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The Fire Watcher Chronicles #1
Brimstone
December 1940. London. Christopher Larkham finds an ancient Roman ring inscribed with a phoenix on the banks of the Thames. Taking shelter from the firestorm of the Blitz, the ring glows—and he finds himself in 1666, facing the greatest fire London has ever known. Fire and brimstone preacher, Brother Blowbladder, and his men of the Righteous Temple have prayed for the ancient gods of fire to bring flames down upon London, a city of sin. Could Christopher be their messenger? Or was it the strange girl on the quay who drew him back in time? Why do the Righteous men wear the same phoenix symbol as the engraving on Christopher’s ring?
165 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2018
5 people are currently reading
106 people want to read
About the author
Kelly Gardiner
14 books122 followersKelly Gardiner's new book is Miss Caroline Bingley, Private Detective (HarperCollins), co-written with Sharmini Kumar. Her most recent novels for young readers include a time slip adventure trilogy called 'The Firewatcher Chronicles': 'Brimstone', 'Phoenix', and 'Vigil'; and '1917: Australia's Great War', set in Flanders and in Melbourne during the First World War (all published by Scholastic).
Her novel 'Goddess' (HarperCollins) was based on the life of the remarkable Julie d'Aubigny, also known as Mademoiselle de Maupin - a 17th century opera singer and swordswoman.
Kelly's other books include the acclaimed young adult novels 'The Sultan's Eyes' and 'Act of Faith' (HarperCollins); and for younger readers, 'Billabong Bill's Bushfire Christmas' (Random House), and the ‘Swashbuckler!’ trilogy (HarperCollins): 'Ocean Without End', 'The Pirate's Revenge' and 'The Silver Swan'.
Kelly taught creative writing at La Trobe University for many years and now runs writing retreats and masterclasses. She lives in Melbourne, Australia, and on Waiheke Island, New Zealand.
Her novel 'Goddess' (HarperCollins) was based on the life of the remarkable Julie d'Aubigny, also known as Mademoiselle de Maupin - a 17th century opera singer and swordswoman.
Kelly's other books include the acclaimed young adult novels 'The Sultan's Eyes' and 'Act of Faith' (HarperCollins); and for younger readers, 'Billabong Bill's Bushfire Christmas' (Random House), and the ‘Swashbuckler!’ trilogy (HarperCollins): 'Ocean Without End', 'The Pirate's Revenge' and 'The Silver Swan'.
Kelly taught creative writing at La Trobe University for many years and now runs writing retreats and masterclasses. She lives in Melbourne, Australia, and on Waiheke Island, New Zealand.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
September 1, 2018
Again - totally biased given that I'm Kelly's agent, but it's also totally true that this is a *wonderful* new series for MG readers
History and mystery wrapped up in a phenomenal time-travel tale. If I was a kid, I would have gobbled this book up after reading 'A Wrinkle in Time' and 'Playing Beatie Bow'
Perfect for 8-12 year-old middle grade readers, fans of the 'Ranger's Apprentice' series and kids whose fave eps of DOCTOR WHO are the back-in-time ones!
History and mystery wrapped up in a phenomenal time-travel tale. If I was a kid, I would have gobbled this book up after reading 'A Wrinkle in Time' and 'Playing Beatie Bow'
Perfect for 8-12 year-old middle grade readers, fans of the 'Ranger's Apprentice' series and kids whose fave eps of DOCTOR WHO are the back-in-time ones!
September 11, 2018
The first in a time slip trilogy The Fire Watcher Chronicles this is fascinating look at London during World War II and then London again in 1666. In this first novel Kit is a young Londoner who is living through the Blitz. At night he patrols the streets, spotting fires and alerting the patrols of incoming German planes. When he is seeking shelter from the bombs he pushes open a hidden door and is transported back in time to find himself once again in danger with fires. This will appeal to readers of historical fiction mixed in with a little suspense, action, mystery and magic. We can’t wait for book 2 where Kit will travel to the time of the Viking invasion of Britain and book 3 where Kit faces the Roman invasion of Britain and Boudica’s rebellion. I would have loved this book as a kid.
Suitable for 8+
Suitable for 8+
September 3, 2018
Wonderful! I would have loved this when I was young and I thoroughly enjoyed it as an adult. Can't wait for Book Two!
July 5, 2020
Christopher is a boy in school in London during the bombing blitz of WWII. As schoolboys do, he went scavenging with his friends. He finds a ring, possibly Roman, with a phoenix on it.
Sitting by himself in a bomb shelter, Dad is missing in action and Mum is a fire warden, Christopher pushes to the back of the shelter and finds a door. Next thing he’s sitting on the Thames River. A strangely dressed girl asked him what he’s doing. It’s a mystery to Christopher too. Where is he, how did he get here and how come it all looks the same but different.
London is burning, but there are no planes. What has happened?
The time travel is clever, and the parallels drawn between the fires associated with the bombing blitz of London during the second world war and the Great Fire of London make for interesting reading.
Recommended for readers 10+
Sitting by himself in a bomb shelter, Dad is missing in action and Mum is a fire warden, Christopher pushes to the back of the shelter and finds a door. Next thing he’s sitting on the Thames River. A strangely dressed girl asked him what he’s doing. It’s a mystery to Christopher too. Where is he, how did he get here and how come it all looks the same but different.
London is burning, but there are no planes. What has happened?
The time travel is clever, and the parallels drawn between the fires associated with the bombing blitz of London during the second world war and the Great Fire of London make for interesting reading.
Recommended for readers 10+
April 4, 2020
I read this aloud to my 9 year old. He found it very vivid (he could see the pictures in his head like a movie he said), and had no trouble tracking the two time periods (WW2 and the great fire of London). We had to google Blowbladder to see if he was real (it takes a while to learn to say Blowbladder without tripping over your own tongue, but once you do, it's so much fun.)
It's well paced with strong characterisation. I am really looking forward to finishing the series, though I've just heard the final book has been delayed by Coronavirus. Boo.
It's well paced with strong characterisation. I am really looking forward to finishing the series, though I've just heard the final book has been delayed by Coronavirus. Boo.
January 13, 2021
Hold onto your hats, kids of all ages; this one’s double the fun. In her new children’s fiction series, The Fire Watcher Chronicles, Kelly Gardiner introduces us to not just one period of history, but two! For someone who loves historical fiction as much as I do, this was an incredible experience.
As a writer, it is a novel to envy and admire in equal measure.
Gardiner brings together two fundamental moments in British history, running the events parallel through the eyes of young Christopher.
Christopher lives in London. The year is 1940. His beloved city is being razed to the ground against the backdrop of World War II.
We are dropped into Christopher’s story during the Blitz when his mother, a firefighter, sends him to take shelter from the burn above. While hiding in the bomb shelter, Christopher accidentally slips back through time to find London in the middle of another burn; the Great Fire of 1666.
Christopher knows what will happen; he learned about it in school. Though lost and confused and, no doubt, concerned for the safety of his fire-fighting mother back home, he finds it in himself to help a family rescue their possessions and to learn a little about his past along the way.
By slipping back and forth through time, Gardiner assures us that Christopher is safe and able to get home, though his antics concerning fire-and-brimstone preacher Brother Blowbladder certainly leave room for delicious doubt.
Christopher’s initial confusion and a growing understanding of the situation carries the reader with him. As the mystery starts to unfold, so too does the audience’s understanding of his dire situation. The tension remains high throughout the entire novel and the lovely ending is delightfully satisfying – though still leaving room for Christopher’s next adventure.
Kelly Gardiner is a wonderful storyteller which she proves again in this grand adventure through history. She packs a great deal into this book, with everything from magic, heroics, tragedy and reunion.
Distinguishing the language used in different time periods can be very tricky; unmasterfully handled; it can ruin a perfectly good story. Gardiner manages to smoothly distinguish the language used in both eras; 1666 being distinctly old-fashioned while the speech used in 1940 is far more modern, though still incorporates many of the colloquialisms appropriate to the time.
Children will love Brimstone for the adventure and darkness and for Christopher himself who is undoubtedly a lovable character. They will learn a great deal about the history surrounding the Blitz and the Great Fire, though the story is so much fun that learning is just a happy side effect. At no time does the history get in the way of the story.
As a writer, it is a novel to envy and admire in equal measure.
Gardiner brings together two fundamental moments in British history, running the events parallel through the eyes of young Christopher.
Christopher lives in London. The year is 1940. His beloved city is being razed to the ground against the backdrop of World War II.
