Review: The Fire Chronicle (Books of Beginning)

April 13, 2015
Author: John Stephens
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers; First Edition edition
Year: 2012
ISBN:9780375868719
Rating: ★★★★☆
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Who would not love an action-packed fantasy voyage to a mystifying world?

This is for all those who like to read novels like Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings series. For all the adventure loving readers, author John Stephens presents the second instalment to the series of “BOOK OF BEGINNINGS”- The Fire Chronicle.

It narrates the story of three siblings Kate, Michael, and Emma in an action filled, mysterious journey. Their unexplained surname starting from ‘P’ is like a constant stimulation for them to move ahead to find out about their parents. The characterization of Kate as an elder responsible sister, Michael as a dork brother (he places Dwarves in a great regard) and Emma as a carefree little girl is very properly done. The three of them are the protagonist of the series but their eccentric wizard guardian Mr.Pym is also a noteworthy character. From time to time he jumps into the story and guides them towards a proper direction.

Michael and Emma find a man who saw their parents ten years ago. He has a Map to a distant place that may hold key to their questions. In the first book ending, they were sent back to the orphanage but Kate, whose connection to the Book of Atlas is growing stronger day by day knows the ride to search for their parents is yet to start. She experiences her first crush on a boy, who happens to have a dark destiny ahead of him. The other two are reunited to their guardian for a short time. He tells them about the Fire chronicle, that they must retrieve.

This is a roller-coaster ride, which includes both old and new friends to help the main characters in the run. It has visits to the 19th century New York, Antarctica and a rescue operation of an Elf princess. It is an amalgam of humour, a forbidden love and suspense. If asked which character played the most important part in this, hands-down its Michael’s story. This book develops him for the trials ahead making him more mature and courageous. The author has done justice to each character and the story plot by giving detailed structure to every scene and adding punch to it with a cliff hanger ending.

Overall a very entertaining read for all the readers especially young adults.

About the Author

John Stephens was executive producer of a much known Television series named Gossip Girl and a writer for Gilmore Girls and The O.C. He holds an MFA from the University of Virginia. His debut book 'The Emerald Atlas' is the first in a series of books, published in 2011 followed by The Fire Chronicle in 2012.

 

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