In Fearless Fred and the Last Dragons by Aurelia Szeto, the once-vibrant kingdom of Velum has become miserable after a bizarre ban on parties and creature-spotting. The story follows Fred Less, an anxious young squire who wants to support his family but struggles with self-doubt and a severe lack of actual combat skills. Out of nowhere, Fred gets pulled directly into the royal court and assigned to deport a high-profile prisoner to the kingdom’s distant, heavily forested boundary. It is a territory that everyone in the realm believes is a big death trap filled with dangerous, legendary creatures, especially dragons. Fred must become brave, face the elements, and somehow get a handle on his constant, stomach-churning anxiety along the trail. Can this nervous squire safely navigate the wild frontier? Or will his own deep-seated fears get the best of him?

Fearless Fred and the Last Dragons by Aurelia Szeto is a delightful middle-grade fantasy that instantly caught my attention with how it reframes what it actually means to be a hero. What I found so refreshing about the story is that Fred never magically sheds his anxieties. Instead, his constant overthinking becomes his most endearing quality and, surprisingly, his greatest asset. I loved watching the core group of friends expand because the personalities are so distinct, and the dialogue feels spontaneous. The author has a wonderful knack for creating a lively, imaginative setting that is both comforting and full of surprises, from quirky local foods to creatures that are far more endearing than the kingdom’s rumors suggest. The plot moves along at such an engaging pace that I found myself flying through the pages simply to see how Fred would confront his next obstacle. It is a compelling must-read for anyone who loves an underdog story packed with fun, laugh-out-loud humor.

Fearless Fred and the Last Dragons by Aurelia Szeto is a fun read for children. King DJ Terrance of Velum loved throwing dragon-spotting parties. However, once Lady Dragozanah became his personal advisor, the king declared all parties illegal. This led many to slip into a depression condition termed Party and Dragonless Affective Disorder (P-DAD). One such person to be diagnosed with P-DAD was Fred Less’s mumsy. Fred, concerned for his mumsy, hopes to save up enough to move back to their hometown. He has just become a squire and hopes to become a knight to earn more money. Unfortunately, at his very first knight class, he learns that a condition of becoming a knight is to slay a dragon. Fred just gets up and leaves. The very next day, he is summoned by the king. This is the beginning of an intriguing adventure.

I thoroughly enjoyed Fearless Fred and the Last Dragons. I strongly believe that Aurelia Szetso’s intended audience would also enjoy this story. The writing style is witty and engaging. She does a great job with both pacing and interesting dialogue. Most, if not all, the characters have names that made me giggle. For example, Brad Fartzenpueps and Petunia Mustidrawers made me laugh out loud. Fred is an easily likable character. His relationship with his mumsy is heartwarming, and his interactions with those around him are genuine and funny. I also think that Lady Dragozanah is a well-written antagonist. Her backstory reveals the motivation behind her choices. I liked that she was given the chance to change her ways. I highly recommend this book to young readers.