The Flight of the Phoenix

Nathaniel Fludd, Beastologist #1

by R.L. LaFevers, Kelly Murphy (Illustrator)

Nathaniel Fludd's life has taken a turn for the worst. With his parents lost at sea, he lands on the doorstep of a distant cousin--the world's last remaining beastologist. Soon Nate is whisked off on his first expedition, to Arabia, where the world's only phoenix prepares to lay its new egg. When disaster strikes, Nate quickly finds himself all alone.

Will he be able to see the phoenix safely hatched, keep his accidental pet gremlin out of trouble, and rescue his guardian from the Bedouin? If he fails, nothing will stand between the world's mythical creatures and extinction.

Too bad Nate's not the sort of boy who enjoys adventure . . .yet.

Genres: Fantasy, Adventure, Middle Grade, Childrens, Fiction, Juvenile, Young Adult

141 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

R.L. LaFevers (Robin Lorraine when she’s in really big trouble) grew up surrounded by shelves of old dusty books and a passel of brothers. She has also spent a large portion of her life being told she was making up things that weren’t there, which only proves she was destined to write fiction. She is the author of over fourteen books for young readers, including THEODOSIA AND THE SERPENTS OF CHAOS, (Houghton Mifflin, 2007) which received starred reviews and was a Junior Library Guild selection, a Booksense Summer Pick, and nominated for the Malice Domestic’s Agatha Award, and the NATHANIEL FLUDD, BEASTOLOGIST series. R.L. also writes the His Fair Assassin books using her full name, Robin LaFevers, but cannot get Goodreads to link the two, so you have to check out a separate profile for that. So sorry for the inconvenience!

Reviews

[Zyra · Rating 4 out of 5]

adventure book with lots of beast. short & fun journey of nathaniel fludd.

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 STARS This book has so many things going for it. I loved the opening chapters; I really got a sense of our young hero Nathaniel and his trials and tribulations as he learned that his parents' airship went down and that his governess really cared nothing for him all these years and only wanted the "Tidy Sum" she was given from the lawyers and promptly shipped him off to stay with some relation named Phil Fludd. Poor kid! Worst of all, his parents never even sent for him to join them on their expeditions, even though he was trying so to cultivate a love of adventure (when all he really wanted to do was draw, draw, draw). When Nathaniel arrives at Phil Fludd's house he is surprised to realize that it is not Uncle Phil but *Aunt* Phil(omina) with whom he will be staying. And that he will not be staying at her house for long because she is a Fludd, and that means she is a beastologist (someone who studies and looks after creatures most believe to be mythical or extinct; like her talking dodo bird, for example!) and it is almost time for the phoenix to be reborn. When she and Nathaniel take off in her airplane, he is full of nerves, but also excited to be on an adventure at long last and to prove himself as a true Fludd.

The charming illustrations really helped convey the sense of place (1928) as sometimes it got a little difficult to remember that based just on the narrative. I'm afraid the second half of the book didn't really live up to the first; the adventure wasn't that fulfilling for me and I just really wanted more depth to the beastologist stuff, though of course it all screams for a sequel and the subsequent series. I just kind of felt like it was Harry Potter and Harry finds out he is a wizard and gets to Hogwarts and then, the end! I'm afraid the lack of development in this story had the opposite effect that it was probably supposed to--rather than being on pins and needles until I can crack open the sequel, I'm a bit ho-hum about the whole thing and don't have any immediate plans to continue. However, the series does have potential and they are very quick reads, so when my reading stack gets a little more manageable I might just have to find out what magical creature Nathaniel and Aunt Phil track next (I think the book hinted at wyverns-- dragons! Cool!)

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nathanial Fludd comes from a very long line of adventurers, dating all the way back to the 1400s. But, when his parents don't return for him after one of their adventures, Nathanial begins to wonder if maybe the adventure spirit somehow skipped him.

But, such questions are put to the test when his parents are declared "lost as sea" and he's sent to live with his relative - not only an adventurer, but a beastologist as well.

What follows is a story of acceptance, finding out what you're good at, and succeeding despite the odds.

I really enjoyed this book. For being so small (the book is only 130-odd pages, including illustrations), and for having so few words to go on, I felt an instant attachment to young Fludd and was curious how the story would progress.
I'm not sure I felt that the same detail was present for the entirety of the book, though, and towards the end I started to realize how many things were not going to be explained. Given this, I feel it's a little hard to fairly award a star ratting. My guess (and hope) is that this book (for me), while only a three star for a stand-alone, would get bumped up to a four-star taken as part of the series. But, until I read any of the other titles in the series, I can't really say for sure...

