By Matt Molgaard
2015 has seen some fantastic novels, but of all the really, really special novels I’ve read in the past nine months, none can compare to Daniel Kraus and Guillermo del Toro’s fantasy-horror masterpiece, Trollhunters. Not only is this novel beautifully written, it also makes great use of a fantastic premise and showcases the types of characters that readers really enjoy. It’s a brilliant, top-notch read that keeps you turning every page. The only bad thing about this novel is that it had to – sadly – end.
The story follows a group of misfits who neither fit in nor our This world, too, is not the underworld of terrifying trolls. But these players come from both worlds, as the protagonists are two teenage residents of San Bernardino, a long-lost boy who has made fighting his calling, and a pair of lovable trolls who just want to ensure peace between this world and the other. otherBut a serious war is afoot, and it threatens not only to spread from the Troll world to ours, but also to devour the children of the Earth without mercy. Can five unlikely heroes change the face of our future? Or will the world as we know it be swallowed by a terrible evil?
Again, the idea behind this story is commendable, but so is the sublime character development we have. Within 50 pages, the reader is sure to find themselves deeply immersed in all things Jim Sturgess, and by 100 pages, we are fully prepared to take to the battlefield with five noble heroes we have never known before. There is no doubt that these five men are true heroes indeed. The purity that Kraus and Del Toro bring to these characters is heartwarming. In a strange way, it gives the reader a little hope; hope that there are similar untainted souls walking the world. real worldbecause if there is, there is always a chance to achieve a more progressive, positive, united society. Yes, that is the power of this novel.
The plot is gripping, the side plots – especially Jim’s connection with Claire, the object of his distant love interest – are intriguing, never feeling like distractions but rather supporting and crucial story enhancements. The pacing is perfect (this really is the kind of novel you open and won’t put down until you’ve finished it), and the ending is absolutely epic.
Although Trollhunters is designed first and foremost for young people, it’s such an infectious, well-written piece of work that readers of all ages will instantly fall in love with it. Moreover, the story is exactly the kind of story that begs to be adapted for the big screen. This movie is absolutely Amblin’s masterpiece, and if Amblin had taken notice, and if all parties could have come to an agreement, we would one day have seen a generation-defining movie released. Trollhunters feels like The Goonies from beginning to end, and we all know The Goonies is as timeless a film as one would expect. Trollhunters could easily be the next Goonies, so I want to take a moment to ask the executives at Amblin to please, please, please, for the love of all that is good in the film world, make Trollhunters the masterpiece that it was created to be. able yes!!
It’s not often that I get the chance to add a new novel to my list of favorite novels (it’s so rare that I never count on it happening), but today I can say with great joy that Trollhunters ranks up there with Stephen King’s Salem and Ray Bradbury’s Wicked as my all-time favorite. This book is perfect on paper, and there’s a good chance I’ll read it a dozen times before they finally put me down. I have nothing but respect for Daniel Kraus, Guillermo del Toro, and Trollhunters, one of the greatest novels ever written.
Order yours here.
score:5/5
