Between bullies at school and changes at home, Charlie Challinor finds life a bit scary. And when he’s made guardian of a furry fox cub called Cadno, things get a whole lot scarier. Because Cadno isn’t just any fox, he’s a Firefox; the only one of his kind and a sinister hunter from another world is on his trail. Swept up into an unexpected adventure to protect his flammable friend, Charlie needs to find the bravery he never thought he had to save the last Firefox.

This is a story with multiple layers. Charlie desperately wants to be a good big brother if his two Dad’s are successful again in adopting a child but doubts he is up to the task. The school bullies, who are a constant thorn in his side, have undermined his confidence. When he rescues Cadno, his natural instinct to protect the frightened fox cub helps lick his own inner flame of courage into life. Fortunately, Charlie has the support of his two great pals, Lippy and Roo, who have his back well and truly covered and just as well as the sinister hunter is a shapeshifter who can take many forms. When his Dads are captured as bait, poor Charlie is terrified but this time, instead of being frozen with fear filled with their love in his heart and his loyal friends by his side, he finds the inner strength to fight back.

Some humorous dialogue offsets the almost constant peril. I loved the fact that one of Charlie’s Dad’s is a firefighter and nearly has an apoplectic fit when he discovers a Firefox has been sheltering under his roof. No wonder the heat detectors he had installed kept mysteriously going off and the laundry got singed! A great cast of characters, a seriously cute fox cub and a deliciously evil villain make this a perfect choice for readers of 8 plus.

(Review by Nicola)