Secrets of the Great Fire Tree

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Pub Date 28 May 2019 | Archive Date 31 Jul 2019

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Description

A Boy.

His Pendant.

A Magical Tree.

In rural China during the New Year celebrations, Kai receives devastating news. A poor harvest spells disaster unless his mother accepts a job in the city caring for a wealthy family.

Abandoned in his mountainous village, Kai is desperate to bring his mother home. He gives in to superstition and unlocks the secrets of the Great Fire Tree. The Great Fire Tree will grant Kai’s wish—for a terrible price. With the help of his new friend Xinying and his trusted piglet, Kai will make a sacrifice to make his family whole.

Justine Laismith weaves together Chinese mystique and rural charm in an enchanting tale of an antidote that kills and an amulet that curses.

A Boy.

His Pendant.

A Magical Tree.

In rural China during the New Year celebrations, Kai receives devastating news. A poor harvest spells disaster unless his mother accepts a job in the city caring for...


A Note From the Publisher

You will receive an unpublished, advance reader edition for professional reading purposes. Secrets of the Great Fire Tree will be available on May 28, 2019. Secrets of the Great Fire Tree © 2019 Justine Laismith.

You will receive an unpublished, advance reader edition for professional reading purposes. Secrets of the Great Fire Tree will be available on May 28, 2019. Secrets of the Great Fire Tree © 2019...


Advance Praise

Selected in #DVpit, a Twitter pitch party for marginalized authors & illustrators

Nominated for the Freeman Book Awards for East and Southeast Asian young adult and children's literature

Selected in #DVpit, a Twitter pitch party for marginalized authors & illustrators

Nominated for the Freeman Book Awards for East and Southeast Asian young adult and children's literature


Marketing Plan

We implement targeted marketing and publicity campaigns aimed at fans of speculative fiction (horror, science fiction, and fantasy). Pre-publication, we distribute advance reader copies through NetGalley, launch pre-order campaigns alongside virtual blog tours, and mail advance readers copies to trade journals and independent specialty retailers. We also place ads in podcasts and on high-traffic websites, including Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA), Horror Writers Association (HWA), and Mystery Writers of America (MWA) qualifying markets. Post-publication, we support author appearances at book festivals and conventions across the United States. Contact AURELIA LEO through email for more information: press@aurelialeo.com.

We implement targeted marketing and publicity campaigns aimed at fans of speculative fiction (horror, science fiction, and fantasy). Pre-publication, we distribute advance reader copies through...


Available Editions

EDITION Hardcover
ISBN 9781946024329
PRICE US$21.99 (USD)

Average rating from 7 members


Featured Reviews

Secrets of the Great Fire tree is the story of Kai, a little Chinese boy who is left behind in his village when his parents have to move to the city to find work. Having recently seen a documentary on the self-same topic, I was most favorably disposed towards this story line. As it happens, I ended up loving this book. There is no magic or no fire-breathing dragons in this book but the very fact of all the characters in this story being common, everyday people made it that much special. The story is told in an engaging yet simple manner that is always egging the reader on to believe in something better coming around the bend. 

It is written in simple language while introducing the reader to a culture that is not so different from our own. As a children’s story it works brilliantly to bring to attention the helplessness of the parents who are trying their best and that of the child trying to understand all the upheaval in his life and trying to make both sides agree see each other's points of views. It also highlights the everyday bravery of many such families like Kai's who must choose to make hard decisions in order to survive this life.

The village life that the author describes seems a bit too idyllic at times and the fact that everyone is so nice to each other, while lovely to read about, seems a bit too sugar-coated. However, one also feels that it is required in order to give some hope to the little boy who would otherwise certainly have simply sunk into a deep depression. There is also the point that we never really know which tree the author is referring to in this story. Is it a real tree or a made-up one? And the part where everyone calls the tree by different names is so true in India as well, where it is sometimes impossible to pin down which tree/ shrub someone is talking about unless you have a horticulturist to help you out. Even Google may fail you at such times.

Also, the fact that the author has subtly managed to convey how a child should always try and share his/her misgivings and problems with elders and trust them to understand and help him/her out. Things don’t always turn out so hunky-dory in real life, but it is nice sometimes to just read about characters who do everything just right. And seen from a young reader’s perspective it is certainly a very good book.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and finished it in one go. Will not lie though, I was expecting some kind of fire-breathing dragon to make an appearance at some point of the story or something even more tragic to happen at some other points in the narrative, but I was very glad that the author did not succumb to including these tropes to make the story more darker and morose.

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