Andersen Press is thrilled to announce the upcoming release of The Dawn of Adonis, the latest novel from British-Book-Award-winning author Phil Earle. Publishing in June 2025, this richly evocative story of loyalty, loss, betrayal and rebirth is poised to become a standout title in historical children’s fiction and is a companion piece to When the Sky Falls – Winner of the Books Are My Bag Readers Award for Children’s Fiction and the British Book Award for Children’s Fiction, and a Waterstones Book of the Month & The Times Children’s Book of the Year. As well as being shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal When the Sky Falls has sold over 250,000 copies.
Building on the success of his celebrated WWII novels, including While the Storm Rages and Until the Road Ends, Phil Earle shifts his focus to Edwardian London in The Dawn of Adonis. The novel follows 12-year-old Nettie Beecroft as she risks everything to rescue a rare and exotic baby gorilla smuggled from the Congolese rainforest. Against a vivid backdrop of London’s bustling docks, Nettie faces dangerous criminals, including the ruthless smuggler Goliath Deeds and his young accomplice, Toff Squabble, in a desperate quest to save the extraordinary creature. It is an adventurous cat-and-mouse chase across Edwardian London, with echoes of Oliver Twist, albeit with a baby gorilla included!
World Rights were acquired by Charlie Sheppard, Andersen Press’ Publishing Director from Phil Earle’s agent, Jodie Hodges at United Agents, as part of a two-book deal, with another novel set to follow in 2026.
Also set for release in 2025 is a lavish Graphic Novel version of Earle’s best-seller When the Sky Falls, adapted and illustrated by Fred Fordham, best-known for his adaptation of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.
When The Sky Falls: Graphic Novel will be released in October 2025, with further details to follow.
Early reviews are already coming in for The Dawn of Adonis:
“Nobody writes striking, heartfelt adventure like Phil Earle. 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
Phil Earle shared his excitement for the novel; “It’s been wonderful to return to Adonis’ world, but I promised myself I would never write a sequel, nor try to tell another story about if him, if the characters weren’t strong enough. In Goliath Deeds and Toff Squabble, as well as Nettie and baby Adonis I hope I’ve created characters reminiscent of Bill Sykes and Artful Dodger: my intention was to recreate Oliver…with a Gorilla-sized twist.”
Andersen Press is celebrating the release of The Dawn of Adonis with an extensive marketing and publicity campaign throughout 2025, including:
- A national proof drop and NetGalley campaign beginning early 2025.
- Bespoke resources for schools and educators, ensuring the novel becomes a staple in classrooms.
- A year-long schedule of events and appearances with Phil Earle, renowned for his engaging school visits and festival appearances.
Charlie Sheppard, Publishing Director at Andersen Press and Earle’s editor, remarked: “With The Dawn of Adonis, Phil Earle proves once again why he’s one of the most important voices in children’s fiction today. His ability to weave powerful, unforgettable stories rooted in history is astonishing. This is a book that will resonate deeply with readers young and old.”
The Dawn of Adonis by Phil Earle will be released in paperback June 2025, £7.99
ISBN: 9781839134197 | Ages 9–11+
When the Sky Falls: Graphic Novel will follow in October 2025.
For more information please contact Paul Black, PR and Brand Director Andersen Press
