The Changeling Troll: Seattle Trolls, #1

By Leah Cutter

Christine seeks solace in books. But after she loses a bet with her brother, she forces herself to leave the sanctuary of her fictional worlds for the real one.

She hates the bar scene—the noise, the music, the people. Until the impossible happens. Christine meets her identical twin. A twin she never knew about. A meeting that will make her question all she ever knew about herself and her family, as well as what it means to be human. 
 
The first book in a new-adult, urban fantasy series, "The Changeling Troll" puts a delightful new twist on the ugly duckling story.

Be sure to read the other books in the Seattle Trolls series.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Knotted Road Press
• Release date: Sep 5, 2019
• ISBN: 9781644700341

Leah Cutter

Leah Cutter--a Crawford Award Finalist--writes page-turning fiction in exotic locations, such as New Orleans, ancient China, the Oregon coast, ancient Japan, rual Kentucky, Seattle, Minneapolis, Budapest, etc.  Find more fiction by Leah Cutter at www.KnottedRoadPress.com. Follow her blog at www.LeahCutter.com.

Book preview

Chapter One

Christine stood in the doorway to her living room while her younger brother Dennis paced up and down the center of the room. He looked so out of place there, his plaid red-and-green shirt and sloppy jeans standing out against the browns and beiges.

Comforting, solid bookshelves lined the walls of Christine’s garden-level apartment. She’d nearly squealed when she’d found them in the basement of the used furniture store. They fit perfectly under the long windows near the ceiling. All her friends were there: Jane Austen and Charlotte Brontë, Clifford Simak and Stanislaw Lem, China Miéville and Clive Kussler, and so many others. Her over-stuffed wing-backed chair sat in the corner, books stacked on tables on either side. The lamp was perfectly placed for optimal light on whatever Christine was reading. A black loveseat was pushed against one wall, piles of books encircling it. A rarely played stereo stood opposite the couch and was also covered in books.

Despite the piles of books everywhere, Christine knew where every single title lay. It was all ordered. Comforting.

But Dennis—he was a ball of nervous energy. Arms wildly gesturing. Complaining. All movement.

Christine tried to pay attention. This was important to her brother. He’d been dumped. Again. Julie? Judy? And he needed something from her. If only he’d get to the point.

So—you want me to go to this wedding with you? Christine interrupted.

Dennis turned to Christine, finally stopping, arms akimbo. You haven’t heard a word I’ve been saying, he accused Christine.

I have been! You were dumped by…Jane. And you need a date for this event. A wedding, Christine guessed.

Dennis shook his head. You are unbelievable. He spread his arms wide, taking in her entire living room. You know why I never come over? Why no one ever comes over? There’s no place for anyone else here. There isn’t even someplace for other people to sit.

Christine winced. I can always clean a path to the sofa, she said. The books were merely piled up in front of it, making it difficult to reach. But they weren’t piled on top of it. Much. She liked to read there sometimes, on a Saturday, her legs stretched out.

That’s not the point, Dennis said. At least I’m trying to date and go out and meet people. You’re buried here, already, in this tomb. You and your books.

I know you’ve never liked this place, Christine said. But it’s my home. She didn’t like the open floor-plan of the house Dennis rented. Even their childhood home had always felt barren. All those wide spaces, with just chairs and the odd table to break it up.

Christine’s garden-level apartment suited her just fine. The books everywhere. The warm wooden furniture and brightly colored pillows. The cozy bedroom that was a bed, and just a bed, and not much else. The tiny galley kitchen, long and perfect for just one. The old-fashioned claw-foot tub with optional shower. The sense of being enclosed by the earth, safe and warm.

It’s a tomb! Dennis exclaimed. You never leave here!

I go to work every day in the archives, Christine said. And she didn’t always use a delivery service for her groceries, though she did order almost everything else online.

Another tomb, Dennis sneered.

Other people had called the archives that—just because they were located in a windowless office in the basement of the library. Again, below ground, where Christine felt most comfortable.

But Christine only had to deal with papers, there. Being a librarian had meant far too much contact with people. Being an archivist was so much better.

You know, I don’t have to take this abuse, Christine said. You didn’t have to come over here.

