By Brian Curry
Ten years ago, Patchogue-Medford HS alumnus and former Medford resident Gary Nilsen
penned a well-received young adult fantasy novel called “Alfheim” and in that genre it centered
upon a teenage boy named Timothy.

Timothy is a loner, living in his own fantasy world of video games, suspected of having ADD
and is haunted by the recent death of his mother. His life seems to be in a downward spiral as he
goes through bullying, romantic rejection, and the feeling that he is somehow responsible for his
mother’s death.

A chance encounter with a wounded bird that Timothy magically brings back to life reveals that
he may have powers that he never knew he had. A nearby fairy who was observing him reveals
to him that he is an elf, she a fairy, and he has been living a normal teenager life only by his
parents’ desire to keep his other worldliness a secret.

Timothy soon learns of Alfheim and that he is an heir to their queen. As he learns more about his
royal lineage, he discovers that he is the “seventh son of the seventh son,” granting him many
more powers.

The book weaves its way through Timothy’s discoveries of the ancient land and the newfound
knowledge of his powers and responsibilities. He meets and does battle with his new nemesis
and gradually falls in love with the fairy that discovered him, Aenya, only to see her die in an
ambush battle.

That first book ends leaving Timothy aware of his powers but still learning how to use them;
Aware of his now royal responsibilities, but unsure how to lead a people he never knew existed,
and all of this while still a teenager.

His new book, “Alfheim Resurrections,” (Nilsen’s second release of 2025 along with the
previously reviewed “Flashback”) opens with Timothy mourning the loss of his love, the fairy
Aenya, but back in familiar surroundings and takes off from there.

“Resurrections” brings us back to Alfheim, where his powerful enemy is planning again to
attempt to take it over and to kill Timothy. With more than a few curves and surprises, he
continues to grow, along with his reliance on others in the elfin world. He learns more of his
otherworldly powers and each day reveals his magical family tree and its role in the past, present
and future of Alfheim.

This sequel moves at a rapid pace as the stakes are that much higher and the time that much
shorter to defeat those who would do harm to this magical place. Alliances are made on both
sides and new characters are introduced.

I dare not reveal anymore but leave it to you to allow your imagination to take hold as you take
flight and become part of Alfheim’s world.

In these types of fantasy novels with superhuman powers in otherworldly arenas, you can easily
lose sight of who is related to who and how do they fit in with what’s happening. That does not
happen with Nilsen’s writing. And I found myself easily caught up as the plot progressed.

You can pick up any of Gary Nilsen’s titles at Amazon , Barnes & Noble or iTunes. You can
visit his website at Garynilsen.com

Brian Curry is a frequent Long Island Advance contributor and a three-time winner of the New
York State Press Association “Column of the Year”. You can contact him at
currypointofview@yahoo.com.