Common Sense Media Review
By Andrea Beach
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Violence, swashbuckling in exciting second installment.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
SERPENT SEA picks up shortly after the events in Spice Road. Imani, 17, is a warrior for her people, able to use magic to defend her homeland from the monsters that lurk in the desert. Now reunited with her brother and sister, and in the face of a massive invading army after the Spice that's the source of her people's magical power, it seems there's only one way to drive the Harrowlanders out of her country for good: She must restore a magic crown to Qayn, the handsome djinni she's sworn to kill, and with whom her soul is bound. Meanwhile, Taha, 18, has been captured by the king of the Harrowlanders and is forced to help his enemies make their way across the treacherous, monster-filled desert. As they sail across the Serpent Sea to find Qayn's crown jewels, Imani, Taha, and Qayn will have to figure out who they can trust, and whether or not they can trust themselves.
Is It Any Good?
Fantasy fans will enjoy this exciting, intriguing series continuation set in an Arabian-inspired world. Serpent Sea keeps all the action, adventure, and humor coming in a richly imagined and ever expanding world. Switching points of view between Imani in the first person and Taha in the third person keeps the story moving and the pages turning. Teens will relate to Imani and Taha as they navigate complicated feelings and scary situations. The absolute cliffhanger of an ending will have fans eager for the next installment.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in Serpent Sea. Is it too much? Does it matter if it's fantasy or real-world violence? How is reading about it different from seeing it in movies, videos, games, and other media?
How do Imani, Taha, and Qayn model courage and perseverance? How does teamwork help them solve problems and get out of danger?
Did you read the first book before you read this one? If you did, do you like one better than the other? If you didn't, would you like to now?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Family Stories ( Siblings )
- Character Strengths : Courage , Integrity , Perseverance , Teamwork
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Delacorte Press
- Publication date : November 19, 2024
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 14 - 17
- Number of pages : 512
- Available on : Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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