfar was believed to interact with our realm when these myths were believed to be real.
The Troll's Grindstone is by far Boyer's best effort in the Wizard's War series. Her growth as a writer begins to truly display itself during this work, showing a more complex plot structure, greater depth of character, and a protagonist that is much more likeable.
The Troll's Grindstone is by far Boyer's best effort in the Wizard's War series. Her growth as a writer begins to truly display itself during this work, showing a more complex plot structure, greater depth of character, and a protagonist that is much more likeable.
September 16, 2023
Almost couldn't finish.
There was potential.
There was no execution.
First off, the cover art was barf.
Second, none of the characters were likeable, and I could never quite tell what their motivations were, which was annoying.
Third, the prose was very bland. Nothing was said in an original way. After having just finished a Patrick rothfuss book, the prose here made me cringe.
Overall, I wouldn't recommend.
There was potential.
There was no execution.
First off, the cover art was barf.
Second, none of the characters were likeable, and I could never quite tell what their motivations were, which was annoying.
Third, the prose was very bland. Nothing was said in an original way. After having just finished a Patrick rothfuss book, the prose here made me cringe.
Overall, I wouldn't recommend.
June 4, 2016
Every year I have to fit at least one cheesy fantasy novel into the mix. Elizabeth Boyer books fit the profile perfectly, and I can often find them for 25 cents. After a few books though it starts to be really formulaic. A first I enjoyed her twist on the mythological elements in her fantasy, but when the plot is recycled through a few books it gets old.
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April 25, 2009Read this whole series as a teenager and loved it! I've been trying to think of the author's name for at least a month and it finally came to me yesterday!
Medieval fantasy with a Scandinavian setting.
Medieval fantasy with a Scandinavian setting.
June 14, 2010
This is another great read from Elizabeth Boyer based in the mythology and folklore of the cold north. They have gone out of print, sad and a shame but if you can find them at a descent price you won't be disappointed. I ran down most anything I could find by her "back when".
August 27, 2015
Bought this book so so so long ago. I was used to the "english" type of fantasy story. This one is based on Norse traditions. It was SOOOOO exciting because it was so different! Love this book. I have two copies. One I marked up with all my favorite parts, and one which I keep on my shelf.
June 22, 2010
Not bad fantasy fare. Most predictable but there are several hidden plot twists.
February 23, 2014
Fantastic book. I loved the ties to Viking society. Wonderfully complex characters, and I'm kinda bummed that I don't have the other books in the series.
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June 14, 2016I liked the first one
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 19, 2016
Same as The Wizard and the Warlord. Pulp fantasy, read when young, still have fond memories.
December 6, 2016
Starts out slowly but eventually becomes a good read overall.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews