Common Sense Media Review
By Andrea Beach
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Friendship is the heart of this dark, compelling fantasy.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
THE BURIED AND THE BOUND is the story of teens Aziza, Leo, and Tristan in a small Massachusetts coastal town that straddles borders between magical realms. As the only witch of her kind in the area, it's Aziza's responsibility to make sure that the borders between the human and magical realms stay closed, and the magical creatures who wander into our world are returned home safely. Each member of Leo's family was cursed when Leo was a small child. His fate is to completely forget his one true love on his 16th birthday, and now that it's happened, he wants answers. Tristan is the bondservant of an evil witch and is wracked with guilt over what he's forced to do for her. As the borders between realms start to open more often, letting darker, ever-more dangerous creatures into the human world, the three teens will have to work together to put an end to the pure evil eating away at the forest.
Is It Any Good?
This is an inventive, dark fantasy that combines classic fairy tale elements with spooky settings that deliver chills and thrills with a fresh, modern feeling and a generous sprinkling of humor. Aziza's wry cynicism, Leo's endless optimism, and Tristan's angsty sadness are blended well into an unlikely friendship at the heart of the story. There's a lot going on, and a lot of different elements that weave in and out of the story, but it's well structured and easy to follow. Switching points of view keeps the pages turning, and the open ending will have fans longing for further adventures.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in The Buried and the Bound. Is it too much? Does it have a different effect if its in the fantasy realm than in the real world?
What about the strong language? Is it realistic or over the top?
How do Aziza, Leo, and Tristan change as their friendship grows? Or do they change at all? Why are friendships so important to us?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures , Friendship
- Character Strengths : Courage , Perseverance , Teamwork
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Roaring Brook Press
- Publication date : January 24, 2023
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 14 - 18
- Number of pages : 384
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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