Peter Raven Under Fire

by Michael Molloy

Book Overview

A rich, riveting, historical adventure with pirates, spies, and high-seas intrigue! Think MASTER AND COMMANDER meets PIRATES OF THE CARRIBEAN.It is the time of the Napoleonic Wars. Peter Raven is a bright, young midshipman in the Royal Navy of Great Britain. Raven, along with the swashbuckling secret agent Commodore Beaumont, uncovers a reckless scheme devised by none other than Napoleon Bonaparte. Eager to add America to his empire, Napoleon has...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0439724546
• ISBN13: 9780439724548
• Release Date: July 2005
• Publisher: Chicken House
• Length: 502 Pages
• Weight: 1.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.6" x 5.9" x 8.4"
• Age Range: 8 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 7

Customer Reviews

Courtesy of Teens Read Too

Thirteen-year-old midshipman Peter Raven is assigned to active duty aboard the HMS Torren. Boys became men early in England in 1800, and Great Britain is in her seventh year of struggle with France. The French Revolution is over, and Napoleon Bonaparte is in power. He needs money to defeat the English and exploit the Louisiana territory where he plans to install a "King of New Orleans" under French rule, and has chosen one of the privateers that are active in the Caribbean; a vile and quite mad pirate that has promised him the money he needs. These pirates attack any ships that cross their paths, murdering the crews and stealing the cargoes. When the HMS Torren falls prey to the pirates, Peter and the charismatic Matthew Book manage to separately escape, but everyone else is murdered. Peter becomes apprenticed to a British Spy, and is reunited with Matthew. The three of them strive to outwit the pirates and French government and keep America out of their hands. This lively book has a multi-level plot and exciting characters. I thought the size of the book might be a bit intimidating for reluctant readers, but it left me wanting more. The action goes from the English Channel to Paris to the Caribbean and back again. It's a seafaring adventure on a grand scale that is impossible to put down. Molloy promises a sequel, and I can't wait...Peter Raven is one of my favorite characters. There is even a bit of romance with the beautiful, rich young American girl, Lucy Cosgrove. Reviewed by: Grandma Bev

Peter Raven: flying through imaginations and capturing hearts

An amazingly written book! I loved reading every page of it! The characters were well developed and the story was well put together. It's a fast read and I definately recommend it.

Political intrigue and social unrest permeate a plot strong in historical background and insights

Michael Molloy's Peter Raven Under Fire is set in 1800 and tells of Peter, the new officer on a Navy ship warring with the French forces of Napoleon. Can a 13-year-old bound to a British spy affect the outcome of a war? Political intrigue and social unrest permeate a plot strong in historical background and insights.