Rating: 3⭐️
I usually like the writing of Jenny Schwartz but a story like The Troll Bridge highlights the aspects of her storytelling that I think are well done and the elements that I think make her stories underwhelming or perhaps problematic.
First the positive. This is a story about a young girl, a 6 yr old whose father runs a bar in a small village in a fantasy kingdom . They are unaware of magic until a sorcerer arrives and decides that their bridge should have a troll. Which he “makes “ with his magic and leaves there with certain instructions.
Turns out Morgana befriends the small stone troll as soon does the village, giving him a name and making him part of their family and community. Even though he’s essentially a slave to the bridge and the sorcerer.
The description calls them children. No. There’s one human child and a stone boy who’s basically a slave to a mage here.
When the mage returns, he tells her and her father and villagers that because Morgana has magical powers, she going away to a school where she can be taught to use the power of her powers. Threats ensue. Including those around Peter.
There’s a whole section about Morgana at the school, being pushed by the scholars towards studying the war mage powers and the long military battles and war that follow. She grows up among losses and the fears of losing Peter whose evolution and manipulation is a major part of the story.
The battles, the deathly impacts upon her and those fighting, the emotional trauma which is only briefly mentioned, but the physical pain is often accounted for on the page by both sides.
That I believe is strangely true but the author cannot decide whether to write a fairy tale about a girl who loves a troll or a realistic twisted fairy tale version about war, slavery, its impact on the children they conscript and then consume as battle fodder, then the ramifications after it’s over.
Instead Schwartz settles on an unrealistic narrative that leaves so many questions unanswered and gives Morgana and Peter an unreasonable HEA.
Spoilers: The King’s sorcerer who sees his creations, bridge trolls, as his slaves to do as he pleases continues on. That he sees Morgana as the most powerful mage next to him in the kingdom would make it unlikely that he would leave her alone. Especially since she “tinkers” with his possession.
And Peter treated as a slave such throughout the entire story. Morgana recognized his status as such. When he is made to “disappear “ and is replaced by another, who needs help, does she help him? No. She’s focused on Peter.
That’s an entire species left behind here that Morgana and Peter have no interest in helping. Sentient beings who have the same potential as Peter .
But the story ends with Morgana and Peter happily married and back in the very village where they began. No serious questions asked about war, or heinous sorcerers, or magic or the other trolls who are still locked under their bridges.
Yes, i wasn’t happy with this. It wants to include tough subject matter but not examine those subjects too closely. I guess fairy tales aren’t very satisfying anymore. Not when you look closely at them.
Three stars for Morgana’s schoolmate who was pulled out of school to go to sea and ended up bitter and in the navy, calling herself Vengeance.
Buy link
Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.comThe Troll Bridge – Schwartz, Jenny: Kindle Store
Blurb
Magic is her birthright, but she’s fated for war.
Morgana is a witchling child from the Sighaway Forest. Taken to the School of Magic, she is taught healing and charms. As her power reveals itself, she is forced to learn battle magic.
Her best friend, Peter, lives outside the school, under a bridge. The troll boy was created to guard the kingdom.
War is coming.
To those in power, the two children are weapons. But children grow up. A Witch and a Guardian Troll will challenge the Emperor himself – and pay the price.
***
The Troll Bridge is an all-new fairy tale. Those who fight for justice never fight alone.
February 15, 2018
Language
English
Print length
215 pages
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 