Common Sense Media Review
By Joly Herman
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Dark magic in this decent fantasy doesn't get too scary.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In THE DARK LORD'S DAUGHTER, Kayla and her family are enjoying a day at the Minnesota State Fair, deciding which rides to go on, and what foods to try. Suddenly, an actor in a staged event approaches Kayla, her mom, and her brother, casting a spell that transports them to another realm. In this realm, Kayla is told she is the inheritor of a magical throne. But this magical inheritance might be more than she's willing to accept. Will Kayla stay in the realm to take the throne as a Dark Lady? Or will she return with her mom and brother to St. Paul?
Is It Any Good?
Adoption themes and a magical legacy intertwine in an interestingly-premised fantasy that zeroes in on details rather than untangling intricate plot lines. There's a lot of time devoted to things like figuring out how to make pizza in an unkempt castle in The Dark Lord's Daughter. Some spells are cast, but the spells are more often accidental than intentional in this story.
Families of adopted kids might want to approach this book cautiously, as the main character is thrown into situations where she's talking to half-sisters and biological family with checkered pasts. Unlike the character of Harry Potter, whose internal life is very well developed, Kayla isn't in close touch with her feelings about adoption, which might be difficult for adopted kids to stomach. And the life-altering choices forced onto Kayla without much time for her to process them feel awfully overwhelming. Fans of fantasy will enjoy this book the most.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the teamwork in The Dark Lord's Daughter that helps the characters meet their goals. What would happen if their family team fell apart?
Clear and open communication is crucial for the characters in this story, especially since they are sharing an experience in a strange land. What happens when they keep secrets from each other?
It takes tremendous courage to meet biological family if you're an adopted kid, like the main character of this book. How can you support your friends who are adopted?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures , Family Stories ( Siblings )
- Character Strengths : Communication , Courage , Teamwork
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Random House
- Publication date : September 5, 2023
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 368
- Available on : Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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