Common Sense Media Review
By Michael Berry
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Historical fantasy weaves clever mystery plot.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
As ISLE OF BLOOD AND STONE opens, the discovery of two mysterious maps turns the lives of Elias, Ulises, and Mercedes upside-down, The maps hint that the true heirs to the throne may still be alive 18 years after the mass poisoning that dramatically changed the kingdom of St. John del Mar. Elias vows to follow the clues wherever they may lead, especially if the quest might reveal the whereabouts of his missing father. The stakes are high, though, and he will need the support of his friends Ulises and Mercedes if he hopes to survive learning the truth about the tragedy.
Is It Any Good?
In historical fantasy, the rules of royal succession can provide plenty of motive, and this well-plotted mystery uses the gambit of missing heirs to fuel its twisting narrative. In Isle of Blood and Stone, author Makiia Lucier balances action and character-driven plotting. Elias, Ulises, and Mercedes are a formidable team, and Lucier makes each of those characters worth rooting for. She also concocts some suitably despicable villains. Magic doesn't seem to be a part of his world, but Isle of Blood and Stone is likely to satisfy readers who enjoy a satisfying whodunnit.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Isle of Blood and Stone addresses themes of loyalty to family and community. Why do the characters persist in a quest for the truth, even when it's not in their best interest to do so?
Is keeping secrets a good idea? Why do people withhold information from each other? What can be the consequences of doing so?
How is violence used in Isle of Blood and Stone? When is it useful, and when is it harmful?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures , Animals ( Ocean Creatures )
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
- Publication date : April 10, 2018
- Number of pages : 400
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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