“a brightly shining gem of epic YA fantasy” – review of Mandigo and the Hellhounds on RisingShadow

Artwork: Alison Buck
Artwork: Alison Buck

On RisingShadow, Seregil of Rhiminee has reviewed Mandigo and the Hellhounds by Anders Reemark, the first book in the Mandigo series. Originally published in Danish this is an English translation by Nina Sokol. Seregil starts by describing this as “an epic, fast-paced and well written fantasy novel for young adult readers” although he adds that it “will also be of interest to adult readers who love entertaining fantasy novels”. Seregil observes that much recent fantasy has been in the style of George R.R. Martin’s books, which he welcomes, but does mean he’s come to miss Tolkienesque fantasy with magic, evil forces, elves and wizards; so he says that he was thrilled to read this novel because “it feels refreshing to read this kind of classic fantasy for a change”. It was a “pleasant and rewarding reading experience” because the “story was good”, the “events were satisfyingly dark and epic” and it had an “easily likeable protagonist”. He also complimented Nina Sokol on managing to convey the nuances of the original Danish story to English-speaking readers.

Seregil considers Mandigo and the Hellhounds to be “one of the best epic YA fantasy novels written during the recent years” because it has “clearly been written out of love for classic epic fantasy” and as soon as you start to read you “immediately feel at home with the story” with elements such as “young magic users” and “evil forces”. It is, he says “a brightly shining gem of epic YA fantasy”, a “a well-constructed and thrilling story about an epic battle between good and evil, family secrets and magic”.

Seregil felt the main characters were interesting and well-created, and Anders pays attention to relationships and the characters feelings for those around them, especially those who are different. He enjoyed reading about the way magic works in this novel, and the secrets of Bloodstone. He also enjoyed the impressive world-building and the fact that the world of Stormlands has a dark history. He adds that “Anders Reemark’s vision of good and evil is interesting and has a timeless quality to it. The impending threat of the Lord of Shadows added a fascinating touch of darkness and malice to the storyline.” He liked Anders’ “fluent and fast-moving prose” and a writing style that keeps the story moving fast forward. “It’s great that he effortlessly builds up tension from the intriguing prologue towards the epic ending.”

He sums up by saying that Mandigo and the Hellhounds has everything he’d expect to find in classic YA fantasy fiction, which not only appealed to him, but made him “read the story as fast as possible”, adding that on reason it is interesting is that it has “a Scandinavian feel to it. After having read several English fantasy novels, this novel felt like a breath of fresh air to me.” It is “one of the best YA fantasy novels I’ve read during the last couple of years”, it “wholly captivated me with its gradually unfolding story and dark atmosphere”.

He concludes that Mandigo and the Hellhounds is “epic YA fantasy fiction at its best and most intriguing, because it feels almost like a tribute to classic fantasy stories”.

You can read Seregil’s full review on RisingShadow here.

 

OUT NOW – Mandigo and the Hellhounds by Anders Reemark

We are delighted to be publishing Mandigo and the Hellhounds by Anders Reemark, translated from the Danish by Nina Sokol.

Artwork: Alison Buck
Artwork: Alison Buck

It is available from today in eBook formats, and will be launched in a print edition at FantasyCon by the Sea in Scarborough in September.

It is the first book in the Mandigo YA fantasy series following the adventures of Mandigo as he discovers that magic is real and he is much more significant than he thought, and is suitable for all ages from 8 to 80+

Originally published in Danish (as Mandigo og Helvedeshundene) by L. Stender e-books in 2015, we are proud to be publishing the English edition.

Although the mediaeval setting and characters have a Scandinavian feel, Anders’ story itself is timeless, transcending national borders and cultures, and appealing to everyone. Readers in any country will empathise with Mandigo as his life takes sudden and unexpected turns, he discovers the truth about his own past, and starts to fear for his future and that of everyone he loves.

“The novel is fast-paced and filled with adventure and good ideas. …and in this book, like in all great trilogies, you know that although the forces of good win a battle… the war has just begun!” Himmelskibet – Magasinet For Fantastik, the leading Danish magazine of the fantastic

SNEAKY PEEK: Cover for Mandigo and the Hellhounds

In August we will be publishing Nina Sokol’s English translation of the first book in the Danish YA fantasy Mandigo trilogy by Anders Reemark. Mandigo and the Hellhounds (originally published in Danish as Mandigo og Helvedeshundene) is the exciting story of young Mandigo who starts to realise he is special on his twelfth birthday.
 

Artwork: Alison Buck
Artwork: Alison Buck

Although the mediaeval setting and characters have a Scandinavian feel, Anders’ story itself is timeless, transcending national borders and cultures, and appealing to everyone. Young readers in any country will empathise with Mandigo as his life takes sudden and unexpected turns, he discovers the truth about his own past, and starts to fear for his future and that of everyone he loves.

As soon as we read it, we knew that we wanted to publish Anders’ book for an English-speaking audience. The next major decision, of course, was the design of the cover. Early on in the story Mandigo has an encounter with a demon that leaves his face badly scarred. Anders was very keen that the cover should show Mandigo, including his face – but would it scare off younger readers or intrigue them? We decided to portray Mandigo as he looks out from the top of a tower of the Bloodstone fortress, the setting for much of the action. Once again artist Alison Buck has produced an image that captures the character of Mandigo, while being sympathetic to the nature of his disfigurement.

When we showed it to Anders his response was “That cover is absolutely awesome. Alison has done a great job. The way Mandigo’s scarred face is shown, it makes the reader ponder, ‘What on Earth happened to this guy, and what is he doing on that book cover?’ Also, the way the image is composed, you get a sense of the loneliness that Mandigo is experiencing. At first sight, he scares you, and then you start feeling curious and a little sorry for him. And then there is the setting sun in the background. Something is coming. Something powerful. Spooky, and awesome! I also like the font. They look like Scandinavian runes. A nice touch that.”

Mandigo and the Hellhounds will be published as an eBook on the 5th August and the print edition will be launched in September at the FantasyCon convention in Scarborough.