City of Fire

by Laurence Yep

Book Overview

Two-time Newbery Honor Award-winning author Laurence Yep kicks off an action-packed new fantasy trilogy with City on Fire This thrilling tale takes readers on an unforgettable journey through an... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0765319241
• ISBN13: 9780765319241
• Release Date: September 2009
• Publisher: Starscape Books
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 0.98 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.8" x 8.5"
• Age Range: 8 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 7

Customer Reviews

Great World Building! (a review of City of Fire)

If you have a middle-schooler --or even an older elementary school child -- who is looking for an adventure series with great world-building and interesting characters, let me suggest Laurence Yep's new City Trilogy. Yep, who is a Newbery Honor Award author, sets his story in an alternate universe where an alternate earth enjoys magic and magical creatures; and where certain historic events, such as World War II, never happened. [Hawaii remains an independent country!] The principal characters are 12 year-old Scirye, her lap-Griffin Kles, Leech and Koko, two street urchins: as well as Bayang, a dragon sent to assassinate Leech. The book doesn't begin with them knowing each another, but soon their paths cross as they find they seek revenge against a common foe, the ancient dragon Badik and the human Roland. Revenge takes on more importance when they find out that the two bad guys are determined to steal the Five Lost Treasures of Emperor Yu, weapons that will let them alter the world forever. Talking Points ::: This is the beginning book of what promises to be a good series. The characters are interesting and fun, the world building is excellent. This book will be particularly good for readers who like complex worlds where magic doesn't just 'sit there' on the surface. There are some philosophical issues here that are interesting. I really liked that the story is told from two perspectives. One point of view was Scirye's and the other was the mysterious and enigmatic Bayang, the assassin dragon. Her other-world perspective was actually my favorite as it gave insight into the strange goings on in this alternate earth. Pam T~ mom and reviewer at BooksForKids-reviews City of Fire * Accelerated Reading level : 5th Grade (generic; no month given) * Hardcover: 320 pages * Publisher: Starscape (September 1, 2009) * ISBN-10: 0765319241

A magical adventure!

1941, San Francisco. Museum Exhibit opening: Kushan, The Empire of the Moon As far as exhibit openings go, this should have been simple. Sell tickets, open the doors, wow patrons socks off. Nope. Not this book. Look 2 over on the shelf. The events of this alternate universe are somewhat different. An assassin lurks outside the exhibit waiting to execute her duties. The exhibit is protected by magic. Magic carpets are real. The flying beasts are real. People die. This is NO normal museum exhibit! Laurence Yep creates for young readers a world of what if? What if magic really existed? What if dragons were real? What if we lived in an alternate time/spatial frame where magic and reality intermingled? The quest by Bayang, Leech, Koko, and Scirye to exact revenge (getting even) with Badik for the murder of Ninske and Primo is exciting. Just like scenes from a "Thousand and One Arabian Nights", the magic carpet comes to life, and Chinese mythology sweeps through the skies, the imagined soar in these pages. Plot wise, the book gives a couple of twists. An assassin who saves the life of her victim, who now cannot execute her duties. The presence of an Island being raised magically is unique, and the search for the Five Lost Treasures of Emperor Yu turn this Yep novel into one of his best. I really loved the watercolor cover that is reminiscent of Ralph Bashke's Lord of the Rings and Fire and Ice (Frazetta). All said and read, this book is highly recommended for your young reader. Tim Lasiuta

fast-paced alternate historical fantasy

In 1941 twelve year old Mistress of Kles Scirye is angry to learn her older sister Nishke was killed trying to prevent a treasure from being stolen from the Hearn Museum in San Francisco. She plans to regain what was taken and kill her sibling's murderer Badik the evil dragon though she is ignorant of the plan of the dragon's even more evil partner Mr. Roland to possess the five Lost Treasures of Emperor Yu in order to change existence as Scirye knows it. Fuming she sets out to avenge her sibling's murder. Joining her on her trek is Bayang the dragon disguised as a human Pinkerton Agent, Leech the orphan, and his best friend Koko. Her three allies have secrets they keep from one another but share a common need to destroy Badik and his associate Mr. Roland. The trail leads to Houlani, the newest Hawaiian island created by magic, but even with Pele the Goddess of volcanoes abetting their cause they are too late to prevent a second theft as they pursue the malevolent duo into the frozen north. This is a fast-paced alternate historical fantasy as one episode follows another. The story line is loaded with a horde of mythological creatures, beasts, cretins, and Gods, but it is the unlikely teammates led by a tweener who fight the forces of evil. Although at times the discussions between the good guys slows down the plot especially during dangerous incidents, middle school fans will root for Scirye and her squad against the enemy who seems several steps ahead of them; setting up a sequel or two. Harriet Klausner

Excellent Historical Fantasy

San Francisco author Laurence Yep, has two Newbery Honor awards for two of his historical YA books in the //Golden Mountain Chronicles// series. In his new book, //City of Fire// he again combines his regular themes of history, fantasy and Asian culture into an exciting YA story set in an alternate history of 1941. Dragons can take on human form, griffins are small enough to be considered lap pets and magic exists in the world. Following the quest of Scirye, Leech and Koko as they attempt to retrieve a stolen ancient ring, and revenge the death of Scirye's older sister from during the theft, //City of Fire// brings to life ancient myth and legend, in an easy and run to read book for tween readers on up. Scirye, Leech and Koko are aided by Scirye's griffin Kles and Bayang, an dragon assassin with her own agenda. Together they have to face down the powerful businessman Mr. Roland, a man whose company has so much influence he dines with the King of England is is nicknamed "Uncrowned Emperor." This is the first book in a planed three book series, and should entertain readers looking for something new and different in a sea of Harry Potter-cloned books.