The Fire Chronicle: The Books of Beginning, Book 2

Jim Dale's reading! Michael's growing maturity!

Michael & Emma

Michael tricking the dragon

Michael reviving his sister

One of the best children's books in many years. Better than Fablehaven, Maximum flight or Percy Jackson. My son is riveted.

I am an adult, and as such not really the target audience for this series. Just an FYI. I chose this because I loved the work that Jim Dale did in the Harry Potter series.

This story is very good. Compelling, and keeps moving forward. The kids actually behave in reasonable ways. The magic is fun. I enjoyed it.

The one difficulty that I had was actually with the Dale narration: He uses a variety of voices and does them well, but it sounds odd when there is an echo of one of the Potter characters in the "voice" of characters in this series. It's just a bit disconcerting.

Still, very well done with plot, ends nicely, and I do love the narrator.

In this second installment of the Books of Beginning, Kate, Michael and Emma have been sent to the Edgar Allen Poe Home for Children for their safety while Dr. Pym takes care of some needed tasks.

It isn't long until the whereabouts of the children is discovered, forcing them to flee. Kate ends up going back in time and becoming trapped, while Michael and Emma remain in the present, searching for the Book of Life, known as the Fire Chronicle.

While at times you will be reminded of Harry Potter, this story does set itself apart and is very entertaining in its own right. Narrated by Jim Dale, whose performance is flawless, as I've come to expect. Listening to Dale is like being tucked in to bed with an epic adventure about to begin.

The Fire Chronicle is in the top ten rank of books I have read. I enjoyed this book and just couldn't stop reading it. Jim Dale is one of the best readers to listen to because he does all voices himself. Some of my favorite characters are the three children, Gabrielle, .Jake and Beetle but my favorite character is Dr. Pym. Dr. Pym seems like he is always showing up just when things are looking bad and always helping the children out of tight spots. The Diomagnus is a scary character but kind of funny at times. This book has many twists and turns in it. Some for the better, some for the worst but it always keeps you on the edge of your seat or from sleeping at night.(So good you don't want to put in down).


Nikki

I've had this audiobook for a while and just hadn't got to it because I got distracted by the Night Huntress series and had to listen to all of those. It took me an hour or so to get back into the feel of this series but once I did, I was not going anywhere. I like the way that Stephens builds a story and tells it. He takes the time to develop his characters and let them grow. He shows them dealing with the consequences of their prior actions. He's also inventive with his words and funny . But it's not the kind of funny where he's telling sarcastic jokes and expecting you to laugh. It's just little things thrown in that are funny - like the Edgar Allan Poe Home for Hopeless and Incorrigible Orphans. That's a great and funny name.

This audiobook is narrated by the great Jim Dale. Again, he is almost flawless. The only complaint I have about Jim Dale's narration is I hear Hermoine and Dumbledore when I listen to him. That's not his fault. He just does wonderful and memorable voices.

If you like middle grade fantasies, you should definitely pick up these books.

Was an amazing part two would recomend any child or adult to listen to this story because it will keep you interested and entertained the while time

Lord of the Rings meets Harry Potter. This is one of the best books ever and Jim Dale really brings it all to life in a way that I would never have dreamed

This is book 2 in the series so I was very much looking forward to it, and now even more so to book 3.

He gives the most expressive emotional cues that you cannot help but be transported into the world of what he reads

If I could have I would have but that's not realistic

If you are a fan of magical young adult fiction, this series is right at the top. It stands independent from other popular, similar series and is one I HIGHLY recommend to fans of YA fiction.

This is the sequel to the amazing "Emerald Atlas" and is the second in a trilogy. My children and I cannot wait for the third book to come out! I think that the narrator does a stupendous job and the story itself is fantastic. There are elements of other popular fantasy books in this series, but it definately stands on its own in this genre. The voice is unique. The characters are memorable. The story is incredible.

John Stephens has continued to keep the quality of his wonderful new series high and interesting. The value and enjoyment of these books are even greater because of Jim Dale's award winning skills as a narrator. If you liked the first book you will also like this one. It's definitely a series for younger people but that never stopped me from enjoying a book. Have fun!