Dina Norlund is an illustrator and writer who has written and illustrated many children’s books. In 2023, she released her first graphic novel called “The Snowcat Prince”. This short story was a massive surprise for me as it takes the usual fantasy adventure tropes and makes something new out of it. Sadly, shortly after the book’s completion, Dina tragically died from cancer at the very young age of 27. Knowing that fact makes me feel genuinely sorry for her as Dina managed to create such a well-written and well-paced story that can hopefully live on in reader’s imaginations for years to come.
Syv is the youngest of the snowcats, and his older brothers are all in line to become the heir to the throne. However, the king and his princes don’t like how Syv has become friendly with the kingdom's citizens. So they send Syv away on a dangerous quest to find a magical crown that belonged to one of their ancestors, The Elden King. Legend has it that it can break a terrible curse that has poisoned their land. Syv sets out on her journey and comes across a little orange-haired girl named Kit, who forms a bond with Syv as they face many obstacles and dangers along their journey. Failure to complete the quest may result in Syv being cursed with three black stripes, which would banish him from his home forever. However, it would seem that not everything about the legend might not be as accurate as Syv was meant to believe it was.
The Story is nothing new. It has many cliches you’d most likely read in similar fantasy novels. Yet it's thanks to excellent pacing and wonderful character relationships that make this story feel like a story that feels like a reader is reading it for the first time. The adventure Syv goes on will test his character in many ways, and he will face many obstacles. The tone can be somber and emotional sometimes. Still, thankfully, the central conflict will take some breaks and add fun and comedic moments that are inserted into the story very well. The story reached a point when Syv and Kit separated because of a conflict. I was worried they would take a cliched route in doing the story. Thankfully, the cliche is short-lived, and many storytelling elements make cliches, like the one mentioned before, feel painless and quick. The story may have familiar fantasy tropes, but it still delivers exceptionally with outstanding pacing and a consistent tone and style.
The Characters are charming and fun. They can also express a multitude of emotions regardless of the scene. Syv is not a new character, as this is another youngest prince becoming the savior of his kingdom type of story. However, his expressive emotions and kid-oriented train of thought make him adorable and likable. Kit is also a very entertaining character. She starts as just a sidekick who eventually becomes Syv's best friend. Surprisingly, she carries a few secrets that may turn the plot on its head. Both Syv and Kit work wonders off each other. Their dialogue creates chemistry as they constantly bounce ideas and remarks on one another. Other characters include the older brother princes to Syv, who are mainly there to make jokes and send Syv on his “grand quest,” and the Snowcat’s enemy, The Foxes, who hold many secrets that may prove to change everything. There are few characters, but each does its part without having one or the other take the spotlight away from the main story or other characters.
The Illustrations are lovely and pleasing to the eye. Remarkably, an illustrator in her 20s created outstanding visuals that can compete with professionals who illustrate graphic novels for a living. The character designs are great, and characters like Syv and Kit stand out from each other with Syv’s blue colors and Kit’s Orange Hair. The emotional expressions are also quite well executed, as emotions of happiness, sadness, and anger are expressed outstandingly thanks to how characters are drawn and posed. The backgrounds naturally progress in color as the story plays on. Cold and snowy environments and mountains surround the kingdom where our main protagonist resides. When the adventure begins, the story can go to places like a village that bursts with hues of red and yellow to lush forests that can hone beauty and unexpected obstacles. Speech bubbles are well placed, and they never block the fantastic illustrations. For Dina’s first graphic novel, she did not hold back and used her talents to create visual eye candy that will no doubt entice readers into the world she has made.
The Snowcat Prince offers a fun fantasy adventure with simple but loveable characters, a story that, while familiar, is executed remarkably well, and excellent illustrations that show beauty and genuine expressive emotion. It is a real shame that Dina Norlund passed away at such a young age. Even at 27, Dina created a story with passion, love, and care that most people her age probably couldn't even pull off, even if they tried as hard as they could. Knowing what Dina accomplished inspires me to create great work. I’m sure the same can be true for many others who agree that this graphic novel is terrific.
(Final Grade: A-)