Yeah, I did, Dennis said. Mum called. She asked me to.

Christine sighed. I know. I forgot to call her. She’d missed her weekly call with her mother. She didn’t see why she had to do it, except that Mum insisted. There were a lot of social things that Mum wanted Christine to do. That Dennis did, as well. And her dad.

It isn’t just that, Sis, Dennis said. He took two steps closer.

Christine automatically backed up.

See? Dennis said.

Christine looked down, ashamed. She didn’t like people coming that close to her. She never had. Didn’t like to be touched. Always had to be reminded to give her mother and father a hug. To call them and stay in touch. She even had to work at maintaining eye contact with her co-workers.

What was wrong with her?

Life isn’t a chore that you need to finish, Dennis said gently.

What? Christine asked. What did he mean by that?

You should go out. Live a little. I dare you, Dennis said.

Dare me? Why do you think I’m miserable? Christine said. I’m not. I like my life.

Christine heard the lie even as she spoke it. She was comfortable, but even she knew she was missing something. Just drifting. Unfocused. She kept meaning to go back to school. Get a PhD in library science.

But since she had a job—the perfect one, really, that had just fallen into her lap—she didn’t ever do much other than work and read.

I double-dog-dare you, Dennis said. You should go out tonight.

Christine just shook her head. I’m happy, she protested.

Call Mum, Dennis said. He took another step closer.

Christine steeled herself to stay where she was. Her brother wouldn’t hurt her. Physically.

Go out tonight, Dennis urged her. Go to a bar. Listen to some live music. Mingle. Have a drink. Or three. He reached out gently and touched her elbow. Live.

Christine sighed. I am. I do. Going to a loud, crowded bar wasn’t really living. She didn’t know why Dennis thought it was.

You know what I mean. Dennis squeezed her elbow and let go of her arm.

Standing this close, Christine realized again just how different she was from the rest of her family. Her mother was British, and her father’s family at some point had come from England. Her parents, her brother, and the rest of them all had that fine porcelain skin and rosy cheeks.

Christine’s skin was dark, olive-toned. Her eyes were brown, not blue. She was also considerably taller than her brother. Even her father.

It wasn’t that there was no family resemblance. She still looked like a Tuckerman. Aunt Edna had even dragged out family photo albums to show her how her bone structure was identical.

However, her coloring marked her as so very different. Her family had also teased her about being the dark-haired Italian cousin.

Think about it. And plan on coming with me next Friday to Lars’ wedding, Dennis said as he turned to go.

Lars’ wedding? Christine groaned. Lars had been Dennis’ best friend in junior high and high school, though they’d lost touch during college. His family was all Swedish, tall and blond.

The first time Lars’ mother had met Christine, she’d assumed that Christine was the help, due to her dark coloring. Despite living in Madison Valley, close to Lake Washington, Christine’s family hadn’t had that much money. It was only Mum’s inheritance from a wealthy uncle had let them buy a house outright in the best school district in the city. Their neighbors had all been rich, including Lars. His family vacationed every winter in the Florida Keys and even had a second house in the San Juan Islands.

Lars had teased Christine about being a servant mercilessly, ordering her to go fetch his shoes and bring him pizza. Dennis, of course, had joined in.

Though they’d all grown beyond it, Christine still hated Lars.

It’ll be fun. Promise, Dennis said.

Do I have to? Christine complained.

I promise that I won’t let Lars tease you. Too much. Besides, it’ll be a good opportunity for you to meet people. Which would get Mum off your back for a while. Me, too, Dennis said.

Fine, Christine said. I’ll go.

Dennis gave her The Look.

I promise, Christine said reluctantly. She would never break a promise, particularly not to someone in her family. Dad had taught them there was nothing worse than an oath-breaker.

Good, Dennis said. Now, remember the dare, too.

Christine groaned but nodded. She had both a promise and a dare, now, when all she wanted was to curl back up with her books and forget about the outside world for the rest of the night.

Dennis paused after he opened the door. You know, I just want you to be happy, he added.

I know. You have the best of intentions, Christine said. I just—I don’t think your idea of fun matches mine. It never had.

But have you ever tried? Dennis asked.

