The Dawn of Adonis is the prequel to one of the most incredible children’s books of the past five years – When the Sky Falls by Phil Earle. Readers are transported to the East End of London in 1911 when a baby gorilla is secreted through the docks in an attempt to save its life and stop a man of pure evil from getting his way. It is a story of goodness, compassion and hope – mixed with the grit and horror of greed and oppression.
From the opening line, life and death are held in precarious balance. Hunters push their way through jungle and mountains in an attempt to capture the mightiest of beasts – the great silverback gorilla – and force it into submission. Freedom contrasts with captivity; peace with pain; life with death.
The Dawn of Adonis showcases some of the finest characterisation you will ever read. Legend of the East End, Goliath Deeds, is a monster of a man. Driven by greed, power and anger, he is abusive to everyone who crosses his path – most of all, Toff Squabble, his nephew. Toff is a charming 12 year old with a unique sense of style despite his hard life on the streets. His wit and genuine kindness make him a friend to all. Originally an orphan in Coram’s Foundling Hospital, he knew no family until age 7 when Goliath arrived to claim him. Conflicted by the evil example before him, Toff can’t accept his fate. He does not want to be like Goliath yet feels he should be thankful to have been taken in. Surely any family is better than none – or is it?
The workhouse becomes a character in its own right. Threatening, looming, it towers over all who live on the edge of society. Toff’s friends from the Foundling Hospital ended up there when there was no one to care for them. Toff wonders who is better off – them or him.
In contrast, Nettie Beecroft and her vetrinarian father, Edward, represent everything good in the world. They will do anything to help another living thing with gentle hands and a soothing voice. No strangers to pain themselves, the death of Nettie’s mother and baby brother shadows all that they do. As they are pulled into Toff’s story, they face hardship and terror they have never known.
Following a horrific series of events, Nettie and Toff must set off across London with a baby gorilla in their care. Goliath Deeds and his men are after them, lurking in every shadow. Spurred on by the loss of her baby brother, Nettie is determined to protect this innocent life. Life and death hang in precarious balance as they navigate each dark street, grim tunnel and compassionless individual. Nettie knows her own mind and bit by bit, her courage and compassion draw out Toff’s good nature.
The Dawn of Adonis is raw and honest. Life, death, abuse and all the darkness of life in the early 1900s is painted across each page. It is imparitive that teachers read this book before sharing it with children. It is the kind of story that will stay with readers forever but there is the potential for triggers around loss, grief, abuse and death. It is most appropriate for UKS2 and well into secondary school.
It’s only February but I know I have found my book of the year. Intense, real and full of hope and compassion, it will leave its mark on every reader. The Dawn of Adonis will be published by Andersen Press in June 2025.
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