The Fire Within (novel)
| Industry | Publishing |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2001 |
| Founder | Chris d'Lacey |
| Products | Children's fantasy novels |
The Fire Within is a children's fantasy novel released in 2001 by Chris d'Lacey, marking the inaugural installment of The Last Dragon Chronicles series. This low fantasy saga delves into the presence of dragons in contemporary settings and is followed by titles such as Icefire, Fire Star, The Fire Eternal, Dark Fire, Fire World, and The Fire Ascending.
The narrative takes place at Wayward Crescent, centering on 20-year-old David Rain as he unravels the enigmatic link between Liz and Lucy Pennykettle and their dragon connections. Throughout the story, David forms a friendship with them and discovers the hidden truths about these mythical beings.
Characters
Elizabeth Pennykettle (Liz) – The landlady known for crafting enigmatic clay dragons that possess life. Her principal dragon, Gwillan, is notable for shedding a fire tear in Dark Fire.
Lucy Pennykettle – Liz's 11-year-old daughter who fervently believes in dragons and adores squirrels. Her cherished dragon is Gwendolen. Lucy motivates David to create stories featuring squirrels and their escapades.
David Rain – The central character, a 20-year-old lodger at Wayward Crescent attending Scrubbley College. He writes Snigger and the Nutbeast as a gift for Lucy’s birthday and owns a writing dragon named Gadzooks.
Gadzooks – David’s clay dragon companion, furnished with a notepad and pencil to aid in composing tales and jotting notes.
Guinevere – A figure from ancient times who captured Gawain's fire tear; she is an ancestor of Liz and Lucy Pennykettle, through whom the original fire has been inherited.
Gwendolen – The offspring of Guinevere, composed of clay, flesh, and blood; ancestor to Suzanna Martindale (introduced in Icefire).
Gwilanna – A sinister sibyl who supports Guinevere and creates Gwendolen.
Gawain – The final dragon who bestowed his fire tear upon Guinevere.
Henry Bacon – The Pennykettles' well-intentioned but occasionally misguided neighbor next door.
Sophie Prentice – An employee at the animal shelter who becomes David’s romantic partner.
Greenfingers George (Mr. Digwell) – The gardener responsible for maintaining the Scrubbley library gardens.
Conker – The squirrel favored by Lucy.
Bonnington – The family cat of the Pennykettles.
Caractacus – A crow that caused injury to Conker’s eye; serves as the antagonist in David’s story written for Lucy.