Trollgrave is a standalone novel set in the Windborn series created by Alex S. Bradshaw, a dark fantasy proposal with Nordic influences. God-Speaker Alvir Einarson lives as a wandering healer, trying to protect and save as many people as possible; he often regrets the impossibility of helping as many people as he would like. When he accepts a request to check on other god-speaker, he won't imagine that this journey will be a changing point for his life.

Together with a group of warriors, he will enter into the Forest of Broken Trolls, in a dangerous journey that will discover dark powers and that gods can't protect everybody; not only that, but his own powers and faith will be tested. Something stirs inside the Forest of Broken Trolls, and if it isn't stopped soon, the whole lands will be in danger.

As the book is told in a close first person, following the own Alvin, we get to know him really well; he's a really likeable character, and is defined by the trust he puts into the gods. However, when he becomes a Windborn, this faith will be tested, as the image attached to this condition means being severed from the gods. He deeply cares about those that accompany him, and on many points, he will put himself in danger if that means the possibility of saving others.
The rest of the group is also likeable, filling some archetypes that could be derived from the classic DnD party, but adapted to Bradshaw's world. They are well fleshed, characters that are influenced by their past, and not all of them bode well with Alvin's personality, but still, they put their differences aside for a greater good.

Bradshaw's prose is descriptive, but it still manages to maintain a great balance between it and the pacing, which is relatively fast; as a consequence, you can submerge yourself into this Nordic world, as the images created are vivid and detailed. The atmosphere is oppressive by moments, especially when the tension rises, but it's well balanced with some light-hearted moments, those campfire gatherings that are attached to those kind of quests.

If you are looking for a Nordic adventure with great characters, a well-fleshed world and an interesting plot, Trollgrave is certainly a great choice; a standalone alone story that leaves you craving for more of the Windborn Saga.