Common Sense Media Review
By Andrea Beach
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Gods and mortals take a dark turn in gripping, epic fantasy.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
SOUND THE GONG picks up very soon after the events in Strike the Zither. Zephyr still inhabits Lotus's body, and alliances are crumbling as the three realms remain at odds, if not outright war, with one another. When she's given a chance to change mortals' fates, she doesn't hesitate. But who she has to become, and what she has to do to herself and others, may end up costing the ultimate price.
Is It Any Good?
This second and final volume in an epic fantasy duology is a bit darker, and more compelling, than the first volume. Sound the Gong's world is vast, and events are sweeping. There are lots of colorful characters and vividly imagined places, as well as tight plotting that keeps the pages turning. It can get confusing at times, but with a little patience things clear up soon enough.
Author Joan He doesn't spoon feed any answers about character motivations. No one is entirely good or evil, which provides a lot of food for thought that fantasy fans will appreciate about the characters and their actions, and the freedom to draw their own conclusions.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in Sound the Gong. Is it too much? Does it matter if it's fantasy violence or in the real world? Why, or why not?
Have you read the first volume? If you have, do you like one better than the other? If you haven't, would you like to now?
Did you read the note at the beginning making it clear that this is a work of fantasy and not based on any real history or modern practices? Why do you think the author and publisher wanted to point that out so carefully?
Talk about Zephyr's perseverance. What did she achieve? What were the costs of her pursuit of her goals? Do you think it was worth it?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures , Friendship
- Character Strengths : Courage , Perseverance
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Roaring Brook Press
- Publication date : April 30, 2024
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 14 - 17
- Number of pages : 368
- Available on : Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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