Common Sense Media Review
By Michael Berry
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Ophelia dives into court intrigue in intricate fantasy saga.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
As THE MISSING OF CLAIREDELUNE begins, Ophelia suddenly is appointed Vice-storyteller by Farouk, her family's immortal and fairly inscrutable Spirit of the Pole. Engaged to wed the enigmatic Thorn and having received death threats with contradictory warnings, Ophelia must use her powers -- the ability to travel through mirrors and read the history of personal objects -- to keep herself and her fiancé safe. When various important courtiers begin disappearing, the stakes are raised even higher, and Ophelia's investigation may precipitate a genuine act of god.
Is It Any Good?
When authors know they have more than 2,000 pages to work with, some set a more measured pace, and this intricate fantasy certainly takes its time in moving the story forward. Author Christelle Dabos proves her skill at world-building and continues to reveal a droll sense of humor. Ophelia and Thorn are as charmingly mismatched as ever. Dabos engineers a compelling climax for this installment, and faithful readers will be momentarily satisfied, as long as they understand the next volume may return to an initially pokey pace.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how The Missing of Clairedelune depicts arranged marriages. Why do some cultures prefer that parents pick husbands or wives for their children?
Why are some activities and careers considered to be for men only? How can girls push back against that attitude?
Why do some religions worship a single, omnipotent god, while others have many dieties?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic )
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Europa Editions
- Publication date : May 7, 2019
- Number of pages : 512
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, App
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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