THE DYING TREE - LODUR'S SHADOW BOOK 1 (DET DÖENDE TRÄDET)
Johanna Mo
When Nanna’s mom is killed in a car accident, Nanna’s world crashes around her. The summer holiday becomes a time of sadness. To cheer her up, Nanna’s best friend Lilly takes her with to the ancient castle Eketorp. The place means a lot to Nanna – not least because her mom loved to go there.
But this time, everything is different. Suddenly, the necklace that Nanna got from her mom starts to burn like a fire, the world disappears, and when she wakes up, Nanna finds herself at a completely different Eketorp. The ground is covered in snow, and she sees strange people in old fashioned clothes.
Soon, Nanna is given a dangerous mission that she must complete to be allowed to return home again – and to ensure that she even has a home to return to! The powerful god Lodur is threatening not only to devastate this world, but also the world that Nanna considers her own…
A breathtaking page-turner about parallel worlds, the climate crisis and Nordic mythology, as well as how the loss of one parent is often felt like the loss of both. The Dying Tree is the first book in what is planned to be the Lodur’s Shadow series.
Rights
Russia: Albus Corvus
Sweden: Bonnier Carlsen
REVIEWS
“The Dying Tree is not only breathlessly exciting and full of magic and adventure, but through a child’s processing of deep sorrow and longing, it offers even greater qualities. Rating: 5/5
BTJ / SWE
Bookstagrammers:
“An exciting adventure for grades 5-6. With short, airy chapters and lots of action. Especially thrilling for those interested in Norse mythology.”
Boksnoken / SWE
“This was a thrilling story, balancing loss and longing. At times, both my daughter and I found ourselves twisting with empathy for Nanna, who had lost her mother, while simultaneously holding each other a little tighter, grateful to still have each other. /…/ Johanna Mo writes captivatingly and portrays a fragile yet courageous girl who doesn’t give up easily. The book entails an interesting concept of both time travel and Norse mythology. My daughter kept asking me to read one more chapter; they always had exciting endings, and sometimes it got really eerie. A good book with suspense, heartache, new friendships, and adventures. A moving book that succeeds in entertaining. We both look forward to the next book in the series!”
Bokhyllan i skuggan / SWE
“The book is an exciting mix of the present and a bygone era that mirror each other despite the difference in time. Norse mythology shapes the adventurous tale, which includes chasing wolves and trekking across the fields of the dead. Additionally, glimpses reminiscing Frodo and the return of the ring to Mordor are also recognizable in The Dying Tree. The longing and grief after the mother are written with a touching language that suits the target audience of approximately 10 to 12 years old. The chapters are airy and easy to read, with a quick pace forward. Before you know it, the book is finished. An exciting book about a brave girl!”
Boktajm / SWE