Common Sense Media Review
By Michael Berry
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Repetitive action scenes undermine trilogy's end.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
After learning that his long-missing mother is alive after all, Thomas demands that his shipmates return to Roanoke Island to rescue her. But pirates are still in hot pursuit, and hordes of plague-carrying rats seem to await them wherever they might land. Thomas has learned that he has the ability to combine elements, but will he be able to trust himself and his allies enough to reclaim his home?
Is It Any Good?
Although it wraps up the continuing plot threads from the previous volume, RENEGADE feels somehow unnecessary until the very end. There are fresh revelations and narrative twists, but much of the book is taken up by the repetition of previous actions: boat chases, shoot-outs, attacks by rats, and squabbling among Thomas and his family. The catchphrase for this volume is: "The power of many is greater than the power of one." Perhaps two books in this series would have had a greater impact than three.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why postapocalyptic stories are so popular in movies, TV, and books. Why do readers enjoy imagining a near future where every day is a struggle to survive?
Would you be willing to sacrifice your own life for somebody else's?
How do people develop trust in each other? What role can trust play in learning to forgive someone?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures , Pirates
- Book type : Fiction
- Publication date : November 13, 2014
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 12 - 17
- Number of pages : 304
- Available on : Hardback, Kindle
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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