Christine closed the door after Dennis left, the words still echoing in the vestibule.

She had tried. But maybe Dennis was right as well. Maybe she should try again. Take his dare. Go to a bar tonight. Listen to some music. Like he’d suggested.

Then she could tell Dennis she’d made the effort. And he’d back down. At least for a while.

How could it hurt?

Christine walked up the sidewalk toward the bar nearest her home that advertised live music every night. The Seattle night was full of mist, the clouds reflecting back the orange light of the streetlights. The air felt soft against Christine’s cheeks and not too cold. They’d had a temperate March so far that year. Crocuses were already blooming. Tulips had started popping their heads out. Trees were budding.

Even from half a block away, the thumping drum from the live performance inside the bar felt like a second heartbeat in Christine’s chest. She was certain the main singer wasn’t screaming. He must be singing. It was difficult to tell the difference. Three girls stood smoking and giggling next to the building. They all wore similar outfits—the hipster’s uniform—skinny jeans, ankle boots, layered tops, jackets and hats.

They gave Christine the stink eye as she passed.

She knew she didn’t fit in. Everyone could see that.

She forced herself to keep walking. Up to the door.

The bouncer sat on a stool outside. He wore a black leather biker’s jacket. His face was round and white, and his head was shaved. Christine would bet that he worked in an office, probably as an accountant. The closest he’d ever been to a motorcycle was watching a TV commercial for Honda.

Ten bucks, he said, giving Christine the once-over.

Christine bristled. Ten bucks? She couldn’t afford this. She bet the other girls didn’t have to pay that much. All they’d have to do was smile and flirt to get in.

But then again, they belonged here.

She wasn’t surprised that he didn’t card her. She knew she looked older than twenty-eight.

Christine dug into her wallet and pulled out a ten. The bouncer took it. Stamped the back of her hand with something red and toxic, the design smearing instantly.

That was going to take forever to wash out.

The narrow hallway leading to the bar pulsed with sound: the drums, the people, and wailing guitars. Bobbing heads filled the center of the dimly lit room. A large paper dragon hung across the ceiling of the room, swaying with thermals built up by so many bodies.

The band stood on a tiny stage backed into a corner. The lead singer screamed into the microphone. Even this close Christine couldn’t make out the words. The drummer pounded the drums like he was going to war. Arms up over his head then down. Angry and hard. The crowd mostly hid the two other guitarists. One head, then the other, popped in and out of view.

Christine took a deep breath. She just had to endure this for a little while. Then she could go back home. She took off her jacket and slung it over her arm.

Along the right stood a long bar. Lighted shelves ran the length of the wall above it. Chinese lanterns hanging from the ceiling gave off a weird, red glow. A sea of writhing bodies blocked any path to the bar.

How long did she have to stay here to meet Dennis’ bet? At least one drink, she decided.

Christine hated having to push her way through the crowd. Like an obstacle course of icky flesh. Plus, she kept zigging when people were zagging, and vice versa. It took forever to get through.

Of course, the bartender wasn’t interested in paying attention to Christine. She fished out a bill and waved it, trying to get the girl’s attention. Even after the bartender nodded at her, Christine still waited.

The sound of the crowd fought with the band, people laughing and talking. They must all be deaf. At least they looked as though they were having a good time. How did they do it?

Christine tried to observe the people around her without being too obvious about it. Everyone here knew someone else. Maybe that was part of it. Being with friends. The snatches of conversation didn’t interest her, though: Who cared who won that singing contest on TV? Had any of them even read a book?

Even in the dim light, Christine could tell she didn’t fit. Despite being only twenty-eight, she was still older than most of the kids here. She dressed differently as well, in a loose fitting dark shirt and what Dennis called her mom-jeans, that were very comfortable but fit all the way up to her waist and weren’t tight across her butt.

The bartender finally leaned across the bar toward Christine. What’ll you have? she shouted.

Christine hated beer. She didn’t care much for wine either. She’d tried some mead once, at college, and that had been better. Maybe she could just get a coke? Orange juice, she shouted back eventually. It would be sweet enough, without the caffeine. And bars carried orange juice for their mixed drinks, right? She wasn’t about to try for some fancy drink she’d read about.

You got it.

