Fleabag Trilogy

Last updated November 25, 2022

The Fleabag Trilogy is a series of three fantasy children's novels by British author Beth Webb.^[1] Set in a fantasy world, the series chronicles the trials and tribulations of Gemma and her friend and companion, the titular character Fleabag, a talking black cat.

Fleabag

Fleabag is a witty, intelligent black cat who has only three legs; he lost one after it was cut off with an axe while he was trying to defend his mistress. The appearance of the cat along with the name is based on the author's third cat. Fleabag is always happy, and bonds with Gemma in the first book. However, in the second book, it is he who realises something is wrong and accompanies Gemma to the sea. In this book he is also a proud father, and by the third, a grandfather. In the third book, it is found that there is a lot more to Fleabag than meets the eye... And not just his grand title that is never told and his pedigree that is as long as his tail.

Gemma

Gemma is an orphaned street urchin, adopted by the Queen. The ring fire is a ring that burns an amazing soft fire. On the ring is a giant opal and Gemma loved to stare into the soft orange flame. When the Queen dies, Gemma is about 13 years old. The fire is taken from the ring and the Fire Wielder carries it, while the ring is hid where, “Only a King or Queen would dare to look.” Before the Queen dies, she encourages Gemma to take up the challenge of looking for the ring. Gemma loves the Queen and agrees, meeting the cat Fleabag on her way.

Phelan

Phelan (meaning wolf) is a thief whose parents were killed. Phelan attacks Gemma, Fleabag and Lady Rowanne on their way to find the Ring Fire, along with three other thieves, two of which are killed by Lady Rowanne. Phelan was knocked out by Rowanne before Rowanne herself was knocked out by another thief, who took into the woods with the horses and their money. Gemma tends to Phelan's wounds, before taking him to the nearest town and caring for him there. Here Rowanne meets her cousin, the king, and receives more money and horses. Before long, Phelan is better and, because of his vast knowledge of the Ring Fire, comes with the trio and later becomes king.

Lady Rowanne

Rowanne is a Lady Knight who is asked by the Fire Wielder to help Gemma in her quest to find the Ring Fire. Rowanne is unhappy and jealous of Gemma, but soon decides she will accompany her and the cat until they have some idea where the ring is; then she will beat them there and find the ring herself. Along the way, Rowanne develops a love-hate relationship with Fleabag; they love to hate each other. However, she also finally realizes that she has the wrong attitude, and changes for the better until in the last book, Fleabag and the Ring's End, she turns to the wizard's side to spy for the Ring Fire, with drastic results.

Critical reception

A 2015 review in The Guardian praised Fleabag and the Fire Cat, noting that the characters "have human-like emotions and didn't always do the right thing", making them more believable.^[2] However, The Daily Telegraph was more critical, going as far as to say that Fleabag and the Firecat was "another example of an uninventive plot stretched too far – and a disappointing read from the author of the excellent The Magic in the Pool of Making."^[3]

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References

↑ Beth Webb (2005). Ring Fire: The Fleabag Trilogy. Lion Children's Books. ISBN 978-0-7459-4977-2.
↑ Meowa (24 December 2015). "Fleabag and the Fire Cat by Beth Webb – review". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
↑ Lassiter, Rhiannon (11 July 1998). "Pretty maps, weird names – but no imagination". The Daily Telegraph. p. A4. Retrieved 24 November 2022– via Newspapers.com.

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[Webb2005-1] Beth Webb (2005). Ring Fire: The Fleabag Trilogy. Lion Children's Books. ISBN 978-0-7459-4977-2.

[2] Meowa (24 December 2015). "Fleabag and the Fire Cat by Beth Webb – review". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 November 2022.

[3] Lassiter, Rhiannon (11 July 1998). "Pretty maps, weird names – but no imagination". The Daily Telegraph. p. A4. Retrieved 24 November 2022– via Newspapers.com.

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