THE IMMORTAL FIRE: The Cronus Chronicles, Book Three
by Anne Ursu
Atheneum Books for Young Readers/Simon & Schuster
ISBN: 9781416905912
Ages 8-12
528 pages
Cousins Charlotte Mielswetzski (altogether now: meals-wet-ski) and Zachary “Zee” Miller have experienced more than most normal eighth-grade students ever experience in a regular school year. I’m not talking about getting lost in the hallways at school or receiving your first kiss (slimy, I’m sure). I’m referring to Charlotte and Zee discovering that Greek myths are real (who knew?), demons from Hades can create an army consisting of stolen children’s shadows, and the great god Poseidon is not really the friendliest fish in the sea. After narrowly escaping death for the second time, the cousins think that perhaps life can go back to normal. When you anger the gods and unknowingly give Poseidon’s all-powerful trident to a revenge-laden demon, however, then normal is out of the question.
First, Mr. Metos (remember him?) returns to school, and Charlotte and Zee immediately become suspicious. Then nature seemingly goes berserk around coastal areas and in the sea. As news reporters try to explain the bizarre events away, Charlotte and Zee know the Greek gods are restless and something horrible has happened. With the world ignorant to these all-powerful gods, the cousins have no choice but to try and save the world --- again. They depart with Mr. Metos to join a group called the Prometheans, a brotherhood protecting humanity from the mistreatment of the gods. You might recognize that the name refers to Prometheus, the titan who originally stole fire from the gods and gave it to man. Now the Prometheans reveal they have a secret weapon that can even overthrow the almighty Zeus.
After the true nature of the Prometheans’ intentions is revealed, Charlotte and Zee choose once again to set out on their own for Mount Olympus. Mysterious dreams lead them on a wild goose chase to Greece to locate their own secret weapon. Let’s also not forget that entering Mount Olympus isn’t exactly a piece of cake either, although Charlotte would much prefer it and probably enjoy eating it as well. The cousins are tested in more ways than one, and victory isn’t looking promising. What did you expect, that Charlotte and Zee could save the world three times in a row?
At this point I should probably mention Philonecron, the demon ultimately responsible for this mess. He’s still around wreaking havoc and according to him as brilliant as ever, and that’s all I will say. Plus, the gods around Olympus aren’t always the most helpful or the brightest --- especially Zeus. You mix in a short-tempered chaperone, an ex-giant squid, a herd of cows and a hand-held lighter, and you have an exciting ending to the epic Cronus Chronicles.
Fans of the Cronus Chronicles have long appreciated Anne Ursu’s natural humor and her very self-aware characters. Ursu also manages to include high-riveting action and even a Greek history lesson or two without bogging down the reader. Charlotte and Zee are two of my favorite characters for their insight into adolescence and their willingness to save the world when everyone else around them is standing still. THE IMMORTAL FIRE is a satisfying conclusion to Ursu’s series centered on the big three gods and a fine addition to the ever-popular Greek mythology books.
--- Reviewed by Benjamin Boche (bennyboche@hotmail.com)
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