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Fireblood
Dragons don’t exist. But they used to...
Discovering that the magic of dragons flows through your veins is frightening – and liberating! But with the powers of dragonkind comes a desperate quest: siblings Finn and Tula must travel to a hidden island fortress to help save their father – and the world they know; and discover the truth of their incredible fireblood heritage.
Discovering that the magic of dragons flows through your veins is frightening – and liberating! But with the powers of dragonkind comes a desperate quest: siblings Finn and Tula must travel to a hidden island fortress to help save their father – and the world they know; and discover the truth of their incredible fireblood heritage.
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Published March 9, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 3, 2023
I received an ARC from the publisher as part of this blog tour in exchange for an honest review. It has not affected my opinions.
3.5 stars
THE FIRST FLIGHT is a book full of magic and adventure as Finn and Tula discover a hidden world of magic descended from dragons when their dad goes missing.
This is a book contains a lot of action as the Venomous are on the hunt for Finn and Tula, breaking into fortresses and destroying everything in their path. There are plenty of escapes and battles, and learning about powers in the nick of time to escape.
On top of this, there is magic. Different houses have different forms of magic, but the siblings don't get a chance to settle in and learn what theirs is, as they are on the run from danger. Instead, they learn in the midst of danger as powers burst out of them in self-defence. This could be a really fun thing to be explored in further books as they discover more about what they can do.
There are also several characters from history or mythology who turn up, like George (as in George and the dragon.) There are a few who haven't been confirmed but I have my suspicions will be revealed as characters from legend (etc) in later books. It was a nice way of weaving this hidden world of magic into our history by linking it to real/quasi-real people.
The reason this is 3.5 stars mostly comes down to something that I suspect many people won't notice but kept pulling me out of the story (which meant I then had to try and get back in.) There are quite a few instances of scientific words being used incorrectly. Unfortunately, most were from my field, so I was very aware of them in a way I know most won't be, so I suspect it won't interrupt others like it did me.
THE FIRST FLIGHT is the first book in the series, and it looks like the Venomous and their leader will be back to create more chaos in their attempt to take over the world.
3.5 stars
THE FIRST FLIGHT is a book full of magic and adventure as Finn and Tula discover a hidden world of magic descended from dragons when their dad goes missing.
This is a book contains a lot of action as the Venomous are on the hunt for Finn and Tula, breaking into fortresses and destroying everything in their path. There are plenty of escapes and battles, and learning about powers in the nick of time to escape.
On top of this, there is magic. Different houses have different forms of magic, but the siblings don't get a chance to settle in and learn what theirs is, as they are on the run from danger. Instead, they learn in the midst of danger as powers burst out of them in self-defence. This could be a really fun thing to be explored in further books as they discover more about what they can do.
There are also several characters from history or mythology who turn up, like George (as in George and the dragon.) There are a few who haven't been confirmed but I have my suspicions will be revealed as characters from legend (etc) in later books. It was a nice way of weaving this hidden world of magic into our history by linking it to real/quasi-real people.
The reason this is 3.5 stars mostly comes down to something that I suspect many people won't notice but kept pulling me out of the story (which meant I then had to try and get back in.) There are quite a few instances of scientific words being used incorrectly. Unfortunately, most were from my field, so I was very aware of them in a way I know most won't be, so I suspect it won't interrupt others like it did me.
THE FIRST FLIGHT is the first book in the series, and it looks like the Venomous and their leader will be back to create more chaos in their attempt to take over the world.
March 7, 2024
i have mixed feelings on this one. On one hand, I can see that people, especially kids, will love it. It's exciting. relitively fast paced, some interesting characters etc. but on the other hand, I just could not connect with this book. I found myself reluctant to pick it back up again when i'd stopped reading, and one of my main issues was being bombarded with a TON of new characters once the two main kids were pulled into the world of dragons being real. I quickly lost track of who was who. I didn't manage to finish it, as i was just not really enjoying all these new characters and disconnect with the book in general.
but like i say, I think this is more on me than on the book itself. I can absolutely see kids loving this book and finding it super exciting, so I definitely recommend that, if you have kids maybe 10+ who love fantasy and fun adventures, this would be a great book for them!
but like i say, I think this is more on me than on the book itself. I can absolutely see kids loving this book and finding it super exciting, so I definitely recommend that, if you have kids maybe 10+ who love fantasy and fun adventures, this would be a great book for them!
July 4, 2025
Finn and Tula’s father, Augustus Flint, has discovered an uneven, frosted crystal stone, like a huge lump of sea glass, which lies on his kitchen counter, he speaks his thoughts aloud and the stone responds. He knows somehow that the glass is female and would be furious to be described as sea glass, but then she always seems to be angry. The crystal, which Augustus addresses as M’lady insists he leaves her behind in case he fails his mission and she needs to explain what his children must do to save the world.
