The Land of the Silver Apples

In the compelling continuation of Nancy Farmer's "Sea of Trolls" trilogy, "The Land of the Silver Apples" plunges young Jack into a desperate quest following a magical mishap. Attempting to rescue his sister Lucy from a well, Jack inadvertently causes an earthquake, demolishing a monastery and leading to Lucy's abduction by the enigmatic Lady of the Lake. His only path to retrieve her lies through the perilous Hollow Road, an underground realm fraught with danger. Joined by the resourceful slave Pega and the formidable berserker Thorgil, Jack navigates a landscape teeming with mythical creatures—from mischievous hobgoblins and deadly kelpies to the sinister yarthkins and elves, who are depicted not as benevolent sprites but as fallen angels preying on human children. Set against the turbulent backdrop of the 8th century, where the ancient beliefs of the Old Gods clash with the burgeoning influence of Christianity, Jack and his companions' journey becomes pivotal. Their actions will ultimately determine the delicate balance and fate of both spiritual worlds. This richly imagined adventure, celebrated for its robust storytelling and expanded universe, promises a personal yet epic odyssey for readers.