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Century #1
De ring van vuur
Het is 29 december 1999 en Hotel Domus Quintilia in Rome is overboekt voor de millenniumwissel. Zo komt het dat Elettra, de dochter van de hoteleigenaar, haar kamer deelt met drie andere tieners, wiens ouders in het hotel verblijven: Mistral uit Parijs, Sheng uit Shanghai en Harvey uit New York. Elettra is een heel gewoon Italiaans meisje, behalve dat allerlei elektrische apparaten vaak raar gaan doen als zij in de buurt is en spiegels waar zij in kijkt hun glans verliezen.
Ook heeft ze soms last van onverklaarbare tintelingen in haar lichaam.
Kort na de eerste ontmoeting blijkt dat alle vier de kinderen jarig zijn op 29 februari, een vreemd toeval.
Diezelfde avond strompelt er een man langs de oever van de Tiber. Hij heeft een zwart koffertje bij zich. Hij is op zoek naar vier kinderen. Als hij Harvey, Sheng, Elettra en Mistral, die een nachtelijke wandeling door Rome maken, tegenkomt weet hij zeker aan wie hij zijn koffertje moet geven. In de koffer zitten een aantal vreemde voorwerpen.
Ook Jacob Mahler is op zoek naar een zwarte koffer. Hij komt die avond aan in Rome om hem te vinden. Hij is een huurmoordenaar.
De wedloop is begonnen…
Ook heeft ze soms last van onverklaarbare tintelingen in haar lichaam.
Kort na de eerste ontmoeting blijkt dat alle vier de kinderen jarig zijn op 29 februari, een vreemd toeval.
Diezelfde avond strompelt er een man langs de oever van de Tiber. Hij heeft een zwart koffertje bij zich. Hij is op zoek naar vier kinderen. Als hij Harvey, Sheng, Elettra en Mistral, die een nachtelijke wandeling door Rome maken, tegenkomt weet hij zeker aan wie hij zijn koffertje moet geven. In de koffer zitten een aantal vreemde voorwerpen.
Ook Jacob Mahler is op zoek naar een zwarte koffer. Hij komt die avond aan in Rome om hem te vinden. Hij is een huurmoordenaar.
De wedloop is begonnen…
331 pages, Hardcover
First published October 17, 2006
66 people are currently reading
1792 people want to read
About the author
Pierdomenico Baccalario
462 books456 followersP.D. BACCALARIO was born in Acqui Terme, a beautiful little town in the Piedmont region of Northern Italy. He grew up in the middle of the woods with his three dogs and his black bicycle. He loves seeing new places and discovering new lifestyles, although, in the end, he always returns to the comfort of familiar ones.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 240 reviews
December 13, 2015
This book is about 4 kids with the same birthday, 2/29, that meet up in a hotel and gets delivered a briefcase with mysterious clues. I recommend this book to anyone who loves mystery, and anyone who wants a quick read. It’s because the book is very short and has a decent plot. Speaking about the plot, it was decent, but not enough in my opinion. The reason is that compared to other good mystery books, the plot was not that suspenseful and didn’t get me “scared.” Also, the author left so many facts unknown to save for later, so that left me confused. However, it showed the story in both the protagonist and the antagonist’s point of view, so we got to see how the villain and the main characters felt. So overall this book was a decent book.
December 13, 2009
Four children, every century, must pass a test: and mysterious figures try to stop them from doing so. Sounds cliched and tired already? Well, let's check.
The author of Ulysses Moore, check.
One of the characters looks like 'the singer of Oasis, only shorter', check - and his three new friends are also interesting. Plus, they were all born on February 29th.
A murderer who plays a hypnotizing violin and uses the bow as a tool to slit people's throat open, check.
An adventure in Rome, with great details of the places involved, complete with pictures, check. (The next adventure will be in New York, and perhaps in Shanghai and Paris. More details for the travel-hungry readers? Yes please!)
Mythology, history, mystery, check.
The translation is good, but perhaps a bit... not too smooth? And I cannot judge whether the rather 'staccato' feeling of the sentences is really due to Baccalario's writing style, or it's just things lost in translation. And I wish Baccalario had put more things to explain what it's all really about - what is behind the sinister plot devised by people who don't mind if one or two or more souls are lost during the course?
Anyway, I did read it, and was satisfied.
Maybe you should go and check it too.
The author of Ulysses Moore, check.
One of the characters looks like 'the singer of Oasis, only shorter', check - and his three new friends are also interesting. Plus, they were all born on February 29th.
A murderer who plays a hypnotizing violin and uses the bow as a tool to slit people's throat open, check.
