Simon Schuster The Boy Who Fell From the Sky.

by Benjamin Dean

Combining the warmth and heart of Ross Welford’s The 1,000 Year Old Boy with the epic adventure and inseparable friendship of Frank Cottrell Boyce ’s Cosmic comes an otherworldly new middle grade adventure from the award-winning Benjamin Dean.

Demons haven’t fallen from the sky in years. In fact, many think they’re extinct. But twelve-year-old Zed knows otherwise. Zed’s dad, the head of a sect of Hunters, has always been prepared for the Demons’ return, and he’s been training a reluctant Zed for years on eliminating them once and for all.

And then one night, Spark falls from the sky and disrupts everything Zed thought he knew. Because this Demon is nothing like the myths – he’s a frightened boy, no older than Zed, who wants to go home.

Can Zed stand up for what’s right, even if it means going against his own family?

Praise for Benjamin

‘Warm-hearted and cheering, with a dash of sparkle’ – Guardian

'A life-affirming, must-read' –  The Independent

'The novel wears its heart on its sleeve, and it is a very big heart' –  Financial Times

'Funny, fresh and full of heart' –  Katie Tsang , co-author of DRAGON MOUNTAIN

‘Vibrant, funny and wise – a book to savour’ –  Kiran Millwood Hargrave , author of THE GIRL OF INK AND STARS

'A joyful and thoughtful celebration of family, identity and inclusivity' –  Anna James , author of the PAGES & CO. series

Genres: Middle Grade, Fantasy, Adventure, Childrens, Science Fiction

320 pages, Paperback

Published January 18, 2024

Reviews

[Joanne Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A super fast paced adventure thats out of this world!

[BookBairn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favourite children’s book of the year (so far!). Not only is it beautifully written, with brilliant and engaging characters, it has great themes for readers to explore. It shows us that the narrative of the authority figures shouldn’t always be taken at face value, it holds a mirror up to a society that ‘others’ people from different worlds (and backgrounds), and it raises the question as to whether our parents are always standing on the right side of the story. With Stardust meets Hunger Games vibes this is ultimately a story which is, above all, about friendship and hope. And I cannot wait for more!

[John Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every Benjamin Dean book is a cause for excitement and the second I saw The Boy Who Fell From The Sky’s cover, I knew it was going to be a gem. It’s getting more and more difficult to be unique in the middle grade sphere but Ben always manages to do so. A demon hunting crew filled with secrets was not what I was expecting when I started this book! This was truly a spectacular read. 5/5 for sure and can’t wait to whatever comes next from Ben.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ah this book is delightful! It is magical and left me with a lovely fuzzy feeling at the end whilst not shying away from the complexities of human emotions.

Zed’s father is a famous Demon Hunter, not just famous, THE BEST. This story is all about Zed discovering the truth about Demons and the rollercoaster of emotions that comes with it. Is he letting his father down? Has he been lied to his whole life? Should he do what others want and expect or stand up for his own beliefs?

I adored this book from start to end. A host of characters to love and loathe and Zed himself struck the wonderful balance of being funny and compassionate.

“Rejecting who you are, forcing yourself to become someone you’re not, is painful.”

This story is full to the brim of messages of acceptance and the importance of not pre-judging others without getting to know them. A wonderful message wrapped up in a magical adventure!

Thank you to Simon & Schuster Children’s Books, Benjamin Dean and NetGalley for my early review copy in exchange of a fair and honest review.

[Kaye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly good. Original Sci fi writing g for KS2 or 3. Enjoyable plot and engaging characters

[Rebecca Preedy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three and a half stars - great fast paced middle school book with underlying messages around prejudice.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an eARC from the publisher via NetGalley.

I absolutely adored Benjamin Dean's other middle grade novels and was so excited to read his latest - especially as it forays into SFF.

I loved Zed as the MC. He went through such a good character arc in learning not to trust everything he'd be taught and to accept friendship from unlikely places. I thought his relationship with his father was so well written as it transferred from admiration and idolisation to a sense of betrayal and anger. The argument between them where Zed points out how if he shouldn't trust people who look different to him then the first person he shouldn't trust would be his dad. That just hit.

Spark was such a great character too, especially as an older brother to Speck. His motivation to save his little brother and his friendship to Zed just made him so easy to root for and love.

I think the lore surrounding the Demons was so well conveyed. I love how they age differently to humans and how beautiful their life in the stars sounds. I love the idea of stardust and a powerful force that allowed shooting stars to rip holes in the sky. I also really, really loved how they call themselves Demons. Like, this is a word that in the reader's world and in this fictional world has negative connotations. It made the reader and Zed have to follow a similar path of facing misconceptions based on ideas this word brings to mind and - after actually meeting Spark, a demon, - it makes the reader have to shift the meaning of 'demon' in their head every time its mentioned. It feels like an incredibly clever way to explore language and prejudice.

The way Selena was built up was so good, there were enough hints that she was an ally for her being a Demon to make perfect sense whilst still being a slight twist (I initially thought maybe she was another human ally).

Also, there's so many parts that just make me want a sequel so bad. I want to know more about the unique symbol Zed saw when he was being evaluated by the Superior - does it relate to his actions in the story allying with Spark? Is it a hint at his future role in creating a better relationship between Demons and humans? I want to know more about the history, about why the Authority is hunting an imprisoning innocent Demons - what is their end goal? (I'd guess some form of exploitation given the scientists around when Spark & Speck were in the pods and given the power of stardust). Also are Selena, Zed & co. going to free the other Demons in the 'underworld'??

Just, Benjamin Dean has crafted a very compelling world and i would wholeheartedly recommend this book (and love to read more).

[Jemma Thompson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really underwhelmed by this book, cover blurb states “an extraordinary journey.” Unfortunately the journey is badly documented. A great idea for a book but I feel like this is more the bare bones than fully fleshed out storytelling. The world building is extremely poor. Why do the “demons” Crashland on Earth? Why do the authorities lie so much about them? Where was the proof or backstory as to why the demons images are withheld from society? Why call them demons and call their prison Underworld? What actual threat do they pose? How could one so obviously be able to infiltrate the Head Hunters home and team without a single issue? If the demons can fly, how are they all so easily caught when all they would have to do is fly to safety or, as Spark did, just hide in a really tall tree? This book begs for a sequel, and not just to continue this story - which ends abruptly almost as soon as it gets going - but also to fill in the huge gaps it has. I’m going to regift this to my young niece and hope she finds more enjoyment in it than I did.

[Tracy Lander · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I have loved Ben's other MG books I really wanted to read this. It is very different to the real life scenarios of Me, My Dad and the End of the Rainbow and the Secret Sunshine Project. This is a fantasy type Earth, humans are guarded by Hunters who report to the Authority and are there to protect the Earth from Demons which appear from shooting stars.

Zed is the son of the First Hunter, Alistair Smyth. His grandfather was a hunter too, it is his destiny. But Zed is home schooled they have moved around a lot, so his schooling comes second to Dad's hunting. He isn't great at sports either. And worse still the day he goes for an assessment at The Authority he is there at the same time as Aro, daughter of the second hunter, Lilith.

Aro is first in the Chair and the Superior is really pleased when Aro sees the constellation of Eras, The Ancient Hunter in the stars shown. Zed, however, causes confused looks on those around him, including his Dad when he sees nothing but a shooting star and announces a Demon has fallen.

Zed's father is quiet and once home Zed goes outside to his treehouse. He doesn't understand what was wrong with what he saw, and Dad isn't telling him. He isn't like Dad he is sure of it. Dad's team all arrive, followed by a new recruit, Selena Jepson a new tracker. But she's just 16 and was top of her class.
Then all is busy, a star and therefore a Demon breaks free from the sky. Dad instructs Zed to stay inside and all their defences will activate when he leaves. Zed will be safe inside.
But Zed had other ideas - he would catch the Demon then they would all see that he could follow in his Dad's footsteps....
But Zed finds that the Demon isn't what he expects....and their isn't just one....what can he do? And how annoyed is his Dad going to be? And will he get any help?

