Graphic Novel Review: Lightfall Books 2 and 3 by Tim Probert

Posted on June 11, 2024 at 6:26 am by Gene Ambaum

Lightfall is my favorite kids / tween graphic novel series. If you’ve never read one of these, go read book one, The Girl & The Galdurian. Everything about it is beautiful, and it makes me wish my now-adult daughter still let me read to her. It’s a fantasy adventure about two friends, Bea and Cad, trying to stop a giant bird from destroying all of the lights (think mini-suns) of their world. Bea’s cat, Nimm, accompanies them on their quest, plus others are often around, too. Caution: spoilers ahead.

Lightfall Book 2: Shadow of the Bird by Tim Probert. Harper Alley, 2022. 9780062990488. 256pp.

After getting a note from Bea’s gramps and learning more about both the Restless Sleeper (Kest, that giant bird) and Irpa (their planet), Bea and Cad set off to either stop Kest or find another of the ancient beings that created Irpa or maybe both. It’s high stakes with shadow creatures, mass evacuations, and giant lights falling from the sky. Not to worry, though; Bea is super brave, and Cad has a huge sword, plus their friends help out. (And the ending is my favorite kind, dark enough for me to love it but not without hope.)

Lightfall Book 3: The Dark Times by Tim Probert. Harper Alley, 2024. 9780063080904. 256pp.

I thought this might be the final volume in the series but good news, it’s not!

In a last-ditch effort to save their planet, Bea and Cad head for The Citadel of Knowledge. That’s right, a library! I assume you don’t need to know more to get you to read this. But if I was pitching this to my daughter, I’d also tell her there’s a giant bat-like being at the heart of the story in this volume. (They love bats.)