To be perfectly fair--as a child I read a lot of books from the 40's/50's that were about 12-13yr olds solving mysteries. Not just Nancy Drew, the Boxcar Children and the Hardy Boys, but random titles I found in my elementary school's library of books no one probably has heard of. For me, Ring of Fire felt like those. A 'feel good' story that has a little bit of drama, a little sadness, a little violence...but overall is meant to encourage and reassure. Not scare and worry a kid.

As a twenty-something now, reading stories like that, I can definitely feel a lack of 'pull' for me to finish the book (or series) because I kept thinking 'This needs more excitement' and 'That puzzle was too easy'. The idea was interesting for me, four children from all walks of life and all over, meet each century to save the world. It would have been a dream come true for me when I was in late elementary/early middle school. Which is the age group best suited for this series. The 9-12 year olds who want a little more seriousness, a little more mystery and a storyline about kids like them who could be so special.

Other reviewers have noted that the four main characters--Elettra, Mistral, Harvey and Sheng--are flat, but it seemed less like they were flat and more as if the author wanted to spread the characterization out over the four books of the series. Elettra arguably gets the most exposure, as this first book is set in her home turf of Italy, but each successive book is set in another country that relates to the four main.

I found the use of present tense jarring, but I don't read a lot of books in the present tense. It did give me a better idea of how things were playing out, as we followed the four and the 'killer' around Italy's famous spots. The illustrations included were wonderful bonuses, but I didn't refer to them that often. For kids who like series like the 39 Clues books series or Clue the board game, I think they'll enjoy these extras as some of them do help a great deal with the 'mystery' of the book. ( )

A intriguing story about four kids born on the same date (the day after mine) more or less thrown into a mystery race though Rome, against time and a mad man with a magic violin. I loved the way the author uses history and natural forces more than magic and plays with the symbols that all ready exist within the city's borders (like the star of Italy and the violin of Nero) instead of making up too much. Make you learn much more than you would have expected when you opened the book. The characters are also more than just four versions of the same, but I'd like to see more of the differences. The language was also great to be a children book, but I really struggled with it being written completely in present tens. It was exiting enough as it was. ( )

I have currently been suffering of a sort of brain fog, not allowing me to focus on any reading material that isn't simple, so as I was wandering around the book store looking for something that would perhaps help, I came across the Century books which looked totally beautiful, all 4 lined up in place. I never read Ulysses Moore, but I am aware that it's a juvenile book so I thought - why not? I never read any adventure or mystery books either, so picking up this series was new for me.
I am giving it a 5/5, but I'm not sure if it's because it helped me get through my reading dizziness or because it is actually great. All I know is I couldn't put the book down and read it in about 2 days which was a goal for me considering the state I was in. I can't wait for the second one. ( )

I have currently been suffering of a sort of brain fog, not allowing me to focus on any reading material that isn't simple, so as I was wandering around the book store looking for something that would perhaps help, I came across the Century books which looked totally beautiful, all 4 lined up in place. I never read Ulysses Moore, but I am aware that it's a juvenile book so I thought - why not? I never read any adventure or mystery books either, so picking up this series was new for me.
I am giving it a 5/5, but I'm not sure if it's because it helped me get through my reading dizziness or because it is actually great. All I know is I couldn't put the book down and read it in about 2 days which was a goal for me considering the state I was in. I can't wait for the second one. ( )

Quatre enfants venant des quatre coins du monde se retrouvent par hasard dans un hôtel romain pour les vacances ; hors, ils constatent, après quelques incidents inquiétants, qu'ils sont nés un vingt-neuf février... Mal écrit et certainement mal traduit, à la limite du ridicule avec certaines tournures de phrases, il n'en reste pas moins intéressant pour le protagoniste chinois : alors que chaque personnage est caricaturé, il ne correspond pas à celle du chinois. A ne pas conseiller pour une lecture-plaisir!