Finn and Tula Flint and Tula’s pet lizard, Tan, are on the run in Bristol and haven’t seen their father, Augustus, for ten days. Their aunt, Myra, has insisted to their father that they must go to a ‘normal’ school to help with what she calls their oddities: nine year old Tula hasn’t spoken since their mother died eight years before and communicates with their father and with her brother, Finn, in a sign language only they understand. Tula can turn things to ice by breathing or waving and can also open locks magnetically, using just her hands, but it’s only when they are trapped down an alleyway eating thrown away pizza that Finn discovers he is capable of throwing a nuclear blast of light from his fingertips directly into the face of their assailant, Craven, and his band of three thugs.
Once Mr Craven and his goons run off, another man appears in the alley and instructs them to come with him, telling them Craven is coming back with reinforcements and Craven’s not the only one determined to capture the children.
Tula doesn’t trust the man, it’s an instinctive fear but real, despite the fact that the man seems to know so much about them. Even Tula’s pet lizard, Tan, has been warning her to trust the man but she refuses to listen. It feels as if the man’s been watching them since before Craven discovered them and also he claims to know what’s happened to their father. The hot orange juice taste that fills his mouth tells Finn that Patrick, is telling the truth.
They clamber into the Patrick’s Jaguar Mark 1, a news station blaring with news about an area in Russia where they believe their father is being held and the man pulls into the traffic. Tula signals to Finn and as soon as she gets the opportunity, Tula uses her magic to open the car doors and they throw themselves from the crawling vehicle.
Making their way to a hidden doorway in their father’s house they hear a sound through the trapdoor above and realise it is Patrick. He screams for their help from ‘Venomous’ and Finn says they’re not real but are made-up monsters from his computer game. It turns out that his computer game has been a means for his father to remotely train him for all that is to come. The children escape with Patrick and embark on an adventure to find their father, their family, to confront their pasts and discover who they really are and what they’re capable of. Warning: this is a story of extreme selfless bravery.
Fireblood is so well written and readers are quickly invested in the characters, setting, their story and the extreme peril which faces them. Fireblood was written for children and teenagers in 2023 and I absolutely loved it and hope Sam Stewart is writing a sequel.
Finn and Tula Flint and Tula’s pet lizard, Tan, are on the run in Bristol and haven’t seen their father, Augustus, for ten days. Their aunt, Myra, has insisted to their father that they must go to a ‘normal’ school to help with what she calls their oddities: nine year old Tula hasn’t spoken since their mother died eight years before and communicates with their father and with her brother, Finn, in a sign language only they understand. Tula can turn things to ice by breathing or waving and can also open locks magnetically, using just her hands, but it’s only when they are trapped down an alleyway eating thrown away pizza that Finn discovers he is capable of throwing a nuclear blast of light from his fingertips directly into the face of their assailant, Craven, and his band of three thugs.
Once Mr Craven and his goons run off, another man appears in the alley and instructs them to come with him, telling them Craven is coming back with reinforcements and Craven’s not the only one determined to capture the children.
Tula doesn’t trust the man, it’s an instinctive fear but real, despite the fact that the man seems to know so much about them. Even Tula’s pet lizard, Tan, has been warning her to trust the man but she refuses to listen. It feels as if the man’s been watching them since before Craven discovered them and also he claims to know what’s happened to their father. The hot orange juice taste that fills his mouth tells Finn that Patrick, is telling the truth.
They clamber into the Patrick’s Jaguar Mark 1, a news station blaring with news about an area in Russia where they believe their father is being held and the man pulls into the traffic. Tula signals to Finn and as soon as she gets the opportunity, Tula uses her magic to open the car doors and they throw themselves from the crawling vehicle.
Making their way to a hidden doorway in their father’s house they hear a sound through the trapdoor above and realise it is Patrick. He screams for their help from ‘Venomous’ and Finn says they’re not real but are made-up monsters from his computer game. It turns out that his computer game has been a means for his father to remotely train him for all that is to come. The children escape with Patrick and embark on an adventure to find their father, their family, to confront their pasts and discover who they really are and what they’re capable of. Warning: this is a story of extreme selfless bravery.
Fireblood is so well written and readers are quickly invested in the characters, setting, their story and the extreme peril which faces them. Fireblood was written for children and teenagers in 2023 and I absolutely loved it and hope Sam Stewart is writing a sequel.
March 20, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley for giving me an early copy of this book in exchange for a review.
