The Fire Chronicle

The Books of Beginning, Book 2

By: John Stephens

Narrated by: Jim Dale

Length: 12 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's summary

It's been six months since Kate, Michael, and Emma confronted the Dire Magnus, but the trail to their long-missing parents remains cold. Then Michael and Emma find a man who saw them ten years ago - three days after they disappeared. He knows about a map of a distant land, a place shrouded in mystery that may lead them to their parents.

Meanwhile, Kate's connection to the Book of Time is growing stronger and stronger, until a dangerous trick gets her stuck in the past, searching for a friend to help her.

Only a perilous quest and a daring risk will help the children to harness the power of the Books of Beginning. But will it be enough to save them?

©2012 Listening Library; 2012 John Stephens

Critic reviews

“Fans of The Emerald Atlas will find much to love: the adventure-driven plot, a scattering of deliciously scary moments, and Stephens’s offbeat take on Tolkienesque dragons, dwarves, and elves are sure to delight." (Publishers Weekly, October 8, 2012)

“Fans of the first book won’t be disappointed, and will eagerly anticipate the next one. The Emerald Atlas was very good. This one is even better." (School Library Journal, starred review)

"Irreverent humor and swashbuckling adventure collide in a fetching fantasy." (Kirkus Reviews) 

Great follow up to the Emerald Atlas

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 second child ascendant

What made the experience of listening to The Fire Chronicle the most enjoyable?

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

Who was your favorite character and why?

Michael & Emma

Which scene was your favorite?

Michael tricking the dragon

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Michael reviving his sister

Any additional comments?

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

Even better than the first!

The first book was good but the second book is better. Jim Dale killed it on narrating the story. So many cliff-hangers! On to book 3

Great series!

I love this series! Jim Dale is a great narrator and does a phenomenal job with this already epic story! This is fantasy at its finest.

GREAT for a Book 2 of a trilogy

Any additional comments?

The 2nd book of any Trilogy has a tendency to lack significant action/conclusion on account of needing to set up a lot of plot line for the big finale--- but this book was different. The story really took on a character of its own with the kids going in different directions including in time and space. This story added a lot of depth to the series which was lacking a bit in the first book--- the plot line of the Emerald Atlas being a bit more whimsical. This is a great series for kids of the Harry Potter age group because although there is danger, death, and betrayal the stories maintain an underlying sense of humor/bewilderment and are very enjoyable.

Sheer Entertainment! Excellent Narration

Great story (part 2 or 3) Very entertaining and captivating.
Jim Dale is excellent with narration.

Better than the first!

Omg! I will have to come back and edit this review later with more details but suffice it to say it was so good that I just need to go right into book three without delay! Truly even better than the first, more action, unpredictable twists and turns and drama as we watch the kids grow, and life throws them curves and changes them.

Awesome!

The first book I was on the fence about, but it was still good enough that I decided to go to the second. I'm glad I did; this was an awesome ride!

Very entertaining

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.

Entertaining for all ages

Jim Dale is a excellent narrator for this type of adventure and much loved from his Harry Potter readings. That may explain why this series and plot thus far are so similar to Harry Potter. Michael with glasses and Harry with glasses! Even the studies of dwarves, elves, dragons and trolls appear borrowed from J.R.R. Tolkien. So while the first 2 books are enjoyable, it’s surprising how much of the stories influenced each other to become shared ideas.