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Fireboy
"I knew things were getting weird when I saw my best friend's face in the campfire. I didn't realize how weird until the campfire followed me home . . ."
Thirteen-year-old Samantha "Sam" MacReady is nervous about the start of Grade 8, especially science class, which isn't too last year, her Grade 7 science class mysteriously disappeared on the way to a field trip she missed out on.
But when her best friend, Lorenzo—who no one has seen since he got on the bus with the rest of that class—suddenly appears in a campfire, she moves from nervous to freaked out. She teams up with Meg LeBlanc, the sole student survivor of what all adults refer to as "The Tragedy," to uncover just what went on that day and why Lorenzo is now showing up in her back yard made entirely of flames.
What the two girls find out is far freakier and scarier than they ever imagined. Sam and Meg must use all their grit and intelligence to save the day and free their friends from magical enslavement . . . or fall victim to the very same fate.
Praise for Fireboy
"An exciting action-hero adventure centered on a compelling and competent narrator." – Kirkus Reviews
“Fireboy is a story jam-packed with mystery, action, humour, and surprises. You’ll never look at science class or elementals the same way again.” – Arthur Slade, Governor General’s Award-winning author of Dust
“A gripping read! . . . Sam’s engaging narrative voice in Fireboy is certain to draw readers into this mystery in which things are far from what they appear to be, and Sam herself is plunged deeper and deeper into mortal danger. Highly recommended!”―Alison Lohans, award-winning author of more than thirty books for young readers and adults
“Edward Willett’s Fireboy is a joy to read. His charming and clever main character faces an interesting and unusual situation that feels both like fantasy and like science fiction…the plot is quite exciting and kept me rapidly turning pages. An enjoyable book all around.” – L. Jagi Lamplighter, author of The Books of Unexpected Enlightenment
“A murderous tangle of kidnappings, treachery, weird alchemy, and an ancient evil that never dies.” – Matt Hughes, author of The Emir’s Falcon
Thirteen-year-old Samantha "Sam" MacReady is nervous about the start of Grade 8, especially science class, which isn't too last year, her Grade 7 science class mysteriously disappeared on the way to a field trip she missed out on.
But when her best friend, Lorenzo—who no one has seen since he got on the bus with the rest of that class—suddenly appears in a campfire, she moves from nervous to freaked out. She teams up with Meg LeBlanc, the sole student survivor of what all adults refer to as "The Tragedy," to uncover just what went on that day and why Lorenzo is now showing up in her back yard made entirely of flames.
What the two girls find out is far freakier and scarier than they ever imagined. Sam and Meg must use all their grit and intelligence to save the day and free their friends from magical enslavement . . . or fall victim to the very same fate.
Praise for Fireboy
"An exciting action-hero adventure centered on a compelling and competent narrator." – Kirkus Reviews
“Fireboy is a story jam-packed with mystery, action, humour, and surprises. You’ll never look at science class or elementals the same way again.” – Arthur Slade, Governor General’s Award-winning author of Dust
“A gripping read! . . . Sam’s engaging narrative voice in Fireboy is certain to draw readers into this mystery in which things are far from what they appear to be, and Sam herself is plunged deeper and deeper into mortal danger. Highly recommended!”―Alison Lohans, award-winning author of more than thirty books for young readers and adults
“Edward Willett’s Fireboy is a joy to read. His charming and clever main character faces an interesting and unusual situation that feels both like fantasy and like science fiction…the plot is quite exciting and kept me rapidly turning pages. An enjoyable book all around.” – L. Jagi Lamplighter, author of The Books of Unexpected Enlightenment
“A murderous tangle of kidnappings, treachery, weird alchemy, and an ancient evil that never dies.” – Matt Hughes, author of The Emir’s Falcon
- GenresCanada
234 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 27, 2025
About the author
Edward Willett
174 books119 followersEdward Willett is an award-winning author of science fiction, fantasy and non-fiction for both children and adults.
Born in Silver City, New Mexico, Willett lived in Bayard, New Mexico and Lubbock and Tulia, Texas, before moving to Weyburn, Saskatchewan with his family when he was eight years old.
