The Prophecy of the Stones

Book review by Matt Berman, Common Sense Media
The Prophecy of the Stones Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 10+

Reads like what it is: a 14-year-old's writing.

Flavia Bujor Fantasy 2004
Rate book

Parents say

not rated for age

Based on 1 review

Kids say

age 9+

Based on 26 reviews

Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Rate book

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 suggesting a diversity update.

A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this book.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that there's nothing of concern in this book except bad, juvenile writing.

Community Reviews

michellemybelle
michellemybelle Adult
April 9, 2008
not rated for age

NOT a literary work of art

this book is a linear, uncreative, run of the mill fantasy book that sounds exactly like something a 13 year old wrote- people fall in love within minutes, and develop deep emotional connections in a day, plot lines rushed and felt as though i was reading a 7th graders school project, mind you it was a good project for a 7th grader. The story line isn't too bad, its predictable, yes, butit kept my interest. Not very good for those of us over 13, but good for very young to pre-teen girls. I would read it to my 8 year old cousin. But everyone once in a while , us literature buffs need to take abreak from great works of art and read something easy, simple, predicatble, not indepth, book.
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

When they turn fourteen, three very different girls, Amber, Opal, and Jade, are sent away from their homes, each carrying a special stone, and told that an ancient prophecy has decreed that they must be sent in ignorance to find their destinies. They soon find each other and, though initially suspicious and snippy, travel together to try to discover the secret of their fate. Meanwhile a nameless knight tries to discover who he is. Meanwhile again a girl lies dying and dreaming in present-day Paris.

The three girls and the Nameless One eventually become involved in a battle between Good and Evil against the evil bureaucrats of the Council of Twelve and their Army of Darkness. What the Parisian girl has to do with anything is never made clear.

Is It Any Good?

There's nothing really objectionable here, except really bad writing; although many kids will find it dreary and ridiculous, some will enjoy it. The only harm comes in confusing young readers about what constitutes good writing. In an eighth-grade writing class this book is worthy of respect, but in the world of publishing this should never have seen print.

A bright 14-year-old writes a story. It's pretty good for a kid, and no doubt her writing teacher is thrilled. Unfortunately, there's more to professional writing than stringing together hundreds of pages of clichés. The usual requirements include a plot that makes some sense, characters that behave somewhat believably, and, in a fantasy, a world that has some rules, even if they're invented -- but this book has none of the above.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about some of the issues in this book, such as fate, destiny, hope, and sacrifice. They also could talk about the difference between amateur and professional writing. Do you find it obvious that this was written by a child? Do you think it would have been published if it had been written by an adult?

Book Details

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