Parents' Guide to

The Shadow Cadets of Pennyroyal Academy: Pennyroyal Academy, Book 2

By Mary Eisenhart, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 10+

Lessons, magic, gore in exciting princess-school sequel.

Book M.A. Larson Fantasy 2016
The Shadow Cadets of Pennyroyal Academy: Pennyroyal Academy, Book 2 Poster Image

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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."

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