Ferno The Fire Dragon

Beast Quest #1

by Adam Blade, Ezra Tucker

... Robin, he used his weapon to point up the mountainside. “I'll climb above
the mist,” Caldor told the boy. “The dragon is close by. I can feel it. ...

Genres: Fantasy, Childrens, Dragons, Fiction, Adventure, Middle Grade, Magic

80 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Adam Blade is the house name for the Working Partners Ltd. ghostwriters who write the Beast Quest and Sea Quest series.

Adam Blade is in his late twenties, and was born in Kent, England. His parents were both history teachers and amateur artists, and Adam grew up surrounded by his father’s paintings of historic English battles – which left a lifelong mark on his imagination. He was also fascinated by the ancient sword and shield that hung in his father’s office. Adam’s father said they were a Blade family heirloom.

As a boy, Adam would spend days imagining who could have first owned the sword and shield. Eventually, he created a character – Tom, the bravest boy warrior of them all. The idea for Beast Quest was born.

When Adam grew up and decided that he wanted to be a writer, he was stuck for ideas – until he remembered the old sword and shield, and the imaginary boy he had created when he was young. Adam decided to bring Tom fully to life so that readers could go on the kind of adventures that he always wanted to when he was that age… And still does, even though he’s grown up!

When he’s not writing Beast Quest books, Adam enjoys visiting museums and ancient battle sites. His main hobbies are fencing and football. He also spends a lot of time at home running around after his two exotic pets – a tarantula named Ziggy, and a capuchin monkey named Omar. These little rascals were the inspiration for two of the Beasts that Tom faces on his Quest – Arachnid and Claw.

Sadly, Adam does not have his own Fire-Dragon or Horse-Man. But he really wishes he did!

Reviews

[Amara Tanith · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you, like I, were worried that Adam Blade's Beast Quest would be an extremely black-and-white adventure series about children pointlessly slaughtering Always Chaotic Evil "monsters", you can stop worrying. It's not quite that bad. Rather, it's a series in which two preteens, Tom and Elenna of Avantia, go on a quest to save the mythological Beasts--guardians of Avantia--from the brainwashing powers of Devimon's Black Gears. Wait, no--that's the Digimon Emperor's Control Spires. No! The Shikon no Tama shards? Chimera animas? Or--oh, whatever.

...my point is that there's absolutely nothing here that hasn't been done before. I've seen the "animals/monsters brainwashed by the nefarious McGuffin" plot plenty of times. I've seen the "two or three ten-year-olds who are for some reason the only people capable of or brave enough to completely this world-saving mission" plot more times than anyone can count. We've all seen the evil overlords and sorcerers, the good wizards, the brave children, the missing father, and all the other fantasy cliches of Ferno the Fire Dragon over and over and over again...

But I think the thing to keep in mind with Beast Quest is that the target audience might not have seen all this before. Beast Quest might be a good starting point for children to get involved in the fantasy genre. If they haven't seen all the stock characters and cliche plots before this, Beast Quest might be something they'll enjoy; it might even be something that they'll look back on with nostalgia when they're all grown up (and hopefully have moved on to fantasy works of far better quality).

If you're really trying to excite your children about the fantasy, Beast Quest isn't the series I would suggest. For the younger audience who aren't ready for books over 100 or 200 pages, I'd suggest starting with Emily Rodda's Deltora Quest. It's more interesting, the writing is better, and it has two sequel series and an anime adaptation. If your child's a little older than the target audience for the Deltora series, I'd suggest Harry Potter (MG/YA wizard-focused fantasy set in 1990's Britain, in case you somehow don't know), Percy Jackson (MG mythological fantasy set in modern America), or Song of the Lioness (YA feminist fantasy set in the fictional kingdom of Tortall).

