Lee Newbery is such a breath of fresh air. His characters are fun and lovable. The adventure, one of a life time. He deserves to be revered!

This superb middle grade novel comes from the author of the incredible 2022 novel The Last Firefox (a future classic, in my opinion) and as book 2 of the trilogy is equally as good as good as the first.

The wonderful characters are back in a new adventure, Charlie and Cadno sparkle, and are a powerful duo fighting the dark forces. The magic and adventure and lots of Welsh influence make this a novel to treasure. I’m already recommending it to all the middle-graders I know (lots!).

Well done Lee Newbery for creating an exceptional and timeless series that will delight children and their adults and allow for loads of good bookclub chat.

A brilliant sequel to a fantastic book. A book that shows he true value of family that comes in various shapes and sizes.

Amazing, beautiful, everything!
Absolutely smashed the sequel. It wasn’t repetitive, brought us a new adventure, new characters and dynamics! Plus LGBTQ+ which we love!

Thoroughly enjoyed meeting all of the magical creatures and the journey they were on!

We utterly adored this book - such a fabulous hero's journey story packed full of magical creatures who will utterly enchant you. I loved the relationship with Charlie and his two dads (great LGBT+ representation) as firstly neither parent was killed off by the writer which is often the start of a hero's journey and in fact they were along for (some) of the ride - parents supporting their child is lovely to see in kidlit. I also loved the friends in this - new and old - and I think Lee Newbery writes fabulous dialogue (great banter) between the characters. It's a magical world and this is a magical book!

So lovely to go on another adventure with Cadno and the gang.
It is lovely to read a book where the parents know about the magic and adventures.
I found it hilarious when both parents decide to go on the adventure with them - I just wish they were part of the whole journey!
In this, the second book Charlie returns to the other world as a darkness has swept over the land. It is Draig. Noone knows what they are or how to defeat them, but they believe that Charlie will have the answers.

‘There’s a unicorn butt poking out of our lawn. You can tell it’s definitely a unicorn, and not just your average horse bum, because its tail is glittery. If it was to do a poo, I guarantee it would be rainbow-coloured.’

For Charlie and his family - two fathers and sister - living with a Firefox is not always easy and the Dads are long suffering. Your average household pet brings its own problems, but a Firefox takes these to another level - singed curtains, melted homework and the odd fire or two.
‘We’ve got a furry firework from a faraway realm and a two-year old who thinks she’s Queen of the Universe. We’ve out of our depth! We’ve never had a pet before. We should have started with a hamster or goldfish..’
Charlie is worried that his Dads might have had enough; he’s also worried that Cadno is missing Fargone the legendary world which he came from. But of course the portal closed behind them after their last adventure….Only now, just to add to the Dads’ worries, the portal has opened again and some mystical creatures arrive in the garden to ask for Charlie’s help. Of course the Dads are not up for another adventure…
The opening of this book is spectacular and guaranteed to grab the attention of even the most reluctant reader. The picture of a unicorn’s bottom and the prospect of glittery poop is an absolute winner. This book had me howling with laughter. The wonderful characters from the previous book - The First Firedragon - are back again and the winning formula of gorgeous fantasy, humour and adventure works even better. The story is rich with imagination, with monsters, mystical creatures and a magical land and with wonderful messages about courage and confidence, friendship..
As a former teacher I can only wish that this book had been in my classroom - it is a teacher’s dream. Children will love the characters, the adventure and that particular brand of humour that children love. As an adult this offered delightful escapism, laugh out loud humour and not a little empathy with those two Dads!!
Added to all this the illustrations are spectacular!

Many thanks to Netgalley and Puffin for my digital copy. This is a book I want on my shelves so I went out and bought myself a copy.

The first in this series was a sweet contemporary story with elements of magic, where this second story embraces being a questing fantasy in another realm.

Newbery has shifted up a notch here, the story rattles along nicely and he skilfully introduces new concepts, legends and magical creatures effortlessly, without info dumping or overwhelming. The story is page turning, and has a satisfying action packed conclusion.

The characters are all distinct and interesting, and could all be the focus of their own story but work together really well.

Newbery is also smoothly inclusive in his approach. Charlie has two dads, it’s just part of the story and shows the horrible, terrible truth - WE’RE JUST THE SAME AS ANY OTHER FAMILY! Argh! The horror! The characters are starting develop first crushes which is sweetly done within the larger story.

