Helga the Fair

by S.J. Taylor, Alla Khatkevich (Illustrator)

A fantasy inspired by the Icelandic sagas about a girl and her friends who must save their found family when a swarm of terrifying undead invade their village.

The undead are up to no good.

Helga doesn’t know where she comes from. All she knows is life with Goat-Thigh, who found her as a baby in the highlands and gave her a home. Goat-Thigh used to be plagued with fits of berserk fury—a battle rage that made him dangerous to everyone around—until he took in Helga. Now, Helga won’t ever leave his side, even if their neighbors shun him.

But their lives are disrupted when a nearby haunted mountain cracks open and a mob of vengeful undead invades the land. In the chaos, Goat-Thigh’s berserk fits are triggered…and he’s unable to break free.

To save her adoptive father, Helga will need the help of some unlikely friends to banish the undead—from mischievous ox tails to rowdy house crashers and frightening monsters with family secrets. Can Helga and her allies outsmart these specters and confront the deep wounds from their tangled pasts?

Genres: Middle Grade, Fantasy

368 pages, Hardcover

First published June 16, 2026

Reviews

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Get ready for an enchanting Nordic adventure! Drawing on the Icelandic sagas, S.J. Taylor spins a yarn that is fast-paced, dangerous and fun! The writing is crisp, clean, and imaginative. This immersive fantasy will have you running from draugr (the undead) alongside Helga, Scratcher, and friends. I love a found family story, and this one is full of all the heart (and messy complications) that come from rich, real relationships. The author's note will likely peak students' interest in learning more about the Viking Age. I know I'm ready to book my trip to Iceland!

[Kelly Byrd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Simon and Schuster for the ARC of this book. I read books in advance to see if they're a good fit for my children's bookshelves. This book was so cute: A sweet retelling of the Icelandic folktale about Helga the Fair. Helga is an orphaned girl raised by Goat Thigh, an old Berserker. This book deals with death, love, and found family.

I enjoyed this book a lot, but I did find it a little confusing at points. Some of the magic wasn't well-defined and I bumped on it. That being said, I think middle-grade readers will really enjoy this. To booksellers: be aware that the main antagonists are draugur, or re-animated dead soldiers. While the author does a good job of making these characters spooky but not scary, they might be over-whelming for kids younger than 9 or 10.

[Ember Moto · Rating 4 out of 5]

a whimsical fast paced story friendship and found family, The story steeped in nordic mythology and the author's note provide additional information for those readers who want to learn more. Readers should note that the main antagonist is a draugur, a dead soldiers. Some younger readers might find this scary. It is a fun, sweet, action packed story full of heart that fans of books like the Percy Jackson series will enjoy.

[Moniza Hossain · Rating 5 out of 5]

The legend of Helga the Fair is reimagined in this beautifully illustrated story about friendship, love, and the true meaning of family. Helga’s quest to save her adoptive father is both moving and terrifying. Taylor doesn’t hold back on the scares, but there’s plenty of warmth and humour in this book too. An adventurous tale rich with Icelandic lore, this is a page-turner of a book!

[Triona Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It had just the right blend of fun adventure, interesting mythology, and a lovable cast of characters. I think middle-grade readers will really relate to the themes of found family and learning to love yourself just as you are. The book also includes many lovely illustrations and a fascinating author's note about the folkloric sources of the story elements. Highly recommended!

[Ardin Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was such a fun read! Especially great for fans of folklore, fantasy, historical fiction and horror. The illustrations throughout complimented the story perfectly, and there were so many scenes that had me teary eyed.

[Mary Averling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Strange, lovely, and fierce, HELGA THE FAIR is an adventure unlike anything I've read before. A rollicking fantasy at its most imaginative.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is fun and morbidly whimsical. It has friendship, great found family, and zombies. Good times.

[Jen Nishi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid read with a great message about acceptance. Loved learning more about Viking culture and Icelandic sagas. Throughly enjoyed this one.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is heart-warming and exciting. Everyone should just love their neighbors!