In 1915 Vahan Kenderian is living a life of privilege as the youngest son of a wealthy Armenian family in Turkey. This secure world is shattered wh...
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reviews
May 26, 2011
Milo
rated it: 
To all those people who missed out learning about the Armenian genocide in school because of the US's trade with Turkey, this is for you. Educate yourself. The story is about a family that is torn apart as the killing begins; you are thrust in the midst of one of the most forgotten and gruesome genocides in history. The writing is engaging enough to keep you reading as you follow the survival of the boy Vahan through the pages. Though it is rather gory this book is easily one of the best histor
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Nov 24, 2011
Elisa
rated it: 
Rating: **** I thought this was a very well written book that was informative and gripping. Even though the Armenian Holocaust is a very depressing subject, I kept reading because the story was very moving.
Genre: historical fiction
Plot Summary: Vahan Kenderian is an Armenian living well in Turkey when the Turks start eradicating all Armenians. When most of his family is murdered Vahan begins a fight for survival and a journey that puts him in situations he never drea More...
Genre: historical fiction
Plot Summary: Vahan Kenderian is an Armenian living well in Turkey when the Turks start eradicating all Armenians. When most of his family is murdered Vahan begins a fight for survival and a journey that puts him in situations he never drea More...
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Nov 27, 2008
Xiao
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I truly like this story because it was talking about a group of people who were attacked during World War 1 who we've never talked about in global class, hence the name "Forgotten Fire." Specifally this story is about a boy who lived in extreme wealth and never thought otherwise, until one day two Turk officers entered his house and asked for his father. Although no words were heard from his father ever again, the boy and his family knew that he was killed by the Turks, who were part o
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Jun 08, 2011
Ara
rated it:
Vahan Kenderian, a young boy born into a rich family. Just like in the movies, he's snotty, no discipline, and takes everything forgranted. He is Armenian and becomes a victim of the Armenian Genocide when the Turks killed over 1.5 million including his family. At first they take his father and his two brothers as he becomes the man of the family.He is taken by the Turks and put into dark rooms with the others as he slowly watches the rest of his family die except for his smaller brother. He goe
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Mar 11, 2010
Josh
rated it:
This book is incredibly powerful. It deals with a forgotten period in history-- the Armenian genocide of the WWI era-- so it's already set itself apart. The writing is beautiful and appropriate for the subject matter. The main character, Vahan, is also a compelling one, as he is both terrified and determined.
Summary: Vahan and his family all live in the Armenian village of Burtis, and seem to live something of an idyllic life. Soon, however, his family members start disappearing, mark More...
Summary: Vahan and his family all live in the Armenian village of Burtis, and seem to live something of an idyllic life. Soon, however, his family members start disappearing, mark More...
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Feb 22, 2010
Kristine
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Plot Summary: A 12 year old boy grows up in a wealthy household, with family, friends, money, and laughter. A war/ destruction takes place in his town and the family endures several struggles. The boy sees his family members killed and taken, and he ends up becoming an orphan. He moves from town to town and travels.. he is trying to find safety, food and possibly people who will bring comfort to his empty life.
Main Characters: Vahan- careless in school, lacked disipline and character More...
Main Characters: Vahan- careless in school, lacked disipline and character More...
Oct 21, 2009
Grace
rated it:
Adam Bagdasarian, author of Forgotten Fire, did a superb job of fictionalizing the story of his great uncle's run for survival from the Armenian genocide during World War I. The author spares no expense in truly articulating the degradation of mind, body, and spirit as twelve year old Vahan Kenderian is taken from his home and forced to endure in several situations unfathomable for a child of that age - he sees his two older brothers shot to death; sees his sister, dead from taking poison, carr
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Sep 16, 2011
Kellie
rated it:
I gave this book five stars because it’s well written, kept me reading, and wasn’t predictable. Anyone interested in history or likes learning about culture while reading will enjoy this book, which is based on a true story. I learned a lot and found myself wondering what I would do if I were faced with the situations like Vahan Kenderian (the main character).
Parts of the story are sickening and sad, but it is the truth. The book follows the life of Vahan Kenderian who is just a boy More...
Parts of the story are sickening and sad, but it is the truth. The book follows the life of Vahan Kenderian who is just a boy More...
Jun 07, 2011
Vardan
rated it:
Forgotten Fire
“Forgotten Fire,” written by Adam Bagdasarian, is a wonderfully laid out novel that gives a clear insight into the Armenian Genocide through the life of one survivor, Vahan Kenderian. This book will keep you reading all day long. It will awaken your curiosity and inspire you to learn more about the Armenian Genocide. Vahan starts out living with his family in a province in Turkey in wealthy and luxurious conditions. However, things take a sudden turn when the Turks start More...
“Forgotten Fire,” written by Adam Bagdasarian, is a wonderfully laid out novel that gives a clear insight into the Armenian Genocide through the life of one survivor, Vahan Kenderian. This book will keep you reading all day long. It will awaken your curiosity and inspire you to learn more about the Armenian Genocide. Vahan starts out living with his family in a province in Turkey in wealthy and luxurious conditions. However, things take a sudden turn when the Turks start More...
Feb 27, 2010
Carroll
rated it:
Forgotten Fire by Adam Bagdasarian
This is one of the best books that I have read in a long time, simply because it is so well told and true to life. It is hard to think that the terrible actions in this book really took place, but the triumph of the main character over his circumstances is a hope to us all.
Major Characters:
Vahan Kenderian: A young (twelve years old when the book begins) upper-middle class Armenian boy who is thrust into a world he doesn’t recognize or underst More...
This is one of the best books that I have read in a long time, simply because it is so well told and true to life. It is hard to think that the terrible actions in this book really took place, but the triumph of the main character over his circumstances is a hope to us all.
Major Characters:
Vahan Kenderian: A young (twelve years old when the book begins) upper-middle class Armenian boy who is thrust into a world he doesn’t recognize or underst More...
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Mar 09, 2010
Shannon
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Plot summary:
Vahan Kandarian has it all: a happy and blessed family, friends, a big home, riches; he never has to worry about his needs being met and exceeded. But all of that changes when the Armenian Holocaust begins. Literally overnight, this 12 year-old boy is demoted from prince to pauper. This novel is the story of his survival in chaotic and violent Turkey. What happens to young Vahan is unimaginable and depressing. He learns a hard lesson about character and dignity and what i More...
Vahan Kandarian has it all: a happy and blessed family, friends, a big home, riches; he never has to worry about his needs being met and exceeded. But all of that changes when the Armenian Holocaust begins. Literally overnight, this 12 year-old boy is demoted from prince to pauper. This novel is the story of his survival in chaotic and violent Turkey. What happens to young Vahan is unimaginable and depressing. He learns a hard lesson about character and dignity and what i More...
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Nov 06, 2011
Jackie
rated it:
I read this book in one day. Never really put it down, even after saying I was done with historical fiction for awhile.
Vahan is the main character, and I like that he is sort of a snotty,self-assured, wealthy kid when it starts. It reminds me of First They Killed My Father in that regard. It paints a realistic picture of the fortunate. I could say that the boy was unlikable because he didn't really take notice of others below him, but I think that's a fair assessment of human na More...
Vahan is the main character, and I like that he is sort of a snotty,self-assured, wealthy kid when it starts. It reminds me of First They Killed My Father in that regard. It paints a realistic picture of the fortunate. I could say that the boy was unlikable because he didn't really take notice of others below him, but I think that's a fair assessment of human na More...
Feb 27, 2011
Valen
rated it:
VISIT MY BLOG: thereadersheartstring.blogspot.com
War, death, family and hope.
Heres' A Description:
'In 1915 Vahan Kenderian is living a life of privilege as the youngest son of a wealthy Armenian family in Turkey. This world of comfort and security is shattered when some family members are whisked away and others are murdered before his eyes. In too short a time, Vahan loses his home and family and, to survive, is forced to live a life he could never have drea More...
War, death, family and hope.
Heres' A Description:
'In 1915 Vahan Kenderian is living a life of privilege as the youngest son of a wealthy Armenian family in Turkey. This world of comfort and security is shattered when some family members are whisked away and others are murdered before his eyes. In too short a time, Vahan loses his home and family and, to survive, is forced to live a life he could never have drea More...
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Feb 26, 2010
Emilie
rated it:
It's a gripping work of historical fiction. Vahan falls from his life of priviledge and security gradually separated from his beloved family and cast out into the reality of a strong billowing hate--the Armenian/Turkish conflict. His story is one that will impact its readers. I felt most impacted during Sisak and Vahan's walk, Vahan wants mothing more than to surrender, but he summons power to persevere by pretending he was someone else--his father. I felt empowered reading about Vahan's inn
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Feb 21, 2010
Kara
rated it:
I thought this book was extremely well written. I loved that the book was written by the main character, Vahan Kenderian’s great nephew. My favorite type of books is nonfiction and although this is a realistic fiction, I enjoy that so much of it is true and as the author quotes, “I felt that the most important thing I could do was involve the reader emotionally.” The author listened to his great uncle’s recording of his life and decided to write a book about it. Vahan is from a wealthy Armenian
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Dec 14, 2008
Karen
rated it:
Written for older children, this is a book about the Armenian genocide. It's based on a true story of a child who survives, after knowing that most of his family is killed. It's very well done. At first I couldn't really picture the kind of kid who would like this book, but after the initial horror, which is difficult to get through, it becomes kind of an adventure story, albeit a grim one.
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Sep 24, 2011
Sherri
rated it:
Genre: Historical Fiction, Memoir
Rating: *****This first-person account includes vivid details about the Armenian Holocaust. The author brings the events alive for the reader, but beware...there are disturbing details that make this inappropriate for some younger readers.
Summary: This book is based on the true story of an Armenian boy who survives the Armenian Holocaust. It is 1915 and Vahan Kendarian, the youngest son of one of the most influential Armenian families More...
Rating: *****This first-person account includes vivid details about the Armenian Holocaust. The author brings the events alive for the reader, but beware...there are disturbing details that make this inappropriate for some younger readers.
Summary: This book is based on the true story of an Armenian boy who survives the Armenian Holocaust. It is 1915 and Vahan Kendarian, the youngest son of one of the most influential Armenian families More...
May 16, 2011
Natalie
rated it:
Forgotten Fire is a novel written by Adam Bagdasarian about Vahan Kenderian’s, the main character’s, experiences during the Armenian Genocide. Vahan’s family was the richest and most respected Armenian family in all of Bitlis, Armenia. He was living a life he thought would always be filled with happiness and perfection. But everything changes overnight- Vahan’s father, his biggest role model, is taken away by the Turkish gendarmes, his two older brothers are shot, and he is separated from his fa
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Sep 26, 2011
Michael
rated it:
Genre: Historical Fiction, Young Adult
Rating: *****
Suspenseful story following a teenage boy in his experience with an often overlooked period in the 20th century.
Summary:
Forgotten Fire describes the gripping events in the young life of Vahan Kenderian. Born into the privileged life of a wealthy Armenian family, Vahan's life is quickly changed when his family is forced from its home and he witnesses the brutal deaths of the people he loves. Forgotten Fire is More...
Rating: *****
Suspenseful story following a teenage boy in his experience with an often overlooked period in the 20th century.
Summary:
Forgotten Fire describes the gripping events in the young life of Vahan Kenderian. Born into the privileged life of a wealthy Armenian family, Vahan's life is quickly changed when his family is forced from its home and he witnesses the brutal deaths of the people he loves. Forgotten Fire is More...
Jun 08, 2010
Forgotten Fire, by Adam Bagdasarian, left me speechless. It was very suspenseful and attention-grabbing. Once I started reading, it was challenging for me to stop. I’ve always heard about the Armenian Genocide, but never knew the detailed information. This book got detailed to the point and even explained Vahan’s true life story during the Armenian Genocide. I enjoyed how the author gave a clear visual of what Vahan experienced. This book made me change my thoughts of historical nonfiction stori
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Jan 22, 2009
Stacy
rated it:
This is a true story. It takes place during WW I (about 1915) in Armenia/Turkey. Adam Bagdasarian tells the story of his great uncle--the one this story is all about. It is a story of sadness, man's inhumanity to man, and yet GREAT courage. That was what I enjoyed: seeing all that this boy faced and survived with great courage and endurance. This Armenian tragedy no doubt infuenced Hitler with the idea of race extermination. In fact, regarding what happened to the Armenians (truly a holoca
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Nov 02, 2010
Ann
rated it: 
I choose this book because of my step father...he fled Turkey when he was just a teenager and came to America...I never got to hear anything about his life in Turkey...this book was yet another way to say -- hey, everyone, every nationality, every culture, every religion, every blood line somewhere along the way was persecuted, tortured, starved, mistreated...everyone of us has it in our history...I think people need to be reminded...no one race can claim ownership of the worst of it...no one ra
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Oct 11, 2011
Angie
rated it:
Bagdasarian, Adam. Forgotten Fire.
Rating: ***
Summary: Vahan is a young Armenian boy who is priviledged until his world is tipped upside down and inside out. He watches his family be pulled apart slowly, until he is on his own trying to stay alive. He encounters many situations that he uses his fathers words and his own determination to keep finding freedom.
Main characters:
Vahan is the youngest child in the family. Everything for the most part was given to him. Once More...
Rating: ***
Summary: Vahan is a young Armenian boy who is priviledged until his world is tipped upside down and inside out. He watches his family be pulled apart slowly, until he is on his own trying to stay alive. He encounters many situations that he uses his fathers words and his own determination to keep finding freedom.
Main characters:
Vahan is the youngest child in the family. Everything for the most part was given to him. Once More...
Dec 22, 2009
Youndyc
rated it:
This was written at a very accessible level - I'm not sure that I would recommend it for a child or young adult (though it is definitely at that reading level) because of the violence. This is the story of Vahan, a privileged 12-year-old Armenian in 1915, as his life and family are torn apart and as he struggles to survive in the midst of violence, rape, and general dehumanization of the Armenians. If you are wanting lighter fare and a happy ending, please do not read this. If you want to lea
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May 31, 2010
Marina
rated it:
This book was one of the best books I have ever read. It contained many details and explained everything in a way that other books didn't. Before I read this book the only information I knew about the Armenian Genocide is that it occurred in 1915 and some other obvious facts. However, after I read this book I actually learned so much more and this information really helped me understand what my ancestors have gone through. Before I read this book I was an ordinary girl. However, this book c
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Feb 25, 2010
Allie
rated it:
This is a wonderfully written and fast moving story of a 12 year old boy caught in the Turkish/Armenian conflict of WWI. Vahan is taken from his home and his family and must survive on faith and hope. The story is very real and at time gruesome. The treatment of the Armenian people is brutal and inhumane but an intricate part of the story. A great read for all ages.
Vahan= the main character, 12 years old, from a very wealthy and prominant family, suffers loss and death, abuse, hatred More...
Vahan= the main character, 12 years old, from a very wealthy and prominant family, suffers loss and death, abuse, hatred More...
Jun 01, 2011
Sara
rated it:
"Forgotten Fire" is a great historical fiction novel about the life of one boy during the Armenian Genocide. Vahan Kenderian grew up in one of the most-respected families in all of Bitlis, Armenia, but goes from riches to rags. He loses everything he had taken for granted to the Turks, and must fight for his survival. From a deaf mute to a humble servant, Vahan must take on many new roles that he had always thought was beneath people like him. I would recommend this book to anyone who
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Oct 29, 2011
Alma
rated it:
Bagdasarian, Adam. Forgotten Fire. Mass Market Paperback. 2002. 304 pp. ISBN: 0440229170.
Genre: fiction
Rating: 4.12 Stars. Set in 1915, Vahan was once a privileged, youngest child must cope when he loses everything, including his family during the Armenian Holocaust.
Summary: Vahan loses his family and wealth due to the Armenain Holocaust and has to move from town to town in order to survive. This books is about survival during a very tramautic time.
Main Characters: V More...
Genre: fiction
Rating: 4.12 Stars. Set in 1915, Vahan was once a privileged, youngest child must cope when he loses everything, including his family during the Armenian Holocaust.
Summary: Vahan loses his family and wealth due to the Armenain Holocaust and has to move from town to town in order to survive. This books is about survival during a very tramautic time.
Main Characters: V More...
Jun 08, 2010
Mari
rated it:
This book was hard for me to read because it talked about Armenians struggling in the Armenian Genocide. Especially since I heard the story of my great grandmother from my father's side going on death marches and seeing people being massacred and young children dieing it was harder for me to read. The book starts off with a positive note, but in the second or third chapter, the negativity starts and it becomes less optimistic. I would recommend this book to young adults because it teaches you to
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Jun 01, 2010
Mary
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