Peter Raven Under Fire
by Michael Molloy
by Michael Molloy
PETER RAVEN UNDER FIRE by Michael Molloy
Category: Historical
Age Recommendation: Grades 9+
Release Date: 6/07
Publisher: Scholastic
Reviewed by: Grandma Bev
Rating: 5 Stars
Thirteen-year-old midshipman Peter Raven is assigned to active duty aboard the HMS Torren. Boys became men early
in England in 1800, and Great Britain is in her seventh year of struggle with France. The French Revolution is over, and
Napoleon Bonaparte is in power. He needs money to defeat the English and exploit the Louisiana territory where he
plans to install a "King of New Orleans" under French rule, and has chosen one of the privateers that are active in the
Caribbean; a vile and quite mad pirate that has promised him the money he needs. These pirates attack any ships that
cross their paths, murdering the crews and stealing the cargoes.
When the HMS Torren falls prey to the pirates, Peter and the charismatic Matthew Book manage to separately escape,
but everyone else is murdered. Peter becomes apprenticed to a British Spy, and is reunited with Matthew. The three of
them strive to outwit the pirates and French government and keep America out of their hands.
This lively book has a multi-level plot and exciting characters. I thought the size of the book might be a bit intimidating for
reluctant readers, but it left me wanting more. The action goes from the English Channel to Paris to the Caribbean and
back again. It's a seafaring adventure on a grand scale that is impossible to put down. Molloy promises a sequel, and I
can't wait...Peter Raven is one of my favorite characters. There is even a bit of romance with the beautiful, rich young
American girl, Lucy Cosgrove.
Category: Historical
Age Recommendation: Grades 9+
Release Date: 6/07
Publisher: Scholastic
Reviewed by: Grandma Bev
Rating: 5 Stars
Thirteen-year-old midshipman Peter Raven is assigned to active duty aboard the HMS Torren. Boys became men early
in England in 1800, and Great Britain is in her seventh year of struggle with France. The French Revolution is over, and
Napoleon Bonaparte is in power. He needs money to defeat the English and exploit the Louisiana territory where he
plans to install a "King of New Orleans" under French rule, and has chosen one of the privateers that are active in the
Caribbean; a vile and quite mad pirate that has promised him the money he needs. These pirates attack any ships that
cross their paths, murdering the crews and stealing the cargoes.
When the HMS Torren falls prey to the pirates, Peter and the charismatic Matthew Book manage to separately escape,
but everyone else is murdered. Peter becomes apprenticed to a British Spy, and is reunited with Matthew. The three of
them strive to outwit the pirates and French government and keep America out of their hands.
This lively book has a multi-level plot and exciting characters. I thought the size of the book might be a bit intimidating for
reluctant readers, but it left me wanting more. The action goes from the English Channel to Paris to the Caribbean and
back again. It's a seafaring adventure on a grand scale that is impossible to put down. Molloy promises a sequel, and I
can't wait...Peter Raven is one of my favorite characters. There is even a bit of romance with the beautiful, rich young
American girl, Lucy Cosgrove.