Adam Blade

"One day I’ll be the finest swordsman in all Avantia. Even better than my father, Taladon the Swift!"

Adam Blade is in his late twenties, and was born in Kent, England. His parents were both history teachers and amateur artists, and Adam grew up surrounded by his father's paintings of historic English battles -- which left a lifelong mark on his imagination.

He was also fascinated by the ancient sword and shield that hung in his father's office. Adam's father said they were a Blade family heirloom. As a boy, Adam would spend days imagining who could have first owned the sword and shield. Eventually, he created a character -- Tom, the bravest boy warrior of them all. The idea for Beast Quest was born.

When Adam grew up and decided that he wanted to be a writer, he was stuck for ideas -- until he remembered the old sword and shield, and the imaginary boy he had created when he was young. Adam decided to bring Tom fully to life so that readers could go on the kind of adventures that he always wanted to when he was that age... And still does, even though he's grown up!

When he's not writing Beast Quest or Chronicles of Avantia books, Adam enjoys visiting museums and ancient battle sites. His main hobbies are fencing and football. He also spends a lot of time at home running around after his two exotic pets -- a tarantula named Ziggy, and a capuchin monkey named Omar. These little rascals were the inspiration for two of the Beasts that Tom faces on his Quest -- Arachnid and Claw. Sadly, Adam does not have his own Fire-Dragon or Horse-Man. But he really wishes he did!

What genres does Adam Blade write?

Adam Blade writes fantasy-adventure books aimed at younger readers, best known for the long-running Beast Quest series and related Chronicles of Avantia titles.

What is Adam Blade best known for?

He is best known for the Beast Quest series — a quest-driven fantasy series (with many numbered books, special editions and spin-offs) and the Chronicles of Avantia books.

Where should I start reading his work?

Start with Beast Quest Book 1 (the first Beast Quest novel listed on his author page, which features a fire dragon) and then follow the series' numbering. If you want the linked storyline, begin with the first book of the Chronicles of Avantia for that arc.

How is the Beast Quest series organised / what is the reading order?

Beast Quest is organised into numbered books and subseries. For example, Books 1–6 form the original Beast Quest set, Books 7–12 are the Golden Armour subseries, Books 13–18 the Dark Realm, followed by later numbered series, special editions and themed spin-offs. Follow the published numbering for reading order.

What are common themes and inspirations in his books?

Common themes include heroism, quests, monsters and adventure. Blade has said the series grew from childhood imaginings around a sword-and-shield heirloom; some Beasts were inspired by his pets (for example, Arachnid and Claw).