Common Sense Media Review
By Mary Eisenhart
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Imaginative, lively tale launches Land of Stories prequels.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 5 parent reviews
Based on 26 kid reviews
Kids say this book is a captivating and creative read filled with adventure and valuable life lessons, although some reviewers raise concerns about its political themes and pace, suggesting it may not be suitable for younger children. While many praised its engaging characters and connections to other series, others found the portrayal of traditional values and religion to be overly critical and conflicting.
- fun adventure
- political themes
- suitable for older kids
- engaging characters
- varying pace
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
A TALE OF MAGIC finds 14-year-old Brystal Evergreen chafing at the limitations of her country's culture, which forbids girls to read and anyone to practice magic. Aided by her kind brother, Brystal's been sneaking books for some time before her secret compulsion leads her to volunteer as a maid at the library, while not being exactly truthful with her parents about what she's doing. Before long, she discovers a secret room full of banned books ("History and Other Lies," "The War on Women," "Losing Faith in Faith," and more) and soon devours them all. Of course, it doesn't take long till she's caught. Will she be sentenced to death like so many before her, or is this just the beginning of her adventures?
Is It Any Good?
Chris Colfer's in fine form in this lively origin story about characters who, later in life, play significant roles in The Land of Stories series. Especially 14-year-old Brystal Evergreen, whose determination, brains, and kind heart pit her against prejudice, ignorance, and cruelty. The fast-moving tale is more tightly written and less slapstick-silly than the original series. Both Colfer and his audience have matured a bit since the first series launched in 2012. A Tale of Magic's characters are complex, relatable, and often deal with their own tragedies as they face many perils in trying to make the world safe for people like them. Punctuating it all, encouraging pep talks like this from Brystal:
"We're all just a couple of mistakes away from becoming the people we despise. So don't think worse of yourself, let this change how you think of yourself. Start valuing who you are, more than what you are. Prove you're better than most people by showing more acceptance and empathy. And fuel your pride with what you earn and create, instead of what you're born with."
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how A Tale of Magic fits in with The Land of Stories? Do you think reading about the characters as they appear here gives you a better understanding of their older selves in the original series? Or, if you haven't read the original books yet, does this make you want to read more?
As you look around your own community and school, do you see rules and customs that make no sense to you? Do you just live with them, or try to change them?
Have you ever figured you were the only person who thought a certain way about something, and then you met someone who felt the same? Did anything change in your life because of it?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Brandon Dorman
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Activism , Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures , Friendship
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
- Publication date : October 1, 2019
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 448
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : April 20, 2026
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