Parents' Guide to

The Beast Player

By Michael Berry, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 12+

Teen bonds with magical beasts in captivating fantasy.

Book Nahoko Uehashi Fantasy 2019
The Beast Player Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

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age 13+

Based on 2 parent reviews

Jeanne W.
Jeanne W. Parent of 10 and 12-year-old
May 16, 2021
age 12+

Interesting Fantasy

It's a solid read, although I thought it might be a little slow and a little too plot heavy for my 12 year old fantasy reader. Nothing objectionable for her age, though.
Imveryweird
Imveryweird Parent of 16-year-old
May 22, 2020
age 13+

missed some

Good book just some use of alchohol and a sexual reference in song form.

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
Great role models
Too much sex
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

As THE BEAST PLAYER opens, 10-year-old Elin watches as her mother is about to be executed for having failed to protect the water serpents who play a large part in the kingdom's amy. Elin herself is saved at the last minute by her mother but is washed far away, only to be rescued by a kindly beekeeper, Joeun. Joeun raises her as his own daughter. Gradually, Elin learns that she can command both the water serpents and the dazzling Royal Beasts, and when she is sent to a boarding school, she learns why the Beasts are so important to the ruling class -- and how dangerous the animals can be with the wrong training.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (2):
Kids say (1):

Stories about kids training wild animals come in all sorts of configurations, but this well-crafted, pseudo-Asian fantasy brings more imagination to the project than most. The Beast Player mostly moves at a measured pace, with Elin gradually learning about the care and feeding of Royal Beasts, magnificent flying creatures. Author Nahoko Uehashi builds the narrative's tension slowly, so that readers are well prepared for the changes that Elin goes through as she and her charges mature. By the time Elin becomes into a pawn in a civil war, she is ready to unleash the Royal Beasts' full potential.

Deft in its character development, rich in theme and incident,The Beast Player will appeal to readers who like human/animal stories, especially if the animal is as captivating as the ones presented here.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how The Beast Player addresses the topic of animal cruelty. Why does Elin refuse to use a Silent Whistle against the Beasts? How should animals be trained to perform for humans?

  • What can people learn about human behavior by studying animals?

  • How do governments attempt to change the behavior of their citizens? How can citizens stand up to the demands of their leaders?

Book Details

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