Zellidora (Zelli) Stormclash attends Dungeon Academy, a boarding school where all types of monsters go to learn how to lurk, sneak, roar, fight, and all other things monstrous. Both of Zelli’s Minotaur mums are professors at the school. But Zelli has a secret. She is in fact, human – found abandoned as a baby in a basket. She has been raised proud and strong by her mighty mums but always disguised as a Minotaur, as humans are the enemy of ALL monsters.

There is no kindness, friendship, empathy or any sign of weakness condoned at Dungeon Academy, and Zelli can suppress those parts of her human nature. But she can’t abide a bully. With all she has learn from her Minotaur mums, she will stand up for those who are smaller or picked on. The downside is, some begin to follow her around. She does her best to ignore them.

When studying the Human Manual for Monsters one day for extra grades, she comes across Allidora Steelstrike on one of the pages. It’s like looking in a mirror. This turns Zelli upside down, wondering if this warrior Allidora could be her birth mother? Then why was she abandoned? Her Minotaur mums won’t talk about it, and she has no friends to talk to.

After her frustration boils over in class, she is sent to detention in the Hall of Eternal Suffering and Monotony. But she’s far from bored, with a plan beginning to bubble in her mind. She overheard on the way to detention that some monster students are missing and Allidora Steelstrike is rumoured to be in the area. Zelli knows she won’t get a better chance to find answers to her questions about her past.

Sure enough, the monsters she stuck up for aren’t far behind. There is Hugo, a vegetarian Owl Bear. (The size of a bear but with an owl head and no wings – and supposed to be a meat eater). Alongside is a mimic called Bauble (who is supposed to shapeshift into terrible things but can only manage practical items or their preferred shape of a book). Lastly, the small but feisty 2ft dragon named Snabla chooses to lead the way – keen to prove himself to his father in an act of bravery.

Squabbling all the way, they discover the local town has been abandoned. Following many footprints they not only find Allidora Steelstrike, but see her in full fighting action. Dozens of skeleton warriors are attacking her inside a cave. Zelli dives in too, determined to not lose her chance at answers. Her motley crew follow but evil forces are much stronger. Will Zelli get to ask her questions? Will Snabla get to prove himself, and will kindly huge Hugo finally step up and use his strength to fight back?

The first in this illustrated series, Dungeon Academy is rich in all kinds of monsters. Think boarding school with slime, spiders, bulging eyeballs, multiple legs, sharp teeth and all manner of horrors, present in the hallways and classrooms. But as in every school, there are students who don’t fit the mold, are too small, or too kind. The only problem is, they stand out even more in a monster school.

Zelli’s difference is the worst kind – being human. Her disguise has worked so far (monsters are a bit thick) but she’s not even sure she wants to still wear it. Her quest to find her human roots is a brave, exciting and often funny one as her misfits come along for the adventure. (Think Indiana-Jones-type funny).

Madeleine Roux is a master of all things creepy but this series will suit younger monster lovers.

Illustrations by Tim Probert are (as always) charming, perfectly capturing the emotions of the scene. The depictions of the monsters throughout are imaginative, humourous and plentiful throughout the novel. 

Author – Madeleine Roux

Age – 8+

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(2022, Harper Collins, Monsters, Minotaurs, Sword fighting, Boarding School, Courage, Bullies, Heroes, Family, Secret, Questions, Non Binary character, Shapeshifter, Blink Dog, Necromancer, Portal, Two mums, Series, Quest, Skeleton Soldiers, Humour, Funny, Fantasy, Medieval, Historical, Action, Adventure, LGBTQ+)