Swanfall

by Sophie Kirtley

A thrilling new adventure story inspired by Irish folklore from Sophie Kirtley, author of The Wild Way Home. Perfect for fans of Sophie Anderson's The House with Chicken Legs, Amy Wilson's A Girl Called Owl and Aisha Bushby's A Pocketful of Stars.

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 …

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'A chilling winter's tale, glittering the magic of friendship, song and arctic swans.' Sarah Ann Juckes, author of The Night Animals

'Swanfall is perfect for anyone aged 8+ who likes books about nature, friendship, magic – or who just likes great stories!' Kirsty Applebaum, author of The Strange Disappearance of Imogen Good on Swanfall

'A beautiful, thrilling, timeless tale - I loved it.' Lucy Strange, author of The Secret of Nightingale Wood on Swanfall

'A beautiful, atmospheric story packed full of adventure and wonder.' Hannah Gold, author of The Last Bear on Swanfall

'Sophie Kirtley's beautifully written new novel is an adventure-filled tale of friendship and belonging, all wrapped up in a centuries-old mystery. This magical, wintry read is perfect for curling up with on a chilly day. I adored it!' Olivia Wakeford, author of My Dog on Swanfall

'A beautiful story to teach children why nature must be defended … at the heart of the story is something more a child's transformative bond with the natural world ... It's that elusive magic that she captures so cleverly…' The Telegraph on Swanfall

'An utterly absorbing 8+ fantasy.' The Guardian on Swanfall

'… the wonder of the natural world, Irish folklore, and anxieties around friendship are all wrapped up in an adventure infused with Kirtley's signature spooky atmosphere.' The Irish Examiner on Swanfall

Genres: Middle Grade

312 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 6, 2025

Reviews

[LindeFee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gorgeous middle-grade adventure based on the legend of the Children of Lir. Really enjoyed reading this, each sentence is clearly lovingly crafted and the story breathes new life into the legend, turning it into a mystery to be discovered clue by clue.
My only qualm is that it is not set in Ireland!

[Emma Rizi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Swanfall by Sophie Kirtley - Due out: 6th November - Ages: 8+
@KidsBloomsbury
#Swanfall #NetGalley #ChildrensBooks #MiddleGrade #BookReview
This is a beautifully engaging story that follows Pip on a journey of discovery, courage, and friendship, as he works to solve a deep, dark mystery uncovered through a hidden letter.
Pip is in Year 6 at a small rural school regularly visited by Ben’s Book Bus, and during one such visit, a donated book seems to call out to him, sparking an adventure that will change the way he sees himself and the world around him.
Shy and uncertain at school, Pip often feels he’s losing his best friends and doesn’t quite measure up. Yet at home, helping his mum record the annual Swanfall (the annual arrival of the Arctic swans) he feels calm and capable. His detailed drawings of the swans even outshine his mum’s.
The fast pace and short chapters make this an ideal choice for reluctant readers, especially if the mention of a ghost piques their curiosity. They may also find themselves identifying with Pip’s worries and insecurities, making his journey all the more relatable.
Kirtley has crafted a lyrical, atmospheric tale filled with snow, an old legend, and whispers of ghosts. Her storytelling is both immersive and tender, weaving together themes of belonging, courage, and wonder.
A perfect choice for readers who love mysteries, ghostly twists, and journeys of self-discovery.

[Katerina Karavapori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Swanfall is a brilliant book and I predict will appeal to many middle graders. Sophie Kirtley is a great storyteller and has weaved Irish folklore and atmospheric poems, legends and songs under an umbrella of whimsical writing. Her worldbuilding is masterful and I was transported to the eerie and hauntingly beautiful wetlands and, truthfully, wanted to stay there long after finishing the book. The natural environment becomes a character itself and imprints vividly on the reader.

Pip is an extremely lovable and relatable character and we can't help but root for him as he struggles to fit in at school. His love and fascination with nature shines through and the elements of mystery help advance the narrative and turn this into a page turner.

Overall, this was a very enjoyable reading experience and I highly recommend this book to any 9+ readers, especially those who love whimsical stories about nature and folklore. A huge thank you to Sophie Kirtley, Bloomsbury and NetGalley for my review copy, all opinions are my own.

[Farah G · Rating 3 out of 5]

Drawing on Irish legends, this story tells us how a young boy finds solace in nature despite his misfit status among his peers.

Pip lives a lonely life with only his mother for company. But her work gives him insight into a far larger world, in which wild swans take centre stage.

So, when he realizes that something untold is taking place it knows that he must get to the bottom of saying. But how? He will need to make a journey into the wilderness that tests his soul to find the answers that he needs...

This an unusual and captivating tale that will have immense appeal for the readers in the target group. It gets 3.5 stars.

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

[Luna Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m so glad I came across this book at Blackwell’s! It felt a lot like reading Harry Potter as a kid — a slightly-too-scary-for-kids plotline; exciting, high stakes and suspense driven by the setting of the book; and a touch of magic.

I did find it difficult to put a finger on the exact audience of the book. There was a slight disconnect between the fear factor — the book had even me slightly on edge trying to get to sleep at night because the language used is so perfectly ominous — and the predictability of the plot. The latter insinuates that the audience is younger kids; but the events transpiring in the book are definitely too scary for kids under 7-8 years old.

Either way, I had a great time reading this book and really commend the writing style!

[Sue Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful book with such a powerful message which weaves together nature and folklore and a wonderful character like Pip who is full of emotion and longing for acceptance. The characters in this story are so well crafted and I really felt invested in their outcomes.
Nature plays a huge part in Pip’s life and he is so invested in the return of the Arctic swans and the worry when three of his favourites fail to appear. The links to Irish folklore lead to mysterious findings and Pip and his school friends become closer as they investigate what is going on.
Beautifully told with a lot of empathy and compassion, I would highly recommend this book to middle graders and adults alike.

[Faith Hogan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sophie Kirtley has written in Kip a relatable and delightful character. This is my first of Sophie's books, I was drawn to it by the cover, but then, the blurb...
It's a story that delivers so much, Kip is at an age where there are lessons to learn about friendship, about himself and about life. He's helped along the way by a vivid natural world that he both appreciates and knows. The additonal scary elements make this a real treat. I very much enjoyed it.
Many thanks to Bloomsbury for the opportunity to read in advance.

[Nix Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A modern and atmospheric retelling of an Irish myth, the Children of Lir. Perfect for an wet afternoon on the sofa with a snuggly blanket.

[Rob Hewlett · Rating 4 out of 5]

A rather lovely children’s book. Full of action, adventure, peril and the importance of friendship.

[Kyriakos Papadakis · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘Swanfall’ is an adventure story inspired by Irish folklore staged in a spectacular natural setting, with relatable characters and atmospheric narration. I did like the weaving of the poems in the book, the songs and the legends into the plot and Pip as the central character. Having said this, I think that inserting the aspect of his life at school, bonding with his classmates and overcoming feeling misplaced is equally an important message as his excitement, perseverance and love of nature. On the other hand, I found the pace too fast and somewhat overbearing. Although it failed to captivate me, it is still a good read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury for providing me with an ARC in exchange of an honest review.

[Henna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Swanfall is a pleasant middle grade novel that's inspired by Irish folklore. I wasn't familiar with the Children of Lir tale before but the book does a great job introducing the lore. There's a delightful friendships here. It would have been a brilliant read, if not the story being a bit repetitive. Otherwise a nicely done tale with a timeless feel.

(A copy of this ebook was provided in return for an honest review.)