Lightfall: Shadow of the Bird

by Tim Probert, Tim Probert (Illustrator)

Overview

Notes From Your Bookseller

Bea and Cad’s journey proves anything but predictable, with an expanding cast of lovable characters and a compelling assortment of shifting stakes. The world of Irpa is in danger, but getting to the bottom of it isn’t as easy as it once seemed.

New York Times bestselling author Faith Erin Hicks says of Lightfall: “Gorgeous artwork and a lovable heroine make Lightfall the series I wish I'd had as a kid.”

In the second installment of the award-winning, critically acclaimed Lightfall series, Bea and Cad continue their quest to stop Kest, the mythic bird who stole the sun. Perfect for middle grade fans of Amulet and Avatar the Last Airbender, Lightfall: Shadow of the Bird is another breathtaking journey into the magical world of Irpa, where epic battles and powerful creatures abound.

After a battle that nearly cost them their lives, Bea and Cad awaken in the hidden settlement of the Arsai, mysterious creatures who can glimpse into the future. The Arsai’s vision paints a dire picture for their planet, as the bird Kest Ke Belenus—now awoken from a restless slumber—threatens to destroy all the Lights of Irpa. Desperate for a solution, Bea and Cad seek out the help of a water spirit known as Lorgon, whose ancient wisdom may help them find a way to take down Kest and save Irpa from utter destruction.

But when their time with Lorgon presents more questions than answers, Bea and Cad must decide what’s more important . . . stopping Kest or uncovering the truth.

Praise for Lightfall: The Girl and the Galdurian

Harvey Awards Book of the Year Nominee

Kirkus Best Books of 2020

Fall 2020 Indie Next List

Junior Library Guild Selection

2021 Texas Library Association’s Little Maverick Graphic Novels Reading List Selection

Nominated for the Russ Manning Promising Newcomer Award

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780062990488
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	04/26/2022
Series:	Lightfall , #2
Pages:	256
Sales rank:	46,175
Product dimensions:	8.40(w) x 5.90(h) x 0.80(d)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Tim Probert is an author and illustrator whose work is made of equal parts wonder, magic, and adventure, with a dose of monsters and the occasional dinosaur. In addition to making books, he is an art director at Aardman Nathan Love, working on projects for Nickelodeon, Kellogg’s, Coca-Cola, Candy Crush, and more. Tim lives in New York City with his wife and two cats. 

Tim Probert is an author and illustrator whose work is made of equal parts wonder, magic, and adventure, with a dose of monsters and the occasional dinosaur. In addition to making books, he is an art director at Aardman Nathan Love, working on projects for Nickelodeon, Kellogg’s, Coca-Cola, Candy Crush, and more. Tim lives in New York City with his wife and two cats. 

Editorial Reviews

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)

Praise for Lightfall: The Girl and the Galdurian:
Beautifully drawn. Tim Probert has created a world readers will want to visit. — Kazu Kibuishi, bestselling author of Amulet

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)

Probert’s cinematic, full-color artwork is packed with inventive creatures and vivid landscapes perfectly in keeping with the fantasy adventure atmosphere. — Booklist

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

Majestic artwork, a burgeoning friendship, and the promise of adventure keep the pages turning in this to-be-continued tale. — School Library Journal

Thoroughly satisfying, with a cliffhanger ending that’s sure to hook readers. — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

From the Publisher

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)

Praise for Lightfall: The Girl and the Galdurian Beautifully drawn. Tim Probert has created a world readers will want to visit.

Kazu Kibuishi

Gorgeous artwork and a lovable heroine make Lightfall the series I wish I'd had as a kid.

Faith Erin Hicks

Probert’s cinematic, full-color artwork is packed with inventive creatures and vivid landscapes perfectly in keeping with the fantasy adventure atmosphere.

Booklist

Probert’s cinematic, full-color artwork is packed with inventive creatures and vivid landscapes perfectly in keeping with the fantasy adventure atmosphere.

Booklist

★ 2022-07-13
Bea, Cad, and friends continue their quest to protect the remaining light in their world.

This engaging second installment picks up shortly after the revelation that Alfirid, Bea’s forgetful grandfather, failed in his task to guard the Restless Sleeper, who was imprisoned by the mysterious Galdurians 500 years ago but is awake and roaming Irpa once more. Kest, a massive black bird whose strength increases with every piece of light he consumes, poses both a physical and existential threat to the communities that now rely on artificial floating Lights. While Alfirid travels to warn Irpa’s leaders, Bea and Cad—along with Bea’s faithful cat, Nimm—set off to seek aid from Lorgon, the mythical Spirit of Water. In a welcome and intriguing twist, Bea hesitates to accept Cad’s conviction that Kest is simply evil, laying the groundwork for critical exploration of past events. The scope and epic stakes are heightened and extended through secondary narrative threads: Porcine wizard Alfirid counsels courageous young ruler Karru, to the dismay of her advisers, while jaded Kipp, a vaguely capybaralike rogue, reluctantly fulfills a favor to one of the enigmatic, prescient Arsai. The deliberate pacing and paneling of action sequences contrast nicely with generous spreads of intricately detailed, vibrantly colorful settings. Purple-haired Bea, whose anxiety is skillfully depicted through dark ribbons of color, reads White; brown-skinned Karru has puffs of natural hair. Cad resembles a large, bipedal axolotl.

An invigorating, original fantasy that’s entertaining and reflective in equal measure. (map) (Graphic fantasy. 8-12)

Kirkus Reviews