Nordic Lighthouse Review

Fallen Feathers is a debut novel by Adam Howorth who took inspiration from his surroundings and existing landmarks, and created a mysterious world, both enchanting and dangerous. That world invites us to enter in and discover new stories, and appeals to both children and adults but in a different way.

Premise of this fantastical tale is about the nature of belief and truth, faith and existence in the modern world which is marked by scepticism and cynicism. Luckily not everyone feels like that and so the story can move easily between timelines and perspectives. We get to see and embrace this new reality through the eyes of innocent children and of parents aware of potential risks.

All her life Elizabeth Fairchild has been fascinated by the moon, and had the unique ability to know its movements in the sky. Living with her parents in a quiet London suburb by a river, she felt safe and secure but also curious like all kids her age. On sudden impulse she decided to sneak from home at night and follow the moon reflection leading her to the river. There she met a ferryman Lucas Mann who might be a figment of imagination. The stranger offered to take her across the river to a party in the mansion on the other side. The sudden encounter scared her for but not for long. Another chance to visit the unknown place appeared and so Elizabeth began her nightly adventures, risky and exciting as she also became friends with a boy called Tobias Mallory. The pair played in the woods, and Tobias couldn’t wait to introduce her to his family and other adults in the mansion. Apparently they were awaiting her eagerly. Elizabeth couldn’t quite understand the whole situation but kept going. The enchanted forest and the mysteries slowly began to be more threatening until one night when a super blood moon appeared in the sky and Elizabeth vanished. That we found and seen through the eyes of her parents who grew increasingly worried, especially as unsettling stories begin to surface.

Her father Tom was told about another blond girl who went missing in similar circumstances in the same location years ago. She looked just like Elizabeth and was never found. Then a stranger visited the local church and talked about a prophecy in an ancient book found ages ago in the middle of the forest. The prophecy states that Elizabeth is a new messiah, a golden girl who must die to save generations of people waiting for her. The existence of the book and its contents puts the story into yet another perspective which takes us back centuries ago. Here, the narrator provides a good background to the life in the monastery where monks were first to read the writings.

The collision of modern life, with the ordinary days and activities, and tales and superstitions from the past create tension, and it seems that Adam Howorth puts a spell on readers as he pulls together strands of complex thoughts. The old book’s power to make people believe in unexplained message transcends between then and now, and shines a tricky light on what’s most valuable in life: family love or a demanding god. Excellent read!

Fallen by Feathers was published on 28 October 2024 by Troubador Publishing Ltd. Thank you to Antara Patel of FMcM Associates for the early copy of the book and the invitation to join the blog tour.

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