Customer Reviews

Flight of the Phoenix (Nathaniel Fludd, Beastologist, Book I)

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is adorable! Nate Fludd is a good kid, but not a goody-goody kid; he's likable and rather quiet. However, he is catapulted into a wild adventure with his cousin Phil, and nothing will ever be the same. The sense of adventure mixed with the matter-of-fact tone of this delightful story reminds me of the old Miss Pickerel books that I loved when I was young. Nate discovers, of course, that he has inner resources and unexpected skills, and he finds amazing friends on the way.

This is clearly the first book in a series, and I'm glad. The story was concluded nicely, but we are set now for plenty of beastological excursions with Nate and Phil, and I wouldn't miss it for the world.

Of course, I intend to read it aloud to every child I can persuade to sit still long enough, and to give copies to the bigger ones, and I suggest that you do the same. I can picture this book as one that might introduce a young reader (maybe 10 years old) to the joys of reading for fun, and I strongly approve of that!

Nathaniel Fludd's parents have vanished and been declared dead, so he has been sent to live with a distant cousin. It is from this cousin that Nathaniel discovers a great deal about himself and his family. His cousin is the world's last remaining beastologist and takes Nathaniel on an amazing adventure that features gremlins, a phoenix and dangerous Bedouins. Unfortunately, Nathaniel does not want or enjoy adventures. . . or does he?

This is the first book in an upcoming series, and a rather promising adventure. Nathaniel is an engaging (anti) hero, with realistic worries and mostly realistic strengths and weaknesses. I very much wanted him to succeed and enjoyed watching his growth during this very short book.

The plot was rather obvious, but then it is aimed at 9-12 age group, for whom it may not be so obvious. What I did find the most off-putting was the pat ending, that really didn't fit with the rest of the story. Ms. Murphy wrapped it up in a very bizarre way that cost a star, and very nearly two. I just couldn't bring myself to give it only three stars, however, liking some of the characters as well as I did, and enjoying the nice illustrations as much as I did.

It will be interesting to see how the rest of the series pans out and to see if Ms. Murphy is able to become more original with her plots. This is a series that could go off in some very fun directions!

Nathaniel Fludd would much rather draw than go on an adventure but when his parents are lost at sea, he doesn't have much of a choice. He finds himself staring at a long history of Fludds who have been beastologists, none of whom he knew anything about. He finds himself having to grow up quickly and fulfill his destiny as a Fludd.

It's a really cute story but there isn't very much to it. I was intrigued when I read the book description but then I read the book, and the description had said it all. There's the mystery of what's happened to his parents, the mystery of the beasts he thought only existed in myths, and the stories about his family that are sure to unfold in the following books. But Nathaniel doesn't have much personality yet. The dodo has more flair! I find it difficult to keep reading if I don't find the main character relate-able. But again, he is just beginning and there is more of the story coming. The journey is promising and I think kids will be interested so I will add this to the classroom shelves. I'm interested enough to read the second book when it comes out. Maybe.

LaFevers had some inspiration with this new series, and quite a fun idea. We've a shy, mousy little orphan, the last in a long line of adventurers. The morning after being dropped off at new relative, his explorer Aunt Phil drags him off on a trip to witness and document the next phoenix birth.

It's a quick read designed for the younger set without too much fantastical wandering, but the ideas are still good and charming. LaFevers continues to show off some decent writing and Nathaniel is very much a likable character. There is adventure and fantasy and excitement to make for a proper adventure.

Looking forward to more!

I thoroughly enjoyed the Flight of the Phoenix, the first volume in the Nathaniel Fludd, Beastologist series. Intended for early or possibly mid-grade readers, this story is light-hearted and fun, although it does begin similarly to the Lemony Snicket series with the parents' deaths, the story isn't shadowed by darkness. Instead, Nat finds himself in the care of his aunt Phil (short for Philomena) and he begins the adventurous family business, which is either map making or beastology--the study of rare, mystical beasts. In this story, Nat meets the phoenix and saves his aunt, and not just by his cleverness. What makes Nat the hero here is his kind heart, because his choices snowball into a happy ending.

To my mind, this lovely story is for readers who are a bit young for Lemony Snickett or who don't like anything at all scary. Call it for between the ages of "Where the Wild Things Are" and lemony Snickett.

I received this book as part of the Amazon Vine program and immediately my 11 year old daughter - lover of the Harry Potter and Twighlight series of books - snapped it up. She said she really enjoyed the story, but found it a bit short and too easy to read. When I asked her if she'd want to read more from this author she shrugged and said "Yeah, that would be OK...", but she wasn't overly enthusiastic. I think her reaction has more to do with reading level than anything else.

She read the Flight of the Phoenix (Nathaniel Fludd, Beastologist, Book I) very quickly in one day. It's not a short book, but the reading level is probably 3rd-5th grade. This really is a good thing for most parents of elementary school-aged children looking for a somewhat challenging, fun chapter book for younger readers. I think it qualifies as a good 'Pre-Harry Potter' for many kids.

The characters were likeable, the plot flows well and leaves you wanting more. It's fun and engages your child in a fantasy adventure series. Good for both boys and girls, it's a children's book that will undoubtedly be enjoyed by many and if the quality in subsequent offerings is there, perhaps a series with staying power.

If you like magic and beasts, and fun and adventure you will love the book. Follow the boy, Nathaniel Fludd, on his adventure to find his missing parents.

We love this book. My 11 year old could not put this down. Perfect for the 8 to 13 age group.

I checked this book out of the library for my grandson, who is in the 3rd grade. We both read it and loved it. There is excitement and mystery and adventure all in one book. The creatures are intriguing and the Fludd family has much mystery to discover. What a great book. Just perfect for young boys (or girls).
Great Job! Can hardly wait until the next book is printed.

Reading through the other reviews on Flight of the Phoenix, I feel the most important thing to emphasize is how this book will satisfy some readers who long to read Harry Potter ( Harry Potter Paperback Box Set (Books 1-6) )but aren't quite ready for it yet. It has the same sort of elements: orphaned "hero", odd little creatures, a kindly adult to nurture, and a bit of the fantastic tempered with practical childhood concerns. Where it differs from a series such as Harry Potter is in its accessibility-- the Potter books range from 400-700 pages each, this book hovers around the 100 page mark. The Potter books also deal with some very dark and evil elements that have caused many a school child to wake in the night (I speak from experience in our home and in friends of mine). The Beastologist books will cause no such mid-night fears; it is fantasy, and even has some mystery and suspense built in, but it is digestible by even a reader as young as 6 or 7 (or even as a read aloud to a 5 or 6 year old).

This book would be appropriate for a highly competent 1st grade reader (they are ready to graduate from Magic Tree House), but would also amuse a 4th or even 5th grade reader as well. My best guess is that it would be best suited to 2nd and 3rd grade readers, and nice step on the way to Lemony Snicket, and eventually Harry Potter.

I am a big reader, and I try to encourage my four older boys to read as well. My oldest two have read Harry Potter, Eragon, etc...and this book is PERFECT for my 10 year old! Harry Potter is a tough read for him, but he loves that element of fantasy and magic, so something like "Nathaniel Fludd, Beastologist" Is perfect for him.

I admit that it starts off a tad sad. Nathaniel finds out about the tragedy that MIGHT have befallen his parents, he learns that his nanny (the woman he has spent the last three years with)is more interested in money, and finally he is going to be shipped off to a relative he has never heard of, let alone met.

The writing is such that a child can easily sense Nate's sadness, and his confusion, at the same time there is an element of hope in the story, and as a mom that is something I adore in a book like this!

Once Nate gets to his Aunt Phil's house he is treated to all sorts of odds and ends, and then he sets off on the adventure of a lifetime! Kids will get to see Nate accept the unexpected, challenge himself and come through, and (hopefully) anyone that reads this book will be reminded that size doesn't matter....not when you are trying to do the right thing.

I adored this book, and will eagerly await more to come!