Christine went back to waiting. She just had to drink her one drink. She didn’t have to tell Dennis that it didn’t have any alcohol in it. Then she could go home. And she could push it back in Dennis’ face that she’d at least tried.

How could anyone find this fun?

At the other end of the long bar, a woman caught Christine’s eye. She was blond. As tall as Christine. Her short hair clung close to her head, like a 1920s bob. Christine had always imagined herself in that style, but had never found the courage to try it. The other woman wore a cute brown skirt that went just below her knees. It was the kind of skirt that Christine had always admired but could never get herself to wear. Her white blouse was romantic and looked soft.

When the girl turned and looked to the side, Christine gasped.

Her coloring was identical to the rest of Christine’s family—the same porcelain skin as Dennis and her parents.

However, the girl’s bone structure was identical to Christine’s.

The same tiny nose. The same wide lips. Feature for feature, Christine felt as though she was looking in a mirror. Or an altered photograph of herself.

Seven fifty, the bartender shouted.

It took Christine a moment to realize the bartender was talking to her. She pushed the ten-dollar bill she had in her hand (more money she couldn’t afford to spend) but didn’t bother picking up her drink.

Without thinking, Christine took a step, then another, toward the other girl.

Christine didn’t know of any cousins living in the city. Was the girl visiting? A tourist? Some other branch of the Tuckerman family that Christine had never met?

That had to be it. The girl belonged in her family. Was a part of her family. Christine recognized her in some deep fashion. Felt a bond with this complete stranger that went bone deep. Like a wizard recognizing her familiar.

Christine had never before wanted to get close to someone, to touch them. Not even

Reviews for The Changeling Troll

[urbanaudreye · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I absolutely love Leah R. Carter's books and this was no exception. A tale expertly woven. The characters were very relatable and well developed. The plot is fantastic. I can't wait to read more of the series!

[tzevaf · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I received this book free through LibraryThing in exchange for my review. The story line interested me immediately and I could definitely identify with Christine! The plot was fun, and the fantastical world Cutter created was so intriguing I wanted to spend more time there. This book begs that it be turned into a series. I want to know more about the battle for supremacy, the court system, and Joe (hello!). Who is Christine, really? This book is a wonderful beginning, but dangles to the reader at the end. Give us more!

[sraedi-1 · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

A person who enjoys being underground and is in love with books? I was pretty excited initially but that dropped off very quickly. It was an extra bummer for me because I really enjoyed Leah Cutter's 'Poisoned Pearls.' I decided to wait awhile before reviewing to give it a chance to settle, sometimes books that I didn't enjoy much right away sneak up on me but not here. I hoped it would actually because I didn't want to leave a negative review but.. It fell flat, totally unmemorable.

[flusteredduck · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I received this book through LibraryThing’s Early Reviewers Club in exchange for a fair and honest review.The synopsis of this book is summed up in the title – it is the story of a changeling who discovers she is a troll. It is a deceptively simple premise but the execution is outstanding as demonstrated by the fact that I read this book in one sitting. The novel is well written and fresh, filled with good characters including a particularly likable heroine (and one with which any bibliophile will really relate) and her sidekick brother who turns out to be everything one wants in a sidekick. The take on the traditional good-versus-evil story is unexpected and enjoyable with an original slant that raises some interesting questions about what actually constitutes “good” and adds some extra dimensions to “evil” (petty meanness being the one that instantly springs to mind). The prose is a nice mixture of humour and insight and there are some golden moments of great tenderness (specifically in those moments when what actually constitutes “family” are defined). I am sure this book will garner many comparisons to the movie “Shrek” simply because of the girl-becoming-troll angle and, although I can see it being enjoyed by a family in a shared setting, this book has a depth, wit and warmth that make it deserve to stand alone. I suspect it will become a classic very quickly and I hope the suggestion that it is the first book in a series about this new world turns out to be true as I want to read more about this heroine and her world and also want to read more from this author. I really loved this book.

