Customer Reviews

Ship of Fire

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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.

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.

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.