Common Sense Media Review
By Carrie R. Wheadon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Fierce friends battle mega monsters in very gory sequel.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
In AMONG SERPENTS, Conrad commands a mission to protect supply lines from the sky serpents sent by the Below. Ships and many lives are lost after they run into a torton—a giant flying, camouflaged, electrically charged turtle. In utter defeat, Conrad and his crew head to Venator, the island where they trained as Hunters, to fix their ship and await the king, Conrad's formidable and severely disappointed Uncle Urwin. But spies for the Below have other plans for the heir of the Skylands. Conrad and his whole crew are kidnapped on their own ship and flown straight toward certain death at the hands of the Below's most vicious general.
Is It Any Good?
Fans of the first stellar metal-monster-fighting tale will be itching for this sequel, and it delivers plenty more flying metal monster battles, but much less heart. Central to Book 1 was Conrad's integrity. He wants a better world, he wants to form real bonds with his crewmates, he wants to smash the meritocracy. This core feels lost in Among Serpents. There doesn't seem to be any side to root for. Uncle Urwin is just awful—didn't need the harrowing arena duels as a reminder. And General Goerner of the Below isn't so hot either. He has a nasty habit of destroying whole islands and the thousands of people living on them with his massive beasts. The war seems unwinnable and not worth it.
Still, as Conrad goes on crazier and crazier missions, it's exciting to see what's next. The addition of an eccentric explorer named Magellan is welcome. He brings the crew to truly uncharted territory and on a nearly impossible quest. The blossoming romantic relationship between Conrad and Bryce is also a high point, and resonates more than his relationship with his long-lost sister, Ella. Ella tries to be as terrible as Uncle Urwin at first but starts to come around and imagine the kinder world that Conrad envisions. Let's hope that the end of the trilogy flies the same trajectory, and that this fantasy world becomes one worth saving.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the gore in Among Serpents. It's expected after Book 1, but how is it enhanced in this sequel? Was it ever too much for you?
In Chapter 30, Conrad finds another reason to dislike the meritocracy when he learns that Mage, an explorer, is hoarding all his discoveries rather than exhibiting teamwork and thinking with compassion the way that Conrad and his friends do. In what other ways is the meritocracy hurting the war effort for the people of the Skylands?
What do you think is next for Conrad and friends in this series? Who do you think should win the war?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Adventures , Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Friendship , Fantasy
- Character Strengths : Courage , Empathy , Perseverance , Teamwork
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Peachtree Publishers
- Publication date : January 7, 2025
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 14 - 17
- Number of pages : 496
- Available on : Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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