NORDLYS: BOOK ONE, by Malin Falch, Inklore, May 13, 2025, Paperback, $18 (Young Adult)
A girl travels to a magical Norway, where animals talk and trolls walk the land, in Nordlys, a graphic novel by Malin Falch.
The night before Sonja’s coming-of-age ceremony, she receives a visit from a mysterious boy who offers to take her across the stars to his home. Traveling on the northern lights, Sonja follows Espen to a Norway unlike any she knows, one full of trolls, pirates, and magic. As she slowly starts to lose her heart to this new land, she uncovers an adventure that might bring both of her worlds together.
This volume includes Nordlys: The Valley of the Trolls and Nordlys: The Vikings and the Oracle, originally published in Norwegian. —Synopsis provided by Inklore
Nordlys is unlike any other graphic novel I’ve read. It literally feels like you’re reading a movie. Author-illustrator Malin Falch’s story unfolds cinematically, taking you to a world inspired by Norwegian folklore. The vibrant colors and print quality are beautiful, and the story is one that catches your attention right away. Falch’s pacing is strong, and there’s lots of action. And the book ends with a cliffhanger that will have readers clamoring for more. Sketches at the end of characters as Falch was developing them is a nice touch.
The publisher’s suggested age range for Nordlys is young adult, however, despite some battle violence and scary monsters, it feels appropriate for ages 10 and up.
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