The Shadow of Arrow Mountains

Susanna Lönnqvist

One early morning Signe is awakened by a picking noise against the window. It’s a small bird with shiny plumage – a signal singer – carrying the message: “The King of Stone, today at eight”. Without hesitation, Signe packs her backpack with necessities and takes off in the damp morning fog. She makes her way towards The Grey Meadow, where the forest spreads out and the pointed Arrow Mountains rise in the distance. For twenty-three days, Signe has been waiting for the command, since Lumi was taken away by The Great Henchman. Lumi, storyteller and water-turner, but most of all Signe’s beloved aunt, where is she now? And what do they want from her? Will Signe be able to survive the long uncertain journey although the signal singer shows her the way and Woolruff keeps her warm?

The Shadow of Arrow Mountains is a wonderful adventure for middle grader readers. Susanna Lönnqvist’s classic portrayal of Good against Evil is told with rising excitement and a fantastic gallery of characters that Signe encounters along her, at times very dangerous, way. This is the first book about Arrow Mountains. A first-class page turner!