Common Sense Media Review
Stock story and characters, but still gripping.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 6 parent reviews
Based on 33 kid reviews
Kids say this book is an exciting blend of fast-paced action, fantasy, and mystery that captivates readers of all ages, especially those who enjoy adventure tales similar to Harry Potter. While it does contain moderate violence and some mild language, most reviewers highlight its gripping plot and valuable life lessons, making it suitable for mature kids and teens.
- fast-paced action
- engaging plot
- mild language
- suitable for teens
- valuable lessons
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
When Bobby Pendragon is taken by his Uncle Press to an abandoned subway station in the Bronx, he discovers that he, like his uncle, is a Traveler, with the ability to ride "flumes" through space and time. Press takes Bobby through a flume to a world called Denduron, where an evil Traveler called Saint Dane is inciting war between the ruling Bedoowan and the virtually enslaved Milago miners. But almost as soon as they arrive, Press is captured by the Bedoowan and scheduled for execution.
Bobby doesn't understand anything of what's going on, and all he wants to do is go home. But, challenged by Loor, a warrior-Traveler from another world, he hatches a plan to rescue Press from the Bedoowan stronghold. Getting Press back, though, is only the beginning of stopping Saint Dane's plans for sowing chaos across the planet and throughout the universe.
Is It Any Good?
MacHale is the creator of such shows as Are You Afraid of the Dark and Ghostwriter, and his screen work has given him a shrewd sense of pacing. Though the book is overlong, it will keep young fans of the fantasy/adventure genre breathlessly turning the pages. The story careens along entertainingly, and parts of it are quite exciting.
The downside of the video connection is that the characters are from Central Casting, and the plot follows a stock formula. It's a good formula, as formulas go, but it does give the books a certain been-there-done-that feel, exacerbated by the bizarre refusal of everyone to explain anything to Bobby, an obvious and annoying plot device. Still, it's plenty of fun, and young fans of the genre aren't looking for surprises anyway.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the formulaic plot and stock characters.
Can you think of other stories that follow this same formula?
Also, the females in this story are all pretty much Amazons. Is this an empowering portrayal?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Simon & Schuster
- Publication date : March 19, 2006
- Number of pages : 374
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate