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Not impressed... Jul 1, 2005 (42 of 58 found this helpful)
I picked this book up after reading both Books in the Bartimeus Trilogy and was excited to see what else Jonathan Stroud could conjure up. This book was a let down. I just couldn't get into the plot. I even found the story somewhat disturbing and eerie, especially for young children to read. There are very evil characters in this book who would be much better suited for an adult sci-fi novel, rather than a book marketed for children and young teens. The characters were unlikeable, and the plot just never seemed to grab my attention. I was very dissapointed that this is from the same author who wrote the amazing Bartimeus trilogy books! Well, I figured I would add my two cents in and let people know I just didn't like this book.
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"Buried" lives Nov 23, 2004 (41 of 43 found this helpful)
Jonathan Stroud reached fantasy fame with the wizard-and-djinn Bartimaeus Trilogy, but it wasn't his first foray into the fantasy world. Recently rereleased is "Buried Fire," a simple but well-written fantasy adventure, with a dark lesson about arrogance and power.
In a small English village, a boy named Michael fall asleep on a hillside, and is consumed by the thoughts of a sleeping dragon deep underground. Elsewhere in the town, workmen come across a strange Celtic cross buried in the church's foundation -- with a dragon on it. Then Michael staggers home, suffering a strange fever and a drug-like high -- and claiming he can see INSIDE people. Unsurprisingly, the stodgy vicar Tom thinks he's on acid.
But when his brother Stephen follows Michael to the spot where he slept, he's given the same strange powers. At the same time, Tom. The boys have no time to savor their powers, because they are not the only ones who have them -- and the other people in the village who have the four gifts of the dragon are using them to try to bring the dragon back. Now Stephen and Tom may be the only ones to stop them -- and to save Michael from becoming one of them.
They say that power corrupts, and it corrupts quite a bit in "Buried Fire," where the magic and action literally starts on the first page. Stroud lightly sprinkles his story of ancient dragons and magic with a bit of old folklore, and carefully crafts a back-history for the mysterious "witches" that surround the dragon's influence.
"Buried Fire" starts slow, and takes some time to really get moving beyond Michael's strange powers. The ending, on the other hand, is extremely abrupt -- how about another chapter or two to round things out? But Stroud has a good prose style: detailed, rich and very intense. Particularly imaginative is the first power -- the "sight" -- and how it allows Michael and Steven to see the kind of souls that people have. This could have turned out silly, but Stroud adds an otherworldly feel to it.
Michael seems to be the lead at first, but later he shares the stage with his brother Stephen, who is not as powerful, but is not corrupted by the malevolent Mr. Cleever. Both are strong characters, with Michael falling victim to a longing for power and dominance, and Stephen desperately trying to save his brother. And the villains are all the more sinister because the dragon's thoughts seem to be warping them.
Think you knew dragons? Think again. Jonathan Stroud's "Buried Fire" is an intriguing, somewhat dark fantasy adventure, putting a few new twists in the stories of unexpected powers and hidden monsters.
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A very good book by the author of the Bartimaeus trilogy Jun 1, 2004 (25 of 26 found this helpful)
After reading The Amulet of Samarkand, I had to read more Jonathan Stroud. Of course, his other books can't be found here in the U.S., so I ordered Buried Fire from the U.K.
Fortunately, the book arrived quickly. Unfortunately, the book was ruined during the torrential rainfall at the Kentucky Derby before I could finish it. Undaunted, I ordered a second copy. Thank God!
The premise of the story is that under a hill near a small English village, a dragon lies sleeping, held prisoner by an ancient spell. Although the dragon is comatose, its will is potent enough to possess and influence humans.
One day, a boy from the nearby village falls asleep on the hill and is consumed by the dragon's thoughts. He gains unnatural powers and begins to transform into something not quite human. Meanwhile, an ancient cross is discovered buried under the local churchyard. Evil happenings then occur.
The book completely possessed me. Except for the interruption of the ill-timed thunderstorm, I read the book straight through. The only (minor) complaint I have is that the ending seemed a bit abrupt. That being said, the book is a very satisfying read and I highly recommend it.
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Michael Mihalik is the author of Debt is Slavery: and 9 Other Things I Wish My Dad Had Taught Me About Money. Learn how to gain control of your finances, pay off your debt, and create financial security!
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Good Book! Mar 8, 2005 (10 of 26 found this helpful)
Author: Jonathan Stroud
Publisher: Random House Books for Children
Place of Publication: New York
Copyright Date: 1999
An evil is unleashed when a cross is dug up while Michael is asleep on a lush green hill in the book Buried Fire. When he wakes up he realizes that the world looks red and black. Later, he learns he has had the four gifts of the dragon bestowed upon him, but he's not the only one! The other ones offer him great power.
Now he has a choice: help his family or bring the evil dragon up on a field in England. The conflict in this book is good vs. evil and you know, like in many other books, good triumphs over evil. I give this book stars because of the, suspense and adventure. Read to find out if Michael will save the world or if he will destroy the human civilization! It all happens in Buried Fire where Michael McIntyre goes from a shy little boy to a man with mystical powers so read quickly!
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ok Jan 2, 2006 (7 of 13 found this helpful)
This was one of a stack of books I read a few months ago, and it was a bit odd after reading all three Bartimaeus books.
It just wasn't a terribly interesting story. The characters took major calamity in the family with little more than a blink, and the fact that the little brother of the family began exhibiting "evil" tendencies warranted suspicion of drug use.