Swanfall

A thrilling new adventure story inspired by Irish folklore from Sophie Kirtley, author of The Wild Way Home.

Pip lives with Mum in their isolated cottage on the wetlands. Pip struggles to feel like he fits in at school. But at home, amongst nature, he truly feels he can be himself.

Just like every winter, Pip is waiting for the swanfall - when the flock of majestic Arctic swans return from Siberia on their annual migration. He knows every swan by their unique markings, and he loves to help Mum record the flock as they soar, shining through the sky, to their home. But this December, Pip's favourite three swans haven't appeared. Instead, Pip notices strange footprints in the snow, whispers on the wind and the sense that someone is watching him.

Something mysterious is afoot, and the adventure to discover the truth leads Pip to follow clues to an ancient curse that he had always believed was simply a fairytale.

My Thoughts

I read this the moment it was published and have only just got around to reviewing it. And so I can tell you — since I’m late to this particular party — Swanfall was flown onto bookshelves and landed with great critical acclaim.

To my mind, Swanfall is a near-perfect story, packed full of everything I love in a children’s book: nature, folklore, mystery, setting as character, weather as character — a magical middle-grade read in which Kirtley roots the narrative firmly in place. Reeds rustle, ice cracks, and the white silence of winter becomes the perfect backdrop for an unease that feels both ancient and immediate. And the magic is a whisper, threaded so deftly through the story that the reader continually senses something uncanny moving just outside Pip’s understanding, waiting for him to catch up.

One of the greatest strengths of the book is its relationships. Pip begins the story clinging to a narrow idea of belonging: he longs for the security of one “perfect” best friend and struggles with jealousy when that bond feels threatened. But as events push him further from his comfort zone, he becomes part of a wider group of children who gradually discover that their skills, instincts and courage complement one another.

Watching Pip move from a place of guarded insecurity to genuine connection is deeply satisfying. The group dynamics ring true — shy beginnings, awkward moments, and the tentative trust that grows when people face fear together. Kirtley allows these relationships to develop with gentle, believable warmth, and by the end Pip has found not just one ally but a circle of friends who share the risks and revelations of the story. It’s a subtle arc, but one that gives the novel lovely emotional depth.

Thematically, Swanfall is rich. Nature and folklore intertwine throughout: the wetlands aren’t just scenery but a living, breathing presence, and the echoes of old tales guide Pip toward understanding what is happening in his world. There are threads of courage and vulnerability, of the pull between isolation and community, and of learning that strength isn’t the absence of fear but the willingness to face it. There’s also a strong sense of belonging — to place, to people, and to the stories that shape us — that lingers long after the last page.

The recommended reading age is roughly 9+, though the story has enough atmosphere, complexity and emotional pull to captivate confident younger readers and older readers alike.

And a special mention for Swanfall’s presentation. The cover art and internal illustrations by David Dean are striking and beautifully matched to the story’s world. The icy palette, the sense of movement in the wings of the swans, and the delicate detailing all capture the mood of the novel perfectly. The artwork enhances that feeling of stepping into a place where winter has its own voice.

In all, Swanfall is a standout winter read: atmospheric, mysterious, heartfelt and grounded in the natural world. It feels like a classic in the making — the sort of book that invites rereading, not just for its plot but for the mood it creates and the quiet emotional truths it carries.

A must-read for these colder months. I loved every moment of it.