Firebloom
Published on 26. August 2025
296 pages
978-1-78250-972-1 (ISBN)
Description
The isolated, salt-soaked isle of Stormcliff is preparing for the annual Firebloom Festival, a famous gathering of thousands of jellyfish and their incredible light show.
Twelve-year-old Tally Smuck is destined to become a Sting Winkler -- someone who can communicate with jellyfish -- just like her mother and grandfather before her. The Smucks' special gift means only they can do the vital job of caring for the invaluable jellies that Stormcliff depends on.
But by Firebloom Eve, there's still no sign of Tally's abilities, or the jellyfish. Determined not to let everyone down, Tally gathers her friends -- anxious Farran, fortune-teller-in-training Colette, and resourceful cliff rat Albert. Together can they bring the island's secrets to light and find the missing jellies before the Firebloom Festival and Stormcliff are plunged into darkness for good?
This illuminating middle-grade mystery adventure from award-winning author Justin Davies is full of jeopardy, joy and jellyfish! Firebloom is a bright and brilliant standalone novel set in the same imagined world as Haarville.
Twelve-year-old Tally Smuck is destined to become a Sting Winkler -- someone who can communicate with jellyfish -- just like her mother and grandfather before her. The Smucks' special gift means only they can do the vital job of caring for the invaluable jellies that Stormcliff depends on.
But by Firebloom Eve, there's still no sign of Tally's abilities, or the jellyfish. Determined not to let everyone down, Tally gathers her friends -- anxious Farran, fortune-teller-in-training Colette, and resourceful cliff rat Albert. Together can they bring the island's secrets to light and find the missing jellies before the Firebloom Festival and Stormcliff are plunged into darkness for good?
This illuminating middle-grade mystery adventure from award-winning author Justin Davies is full of jeopardy, joy and jellyfish! Firebloom is a bright and brilliant standalone novel set in the same imagined world as Haarville.
Reviews / Votes
'Jiggles with jellyfish and JOY. Stuffed to the gills with adventure, heart and jellyfish. Last one to read is a squelchy sea slug!'-- Maria Kuzniar, author of The Ship of Shadows Series
'A sweet, compassionate, funny middle-grade adventure about friendship, communities, courage and... jellyfish. Justin is a splendid world builder with warm, rounded characters including Tally's Granddad and his husband, Mandad. Perfect for the readership.'
-- Patrice Lawrence, author of Orangeboy
'This is a lovely and well-written mystery from Justin Davies, with gorgeous illustrations from Francesca Ficorilli. The worldbuilding of this tiny island, and the industries supported by all the many kinds of jellyfish, is really well done, as are the characters. It's a clever mystery, too, with good pace and a satisfying ending. Jellytastic!'
-- Alastair Chisholm, author of Orion Lost
'Atmospheric and inventive. A wildly original adventure, steeped in seawater and storms, with some truly brilliant villains and a dramatic showdown to die for.'
-- Barbara Henderson, author of Rivet Boy
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Edinburgh
United Kingdom
Target group
Children/juvenile
Interest Age: From 10 to 14 years
Illustrations
26 b/w illustrations
File size
18,08 MB
ISBN-13
978-1-78250-972-1 (9781782509721)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Person
Justin Davies spent years flying all over the world as cabin crew before hanging up his wings to focus on writing for children. His first book, Help! I Smell a Monster, won the Fantastic Book Awards in 2021. He is also the author of Whoa! I Spy a Werewolf, and the fantastically fishy mystery adventure novel Haarville. Justin lives with his husband and Sally, their greyhound rescue, in Fife, Scotland.
Content
1. The First Sting Bites the Deepest
2. Jeelie Jellies
3. Rising Moons
4. Double Trouble
5. The MV Medusa
6. Hip, Hip, Parade!
7. The First Firebloom
8. Nom de Plume
9. Going Overboard
10. Not Calm with No Balm
11. Shell Shock
12. Twin Sting
13. Chef's Table
14. The Second Firebloom
15. It's Electrifying!
16. Early Risers
17. A Close Encounter of the Jelly Kind
18. Doocot Discovery
19. The Poker's Nook
20. From the Seahorses' Mouths
21. Stoking the Fire
22. Never For Ever
23. Glow, Glow, Quick, Quick, Go!
24. Winkle Wonder
25. Not-So-Secret Mission
26. Mind the Gap!
27. Where Eagles Dare
28. Tunnel Vision
29. Twin Truths
30. Fish Tanked
31. Chain Gang
32. Doocot Danger
33. Flock of Seagulls
34. The Last Chance to Bloom
35. Harvest Time
Glossary
About the Author
Acknowledgements
2. Jeelie Jellies
3. Rising Moons
4. Double Trouble
5. The MV Medusa
6. Hip, Hip, Parade!
7. The First Firebloom
8. Nom de Plume
9. Going Overboard
10. Not Calm with No Balm
11. Shell Shock
12. Twin Sting
13. Chef's Table
14. The Second Firebloom
15. It's Electrifying!
16. Early Risers
17. A Close Encounter of the Jelly Kind
18. Doocot Discovery
19. The Poker's Nook
20. From the Seahorses' Mouths
21. Stoking the Fire
22. Never For Ever
23. Glow, Glow, Quick, Quick, Go!
24. Winkle Wonder
25. Not-So-Secret Mission
26. Mind the Gap!
27. Where Eagles Dare
28. Tunnel Vision
29. Twin Truths
30. Fish Tanked
31. Chain Gang
32. Doocot Danger
33. Flock of Seagulls
34. The Last Chance to Bloom
35. Harvest Time
Glossary
About the Author
Acknowledgements
