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The Great Phoenix of London
A gripping historical adventure. 1666. When 11-year-old bookish Gil finds a strange ‘heaven stone’ by the Thames, he never thought it would hatch. Or that so soon after the Great Plague, a small fire in London would become a deadly inferno. Soon Gil, his phoenix, and his spiky friend Jennet must cross the burning city, avoid a terrifying mob, and find a place where they can all be safe.
352 pages, Paperback
First published September 12, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 6, 2025
I love this author and her historical fiction middle grade books so much. The one is set during the Great Fire of London in 1666…and there’s a phoenix. Great action and descriptions of the spread of the fire. But this one didn’t quite engage me like her other books have. My Friend the Octopus remains my favorite.
November 4, 2024
Loved this! It's the third middle grade book I've read and loved by Lindsay Galvin, and my favourite so far. It's exciting and action-packed, a historically accurate (other than the phoenix!) story of 4 days during the Great Fire of London, with updated maps of the city and where the fire had progressed to throughout the book. Lovely cover too! It is a story with courage, grief, family and friendship at its heart. Plus of course, a phoenix - what more could I want?
September 14, 2024
When I first heard about this book I thought it would be a great book set during The Great Fire of London, that I might be able to read to our Year 2’s who will study The Great Fire of London after Christmas.
I mentioned this book to my literacy lead, and she too sounded excited, and as I read the book I kept her updated with my thoughts.
When 11-year-old bookish Gil finds a strange ‘heaven stone’ by the Thames, he never thought it would hatch. Or that so soon after the Great Plague, a small fire in London would become a deadly inferno.
Soon Gil, his phoenix, and his spiky friend Jennet must cross the burning city, avoid a terrifying mob, and find a place where they can all be safe.
The first thing we need to discuss is that the book is set over the 5 days of the fire, so there is a section for each day, and included in this section is a map showing where the fire has got to. This is a great way to show children how violent it was and how badly it spreaded. And as a reader you are there and see the fire start, the panic all around you, and you feel for the characters when they have to make some truly awful decisions.
Our main character Gil is with his grandparents in their bakery when the fire starts and as we read we see the grandparents trying to decide what belongs to take, then we see the grandfather make the decision to have his business pulled down to try and stop the fire. Another area that is touched upon is that of the anti-immigrant sentiments in London that there was at the time. The Dutch and the French were the ones being targeted. Gil’s mum is French so with him we get to experience the fear these innocent people had, but it is so good to see him standing up to them.
I told my Literacy lead that I loved everything about the book, and how this needs to be Year 2’s class read after christmas to tie in with their Great FIre Of London topic. And now it is going to be. The children will get so much out of this book and I can’t wait to hear what they think.
July 27, 2025
The Great Fire of London started on the 5th of September 1666. Over four days it destroyed a large portion of the medieval city. When the fire breaks out, eleven year old Gil is separated from his family in the chaos. He saves a mysterious ball of rock that had fallen from the sky and was beloved by his little brother. Together with Jennet, a girl he meets along the way, Gil flees the rapidly spreading inferno. When the stone reveals its secret, that it is, in fact, an egg containing a phoenix, Gil and Jennet are not only running from the fire, but from villains who will stop at nothing to get their hands on this mythical creature.
This thrilling historic novel for middle-grade readers is a rollicking good read. Galvin skilfully combines an adventure with real-life events. He shows us the anti-immigration sentiments held by many Londoners, particularly towards the French and Dutch (due to ongoing wars). So soon after the Great Plague had killed a vast number of the population, people were looking for scapegoats. Unfortunately, looking at the world today, somethings haven’t changed at all - it’s always easy to blame anyone who is perceived as ‘other’.
It’s also a lovely story about the bond between a child and an animal. Gil feels responsible for the phoenix, and will do anything to protect it from harm. The phoenix responds to this kindness by protecting Gil.
The book is divided into each day of the fire, with a map indicating where the fire had spread, and a quote from the famous diarist, Samual Pepys, who was an eye-witness to the devastation. Author’s notes detail more historic facts.
I loved this book. It’s a fabulously great read. The characters are richly drawn; the adventure edge-of-the-seat and the conclusion heartwarming.
Highly, highly recommended for readers confident readers aged 9 years and over.
This thrilling historic novel for middle-grade readers is a rollicking good read. Galvin skilfully combines an adventure with real-life events. He shows us the anti-immigration sentiments held by many Londoners, particularly towards the French and Dutch (due to ongoing wars). So soon after the Great Plague had killed a vast number of the population, people were looking for scapegoats. Unfortunately, looking at the world today, somethings haven’t changed at all - it’s always easy to blame anyone who is perceived as ‘other’.
It’s also a lovely story about the bond between a child and an animal. Gil feels responsible for the phoenix, and will do anything to protect it from harm. The phoenix responds to this kindness by protecting Gil.
The book is divided into each day of the fire, with a map indicating where the fire had spread, and a quote from the famous diarist, Samual Pepys, who was an eye-witness to the devastation. Author’s notes detail more historic facts.
I loved this book. It’s a fabulously great read. The characters are richly drawn; the adventure edge-of-the-seat and the conclusion heartwarming.
Highly, highly recommended for readers confident readers aged 9 years and over.
August 11, 2024
I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. It has not affected my opinions.
THE GREAT PHOENIX OF LONDON is a historical adventure with a touch of magic and plenty of danger.
This book brings a phoenix into the great fire of London, and sees a young boy's desperate quest to keep it safe from the devastation and unscrupulous people out to get hold of it. It was very inventive how so many major events of the period were included, showing off the desperate fight against the flames and the many perils of a wooden city catching fire.
The book also touches on the anti-immigrant sentiments in London at the time, targeted at the Dutch and French (due to various wars being fought.) I'm writing this review in the wake of anti-immigrant riots and acts of deliberate terror against those communities, which gives this book a stark relevance to today. Gilbert's mother is French and he experiences first hand what people stoked up with fear and hatred do, and still has the courage to stand against them.
I really liked how each day began with a map showing the extent of the fire that day. It was a really nice way of showing how violently it spread. It was far more effective than words trying to explain the limits with street names that would mean little to those not intimately familiar with the area.
THE GREAT PHOENIX OF LONDON is a historical adventure with a touch of magic and plenty of danger.
This book brings a phoenix into the great fire of London, and sees a young boy's desperate quest to keep it safe from the devastation and unscrupulous people out to get hold of it. It was very inventive how so many major events of the period were included, showing off the desperate fight against the flames and the many perils of a wooden city catching fire.
The book also touches on the anti-immigrant sentiments in London at the time, targeted at the Dutch and French (due to various wars being fought.) I'm writing this review in the wake of anti-immigrant riots and acts of deliberate terror against those communities, which gives this book a stark relevance to today. Gilbert's mother is French and he experiences first hand what people stoked up with fear and hatred do, and still has the courage to stand against them.
I really liked how each day began with a map showing the extent of the fire that day. It was a really nice way of showing how violently it spread. It was far more effective than words trying to explain the limits with street names that would mean little to those not intimately familiar with the area.
November 21, 2025
A great historical read for middle graders. Set during the great fire of London of 1666, readers get a real sense of the enormity of the fire, the frightening spread and devastation of it, and how what was available to fight the fire and the housing conditions made it impossible to control.
Young Gil has to escape with his younger brother and grandparents and try to get safely across to his mother on the other side of London.
To add to the adventure, a few days before, a meteor streaks across the sky (a portent of doom), and Gil’s brother finds a piece of rock from the sky.
The rock is actually an egg which reveals a phoenix.
This is where a fantasy element adds excitement and tension to the story as Gil and his new friend, Jennet, try to protect the phoenix from powerful individuals who desire the amazing creature.
The author deftly portrays the attitudes of the people of the time; already traumatised by the recent Great Plague, they are suspicious of foreigners whom they blame for the fire (the French and the Dutch) due to political tensions between the countries, and superstitious; looking for signs for their misfortune, such as the meteor.
A really enjoyable story.
Young Gil has to escape with his younger brother and grandparents and try to get safely across to his mother on the other side of London.
To add to the adventure, a few days before, a meteor streaks across the sky (a portent of doom), and Gil’s brother finds a piece of rock from the sky.
The rock is actually an egg which reveals a phoenix.
This is where a fantasy element adds excitement and tension to the story as Gil and his new friend, Jennet, try to protect the phoenix from powerful individuals who desire the amazing creature.
The author deftly portrays the attitudes of the people of the time; already traumatised by the recent Great Plague, they are suspicious of foreigners whom they blame for the fire (the French and the Dutch) due to political tensions between the countries, and superstitious; looking for signs for their misfortune, such as the meteor.
A really enjoyable story.
September 22, 2024
Wonderfully captivating
Lindsay Galvin has created a wondrous tale that is a mix of both historical fact and mythology. Told over the course of the 5 days of the fire that burned in London in 1666, readers are immersed in a story that does much to convey how terrifying and violent the spread of the fire was and how so many were affected by it. It is also perfect way to explore many themes including prejudice. A brilliantly crafted tale from one of my favourite children's authors.
Lindsay Galvin has created a wondrous tale that is a mix of both historical fact and mythology. Told over the course of the 5 days of the fire that burned in London in 1666, readers are immersed in a story that does much to convey how terrifying and violent the spread of the fire was and how so many were affected by it. It is also perfect way to explore many themes including prejudice. A brilliantly crafted tale from one of my favourite children's authors.
August 6, 2024
A cracking middle grade read, packed full of historical facts. This would be a great recommendation for any children studying the Great Fire of London with references also to The Great Plague. The action is non-stop and whilst there is clearly a fantasy element, this does not detract from the horror of the fire or the tragedy of lost homes even though the death toll was surprisingly small. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
October 20, 2024
4.5 stars. You'd think that putting an actual phoenix in the setting of the great fire of London, but it makes sense, when you think about it. When is a better time for a firebird to thrive if not in a great fire? The strenght of this book is in the writing and storytelling, the depiction of the fire is excellent and atmospheric. The existence of phoenix in that place and time is presented and explained properly. Wonderful read. Original, engaging, intriguing.
October 27, 2024
A great take on an historic event, I loved it, and will now look at Galvin's other historical fiction. I loved how Zeph adopted Gil, or was it the other way round? Or was it a mutual adoption?
November 14, 2025
This middle-grade historical fantasy is about a boy who stumbled into parenting a phoenix during the Great Fire of London in 1666.
Despite the hot and dry summer, Gil’s mother cooks up an enormous roast. His Sunday routine is to bring the leftovers to his grandparents’ home by Pudding Lane and spend the night there. On this night, he is woken up by his little cousin’s ‘heaven stone’, a ‘meteorite’ they found before the plague. This was when he noticed the fire outside. The family evacuates, but his cousin is distraught for leaving the ‘heaven stone’ behind. After ensuring his extended family cross the river to safety, Gil makes his way back to home by St Paul’s cathedral. On the way, he comes across the heaven stone again, which soon hatched in the heat. The baby bird eats tar and wax and grows at an exceedingly great speed. Gil tries to return home, but he encounters looters and mobs, and a man who would stop at nothing to take his bird.
This is an amazingly creative story, weaving the historical events with a cleverly chosen mythical creature. It is perfectly pitched for middle-grade readers and a gift to schools teaching the Great Fire of London. It brings the facts to life. What is more, the mythical phoenix is truly inspired. We all know that phoenixes rise from the ashes.
A must-read for KS2 readers.
Prologue opening lines: It was a crisp night, the sky a sheet of black ice, waiting to be shattered. Sleepy with fire-warmth and rich foods, I snuggled between my mother and father on the doorstep of my grandparents’ house and glassworks business on Pudding Lane.
Despite the hot and dry summer, Gil’s mother cooks up an enormous roast. His Sunday routine is to bring the leftovers to his grandparents’ home by Pudding Lane and spend the night there. On this night, he is woken up by his little cousin’s ‘heaven stone’, a ‘meteorite’ they found before the plague. This was when he noticed the fire outside. The family evacuates, but his cousin is distraught for leaving the ‘heaven stone’ behind. After ensuring his extended family cross the river to safety, Gil makes his way back to home by St Paul’s cathedral. On the way, he comes across the heaven stone again, which soon hatched in the heat. The baby bird eats tar and wax and grows at an exceedingly great speed. Gil tries to return home, but he encounters looters and mobs, and a man who would stop at nothing to take his bird.
This is an amazingly creative story, weaving the historical events with a cleverly chosen mythical creature. It is perfectly pitched for middle-grade readers and a gift to schools teaching the Great Fire of London. It brings the facts to life. What is more, the mythical phoenix is truly inspired. We all know that phoenixes rise from the ashes.
A must-read for KS2 readers.
Prologue opening lines: It was a crisp night, the sky a sheet of black ice, waiting to be shattered. Sleepy with fire-warmth and rich foods, I snuggled between my mother and father on the doorstep of my grandparents’ house and glassworks business on Pudding Lane.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews