A New York Times Bestseller! Impossible Creatures meets The Mysterious Benedict Society in this epic, fast-paced upper-middle grade fantasy full of dragon-like creatures, heroic hijinks, battle-forged friendships, and sharp humor. ★ "Expert worldbuilding with a rip-roaring plot." ―Publishers Weekly, starred review ★ "Reminiscent of The Golden Compass." ―Booklist, starred review ★ "Fans of The Princess Bride and Terry Pratchett's work will devour this series opener." --Kirkus Reviews, starred review New York Public Library Best Book of the Year - Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year - Junior Library Guild Selection - New York Times Bestseller Aerimanders are extinct. Or so the government would have you think. Centuries ago, the Kingdom of Glaucus decreed the destruction of these dangerous, dragon-like creatures whose deadly flame could level entire cities and upend world orders. But when twelve-year-old Eva Alexander, a wealthy chemistry student in the city of Porttown, walks into a fashionable department store and walks out (accidentally) with the world's last aerimander egg, everything changes. Suddenly, Eva is the target of unwanted attention--including from the Thieves' Union, a mysterious organization with a rebellious streak and fingers in every pie in Porttown. The Union orders its youngest member, the orphaned dairy delivery boy Dusty St. Ichabod, to steal the egg from Eva. Which is far easier said than done. When Eva and Dusty meet one autumn night under extraordinary circumstances, an epic game of cat and mouse unfolds across the Kingdom. Initially at odds, the unlikely pair must come together to navigate a maze of sinister crime syndicates, elite boarding schools, and an incredibly slow getaway pony named Gourd--all while fighting to keep the egg out of the hands of power-hungry Eoin Parnassus, Director of Kingdom Secrets. As the duo races against time, their fates and that of the whole world are at stake. Because there's one question no one dares to ask: What happens when the egg hatches? The Last Ember is the first installment in an action-packed fantasy adventure about a powerful creature, those who seek to exploit it, and those who are willing to protect it at all costs. With stained edges, a map, and 6" x 9" trim, the book's package is as lush as its storytelling. The First Flame: Aerimander Chronicles Book 2 takes flight in Fall 2026!