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Lightfall

Book Synopsis

For fans of Amulet and middle grade readers who love sweeping worlds like Star Wars, the first book of the Lightfall series introduces Bea and Cad, two unlikely friends who get swept up in an epic quest to save their world from falling into eternal darkness.

Deep in the heart of the planet Irpa stands the Salty Pig’s House of Tonics & Tinctures, home of the wise Pig Wizard and his adopted granddaughter, Bea. As keepers of the Endless Flame, they live a quiet and peaceful life, crafting medicines and potions for the people of their once-prosperous world.

All that changes one day when, while walking through the woods, Bea meets Cad, a member of the Galdurians, an ancient race thought to be long-extinct. Cad believes that if anyone can help him find his missing people, it’s the Pig Wizard.

But when the two arrive home, the Pig Wizard is nowhere to be found-all that’s left is the Jar of Endless Flame and a mysterious note. Fearing for the Pig Wizard’s safety, Bea and Cad set out across Irpa to find him, while danger fights its way out of the shadows and into the light.

Will these two unexpected friends find the beloved Pig Wizard and prevent eternal darkness from blanketing their world? Or has Irpa truly seen its last sunrise?

Our Review Panel says...

Lightfall ‘The Girl and The Galdurian’ was my starting place for the discovery of graphic novels – a foray into a genre I had hitherto avoided – and what a spectacular journey it was! The artwork in graphic novels is a hugely important part of the book and Lightfall is no exception – the artwork alone is a captivating example of a great graphic novel and a gentle introduction to the genre for mid to upper KS2.

The storyline is great too. Tim Probert, in his first full-length graphic novel, takes us on an enchanting journey through the world of Irpa, a place where the sun has been extinguished and the Galdurians, an ancient race, have created floating lights to act in place of the sun. The story follows Beatrice a young girl who lives peacefully foraging for plants and making medicines with her adoptive grandfather, Alfirid, known as the Pig Wizard. However one day her grandfather disappears and so Bea sets out to find him. On her journey, she meets Cadwallader, a Galdurian who is lost, and together they embark on an epic adventure.

Tim Probert’s artwork is beautiful, with images saying more than words alone – such as the twisting vines that twine around Bea when she is feeling anxious or fearful. Lightfall paints a rich fantasy world filled with the heartwarming tale of two adventurers and their friendship and courage. Book One, The Girl and the Galdurian, leaves us keen for more – and Books Two and Three continue the epic adventure.