However, if your child just wants something to read, Beast Quest isn't the worst thing you can pick up. It's a long series of short books, and if the rest of them are anything like the first, their plots are cliche and simplistic. But it should be entertaining enough to children just getting into chapter books, and it's certainly not the worst way to be introduced to the genre. If they like it, try Deltora Quest next; it's much better. If they hate it... well, there's always sci-fi.

[tobi10 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kinderbuch mit coolen Bildern

In dem Buch Beast Quest - Ferno, Herr des Feuers (Band 1) von Adam Blade, geht es um Tom und sein zuhause Avantia. In dem Königreich Avantia läuft im Moment einiges sehr falsch, sowie auch dort wo Tom mit seinem Onkel und Tante lebt. Einer soll zum König und nach Hilfe Fragen, weil ohne Grund die Felder abbrennen. Tom bietet sich an und darf auch gehen, weil sein Onkel das Sagen im Dorf hat. Am Königshof angekommen will Tom eigentlich nur den König um Hilfe für das Dorf bitten, aber der Zauberer und der König wollen, das Tom den Drachen Ferno aufhält. Ob Tom das schafft und überhaupt macht ? Wer weiß das schon ?

Mir hat die Geschichte gut gefallen. Für junge Leser ist sie gut geeignet. Die Geschichte ist flüssig und spannend erzählt. Außerdem sind auch einige schwarzweiß Bilder darin enthalten, die gut zur Geschichte passen. Gerne lese ich auch den nächsten Teil der Reihe.

[Kirsty Carson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Epic Beast Battles

Such an enjoyable and exciting read. Filled with excitement, danger and bravery this was a great start to what promises to be an amazing series!

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is very short (only 78 pages, double-spaced, and including some nice illustrations). It's the first book in a series, but could easily have been the first part of a longer book. That said, I think it's a great book for young readers who might not be that interested in reading, or don't wish to devote much time to reading per sitting.

Tom is a young blacksmith who dreams of doing more, so when his town is threatened by some mysterious force that's burning the land, he goes to the king to seek help. But will Tom end up helping the king? And how? And is it possible that Beasts - like dragons - actually do exist? And why, after so long, would they make their reality known by rampaging the lands?

This book is like a detailed outline, moving quickly from key-point-to-key-point, but even so, author Adam Blade managed to infuse the book with character and intrigue and I found myself curious, surprised, and invested. I'm already looking forward to the next book!
(be warned, a Knight does die - slightly grimly - in the first chapter. The rest is pretty harmless).

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pretty simplistic children's book, i'm obviously not the intended audience but i have a hard time believing i would have liked this much if i was a kid.

[Clare O'Beara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Young readers may like this tale of heroic deeds and strange animals.

A boy called Tom has to go on a quest to save the land of Avantia. The spell cast by an evil wizard is causing the fire dragon to damage the land. Normally he protects the south of the land and the water supply from the river. Tom doesn't want to kill the mighty dragon, just return him to normal, but that means great danger. He meets a girl called Elenna in a forest and life gets easier with two to do the thinking and work.

Once the problem is resolved Tom gets a dragon scale to help protect him from fire while he tackles the next beasts in the next books. There are cards in the back of these books, for trading, and there is a website to visit.

Several other series followed.

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing! It was fillled with action. This book was a just right book for me beacuse I loved the book and I understood it perfectely. I think you should read this book beacuse it is filled with action.

Here is a small summary of the start of the book:
Tom woke to the sound of birds chirping. His uncle came rushing hes room saying "the river has run out of water!" They went to go see when the saw a farm tha looked damaged. they went to go check it out. When they got there they saw a poor farmer whose farm was burnt down!

I hope you read this book!

[Erin Dunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 8 year old sons love everything they have read so far from this author.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great adventure story for 6+. It's great to read to them but, as they get older, it's a fun story for them to read to themselves. It was an exciting read and full of adventure.

[Katy Jean Vance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beast Quest: Ferno
I think this must be what reading books are talking about when they say books heavy on action and adventure for boys that don't waste time on description or super involved character background.

