A feast for the eyes sure to fill your heart with light even in times of shadowy darkness.” — Johnnie Christmas, New York Times bestselling and award-winning creator
“A resonant, richly layered adventure with a modern yet timeless emphasis on emotional intelligence, courage, and empathy.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
The action delivers on epic battles (especially against skeletal foes), and the storyline gives the characters real stakes and costs along with solid twists, all fitting seamlessly into the humorous Dungeons & Dragons setting. — Kirkus Reviews
Probert’s debut combines engaging fantasy elements: mysterious enemies, fateful responsibility, and death-defying action against a variety of foes. Detailed, jewel-colored art illuminates Irpa’s radiance as Bea’s journey unveils sweeping landscapes, Ghibli-esque character design, and luminous architecture. Worried Bea and enthusiastic Cad quickly become a team that readers can root for, and compelling unsolved mysteries demand a follow-up. — Publishers Weekly
Probert’s cinematic, full-color artwork is packed with inventive creatures and vivid landscapes perfectly in keeping with the fantasy adventure atmosphere. — Booklist
Majestic artwork, a burgeoning friendship, and the promise of adventure keep the pages turning in this to-be-continued tale. — School Library Journal
Beautifully drawn. Tim Probert has created a world readers will want to visit. — Kazu Kibuishi, author of Amulet
Gorgeous artwork and a lovable heroine make Lightfall the series I wish I'd had as a kid. — Faith Erin Hicks, New York Times bestselling and Eisner Award-winning creator
An invigorating, original fantasy that’s entertaining and reflective in equal measure. — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
Thoroughly satisfying, with a cliffhanger ending that’s sure to hook readers. — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
Probert’s debut graphic novel is both inventive and familiar, with unique characters in a fresh fantasy world embarking on a classic quest. — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (starred review)
★ 2024-01-19
With Kest gone, Bea, Cad, and friends confront a new threat: If they cannot recover the sun, their entire planet will soon freeze.
Ninety-four days ago, the birdlike spirit who devoured the sun was defeated after also destroying the artificial Lights that supported life on Irpa. Our protagonists depart for the Citadel of Knowledge, seeking information about the missing sun. Between weapons practice and road patrols, Bea practices the magic that the Arsai use to tap into the consciousness of all living things. Probert depicts her anxiety and self-doubt as dark, blobby ribbons or frantic spirals of text swirling around her. A recurring vision of another spirit leads Bea to question Kest’s true motivations. The Citadel’s resources enable Alfirid to finally translate Cad’s mysterious scrolls and lead the group to the site of an ancient tragedy, upending their beliefs about their world. This third series entry features deeper character development and introspection, creating a more intimate, though no less compelling, narrative that strengthens the characters’ relationships and invites further exploration of topics such as media literacy, bias, and the politics of historical record-keeping. Vibrant, expressive art showcases the characters’ personalities and emotions, the coziness of woodland camp scenes, and the striking diversity and scale of the settings the travelers traverse. Most main characters resemble human-sized, anthropomorphized animals; Bea has light skin and purple hair.
A resonant, richly layered adventure with a modern yet timeless emphasis on emotional intelligence, courage, and empathy. (map, alphabets) (Graphic fantasy. 8-12)
