Common Sense Media Review
By Mary Eisenhart
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Exciting fantasy sequel has elf kids in cosmic struggle.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 4 parent reviews
Based on 27 kid reviews
Kids say the third installment in this series introduces more violence and darker themes, including significant character deaths and betrayals, which adds depth to the story but may be intense for younger readers. Despite this, many fans consider it their favorite, praising its engaging plot filled with adventure, humor, and relatable characters, while also suggesting that parents be cautious with younger children due to some graphic elements.
- increased violence
- character deaths
- intense themes
- engaging plot
- suitable for older kids
- potential for younger readers
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Now 13, Sophie Foster has found good friends and a few enemies at the Academy as she learns the ways of the elf world. Meanwhile, she's trying to learn more about the mysterious Black Swan organization -- and why it engineered her DNA to create capabilities she's still discovering. Fear and distrust lurk behind the scenes of the outwardly harmonious elf world, and it's hard to tell people's true intentions. As Sophie tries to come to terms with her new life and learn more about her origins, the Council calls on her to perform increasingly dangerous telepathic tasks. Some characters die, others live in a state of permanent insanity, and an unknown villain's pyrotechnic powers threaten to engulf the whole world in EVERBLAZE.
Is It Any Good?
Author Shannon Messenger creates appealing, relatable characters and then keeps the plot twists, intrigues, dangers, and ethical challenges coming. Readers who've been following the Keepers of the Lost Cities series may find themselves confused about its underlying cosmology and where the truth lies on many fronts -- even more than 13-year-old Sophie. But, as with that other series about a mysterious kid at a magical boarding school, this turns out not to matter very much.
With her independent spirit, strong principles, and longing to belong, Sophie will strike a chord with many tween girls. So will the recurring humor about how magical sparkly horses poop. A lot. But other kids also will find a lot to like in this exciting installment, which concludes with a strong sense that the adventure's just beginning.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why stories of school kids with superpowers are so popular. Does it make you feel better about your own problems when even telepaths and teleporters deal with some of the same things you do?
Sometimes, as in Everblaze, one friend does a terrible thing to another without meaning to. Have you ever been in this situation, on either side? Did you try to make things right, or did it end the friendship?
Would you like to have one of the special powers the characters have? Which one? How would you put it to use?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures , Friendship
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Aladdin
- Publication date : October 31, 2014
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 624
- Available on : Nook, Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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