Danish fantasy novels for young readers
Quite a lot of fantasy for young readers has been written in Danish. Among the best-known titles are Lene Kaaberbøl’s “Skammerens datter” (The Shamer’s Daughter) and “Vildheks” (Wildwitch), and Kenneth Bøgh Andersen’s “Djævelens lærling” (The Devil’s Apprentice).
The Raven’s Heir is a new book in that genre. Mads Holst Jensen is writing it in Danish, and it is being published for free here on godrand.dk, one chapter at a time.
What is it about?
Chris is fifteen. He grew up at the care home Fjordly by the Kolding Fjord and has never known his parents. When a letter arrives from a school called Déynáir, he gets a surname for the first time: Godrand. The letter leads him into Anglien, a land hidden from the ordinary world, where Engle and Drúir carry magic inside them.
At Déynáir he has to get through a test on a wild island, find his place on one of five paths, and work out why the adults go so quiet whenever they hear his name.
What makes it special?
- A quiet narrator. Chris tells the story himself. He doesn’t say much, but he notices everything, and he can smell who people are. See the sense of smell.
- Friendship above all. The story is carried by three friends, Chris, Ahra and Retia, who each stand a little apart from everyone else.
- Nature and cold. The river in front of the school, cold morning swims and the turning of the seasons all play a big part.
- The question of truth. When is it right to keep something hidden to protect someone?
Who is it for?
The book suits readers aged 13 and up best, along with adults who love fantasy. If you are a teacher or a parent, see the page for teachers and parents.
Mads writes the book with help from AI, but he makes every decision and reads and edits everything himself. Read more in the story behind it.
Read the book free from chapter 1