Review: Swanfall by Sophie Kirtley

Swanfall is a magical, wintry adventure, lyrical and mesmerising, a story imbued with the wonder of nature and the bonds of friendship, that completely captivated me.

Eleven-year-old Pip has been living with his mum in Keeper’s Cott on the wetlands for four years. He is excited to welcome the return of the Arctic swans in their annual migration from Siberia to Rushy Lake, especially his three favourites: Moonshadow, Midnight and Silver, recognisable by their unique beak markings. This swanfall is a magical experience for nature-loving Pip and is an event that he helps record each year with his mum who is a wetlands ranger. But when his mum is called away to help another ranger, circumstances find Pip alone …

Awoken in the middle of the night, Pip opens the door to discover the ground laden with snow and the call of the first swans arriving. Discovering footsteps in the snow, Pip begins to wonder if an ancient story, discovered in a donated book, could be more than just a legend …

And so begins the most magical, mesmerising adventure as Pip and his friends work together to discover the incredible, heart-breaking truth behind the legend of three siblings who disappeared in tragic circumstances many years ago. Could the book Pip has found at the mobile school library hold the key to unlocking a tragedy? Could the songs appearing in the book, and whispered in the air, reveal a way to break a terrifying curse?

This is an absolutely gripping, thrilling adventure brimming with risk and danger, with breath-taking discoveries and revelations that, coupled with the short, often cliff hanger chapter endings, made this a story that I read in one sitting.

I really enjoyed the atmospheric, wintry setting on the wetlands with snowstorms and frozen lakes which have the ability to both hide and reveal, to bring both fear and hope. I adored reading Irish folklore tales when I was growing up in Ireland, and The Children of Lir is one of my favourites, so I loved how this myth is intricately woven into this contemporary story with some wonderful twists.

Pip is an incredibly likeable young boy, someone who finds it difficult to remain focussed in school, and who is worried about losing his best friend when he begins to form other friendships. He is much more confident when surrounded by the wetlands habitat and helping his mum with her work in recording the annual swanfall. I loved how teaming up with others to solve the mystery brought Pip into a wonderfully supportive friendship group with a real sense of strength and belonging.

A spellbinding story of friendship, connection and belonging, perfect to snuggle up with on a cold, wintry day to be enveloped in an unforgettable adventure.