James Davis: Scarlet: Defender of the Universe (HarperCollins Publishers 2025)
Scarlet, a nine-year-old girl, is smart and studies well. She feels that she doesn’t get enough attention at home, but of course her little brother is allowed to do anything. But now thanks to him, she saw an ad looking for someone to protect the Universe. She applies for the job.
The ad was posted by Jasper, who is the current Defender of the Universe and is very bored alone. Moreover, he has no sense of fear, so a little protection wouldn’t hurt him either. Together they are immediately called to an urgent case. The planet Alpha 4267 KD4 is in danger, or, as its inhabitants call it: Earth.
The story is very cute and funny, but it also deals with important topics such as family and the relationship between family members. The plot is very exciting and also logically structured, worthy of science fiction. At the end, we even find out how big 52 factorial is. The illustrations are by Dotty Sutton, whose drawings I have also really liked in Sam Copeland’s books. Scarlet’s next Universe-saving adventure is already out.
James Davis currently lives in Manchester with his wife and children, having previously lived in London, but now he can’t imagine life anywhere else in the Universe…
