Loukko by 
We are so thrilled to announce that THE HORNED GOD by Magdalena Hai has won the Finlandia Prize of 2023, Finland’s most prestigious literary award! The book was chosen as the winner in the category of children’s and YA literature.
Please join us in congratulating Magdalena Hai and her Finnish publisher Otava for this great achievement!
The winner was chosen by Finnish musician and artist Herra Ylppö, who described the book as a pageturner that draws the reader in:
“There is a strong atmosphere in this year’s winning book. In addition to the mood, there are fascinating, neat sentences and important themes in the book, such as the selflessness of parental love, self-accusations, anti-racism, coronavirus, the acceptance of loss. And horror. If I had to justify my selection with three sentences, I would not need three sentences. I don’t even need three words. [—] I would love to see this [book] as a film directed by Hayao Miyazaki.“
– Herra Ylppö, Finlandia Literature Prize 2023 in children’s and YA literature grand juror
In addition to the Finlandia Prize, worth 30,000 €, THE HORNED GOD was also selected by the readers as the Finlandia Prize audience favorite in children’s and YA literature category!
A YA horror novel, THE HORNED GOD is currently also nominated for the Topelius Award of 2024! Magdalena Hai has previously won the Finnish Literary Export Prize (2017), Kaarina Helakisa Prize (2020), and Kuvastaja Award (2022), and her books have been sold into 30 languages.
Again, massive congratulations, Magdalena Hai!
The rights are still available for most territories – acquire your next prize-winner now!
Download the materials for THE HORNED GOD here!
The Horned God
Magdalena Hai
Winner of the Finlandia Prize of 2023!
Nominated for the Topelius Award of 2024!
Creeping horror for the YA audience
When death touches your life, everything changes.
Lauri wakes up in the hospital after a fatal car crash and he doesn’t remember much about it. Mom is dead and now life has changed drastically.
When Lauri starts his slow recovery in a small town at his aunt’s house, he has an unpleasant feeling that everything is not right. The dead don’t stay dead and the beautiful neighbor Vilja-Maaria doesn’t want to live. When an ominous creature with antlers appears behind the window, Lauri begins to see nightmarish dreams that feel too real.
THE HORNED GOD
SARVIJUMALA
Otava, 2023, 162 pp.
Age group: 13+
READING MATERIALS
English sample and synopsis
Finnish edition
RIGHTS SOLD:
FINLAND: Otava (orig.)
