Common Sense Media Review
By Barbara Saunders
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Girl slays dragons, saves sister, in exciting fantasy.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
When SO LET THEM BURN begins, sisters Faron and Elara are in opposing camps in the aftermath of a bitter war. Both have supernatural powers: Faron, to summon gods, and Elara to summon ancestors. Faron is considered a hero for having led the charge to liberate their people. When the two sisters end up at an international peace summit, their loyalty to each other comes in conflict with their social positions. Who will they choose? Each other, or their people?
Is It Any Good?
Effective, economical world-building and rich characters make this book an immersive, enjoyable read. In So Let Them Burn by Kamilah Cole, the author makes the invented world feel both fantastic and familiar by incorporating Jamaican mythology and the culture she loves. She evokes a sense of reality in clever word choices, such as naming the colonizing people "Langlish" and the independent nation "Irie." The book offers a nuanced exploration about the effects of colonialism and generational and collective trauma. Readers may also relate to the emotional challenges of sisters who fiercely love one another but who are also enemies.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how the characters in So Let Them Burn cultivate empathy for other people, even when they have serious disagreements. Who is the person in your family who is the most different from you? What have you done to find common ground and build a positive relationship?
Consider the theme of self-control in So Let Them Burn. In what parts of your life is it most difficult to exercise self-control? What makes it hard? How have you learned to make the choices you want to make?
Torn loyalties is a major theme in this book. How does integrity play a role in making decisions when you are receiving pressure to go along with a group or choose sides?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Adventures , Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Fantasy ( Dragons , Magic )
- Character Strengths : Empathy , Integrity , Self-control
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
- Publication date : January 16, 2024
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 12 - 18
- Number of pages : 400
- Available on : Paperback, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : March 6, 2026
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
Suggest an Update
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