The Billow Maiden

by James Dixon, Tamsin Rosewell (Illustrations)

Ailsa’s mum is ill, not the first time, so they spend the summer with her aunt and uncle. Aunt Bertha, Uncle Nod and their dog Moxie live on an island off the coast, by a beautiful fishing village surrounded by beaches and clifftops. Ailsa and Moxie spend their whole time there exploring these beaches and cliffs, until one day they find a hidden cave. Inside the cave, they find Hefring, a strange woman not keen on strangers.

Ailsa slowly gets to know who Hefring is. She is a selkie, a mermaid, a billow maiden from ancient myth. However, she is stuck on land and slowly dying. It is up to Ailsa and her new friend Camilla to save her, but there are plenty of obstacles in the way – not least Ailsa’s own fears and her mum’s illness.

The Billow Maiden is a beautifully told tale of friendship, family, healing and transformation from a stunning new writer for children.

Genres: Middle Grade

256 pages, Paperback

Published July 7, 2022

About the author

James Dixon is a London-born, Glasgow-based novelist, poet, and playwright.

Reviews

[Emma book blogger Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely love the front cover. The billow Maiden is about Alisa who goes to live with her aunt and uncle during the summer due to her mum being really poorly. Her aunt and uncle are looking after her mum as well. Alisa goes for a walk with Moxie on the beach and find some caves and in the caves Alisa finds someone and wants to help them. This is lovely story about family , friendships, hope . I found The Billow Maiden easy to read and very fascinating. I think children will love to read this. Thank you @Guppybooks for this proof copy. It was very magical.

[Rose English · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book 22/52 of my Goodreads Challenge 2023

This story is based on the Norse Legend of the 'Billow Maidens' not something I had heard of before. However, the story did mention the Billow Maiden was also sometimes called the Selkie. Now I absolutely LOVE a Selkie tale (stories of seals who shed their skin and can walk on land, and if it is stolen then they become trapped). I admit there are some vague similarities but for me this was not a tale of the Selkie.

Ailsa and her mum are in the Scottish Islands due to her mum's illness, the story covers the topics of family, care and new friendships with a hint of magic from the old myths and legends.

This is a good story but there was an over use of the word 'Aye' prounounced 'I' the Scottish word for yes. Hence the score of three stars. (I wonder if the author did this to keep reminding us we were on a Scottish Island).

I managed to find an old blog post if you want to check out more info on the 'Billow or Wave Maidens'

https://journeyingtothegoddess.wordpr...

They were said to be the daughters of the sea and storm, Aegir & his wife Ran. There were nine sisters, each named after a form of wave.

[Fern · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful weaving of ancient Norse mythology with a moving, modern-day tale of family, friendship and healing, set against an evocative, remote Scottish island landscape that will well and truly sweep you away.

From a remarkable new talent and winner of the inaugural Guppy Books MG open submission competition, James Dixon's debut novel is a forceful storm of a book. Deeply heartfelt and blazingly beautiful, The Billow Maiden flickers with a rich and immersive magic, reminiscent of the likes of Catherine Doyle and Kiran Millwood-Hargrave. But Dixon's tender exploration of the healing, transformative power and purpose of the natural world is perhaps the greatest magic of all.

Tamsin Rosewell's stunning artwork just brings it to a whole other level. This is the kind of book that you will want to have on your shelves.

[Katrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book so much that I wanted to see how the story unfolded but didn't want it to end at the same time. The story, interwoven with Norse mythology, was gripping; the characters, everyone from Ailsa, Camilla, Hefring and even Moxie, were memorable; and the setting was beautiful and enchanting. I'm in awe of both James's fantastic writing and Tamsin's amazing illustrations! This is a book that I know I will go back and read again and again.

[Vonprice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sensitive and moving MG story. You can read my full review here: http://vsviewfromthebookshelves.home....

[Lola · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you next door neighbour for buying me this book because I would have never picked it up otherwise. It was such a cute book and I would really recommend<3

[Rachel C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story for younger readers and adults alike. Tackles themes of mental health and class alongside myths and legends in a relatively 'believable' fairy tale for the modern age.

[Sabrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really delightful story that I just didn't want to stop reading! It was full of Norse mythology which I loved. I don't know as much about it as I do about some other mythologies, some of it was familiar to me but there was also lots of newness. I would love to find out more about some of the stories mentioned.

The scenery was beautiful, I could imagine running around the island with Moxie, exploring the endless caves and beaches. Though I probably would have been a lot more hesitant than Ailsa, she's so brave, diving into all these new places. Ailsa's friendship with Camilla is lovely too. Though Camilla seems so clever and worldly wise, she needs a friend as much as Ailsa does and together they can get through anything. One of the things I loved while reading was how "aye" is basically an answer for any question or comment made by anyone in this book! The perfect all-encompassing statement :)

[Helen Kingsley Bryant · Rating 4 out of 5]

A magical and atmospheric novel that I really enjoyed.
Read & long-listed for Spark!