BELLA SANTINI IN THE TROLL WAR
From the The Bella Santini Chronicles series, volume 2
by Angela Legh
A young fairy discovers her true identity as her kingdom readies for war against the dreaded trolls in this middle-grade fantasy sequel.
Legh, the author of Bella Santini in the Land of Everlasting Change (2021), brings her ordinary teen–turned–extraordinary fairy back in an adventure that finds Bella exploring her true identity and helping the fairies go up against their nemeses, the trolls. Knowledge of the first book isn’t necessary, as Legh catches readers up on how 14-year-old Bella was brought to the fairy world, where she attended fairy school, grew wings, and found she had the ability to use magic. The second book picks up with Bella and her school chums, Matteus and Shibhona, as they face a very human problem: a bully named Novaq (who also appeared in the previous book). It’s just one of several instances in which Legh ingeniously tackles common human problems in a fantasy setting; the story also addresses peer pressure and unrequited love. Before long, the group discovers a troll army threatening the city, and their journey home takes them to secret underground tunnels and royal locales. The author packs a lot into this brief novel, as Bella and her friends fight enemies with fairy magic and good common sense. Bella also solves the mystery of who she is and where she came from, and it’s a story that the author knows requires further explanation; the book ends with the words “The End…For Now” before a preview of the next planned installment, Bella Santini Visits the Dragon’s Lair.This workvividly brings to life a world of fairies, witches, dragons, and gargoyles with descriptive prose, as when the characters ride on the back of Torvieto, “a winged wolf creature,” over “the inky black carpet of forest below”; Nixon provides beautiful, full-color illustrations. Bella is a remarkable, heroic protagonist, and there are clearly more tales to be told about her and her eclectic circle of friends.
A colorfully written work in a fantastical world that young and old readers will enjoy.