WINNER Children’s Book of the Year Senior, Irish Book Awards 2024
Fia and Solas, her snow deer, were born under the same solstice sky and Fia would do anything to save Solas.
When the starving villagers threaten to sacrifice Solas to fulfil an ancient prophecy, Fia decides to seek out the mythical Deer Mother. As the village faces an eternal winter, their only hope is the Deer Mother, who wakes the sun at the winter solstice.
Encouraged by her great grandmother, Gerd, Fia is gifted a set of antlers. Whoever wears them will be warmed against the bitter cold, but it is only to Fia they give understanding of the world surrounding them.
Intending to travel alone, Fia is at first angry when her cousin Misha insists on accompanying her on the journey. Once best friends, her jealousy that he had been chosen by the villagers to be the best hunter has come between them.
In the darkness they are threatened by shadows who twist and turn, trying to trick Fia into giving up Solas to them.
Befriended by a wolf, surviving a treacherous journey with very little food they almost lose Misha to hunger.
As they finally find the Deer Mother, Fia realises the sacrifices Misha has always made to keep her safe and she in turn must now make the ultimate sacrifice and give up her beloved snow deer.
An intelligent and thought provoking telling of a fable that will surely become a classic of our time.
Written in verse, each thoughtfully chosen word is a joy to read. We are skilfully drawn into a world of snow-covered darkness in a never-ending winter to travel with the children and their animals on this perilous quest.
The conclusion, like the coming of the spring after a cold winter, is full of warmth and hope. Fia realises the strength that can come from working together, from acts of kindness and learns she has the courage to go forward and fulfil her own destiny.
I particularly loved the ever-changing dynamics of the relationships between Fia and Gerd, Fia and Misha and the latters’ care for their respective animals, Solas and the wolf.
This is a story of courage, friendship, love of animals and how important community is to us all.
The illustrations by Dermot Flynn help to evoke a mysterious, mythical other worldliness for us to immerse ourselves into.
There is only one word to sum this story up, powerful.
This book is a keeper. One to recommend. One to gift.
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