Absolutely brilliant new adventure story, really enjoyed it. Will certainly look to try and get one for school as I feel this will be popular with the children (primary/ks2 but certainly LKS3 too). I hope there will be more as it ends with that possibility.

[Theediscerning · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this version of our world, shooting stars only promise bad things – as each and every one opens a tear in the fabric of the cosmos, allowing a demon to come through and land on Earth. Zed, our hero, is due to be third in his family classed as First Hunter – the platinum-badged warriors who act as first line of defence, using ace trackers and non-lethal weaponry to capture the demons before they do any ill. Zed himself is useless at pretty much anything vital when it comes to being a Hunter, mind – although when we see him assessed here it's a check-up that leads to a most unlikely result indeed. And when he sneaks illegally out of his dad's secure house to try and capture a demon himself, just to get in his good books, he's to find something unlikely too – the demon is not exactly what we'd think of as demonic...

I guess the elevator pitch of this could be "Skellig with a conspiracy", but that's not everything here. Zed is forced by this story first to want to follow in his father's footsteps, and then to avoid them in favour of another path. It's a story of acceptance and trusting strangers, of finding the truth and recognising differences. And all that is done with surprising lightness. OK, one small scene about how we're all wonderfully diverse and different is a bit clunky, but the topics are worn lightly, and even something as bolshy as the elevator pitch I suggest there is measured and carefully crafted.

All told then this is a rampant success. It's a firm four stars from me, and that's because it's been marked down due to inane pronoun mangling, thankfully for a minor character only. Starting with the unusual twist to the everyday world we know (which really does have the same impact on the reader as if we'd been told rainbows delivered evil) and running through all its action to the clear demand for more to come, this is a joy. Engaging, dramatic, enjoyable and intelligently delivered, it should only be a delight to return to this world. For all us non-demons, at least.

[Sifa Poulton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an eARC from the publishers through netGalley in exchange for an honest review. It has not affected my opinions.

THE BOY WHO FELL FROM THE SKY is my first Benjamin Dean MG. I've loved his YA thrillers but not yet read his two MG books, and so I figured a contemporary fantasy was a great place to start (and it was!)

It is an engaging tale of a world where stars fall as demons but Zed discovers these so-called monsters aren't so different from us. It's an adventure full of twists, not-so-great parenting, and an exploration of the fear of the other - and how governments exploit this to maintain control.

The world is an alternative version of modern Earth, where shooting stars leave rips in the sky letting . I loved this play on shooting stars - they historically were seen as great omens (usually of doom but could be spun by a canny hand!) I liked the hints of the history of the world thanks to these demons in the legend of their first hunter. That tale plays on the legendary cannon of strong, solo warriors that are so often used as propaganda tools to exemplify the right of might in a setting where there aren't solo heroes, just soldiers-cogs in a war that needs justifying.

For all of this riffing off set story telling patterns and exploration of themes, it's first and foremost just a really fun story. I mean stars as shapeshifting people needing to be rescued from an authoritarian, lying government? I loved following Zed's adventure as he achieved despite his many blunders. He is not a typical hero, strong and powerful. He's clumsy and lacks confidence, but his heart is in the right place - and that's what matters here.

I'm not sure if this is a standalone or the first in a series. It ends in such a way that there could easily be a second book as the primary goal has been achieved but in doing so Zed and Spark have found out about a big government secret that could be exposed (and defeated) in a sequel. I'd love another book in this world!

[Farah G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zed lives in a world where not only do dangerous Demons fall from the sky, they must be hunted down before they can hurt the inhabitants of his planet. To this end, Zed's father - along with his other team members - is tasked with hunting down and disposing of the Demons, as quickly as possible.

As the First Hunter, Zed's father holds a prominent position, working under the Authority that rules their society. So there are obvious expectations that Zed will follow in his foot steps.

Unfortunately, his assessment does not go well, partly as a result of his nervousness. But whatever the cause, the outcome is the same. Zed has disappointed his father and family.

When his father's team comes over to discuss their plans that evening, Zed hears the distinctive sound from the sky that usually presages the arrival of a Demon.