An adventure in Rome, with great details of the places involved, complete with pictures, check. (The next adventure will be in New York, and perhaps in Shanghai and Paris. More details for the travel-hungry readers? Yes please!)
Mythology, history, mystery, check.
The translation is good, but perhaps a bit... not too smooth? And I cannot judge whether the rather 'staccato' feeling of the sentences is really due to Baccalario's writing style, or it's just things lost in translation. And I wish Baccalario had put more things to explain what it's all really about - what is behind the sinister plot devised by people who don't mind if one or two or more souls are lost during the course?
Anyway, I did read it, and was satisfied.
Maybe you should go and check it too.
December 21, 2021
Un americano, una francese, un cinese e un'italiana entrano in un hotel a Roma. Detto così sembra quasi l'inizio di una barzelletta. Eppure di barzellette non ce n'è traccia, solo di una storia piuttosto divertente su quattro persone nate tutte il ventinove febbraio che si ritrovano per le mani una strana valigia con altrettanti strani oggetti. E se questo non bastasse ecco qua una bella caccia al tesoro irta di pericoli e misteri tra personaggi poco raccomandabili con un violino demoniaco e zingare con una cassa di denti. Baccalario intesse una storia molto simpatica e interessante che riesce a catturarti fin dalle prime battute. Una sorta di Robert Langdon per i più piccoli che ti trascina e incanta con i suoi personaggi e vicende. Ho amato tutto.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 29, 2010
An intriguing mystery of four 12 year olds (two boys, two girls) thrown together with peculiar similarities and strengths. I really liked how this story follows the protagonist kids AND the antagonists out to get them. The story is gripping, original and very clever, with unforeseen twists and turns that keep you on your toes. Baccalario did a good job keeping the solutions to clues just hard enough that you can't guess that answers right away but not so hard that you couldn't figure them out with time. I also enjoyed the real life clues (actual maps, photos, news articles, etc.) in the middle of the book.
Reader advisory: there is a violent death (a man has his throat cut) in the first 50 pages.
Reader advisory: there is a violent death (a man has his throat cut) in the first 50 pages.
July 14, 2017
OMG this book was so good! The characters were unique and interesting. The story is very intriguing and I couldn't put the book down! So sad I can't read the next books because I don't have those! Ugh...
September 29, 2016
Okurken keyifli vakit geçirdim. Bu kadar çok eğleneceğimi tahmin etmiyordum kitaba bașlarken. 4 tane 14 yașındaki gencin yașadığı macerayı anlatıyor. Akıcıydı, heyecanlıydı. Beni sıkmadı. Beğendim.
February 1, 2022
Strasznie dawno to czytałem, ale przez "Marinę" mi się o tej książce przypomniało.
Kocham tę serię, jest przegenialna!
Kocham tę serię, jest przegenialna!
December 23, 2011
Ring of Fire by P. D. Baccalario (Century Quartet #1)
Pages: 304
Release Date: September 8th, 2009
Date Read: 2011, November 12-22nd
Received: Borrowed
Rating: 2/5 stars
Recommended to: 10+
SUMMARY -
Fernando of Melodia, owner in part of the Domus Quintilla hotel in Rome, has made a huge mistake. He came to the airport, expecting to pick up a French woman and her daughter to transport them to the hotel - but now three other families are all saying they booked the same room for the same night! Fernando's daughter, Elettra, makes room for the foreign children in her own room - Sheng from China, Mistral from France, and Harvey from America. Things seem to go smoothly until the children discover they all have something extraordinary in common. When they are given a briefcase by a man who is clearly in trouble - and later killed - the four children team up to discover what this briefcase is about, before another murder is committed.
MY THOUGHTS -
There are books out there that are childish but timeless. Childish in the manner of The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, or in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. These books are not rare, but they are not easy to come by, either. If you think I'm going to say that Ring of Fire falls into this small category, you will have to forgive me - I will say no such thing. I wish it wasn't so - I really wanted to love this book - but it fell short in a lot of areas.
The writing is very short. Like... Oh, it's strange. It's also a translation, and some of the phrases had me cringing. For one, they often described the MC as "the girl" or the Antagonist as "the man". Soooo annoying.
In the end, I just skimmed. How sad. I don't feel remorseful at all.
CHARACTER NOTES -
Elettra was a really neat character, I'll give her that. Sharp, witty, kind, and willing to work hard. My only problem? She seemed a bit too sharp. Like, too smart and knowledgeable and trained for a 12-year-old. Slightly unbelievable, don't you think?
