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Magic and monsters in a thrilling new fantasy adventure
October 2021 Debut of the Month
Twelve is a Huntling, in training to become a Hunter and pledged to serve the seven clans as a warrior. Full of rage and guilt following the massacre of her family and neighbours, she is determined to remain friendless and dedicate herself to revenge. But when the Hunting Lodge is attacked by goblins, and other creatures even worse, and Seven, the only person she has any connection with, is kidnapped, Twelve sets out to rescue the little girl. She’s joined on the quest by Dog, the Lodge’s huge, living stone guardian, and by the two boys she likes least. Together they face multiple dangers and an array of terrifying and tricky monsters. As in the best of these sorts of adventures – and this is definitely an example of the best of these kind of adventures – throughout their trials they learn more about each other and themselves. Aisling Fowling’s debut is a thrilling fantasy full of battles and creatures the like of which you’ve never seen before, and stars characters you’ll regard as friends by the book’s end. There will be more adventures for Twelve and co to come, and readers will be counting down the days to the next.
One to recommend to fans of A Clock of Stars by Francesca Gibbons and Orphans of the Tide by Struan Murray.
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The LoveReading LitFest invited Aishling to the festival to talk about her debut novel and the start of a thrilling fantasy series.
You can view the event by subscribing to the LitFest programme for as little as £6 per month - or you can pay per view. For just £2, go, and watch this superb event chaired by Frankie Dumville, one of our star, young Reading Ambassadors
Check out a preview of the event here.
Set in the snowy northern forests of an imagined prehistoric world, Fireborn is the middle-grade debut of the decade. At turns exciting, funny and heart wrenchingly sad, it marks the introduction of an unstoppable new voice in children's storytelling.
Twelve has spoken the Pledge and now she is a Huntling. She has given up her name to train in the art of fighting monsters and keeping the peace, and she won't get to choose a new one until she has earned it. But when the Lodge's walls are breached for the first time, and a little girl is taken, Twelve is the only one interested in going after a child . . .
Teaming up with Dog, the Stone Guardian of the Lodge, Twelve ends up on an epic adventure that will change her life, her name - and her entire world.
In addition to our Lovereading4Kids expert opinion some of our Reader Review Panel were also lucky enough to read and review this title. You can click here to read the full reviews.
I really enjoyed this book as it was unusual in its eccentric characters and plot twists. Full review
I could NOT put this book down. It is like a vivid dream - you never want it to end. Full of frozen forests, mortifying monsters and fierce friends, this story is perfect for children who are hungry for an adventure. Full review
I loved this book about a girl called Twelve and some of her not quite friends Five, Six and Seven. They end up having a great adventure and learning new things and respect for each other. I can’t wait for the rest of the trilogy. Full review
This novel is a mixed bag of terrifying creatures, two annoying but always hilarious characters and out-of-the-blue betrayal. Full review
‘Fireborn is a thrillingly assured debut that grips from the get-go. Featuring a fiercely charismatic heroine and a cast of extraordinary companions, it transports the reader to a fascinating landscape of ice and peril. Aisling Fowler conjures up the perfect balance of high adventure, breathless action and eerie wonder, mixing it all with scenes of genuine emotional power. Elegantly structured, endlessly exciting, Fireborn is the perfect introduction to a rich and magical new world’ Jonathan Stroud, author of the Bartimaeus Series, Lockwood And Co and The Outlaws Scarlett and Browne
‘Epic, sweeping and full of heart – Fireborn is truly something special. I can’t wait for the next book in the series!’ Hannah Gold, author of The Last Bear
‘Fireborn is the best kind of children’s fantasy story, thrilling and imaginative while packing an emotional punch. It’s sure to have young readers clamouring for more!’ B. B. Alston, author of Amari and the Night Brothers
‘I absolutely loved Fireborn. Such a cinematic journey in both the literal and emotional sense! Right away it had the feeling of something that’s going to be huge, and the world Aisling has created is so rich and engaging. I cannot wait to read what happens next to Phoenix and her friends’ LD Lapinski, author of The Strangeworlds Travel Agency
‘Fireborn is an exciting adventure that will make you want to set off on your own epic journey to battle mythical monsters. With giant stone dogs, mysterious frozen forests, and mischievous fire spirits, readers will be captivated from page one’ Katie Tsang, co-author of Dragon Mountain
‘Fireborn is a fantastic debut, deftly told with skill and originality. A richly-imagined story, bursting with thrilling magic, terrifying monsters and an epic adventure that leaves you wanting more’ Catherine Doyle, author of The Storm Keeper’s Island
‘This is monster-hunting at its finest, from a superb new voice in children’s fiction’ Aisha Bushby, author of A Pocketful of Stars
‘In a word: phenomenal. Fireborn is vivid, daring, and epic in every sense. It’s impossible to read this book and not hold your breath’ Carlie Sarosiak, author of I, Cosmo
‘This book should come with a CANNOT BE PUT DOWN warning. Children are going to fall in love with this heart-stopping adventure, and I was with Twelve and Dog every thrilling step of the way’ Jenny McLachlan, author of The Land of Roar
‘A thrilling adventure with a ferocious heroine and spine-tingling monsters. It had me reading late into the night’ Francesca Gibbons, author of A Clock of Stars
‘Astounding. An incredibly accomplished fantasy that’s not afraid of the dark side’ Nicola Skinner, author of Starboard
‘An utterly compelling and wildly imaginative adventure! I loved it!’ Tamzin Merchant, author of The Hatmakers
‘I loved this whirlwind adventure! Imagine The Hunger Games but with magic and written for kids. A brilliant novel weaving fantasy, friendship, heartbreak and hope together really superbly. I have pledged my heart to Fireborn’ Cerrie Burnell, author of Harper and the Sea of Secrets
‘Fireborn swept me away to a rich, vibrant world filled with bold characters and enthralling monsters. A fantastic debut’ Joseph Elliott, author of The Good Hawk
‘An action-packed roller coaster of a ride, with tons of twists and surprises . . . nail-bitingly tense and vivid’ Tolá Okogwu, author of Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun
ISBN: 9780008394158
Publication date: 30/09/2021
Publisher: HarperCollins an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers
Format: Hardback
ISBN: 9780008394172
Publication date: 30/09/2021
Publisher: HarperCollins an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers
Format: Audiobook
| ISBN: | 9780008394158 |
| Publication date: | 30th September 2021 |
| Author: | Aisling Fowler |
| Publisher: | HarperCollins an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers |
| Format: | Hardback |
| Pagination: | 432 pages |
| Suitable for: | 11+ readers, 9+ readers |
| Genres: | Adventure Stories, Fantasy / Magical |
| Recommendations: | Debuts of the Month, Reviewed by Children |
Aisling Fowler was born in 1985 and wishes that she had grown up in a magical, mountainous kingdom, but was actually raised in Surrey on a diet of books and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. After earning a BSc in Biology and working as a support worker and then a nurse, the idea for Fireborn came to her as she moved back and forth between London and the US. Now based in Hackney, when she is not reading or writing, Aisling loves cooking and plotting adventures (for herself as well as her fictional characters). Photo credit Jennifer Blau
More About Aisling Fowler
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