The Islands of the Blessed

Sea of Trolls Trilogy, Book 3

By: Nancy Farmer

Narrated by: Gerard Doyle

Length: 13 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

In this much-anticipated conclusion to the Sea of Trolls trilogy, Notland is no place to seek one's true calling. Or is it?

Listen to the rest of the Sea of Trolls trilogy, including the first book, The Sea of Trolls, and the second, The Land of the Silver Apples.

©2009 Nancy Farmer (P)2009 Simon & Schuster

Critic reviews

"It's a wondrous tale of hobgoblins, mermaids and sea hags, Saxons and Northmen, old gods and young bards, thoroughly steeping readers in Norse mythology. It's also a long, beautifully written tale, expertly weaving together several story lines and informing readers new to the series of crucial plot points from the previous volumes." ( Kirkus Reveiws)

The Islands of the Blessed

I enjoyed the adventures that all the characters have to overcome and finally succeed at the end.

Was amazing loved the narration

I really like every part of trie book just wished there was another one hahha great read tho awesome for kids and great narration

A Good Closer to a Trilogy

I began reading the "Sea of Trolls" trilogy in 2017. I was drawn in by the elements of Fantasy in the setting of Viking age Britain/Norway, and ended up staying for the story. Each book follows the epic-like adventures of an apprentice to a druid wizard and a brutish shield maiden.

I enjoyed this installment for the worldly lore and character development in the story, but the narrative itself felt a little weak compared to the first two books. The story definitely took it's time unfolding, and as a result had a bit of a slower pace.

Gerard Doyle did a great job narrating and voicing the characters. The breadth of different speaking patterns he could do gave life to the dialogue. It also helps that his accent is vaguely English enough for me to believe that's how people talked in and around that time.

If your looking for a lite mystical adventure capping off a three part story line, this will do.

Rich with mythology and vivid descriptions!

Would you consider the audio edition of The Islands of the Blessed to be better than the print version?

Haven't read print version but I love Gerard Doyle's voice in his reading of the book. So many different characters he finds a new voice for each!

What other book might you compare The Islands of the Blessed to and why?

The Ranger's Apprentice series. Both are geared toward youth or young adult, I'm 50 and really enjoy them. Characters have intellegence, bravery and values.

Have you listened to any of Gerard Doyle’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Just in this one series. (3 books) I love his narration.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No, just couldn't wait to get back to it and very sa it was over in the end.

Any additional comments?

From the books I've listened to, the narrator makes such a impact on the story. The ability to change voices for different characters is amazing!

My all time favorite series!

I've both read and listened to this series many times. I never get tired of it, and I always discover either a forgotten or missed tid bit here and there. The humor in each character has me smiling and laughing out loud throughout the whole series, which is truly a delight. I find myself craving the company of Jack and Thorgil while doing chores or driving in the car, which is why I listen to this series several times a year, lol. One mystery I've not solved after all this time.....the REAL meaning of the very end of the 3rd book. I won't spoil it.....go find out for yourself, and let me know your thoughts! ([e-mail])

Addicted!

I read the first two books as a child, I am pleased to now have finished the whole series in a just a few days, I loved every bit of it. The characters really came alive through such masterfully crafted words.

Awesome

I love this little series. I just wished there were more. I would love to know how things went with Jack and Jill (Thorgill) at tje school for bards!

wonderful writing, great narration

Nancy Farmer has not disappointed with this terrific series! Makes me wish for more adventures of the three main characters when the leave the Islands of the Blessed.

I cried......

Brilliant narrator and a strong story with a bittersweet finish. After starting this series back in elementary, with it being my first chapter book (yes), I never took the time to read the sequels to the Sea of Trolls. Now that I have a decade and a half later I am glad I finally did. But wow, did I not expect to have so much emotion and attachment to the characters and their journey. Amazing series as a whole and one I look forward to listening to over and over like the first book I started with.

Absolutely loved it!!!

I just loved the whole series, from the mixture of Norse and Christian religions, to the harsh reality of the times, to the endearing characters, especially Jack, Thorgil and the Bard, to the grand adventures they went on, the magic, the wit, the poetry, mythological creatures, and of course no tale would be fit without a dragon or two! Wow, I could just go on. And the narrator was fantabulous! I hope Ms. Farmer carries on the saga of Jack and Thorgil in another unforgettable series. Thank you Nancy Farmer!