Common Sense Media Review
Book has more sex, less violence than the movie.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 6 parent reviews
Based on 15 kid reviews
Kids say the book offers a mix of captivating fantasy elements and some graphic scenes that have sparked a range of opinions about its appropriateness for younger readers. While many appreciate its unique storytelling, the sudden inclusion of explicit content has led some to caution against its suitability for children, suggesting that it's more appropriate for mature teens or adults.
- graphic content
- age appropriateness
- narrative style
- mixed opinions
- fantasy elements
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Half-blood Tristran grew up on the human side of the wall between England and Faerie. One day, while trying to convince a local beauty to marry him -- or at least kiss him -- he promises to get her a fallen star (that happens to be a beautiful woman) that they saw shooting through the sky. Unfortunately, it (she) fell far on the other side of the wall.
So Tristran sets off through Faerie to try to find the star. But he's got some competition, as a witch-queen and her sisters want to catch the fallen star and cut out her heart while she's still alive in order to renew their youth. And, at the same time, three murderous princes set out to find the jewel that will give one of them the power to ascend their dead father's throne.
Is It Any Good?
This fantasy novel with a pleasant enough story didn't make much of a splash when it was first published, but it was reissued to coincide with the release of the movie version. Written in the style of a novel-length fairytale, it has both the advantages and disadvantages of that genre: Teens will appreciate the vivid magical setting and sense of surprise and wonder, but will find the lack of any character development makes it difficult for them to feel emotionally attached. In the end, it's a lovely soap bubble, bright and glittering and entertaining, but without much heart.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about bringing a book to the big screen. How does the movie version compare? What gets lost or is gained by creating a movie out of a novel?
How does reading about sex and violence feel different than seeing it in a movie or experiencing it in a video game? Should parents be as concerned with the books their kids read as they are about what they see on a screen?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic )
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : HarperTeen
- Publication date : January 1, 1999
- Number of pages : 333
- Last updated : December 17, 2025
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