Sisters of the Mist can be summarized as a story “where trolls lurk in the mossy spaces between tree trunks and changelings scamper about” but there is more than that. It is a simple look at coming of age with a magical twist and a few turns. Not to mention some mud holes, a foggy swamp and a couple of scary creatures.
Marlyn Spaaij has us follow three sisters at various stages of their youth and young adulthood and Tunde Vollenbroek is credited as a producer (though I am not sure what that means). When we first see the sisters, Margo, Kyra, and Janna they are on their way to their grandmothers. Little mischievous critters are around, but when they get to her place, the fun really starts. Margo is changing. Not wanting to be around Kyra as much, is touchy and the beings of the forest want to claim her. Especially the mysterious fog. But maybe things are not as bad as they seem.
We learn that Margo is becoming a woman and there are images (though very tastefully done) of her getting her first period. And there is slang for breasts not everyone might be comfortable with. And toplessness for the two younger girls is not unheard of. They bath partly together but all are in the room together, including their grandmother. This seems to be a Scandinavian translation; therefore, I am assuming “okay” levels are different.
At the same time this is happening, Janna, is still an innocent child (but who has smarts about her, not to mention her new magical friends), and Kyra in the middle. She is not ready for a book with kissing (the HORROR! I mean you would have thought Margo was holding a severed head the way Kyra reacts. Which frankly is hilarious and oh so realistic) but taking on monsters in the forests are no big deal.
This book is short, (around 100 pages or so) but is packed with goodies. Ages at least 10 and up (due to some of the concepts, but there are scary moments with the girls in mud and the beast after them) would be the best fit.