Beast Quest gets right down to it, and something is happening every moment. From the beginning where the knight dyes on the back of the dragon to Tom's village burning down to his constant struggle against the villains along the way. This is formulaic with shades of King Arthur, Robin Hood and every classic knight's tale. There's a token female character who served in a crucial supporting role, two mystical animals that respond to their master's every need often before they know they need it and a dragon that needs to be freed rather than killed.

This is recommended for middle to upper elementary readers in search of page turning action.

[Vanessa Ring · Rating 3 out of 5]

Después de leer el tomo 1 y 2 (siendo el primero mejor), he de decir que no me ha dado mucho interés por continuar con la saga. En el principio y desarrollo la historia va bien, pero en cuanto llega el enfrentamiento... o es fácil o no creíble. Luego no me merece seguir. Igual aun tengo el tomo 3 así que ya veré si me animo.

[Molly · Rating 2 out of 5]

*2.5 stars, really enjoyed it 😀

[Alexander Draganov · Rating 4 out of 5]

Том е син на велик приключенец, но живее в затънтено село и мечтае някой ден сам да се отправи на опасно пътешествие. Това може да се окаже по-лесно от очакваното, тъй като над селото му се случва поредица от необясними и зловещи събития и някой трябва да отиде да поиска помощ от краля. Том се оказва този някой, а пътят му разкрива, че цялата страна Авантия е връхлетяна от бедствия...

Цялото ревю прочетете на линка:
https://citadelata.com/ferno-the-fire...

[Agnes · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a fine book. Certainly not the most interesting or impressive children's book I've ever read, but also not the worst. The storyline isn't very impressive, but it's quite well-written considering the very basic, easy-to-read language used.
My favorite part was when the king's soldiers tried to accuse a wolf of poaching. It's a wolf. It's going to kill animals in the woods. I don't think that actually counts as poaching.

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun fantasy adventure read. I look forward to introducing the series to my students.

[Elysia · Rating 4 out of 5]

この本は日本語で読みました。
日本語を勉強しますから、ちょっと難しいでしたが、面白くて可笑しい本でした。トムは親切な子供です。エレナは弓で上手ですね！私は子供の時から、弓を使うことを勉強したいでした。。。
ビーストクエストが好きです。

[Butterfly2507 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ich fand es ehrlich gesagt eher so lala. Gut, ich bin auch nicht die geeignete Altersklasse aber trotzdem. Allzu spannend und actionreich (wie beschrieben) was es meiner Meinung nach nicht.

[Nathan Atkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book

[Clouds · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kids enjoyed this one way more than I did!

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't like this book because it was kind of boring. I enjoyed this book because I liked the part when Tom unlocked the golden chain around Ferno's neck.

[Sam Curling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice to read when bored,nice to see how it works out and it’s fun to see them adventuring to get the dragon(the characters were good as well.

[Miłośniczka Książek · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Ferno. Ognisty smok" to pierwsza część wielotomowej serii fantastycznej dla dzieci oraz młodzieży pt "Na tropie Bestii". Poszczególne historie pisane są przez różnych autorów, lecz wszystkie one sygnowane są wspólnym pseudonimem literackim: Adam Blade. Opowiada ona o przygodach Toma, który jednego dnia był zwykłym chłopcem mieszkającym we wsi Errinel pod opieką swego wujostwa, a już następnego stał się długo wyczekiwanym bohaterem, który miał zmierzyć się z zadaniem, z jakim nie poradzili sobie silniejsi, mądrzejsi, bardziej doświadczeni rycerze od niego.

W królestwie Avantii strzegące jej dotąd potężne Odwieczne Bestie pod wpływem klątwy rzuconej przez złego czarodzieja Malvela obróciły się przeciwko ludziom i zaczęły siać strach oraz zniszczenie. Jedną z nich jest ogromny smok Ferno. Odpowiedzialny był za to, by na ziemiach podległych królowi Hugonowi nigdy nie wyczerpywały się zasoby wody. Odkąd jednak znalazł się pod jarzmem Malvela, powysychały koryta rzek, a pola uprawne pochłonęła pożoga. Mieszkańcom królestwa grozi susza oraz głód. Tylko najprawdziwszy i najdzielniejszy bohater zdoła powstrzymać Bestię uwalniając ją spod rzuconej na nią klątwy. Jedyne, co wystarczy zrobić, to za pomocą złotego klucza otworzyć obrożę umieszczoną przez okrutnego Malvela na szyi smoka. Tylko tyle i aż tyle. Czy Tom podoła zadaniu? Czy faktycznie jest on bohaterem, którego narodziny przewidziały Pradawne Księgi? I jakie czekają go przygody, nim stanie oko w oko z przerażającą Bestią?

Historia utrzymana jest w baśniowym klimacie. Mamy królestwo z zamkiem, odważnych rycerzy, nadwornych magów oraz odwieczne, tajemnicze, magiczne stworzenia, które posiadają moce pozwalające im panować nad żywiołami. Nie zabrakło również prawdziwego bohatera, w którego rolę wcielił się chłopiec, który mimo tego, iż jest zaledwie nastolatkiem, odznacza się wielką wewnętrzną siłą, niezmierzoną odwagą i honorem godnym prawdziwego rycerza. Z pomocą niezwykłych darów otrzymanych od nadwornego maga oraz wiernych przyjaciół u boku nie boi się stawić czoła wyzwaniom, które wielu by przerosły. Wierzy, że póki istnieje choć maleńka szansa na powodzenie misji, warto się jej podjąć i próbować zwyciężyć. Postawa godna naśladowania. Podjęte przez niego wyzwanie staje się również okazją do poszukiwania odpowiedzi dręczących go od lat, a dotyczących jego ojca - Taladona Zręcznego, niegdyś największego i najwierniejszego królewskiego rycerza, który odszedł od rodziny po śmierci matki chłopca. Książka opatrzona została czarno - białymi ilustracjami uzupełniającymi treść opowieści. Użyta czcionka jest na tyle duża, że ułatwi dzieciom próby samodzielnego czytania. Dodatkowo dołączono do książki specjalne karty na skrzydełkach okładki, które po wycięciu pozwolą Waszym dzieciom bawić się z rodzeństwem, przyjaciółmi bądź rodzicami w grę doskonalącą ich pamięć - memo.

"Ferno. Ognisty smok" to początek doskonale zapowiadającej się serii, którą polecam nie tylko chłopcom (ze względu na motyw rycerza), ale wszystkim dzieciom pragnącym przeczytać książkę, która zabierze je w prawdziwą podróż pełną przygód oraz magii.

Moja ocena: 5/6
http://magicznyswiatksiazki.pl/ferno-...

[Belén Perrone · Rating 3 out of 5]

Me gustó este libro, es bastante simple y no ata algunos cabos, pero es divertido y creo que para un chico al que le gustan las aventuras y las bestias mitológicas está bastante bien.

[Lynn Worton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book in a fantasy series for children aged 5 - 8. I enjoyed it.

Tom is a wonderful character. He is a young boy whose father was Taladon the Swift, one of the Knights of Avantia. Sent on a quest to free the fire dragon, Ferno, from the curse of Malvel, a dark wizard, he finds himself facing dangers and making new friends.

I initially bought this book to help a couple of reluctant readers I am mentoring get into reading. I decided I would read it myself to see what it's like. The larger font used in the book is easy on the eyes and makes it easier for children to focus onto.

