Common Sense Media Review
By Sage Moreaux
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
More gore, less sex in decent but bloody romantasy sequel.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In THE BALLAD OF FALLING DRAGONS, Kaan and Raeve have reached an uneasy peace when a foretelling predicts the falling of many, many moons, which will wreak havoc on the land and its people. As rulers prioritize the magically gifted over the nulls, Kaan and Raeve join forces to fight for the kingdom, the lives of those they love, and for one another. But between Raeve's buried memories and truths not yet revealed, neither Kaan nor Raeve understand the true nature of the enemies, and danger, they will have to face to survive the coming moonfall intact.
Is It Any Good?
The epic world-building continues to impress in this second book in the series. Like the first book, The Ballad of Falling Dragons is a complex and long read, but the richly constructed world is one of the best elements of this installment. There are some lovely illustrations inside the book, as well as a detailed glossary and family tree that enhance the reading experience. Author Sarah A. Parker has clearly poured a lot of heart into the crafting of the world and the characters that live and die there.
Because the characters are known now, the plot can deepen and readers may find themselves enjoying this book even more than the first. But the book is long, and at times it can feel overstuffed with unnecessary scenes. Readers looking for dark fantasy with elegant writing and less gore might want to avoid this one. But older teens and adults who enjoyed When the Moon Hatched and are drawn in by dark fantasy stories with flowery prose and plenty of detailed descriptions of death and bloodshed, plus characters with loads of emotional baggage to unpack, are in for a satisfying read.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about main characters in The Ballad of Falling Dragons. What makes a character likable? Raeve is embittered from past traumas and kills without remorse, but with the goal of rooting out tyranny. Is Raeve's perseverance and worthy purpose appealing to you as a reader? Why, or why not? Do you even need your main characters to be likable to enjoy a book?
Raeve and Kaan are in constant danger and are the perpetrators of much violence and killing. How does the amount of violence affect your reading experience?
Why do you think the author chose to include so much swearing? Does it feel realistic here as compared to how people around you swear in real life? How do you think the book would change without the cursing?
This is a book written for an adult audience, but popular among teens. What makes a book with adult characters and issues appeal to teens? What role does social media play in bringing adult books to teens' attention?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Adventures , Fantasy ( Dragons , Magic )
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Avon Books (HarperCollins)
- Publication date : May 25, 2026
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 18
- Number of pages : 576
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : June 9, 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