Parents' Guide to The Royal Trials: Last Gate of the Emperor, Book 2

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Common Sense Media Review

Michael Berry By Michael Berry , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 10+

Abandoned Earth proves value in taut adventure.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 10+?

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Parent and Kid Reviews

What's the Story?

As THE ROYAL TRIALS opens, the battle of Addis Prime is over, and young Prince Yared is eager for the Royal Trials to begin. The spacefaring Axum Empire is still fractured, but they're planning to return to the planet where civilization began -- Old Earth. Yared wants to see some action, but it looks as if he will only be allowed to give a speech.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say : Not yet rated
Kids say : Not yet rated

Video games have their place to play in fiction, and the prose in this novel generates much of the suspense. Elaborate space and manuevers distinguish Kwame Mbalia and Prince Joel Makonnen's Last Gate of the Emperor. Prince Yared is a delightful main character -- a wiseguy who steps up when he's needed most The Royal Trials ends on a high note, and fans will be left hankering for more.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about Last Gate of the Emperor: The Royal Trials and how it depicts Artificial Intelligence. Will computers ever be smarter than humans?

  • Why are games an inportant part of military training?

  • What might cause a planet to be abandoned?

Book Details

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