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Leave Them a Legacy
The Tralls of Nindarry follows two ordinary children who, while visiting their grandparents, discover a hidden realm of magical beings called the Tralls and wind up on an epic quest. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Fantasy is a wonderful genre that exercises our brains and encourages us to think outside the box.
Young people today are often presented with a world facing shattering crises and heroes that save it by blowing up the invaders or performing dangerous and unbelievable stunts.
I wanted to introduce my readers to the beauty of nature and the dangers it faced. I also wanted them to realize they could be the heroes who save it for future generations to enjoy – not by engaging in incredible feats of daring or strength but by making small changes that could have a great impact.
I find the world you created in this novel brimming with possibilities. Where did the inspiration for the setting come from, and how did it change as you were writing?
The tralldoms were modelled on Badu Island, where we once lived and where we were very happy.
The setting of this story is my beloved Mt Ninderry. A beautiful mountain, shaped like a resting lion, and filled with an abundance of Australia’s amazing flora and fauna.
Of course, I needed to change some facets of the setting to accommodate the plot as it developed.
What is your background and experience in writing, and how did it help you write The Tralls of Nindarry?
I was a classroom teacher for many years, and I took classes as well in Drama, Digital Storytelling, and Creative Writing.
I also enjoyed entertaining my classes with stories of the brave tralls fighting to save their ancestral lands, but I was always careful not to impinge on the myths and legends of the traditional residents.
When I retired, I became The Storyteller and entertained children with my themed stories both locally and internationally, and I realised that even in this digital age, children love to be told stories.
When I had my own grandchildren, I wanted to leave them a legacy, so I combined some of my stories into a book and based the main characters, Bella and Gemayn, on them.
What story are you currently in the middle of writing?
My stories are complete. There are five published books in the Trall Series:
The Tralls of Nindarry
The Tralls of Mundi
The Tralls of Maruchus
The Tralls of Colum
The Tralls of Nosa
Each one covers an environmental problem impacting our natural world.
I hope these books will make young people more aware of the beauty and importance of our precious flora and fauna, and encourage them to become real heroes by taking care of their own natural environment.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Suddenly, the tralls are forced to go to war to save their ancestral lands from the evil Mr. Handley and Gemayn and his grandmother are trapped in the tralldom. During their enforced stay, Gemayn uncovers a long-held secret that links his family to the tralls. Could it shatter the emerging friendship between Gemayn, Bella, and the tralls, or will it destroy the bonds of trust that have always existed between them and their beloved grandparents?
The Tralls of Nindarry, written by emerging author Gayle Torrens, is the first book in The Trall Series; a collection of five portal fantasies set in Australia. It explores the concepts of intergenerational relationships, trust, loyalty, self-confidence, and environmental issues.
In 2024, The Tralls of Nindarry was awarded a Golden Wizard Book Prize for a fantasy book written for eight to twelve-year-old readers.
The Tralls of Nindarry
The Tralls of Nindarry is a charming fantasy adventure set in Australia that blends the ordinary world of two children with a hidden realm of magical beings called Tralls. The story follows Gemayn and his sister Bella as they visit their grandparents at Mt. Ninderry, where a simple family trip turns into an epic quest filled with courage, loyalty, and discovery. Through encounters with creatures like Machins, Sky Maidens, and the mysterious Tralls, author Gayle Torrens crafts a story that moves between reality and imagination, teaching lessons about bravery, friendship, and the balance between humanity and nature.
I found Torrens’ writing to have a gentle rhythm, almost like a bedtime story told by someone who truly believes in the magic of storytelling. The world she builds feels familiar yet otherworldly, filled with small details that make it easy to picture, like the billabongs, gum trees, and the scent of the bush. Her use of Australian language and settings gives the fantasy an earthy, grounded charm. Sometimes the prose is simple, almost old-fashioned, but that works in its favor. It’s a book that doesn’t rush. It meanders, and you follow along willingly because it feels like being read to by a kind voice on a rainy afternoon. Still, there were moments when I wanted a bit more bite to the adventure. But then again, that’s part of its warmth. It’s never harsh or cynical, just gently wondrous.
Emotionally, the book struck me harder than I expected. Beneath the adventure lies a deep tenderness between family generations. Gemayn’s relationship with his grandfather hit close to home for me. It reminded me of sitting at my own grandparent’s table listening to stories that made the world seem bigger and smaller at the same time. Torrens writes with that same affection. There’s grief here too, hidden between the lines. The magic feels like a way of coping with loss, and that gives the fantasy real weight. It’s not just about creatures and battles, it’s about love, memory, and the legacy of storytelling itself. That realization stayed with me long after I finished the book.
I’d say The Tralls of Nindarry is perfect for readers who want a heartfelt escape, especially young readers or adults who still remember what it felt like to believe in hidden worlds. If you loved The Chronicles of Narnia or The Neverending Story, you’ll find the same quiet enchantment here.
Pages: 306 | ISBN : 1507739818
LITERARY TITAN 