He studied journalism at Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas, then returned to Weyburn as a reporter/photographer for the weekly Weyburn Review, eventually becoming news editor. In 1988 he moved to Regina, Saskatchewan, as communications officer for the Saskatchewan Science Centre, and in 1993 he became a fulltime freelance writer. He still resides in Regina.
Willett is now the author or co-author of more than 60 books, ranging from computer books and other nonfiction titles for both children and adults, to science fiction and fantasy for all ages.
His science fiction novel Marseguro (DAW Books) won the 2009 Aurora Award for best English-language science fiction or fantasy book by a Canadian author. He has also won a Saskatchewan Book Award for his YA fantasy Spirit Singer. He has been shortlisted for the Aurora Award and Saskatchewan Book Awards multiple times.
His most recent novels include Worldshaper and Master of the World, the first two books in his new series Worldshapers, and The Cityborn, a stand-alone science fiction novel from DAW Books; the Masks of Aygrima trilogy, YA/adult crossover novels published by DAW and written as E.C. Blake; the five-book YA fantasy series The Shards of Excalibur, published by Coteau Books; and the stand-alone YA fantasy Flames of Nevyana (Rebelight Publishing). He's also the author of the Peregrine Rising duology for Bundoran Press (Right to Know and Falcon's Egg).
Other novels include SF novel Lost in Translation (DAW Books), Terra Insegura (sequel to Marseguro, DAW Books), Magebane (DAW Books, written as Lee Arthur Chane), YA SF novels Andy Nebula: Interstellar Rock Star, Andy Nebula: Double Trouble, and The Chosen; and YA ghost story The Haunted Horn.
Shadowpaw Press recently released his short story collection Paths to the Stars and re-released Spirit Singer, a YA fantasy that won a Saskatchewan Book Award and other awards.
His non-fiction titles run the gamut from science books for children on topics as diverse as Ebola Virus and the Milky Way to local history books like Historic Walks of Regina and Moose Jaw for Red Deer Press, awarded a Municipal Heritage Award by the City of Regina in the education category and A Safe and Prosperous Future: 100 years of engineering and geoscience achievements in Saskatchewan, published by the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Saskatchewan (APEGS). He's also written biographies for children of Janis Joplin, Jimmy Hendrix, Johnny Cash, Andy Warhol, Orson Scott Card, J.R.R. Tolkien and the Ayatollah Khomeini.
You can find Ed online at www.edwardwillett.com, on Facebook, and on Twitter @ewillett.
His is represented by literary agent Ethan Ellenberg (www.ethanellenberg.com).
Besides being a writer, Willett is a professional actor and singer who has performed in dozens of plays, musicals and operas in and around Saskatchewan, hosted local television programs, and emceed numerous public events.
He's married to a telecommunications engineer and has one daughter.
Born in Silver City, New Mexico, Willett lived in Bayard, New Mexico and Lubbock and Tulia, Texas, before moving to Weyburn, Saskatchewan with his family when he was eight years old.
He studied journalism at Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas, then returned to Weyburn as a reporter/photographer for the weekly Weyburn Review, eventually becoming news editor. In 1988 he moved to Regina, Saskatchewan, as communications officer for the Saskatchewan Science Centre, and in 1993 he became a fulltime freelance writer. He still resides in Regina.
Willett is now the author or co-author of more than 60 books, ranging from computer books and other nonfiction titles for both children and adults, to science fiction and fantasy for all ages.
His science fiction novel Marseguro (DAW Books) won the 2009 Aurora Award for best English-language science fiction or fantasy book by a Canadian author. He has also won a Saskatchewan Book Award for his YA fantasy Spirit Singer. He has been shortlisted for the Aurora Award and Saskatchewan Book Awards multiple times.
His most recent novels include Worldshaper and Master of the World, the first two books in his new series Worldshapers, and The Cityborn, a stand-alone science fiction novel from DAW Books; the Masks of Aygrima trilogy, YA/adult crossover novels published by DAW and written as E.C. Blake; the five-book YA fantasy series The Shards of Excalibur, published by Coteau Books; and the stand-alone YA fantasy Flames of Nevyana (Rebelight Publishing). He's also the author of the Peregrine Rising duology for Bundoran Press (Right to Know and Falcon's Egg).
Other novels include SF novel Lost in Translation (DAW Books), Terra Insegura (sequel to Marseguro, DAW Books), Magebane (DAW Books, written as Lee Arthur Chane), YA SF novels Andy Nebula: Interstellar Rock Star, Andy Nebula: Double Trouble, and The Chosen; and YA ghost story The Haunted Horn.
Shadowpaw Press recently released his short story collection Paths to the Stars and re-released Spirit Singer, a YA fantasy that won a Saskatchewan Book Award and other awards.
His non-fiction titles run the gamut from science books for children on topics as diverse as Ebola Virus and the Milky Way to local history books like Historic Walks of Regina and Moose Jaw for Red Deer Press, awarded a Municipal Heritage Award by the City of Regina in the education category and A Safe and Prosperous Future: 100 years of engineering and geoscience achievements in Saskatchewan, published by the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Saskatchewan (APEGS). He's also written biographies for children of Janis Joplin, Jimmy Hendrix, Johnny Cash, Andy Warhol, Orson Scott Card, J.R.R. Tolkien and the Ayatollah Khomeini.
You can find Ed online at www.edwardwillett.com, on Facebook, and on Twitter @ewillett.
His is represented by literary agent Ethan Ellenberg (www.ethanellenberg.com).
Besides being a writer, Willett is a professional actor and singer who has performed in dozens of plays, musicals and operas in and around Saskatchewan, hosted local television programs, and emceed numerous public events.
He's married to a telecommunications engineer and has one daughter.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
May 22, 2025
This book took me back to a simpler time with a fun contemporary fantasy adventure with intriguing characters, and an easy to follow plot with a few twists. A young girl, Sam, is one of only two students from a Grade 7 science class trip to not vanish during a bus trip. It’s a constant thought to her summer, and once she sees her best friend, Lorenzo, as flames, the search is on, and she finds it to be much more supernatural and sinister than she would have thought. I recalled a lot of middle grade adventure books from the 1990’s when I was reading and enjoyed the plot as Sam digs deeper and deeper, and there were a few surprises to keep things interesting. The pacing is good and while it doesn’t move at breakneck speed, there’s always something happening to move the story. I do like how the supernatural elements are introduced a bit slower, which is fitting considering the western Canada setting. There are some pop culture references that do become plot relevant and explained in the story, so while I’m not too much of a fan of it in books in general, it was done well here. The characters were fun as well, with Sam having a plucky personality and determined to help her classmates. Megan was also interesting as well. While the story wraps up in a satisfying way, part of me wonders if there’s going to be more books in this world and/or these characters with how the ending played out. Either way, if you’re looking for a plucky kid in a small, modern day town, discovering supernatural mystery type story, this is one to look at.
*I received an ARC from Netgalley and Shadowpaw Press. All opinions are my own.*
*I received an ARC from Netgalley and Shadowpaw Press. All opinions are my own.*
July 16, 2026
THE REVIEW
This was a visceral, fun, and highly entertaining fantasy read. The contemporary setting of Western Canada allowed the story's supernatural elements to have a much greater impact on both the narrative and the cast of characters. The immersive experience readers get is perfected by the author’s use of imagery in their writing, creating a campy yet engaging setting and tone that draws readers in immediately.
What really stood out to me was the cast of characters and the strength they drew from one another as they investigated this mystery. The idea of these young kids exploring the mystery behind what appears to be a tragic loss, but is instead a much more complicated supernatural threat, creates a late 80s-meets-early 90s atmosphere that speaks to adventure and the power of friendship. This aesthetic allows the reader to feel even more immersed in the setting and invested in the overall plot as these characters get drawn further and further into the mystery of this class tragedy.
THE VERDICT
Entertaining, thrilling, and mesmerizing, author Edward Willett’s “Fireboy” is a must-read supernatural fantasy novel. Fans of shows like Stranger Things will be instantly drawn in by the exciting opening incident and the relatability and connection readers feel to this cast of characters, as the shocking twists and turns they encounter elevate the overall narrative and leave readers wanting more of this world.
This was a visceral, fun, and highly entertaining fantasy read. The contemporary setting of Western Canada allowed the story's supernatural elements to have a much greater impact on both the narrative and the cast of characters. The immersive experience readers get is perfected by the author’s use of imagery in their writing, creating a campy yet engaging setting and tone that draws readers in immediately.
What really stood out to me was the cast of characters and the strength they drew from one another as they investigated this mystery. The idea of these young kids exploring the mystery behind what appears to be a tragic loss, but is instead a much more complicated supernatural threat, creates a late 80s-meets-early 90s atmosphere that speaks to adventure and the power of friendship. This aesthetic allows the reader to feel even more immersed in the setting and invested in the overall plot as these characters get drawn further and further into the mystery of this class tragedy.
THE VERDICT
Entertaining, thrilling, and mesmerizing, author Edward Willett’s “Fireboy” is a must-read supernatural fantasy novel. Fans of shows like Stranger Things will be instantly drawn in by the exciting opening incident and the relatability and connection readers feel to this cast of characters, as the shocking twists and turns they encounter elevate the overall narrative and leave readers wanting more of this world.
July 8, 2025
Fireboy by Edward Willett is a gripping and suspenseful read. The story follows thirteen-year-old Samantha Anastasia MacReady, an eighth grader at Engelmann Middle School. Sam is one of only two survivors of the infamous incident in Dr. Ballard’s Grade 7 science class—an unfateful day the adults simply call “The Tragedy.” Because of this, Sam is terrified of taking Dr. Ballard’s Grade 8 science class.
The disaster occurred during a Grade 7 overnight camping and astronomy trip to Mount Mollard, where all the students vanished—except Meg Leblanc.
Later, during a camping trip with her father, Sam hears someone whispering her name from the campfire. When she looks, she sees the face of her best friend, Lorenzo. After returning home, she notices flames flickering in the woods beyond the old barn and again hears her name being called. She eventually sees Lorenzo again—he insists he’s not dead and begs Sam to help him return home.
To uncover the truth, Lorenzo urges Sam to investigate what really happened that night, starting with Meg, the survivor. Get your hands on this book to find out what they uncover.
The author’s writing style is captivating. I especially loved the book’s title and cover design. The plot is refreshingly original, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. The story is well paced. I am looking forward to reading more books by the author in the future.
The disaster occurred during a Grade 7 overnight camping and astronomy trip to Mount Mollard, where all the students vanished—except Meg Leblanc.
Later, during a camping trip with her father, Sam hears someone whispering her name from the campfire. When she looks, she sees the face of her best friend, Lorenzo. After returning home, she notices flames flickering in the woods beyond the old barn and again hears her name being called. She eventually sees Lorenzo again—he insists he’s not dead and begs Sam to help him return home.
To uncover the truth, Lorenzo urges Sam to investigate what really happened that night, starting with Meg, the survivor. Get your hands on this book to find out what they uncover.
The author’s writing style is captivating. I especially loved the book’s title and cover design. The plot is refreshingly original, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. The story is well paced. I am looking forward to reading more books by the author in the future.
July 1, 2026
Fireboy by Edward Willett is a fun and adventurous middle grade fantasy that kept me hooked from the very first chapter.
The opening immediately raises questions and sparks your curiosity, and the story only gets more interesting as it unfolds. The author’s writing style is engaging and easy to get lost in, making this a great read for younger readers while still being enjoyable for adults.
There were a few emotional moments that added depth to the story, and I found myself hoping this will become a series because I’d love to spend more time in this world. Overall, a great fantasy read full of adventure, mystery, and intrigue.
The opening immediately raises questions and sparks your curiosity, and the story only gets more interesting as it unfolds. The author’s writing style is engaging and easy to get lost in, making this a great read for younger readers while still being enjoyable for adults.
There were a few emotional moments that added depth to the story, and I found myself hoping this will become a series because I’d love to spend more time in this world. Overall, a great fantasy read full of adventure, mystery, and intrigue.
October 9, 2025
Fast-paced middle-grade fantasy novel with a likeable heroine and grouchy sidekick trying to both solve the mystery of their missing class, and rescue their friends. I liked the chapter titles and the humour.
July 23, 2026
This is a fun read. I loved the main character's running mental commentary. The story was engaging from the first page! ( I do think there might be a typo on page 87 referring to the girl's jacket)
March 20, 2026
This is a great option for middle grade readers who enjoy action and some fantasy.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews