Common Sense Media Review
By Julian Jones
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Queer tweens save the world (again) in thrilling sequel.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
ALEX WISE VS. THE COSMIC SHIFT picks up two weeks after Alex and his friends defeated Death and saved his little sister, Mags, from his possession. The apocalypse is not yet averted, though, so Alex, his childhood friend Loren, and demigod Liam must stop the surviving Horsemen of the Apocalypse from bringing about the Cosmic Shift. To prevent this new danger, the young trio gather new companions and travel to Las Vegas to stop the Horsemen's attempts to reshape Earth through global destruction. Alex must muster all of his courage, as failing would mean the end of existence.
Is It Any Good?
This book is a magical, humorous, and engaging read about learning to love yourself, and it adds complexity with new characters and different relationships. Alex Wise vs. The Cosmic Shift sees main character Alex Wise gaining renewed confidence while facing failure and loneliness. Also, the apocalypse. While the first book operates as Alex's superhero fantasy origin story, this sequel is a shorter, streamlined chapter in the series. The action sequences and moments of humor keep the story unfolding at a lively pace. A fast-paced narrative plus intriguing character development mean readers will be entertained and moved by this deftly written story. Alex Wise and his friends continue to be compelling protagonists readers will root for. Despite shunning the superhero label, his actions continue to prove otherwise. He learns valuable lessons about accepting life's imperfections, viewing failure as a building block, and doing your best even when making mistakes. Author Terry J. Benton-Walker has written a thrilling sequel that will leave readers eager for future installments. Readers can enjoy this as a standalone novel, but it's more fun to start with book one, Alex's wild origin story.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Alex Wise vs. The Cosmic Shift illustrates Alex and his friends' teamwork and perseverance during their adventures. Was there a time in your life where you worked with others to overcome challenges or hardships? How has it shaped you as a person?
In various scenes, Alex shows humility by voicing his doubts and fears with his best friend Loren and the god Orin. When have you shared your frustrations, fears, and doubts with someone? Did it help? What did you learn?
Alex and his friends show empathy toward those who have suffered from psychological trauma and toward people whose history of racial violence has been forgotten. Have you ever learned about a traumatic experience in history or from someone you know? How did it affect you?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Adventures , Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Fantasy ( Ghosts , Magic , Monsters ) , Friendship , Superheroes
- Character Strengths : Empathy , Humility , Perseverance , Teamwork
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Random House Children's Books
- Publication date : September 24, 2024
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 272
- Available on : Paperback, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Kindle
- Last updated : March 27, 2026
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate