Common Sense Media Review
By Michael Berry
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Strong female hero drives exciting sci-fi horror thriller.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
As SPILL ZONE opens, teen photographer Addison is making unauthorized excursions into an abandoned part of Poughkeepsie, New York. No one knows what happened to the city that night when everything changed, but Addison is determined to bring back images that depict the ongoing craziness. A survivor of the Spill, Addie's younger sister Alexa rarely speaks but psychically communes with a bizarre doll named Vespertine. Addie has the chance to earn $1 million for her work, but is the payday worth the otherworldly danger?
Is It Any Good?
This eerie sci-fi thriller raises a lot of compelling questions and provides a few tantalizing answers as the series begins. In Spill Zone, author Scott Westerfeld does a great job of setting up potential plot complications for Addison and her sister Lexa and then amping up the level of suspense. The ruins of the Zone are filled with bizarre creatures and potential traps, and readers are likely to care deeply for Addie's safety as she attempts to maneuver them.
Alex Puvilland's artwork is suitably creepy, and his storytelling choices enhance the power of the narrative. The story ends with a revelatory cliffhanger, and comics fans and sci-fi enthusiasts will want to read the next volume as soon as possible.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Spill Zone adds elements of science fiction to everyday reality. How does imagining a different future shed light on the present?
How can siblings work together together to protect each other in difficult times?
In the face of a natural disaster, what's the value of art?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Alex Puvilland
- Genre : Graphic Novel
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures , Family Stories ( Siblings )
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : First Second
- Publication date : May 2, 2017
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 13 - 18
- Number of pages : 224
- Available on : Nook, Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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