Common Sense Media Review
By Karen Wirsing
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Slow start to enchanting, magical battle adventure.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 12+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
BATTLE MAGIC is about three mages -- Rosethorn, Briar, and Evvy -- who set out on an adventure to meet Weishu, the royal emperor of the realm of Yanjing. While they are guests in his temple, the mages realize that Weishu is a greedy and brutal tyrant who seeks to rule all the surrounding temples and their people. After witnessing the emperor brutally burn the gardeners of his estate to death because a rose bush in his garden contains a fungus, the three know that the neighboring and peaceful realm of Gyongxe is in grave danger. Rosethorn, Briar, and Evvy leave the temple to warn their dear friend the God-King of the impending danger to his realm and journey to save the \"Four Treasures of the Living Circle.\"
Is It Any Good?
Battle Magic includes enchanting and magical characters such as eight-foot spiders with healing webs, hearts of mountains, and stone paintings with lions, tigers, and snakes that come to life. The dreamlike and fun adventure will leave readers thinking about the repercussions of war and the art of folklore, if they can stay engaged through the drawn-out and plentiful pages.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about fantasy books. Why are books with magical foes and imagined creatures so popular? Which character in Battle Magic is your favorite, and why?
Are there any real countries that remind you of the realms of Gyongxe and Yanjing?
Why do people go to war? Do you think it's OK ever to seek revenge?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures , Animals , Friendship
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Scholastic Press
- Publication date : September 24, 2013
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 12 - 17
- Number of pages : 464
- Available on : Nook, Hardback, Kindle
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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