As his father and the other members of the group rush out to deal with it, Zed also ventures out, hoping to make amends for his earlier failure.

But what he finds leaves him deeply disturbed. The Demon is another young boy, just as scared, worried about his family, and desperate to get home, as Zed would be under the same circumstances.

Now Zed faces a dilemma. Not only about what he should do - when he knows that his father's expectation would be that he immediately report the Demon's location - but also how to square the reality of what he sees before him to the warnings he has been given about the danger from Demons.

This is a beautiful story, touching and well written. Despite the futuristic tone to the tale, Zed is a highly relatable MC and the problem he faces - the basic emotional and ethical issues at play - will not be entirely unfamiliar to other young people his age. This is a book well worth reading.

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

[Jo Bardgett · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Boy who fell from the sky
By Benjamin Dean
Published by Simon & Schuster Ltd

Benjamin Dean has done it again! A fabulous new story like no other!

‘The Boy Who From the Sky' by @NotAgainBen is a wonderfully unique sci-fi adventure about having the courage to stand up for 'the other' - whatever ‘the other’ might be.

Twelve-year-old Zed has always been fascinated by the Demons that fall from the sky. His dad is a Hunter, the BEST hunter there is and Zed hopes to one day follow in his footsteps. But one night Spark appears - a real live demon who makes Zed look at thing’s differently. Feelings of confusion, commitment and compassion disrupts everything Zed thought he knew. Because this Demon is different – just like Zed.
He’s a frightened boy, no older than Zed, who wants to go back home.
Can Zed stand up to his dad and for what he believes is right?
Even if it means risking everything - his friends, his family, his reputation?

An amazing sci-fi adventure, full of twists, turns and difficult decisions.
A must read for all KS2 teacher to show students that our emotions can provide us with the strength to make a change for others.

Joanne Bardgett - teacher of littlies, lover of Children’s literature.
#Netgalley
@NotAgainBen

[Jaymie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book follows Zed, a young boy who lives in a world where demons fall from the sky and are hunted and captured by a series of Hunters. All his life his dad has worked as a hunter and Zed hopes to one day follow in his footsteps. But when Zed befriends a demon, he discovers the lies he's been told all his life, as this demon is just a young, scared boy, no older than Zed himself. Zed's forced into a dilemma, to tell his dad about the demon or to help the demon get back home.

I loved this book. It was a touching, beautiful, well-written story. I loved the futuristic tone of the story, and thought that Zed was a very relatable MC and the issues he faces in life will definitely hit home for some of the younger readers of this story. Overall a great story, I love everything Benjamin Dean writes, he truly is a great storyteller.

I received an arc from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Bzz Kolla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Children's UK for this eBook to review

I enjoyed The Boy Who Fell From the Sky. It was a great novel about accepting each other despite our differences, it was great to see Zed come into his own and step away from his Dad's shadow as you do not need to live up to your parent's plans for you, you can be yourself and your parents and friends should understand that and be happy for you.

We follow Zed as he makes friends with a demon (alien from outer space) and instead of hunting it like his Dad, Zed befriends it and learns that Spark just wants to go home after rescuing his brother Speck. Full of humour and nail biting exploits. This book was definitely out of this world.

Great for diversity, being yourself, and friendship

[Carole · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Zed's father is the best demon hunter around, but his reputation takes a hit when Zed inadvertently lets a demon escape. Zed is conflicted - he wants his father to be proud of him, but he is having serious doubts about the veracity of everything he has ever been told about demons. Now that's actually met one, he's not sure anyone has been told the truth. This is a lovely story about friendship and accepting difference. I think my junior students will really like it, but I did find the 'moral of the story' to be a bit too prominent. Nicely written though, with the right balance of humour and danger.

[Helen Whittaker · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good idea for a children’s book but I don’t think it was explored as well as it could have been. I was left with a lot of unanswered questions which I found frustrating. What about Zed’s mum? How can you form such a supposedly deep friendship in a few days? What was Zed’s gift? Why do demons fall from the sky? Why were they thought of as demons in the first place? I thought the plot was heading in an exciting direction but, sadly, it ended abruptly and unfulfilled. I also thought the conversations were unrealistic and the excerpts of humour were inappropriate.

