Synopsis
Now available in paperback, The Fire Thief hilariously reimagines the myth of Prometheus, the Greek demigod who stole fire from the gods and gave it to the human race. To escape the gods' revenge, Prometheus travels through time to Eden City in 1858. There, he befriends a young orphan, actor, and petty criminal named Jim. When Jim runs into trouble with the law, Prometheus is torn — if he uses his powers to get his friend out of trouble, he will betray his hiding place to the gods. Terry Deary masterfully interweaves two plots, with action jumping at a whirlwind pace from Mount Olympus to the seedy taverns and elegant mansions of Victorian Eden City. Packed with puns, wisecracks, and sarcastic footnotes, The Fire Thief turns Greek mythology into a laughing matter.
Joe Ann Hinrichs - Children's Literature
At the beginning of time, the secret of how to make fire was known only by the gods. Prometheus, a Greek god, risked his life by daring to share the secret of creating fire with the human race. This book attempts to weave a fantasy tale about how the human race learned how to make fire and the consequences paid by Prometheus. The story tells of the struggle between two powerful Greek gods, Prometheus, who shares the secret of making fire and Zeus, who resents the deed and consequently punishes Prometheus. The author's language and sarcastic tone will be offensive and controversial to some. Today's concerns about developing character and diminishing violence may make this book less popular. The text is negative, focusing on seeking revenge upon those with whom you disagree. This is not a good model for adolescents. Readers who would be drawn to the book may not necessarily understand the subplot of the Gods versus the human race. Dreary has wriiten a satirical book that is probably too complex for the intended readers. 2005, Kingfisher/Houghton Mifflin Company, Ages 9 to 12.