Common Sense Media Review
By Carrie R. Wheadon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Thrilling debut to fantasy series is low on violence.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 12+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
Galen is a magical scholar called a Relic Master. He and his pupil Raffi live like fugitives in the wilds of the planet Anara. If they're found by the Watch, they'll be taken in and eliminated like the rest of the disbanded Order who once followed the long-absent Makers. Instead, they are discovered by a horseman who claims one of the Makers' relics needs their attention. But this is a trap set by bandits who force them to retrieve gold from the ruined "Dark City" of Tasceron. Galen agrees to go, but for his own reasons. His magic was lost to him months before in an explosion. Powerful forces are said to live deep within the dangerous decimated city that may be able to help him -- and save the whole ailing planet.
Is It Any Good?
This is definitely more than fluffy filler with a cliffhanger. In an intriguing marketing idea that's intended to hook teen readers, this book is the first in a series that will be released over a very short period of time -- one book per month over the summer of 2011. Happily, the book is worthy of readers' attention with or without the special "hook." THE DARK CITY offers solid fantasy storytelling, keeping up a quick pace while meticulously revealing the magical world of Anara, one mysterious piece at a time. The author's thoughtful characters are also a big draw. Both sensitive Raffi and Carys, the questioning spy, make the series well worth following.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the marketing behind these books. Does it build up momentum for the series to release books a month at a time? Does it make you want to read them right when they come out?
For fantasy fans, what other books and movies does this one remind you of? Readers may see hints of The Lord of the Rings and The Dark Crystal for starters. Also, how is the magic of the Order different from the magic in series like Harry Potter, Septimus Heap, or The Abhorsen?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Dial Books
- Publication date : May 17, 2011
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 12 - 17
- Number of pages : 384
- Last updated : December 14, 2022
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