The other children were just...meh. Harvey - serious in an unrealistic too-mature-for-an-American-teen-his-age. Sheng - I found him quite stupid (while he tried to be funny). You'd think he'd start babbling off in Chinese every once in a while in his nervousness or fear; but no, the only Chinese he ever said was, "Hao"...for everything. And Mistral - just flat.
Jacob Mahler, the villain, wasn't near enough spooky or intimidating or nasty mean. Based on his description (he carries a violin that entices people when played and makes them fall asleep; it also turns into a weapon from a horror film) you'd think he'd be amazing. But no. I mean, maybe the point-blank writing style takes away the mystery and excitement.
STORY NOTES -
Too easy. Waaaay too easy. Maybe not to the typical 11-year-old who hasn't had a full taste of the world and good literature yet. But to an adult who has read nearly 500 books and who has written a few (drafts) - just, stop, ok? No more. I can't take how easy it is. There are no disappointments, setbacks, or frustrations. Even for a children's book, that's just not very good story-telling.
There was one scene in the very middle that struck me as really cool, but it was the only scene. The children are searching a professor's house and they discover something very interesting about it - and it turns into something intense and - stops. Things lull. Holes form. Beatrice suddenly gets a whim to save the girl. Why was she here in the first place? You know what, nevermind, I don't care.
SUMMING IT UP -
A lull of boringness. Oh, my sister, how I wish I could have liked it. I'm sorry - I really tried.
Nothing For the Parents. 10+
Pages: 304
Release Date: September 8th, 2009
Date Read: 2011, November 12-22nd
Received: Borrowed
Rating: 2/5 stars
Recommended to: 10+
SUMMARY -
Fernando of Melodia, owner in part of the Domus Quintilla hotel in Rome, has made a huge mistake. He came to the airport, expecting to pick up a French woman and her daughter to transport them to the hotel - but now three other families are all saying they booked the same room for the same night! Fernando's daughter, Elettra, makes room for the foreign children in her own room - Sheng from China, Mistral from France, and Harvey from America. Things seem to go smoothly until the children discover they all have something extraordinary in common. When they are given a briefcase by a man who is clearly in trouble - and later killed - the four children team up to discover what this briefcase is about, before another murder is committed.
MY THOUGHTS -
There are books out there that are childish but timeless. Childish in the manner of The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, or in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. These books are not rare, but they are not easy to come by, either. If you think I'm going to say that Ring of Fire falls into this small category, you will have to forgive me - I will say no such thing. I wish it wasn't so - I really wanted to love this book - but it fell short in a lot of areas.
The writing is very short. Like... Oh, it's strange. It's also a translation, and some of the phrases had me cringing. For one, they often described the MC as "the girl" or the Antagonist as "the man". Soooo annoying.
In the end, I just skimmed. How sad. I don't feel remorseful at all.
CHARACTER NOTES -
Elettra was a really neat character, I'll give her that. Sharp, witty, kind, and willing to work hard. My only problem? She seemed a bit too sharp. Like, too smart and knowledgeable and trained for a 12-year-old. Slightly unbelievable, don't you think?
The other children were just...meh. Harvey - serious in an unrealistic too-mature-for-an-American-teen-his-age. Sheng - I found him quite stupid (while he tried to be funny). You'd think he'd start babbling off in Chinese every once in a while in his nervousness or fear; but no, the only Chinese he ever said was, "Hao"...for everything. And Mistral - just flat.
Jacob Mahler, the villain, wasn't near enough spooky or intimidating or nasty mean. Based on his description (he carries a violin that entices people when played and makes them fall asleep; it also turns into a weapon from a horror film) you'd think he'd be amazing. But no. I mean, maybe the point-blank writing style takes away the mystery and excitement.
STORY NOTES -
Too easy. Waaaay too easy. Maybe not to the typical 11-year-old who hasn't had a full taste of the world and good literature yet. But to an adult who has read nearly 500 books and who has written a few (drafts) - just, stop, ok? No more. I can't take how easy it is. There are no disappointments, setbacks, or frustrations. Even for a children's book, that's just not very good story-telling.
There was one scene in the very middle that struck me as really cool, but it was the only scene. The children are searching a professor's house and they discover something very interesting about it - and it turns into something intense and - stops. Things lull. Holes form. Beatrice suddenly gets a whim to save the girl. Why was she here in the first place? You know what, nevermind, I don't care.
SUMMING IT UP -
A lull of boringness. Oh, my sister, how I wish I could have liked it. I'm sorry - I really tried.
Nothing For the Parents. 10+
October 5, 2009
To be perfectly fair--as a child I read a lot of books from the 40's/50's that were about 12-13yr olds solving mysteries. Not just Nancy Drew, the Boxcar Children and the Hardy Boys, but random titles I found in my elementary school's library of books no one probably has heard of. For me, Ring of Fire felt like those. A 'feel good' story that has a little bit of drama, a little sadness, a little violence...but overall is meant to encourage and reassure. Not scare and worry a kid.
As a twenty-something now, reading stories like that, I can definitely feel a lack of 'pull' for me to finish the book (or series) because I kept thinking 'This needs more excitement' and 'That puzzle was too easy'. The idea was interesting for me, four children from all walks of life and all over, meet each century to save the world. It would have been a dream come true for me when I was in late elementary/early middle school. Which is the age group best suited for this series. The 9-12 year olds who want a little more seriousness, a little more mystery and a storyline about kids like them who could be so special.
Other reviewers have noted that the four main characters--Elettra, Mistral, Harvey and Sheng--are flat, but it seemed less like they were flat and more as if the author wanted to spread the characterization out over the four books of the series. Elettra arguably gets the most exposure, as this first book is set in her home turf of Italy, but each successive book is set in another country that relates to the four main.
I found the use of present tense jarring, but I don't read a lot of books in the present tense. It did give me a better idea of how things were playing out, as we followed the four and the 'killer' around Italy's famous spots. The illustrations included were wonderful bonuses, but I didn't refer to them that often. For kids who like series like the 39 Clues books series or Clue the board game, I think they'll enjoy these extras as some of them do help a great deal with the 'mystery' of the book.
As a twenty-something now, reading stories like that, I can definitely feel a lack of 'pull' for me to finish the book (or series) because I kept thinking 'This needs more excitement' and 'That puzzle was too easy'. The idea was interesting for me, four children from all walks of life and all over, meet each century to save the world. It would have been a dream come true for me when I was in late elementary/early middle school. Which is the age group best suited for this series. The 9-12 year olds who want a little more seriousness, a little more mystery and a storyline about kids like them who could be so special.
Other reviewers have noted that the four main characters--Elettra, Mistral, Harvey and Sheng--are flat, but it seemed less like they were flat and more as if the author wanted to spread the characterization out over the four books of the series. Elettra arguably gets the most exposure, as this first book is set in her home turf of Italy, but each successive book is set in another country that relates to the four main.
I found the use of present tense jarring, but I don't read a lot of books in the present tense. It did give me a better idea of how things were playing out, as we followed the four and the 'killer' around Italy's famous spots. The illustrations included were wonderful bonuses, but I didn't refer to them that often. For kids who like series like the 39 Clues books series or Clue the board game, I think they'll enjoy these extras as some of them do help a great deal with the 'mystery' of the book.
September 23, 2009
A very fun book and very suited for age 9/10 and up. I enjoyed reading about Elettra, Harvey, Mistral and Sheng. Four kids from across the globe who happen to meet in Rome just before New Years and stumble upon a man on the run. The man presents them with a briefcase whose contents they must figure out, and then a short while later the man is murdered. The contents of the briefcase are part of a greater puzzle and it's revelation needs to stay out of the hands of the bad guys. It's a great adventure story that sets up some of the background and helps you get to know the children while they solve the first puzzle.
However the puzzle doesn't end here - it starts with this book which is Eletrra's story and takes place in Rome. I compare it as a kind of The Da Vinci Code for kids, it's simple and easy for them to understand, but complex enough that they will be kept wondering. I know I was kept in suspense through the entire book.
I will look forward to the remaining three books in the series. It sounds like the next one will center around Harvey and take place in New York. It should be good.
If you like a good quick thrill ride then this is a great book for you. If you have children say ages 9 and up, then recommend it to them if they like mysteries and suspense. I know I wish there had been books like this when I was a child.
However the puzzle doesn't end here - it starts with this book which is Eletrra's story and takes place in Rome. I compare it as a kind of The Da Vinci Code for kids, it's simple and easy for them to understand, but complex enough that they will be kept wondering. I know I was kept in suspense through the entire book.
I will look forward to the remaining three books in the series. It sounds like the next one will center around Harvey and take place in New York. It should be good.
If you like a good quick thrill ride then this is a great book for you. If you have children say ages 9 and up, then recommend it to them if they like mysteries and suspense. I know I wish there had been books like this when I was a child.
June 3, 2023
Ook deze serie kwam ik tegen tijdens het opruimen van mijn nog te lezen kast. Ooit, toen ik met mijn moeder naar de boekenbeurs in Antwerpen ging, kwamen we daar een stapel boxsets tegen voor heel weinig geld. Een van de boxsets was deze serie van vier boeken. Zoals bij mij vaak gebeurt zijn de boeken op een stapel beland. In dit geval ook nog achteraan en onzichtbaar. Tot van de week dus. En ik werd eigenlijk wel nieuwsgierig naar dit verhaal.
Het is overduidelijk een jeugdserie en toch zat ik er vanaf het begin helemaal in. Wat enorm tof gedaan is, is dat het boek relatief weinig antwoorden geeft en me toch met een soort van bevredigd gevoel achterliet. Ik heb geen idee wat er precies aan de hand is en wat we precies aan het doen zijn en toch heb ik wel het gevoel dat het verhaal van dit boek oprecht afgerond is en er een deur op een kier staat voor een volgend avontuur.
Daarnaast vond ik de manier waarop de speurtocht van de jongeren door Rome was gedaan enorm goed uitgewerkt. Ik ben normaal helemaal geen liefhebber van zogenaamde quests, waar steeds maar tussendoelen lijken te worden toegevoegd, maar in dit geval voelde het allemaal heel natuurlijk. Ik had nergens het gevoel dat er opzettelijk nieuwe zijwegen ingebouwd werden. Dit was gewoon de zoektocht zoals hij moest zijn.
Ook de jongeren waren enorm leuk. Omdat het boek vooral om het mysterie en de speurtocht draait, worden de persoonlijkheden van de jongeren niet enorm uitgediept, maar toch heb ik wel het gevoel dat we ze leren kennen. Dat komt met name omdat de personages wel echt heel consequent zijn neergezet in hun doen en laten. Hun gedrag klopt met wat we van ze te zien en te horen krijgen. Ze zijn oprecht wie ze zijn en vullen elkaar daardoor aan.
Ik ben benieuwd naar het volgende avontuur!
Het is overduidelijk een jeugdserie en toch zat ik er vanaf het begin helemaal in. Wat enorm tof gedaan is, is dat het boek relatief weinig antwoorden geeft en me toch met een soort van bevredigd gevoel achterliet. Ik heb geen idee wat er precies aan de hand is en wat we precies aan het doen zijn en toch heb ik wel het gevoel dat het verhaal van dit boek oprecht afgerond is en er een deur op een kier staat voor een volgend avontuur.
Daarnaast vond ik de manier waarop de speurtocht van de jongeren door Rome was gedaan enorm goed uitgewerkt. Ik ben normaal helemaal geen liefhebber van zogenaamde quests, waar steeds maar tussendoelen lijken te worden toegevoegd, maar in dit geval voelde het allemaal heel natuurlijk. Ik had nergens het gevoel dat er opzettelijk nieuwe zijwegen ingebouwd werden. Dit was gewoon de zoektocht zoals hij moest zijn.
Ook de jongeren waren enorm leuk. Omdat het boek vooral om het mysterie en de speurtocht draait, worden de persoonlijkheden van de jongeren niet enorm uitgediept, maar toch heb ik wel het gevoel dat we ze leren kennen. Dat komt met name omdat de personages wel echt heel consequent zijn neergezet in hun doen en laten. Hun gedrag klopt met wat we van ze te zien en te horen krijgen. Ze zijn oprecht wie ze zijn en vullen elkaar daardoor aan.
Ik ben benieuwd naar het volgende avontuur!
December 4, 2021
Il libro ideale per avvicinare pre-adolescenti e adolescenti alla lettura. Io stessa sono rimasta ammaliata dalla costruzione della storia, dal wordbuilding, dai dettagli di ambientazioni e personaggi.
Bello bello bello 💙
Ah, è il primo di una serie di 4 libri! ;)
Bello bello bello 💙
Ah, è il primo di una serie di 4 libri! ;)
May 9, 2018
3.5 stars
December 30, 2019
3,5 ster
June 12, 2022
It sucks when books you loved as a kid don’t hold up when you’re an adult. I still like this story for it’s nostalgic factor but there are some aspects that went over my head as a kid that I don’t agree with now.
Read
July 3, 2022pomimo rażących wad czytanie tej książki to zabawa 12/10, kocham fabułę, bohaterów i wszystko co związane z historią oraz mitologią
+tłumaczenie jest bardzo śmieszne
✨pustelnik diabeł✨
+tłumaczenie jest bardzo śmieszne
✨pustelnik diabeł✨
September 27, 2018
Intriguing story telling in a fairly easy-to-read package. Some of the language may have been lost in translation (from Italian), but this is still a very enjoyable book.
May 26, 2020
3.8 Sterne
June 5, 2022
Questo primo romanzo promette una storia non banale, tagliata bene sul target cui si rivolge e con quello che piace a me: strati su strati che possono far sorridere un adulto che riconosce certi riferimenti culturali. Ci sono i temi importanti dell'amicizia, del rapporto con gli adulti, della crescita e del cambiamento
Lo stile punta su dettagli ed elementi sensoriali senza fronzoli e inutili avverbi o aggettivi.
La trama ha qualche elemento prevedibile, per il resto si muove senza annoiare in una sorta di caccia al tesoro per le strade di Roma.
I protagonisti provengono da quattro angoli della terra e quattro lingue diverse, avrei preferito che la differenza linguistica e culturale venisse accentuata di più invece che liquidata in fretta.
Gli elementi del mito sono tantissimi dai Caldei ai Romani e sono mescolati con tanta energia, avrei voluto un po' di approfondimento ma chissà che non arrivi con i seguiti.
Lo stile punta su dettagli ed elementi sensoriali senza fronzoli e inutili avverbi o aggettivi.
La trama ha qualche elemento prevedibile, per il resto si muove senza annoiare in una sorta di caccia al tesoro per le strade di Roma.
I protagonisti provengono da quattro angoli della terra e quattro lingue diverse, avrei preferito che la differenza linguistica e culturale venisse accentuata di più invece che liquidata in fretta.
Gli elementi del mito sono tantissimi dai Caldei ai Romani e sono mescolati con tanta energia, avrei voluto un po' di approfondimento ma chissà che non arrivi con i seguiti.
November 4, 2009
This adventure has a strong Da Vinci Code feel to it, with a mysterious object that links ancient events to modern times, secret groups, and strange events that occur regularly over the centuries. Rome makes a fine backdrop for the kids' adventures and is brought to life by a full-color "scrapbook" of photos of the buildings the kids visit, receipts, maps, and all the clues they find. There is nothing particularly clever about the clues or the way the kids figure them out, but that makes the story more realistic - these kids are fairly ordinary, not intellectual giants.
What makes this a fantasy and not just a suspenseful adventure is that Elettra possesses a kind of supernatural power or ability - although what it is exactly is hard to tell. She stores up energy and lets it out in powerful bursts that can disrupt electrical power all over town, and these bursts seem to happen when she is close to an answer, as her skin starts to glow hot, her hair writhes, and her eyes turn yellow.
What this means - in fact, what any of it means - is not answered in this installment. Yes, the kids do find the Ring of Fire, but its significance remains utterly unknown to them and the readers. Who the various adults are who work like puppet masters behind the scenes is equally mysterious, except that some are Very Bad. What seems certain is that somehow, the fate of the world is in the hand of these four leap-year children.
Only the barest dashes of personality - and their nationalities - help us tell the kids apart - we don't learn much about them or what makes them tick. They all apparently speak English fluently, allowing them to communicate with each other without a hitch - and Elettra can translate learned tracts like a PhD at the drop of a hat. When one of their number is kidnapped, the kids search for her, but they never seem too worried, nor does it occur to them that it might be a good idea to tell the police or at least a trusted adult. So yes, it is necessary to suspend one's disbelief quite a bit.
However, the exciting plot and the exotic setting make this a fine book to hand to kids - and if they like it, the second installment will take place in New York City. For kids ages 10 to 12.
What makes this a fantasy and not just a suspenseful adventure is that Elettra possesses a kind of supernatural power or ability - although what it is exactly is hard to tell. She stores up energy and lets it out in powerful bursts that can disrupt electrical power all over town, and these bursts seem to happen when she is close to an answer, as her skin starts to glow hot, her hair writhes, and her eyes turn yellow.
What this means - in fact, what any of it means - is not answered in this installment. Yes, the kids do find the Ring of Fire, but its significance remains utterly unknown to them and the readers. Who the various adults are who work like puppet masters behind the scenes is equally mysterious, except that some are Very Bad. What seems certain is that somehow, the fate of the world is in the hand of these four leap-year children.
Only the barest dashes of personality - and their nationalities - help us tell the kids apart - we don't learn much about them or what makes them tick. They all apparently speak English fluently, allowing them to communicate with each other without a hitch - and Elettra can translate learned tracts like a PhD at the drop of a hat. When one of their number is kidnapped, the kids search for her, but they never seem too worried, nor does it occur to them that it might be a good idea to tell the police or at least a trusted adult. So yes, it is necessary to suspend one's disbelief quite a bit.
However, the exciting plot and the exotic setting make this a fine book to hand to kids - and if they like it, the second installment will take place in New York City. For kids ages 10 to 12.
November 5, 2012
Reviewed by Jennifer Rummel for TeensReadToo.com
The week of New Year's Eve in Rome is crazy, but this year, it's even crazier.
Elettra's father accidentally overbooks a hotel room - three times over. On December 29th, three families show up expecting a room. Now, Elettra and her family are struggling to find space for their guests. Three teens end up all bunking together with Elettra, where they discover they have something in common.
Their birthdays all fall on the same day - a day that rarely appears on the calendar, February 29th. But that's just the tip of the iceberg. When the lights go out all over the city one night, the four decide to take a walk. They end up on a bridge with a man who's frightened for his life.
He gives them a briefcase and begs them to hold on to it for him. He doesn't show up to reclaim it the next day, and they soon read about his death in the newspaper.
The teens decide to look inside the briefcase and discover some very strange objects. Elettra's curiosity gets the better of her, and she follows the first clue to an old café in Rome. At the café, they find another clue pointing them to a research library. At the library, they encounter some friction, and they must make a choice: Should they continue their search and attempt to uncover the secrets behind the Ring of Fire?
They're not sure who to trust, but they know that somewhere, someone wants the briefcase they hold - and maybe them, as well.
Readers will be drawn in to watch the main characters solve multiple puzzles from which they hope to uncover an ancient and powerful object. A great read!
The week of New Year's Eve in Rome is crazy, but this year, it's even crazier.
Elettra's father accidentally overbooks a hotel room - three times over. On December 29th, three families show up expecting a room. Now, Elettra and her family are struggling to find space for their guests. Three teens end up all bunking together with Elettra, where they discover they have something in common.
Their birthdays all fall on the same day - a day that rarely appears on the calendar, February 29th. But that's just the tip of the iceberg. When the lights go out all over the city one night, the four decide to take a walk. They end up on a bridge with a man who's frightened for his life.
He gives them a briefcase and begs them to hold on to it for him. He doesn't show up to reclaim it the next day, and they soon read about his death in the newspaper.
The teens decide to look inside the briefcase and discover some very strange objects. Elettra's curiosity gets the better of her, and she follows the first clue to an old café in Rome. At the café, they find another clue pointing them to a research library. At the library, they encounter some friction, and they must make a choice: Should they continue their search and attempt to uncover the secrets behind the Ring of Fire?
They're not sure who to trust, but they know that somewhere, someone wants the briefcase they hold - and maybe them, as well.
Readers will be drawn in to watch the main characters solve multiple puzzles from which they hope to uncover an ancient and powerful object. A great read!
September 6, 2015
Το θέμα φάνηκε ενδιαφέρον από την αρχή: 4 παιδιά αναζητούν ένα αντικείμενο στην πόλη, ενώ πρέπει να λύσουν ταυτόχρονα κάποια μυστήρια που προκύπτουν, για να οδηγηθούν στο επόμενο στοιχείο. Και όλα αυτά εμπεριέχονται σε ένα μεγαλύτερο μυστήριο, το οποίο όμως τα παιδιά δεν το ξέρουν ακόμα και οι αναγνώστες το μαθαίνουν από κάποιες μυστήριες συζητήσεις που έχουν μεταξύ τους, στις οποίες μάλιστα μέχρι το τέλος του βιβλίου δεν ξέρουμε ποιοι ακριβώς μιλάνε.
Η πλοκή ξετυλίγεται αρμονικά, η γραφή του είναι καλή και το βιβλίο κυλάει όμορφα, ενώ το μυστήριο ξετυλίγεται ρεαλιστικά. Βέβαια, περισσότερες πληροφορίες θα μάθουμε στα επόμενα βιβλία (μάλλον) αλλά αυτό δεν είναι κακό, καλό μάλιστα θα το έλεγα. Ήταν μια ευχάριστη έκπληξη, θα ψάξω τα υπόλοιπα βιβλία της σειράς και ίσως περισσότερα βιβλία αυτού του στυλ. Το βιβλίο έχει χαρακτηριστεί ως "κώδικας Ντα Βίντσι για παιδιά" εγώ θα το έλεγα "επίλυση γρίφων και αναζήτηση στοιχείων μέσα σε μια πόλη".
ΠΡΟΣΟΧΗ!!!! Στη μέση του βιβλίου υπήρχε μια σειρά από φωτογραφίες: καλό θα ήταν να τις δείτε αφού διαβάσετε το βιβλίο, γιατί μπορεί να σας γίνει ένα σπόιλερ!!!!
Η πλοκή ξετυλίγεται αρμονικά, η γραφή του είναι καλή και το βιβλίο κυλάει όμορφα, ενώ το μυστήριο ξετυλίγεται ρεαλιστικά. Βέβαια, περισσότερες πληροφορίες θα μάθουμε στα επόμενα βιβλία (μάλλον) αλλά αυτό δεν είναι κακό, καλό μάλιστα θα το έλεγα. Ήταν μια ευχάριστη έκπληξη, θα ψάξω τα υπόλοιπα βιβλία της σειράς και ίσως περισσότερα βιβλία αυτού του στυλ. Το βιβλίο έχει χαρακτηριστεί ως "κώδικας Ντα Βίντσι για παιδιά" εγώ θα το έλεγα "επίλυση γρίφων και αναζήτηση στοιχείων μέσα σε μια πόλη".
ΠΡΟΣΟΧΗ!!!! Στη μέση του βιβλίου υπήρχε μια σειρά από φωτογραφίες: καλό θα ήταν να τις δείτε αφού διαβάσετε το βιβλίο, γιατί μπορεί να σας γίνει ένα σπόιλερ!!!!
July 13, 2009
Yes! This is going to be the perfect series for fans of Percy Jackson. Four twelve-year-olds find themselves thrown together in an implausible coincidence. The reader knows that it's not really a coincidence--four mysterious adults are guiding the fortunes of these four children who happened to be born on exactly the same day. Elettra is a headstrong Roman girl, Mistral is a quiet Parisian girl, Harvey is a sullen American, and Sheng is a boy from Shanghai (who totally reminds me of Hero Nakamura with his endless enthusiasm). They have to find the Ring of Fire before Jacob Mahler, a terrifying hitman, catches up with them. The book takes place in Rome and includes tons of historical information as well as detailed scenes in different parts of the city. This is a very exciting new series, and I can't wait to read the next one!
September 19, 2009
"Century, The Ring of Fire," is an excellent book for young adults. The author, Pierdomenico Baccalario, a native of Italy, sets this treasure hunt in Rome. His searchers are an international quartet of preteens, all born on February 29. They are drawn together by unknown forces to find the mysterious Ring of Fire. The book blends the right amount of fantasy and reality to keep the reader enthralled. It is impossible to read slowly through the book, as the action and mystery draw you enticingly from page to page. I found the photographs and illustrations, which were exquisitely done, to be very helpful in following the trail of the kids around Rome. The only regret is that we will have to wait for the following books, as this is the first of four parts.
January 1, 2015
Ένα καλό βιβλίο που είναι ικανό να ενθουσιάσει τις μικρότερες ηλικίες αναγνωστών. Πολύ καλή περιπέτεια στα χνάρια της Κάθριν Νέβιλ και του Νταν Μπράουν (σε παιδική εκδοχή) , οι περιγραφές είναι πολύ πολύ καλές με αρκετή δράση και πολύ μυστήριο. Στα συν το σκληρό εξώφυλλο και οι ιλουστρασιόν έγχρωμες σελίδες με χάρτες και φωτογραφίες (δήθεν σημειωματάριο) στο κέντρο του βιβλίου… με ενθουσίασαν!!! Στα μείον ότι παρότι οι πρωταγωνιστές είναι δεκατεσσάρων χρονών, έχουν μια αφέλεια και ηθική μερικές φορές που αρμόζει σε μικρότερες ηλικίες, την ίδια αίσθηση αφήνει αρκετά και η όλη ατμόσφαιρα του βιβλίου.
August 25, 2015
Four kids with their birthdays on Leap Day, Fubruary 29, end up in the same hotel in Rome, three days before the new year. Next thing they know, they're on the trail of a very powerful ancient artifact and being chased by people who will stop at nothing to get what those kids are looking for. They're looking for the Ring of Fire.
I think Ring of Fire starts off weird and you're only starting to get it at the end of the book.
But I would recommend it for people who like mysteries that are a little bit fantasy-like.
I think Ring of Fire starts off weird and you're only starting to get it at the end of the book.
But I would recommend it for people who like mysteries that are a little bit fantasy-like.
August 18, 2010
Good adventure book but it seemed like nothing really outstanding happened. The general feeling I got from this book is that it is basically setting up the next book.
Four children born on February 29 are chosen for an unknown purpose by unknown persons for something that happens once every 100 years. That's basically the summary.
Four children born on February 29 are chosen for an unknown purpose by unknown persons for something that happens once every 100 years. That's basically the summary.
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October 21, 2010Fans of Artemis Fowl and Alex Rider should enjoy this series.
October 22, 2014
Très déçue! J'espérais voyager dans la Rome antique, en fait pas du tout du tout !
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