The Underland

The Last Firehawk #11

by Katrina Charman, Judit Tondora (Illustrator)

Tag begins his warrior training to become an Owl of Valor, in this action-packed fantasy series! Pick a book. Grow a Reader! This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line, Branches, aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and stamina. Branches books help readers grow! Tag and Skyla have returned to Perodia to begin their warrior training. But when their friend Blaze returns with troubling news that her mother has gone missing, Tag and Skyla’s warrior skills are quickly put to the test. To find Blaze’s mother, the friends must travel to a creepy world below the ground called The Underland. There, they meet a terrible new a king rat named Skull, who has his own big plans for Perodia! Will the friends be able to defeat this new enemy? Or will The Shadow return to Perodia once again… This fully illustrated series makes a great introduction to fantasy and quest stories for younger readers!

Genres: Childrens, Fantasy, Chapter Books

96 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2022

Reviews

[Clive]

Hi my name is Clive and I read chapter books, now.

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tag and Skyla, along with fellow Owl of Valor in training, Bod (who is kind of mean), are sent to help Blaze rescue her mother from a deep and dark place called the Underland. They've run into some animals with orange eyes and are afraid the Shadow has returned. But that's impossible, isn't it?

I haven't read this series since the first book or two, but there's a nice recap in the front of the book and the characters mention enough that I was easily caught up on things I'd missed. I think I will go back and read the ones I missed, though. I'm intrigued enough by this, and it is well-written enough, I'm curious about them. This was a well done fantasy quest adventure that balances seriousness and building tension with some character building and fleshing out an interesting fantasy world. And it doe so in just a few pages. That's impressive. I like the theme of the light pushing back the dark, and how Tag and Skyla mend their relationship with Bod.

Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content. There are some threats from swords or teeth, and a battle happens but the goal is to free the animals they are fighting from the control of evil and restore them so injuries are not mentioned. They don't want to hurt them.

[Eleanor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eek! How will blaze find her mom!!! The underworld is so scary!!!!!!!

[Sasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read aloud to the kids. This is a nice series.

[PottWab Regional Library]

A

[Mary T · Rating 4 out of 5]

We're almost finished with the series! I've enjoyed reading these with my 7yo and 5yo sons.