We are dropped into Christopher’s story during the Blitz when his mother, a firefighter, sends him to take shelter from the burn above. While hiding in the bomb shelter, Christopher accidentally slips back through time to find London in the middle of another burn; the Great Fire of 1666.
Christopher knows what will happen; he learned about it in school. Though lost and confused and, no doubt, concerned for the safety of his fire-fighting mother back home, he finds it in himself to help a family rescue their possessions and to learn a little about his past along the way.
By slipping back and forth through time, Gardiner assures us that Christopher is safe and able to get home, though his antics concerning fire-and-brimstone preacher Brother Blowbladder certainly leave room for delicious doubt.
Christopher’s initial confusion and a growing understanding of the situation carries the reader with him. As the mystery starts to unfold, so too does the audience’s understanding of his dire situation. The tension remains high throughout the entire novel and the lovely ending is delightfully satisfying – though still leaving room for Christopher’s next adventure.
Kelly Gardiner is a wonderful storyteller which she proves again in this grand adventure through history. She packs a great deal into this book, with everything from magic, heroics, tragedy and reunion.
Distinguishing the language used in different time periods can be very tricky; unmasterfully handled; it can ruin a perfectly good story. Gardiner manages to smoothly distinguish the language used in both eras; 1666 being distinctly old-fashioned while the speech used in 1940 is far more modern, though still incorporates many of the colloquialisms appropriate to the time.
Children will love Brimstone for the adventure and darkness and for Christopher himself who is undoubtedly a lovable character. They will learn a great deal about the history surrounding the Blitz and the Great Fire, though the story is so much fun that learning is just a happy side effect. At no time does the history get in the way of the story.
November 13, 2018
Christopher Larkin is in a London bomb shelter in the middle of the Blitz, while his mum is outside serving as a fire watcher for the city. Looking for a spot on his own, Christopher ventures down a tunnel he hasn’t been before. He finds a thick wooden door and pushes it open…
Earlier that week while searching with his friend for war memorabilia, Christopher found a ring engraved with a picture of a phoenix. He feels it warm and cool as he wears it, and his teacher said it may even be Roman.
…the ring glows as he pushes open the tunnel door. He finds London, but not as he knows it. There is an orange glow in the sky in the distance and a small girl in rags sitting nearby. Christopher is shocked when he asks the date. 1666. He knows that date from his history lessons – the year of The Great Fire of London.
Keen to get home, but worried for his new friend, he has to decide to escape or explain what is about to happen to her city.
He is quickly caught up in the chaos of thousands of people trying to flee, a religious zealot who believes he summoned the fires, a family who believe he’s a ghost of their son, and the one man who actually believes who he really is.
Earlier that week while searching with his friend for war memorabilia, Christopher found a ring engraved with a picture of a phoenix. He feels it warm and cool as he wears it, and his teacher said it may even be Roman.
…the ring glows as he pushes open the tunnel door. He finds London, but not as he knows it. There is an orange glow in the sky in the distance and a small girl in rags sitting nearby. Christopher is shocked when he asks the date. 1666. He knows that date from his history lessons – the year of The Great Fire of London.
Keen to get home, but worried for his new friend, he has to decide to escape or explain what is about to happen to her city.
He is quickly caught up in the chaos of thousands of people trying to flee, a religious zealot who believes he summoned the fires, a family who believe he’s a ghost of their son, and the one man who actually believes who he really is.
September 11, 2018
3.5. Great characters, you're immediately in their world. The settings of the two great fires are vivid, especially the Blitz. And I loved the humour, and the pace. I'll definitely be recommending it for MG readers who are keen on any of the themes.
For me the believability dips a bit midway, which is why I didn't score it higher. Looking forward to 2 and 3 though.
For me the believability dips a bit midway, which is why I didn't score it higher. Looking forward to 2 and 3 though.
August 3, 2018
This didn't hit any buttons for me. The central character, a young boy who finds a door between London during the Blitz and London during the Great Fire, was well drawn but all other characters were sketchy. Kids may still love it if it's action and adventure they be wanting.
October 7, 2018
Great historical time slip story that was fast moving with a most engaging main character in Christopher Larkham.
January 13, 2019
A terrific new middle grade series combining history, mystery and time travel, set during the 1940 Blitz and 1666 Great Fire of London.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews