Aerie: Magonia Book 2
By Andrea Beach,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Slightly darker fantasy sequel ramps up the tension.
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What's the Story?
AERIE begins a few months after the events in Magonia, with 17-year-old Aza Ray finally living a fairly comfortable, happy life on Earth with her family and boyfriend Jason. But Magonia still calls to Aza, and she knows part of her will always long to return to the sky. When she and Jason suspect that a Magonian has appeared in town, they're afraid she'll go after Aza, or worse still, Aza's loved ones. Jason's fear for Aza's safety leads a secret government agency to capture, imprison and torture Aza in hopes she'll lead them to a secret weapon that could destroy both worlds. In order to save those she loves, Aza will have to leave them behind once again, returning to Magonia to find the secret weapon herself and confront her mother, who's only wants revenge on all the people of Earth.
Is It Any Good?
This fantasy sequel is more suspenseful and slightly darker, as heroine Aza faces the challenges of emerging into adulthood -- not to mention saving two worlds while she's at it. Readers who haven't read Magonia may not find Aza and Jason as understandable or easy to root for, but fantasy fans will definitely enjoy the imaginative world above the clouds and the magical creatures to be found there. And teens will definitely relate to Aza's and Jason's struggles toward maturity as they learn to accept themselves and each other as they are, and to have the courage to live their own lives.
Favorite supporting characters return, as do the villainous Zal and Dai, and author Headley ably keeps the pages turning as tension and suspense build to the final confrontation. She also leaves the door open for further adventures in an intriguing new world, and fantasy fans will have a lot to look foward to.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the strong language in Aerie. Does it add believability, or does it seem gratuitous?
What about the violence? How much is OK in books, and is it different from seeing it on TV or in movies?
Did you read Magonia first? Do you like Aerie as well, or better? If you didn't read the first book, was this one easy to follow?
Book Details
- Author: Maria Dahvana Headley
- Genre: Fantasy
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy , Brothers and Sisters
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Harper
- Publication date: October 4, 2016
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 13 - 17
- Number of pages: 320
- Available on: Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: July 13, 2017
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