Dragonfire (18,000 Holes in the Universe, #1)

Written by Adam Wallace and Lisa Foley

Illustrated by James Hart

Reviewed by Jamie Willis

Dragonfire is the first book in the hilarious 18,000 Holes in the Universe illustrated series.

Twins Noah and Jordie are shocked when their great-uncle announces he’s demolishing their mum’s abandoned family home to build a block of apartments. Together with their friends, easy-going Mags and nervous Marco, the twins sneak in to find a memento for their mum.

They find a glowing golf ball wrapped in vague instructions, and are accosted by a bully, Felicity. Then, a magical mini-golf hole in the backyard sucks them into the most incredible golf course in the universe. Can the gang complete the golf course within the set number of shots while fighting off dragons who are trying to burn them to a crisp? If not, they’ll end up stuck in the fantastical game, too.

The style of this book might seem familiar, as this isn’t the first collaboration between Adam Wallace and James Hart. Their previous series include the popular Fartboy and Fart Club.

Adam Wallace is also the author of the How to Catch picture book series, Numbskull & Nincompoop and Pugnacious & Scuttlebutt series. He came up with the idea for 18,000 Holes in the Universe with his great friend, Lisa Foley, a children’s writer from Melbourne, and they wrote alternating books and edited them together.

James Hart has illustrated for all of the major Australian publishers, including the popular and award-winning You Choose, Skydragon and Mr Bambuckle’s Remarkables books.

Readers 8+ will enjoy the zany adventure of 18,000 Holes in the Universe, the gross humour (poo, snot and fart jokes abound) and the abundant illustrations which are engaging and fun. Interwoven with the action are themes of friendship, bravery and perseverance. The second book in the series, Snack Attack, is out now, and two more books will be released in 2025. Kids will no doubt eagerly await their arrival.

HarperCollins AU 2024