Bea, her grandfather the Pig Wizard, and her Galdurian friend Cadwallader are in a group of refugees fleeing the battle of Rinn, and the arrival of endless darkness. Bea knows she should tell the leader Karru that they want to break from the group in a search for the Citadel of Knowledge, but she keeps putting it off.

Bea’s wise Grandfather told them this is the place to find out about the sun and how to get it back for their land of Irpa. At least he told them before he forgot again. His mind is wandering more and more, but when they finally do find the Citadel, Pig Wizard’s mind is exactly where it needs to be. Unfortunately he solves a mystery for Cadwallader which steals even more of his positivity away. Bea has been worried about her friend. His upbeat personality has taken a beating lately and Pig Wizard’s wisdom has both helped him and hurt Cad in equal measure.

There is no time to mope, as a threat that has followed them on their journey has arrived. A creeping mire consumes everything in its path, and suddenly Pig Wizard’s life is at stake. Working together and with their amazing flying friend Soot’s courage, they flee yet another threat to finally find a surprise sanctuary. They also find more truth about Irpa’s past.

It’s not until they bravely follow the strange behaviour of more foes that they finally discover the secrets of Irpa’s creation and what they need to do.

Wow. When I saw Lightfall 3 – The Dark Times hit the shelves, I was excited to dive back in with brave Bea and carefree Cad. All seems lost as a creeping mud follows closer and closer, shadow creatures pop up out of nowhere and a creature thought long since extinct shows up. I knew things were bad when Cadwallader began losing his mojo.

It’s wonderful how Bea is the strong one this time, supporting her Galdurian friend, whilst looking after her increasingly forgetful grandfather, and keeping them all on their mission to bring back light to Irpa.

The illustration style is exciting, colourful and like watching a movie in the way the scenes are portrayed from different angles. A favourite illustration for me early on, is a full page of Bea trying to clear her head, her mind swirling with dozens of thoughts.

The action scenes throughout this episode roar from the page, and we meet Cad’s extended family in one illustration as he tells Bea about them. The story of Irpa’s beginnings and further history is for me however, the most gripping part of the book. Both stunning in illustration and glorious storytelling, it was a window for the characters to see the past, the future and their part in it, and explains so much of what we have experienced in the land of Irpa.

Still – my absolute favourite Graphic Novel series.

Author / Illustrator – Tim Probert

Age – 8+

Graphic Novel

Read more reviews from this series and other Tim Probert books here 

(2024, Harper Alley, Harper Collins, Graphic Novel, Full Colour, Series, Animals, Cat, Creatures, Action, Adventure, Courage, Fantasy, Friendship, Humour, Magic, Journey, Travelling, Darkness, Losing hope, Finding Positivity again, Trust, Another Dimension, Funny Cat, Hope, Refuge)