Magic Fire

By Christopher Pike

Book Overview

Mark Charm is a pyromaniac and on a dry autumn night Mark starts to wonder what it would be like if the whole city burned. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0671020579
• ISBN13: 9780671020576
• Release Date: January 1999
• Publisher: Pocket Books
• Length: 226 Pages
• Weight: 0.28 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 4.2" x 6.8"
• Age Range: 12 to 17 years
• Grade Range: Grades 7 to 12

Customer Reviews

HIGHLY ORIGINAL

I am 21 years of age and have been reading Pike's books since i was 13, not once have I been dissappointed by his work, and Magic Fire proves to me that he still possess the skill to write highly original and thought provoking books. Let's hope there will be many more Pike books in the years to come.

A very mysterious book

First comment... The cover and back of the book are so misleading. Cut that out, whoever is in charge of that stuff! :) I know you can't just say what the book is about on the back cover, but you don't have to lie about it, and this summary isn't as bad as some. Even so, I think the front cover looks cool, despite it having nothing to do with the story.Now a little reminiscing. I remember hearing about this book not long before we founded The Midnight Club four years ago, and then we didn't know if it was called Magic Fire or Fire Magic. Given that at least the title is pretty old, that generates a lot of questions. When was this book was actually written? How long has Pike had at least the outline completed? Why did it take so long to write? Was MAZE conceived of later on, throwing a whole new twist on the bulk of the plot and frustrating many of you? If you really think about it, this book in a way predates even the last 3 Last Vampires. Weird, huh? It makes me really curious, and I think I might ask Pike (and if he actually replies, I'll be sure you to let you know).I really liked this book. Nothing really disappointed me, except that it was too short (although actually relatively long for his YA books). Pike took a lot of liberties in constructing the plot, but as other Pike readers I have talked with have already mentioned, the book makes you question your own reality. As I was reading it, I was reminded A LOT of the movie Matrix, and I had to remind myself that Magic Fire was written before that movie. Still, it kind of blows the prospect of Magic Fire being made into a movie.I think if I had read The Grave after I read Magic Fire, I would have been more disappointed with The Grave. But since Magic Fire is now the most recent Pike book I have read, I'm waiting in anticipation of his next book, which I have heard nothing about. Wondering when we'll get those other books Pike has been hinting at... By the way, if you made it this far in reading, Pike DOES NOT intend to write The Cold One II: Seedling. Sorry. :(-Scott/Wags

Nothing but praise...

Yes, this book was a bit confusing. But I find it nice to be challenged a little, even by a young adult novel. I thought Mr. Pike did a wonderful job of keeping his readers on their toes. I suggest this to anyone who enjoys being twisted about a bit.As I have seen written here, I am also upset by other reviewers' condemning the readers who enjoyed this book. Enjoying this type of fiction doesn't make one illiterate. I happen to like this genre because it is fast and relatively light, a good escape from the everyday. And my literacy and comprehension are at a doctoral level, according to the last test. Yes, I am an adult and also enjoy adult fiction, nonfiction, etcetera; but having read Mr. Pike since I was a child, for 12 years now, I am still a fan. I will continue to read what he produces with interest - whatever it may be.

Give it a chance

Well all I can say is that it is a shame that so many seem to deem this book not worthy. This story was so fantastic. It may have gotten a little complex at some moments, but it kept me wondering what was the real truth. When I read this, I couldn't put it down. For some particular reviewers I find it a disappointment to hear them judge this book in such a cruel manner, and then attack some of the reviewers for enjoying this book. I feel that as a Pike reader you have to expected both the expected and the unexpected. But if you really wanted to read two books that are so unlike Mr. Pike's but still as beautiful and as meanful as the next try reading The Midnight Club or Sati. And I think that Mr. PIke does a great job at intertwining many themes into his stories. So if there is one thing I can say, this book is another job well done for Pike!

Nicely done

I have been reading Mr. Pike's books since Weekend came out in 1986 (?). I am now in my 20s, and still look forward to his releases. I enjoyed this book immensely. I liked the plot twists and challenging nature of this work. It was nice to be asked to think by a YA book. I found myself imagining where it would go next, wondering what was real. In some ways, I found it reminiscent of the recent movies the Matrix and eXistenZ, although he must have written it before these were released. I didn't find the violence or sexuality at all excessive, or the book itself to be too confusing. But then, I am probably older than the average reader. If you are looking for a book that raises the standard of young adult fiction, this is for you.