Silence: The Queen of the Dead, Book 1
Paranormal adventure bogs down in details.
Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
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 suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Silence (the first book in the Queen of the Dead series) is an intense story of paranormal intrigue, featuring a protagonist who can communicate with the dead. There's a fair amount of profanity ("f--k," "a--hole"), some violence, and a lot of supernatural action. Characters interact with various ghosts, some of whom died in horrible circumstances, and there's a harrowing sequence featuring a 4-year-old ghost still trapped in a burning building. One character's college-age brother shows up drunk at a party, but he's also under the influence of magic. Silence is especially sophisticated in its portrayal of a supporting character who has Asperger's.
Community Reviews
There aren't any reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
What's the Story?
In SILENCE, a strange encounter in a cemetery leaves high school student Emma with the ability to communicate with the dead. Soon she's able to see her departed father, but she also receives frantic messages regarding a ghostly child trapped within a perpetually burning building. As she learns to use magic, Emma grows ever closer to becoming a Necromancer, a state of affairs that might require one of her presumed allies to kill her.
Is It Any Good?
Silence has an interesting, suspenseful premise and an engaging cast of characters. Unfortunately, the narrative is a little talky, with characters frequently engaging in long, vague conversations about how Emma's powers are supposed to work. When it shows action and character development, Silence is effective, but it occasionally breaks its own spell with too much telling.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what it might be like to be able to communicate with a loved one who has died. What would you say/ask?
Which other ghost stories have you read or seen in movies? What makes a good one good?
How do people with Asperger's or autism perceive the world differently from most other people?
Book Details
- Author: Michelle Sagara
- Genre: Fantasy
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy, High School, Monsters, Ghosts, and Vampires
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: DAW Books
- Publication date: May 1, 2012
- Number of pages: 292
- Available on: Hardback, Kindle
- Last updated: September 15, 2015
Our Editors Recommend
-
Imaginary Girls
Dark, disturbing psychological thriller for mature teens.
-
Pemba's Song: A Ghost Story
Intriguing, history-minded mystery with a modern twist.
-
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, Book 1
Eerie gothic fantasy a satisfying creep fest for teens.
For kids who love fantasy
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