Parents' Guide to

The Burning Sky: The Elemental Trilogy, Book 1

By Karen Wirsing, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 12+

Girl learns to use fire-controlling power in magical tale.

Book Sherry Thomas Fantasy 2013
The Burning Sky: The Elemental Trilogy, Book 1 Poster Image

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What's the Story?

Iolanthe Seabourne is a 16-year-old girl learning to manage her unique ability to control fire. Her guardian has taught her a lot about elemental mages but has kept from her even more, like the fact that she is one of the greatest. Until the day she causes a lightning bolt to materialize from a clear sky, she's been unaware of her potential powers. Unbeknownst to her, seers and oracles determined years ago that she would be the greatest elemental mage for generations to come. Only the rare and great mages are able to control all four of the natural elements (earth, wind, fire, and water). However, the government is made up of oppressive rulers in constant search of any existing mages more powerful than they are. Iolanthe learns about her fate when Prince Titus witnesses the lightning bolt and is guided to her through the visions written by his mother. Now that the entire realm has witnessed this divine occurrence, the prince must guide her to safety and train her to perfect her abilities before the tyrannical government comes to destroy them both.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
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Kids say (1 ):

THE BURNING SKY, by adult romance author Sherry Thomas, is full of entertainment and adventure from beginning to end. Think The NeverEnding Story meets Harry Potter. Two teenagers take on their oppressive government and use magical portals to transfer from fantasy realms to real-life England. The kids practice training by entering "the crucible" (a magical book that contains famous oracles and rulers of the past). Each page of the crucible offers a different imaginative quest that the duo must learn to conquer successfully without being killed. One of the many missions is slaying a dragon to free Sleeping Beauty from her castle. Readers will be pulled into the pages while watching the characters as if they're competing in a video game and cheer as the two escape fire-breathing wyverns and evil rulers while skillfully riding dragons through oncoming tornadoes and rainstorms.

Although Thomas has an impeccable vision for fantasy, this installment lacks that one major climactic moment all readers wait for. Also, though the adventures are fun and will keep viewers hooked, due to the many interlacing story lines the character development of the heroine falls short.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about fantasy as a genre. Why do you think it's so popular with kids, teens, and adults?

  • The Burning Sky bounces back and forth between fantasy and reality. How can you differentiate between the two?

  • Is violence easier to handle when it happens in a fantasy setting? Why, or why not?

Book Details

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