Ship of Fire [Hardcover]

Michael Cadnum (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 15, 2003

In a stunning retelling based on actual events, Ship of Fire depicts Sir Francis Drake's most famous act of daring, the raid on the Spanish port of Cadiz. When Thomas Spyre, a seventeen-year-old surgeon's apprentice is offered the chance to sail on the Elizabeth Bonaventure, Sir Francis Drake's flagship, he never dreams that his master's death in a freak accident will leave him as the ship's only doctor. Thomas is determined to prove himself as a surgeon, but now he must also face battle, when Drake himself enlists him in combat.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 7 Up-Thomas, 17, is a surgeon's apprentice with a master who is prone to gambling away their money. When the surgeon on Sir Francis Drake's flagship suddenly dies, his master, William, seizes the opportunity to set sail and escape his financial difficulties. Shortly after William and Thomas swear their loyalty to the crown, Thomas discovers that the medical crew has the added responsibility of spying on the Admiral himself, who is suspected of embezzling from the spoils of victory. When Drake learns that he and Thomas hail from the same region, he befriends the boy, and goes so far as to promote him to ship's surgeon when William dies, despite his lack of experience. It is easy to relate to Thomas's earnestness and innocence as he fights alongside the other sailors as they attack ships on the open seas, cares for his patients, and attempts to learn Drake's true nature. He also must decide if a life at sea is his true calling. Brimming with historical detail and ambience, this fast-paced maritime adventure will surely please devotees of the genre.
Karen T. Bilton, Somerset County Library, Bridgewater, NJ
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 6-8. In a tale that will make readers truly appreciate the state of modern medicine, a teenage apprentice surgeon sails with Sir Francis Drake on a pre-Spanish Armada strike against Spanish shipping at Cadiz. Fresh from a bear-baiting, Thomas Spyre and his learned master William Perrivale suddenly find themselves hustled aboard the Elizabeth Bonaventure, Drake's flagship, to replace a surgeon stricken with syphilis. Though well versed in the latest medical techniques, from anesthesiology (a mallet to the head) to bloodletting by leech or lancet, Thomas feels at sea in more ways than one after Perrivale is killed by an exploding cannon. Still, he rises to the occasion, and after broadsides, melees, and a nearly disastrous brush with a blazing ship, he survives his greatest test--his first major amputation. Thomas' narrative cuts off (so to speak) rather abruptly, but Cadnum still adds to his reputation for rousing historical adventures set against gruesomely naturalistic backdrops. John Peters
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Viking Juvenile (September 15, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0670899070
• ISBN-13: 978-0670899074
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,131,671 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Michael Cadnum is the author of thirty-five books, including the National Book Award finalist The Book of the Lion.  A two-time Edgar Allen Poe Award nominee, and an award-winning poet, Cadnum's work is widely acclaimed.

He lives in Albany, California, across the bay from San Francisco, with his wife Sherina.

For more of the latest on Cadnum and his work visit his website www.MichaelCadnum.com
 

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Young Readers Book, December 16, 2010

By 

Scanqueen - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Ship of Fire (Hardcover)

This book was was in perfect condition when I received it. My son loved the book so much, he used it for his school book report. Good recommendation for mature 5th, 6th, or 7th grade readers with the love for adventure.

4.0 out of 5 stars Ship of Fire, June 27, 2007

By 

R. L. Haas "Aabajan" (Fort Worth, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ship of Fire (Hardcover)

This book was written for teenagers and up, not for preteen eyes. However it was well written and engaging to the very end. Being a historical novel we do know that one of the charcters survived this heroic mission and world changing events of the war between Spain and England.

3.0 out of 5 stars Ship of Fire Review- by Nathan D., October 28, 2006

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Ship of Fire (Hardcover)

The Ship of Fire is about seventeen year-old Thomas, who ends up being a surgeon on Sir Francis Drake's ship. The story takes place in the sixteenth century. Most of the story is on a ship in the middle of the ocean, but the first few chapters happen in England. The Spanish armada is a major threat to England, and Thomas and his master, William, are called apon to be surgeons on Drake's ship. An English fleet are sailing to Spanish territory to inflict some damage on the Spaniards. Thomas's master is killed when a cannon explodes, so he can't rely on his help. Thomas meets Jack Flagg, another sailor, and they quickly become friends.
I thought the old-fashion way of amputation was rather humorous. If the patient didn't cooperate, they would knock him out with a mallot. For example, a man named Dave gets his finger smashed by a barrel and goes to William and Thomas for help. William immediatly decides it needs to be amputated and just before the axe is swung, Dave pulls away his hand. Thomas grabs the mallot and while Dave is focused on it, William cuts off his finger.
In the end, the English fleet reaches the Spaniards and disguise themselves as Flemish people to avoid immediate battle. The English launch their attack and the Spanish are quick to strike back. Later, when it is dark, Drake's men go around boarding each ship to steal the treasures. The Spanish set a warship on fire and send it straight for Drake's flagship, which is also the ship Thomas and his new girlfriend are on. The flagship narrowly escapes and the ship on fire hits the Spanish mainland. The English retreat and Thomas is asked to tend to one last patient. The patient's leg needs to be amputated. Thomas has never performed an amputation before, but he succeeds and they escape the Spanish.