Common Sense Media Review
By Barbara Saunders
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Stirring fantasy of girl growing into her power.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
When THE MEMORY THIEVES begins, 12-year-old Ella begins her second year at the Arcanum Training Institute for Marvelous and Uncanny Endeavors, an academy for marvellers where she was the first conjuror to attend. Her old nemesis Gia is back and out for revenge, but when the Institute is struck with a mysterious magical sickness, people suspect that Ella is responsible. Can she and her friends figure out what's going on before it's too late?
Is It Any Good?
This is a satisfying, exciting sequel that primes readers for the next series installment. In The Memory Thieves by Dhonielle Clayton, the relatable heroes, devious villains, and supportive allies from The Marvellers return to tackle more mysteries about their world. The characters are complex and interesting, still growing and learning, and it's fun to watch Ella explore more layers of history about her school. Like the previous book, it can drag at times in its 400+ pages. Readers may find themselves bogged down in details that, while absorbing, don't seem relevant to the overall story. At least yet. With at least two more installments on the way, fans can hope all these threads will be pulled together.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the theme of inheritance in The Memory Thieves. Besides material things, why are other inheritances—such as memory and knowledge—valuable?
How do friends become "frenemies," and what's the difference between a "frenemy" and an enemy? How do communication and empathy help improve or maintain relationships?
Discuss how lack of courage can lead a person to not do what they know is right, even when they want to do what's right?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures , Friendship
- Character Strengths : Communication , Courage , Empathy
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Henry Holt & Company, Inc.
- Publication date : September 26, 2023
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 416
- Available on : Paperback, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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