Tally Smuck is that latest in a long line of Sting Winklers and on the island of Stormcliff, there’s no more important profession.
The islanders are fed, lit and kept well by the jellyfish that flock to their waters, stings gently harvested by Sting Winklers, and the annual Firebloom Festival when the jellyfish bloom in their thousands, lighting up the bay with phosphorescence, is the highlight of their year, bringing visitors to Stormcliff for the celebrations.
But this year, the jellyfish don’t come and, with her grandfather poorly, everyone turns to Tally. She knows there must be a reason the jellyfish aren’t coming but with only four days of the Firebloom Festival to go, time is against her; as she works out what is happening, she puts herself in real danger.
Fortunately, she has her good friends Farran, Albert the cliff rat and junior fortune teller Colette at her side. From the creator of Haarville, this is another quirky, satisfying adventure with a wonderful cast of characters and delightfully idiosyncratic island way of life.
Tally is an appealing character and readers will understand just how she feels when it seems as though she’s failing in her special role, and the pressure of having your whole community depend on you. Page-turning, enjoyable reading, whatever your attitude to jellyfish!
The isolated, salt-soaked isle of Stormcliff is preparing for the annual Firebloom Festival, a famous gathering of thousands of jellyfish and their incredible light show.
Twelve-year-old Tally Smuck is destined to become a Sting Winkler - someone who can communicate with jellyfish - just like her mother and grandfather before her. The Smucks' special gift means only they can do the vital job of caring for the invaluable jellies that Stormcliff depends on.
But by Firebloom Eve, there's still no sign of Tally's abilities, or the jellyfish. Determined not to let everyone down, Tally gathers her friends - anxious Farran, fortune-teller-in-training Colette, and resourceful cliff rat Albert. Together can they bring the island's secrets to light and find the missing jellies before the Firebloom Festival and Stormcliff are plunged into darkness for good?
This illuminating middle-grade mystery adventure from award-winning author Justin Davies is full of jeopardy, joy and jellyfish! Firebloom is a bright and brilliant standalone novel set in the same imagined world as Haarville.
Tackles themes of family legacy, identity and dealing with expectations from others and yourself.
'Stuffed to the gills with adventure, heart and jellyfish. Last one to read is a sqelchy sea slug.' - Maria Kuzniar, author of Ship of Shadows series.
'A funny adventure about friendship, courage and jellyfish...Sweet, compassionate and funny...Justin is a splendid world builder.' - Patrice Lawrence, author of Orangeboy
Author
About Justin Davies
Justin Davies spent years flying all over the world as cabin crew before hanging up his wings to focus on writing for children. When he isn't writing, Justin works at his local primary school, where he absolutely, never, ever tries out his story ideas on pupils. His first book, Help! I Smell a Monster, won the Fantastic Book Awards in 2021. He is also the author of Whoa! I Spy a Werewolf. Justin lives with his husband and Sally, the greyhound rescue, in Fife, Scotland.