I also enjoyed the illustrations. I thought those of Nathanial were the best, but the others were suitable - even if not my particular style - and I liked that it was easy to tell which were illustrations and which were "Nathanial's drawings."

But, definitely a sweet little book, and entertaining enough for me to want to look up the next installment.

*****

Found on sale at a lovely little local bookstore!

[CozyReaderKelly]

I read this out loud with my six year old daughter. She really loves adventure books, so this one was a lot of fun for her. I found it a bit dull as an adult, but I could see kids who like stories with magical creatures enjoying it.

[Geordie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't like the main character in this book, and only one of the supporting characters - a bad sign! Nathaniel Fludd doesn't have much personality, whines a lot, and is a jerk to another character (specifically a physically weak character, I might have some respect if he was showing that lousy attitude to someone stronger than him!)

The climax is very flat, and, involving the protagonists discovering oil for a Bedouin tribe, supposed to be funny?

I didn't hate it, but it was pretty underwhelming. Not going to bother with any future books in the series.

[Milliebot · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a simple but cute intro to Nathaniel’s life and how it all changes when he discovers his Beastologist lineage. The low page count and the lack of detail put this on the low end of the middle-grade age range (I have no idea what that age is – I’m not a scientist!), but also makes it easier for younger readers to tackle on their own. LaFevers just gives the meat of the story and allows the reader (no matter their age) to fill in the rest of the details on their own.

As an example, there are some long plane flights that take place – rather than spend a whole chapter describing Nathaniel’s feelings on his first flight and what it’s like to be crammed in a small cockpit for hours on end, it’s condensed to a few sentences. This could lead to some discussions if you’re reading to or with a little one (maybe about how they might feel about flying in a biplane? I don’t know; I’m not a teacher!)

I liked Nate’s little companion Greasel. I also liked that while his Aunt Phil seems distant and preoccupied at first, it’s because she has a lot to tend to in the Beastologist world and suddenly having to raise her cousin’s son adds to the craziness. By the end of the story, she’s more interested in Nate’s future as a Beastologist and won’t be just another uninvolved adult.

I loved the illustrations and appreciated the little glossary in the back with information on beasts, vocabulary and places.

[Fi's Journey · Rating 3 out of 5]

"The phoenix opened it's beak and melodious notes floated into the morning air. If hope and joy had a sound, Nate thought, it would be just like that."

I enjoyed this story as it had the right pacing to keep you interested and it had a good amount of adventure/action. I definitely recommend this to a younger audience who love adventure/travelling stories.

[C.J. Milbrandt · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Nathaniel's parents are lost at sea, he's sent to live with his father's cousin, who decides it's high time 10-yr-old Nate take up the Fludd family tradition of adventuring. Governesses and tidy sums. Aunts and airplanes. Mapmakers and mites. Spitting camels and hungry gremlins.

This! This is my favorite kind of lower middle grade story—simple enough for young readers, but smart and funny, with an appealing amount of character development and a tidy plot-line. Not to mention some lovely foreshadowing, which promises more of the same.

Added bonus, this is beautifully illustrated. Cheerfully adding this series to the home shelf!

[Bookslut · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute! I liked this a lot, and so did Cal. Great maps, beasts, travel, and a spitting camel...hard to go wrong! Pretty advanced language for a thin chapter book, but somehow also very simple to understand. This is a great cocktail for us, because my five year old doesn't struggle to know what's going on, but we get a dusting of bigger vocabulary words than what he'd be exposed to in his regular life--provides a little bit of stretch without any discomfort. Like money for nothing and chicks for free.

