Sea of Trolls (chapter 1-12, setting)

The Sea of Trolls, by Nancy Farmer, is a story full of adventure and suspense. Jack was an 11 year old child of a farmer in a small village. Set in England during the time of Vikings, Jack's small village was a target for an attack by berserkers. Berserkers were warriors who robbed and killed people for fun. Jack was captured by a group of berserkers while protecting his sister, Lucy. Lucy was only 5 years old. She thought it was an adventure, where a group of knights was taking her to her palace. She did not realize the tough time ahead. The siblings were taken out to sea. Then they were taken to slave trading place where they were almost sold as slaves. Fortunately he learned entertaining skills such as singing and playing the harp from his viliage bard. Jack was trying to avoid the bad fate by acting like he had magical skills. Jack's effort paid off. The boss of this group of berserkers, Olaf, was very impressed by Jack's abilities as a bard. He decided to keep Jack and Lucy so that Jack could make a praise-song about him if he died in a battle. They were taken back to the ship.

The two siblings did not like the new home at all: A rocking, swaying ship was no place for two children who had spent most of their life on land. The weather made the matter even worse. The cold winter storms rocked the ship, and Jack became very seasick. The ship was a stout boat, though. It weathered storm after storm. Overall, this book is very absorbing so far. I cannot wait to read more about the fate of these two young children and the berserkers.