[emily.stroup · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.Again, more of a 3.5. GoodReads, you need to sort your shit out and figure out some half star rating systems here.My thoughts on this book were kind of mixed when I first went into it. The premise seemed like something which could either go really well or really really horribly awful. Fortunately, for the most part it was the former.Christine is a recluse, a hermit-type twenty-something who spends most of her time either working underground in the archive of the library or at her home which also happens to be underground. It makes you wonder why her skin is darker than the rest of her family because she clearly doesn't spend much time in direct sunlight. After getting harassed by her younger brother, Dennis, she goes out to a bar to "live a little" because apparently just sitting in her room reading all the time is not being productive enough for some people. (I feel your pain, Christine.) Of course, this book is really just a perfect example of why you shouldn't force hermit-type twenty-somethings to go out and socialise in public settings, because of course that's when everything goes wrong. Hear that, mum?I thought the whole changeling idea was actually pretty cool and not really something I'd seen many books about, so it was fun to explore some new territory with this. Overall, I really enjoyed this book.However, I did have a few minor problems with it.1. Dystopian =/= Horror.2. There were occasionally times when Christine would say something just completely stupid and I sat there thinking "are you an actual idiot?" Example:Christine: We need to investigate stuff more.Dennis: I'm planning on calling in sick Monday, I assume you are too?Christine: But I'm not sick.3. I'm not sure if it's because the book is set in Seattle and that (apparently) happens to be Hipsterville HQ, but I swear to god every single person Christine ends up describing is a goddamn hipster. Not only that, but I'm not completely convinced that Christine even knows what a hipster is."He wore a typical Seattle hipster’s outfit. Skinny jeans tucked into blank ankle boots. A black vest over a dark purple shirt. Emerald green hat, complete with a pheasant’s feather tucked into the band on the left side."What? Maybe they have different hipsters where you come from, Christine.4. Christine does not like spending money. On anything. How do I know that? She mentions it every single time she might possibly have to spend money on anything. We get it, Christine. You're poor and you don't like thinking about possibly having to buy things. Shut up please.On top of that, the ending seemed a bit rushed and a lot of extra questions were raised that didn't get answered in the end because the book just... finished. Also the bit about Christine's bio-parents? There better be another book that ties up the loose ends left over from this one.This review is also posted on GoodReads.

[necromage-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This book has an incredibly strong premise which unfortunately was not exploited strongly enough by the author. As other reviewers have pointed out, this might be done in sequels, if they are forthcoming. The title spells out the premise quite well, a troll is exchanged in infancy with a human child. The book explores the troll making this discovery (an enchantment kept her looking (mostly) human for all her life, until she meets and touches the human she had replaced, thus breaking the enchantment. The author continues to explore the reasons why the change had been done in the first place, and how the troll explores her new found trollishness, as she seeks to rescue her human counterpart and choose sides in a war that has been going on, unknown to all but a few humans, for millennia.Despite my relatively low rating, the book is a good read. It suffers, as mentioned, by not exploring the topic more fully, and probably in equal parts by the incredibly easy suspension of disbelief that the secondary characters show. I don't know about you, but if my sister were to be suddenly revealed as being a troll (something I have long suspected, by the way), my reaction would be a bit more prolonged than a double-take and a "how can I help". These all too frequent reactions by the secondary characters became more annoying with every instance. It is a fantasy, true, but it needs a bit more reality injected into it, especially when it comes to characters' behaviors when confronted with the fantastic.

[steven.wade · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Witty, funny and engaging.I loved it. The characters are easy to like and the plot moves fast and easy. The locations do exist. You can find the troll under the Fremont bridge. I couldn't put this book down.

[cwallen_5 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Great story, Read it through in one sitting, couldn't put it down.

[akrump-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This is the second book I read by Leah Cutter after receiving through the Early Reviewers Program. I didn't like this one as much as Siren's Call, not because of the premise of the story (which was intereresting enough), but more because of the writing style. I didn't feel like the characters were well fleshed-out, or when she tried to make them more multi-dimensional, she did it by repeating the same things over and over again (like the main character not having enough money). The actual writing itself was almost too simple for what I like - with really short, short sentences instead of a more mature writing style I would prefer. I think there was a lot she could have done with this story, and she intimates that this is an "epic" story with a Great War, etc, but then she speeds through it and it and the story ends up just being so-so. The author shows definite promise, but this particular book could have been better.