[Bookgirl888 · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a book! I finished it in one
day because I wanted to know
how it ended for Zed and the
demons. There's so much in
here about friendship, love, lies
and doing the right thing. Zed
has big choices to make and
he follows his heart, even if it's
not what his dad or The Authority
want him to do. The story itself
is like nothing I've ever read and
I didn't see the twists coming.
I really hope there is a second one,
I want to see how the relationships
develop.

[Brooke Hunter-Pike · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is my first book from Benjamin Dean and it was epic!!! I absolutely loved this book and the story was out of this world. My favourite part is definitely when Zed (the main character) finds out Selena is a demon and my favourite character is Spark as he is so hilariously sarcastic. And yeah the book is true us humans really do like tea and biscuits 😂. I would definitely recommend this book and hope to read more books from Benjamin Dean in future.

[Sophie_Faith GlowUp · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Boy Who Fell From the Sky was a really fast-paced fun middle grade.

We meet 12yr old Zed who is the son of a Demon Hunter. In this world, demons fall from the sky and there's a team that go and capture them. Zed's Dad is the top of his field and Zed feels he has a lot to live up to.
However, one night a Demon falls from the sky and it changes Zed's view of things. These aren't scary demons and Zed has to consider whether to risk letting his Dad down or his new friend.

It was a really good book. I really liked the characters, the pacing, description. Benjamin Dean does it again!

[Max A · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a world where beings that fall from the sky are classed as demons, one demon - Spark - challenges everything that Zed has been taught. The son of the top demon-catcher, Zed hopes to follow in his dad’s footsteps. However, an encounter with Spark makes him question everything. An exciting story of friendship and overcoming challenges, The Boy Who Fell From The Sky is a heartwarming tale of doing the right thing even when those all around you want to eliminate your new friend.

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this! A gorgeous story of a kid who doesn’t wanna follow in his dad’s footsteps, unlikely friends and standing up for what’s right. Benjamin Dean gets good storytelling and his books always just get me. There’s loads of good in this about identity, accepting people who are different and being yourself. I’d love more from this world!

[ThatBookGal · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s really hard to rate this book, as I’m unsure if there’s going to be a sequel. If it’s a standalone, then I’d probably give it 3 stars. Too much was left unaddressed, and in fact I think I finished the book with more questions than answers. If there is a follow up then it’s definitely at least a 4 star read, an adventure full of fun.

[Camilla Chester · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book but I didn’t love it.

I found it difficult to believe and invest in the world and I kept wondering where his mother was in the whole story. I thought a good twist would be that she was a demon and that’s why he spotted the shooting star during his assessment but I guess this is the first book of a series with more spy stuff to come.

[Sara Rothery · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice short adventure book for kids. Nothing too challenging. Takes you straight in. Love the concept of what shooting stars are and this could be rewritten as an adult book more along the lines of hunger games and taken to a new height. Good characters and addresses feelings.
I don't think it's long enough.

[Anna Bethell · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was the most recent of the books I’ve read this year but it was really interesting and had lots of great twists and turns. The author gave excellent examples of what things looked like.As soon as you start to work out a clue it changes so you can get into it very easily. This book is an absolute classic !!🙂

[Karen Hammond · Rating 5 out of 5]

We loved this book of diversity and friendship of helping others and doing the right thing in the face of danger. Zed, Spark and Selena are great characters and you can feel the warmth between them. Obviously there are going to be more books in this series and we cannot wait.

[John Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. The reason I picked it up was I'd enjoyed this authors other work.

A great fun read suitable for 9yrs and up. A story about friendship and acceptance

Available FREE in Irish Libraries

[Manic Booksy Dreamgirl]

Very unique Children's Science Fantasy. I checked this out because a young person told me how much they love it. It's definately an interesting concept with cool world building and good plot. Think lots of kids will enjoy this one.

[Dorothy Li · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a really interesting and extraordinary friendship despite their differences. It has a powerful voice in this children's book and makes my mood better. A amazing book recommended for all to savour.