From the bestselling author of When the Sky Falls and Finn's Epic Fails comes the heart-wrenching story of a baby gorilla, Adonis, born into captivity, and the twelve-year-old girl who risks everything to rescue him.

In 1911, before the start of World War One, London’s docks thrum with underhand deals, none so great as the arrival of a valuable, rare and exotic animal – a baby silverback gorilla. The baby gorilla stands to make one man very, very rich. Heaven help anyone who gets in his way. But then one night a twelve-year-old girl is unwittingly drawn into his criminal underworld. Can she find a way to escape and rescue the baby gorilla?

The hotly anticipated follow-up to the multi-award-winning story about the incredible friendship between a young boy and a silverback gorilla in the Second World War, inspired by a true story: When the Sky Falls.

‘This richly atmospheric adventure . . . confirms Earle as a master of his craft’ Daily Mail
‘Nobody writes striking, heartfelt adventure like Phil Earle. I loved it!’ Ross Montgomery
‘It’s a tremendous nail-biting read, tender and terrifying in equal measure’ Jacqueline Wilson

Praise for When the Sky Falls:
‘A magnificent story’ Philip Pullman
‘Deeply felt, movingly written, a remarkable achievement’ Michael Morpurgo

Perfect for fans of War Horse, I Am Rebel and The Last Bear

Prizes

Long-listed for Spark! Book Awards (UK).

This richly atmospheric adventure, full of drama, compassion and brutal portrait of the city’s dark underbelly, confirms Earle as a master of his craft * Daily Mail *
A prequel to Earle's acclaimed When the Sky Falls that is every bit as enthralling and emotive * Waterstones *
Nobody writes striking, heartfelt adventure like Phil Earle. THE DAWN OF ADONIS is a showcase of everything he does best: humour and peril and towering stakes all wrapped up in stark, spare, powerful prose. I loved it! * Ross Montgomery *
I absolutely raced through The Dawn of Adonis! It’s a tremendous nail-biting read, tender and terrifying in equal measure. Both Toff and Nettie are fantastic characters, and little Adonis is the most endearing little creature ever * Jacqueline Wilson *
Earle’s skill in creating great characters and evocative settings results in a masterpiece of storytelling * Yorkshire Life *

Born and raised in the north of England, Phil Earle is the author of numerous acclaimed, award-winning books for children and teenagers. He has worked as a carer, a dramatherapist, a bookseller and a publisher, and loves talking at schools and festivals around the world. His novel When The Sky Falls won the Books Are My Bag Readers Award and the British Book Award for Children’s Fiction. He lives on the side of a very steep hill with his wife, their five children and two dogs.