Beast Quest
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 Cover of Ferno the Fire Dragon, the debut novel in the series. | |
Multiple Series | |
| Author | "Adam Blade", a pseudonym for various ghostwriters |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | David Wyatt, Steve Sims. |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Children's fantasy |
| Publisher | Orchard Books |
| Published | 2007–present |
| Media type | Print (hardback and paperback) E-book |
| No. of books | 154 |
Beast Quest is a best-selling British series of children's fantasy–adventure novels produced by Working Partners Ltd and written by several authors all using the house name Adam Blade.[1] As of October 2024, the main series had achieved a total of 154 books published, and over 20 million copies of the books have been sold altogether since March 2007.[2][3]
An editorial team at Working Partners first creates the storyline for each book and "then approaches a number of writers whose experience and style we think might suit the project and ask them to write a sample – usually the first three chapters of the book". The editorial team picks the sample with the voice that we think works best for the project."[4]
The series is published by Orchard Books in the UK and by Scholastic Corporation in the US and is aimed largely at boys and girls aged 7 and over.[5][6] The novels have been described as "clearly and simply written, [striking] the right balance between adventure and story telling" and a "great series to get kiddies, who normally wouldn't be, interested in reading."[7] The books take place in a world called Avantia, and focus on a young boy named Tom and his friend Elenna as they attempt to restore peace to the land by stopping beasts from causing destruction.[8][9] Kathryn Flett, writing in London's The Observer, has called the books "almost certainly a work of publishing (if not quite literary) genius...Narnia meets Pokémon via Potter."[9] The books are among the most-borrowed from UK lending libraries.[10][11]
There is also a companion science fiction series called Sea Quest.[12] From 2021 to 2023, Adam Blade also created a short spin-off series called Space Wars, consisting of only four books. There is also a 2015 mobile video game based on the Beast Quest book series, and a 2018 version for Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PS4 (Maximum Games). A new mobile version was released in May 2020 by Animoca.
Characters
[edit]- Tom: the main protagonist of the Beast Quest series, Tom is a normal boy who lived in Errinel in the kingdom of Avantia and the son of Taladon. But when strange things occur in the kingdom, he enters the Palace of King Hugo. He meets Aduro the wizard and was given a sword and shield. He has a noble steed named Storm, he meets Elenna and her wolf friend named Silver. He begins his first quest to free the six good Beasts of Avantia who are cursed by Malvel. While there's blood in his veins, it does not matter how dangerous it would be, Tom will continue his quests. Tom is the bravest boy in Avantia.
- Elenna: a girl who is Tom's best friend. When her parents are killed in the fire ever since she was young, she lives on and befriends with a wolf named Silver and nearly lives in the middle of the Forest of Fear, but she lives with Uncle Leo. She meets Tom on his first quest and become friends and partners. Armed with a trusty bow and arrows, Elenna is brave with Tom on her side in the quests.
- Storm: a black horse who is Tom's steed. He was born in one of King Hugo's stables, at first he was nervous and jumpy, but he grows up to be noble and brave. Tom tames Storm respectfully and rides on him and goes to long distances.
- Silver: a white wolf who Elenna befriends after she lost her parents when she was young. She keeps him as a pet and rides on him. Before the quest begins, Elenna tamed Silver to be her companion. Silver will help protect Elenna by her side.
- Aduro: The wise and good Wizard. He meets Tom before his first quest to free the good Beasts of Avantia and gives him a sword and shield. He uses his powerful magic staff to battle enemies He also helps Tom and Elenna gain powers.
- Malvel: The wicked wizard and the arch enemy of Aduro. He has evil dark magic to conquer and uses enchanted items with dark magic to curse the Good Beasts of Avantia. Tom began his first quest and the Beasts were freed by Tom from the enchanted items.
- King Hugo: The ruler of Avantia, he lives in harmony with the people of the kingdom. Many of his brave knights like Calador have attempted to free the good Beasts of Avantia, but they never survived. Tom meets King Hugo in his palace before his first quest begins. He and Aduro gave him a sword, a shield and a compass, Tom freed the Beasts of Avantia and save the kingdom.
- Taladon: The father of Tom and the Legendary Master of the Beasts. Ever since he disappeared, Aunt Maria and Uncle Henry took care of Tom. He returns as a ghost and Tom saves him by retrieving the pieces of the Amulet of Avantia in order to make him back to normal. He meets reunites Freya with his son Tom. He wears a suit of Golden Armour. He also helps Tom and Elenna embark the Beast Quests. The Golden Armour has moved on to Tom, a new Master of the Beasts.
- Freya: The mother of Tom. This mysterious woman is a warrior and Mistress of the Beasts. She wears silver armour. She meets Tom and reunites with Taladon. She helps Tom and Elenna travel the Beast Quests.
- Aunt Maria and Uncle Henry: relatives of Tom. Since Taladon disappeared, Tom lives with his aunt and uncle. While Tom journeys to his Beast Quests, Aunt Maria has givings of her delicious cherry pie and Uncle Henry is a blacksmith to create varieties of weapons and materials.
- Velmal: The second antagonist. He uses his dark magic to conquer the kingdom and brainwashing. He wields a staff tipped with two curved blades. He can create portals to other realms.
- Petra: a young witch girl who is the companion of Malvel. She uses her magic to control Beasts and for battling. She was later a friend of Tom and Elenna and the companion of Aduro.
- Uncle Leo: another relative. He took care of Elenna after her parents are killed. While Tom and Elenna embark their Beast Quests, he goes fishing with his pole and hooks, working in the village next in the ocean, to catch meals for passengers.
- Sanpao: The Pirate King and the third antagonist. He leads an army of pirates. He once controls Beasts using magic from the Tree of Being. He later joins and combines forces with Kensa.
- Kapra: a witch sorcerress who is another antagonist. She can use dark magic and controls powers the Beasts of Avantia to conjure Raksha.
- Daltec: Aduro's companion. Daltec is a young wizard, he uses his magic for helping, levitating, making different potions, creating portals and battling enemies. He also wields a staff with good magic powers. He goes with Tom and Elenna to quests and battling Beasts.
- Kensa: The wicked sorcerress and the fourth antagonist. She was banished by the Circle of Wizards and plans to conquer kingdoms. She creates monstrous Beasts to do her bidding. She later joins forces and combines with Sanpao the Pirate King.
- Jezrin: The Dark Wizard who is the judge, the fifth antagonist and was once a member of the Circle of Wizards. He combines forces with Sanpao the Pirate King and Kensa using dark magic to conquer the kingdoms.
Beasts
[edit]- Ferno the Fire Dragon: In caves in the south by Avantia's Winding River lurks Ferno, a giant Dragon. From his mouth, Ferno breathes fire as hot as volcanic lava. His sharp teeth can crush boulders. He has huge leathery wings. The thick blue scales that cover his body cannot be pierced by a sword or any other weapon. Ferno is so enormous, he has been mistaken for one of the mountains. The Fire Dragon patrols the river and makes sure that the southern towns of the kingdom are never flooded. Should the waters rise, he can use is clawed feet to build protective dams. Their sudden appearances confuse the locals, but they are very grateful for them! Ferno gave Tom a magic Dragon scale for his shield to protect him from blazing.
- Sepron the Sea Serpent: Sepron is a Serpent guarding the Western Ocean, keeping Avantia's fishing boats safe from storms and patrolling the depths right down to the sea bed. Sepron has sharp teeth to attack. His eyes are pale and his long body is covered in green scales that glimmer with every color of the rainbow when the sun hits them. Sepron can use his tail to create tidal waves. Sepron gave Tom his tooth to protect him from waves and strong currants.
- Arcta the Mountain Giant: Arcta is the last Cyclops of the Northern Mountains. These Beasts once dwelt at the top of the highest peaks and protected the other mountain creatures. Like all other Cyclopes, Arcta has only one eye. He is a strongest Beast with his strength. He is as tall as the pine forests that grew across the mountain slopes, with sharp claws that can tear chunks of rock. Arcta gave Tom a magic eagle feather which protects him and allows him to float in the air.
- Tagus the Horse-Man: Half man, half horse, Tagus is a Centaur who patrols the Central Plains of Avantia, guarding cattle from hyenas and wolves. He has the torso of a man, but has the body of a powerful stallion. Though small compared to the other Good Beasts of Avantia, he towers over normal men and can gallop faster than any other horse. Tagus masterfully wields a powerful sword in combat. Tagus gave Tom a piece of an enchanted horseshoe which gives him speed.
- Nanook the Snow Monster: Nanook is a large Yeti who is one of Avantia's Good Beasts. Nanook has shaggy white fur that keeps her warm in the Icy Plains. She has piercing eyes and curved claws. The pounding of her massive feet and crack ice. Though this loyal Beast does her best to protect this part of the kingdom. Nanook's enchanted bell forms part of Tom's shield and protects him from the colds.
- Epos the Flame Bird: One of the oldest Beasts in the kingdom of Avantia. A Phoenix who fears no injury or attack, because she can heal herself with powerful fiery magic. Nobody knows exactly how many times Epos has been reborn in the molten depths of the Stonewin Volcano, but while she guards it, the kingdom is safe from disaster! Epos has red and orange feathers, sparkling wings engulfed in flames and can create hot blasts from her talons. One of Tom's treasures is the magic healing talon given to him by Epos.
Spin-off series
[edit]See also
[edit]
References
[edit]- ^ Stroud, Clover (12 January 2014). "Rainbow Magic: loathed by parents, loved by children". The Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved 13 April 2015.
- ^ "Coolabi".
- ^ "Coolabi Group unleashes brand new 'Beast Quest' mobile game". coolabi. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
- ^ "How We Work". Working Partners. Archived from the original on 11 November 2013. Retrieved 23 June 2013.
- ^ "Nicholas Clee on the library charts". The Times. London. 4 February 2012. p. 19. ProQuest document ID 919738907.
- ^ "Beast Quest: Creta the Winged Terror". Booktrust. Retrieved 23 June 2013.
- ^ Mountford, Janet (15 March 2008). "Vedra And Krimon Twin Beasts of Avantia". The Sentinel. Stoke-on-Trent. p. 6. ProQuest document ID 426828385.
- ^ "Ferno The Fire Dragon Beast Quest 1 by Adam Blade - review". The Guardian. 21 July 2011. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
- ^ a b Flett, Kathryn (6 December 2009). "Dragons, wizards and a mother in search of a glass of red... At last, a boys' own bedtime story they actually want to read". The Observer. London. p. 5. ProQuest document ID 250388970.
- ^ Flood, Alison (8 February 2013). "Woman of Steel: US writer in most-borrowed list for 30 years". The Guardian. London. p. 18. ProQuest document ID 1285161231.
- ^ Evans, Sophie (8 March 2013). "Kids get dead excited about author's new horror story". Hull Daily Mail. Hull. p. 20. ProQuest document ID 1315222469.
- ^ Williams, Charlotte (24 August 2012). "Orchard to launch Sea Quest in 2013". The Bookseller: 7.