Peter Raven Under Fire

Peter Raven #1

by Michael Molloy

A rich, riveting, historical adventure with pirates, spies, and high-seas intrigue! Think MASTER AND COMMANDER meets PIRATES OF THE CARRIBEAN.

It is the time of the Napoleonic Wars. Peter Raven is a bright, young midshipman in the Royal Navy of Great Britain. Raven, along with the swashbuckling secret agent Commodore Beaumont, uncovers a reckless scheme devised by none other than Napoleon Bonaparte. Eager to add America to his empire, Napoleon has made a wicked pact with a murderous pirate known as Count In exchange for the pirate's gold, Napoleon will name Vallon "King of America"! Raven, Beaumont, and a beautiful young American heiress, Lucy, must do whatever it takes to put a stop to one of history's most audacious plots!

Genres: Historical Fiction, Pirates, Young Adult, Fiction, Adventure, Historical, Fantasy

512 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

As a counterpart to his career as a writer of children's books, Michael Molloy is a regular contributor to the Guardian newspaper. He lives in London, England, with his wife, Sandy, their three daughters, Jane, Kate, and Alexandra, and their two dogs, Fred and Daisy.

Reviews

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story of a boy adventurer at sea in the Napoleonic period. The writer has a brilliant way of making the reader feel as if they aren't even reading "a history book".

There are good points and bad points to this book though. I enjoyed the plot and the storyline greatly. It was a thrilling tale that I was half through in one day's good reading. As a historical book, I'm not quite certain it's 100% accurate, and I think the author took some creative license with it perhaps a bit (I don't know, I've not studied this era a great deal). But, I enjoyed what was brought to the tale with the use of the new machinery of the age, the historical content of the controversies between the United States, France, and Britain just before the Louisiana Purchase was made, and all the political excitement surrounding it.

"These ships of the British blockade were maddening talons in Napoleon's flesh. As master of Europe, he might march his victorious armies wherever he desired, crushing all who opposed him. But on the high sees he was humbled, like a wolf kept in it's place by an ever-watchful flock of eagles."

The spy stuff was a little less interesting than the Goodreads content makes it sound though, in my opinion. And, I didn't really love any of the characters other than a couple secondary ones. The rest aren't bad, but I would have liked to see the Peter more as the main character taking charge instead of leaving all the details to his "commander" and friend - I think they skipped too quickly over parts where he *was* put in charge and could have gotten to know him as a character, see him grow and lead others; that kind of thing.

I was rather surprised this is ranked for ages 12 and up with the amount of violence included in the story. There was a good deal of torturing and murder, more than I liked, though it did suit the few characters in a "necessary" evilness of the villains, I suppose, and for the time period, and for the occupation of sailors at said time period. Thankfully, it wasn't too overly gruesome in description in these cases for the most part, at least for an older reader. Also, there was very little if any bad language...otherwise it would be rated lower and I may have not finished this. Only a few uses of the Lord's name in vain, which though I didn't care for of course, at least they were few and there was no other cursing (pretty mild for a secular book I think).


";And I thought falling in love was supposed to make people happy," said Lucy ruefully. "Sometimes it does," said Jack philosophically. "Other times it's about as much fun as a raging toothache.'"

I was a little annoyed by a bit of misinformation, I thought, from the inside cover when I had borrowed this from the library. The main character does not get the girl, and yet on the inside cover, it does imply that the "love triangle" is between the MC and another man, when, in fact, the young man doesn't ever have an attachment with the female lead character whatsoever (leaving me confused for some of the book). This could just be my own mistake, of course. The other is, it says this is a series (which I did not notice until I'd started reading it) and yet I cannot find anywhere that the author continued to write another book?! :/ Thankfully, the book ends in a way that doesn't leave you hanging at all. So just be aware of this.


Even with all my misgivings and complaints, the story began well and it ended quite well with a very climatic finish. So I did enjoy it for the most part. :) But I think I'd prefer to not take this book as truth in any part of it's historical content until I read further on this time period. ;)

[In(vested in sleeping) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember really loving this book as a kid. It probably wouldn't live up to my memories if I reread it, but I believe my child self's opinion holds more weight when judging a children's book than my current self's.

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Peter Raven Under Fire is an epic historical fiction story that is full of adventure and gruesome battles. Peter Raven is a thirteen-year-old boy who joins the Royal British Navy during the war with Napoleon Bonaparte. While working on his assigned ship the HMS Torren, Peter becomes friends with an African Clerk named Matthew Book. The ship is soon taken over by the horrible pirate Count Vallon and everyone on board but Peter and Matthew are killed. Peter decides to seek revenge on Count Vallon and joins forces with a network of spies to help bring him down. While spying on Count Vallon, Peter discovers a plot by Napoleon Bonaparte to take over America. With this information Peter and the British spies must fight to stop both Count Vallon and Napoleon from taking over America and the Caribbean. The story is exciting and full of action but the overall plot is hard to follow. There are too many shipping and boat references that get confusing if you don’t know anything about boats and several different subplots make it hard to remember characters. The author attempts to make the book appealing for girls by including Lucy, American girl who loves to hunt and read instead of wearing dresses and going to balls. Although her character is interesting and dimensional in the beginning, by the end she falls prey to stereotypes and begins to wear dresses and flirt with boys. The story is also very gruesome and had some disturbing aspects including torture, bodily mutilation and bloody deaths. The book is not for the skittish or faint of heart. I would not recommend this book to any child under the age of thirteen.

[Jennifer Wardrip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed by Grandma Bev for TeensReadToo.com

Thirteen-year-old midshipman Peter Raven is assigned to active duty aboard the HMS Torren. Boys became men early in England in 1800, and Great Britain is in her seventh year of struggle with France. The French Revolution is over, and Napoleon Bonaparte is in power. He needs money to defeat the English and exploit the Louisiana territory where he plans to install a "King of New Orleans" under French rule, and has chosen one of the privateers that are active in the Caribbean; a vile and quite mad pirate that has promised him the money he needs. These pirates attack any ships that cross their paths, murdering the crews and stealing the cargoes.

When the HMS Torren falls prey to the pirates, Peter and the charismatic Matthew Book manage to separately escape, but everyone else is murdered. Peter becomes apprenticed to a British Spy, and is reunited with Matthew. The three of them strive to outwit the pirates and French government and keep America out of their hands.

This lively book has a multi-level plot and exciting characters. I thought the size of the book might be a bit intimidating for reluctant readers, but it left me wanting more. The action goes from the English Channel to Paris to the Caribbean and back again. It's a seafaring adventure on a grand scale that is impossible to put down. Molloy promises a sequel, and I can't wait...Peter Raven is one of my favorite characters. There is even a bit of romance with the beautiful, rich young American girl, Lucy Cosgrove.

[Meredith · Rating 4 out of 5]

First a disclaimer: I actually found this in the children's dept. at the library, but it feels more teen book to me.

Some parts of this book were so great. I have an intense love for stories of the British navy thanks to Horatio Hornblower, and the 1st half of this book delivers a lot of awesome seafaring adventure. The second half introduces some truly bloodthirsty pirates, which I also enjoy, while at the same time being totally squicked out by. I liked the history too, although I don't know enough about the Napoleon era to know what was real and what was invented. I need notes about this sort of thing, authors!

But really, the weak link in this book is Lucy. I have no affection or empathy for our leading lady. I think I was supposed to like her because she's all spunky or whatever, but she felt very hollow to me. When two of the main characters (and about a thousand minor characters) fell madly in love with her, I was perplexed. When she was in mortal danger, I was unmoved. When she was rescued, I really wished we could get back to Peter and his heroics. Honestly, even Nancy the spy who's only in the book for a couple of pages was more interesting than Lucy. Luckily, she's not in the book that much!

So, all in all, I liked the book. Very exciting, couldn't put it down. But in the future, Michael Molloy, if you're going to write a rip-roaring naval adventure, either create a truly compelling female lead or leave the ladies out of it.

[Mary]

School Library Journal (October 1, 2005)
Gr 5-8-This is a thoroughly researched and exciting tale of war, piracy, and intrigue. In 1800, continuous war has depleted France's treasury, but Napoleon still wants to expand his empire. To this end, he needs money to defeat the superior British Navy and to exploit Louisiana for the greatest gain. In England, midshipman Peter Raven, 13, is assigned to HMS Torren. When powerful, sadistic pirates murder everyone on the ship except Peter and jack-of-all-trades Matthew Book, the protagonist finds himself apprenticed to a British spy, Commodore Beaumont. Together, these three outwit politicians and outfight pirates. Fast paced with multiple plot twists, the story sails from the English Channel to Paris to the Caribbean and back. Molloy's writing is intelligent and engaging, allowing readers to experience one part of the struggle for political and economic control of the Americas. This long book, which promises to be the first in a series, is indeed an epic. It would be best for deeper collections, or where high-seas adventure and historical fiction are popular.-Christina Stenson-Carey, Albany Public Library, NY

[Krista · Rating 4 out of 5]

I about choked on dinner when I read, "Peter boards the HMS Dolphin" Jacky Faber is on the HMS Dolphin! Bloody Jack! What! But Peter is only on the beloved Dolphin for 3 days until he is picked up at sea by the British man-o'-war, the Torren. This book has all the adventure you could want with spies, nobility, pirates, sailing the high seas. The only problem I had was the main charater didn't have a personality. Half way through the 500 page book Peter starts to pick up one, or maybe I just gave him one for the lack there of. And every sailor but one on the Torren was kind. Is that believable? Some sailors signed up willingly, but most were pressed or sentanced. That dosn't leave many nice folks to be happy about living off of rationed weavly bread and salt meat.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the plot. High seas adventures set in the 1800s are some of my favorite stories.

Had I been a young adult reading this book, I would have completely enjoyed it. However, being a more mature reader now, I unfortunately found some things that really bothered me.

Peter, the main character, really had no personality. He was brave and loyal and true but almost too perfect. The romantic story was tucked in at the end and was not satisfying at all. And there were many details that seemed to be skimmed over.

All in all a satisfying fun and quick read. Not a classic to be cherished, but I would recommend it all the same.

[Michael]

A fun story. Worth mentioning if only because I found this it in the 25 cent overstock bin at the NY library, source of a bunch of cool books over the past few years. Any writer or publisher with a new book sends them a bunch of copies, more than they can keep. Historical fiction, a naval adventure that I came to realize was written not for kids exactly, but "young adults." 1800 or so, the world's powers are fighting and scheming over who will get the Louisiana Territory, but doing so from everywhere else.

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh my gosh, I have been looking for this book for years! I read it forever ago, and then remembered it a few years later, but couldn't remember the name. (My Children's Lit professor always said to keep a running bibliography of the books we read. Lesson learned.) Every time I googled the plot got other random books. I posted on the goodread page twice to find it, and then decided to give its plot one last google, and NOW IT FINALLY SHOWS UP!

A fun historical fiction read. Nothing groundbreaking, but enjoyable enough for a reread, now that I finally found it again!

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great historical fiction book, (Napoleonic era), supposedly written for children, but I would say that I would qualify that before I'd let anyone below a 6th grade level read it. Some rather shocking violence at times. Very well written, though. Enjoyed it, but had to hurry through the ending to return it to the library! Would consider another title by this author in the future.

I will want to do some research to see how close to reality it actually was....

[Caitlín K · Rating 1 out of 5]

My sister read this book first and fortunately warned me that it wasn't that great. She was right. The story follows three characters (one of which seemingly randomly until a long way though), all of whom were excruciatingly flat. If you want to read Naval fiction for teens, try the Bloody Jack Adventures by L.A. Meyer, they're a lot more exciting.

[William Bultez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this book when I was only 8and enjoyed it (even though it took about a year). Now I've read it again and now noticed historical and nautical mistakes in it, who really cares though? But overall it's still a great book about piracy, friendship, espionage and the sea. I recommend it to all, but especially to the fans of Treasure Island.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a really fun book. I would have given it five stars if there were two things different: I don't want swearing, and I don't want head jumping. DOn't let the head jumping bother you, its my mom's fault that I find it bothersome. The swearing, unfortunately, is to be expected since this is about seafaring. I thought it was exciting and I never got bored.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

adventure, history

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Swashbuckling pirate fun! Who can beat that?

[Rachie · Rating 4 out of 5]

swashbuckling epic! anyone who loves historical adventure you must read.

[April · Rating 3 out of 5]

Patrick O'Brien read-a-like for the 12 and under set. Engrossing and Enjoyable.

[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a little young, but it was my favorite book in Middle School and is still high on the list. I love historical fiction, and this one is a good example.

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slow at the beginning, and the end was disappointing. Other than that, the plot of this book was okay.

[Rebecca · Rating 2 out of 5]

author uses words not invented at the time of story. nuff said.

[Tres H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suspenseful and amazing

[Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read it a while ago, and remembered thinking it held great promise, but was disappointed by heavy-handed historical details that bogged down the plot. I just remember being kind of bored.