By Eilish Fisher (author) , Dermot Flynn (illustrator)
"A classic quest story set in pre-historic Ireland, told in verse,"
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October 2024 Debut of the Month
This absorbing verse novel tells the tale of Fia and her best friend, Solas the snow deer, as they set off on a quest through the deepest, darkest mid-winter to find the mythical Deer Mother and persuade her to spark the return of warmer days after three long, desperate years of cold and snow.
Accompanied by Fia’s cousin Mish, they face an array of dangers including terrifying Shadows who tempt Fia to give up, while she knows that if they find the Deer Mother, there may be a terrible price to pay for her help.
The story is told in verse, the short sentences and vivid images making it highly accessible while emphasising the mysticism and timelessness of the story.
Dermot Flynn’s atmospheric illustrations increase the drama, colour seeping in as the trio near the end of their journey. Readers who enjoy this may also like Sophie Kirtley’s The Wild Way Home , another prehistoric adventure built on human animal friendship.
Born under the same solstice sky thirteen years ago, Fia and her snow deer Solas have always had a powerful and unbreakable connection. But as Fia's village face a seemingly eternal winter, they turn their sights to Solas and an ancient prophecy that promises the return of sunlight and life, if the ultimate sacrifice is made . . .
Read the full description
Refusing to allow the worst to happen, Fia and her cousin Mish run from the village with Solas, seeking out the Deer Mother - the mythical being who wakes the sun at the winter solstice and who might be their only hope.
But the wilderness is harsh and shadows lurk at every turn. Can they make it to the Deer Mother? And, if they do, what choices will Fia face to bring back the sun and save her village?
A powerful and beautiful tale set in snowy pre-historic Ireland, about hope, kindness and the power of friendship, from exceptional new writing talent, Eilish Fisher, brought to life with stunning illustrations from Dermot Flynn.
'Tender, hopeful and thrillingly wild ' Abi Elphinstone, bestselling author of Sky Song
'A beautiful, lyrical read full of love, hardship and hope . . . I cannot recommend this book highly enough.' Reading Zone, five star review
'Visually delicious and lyrically lovely' Oliver Callen, RTÉ Radio One
'A stunning debut, which should become a classic, with immediate appeal for fans of writers like Michelle Paver and Abi Elphinstone.' The Irish Times
'An otherworldly debut' Image Magazine
'Writing and illustration of equal beauty' Sara Keating, Best Books of 2024 selection, The Irish Times
Eilish Fisher lives in a small coastal town in Co. Wicklow with her husband and son. Eilish received both a Words Ireland mentorship and a full Literary Bursary Award from the Arts Council of Ireland.
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A great poetic book, with really good pictures, it has a wintery feel and would be great to cosy up with in the colder months.
This is not at all like the books I normally read, but it was great and I really enjoyed reading it. It tells the story of Fia through poetry (not the rhyming kind) so the language is very poetic, but the story is still very clear, interesting and exciting. Fia must bring back the sun to save her village from eternal winter. The village wants to sacrifice her snow deer and she needs to go on a journey to bring back sun so that Solas (the snow deer) is safe. The story is also about the sacrifices she has to make.
The pictures are great - it is all in grey (black/white) and yellow with the amount of yellow building through the final part of the book adding to the tension and the whole experience of reading the book.... Read Full Review
A beautiful book about a wintery journey.
In a time long ago, it is always winter. Everyone in Fia's settlement is hungry, worried and desperate for spring to come again. They think they should sacrifice Solas, the last snow deer, in order to ensure spring's return. Fia is upset at the idea of her deer being sacrificed in this way, but her Grandmother, who is the village shaman, tells her to make a journey to find the Deer Mother. Fia, the Deer and her cousin Mish who comes with her on the journey face many hardships, including wolves, hunger and evil shadows. An interesting thing about the story is that it's written entirely in poetry. I was worried at first that I wouldn't understand what was going on, but I thought it worked really well; it made the story more atmospheric and memorable.... Read Full Review
A beautiful legend of Fia and her friend the last snow deer. The amazing pictures show the story of their fight to reclaim the summer sun. Will they get to the Deer Mother in times before the solstice?
This book is a legend of Fia journeying to try and get back the summer for her people before the solstice ends. She is travelling with her cousin and the last snow deer. The snow deer is her good friend that she will have to let go in order to save the summer sun. They are trying to find the Deer Mother to bring back the summer. The story is a little bit like a poem in how it is written on the page. There are beautiful pictures that show you the light and dark in Fia's story.... Read Full Review
Born under the same solstice sky thirteen years ago, Fia and her snow deer Solas have always had a powerful and unbreakable connection. But as Fia's village face a seemingly eternal winter, they turn their sights to Solas and an ancient prophecy that promises the return of sunlight and life, if the ultimate sacrifice is made . . .Refusing to allow the worst to happen, Fia and her cousin Mish run from the village with Solas, seeking out the Deer Mother - the mythical being who wakes the sun at the winter solstice and who might be their only hope.But the wilderness is harsh and shadows lurk at every turn.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed Fia and the Last Snow Deer and determined it is suitable for children aged 9-12 years old
Fia and the Last Snow Deer features in the following genres: Featured Books for 9+ readers, Featured Books for 11+ readers, Books Reviewed by our Reader Review Panels, Debuts of the Month, Recommendations, Animal Stories, Stories in Verse, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational
Paperback, Hardback. £8.09, down from the £8.99 cover price. In Stock.
Fia and the Last Snow Deer was written by Eilish Fisher and published by Puffin an imprint of Penguin Random House Children's UK
Fia and the Last Snow Deer has 264 pages
£8.09, reduced from £8.99. In Stock.
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