I was really excited for this book and I thought it sounded like a book I would love, but I just really didn’t. I didn’t feel a connection with any of the characters and I honestly thought some were quite forgettable, I loved the two main siblings however, Finn and Tula I enjoyed their relationship but that was about it. I didn’t feel connected to the story and I thought a lot of it was just boring and unforgettable, I took a break from this book since I thought I was going to dnf it and when I came back a few weeks later I just didn’t remember anything which isn’t normal for me.
I think it was a decent book but just not my type of book.
I was really excited for this book and I thought it sounded like a book I would love, but I just really didn’t. I didn’t feel a connection with any of the characters and I honestly thought some were quite forgettable, I loved the two main siblings however, Finn and Tula I enjoyed their relationship but that was about it. I didn’t feel connected to the story and I thought a lot of it was just boring and unforgettable, I took a break from this book since I thought I was going to dnf it and when I came back a few weeks later I just didn’t remember anything which isn’t normal for me.
I think it was a decent book but just not my type of book.
March 8, 2023
Brilliant middle grade fantasy coming-of-age novel about family, love and loss. Finn and Tula must find themselves in order to find their father who has disappeared. They follow the traces that he’s left behind evading horrible creatures, kidnappers and a city who blame them for all the perils they face now.
Both battle their inner demons as well as the external forces preventing them from saving their father and the world.
Exhilarating descriptions are vivid and memorable. And as in many gorgeous Welsh tales dragons and song weigh in to help Finn and Tula in their dangerous quest.
Gorgeous writing found again by Welsh publishers Firefly. Thanks to them and NetGalley for this e-arc.
Both battle their inner demons as well as the external forces preventing them from saving their father and the world.
Exhilarating descriptions are vivid and memorable. And as in many gorgeous Welsh tales dragons and song weigh in to help Finn and Tula in their dangerous quest.
Gorgeous writing found again by Welsh publishers Firefly. Thanks to them and NetGalley for this e-arc.
March 24, 2023
What a ride - and so much fun. Fantasy only works when the world-building is rock solid -and Fireblood's world-building is brilliant. The characters are fabulous - I was invested in their fates early, and deep... and there is a fantastic sense of humor throughout that lightens the mood at perfect times... hurry the hell up with Vol 2!
March 7, 2023
I loved it because it's fast paced, there's a lot going on, well developed characters and an intriguing world building.
I think it can be love by people of all ages.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine
I think it can be love by people of all ages.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine
March 3, 2023
My son absolutely loved this book… couldn’t put it down!
April 23, 2023
I got completely lost in this fantasy world. I particularly loved the character Tula. She was such a strong young woman and I can’t wait to watch her powers grow in future books!
January 3, 2024
Dragons in a fantasy novel of some interest.
November 24, 2025
Okay book just far too many characters to know up with
March 9, 2023
5 fiery stars!
Two ordinary children are thrown into an extraordinary world when their father disappears. What follows is an enchanting journey full of high jinks and peril to find their father and discover some hidden secrets about themselves along the way. They may also just save the world too!
Fireblood takes its reader on a thrilling adventure of magic and intrigue. From the West Country of England to the marvellous island of Portaldor and on to the volcanos of Iceland. Filled with page-turning action and adventure, Finn and Tula battle hideous beasts, get help from a prophetic telling stone, meet a wonderous wyrm and ride a mystical water dragon.
The story is original and stunningly imaginative, the characters are fun and endearing and the world building is engaging and creative.
As an extra undertaking, the reader can choose to try and decode secret messages hidden along the bottom of pages. This is something I’ve never come across before, and I feel it is a delightful addition – while Finn and Tula go on their own quest, so can the reader!
I’m very much hoping this will be a series and we will get to revisit Portaldor soon.
Two ordinary children are thrown into an extraordinary world when their father disappears. What follows is an enchanting journey full of high jinks and peril to find their father and discover some hidden secrets about themselves along the way. They may also just save the world too!
Fireblood takes its reader on a thrilling adventure of magic and intrigue. From the West Country of England to the marvellous island of Portaldor and on to the volcanos of Iceland. Filled with page-turning action and adventure, Finn and Tula battle hideous beasts, get help from a prophetic telling stone, meet a wonderous wyrm and ride a mystical water dragon.
The story is original and stunningly imaginative, the characters are fun and endearing and the world building is engaging and creative.
As an extra undertaking, the reader can choose to try and decode secret messages hidden along the bottom of pages. This is something I’ve never come across before, and I feel it is a delightful addition – while Finn and Tula go on their own quest, so can the reader!
I’m very much hoping this will be a series and we will get to revisit Portaldor soon.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews