The Fire Within by Chris d'Lacey follows the story of David Rain, a college student who rents a room in an unusual boarding house filled with clay dragons that come to life. Alongside the dragons, there is a focus on squirrels, particularly Lucy's favorite squirrel named Conker. As David delves into the mysteries of the dragons and the peculiar happenings in the house, he also becomes involved in helping Lucy and Conker. The book combines elements of fantasy with real-world issues like kindness, friendship, and the importance of caring for others.

Characters:

The characters are quirky and relatable, with David exhibiting youthful struggles, Lucy embodying childlike enthusiasm, and Liz exuding creativity and mystique.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is engaging and suitable for children, yet deeper themes emerge as the character development unfolds, appealing to a broad age range.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative intricately weaves a tale of a college student's experiences with a quirky family and their magical dragons, mixed with a heartfelt quest to save a squirrel, showcasing the intersections of fantasy and reality.

Setting:

The setting is an inviting, magical home infused with creativity, alongside a relatable suburban environment.

Pacing:

The story unfolds at a measured pace, allowing for character exploration but sometimes feeling drawn out.

Well, here we are,” Mrs. Pennykettle said, pausing by the door of the room she had for rent. She clasped her hands together and smiled. “Officially, it’s our dining room, but we always eat in the kitc...

Notes:

The main character, David Rain, is a 20-year-old college student.

David moves into the Pennykettle household, which is filled with clay dragons.

Lucy Pennykettle, Liz's daughter, is passionate about rescuing squirrels.

The neighbor, Mr. Bacon, is suspected of harming a squirrel named Conker.

David's dragon, Gadzooks, helps him write a story about the squirrels.

Conker, the injured squirrel, has a serious eye injury and eventually dies.

The story combines elements of reality with fantasy, focusing on bonds between characters.

The book suggests the dragons are alive through the love they receive from their owners.

The Fire Within is the first book in a series known as The Last Dragon Chronicles.

The story features themes of friendship, creativity, and environmental awareness.

Has Romance?

There is a moderate level of romance in The Fire Within, primarily between David and Sophie.

From The Publisher:

When David moves in with Liz Pennykettle and her daughter Lucy, he discovers a collection of hand-crafted, clay dragons that come to life and have magical powers. David's personalized dragon, Gadzooks, can forecast the future, and inspires him to write a story which reveals the truth behind an unsolved mystery close to home.

The story has an unhappy ending, and when David realizes the consequences of it, he is angry. Then David finds Gadzooks crying and near death, and he discovers that these special dragons die when they are not loved. Soon David is forced to save his friend and unlock the powers of the fire within.

Ratings (7)

Incredible (1)
Loved It (5)
Hated It (1)

Reader Stats (14):

Read It (7)
Want To Read (5)
Not Interested (2)

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The Fire Within?

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The Fire Within

Chris d'Lacey

Book 1 in the series:The Last Dragon Chronicles