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As his father’s funeral pyre burns, Peer Ulfsson, to his horror, meets a step-uncle whom his father has never mentioned. Baldur Grimson removes Peer from his home village to live with him and his twin, Grim, in an old mill outside the hamlet of Trollsvik, directly under the trolls’ mountain. The twins—fearsome, greedy, and mean—treat Peer cruelly. However, Peer befriends local humans and other supernatural creatures who provide him with information and support him in thwarting the twins’ plans. Although she keeps the historical details accurate, Langrish subordinates history to fantasy in this rousing middle-grade debut set in medieval Norway. The plot and subplots race along and wrap up neatly and satisfactorily in a nice, twisty ending. Even though the tale incorporates many elements common to fiction about orphans, the clearly delineated, memorable characters transcend stereotype. Goodhearted, resourceful Peer’s courage, loyalty to his friends, and generosity will win reader’s hearts and will ensure the appeal to readers of Emily Rodda’s Rowan of Rin series and the Lemony Snickets. (Fiction. 9-12)