[mybookcloset · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was a fun quick read, but I have to admit, if my sister/daughter/friend (or myself!) was revealed to be a Changeling I would have had a much more pronounced reaction. And then to trip over non-humans everywhere I went without expressing much surprise, hmmm. Although I know it’s a fantasy it seems that since it started in reality there should have been more of a struggle. I think that would have made Christine, Dennis and the rest more interesting and easy to relate to. I do hope there are sequels that flesh out the characters more since it is a fun premise.

[brochettes_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed this. It was a quick and easy read with a fun premise. I was a little disappomited as it just ended when I felt the set up was complete and we were going to move to the main story. If there is a sequel and this is just the introductory set up - great, I'll read the next one in the series. If this is a standalone, a little disappointing, and I wish this had been fleshed out a little more.

[terriko_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a twist on a common urban fantasy plot, where the heroine finds out that she's got power or is the chosen one... here, Christine gets a very different surprise that clearly interlinks her story with a more standard trope. It's backwards and clever enough that it comes of as intentionally playing off the stereotypical fantasy plots rather than feeling derivative. It reminded me a bit of Jim Hines' Jig the Goblin series in that way.I loved the characters so much that I was upset when the book ended even though the basic story had been resolved because it seemed like there's so much potential for Christine to grow. I hope there's plans for another in this series!

[jaynep140 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I got this book for for free in exchange for a review. The description was so good I could hardly wait to read it. The cover, well after I read the book it really made prefect since, but as far as getting me to read it... not so much! Honestly if it hadn't been free as I wasn't familiar with the author I would have passed right by it.On a scale of 5 stars I give this a 4. It wasn't a book I will read again, and it did not endear trolls, demons or other creatures to me.The description of Christine turning back into a troll was sorta like a car wreck to me. You know the ones you gripe about slowing down traffic yet you still crawl by at a snails pace to get a look. We all know we shouldn't yet we still do it.Of course we find in the end family is quite resilient. Not something we expected from this.

[solnechnaja-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

There are a lot of different stories about ‘changelings’. We got to know them in myths and fables, but now young adult authors often use these creatures, that were put stealthily in the cradles instead of human children, in their novels. Really, almost every book written for teenagers features some kind of a hero/heroine, who seems ordinary at the first glance, but then suddenly turns out to be angel or demon or some kind of a fairy or even a troll… Such as Christine from ‘Changeling Troll’.She’s always felt herself different. When her family members are cheerful and easygoing, Christine’s best way of spending time is a lonely evening in her comfortable chair with some interesting book. She doesn’t like noisy and crowded places and avoids physical contact. But that’s quite normal for an introvert. So nothing foreboded global changes, when her little brother Dennis told her into going out one evening. Just to cheer up. But this event has given a start to an interesting story about Christine living a totally different kind of life and even trying to save the world!This novel has one big shortcoming – this is a child’s book, trying to present itself as a story about the adults. Christine is twenty eight, but she is so naïve and simpleminded, like some teenage girl. So it’s really difficult to emphasize her problems. Supporting characters are just supporting. They have interesting points in them, but at the same time they are lacking vividness. Even the main antagonist seems plain, not to mention his overflowing stupidity.The story doesn’t have breathtaking twists of the plot. It unfolds step by step, as a quest, contrary to Leah Cutter’s previous novel – ‘Poisoned Pearls’. The later showed the story from different points of view and was really captivating, when ‘…Troll’ leaves some dissatisfaction, as if there should have been more for the novel than it was. But all my grumbling should be put aside, because this book should really appeal for its target audience, schoolboys and –girls.

[clear_tranquil · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I really enjoyed the premise of a book loving hermit who slowly begins to embrace who she truly is (and loving herself even more as a result). Upon learning she is a changeling – a troll – our Heroine is thrust head first into a whole new world. The Fantastical creatures interwoven into everyday (modern) life was entertaining and believable. I enjoyed the lack of a romance driven plot – always a refreshing change.A solid, enjoyable read.

[madamediotte · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A quick and fun read! There could have been more character development, but I enjoyed the novel and like the idea that there may be even more to Christine than meets the eye. I just might pick up the sequel!