Common Sense Media Review
By Mary Eisenhart
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Lessons, magic, gore in exciting princess-school sequel.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
As the cadets return to Pennyroyal Academy for the second year, protagonist Evie finds herself in a new role: the object of fan adoration in the wake of her killing a witch in Book 1. She's troubled by the murder of an innocent innkeeper's wife she witnessed on her journey and soon gets frightening evidence that it's part of the witches' latest evil plot. Worse, it seems THE SHADOW CADETS OF PENNYROYAL ACADEMY -- students expelled from the Academy -- have joined the dark side in a new alliance. And just when they need one another most, Evie and her friends are often on the outs.
Is It Any Good?
M.A. Larson may get cartoonish and clichéd here and there, but appealing characters with relatable issues, plus a lot of heart and humor, carry the day in his latest magic-academy installment. The Shadow Cadets of Pennyroyal Academy will be too dark and gory for some, but there's a lot of light. The engaging, well-paced narrative keeps the pages turning as central characters struggle with cosmic evil -- and also the day-to-day troubles of friends and school. In the process, the author delivers strong, comforting messages, such as this, from Evie's long-dead father in a dream: "We're family ... We will always be inside of you, just as you will always be inside of us. We are together, even when we're apart. Even after we die."
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about boarding-school stories, especially ones at magic-themed boarding schools. Why are they so popular? How does The Shadow Cadets of Pennyroyal Academy compare with others you might know about?
Have you ever been shown kindness by someone you didn't expect it from at all? What happened? Did your relationship with that person change?
Why do you think people sometimes feel more at home with their friends than their families? Do you think one has to be more important than the other, or is it possible to have strong connections with both?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic , Fairy Tales ) , Adventures , Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Friendship
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : G.P. Putnam's Sons
- Publication date : June 14, 2016
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 10 - 18
- Number of pages : 368
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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