Overall this is a fantastic expansion of the base created by The Last Firefox and could lead into even more fantastic adventures which I can’t wait to see!

Very cute! I can’t wait to buy this and share it with my class. I think this has such important messages about acceptance and tolerance and love!

I loved this sequel to The Last Firefox and this time we meet a whole host of mythical and magical creatures that lead Charlie, Roo and Lippy through the portal into the land of Fargone to defeat the fearsome Shadow dragon that has re emerged. They are not alone though as Charlie's dads come too along with faithful firefox Cadno. The friends set out alone to defeat the Draig and soon meet Branwen, the princess who has escaped her castle and is determined to bring peace to her land. I loved how everyone in Fargone knows of Charlie's defeat of the Grendilock in The Last Firefox and know him as Charlie the great. This story uncovers layers of myth and Welsh legends and weaves it all together into an amazing adventure stories with the brilliant cast of characters. Love the friendship between the 3 and how Charlie once again finds his inner fire. The blossoming relationship with Branwen and Lippy was a highlight too.

I adored ‘The Last Firefox’ when I read it last year and was delighted to discover there was going to be a sequel! These books are so charming, packed full of adventure and emotion with lush characters!

“There’a a unicorn butt poking out of our lawn” - epic first line which had me chuckling from the very outset.

It’s not long before Charlie’s life turns on its head yet again when Teg turns up at his house with a plethora of magical creatures including a sassy snabbit and a mythical floradoe, Blodyn. Before long Charlie is forced to enter Fargone with his Dad, Pa and best friends Lippy, Roo and firefox Cadno.

Then begins an epic adventure to fight the evil creature Draig and save the land of Fargone. Featuring old friends and new, Charlie’s adventure will have you hooked from beginning to end.

I adore the characters in these books. Reading about gay parents in such a natural way always warms my heart and I can’t wait for the day I have my own family for them to read these books.

A large nod has to go to all of the Welsh references in these books too! Aside from Wales as a setting, there is inclusion of Welsh language and nods to Welsh history and mythology which make me brim with pride!

Thank you to Puffin, Lee Newbery and NetGalley for my early review copy in exchange of a fair and honest review.

Fantastically fresh writing from an author who continues to go up in my estimations by producing books that have an exciting storyline mixed with awesome characters, both real and magical, that everyone can relate to.

Charlie, Roo, Lippy and Cadno, The Last Firefox are back!
Whilst I suppose you could read this as a standalone it is meant to be a sequel to The Last Firefox, which you should read anyway because it is a great story and this all makes far more sense if you know Charlie's story.

This starts with "There's a unicorn butt poking out of the lawn." What more could you possibly do than read on!

Charlie, Pa, Dad and baby sister Edie are working on family life with a crazy firefox who likes to bury stuff or singes it (by accident when excited). Is he too much for them? And definitely don't say walk!
When Charlie and his friends go to the castle to get Cadno out of the house for a while, there's a problem - the portal to Fargone is open.
They rush home, and there are magical creatures in his garden and of course, Teg, the boy from Fargone who Cadno is very excited to see. He's there for help. Amusingly for all concerned Charlie is famous in Fargone! But Dad and Pa don't want Charlie to go anywhere so Teg takes an unusual route to ensure he gets the help that he wants.
Can Charlie, Roo and Lippy really help? And what exactly do they have to help with? Who can help them?
This is a fabulous sequel to The Last Firefox. Charlie's feelings for his family, friends and Cadno lead his determination. But does he have teh faith in himself that others have?
Loved it!

Just so much "ahhh this book is amazing!!!". I adored the first book and the kids in my school did so. I had to get an arc to give myself a chance to read it because as soon as I take this book into school I wouldn't get it back for months with the line for who wants it next! This one was just as magical as the first and I just adored it, I love how Lee explores some difficult themes within the books, this opens up great conversations with the kids. I cannot wait to see what comes next for Lee - I know the kids in my school are always excited!

A 5 star read for my 9 year old co-reviewer. We found it a very exciting book, we loved the family dynamic, Charlie has 2 dads. Charlie's little sister Edie is very funny and Cadno bursts into flames when he gets too excited. Draig the Shadowdragon is very fierce but Cadno defeats him with an orb of light.....

The First Shadow Dragon
By Lee Newbery
Published by Penguin Random House Children's

Lee Newbery returns with another marvellous adventure story as a magical sequel to The Last Firefox, one of the most exciting children's debuts I read last year in 2022.

After defeating the evil Grendilock and saving Cadno, the last firefox, Charlie isn’t expecting another mission quiet so soon. His well-earned rest is cut short when Forgone seems to be having life drained from every living thing; plants, creatures, whole landscapes. So when a familiar face resurfaces, Charlie and his friends embark on another dangerous and exciting quest in the realm of Fargone.

Newbery gives us magic and mystery alongside danger and determination. His characters are full of life, curious for adventures and unbelievably determined to succeed. But running alongside this are pockets of doubt that we can all relate to; am I good enough, am I strong enough, am I brave enough?

Alongside Lippy, Roo and a new magical friend Blodyn, Charlie must travel to Fargone to face the dreaded Draig, the shadowy monster that is slowly draining the life from the land. Will he over come his self-doubt and uncover the lost secret that links Draig's history to Charlie's own? Or will he give in to the powers and tyranny he faces?

All legends must start somewhere...so pick yourself up a copy of this joyous new sequel and join Charlie, his friends (& enemies) on a fast paced, edge of your seat, page turner of a quest!!! You won’t regret it!!

Joanne Bardgett - teacher of littlies, lover of Children’s literature.

#Netgalley
#penguinreadinghouseuk

The First Shadowdragon is an adventure full of magic and trying to find your inner fire; how to be brave in difficult situations. This is a perfect sequel for The Last Firefox because it has the same elements of exploring often difficult themes through a fun adventure. Lee Newbery has a talent for writing humorous story that balances the fun, the adventure, and the difficult themes perfectly.

Charlie and Cadno lead an adventure to Fargone, where terrifying Draig has started to terrorize the magical world. Since Charlie defeated the Grendilock, he's asked to come and save Fargone because he's thought to be the only one who can do it. So Charlie, Cadno, Roo, Lippy, Charlie's sister and fathers end up to Fargone. I absolutely loved how Charlie's dads came along and it is not only the kids going on an adventure.

This is a brilliant and funny story, which I highly recommend to everyone. It's heart-warming adventure and Lee Newbery's writing is superb.

In The First Shadow Dragon, Charlie and his friends Lippy and Roo are back to face off against another monster. Having defeated the Grendilock, they now must travel to Fargone to save the country from Draig, a dreaded shadow monster that is slowly draining the life from the land. With the adventure set in a magical land, we encounter a whole menagerie of new magical creatures. My kids were hooked from the first sentence – find me a 7-year-old who can resist the mention of a unicorn butt. The boys particularly loved meeting Cadno’s new magical friend Blodyn, as well as the grumpy snabbit. The story is a typical fantasy quest, told at an engaging pace and with plenty of opportunity to reconnect with favourite characters and grow fond of new ones.
As for myself, the thing I love most about Newbery’s books is the great representation, which feels totally organic to the story. We laughed at Dad and Pa’s interactions, and recognised many of the scenarios from our everyday life, for example the horror of having a favourite soft toy go missing. Essentially, my boys learned that life in a family with two dads is just the same as what they know. My favourite new character was Branwen the warrior princess, and I will advocate for any book that mentions a Queendom! Reading diverse books is the easiest way of raising open-minded, tolerant kids who I hope will grow up unafraid to be themselves and to stand up for others. We absolutely need more books like these, but if you haven’t yet read The Last Firefox and The First Shadowdragon, there’s a good starting point – I highly recommend them!

Lee Newbery’ debut was fun, unique in its delivery, and hilarious. This sequel takes all of that and delivers it in equal measure, but adds further fantasy, further magic, and more in depth world building. I loved it.

This book will appeal to families of all ages. The diversity of characters helps support inclusivity and understanding. Lee Newbery should be read by everyone.

The First Shadowdragon is a great return to Wales and the home of Charlie Challinor. Set six months after The Last Firefox, we follow our unlikely hero to the land of Fargone along with Cadno, Libby and Roo. As with its prequel, the story has real heart and I thoroughly enjoyed Newbery’s world building. This book is perfectly suited to readers in Year 3 and above.