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A review by staralfur
Trollbundet by Margit Sandemo
2.0
Most people I know who rave about this series, read it in their teens. Many of them also say that they are scared to read it again as a more experienced reader, in case that ruins it for them. I think they're right, although I think nostalgia might help if they do.
I read this for the first time now, 30 years old and relatively well read. Went into it knowing that it's a beloved classic series, one that kickstarted many people's love for fantasy as a genre. I love that about it.
I liked the setting. I liked the potential for mystery and the sense of magic and wonder lurking around the edges. I disliked pretty much everything else. In fact, I struggled to finish it, and only pulled through because it is pretty short. The language in general is flat, the characters are ultimately flat, although there is potential for depth, and because of these things, the plot didn't engage me at all. The romance was nothing but frustrating to me, but it belongs to the story that I don't read romance novels, and often find flowery and passionate romance annoying in books. I guess that says more about me than the books, though.
I think I would have liked it a whole lot more as a less experienced reader. But like I said, I love that The Legend of the Ice People is responsible for keeping literally millions of people hooked throughout the 47 (!) books that this series consists of. And maybe it picks up in the following books, I don't know? Maybe I'll give the next one a go eventually...
I read this for the first time now, 30 years old and relatively well read. Went into it knowing that it's a beloved classic series, one that kickstarted many people's love for fantasy as a genre. I love that about it.
I liked the setting. I liked the potential for mystery and the sense of magic and wonder lurking around the edges. I disliked pretty much everything else. In fact, I struggled to finish it, and only pulled through because it is pretty short. The language in general is flat, the characters are ultimately flat, although there is potential for depth, and because of these things, the plot didn't engage me at all. The romance was nothing but frustrating to me, but it belongs to the story that I don't read romance novels, and often find flowery and passionate romance annoying in books. I guess that says more about me than the books, though.
I think I would have liked it a whole lot more as a less experienced reader. But like I said, I love that The Legend of the Ice People is responsible for keeping literally millions of people hooked throughout the 47 (!) books that this series consists of. And maybe it picks up in the following books, I don't know? Maybe I'll give the next one a go eventually...