Common Sense Media Review
By Andrea Beach
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Absorbing historical fiction ramps up the palace intrigue.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
COURTING DARKNESS begins when Mortain, the physical embodiment of the god of Death, falls in battle and is gone from this world. Two of his daughters, Sybella and Genevieve, are left to wonder what will become of the convent dedicated to him where they were raised, and more important, which, if any, of the powers he imbued them with they'll still have now that he's gone. The marriage of the duchess of Brittany to the king of France is a perfect opportunity for Sybella and Genevieve to influence the ruling regime and ensure that Brittany remains under the duchess's control, and also to make sure that their convent survives the growing influence of the Catholic Church. As events bring them closer together, they'll have to navigate intrigue and mystery, to say nothing of just surviving to see another day.
Is It Any Good?
Fans of Robin LaFevers' His Fair Assassin trilogy will enjoy this immersive return to Brittany in the 1400s as they follow familiar characters and meet new ones. Courting Darkness still has fights and battles -- and assassinations, of course -- but it also ramps up the palace intrigue. A marriage of political convenience brings the war between Brittany and France to an end, and teens will easily relate to narrators Sybella and Genevieve as they figure out how to stay true to their beliefs, their missions, and their sisterhood while learning who they are and what they're capable of.
If you haven't read the previous trilogy, it may take a little longer to immerse yourself in this world, and it may take some extra time to get to know the characters and some of their previous relationships. But fans of historical fiction that skews a little to the dark side without sacrificing adventure, romance, and strong female characters will find the journey well worthwhile. Nongraphic but mature sexual content and violence make it best for teens and up.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in Courting Darkness. Is it realistic? How much is OK in books? Is it different for movies, videos, or games? Why or why not?
What about the sexy stuff? How much is OK in YA books? Does it seem realistic?
Are Sybella and Genevieve good role models? Why or why not? What do you like about them? What are their character flaws?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Historical Fiction
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Friendship , History
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
- Publication date : February 5, 2019
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 14 - 17
- Number of pages : 512
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Kindle
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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