Sea of Trolls Series by Nancy Farmer

The year is A.D. 793; Jack and his sister have been kidnapped by Vikings and taken to the court of Ivar the Boneless and his terrifying half-troll wife; but things get even worse when Jack finds himself on a dangerous quest to find the magical Mimir's Well in a far-off land, with his sister's life forfeit if he fails... moreThe year is A.D. 793; Jack and his sister have been kidnapped by Vikings and taken to the court of Ivar the Boneless and his terrifying half-troll wife; but things get even worse when Jack finds himself on a dangerous quest to find the magical Mimir's Well in a far-off land, with his sister's life forfeit if he fails.Other threats include a willful mother Dragon, a giant spider, and a troll-boar with a surprising personality -- to say nothing of Ivar the Boneless and his wife, Queen Frith, a shape-shifting half-troll, and several eight foot tall, orange-haired, full-time trolls. But in stories by award-winner Nancy Farmer, appearances do deceive. She has never told a richer, funnier tale, nor offered more timeless encouragement to young seekers than "Just say no to pillaging." less

Jack is amazed to have caused an earthquake. He is thirteen, after all, and only a bard-in-training. But his sister, Lucy, has been stolen by the Lady of the Lake; stolen a second time in her young life, as he learns to his terror. Caught between belief in the old gods and Christianity (790 AD, Britain), Jack calls upon his ash wood staff to subdue a passel of unruly monks, and, for his daring, ends up in a knucker hole... moreJack is amazed to have caused an earthquake. He is thirteen, after all, and only a bard-in-training. But his sister, Lucy, has been stolen by the Lady of the Lake; stolen a second time in her young life, as he learns to his terror. Caught between belief in the old gods and Christianity (790 AD, Britain), Jack calls upon his ash wood staff to subdue a passel of unruly monks, and, for his daring, ends up in a knucker hole. It is unforgettable -- for the boy and for readers -- as are the magical reappearance of the berserker Thorgil from a burial by moss; new characters Pega, a slave girl from Jack's village, and the eager-to-marry-her Bugaboo (a hobgoblin king); kelpies; yarthkins; and elves (not the enchanted sprites one would expect but the fallen angels of legend). Rarely does a sequel enlarge so brilliantly the world of the first story. Look for the conclusion in The Islands of the Blessed in 2009. less

It begins with a vicious tornado. (Odin on a Wild Hunt, as the young berserker Thorgil sees it.) The fields of Jack s home village are devastated, the winter ahead looks bleak, and a monster a draugr has invaded the forest outside of town. Soon, Jack, Thorgil, and the Bard are off to right the wrong of a death caused by Father Severus. Their destination is Notland, realm of the fin folk, though they will face plenty of challenges and enemies before get they get there... moreIt begins with a vicious tornado. (Odin on a Wild Hunt, as the young berserker Thorgil sees it.) The fields of Jack s home village are devastated, the winter ahead looks bleak, and a monster a draugr has invaded the forest outside of town. Soon, Jack, Thorgil, and the Bard are off to right the wrong of a death caused by Father Severus. Their destination is Notland, realm of the fin folk, though they will face plenty of challenges and enemies before get they get there. Impeccably researched and blending the lore of Christian, Pagan, and Norse traditions, this expertly woven tale is beguilingly suspenseful and, ultimately, a testament to love. less

Three-time Newbery Honor author Nancy Farmer’s thrilling adventure trilogy that combines magic with comedy and high drama is now available in a collectible boxed set!This paperback boxed set includes all three volumes of The Sea of Trolls Trilogy: The Sea of Trolls, The Land of the Silver Apples, and The Islands of the Blessed... moreThree-time Newbery Honor author Nancy Farmer’s thrilling adventure trilogy that combines magic with comedy and high drama is now available in a collectible boxed set!This paperback boxed set includes all three volumes of The Sea of Trolls Trilogy: The Sea of Trolls, The Land of the Silver Apples, and The Islands of the Blessed. Jack and his little sister, Lucy, have been captured by Vikings! Enslaved by Olaf One-Brow and his fierce young shipmate, Thorgil, and befriended by a mysterious crow named Bold Heart, they are swept up into an adventure-quest in The Sea of Trolls. Lucy is carried off by the Lady of the Lake, and Jack and his companions set out to rescue her. With the world caught between belief in the Old Gods and Christianity, their quest will decide the fate of both religions in The Land of the Silver Apples. A tornado has destroyed the fields of Jack’s village, the winter ahead looks bleak, and a monster has invaded the forest outside of town. So Jack, Thorgil, and the Bard set off on a quest to right the wrongs in The Islands of the Blessed. less