[Elizabeth (Miss Eliza) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nathaniel Fludd's parents have disappeared. Presumed dead, his parents' lawyer summons him and Miss Lumpton to his office. A tidy sum makes Miss Lumpton disappear as well. Nathaniel is then shuffled off to a relative, a Phil A. Fludd, he's never heard of in Batting-At-The-Flies. The precocious youngster with a penchant for drawing and a feeling of being unwanted and left behind arrives at his destination with a heart full of trepidation. What he finds is beyond his wildest dreams...Phil is actually a she and a Beastologist too boot! Whatever a Beastologist is...but it might have something to do with the fact Cornelius, her pet, happens to be a Dodo. Aunt Phil says come morning she's off to do her Beastological work so Nate should get to bed nice and early. Nate shuffles off to bed knowing that he'll be left behind again, but this time with a crotchety Dodo and Miss Lumpton's suitcase full of letters and underwear...leave it to Nate to get the wrong suitcase. But come morning he realizes that he is to go with Aunt Phil, which fills him equally with joy and dread. They hope aboard her little plane and off they go to Arabia, to see the birth of a Phoenix, the first in 500 years! Along the way Nate learns that his family is world renowned for being great adventurers, from map makers to Beastologists, they are without equal. The exploration bug bit the family hundreds of years ago when Sir Mungo Fludd had eight sons he sent to seek out every corner of the globe. Seven sons returned to Sir Mungo and the great family tome, The Geographica, A Map of the World was completed. The final son? They speak not of him...But Phil is worried that Nate was left behind, he should have started his training years ago...coupled with the fact that his parents never wrote (unheard of in a Fludd) and the fact that the book was lost with them is all very suspicious...But there are more immediate concerns. A gremlin is in the plane's gearbox and once they get to Arabia the Bedouin's take umbrage to Phil's presence and take her off to their camp, leaving Nate and his new friend, the Gremlin Greasle to rebirth this Phoenix and then free Aunt Phil, all without being discovered. And if that isn't enough, could the letters in Miss Lumpton's suitcase be the missing Fludd correspondence? And who was that mysterious red head who tried to steal the Fludd Book of Beasts? Could he be a descendant of the eighth son bent on revenge?

I picked up this book because I just adore R. L. LaFevers' Theodosia books. Nathaniel Fludd has a similar air of adventure and exploration akin to The Young Indiana Jones that is prevalent with Theodosia. But whereas Theodosia has the feel of the British Empire and a more Victorian Egypt obsessed society, you really feel the march of progress and the setting of this book being right after The Great War. It's an interesting clash of old and new. How the old ways of cartographers and explorers is giving way to the age of flight and steel and oil. But for this brief period both magic and technology exist side by side. I personally am in love with this trend in young adult and children's fiction wherein we have this distinct time period, be in World War I or Victorian times and then a little bit of magic is overlaid. Just addictive! I felt though this book was too short. Being written for younger readers this is a fairly short and quick read, so for those adult readers out there you will be desperate for the next volume. With all the foreshadowing and unanswered questions, you think you might know what will happen next, but you really need Robin to write it out for us. I really feel this is a great start to a cute new series, which I know I won't love as much as Theo...but it engenders the same feelings!

I also have to just say how beautifully this book is made. R. L. LaFevers must have one hell of a following (me among them) that Houghton Mifflin is willing to go the extra mile to make these books so...I don't really know how to say this...but you just want to admire them for hours and love how they look on your bookshelves. The Theodosia books have amazing cover and interior art, but couple that with the antique map of London under the dustjacket and the slightly deckled edging...heirloom books here. Nathaniel Fludd isn't an exception. The dustjacket is wonderfully done. That feel off an olde tyme journal with the pencil and the feather. But it's the drawing of the belt clasp that makes it just that extra bit special. The endpapers are a magnificent map of the journey in the book with the dotted line, just like Indiana Jones. At first the interior drawing style seemed a bit cartoonish, when compared with the finish of the cover, but I grew to like it. It's as if this were Nathaniel's own sketchbook. Kelly Murphy did a wonderful job and made me stop comparing her to Yoko Tanaka in the end.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nathaniel Fludd Beastologist: Flight of the Phoenix is a delightful little story about young Nathaniel, age 10. His parents are mostly absent while they are on great adventures all over the world. He is cared for by Miss Lumpton who is marginally competent. When his parents are declared lost-at-sea while on the airship Italia which crashed near the North Pole, Nathaniel is bewildered by the after-effects. Nathaniel is devastated, of course,after all he lost his parents who he hadn't seen in over three years. But Miss Lumpton's reaction is altogether unusual. She is overjoyed at the thought of receiving a 'tidy sum of money' from the Fludd's estate. And, off she goes, never looking back at Nathaniel.

Nathaniel is then released to the care of the only living Fludd relative, Aunt Phil. Aunt Phil is a beastologist, one who studies beasts...not your ordinary, run-of-the-mill beasts, but unusual beasts like the dodo bird, the phoenix, basilisk, or griffins. Nathaniel thought those beasts were just myths...but, no. Off Aunt Phil and Nathaniel go on their first adventure, to assure the phoenix is reborn, once again, after 500 years.

Of course, along the way, the pair are met with danger, odd creatures, and unexpected decisions to be made. Their adventure is full of fast paced hi-jinx. One of the most delightful parts of the books is the sassy, saucy gremlin named Greasle. She is full of mischief, yet endearing. I loved her character and she made the story enchanting. A quick, fun adventure read.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a wonderful tale of a boy who finds out that he comes from a long line of Beastologists who travel the world protecting rare beasts such as Phoenixes, Griffins, Unicorns, Dodo Birds and many others.

Nate has spent more time with his Nanny than his parents who have traveled the world. When he learns that his parents' airship went down off the coast of Antartica, his Nanny is quick to leave him in the care of a Lawyer after receiving a tidy sum and Nate finds himself being put on a train where he travels to Northern England to meet his cousin Phil. He's surprised when he learns that Phil is actually a girl and is taken on an adventure of a lifetime to help save a Phoenix and becomes friends with an unlikely Gremlin.

When Aunt Phil is taken away by Bedouin in the desert, he uses his wits, the help of the Beastologist book and his new Gremlin friend to protect the Phoenix and try to figure out a way to rescue his Phil. Nate is about to be in the adventure for his life and learn that maybe he really was meant to be an adventurer just like much of the rest of his ancestors.

Full of adventure, mystery, mythical beasts, humor and set in the last 1920s, it's a wonderful tale about a boy who was rather lost until his Aunt Phil came along. Though it is middle grade, it is very engaging and fascinating for all ages. I can't wait to read the next book in the series!

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fludds have always been explorers and adventurers. Nate's parents have gone on an adventure, promising to send for him when he turns eight. But they never do. And when their airship goes down and they are listed as "missing at sea," Nate must go and live with a relative he doesn't know.
Nate is haunted by questions as to why they didn't send for him. Did they not think he could be of help?

That relative that Nate goes to live with is his Aunt Phil who is a beastologist. “A beastologist is someone who studies beasts. Not any old beast, mind you. Only Unusual beasts. Like dodos. Or Basilisks, or griffens, or manticores and the like.” This is explained to Nate by Cornelius, a talking dodo who lives in Aunt Phil's house.

Shortly after Nate arrives at Aunt Phil's, she takes him to Arabia to assist with the birth of a Phoenix. Nate feels like it is his “last chance to prove that he was up to the task of being a Fludd.”

Mysteries abound throughout: Why didn't Nate's parents send letters back as all Fludd explorers are required to do? Who is the man who tries to steal The Book of Beasts while they're at the oasis? What crazy thing will Greasle the Gremlin do next? Nice early adventure series for students with an interest in mythological creatures.

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let's see...young boy finds out at the beginning of the story that his parents are missing and presumed dead. So he is put on a train to go live with his nearest relative. He is picked up at the station by a horse and pony and, oh dear, discovers that his relative is an eccentric aunt.

I started worrying that this would just be a rehash of so many overdone children's fantasy book themes but once Nathaniel gets to his aunt's house, things get interesting and original. Turns out Nate is one of a long line of Fludds who are world explorers and "beastologists". They spend their lives searching the globe and caring for rare and mythical beasts. At once Nate and his aunt leave for Arabia, where the phoenix bird is supposed to be laying it's once-in-500-years egg. Can Nate, who isn't sure he is quite ready for adventures, rise to the challenge when his aunt disappears?

This book, the first in a planned series, is probably for the younger juvenile chapter book reader, I'd say on the same level as Magic Tree House and the like. At 135 pages the plot is simple and the dangers not too scary.

[Quince · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been reading a lot of Robin LaFevers book's, Grave Mercy, Theodosia and the Serpents of Chaos (and the rest of the series), as well as The Flight of the Phoenix, I must say, I preferred Grave Mercy, but still enjoyed the lightness of this book compared to the bulk of the former.

[Robyn · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had high hopes for this book. It’s the perfect length for a beginning reader, there are pictures (I love pictures in books), and it sounded like an exciting adventure. But I didn't come to know Nathaniel Fludd other than he comes from a long line of beastologists and has been kept from his birthright. I understand that he is supposed to be a little confused about himself, but it left me feeling distant from him. There’s mystery surrounding his parents’ disappearance, which I'm sure will come into play in the later books, but it didn't seem like a huge detail in this book. Overall everything seemed underdeveloped. Of course things will most likely be revealed and developed over the course of the series, but I don't think this first book had enough 'oomph' to get the reader hooked. At least not this reader.

[Melinda Borda · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Nathaniel Fludd is notified that both of his parents are missing—presumed dead—he goes to live with his Aunt Phil. When Nathaniel arrives at his new home, he discovers his aunt is eccentric and lives with a real dodo bird!

Aunt Phil reveals to Nathaniel that as a Fludd, he’s a Beastologist, a caretaker for all the “mythical” creatures worldwide. A Phoenix? It’s real, and it’s about to lay an egg. Nathaniel and Aunt Phil are off to make sure the Phoenix hatching goes well!

This book is perfect for fans of Harry Potter…although Nathaniel Fludd isn’t as dark as the latter Harry Potter books. It’s lighthearted and relatively short. Nathaniel Fludd: Flight of the Phoenix is the first book in a four book series.

If you wanted to recommend a book to middle graders who like Harry Potter, what would you recommend?

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nathaniel Fludd is from a long line of "Beastologists" who take care of very rare and often magical creatures. In this particular story, Nathaniel helps his aunt take care of a Phoenix egg that is about to hatch. I think my main problem with the story was that there was more time spent on Nathaniel's parents being missing and going to move in with his Aunt that it left little time for action, exploration and more about the creatures that they are going to help. Overall a fairly easy quick read with a plot that isn't to intense.

[Clare · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gentle adventure story about young Nathaniel Fludd who, after both his parents are lost at sea, goes to stay with an aunt who takes him on journeys to help mythological creatures in danger of extinction. A simple but original story suited to young readers who are willing to extend themselves beyond popular titles. To be honest, gentle could also mean slightly boring for advanced readers.

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

One Sentence Review: More than a little charming, this is the perfect early chapter book to throw at the kid that is just getting into independent reading but wants a fantasy element to their books in some manner.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one started out slow for me, but by the end I was galloping through it (and I am hoping for a sequel soon), if it had held me the whole way through I would have given it 4 stars, but it was a great beginner chapter book with an exciting premise.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was adorable - without being too silly or too watered down. I can easily picture my younger self enjoying this as a read-out-loud selection.

Read to Luke aloud 2019. It was just as fun as I remember.

[Tricia Hock · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book very much for a children's book. And even better I'm loving that NEH and I are discussing the book.

I would highly recommend this book to young readers, especially boys. Great series.

[Amalia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Its simple plot is a great introduction to fantasy for those who are too young for Potter, but yearning for adventure. I liked the characters and loved the etchy style of the illustrations. I'm looking forward to reading the other books in the series.

[Lindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was good.
It's about a boy named Nathaniel or Nate who's parents were lost at sea. His father's cousin Aunt Phil or Philomena adopted him. Apparently, Aunt Phil was a beastologist, and likewise Nate meets a gremlin and they became friends.

[SJo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This came as a recommended reading after finishing a sci-fi/horror series that I really enjoyed, so I decided why not. Well, when I went to the library to pick it up... I found myself wandering awkwardly around the kid's section.

[Miss Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

A simple adventure story from the author of the "Theodosia" series. Very short and suitable for children aged 6 and up. A great chapter book for beginning readers.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perfect book for boys looking foe a series but not yet ready for Percy Jackson. First In a series. Maps, good illustrations. Glossary at the end.

[The Girl with the Sagittarius Tattoo · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute and sweet short adventure story about a boy and his aunt searching for mythical beasts.

[Jennifer Sommer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in 1928, 10-year-old Nathaniel is living with his governess, Miss Lumpton, when a lawyer informs them that Nathaniel's parents' airship crashed on the ice in the North Pole. Their bodies were not among those found. While Miss Lumpton will receive "a tidy sum", Nathaniel will now go to live with his last surviving relative and beastologist, Phil A. Fludd, who it turns out is his aunt. Prevented from joining his parents on previous adventures, Nathaniel is unprepared to join his aunt on her current trip to Arabia to watch the hatching of a phoenix. Nevertheless, she insists that he is long overdue to begin his Fludd training as a beastologist and hoists him into her propeller plane. Excitement ensues when something becomes clogged in the propeller as they fly high above the ground toward Arabia and Nathaniel is sent outside the relative safety of his seat to remove the hazard. Here he finds a gremlin named Greasle hiding out in the propeller along with her brother Oiliver. Oiliver, unfortunately, gets thrown overboard before Nathaniel realizes what is clogging the propeller. Not to worry. Oiliver has big feet and will land just fine, assures Greasle. Camp is quickly set up in Arabia following a camel ride to the specific oasis where the phoenix is expected to live out his remaining moments before bursting into flame. But almost as quickly, Aunt Phil is taken away by the local Bedoins, leaving Nathaniel alone with a gremlin to ensure that the ashes of the phoenix don't burn out before the bird is able to rise again. This is the first book in a series about the newest Fludd in a long line of Fludd beastologists. Readers in grades 3-5 will enjoy this, as will younger children who may hear it read aloud. The Pizza and Pages group enjoyed this book and several astute listeners were able to pick up on clues scattered throughout the story that will undoubtedly reappear in subsequent books. Black and white illustrations are included to help young readers visualize the characters and location. Also, a glossary is provided at the back of the book.