I slugged my way through all four of the “Fire” books over the past three months. They were written by British author by Chris d’Lacey and published in the U.S. by scholastic. Book One: “Fire Within” and even Book Two: “Ice Fire” are great. However the last two books of the series, specifically “The Fire Eternal” ruin it all.

The biggest problem is that d’Lacey gives up all sensible plot, structure, and even characterizations so that the last two books are nothing more than weird preachy-environmental propaganda. In them the “north” is at risk because of global warmning and the heroes stop fighting the bad guys and instead focus soley on saving the environment (which coinsidently is exactly the one secret thing that could beat the uber villians). If you’re looking for a child fantasy series then check “Artemis Fowl” or “Ink Heart” or go re-read “Harry Potter.” Definitely avoid the “Fire” books.