This is a really enjoyable story. I was quickly caught up in the tale. I liked meeting King Hugo and the wizard, Aduro. They are determined to break Malvel's hold over the dragons of Avantia. I also liked meeting Elenna, a young girl that befriends Tom, and her pet wolf called Silver. The story takes the reader through an exciting adventure, and a quest that makes them develop an emotional bond with the characters. The danger Tom and Elenna faces had me sitting on the edge of my seat. Unfortunately, I was a little disappointed by the ending. As the story reached its climax the intensity fizzled for me somewhat, even though it ended happily; this could be because I am not the intended age range. Nevertheless, I think that this is an intriguing series for the younger reader. Hopefully, this story will capture my charges imaginations as much as it caught mine.

I highly recommend this book to children aged 5 to 8 years old. I would also recommend it to adults who like reading young to middle grade YA fantasy books. - Lynn Worton

[Laura S · Rating 3 out of 5]

This review I have rated 3/5, generally because it is not something that I would pick up to read for myself, but as a children's book, it ticks all the boxes. So the review rating focuses more in my opinion of the book more than anything.
This book as I said ticks all the boxes, orphan sent on a quest, faces challenges and meets friends upon the way and in the end ***spoiler*** completes the quest. Now although relatively simple, these books are hugely popular with young children and you can see why, even though as an adult I can see a predictable plot, it has the basic things that will fire a children's imagination. Action, adventure and empowerment of the child. The fantasy element of the dragon enables children's imagination to run wild and allows violence to. It seem so sincere in the book. Overall, it's not hard to see why there is over 100 books in this series and children, especially boys love them.

[Dharia Scarab · Rating 3 out of 5]

My love of reading started when i was young, and it gives me immense pleasure to provide books to Spread the Word Nevada, an organization that passes them on to children in the community. They are a terrific organization supporting an important cause. If your local I encourage you to check them out. For those living further a field, look in your own community, their may already be a similar program in place. And if not, you can always help start one.

http://spreadthewordnevada.org/

Myself, I go out on the weekends and
shop thrift store and bulk book lots to rescue books and donate them. Sometimes I'll find a book I remember reading when I was young and will read it again before passing it on.

I don't rate these books using my normal scale, instead I give most of them three stars. This isn't a Criticism of the book, simply my way of rating them as good for children.

[Stacie · Rating 4 out of 5]

My 5-year-old loves this series. He saw the cover with a dragon on it and wanted it, but I doubted him. He hadn't been very good at sitting down to a book. But he sat down and read the prologue all by himself, so I encouraged him and he finished the whole thing! Now he's on book #4 and I feel like his reading has taken off due to this book. The writing style is perfect for him because it's just enough above his level to push him. And the story is exciting so he's motivated to keep reading. I would recommend this whole-heartedly for anyone trying to get their little boy (or girl even) to be motivated to read.

[Owen Townend · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I found the first in this expansive series of children's books, I had to see what all the fuss was about.

I am happy to report that Beast Quest's popularity is justified: Blade successfully condenses the high adventure of fantasy novels into just over a hundred pages of entertaining and digestible chapters.

Also the central message promotes release above conquest, the kind of endgoal that we should be teaching younger generations in these troubled times.

It is by no means for hardcore Fantasy lovers but it is a reliable gateway for new readers to that genre.
A promising beginning...

[18saleya068 · Rating 5 out of 5]

It introduces the series very clearly and it explains how and what is happening in this universe where there are beasts that protect the land from evil wizards and witches. The author describes the protagonist’s feeling very well and a lot. The plot of this book is that a boy is called by the king to save the land of Avantia and he is asked to risk his life to save the 6 of Avantia. In this book Tom(the protagonist) is tasked with free a collar around a fire-breathing dragon’s neck. Along his journey he finds a new best friend who helps him liberate Ferno and her name is Elena whose best friend is a wolf called silver.

[Betsy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read through this quickly because I'd like to do a Beast Quest program at the library and haven't read any of the books. Considering the age level this series is for, it's not too bad. It's not the best fantasy book you're ever going to read, but I know kids here go nuts for them and that's all that matters to me. I may skim through a few more in the series just to see how it goes. They are only about 75 pages long and take about 30 minutes to read.