Release Date: June 30, 2015
Illustrated by: Sean Murray
Publisher: Hot Key Books
Series: Trollhunters, Book 1
Rated: YA/MG 13+
Format: Paperback
Source: Pansing
Buy: Available at all good bookstores!
Goodreads ● Website (GdT) ● Website (DK)
You are food.
Those muscles you flex to walk, lift, and talk? They're patties of meat topped with chewy tendon.
That skin you've paid so much attention to in mirrors? It's delicious to the right tongues, a casserole of succulent tissue.
And those bones that give you the strength to make your way in the world? They rattle between teeth as the marrow is sucked down slobbering throats.
There are monsters out there, you see – with monstrous appetites.
In San Bernardino, California, children are going missing.
The townspeople don't believe the rumours of trolls, but fifteen-year-old Jim Jnr knows that they're a very real threat. At night, is anyone safe?
TROLLHUNTERS is a funny, gruesome and undeniably del Toro-esque adventure perfect for teen readers and fans of Pan's Labyrinth.
Those muscles you flex to walk, lift, and talk? They're patties of meat topped with chewy tendon.
That skin you've paid so much attention to in mirrors? It's delicious to the right tongues, a casserole of succulent tissue.
And those bones that give you the strength to make your way in the world? They rattle between teeth as the marrow is sucked down slobbering throats.
There are monsters out there, you see – with monstrous appetites.
In San Bernardino, California, children are going missing.
The townspeople don't believe the rumours of trolls, but fifteen-year-old Jim Jnr knows that they're a very real threat. At night, is anyone safe?
TROLLHUNTERS is a funny, gruesome and undeniably del Toro-esque adventure perfect for teen readers and fans of Pan's Labyrinth.
It is unfortunate that I haven’t seen anything by Guillermo del Toro (yet). When I got the opportunity to read Trollhunters, co-authored by the famous filmmaker, I immediately took the chance. I’ve seen bits and pieces of Pan’s Labyrinth and have endlessly drooled over the cinematography and set for Crimson Peak but this really sets what I can expect from his films: dark and magical stories. All, of course, with a touch of creepy.
This series reminds me so much of the fantasy series I devoured in middle school–Fablehaven, Percy Jackson...a young hero discovers a magical world and nothing is the same. I actually haven’t ever read a book about trolls–well, I’m not going to include Amanda Hocking’s series because they aren’t portrayed as the traditional “trolls” in epic fantasy–so this was a great first. I’m just hoping that since this book was written by two filmmakers, they’ll maybe make it into a film one day. MY FINGERS ARE CROSSED.
I loved the dynamic that developed between the characters. Jim’s character was great–truly fit the role of the awkward teen male hero who at first has no idea what to do. Tub, his friend, was also perfect for the comical sidekick. They both were a brilliant duo who face the challenges ahead, all with the hilarity of a middle-grade-meets-young-adult series. Things truly aren’t what they seem and from a quarter into the book it’s made clear. I won’t give too much away, but there are quite a few twists here and there.
I’m glad that this one is a series, as even though it could have been a standalone, I’m super eager to see what comes next. Paired with absolutely gorgeous illustrations that capture the brilliant world that del Toro and Kraus have created, Trollhunters is the perfect story for fantasy readers of all ages. As I’ve said, I’m very excited to see where these two creative minds take us next.
If you like this, try...
- Fablehaven by Brandon Mull ● Goodreads
- The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani ● Goodreads
